Matilda (Introduction) 

Type: Infantery tank

Nationality: Great Britain

The Matilda is the first British attempt to build a tank specialized in infantry support. By sacrificizing speed, the idea was to get a well-proected machine advancing at the pace of walking men.
The first model, the Matilda I, was a failure. The next models in contrasts were able to maintain invulnerability to enemy antitank fire for almost two years (except for the German 88 mm gun). It played a major role in the Desert War until the end of 1941. From 1942 onwards, the Matilda were replaced by the cheaper Valentine.

 Matilda I 

Type: Infantery tank

Nationality: Great Britain

First British attempt of a tank specialized in the support of infantry. It sacrificied speed in favor of protection, advancing at the same pace as the infantry.
The Matilda I, although inexpensive, was hopelessly outdated at the outset of the war. Its armement was insufficient, its speed too low (less than a running man) and its armor too thin. After taking part in the campaign of France and the counter-attack at Arras, it was donwgraded to training.
Identification: With the two big bogies each grouping 4 road-wheels, its small turret and its large MG, its silhouette is impossible to confuse with any other tank.
Other designation(s): Infantry Tank Mark I; A-11

GeneralWeight (combat ready): 11.2 tons Ground Pressure: 0.68 kg per cm² Length: 4.85 meters Height: 1.87 meters Width: 2.29 meters Crew: 2 men Armor & Weapons.303 Vickers 2 x Smoke discharger Maximum Armour: 65 mm Minimum Armour: 12 mm

PropulsionEngine: Ford Speed (*): 13 kph Power: 70 HP Fuel tank: 191 liters Range (*): 129 km Mileage (*): 148 liters per 100 km ProductionProduction: 139 units From: 1936 To: 1940

(*) on road

Production & Usage
	Années 20	1930-35	1936-38	1939				1940				1941				1942				1943				1944				1945
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Front ouest:			.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
Users: Great Britain

Additional information on the web  (for the model): 

Matilda I in its role of infantery support. Its duck-like outlook earned it its surname of Matilda, that it passed to the next models.

 Matilda II 

Type: Infantery tank

Nationality: Great Britain

The Matilda II was an improved version of the Matilda I. Equiped with the very efficient 2-pounder gun, it enjoyed above all the thickest armor among the tanks of the time (except perhaps for Russians). Until 1941, no German panzer had a gun powerful enough to pierce it. Only 8.8 cm guns could do it.
They first saw action during the counter offensive at Arras. Then they successfully fought in Africa against the Italians, in Libya as well as in Ethiopia. They remained the most feared enemy of Rommel's panzers until the end of 1941.
Afterwards, luck began to fade. The increasing calibers of the German tanks put an end to its invulnerability while its 2-pounder gun was unable to engage infantery or anti-tank guns at a distance. They disappeared from the front line in 1942, but their chassis went on being used for specialized usages (mine clearing, ...).
Identification: The side skirts protecting the tracks, with a dip, are characteristic of the Matilda II.
Other designation(s): Infantry Tank Mark II; A-12

A Matilda II, captured by the Germans in Africa, pressed into service on the other side and, in the end destroyed by the British. Rommel made extensive use of captured tanks to compensate for the insufficient deliveries coming from Europe.

 Matilda III 

Type: Infantery tank

Nationality: Great Britain

All versions of the Matilda II differed between themselves only by minor mechanical details or the origin of the engine.
The attribution of number to the Matilda's is confusing. The follower of the Matilda I was very different but got, logically, the name Matilda II. After the removal of the Matilda I from frontline duties and the arrival of different versions of the Matilda II, these got the name Matilda III, Matilda IV and Matilda V, although they were very close to one another.
Identification: There are no significant external differences between the different versions of Matilda II.

Matilda captured by the Germans in Africa in 1941

 Matilda IV C.S. 

Type: Infantery tank

Nationality: Great Britain

The Matilda III and IV had each a variant dedicated to the support of infantery. The antitank weapon in the turret was replaced by a 3-inch howitzer. The other characteristics are the same as the standard model.
Identification: The howitzer in the turret is slightly bigger than the standard 2-pounder gun of the standard model.

Matilda III (or IV) C.S. The howitzer in the turret is slightly bigger than the 2-pounder gun of the standard model.

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