Here is a short video of World of Tanks researcher Nick Moran interviewing Stefan Karlsson on the topic of Swedish tank history.
IHS Jane’s 360 – IDEX 2017 videos
Here are some videos from the youtube channel of IHS Jane’s 360 showing some of the vehicles on display at IDEX 2017 described by Christopher Foss.
Inside the Chieftain’s Hatch: Stridsvagn 74
Here is part 1 & 2 of the “Inside the Hatch” video looking at the Stridsvagn 74 featuring Nicholas Moran of World of Tanks.
Tank Chats #32 Cromwell
The thirty second in a series of short films about some of the vehicles at the Tank Museum featuring historian David Fletcher MBE. The Second World War, British, Cromwell tank was one of the fastest tanks of the war.
Book News: WoT Ad for the Hunnicutt “Firepower” Reprint
We don’t usually post ads here, but we will make an exception for this one.
Random Tank Videos
Here is a collection of some recent tank videos that have appeared on youtube. While none of these deserved a post of their own, we thought they were entertaining enough to warrant being posted collectively.
We start with a few videos from the youtube page of Russian tank researcher Yuri Pasholok.
Here is a video of a T-34 driver showing off.
Here are some clips of US forces in Eastern Europe courtesy of Military Videos channel.
We finish with this clip of what looks like a T-62 being struck by an ATGM in Syria.
IDF retires Pereh Missile Carrier “Tank”
Israeli military websites are confirming that the IDF has retired the Pereh Missile Carrier. This weapons system is based on the hull of an M48 (Magach 5) tank hull and disguised to look like a tank. While developed and introduced in the 1980’s, this vehicle remained secret until it was finally declassified in the Summer of 2015. As far as we can tell, there have been no English language news articles yet on the retirement of the Pereh, we have obtained this news from friends of the site that follow Israeli armor developments more closely than we are able to. It is unclear if this retirement will be of the entire Pereh concept, or if the IDF will be fielding a version based on a more modern tank hull at some point. The IDF also operates versions of the Tamuz missle system mounted on lighter vehicles such as the M113 and some soft skin trucks.
Veteran of Battle of 73 Easting appointed National Security Advisor
Military.com has posted an article about Army Lt. Gen H.R. McMaster, the new appointee to the position of National Security Adviser. Those interested in armored warfare history may remember him as one of the participants of the Battle of 73 Easting during the 1991 Gulf War.
It was late afternoon on Feb. 26, 1991, during the Gulf War when then-Capt. H.R. McMaster ran into a superior Iraqi armored force lying in wait to halt the main U.S. advance into occupied Kuwait.
McMaster commanded Eagle Troop of 2nd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment. The 2nd ACR was providing an offensive covering force for the U.S. Army’s VII Corps.
Advancing through a heavy sandstorm, McMaster’s nine M1 Abrams Tanks and 12 M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles made contact with the large Iraqi defensive belt in the featureless Iraqi desert.
His troop destroyed approximately 50 T72 Tanks and about 25 other armored vehicles in 23 minutes in what would become known as the Battle of 73 Easting of Operation Desert Storm.
McMaster was awarded a Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest valor award, for his actions during that short-lived conflict.
Twenty-six years later, Lt. Gen. McMaster has been selected to serve as national security adviser to the Trump administration.
Read the full Military.com article here.
For more on H.R. McMaster and the Battle of 73 Easting, check out these links:
10 Lessons from the Battle of 73 Easting by H.R. McMaster
Battle of 73 Easting by Captain H.R. McMaster (PDF)
TV Documentary featuring H.R. McMaster
Tank Talk: The M2A1
Somehow we missed this when it was released at the end of last month. Anyhow, here is another installment of Tank Talk with Len Dyer of the National Armor and Cavalry Restoration Center.
M1917 turret found in woods
The facebook page for the National Armor and Cavalry Museum is reporting that the turret to what looks like a M1917 tank has been found in the woods at Fort Benning. We have re-posted the content of the post below.
While the NACM’s armor collection is focused mainly around vehicles, they are but artifacts with which we are able to honor the legacy of the Americans that crewed them. After this past week, we are fortunate enough to be able to connect more to the Tank Corps of World War I.
A team preparing a section of woods to be cleared here at Fort Benning happened upon a tank turret. As per regulation, post agencies were informed of a potential artifact, and in turn the musuem was notified. Photos identified the turret belonging to a French-built Renault FT light tank. At the end of World War I, the Tank Corps brought back approximately 200 of its FTs to use along with the American-built M1917. Many ended up at Fort Benning, which became home to the Tank School starting in 1920. As the FTs were phased out, many were de-militarized by simply removing the turrets and selling for use in agriculture or industry. While the NACM collection currently has two Renault FTs, neither of these served with the American light tank battalions during the war. Though not complete and no other remains of tanks have been found at the location, the historical significance of the turret was obvious.
Today, a team consisting of NACM personnel, Marines assigned to the Marine Corps Detachment Fort Benning, and veteran volunteers move quickly to secure the turret. Despite the thick woods, uneven terrain, and rain the turret is now at the restoration shop. It is already being cleaned to prevent further deterioration. It will be preserved in tribute of the early American tankers.
(Photos by NACM Volunteers Mr. David Hobbs and Mr. Jon Potts)