tanks

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Germans reach the first of the Russian oilfields

August 9, 2012 in 1942, August 1942, tanks by Editor

The Germans made good progress, covering huge distances without encountering significant opposition.

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A narrow escape in the Desert

July 22, 2012 in 1942, July 1942, tanks by Editor

A Vickers machine gun team 'in action' near El Alamein, 17 July 1942.

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‘Black Saturday’ for the British Eighth Army

June 13, 2012 in 1942, June 1942, tanks by Editor

German panzer III tank with burning British lorry.

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South African dawn patrol snatches prisoners

February 24, 2012 in 1942, tanks by Editor

A Grant tank in the Western Desert, 17 February 1942.

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Rommel remains confident despite retreat

January 10, 2012 in 1942, January 1942, tanks by Editor

Rommel in conversation with Major General Boettcher, North Africa, January 1942.

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Intense cold brings misery to the German Army

December 12, 2011 in 1941, December 1941, tanks by Editor

Panzer IV tanks in the snow of the Eastern Front at the end of 1941, in the intense cold engines had to be kept running almost continuously.

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British tanks still outgunned in the desert

December 3, 2011 in 1941, December 1941, tanks by Editor

There had been high hopes for the new Stuart 'Honey' tanks when they arrived in the desert in August 1941

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Panzer attack causes confusion in North Africa

November 26, 2011 in 1941, November 1941, tanks by Editor

A British tank passes a burning German during Operation Crusader, November 1941.

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Captain Philip Gardner wins the VC

November 23, 2011 in 1941, November 1941, tanks, Victoria Cross by Editor

Captain Philip Gardner after recovering from sustained wounds whilst rescuing a fellow soldier in the desert.

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Another VC at Sidi Rezegh

November 22, 2011 in 1941, November 1941, tanks, Victoria Cross by Editor

Campbell at his investiture with the Victoria Cross by the Commander in Chief, General Sir Claude Auchinleck. Campbell was awarded the VC for his action at Sidi Rezergh, 21 - 22 November 1941.

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The siege of Leningrad begins

September 8, 2011 in 1941, September 1941, tanks by Editor

The heavy armour of the Russian KV1 tank was more than a match for any German tank at the time.

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Bailing out of a tank in Russia

July 8, 2011 in 1941, July 1941, tanks by Editor

The Czech built 38(t) tank advancing through a Russian village during the early part of Operation Barbarossa

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6.7.41 [George Orwell]

July 6, 2011 in air-raids, Beaverbrook, Beresina, Catholic, Churchill, communists, England, Germany, Government, Hitler, invasion, Ireland, neutrality, New York, newspapers, People's Convention, planes, Political, Pruth, Russia, tanks, Truth, U.S.A., U.S.S.R., War-time by orwelldiaries

Several of the papers are growing very restive because we are not doing more to help the U.S.S.R. I do not know whether any action, other than air-raids, is really intended, but if nothing is attempted, quite apart from the military and political consequences this may have, it is a disquieting symptom. For if we can’t make a land offensive now, when the Germans have 150 divisions busy in Russia, when the devil shall we be able to? I hear no rumours whatever about movements of troops, so apparently no expedition is being prepared at any rate from England. [1] The only new development is the beginning of Beaverbrook’s big drive for tanks, similar to his drive for planes last year. But this can’t bear fruit for some months, and where these tanks are to be used there is no hint. I can’t believe they want them for use against a German invasion. If the Germans were in a position to bring large numbers of armoured units here, i.e. if they had complete command of the sea and air, we should have lost the war already.

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30.6.41 [George Orwell]

June 30, 2011 in Abyssinia, Germany, Internationale, Lemberg, Lithuania, Minsk, national anthem, Political, Russia, tanks, U.S.S.R., War-time by orwelldiaries

No real news of the Russo-German campaign. Extravagant claims by both sides, all through the week, about the number of enemy tanks, etc., destroyed. All one can really believe in is captures of towns, etc., and the German claims so far are not large. They have taken Lemberg and appear to have occupied Lithuania, and claim also to have by-passed Minsk, though the Russians claim that their advance has been stopped. At any rate there has been no break-through. Everyone already over-optimistic. “The Germans have bitten off more than they can chew. If Hitler doesn’t break through in the next week he is finished”, etc., etc. Few people reflect that the Germans are good soldiers and would not have undertaken this campaign without weighing the chances beforehand. More sober estimates put it thus: “If by October there is still a Russian army in being and fighting against Hitler, he is done for, probably this winter.” Uncertain what to make of the Russian government’s action in confiscating all private wirelesses. It is capable of several explanations.

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Operation Battleaxe – tank versus tank

June 15, 2011 in 1941, June 1941, tanks by Editor

The German 88mm anti-aircraft gun became notorious when used as an anti tank gun. In prepared positions when it was well dug in it was very difficult to hit.

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Attack and counter-attack on Crete

May 25, 2011 in 1941, May 1941, tanks by Editor

German paratroopers go forward over the rocky terrain in the blazing heat on Crete 1941

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Tank versus tank inside Tobruk

April 14, 2011 in 1941, April 1941, tanks by Editor

A German Mk IV tank, its turret blown off by a 25-pounder during the battle within Tobruk on the 14th April.

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The Italians surrender at Beda Fomm

February 7, 2011 in 1941, February 1941, tanks by Editor

Italian M13 Tanks in the Libyan Desert, pictured later in 1941

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The attack on Tobruk

January 21, 2011 in 1941, january 1941, tanks by Editor

Infantry from the 6th Australian Division move forward during the assault on Tobruk

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Australian’s dawn attack on Bardia

January 4, 2011 in 1941, january 1941, tanks by Editor

British artillery gun firing in the desert

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