Valentine Tank - Combat History

Combat History

The tank first served in Operation Crusader in the North African desert, when it began to replace the Matilda Tank. Due to a lack of cruiser tanks, it was issued to armoured regiments in the UK from mid-1941. The Valentine was better armed and faster than the Cruiser Mark II

It was extensively used in the North African Campaign, earning a reputation as a reliable and well-protected vehicle. The Valentine shared the common weakness of the British tanks of the period: its 2-pounder gun lacked high-explosive (anti-personnel) capability, and soon became outdated as an anti-tank weapon too. Introduction of the 6-pdr in British service was delayed until the losses of Dunkirk had been made good so the 2-pdr was retained longer. The small size of the turret and of the turret ring made mounting for larger guns proved a difficult task. Although versions with the 6-pounder and then with the Ordnance QF 75 mm gun were developed, by the time they were available in significant numbers, better tanks had reached the battlefield. Another weakness was the small crew compartment and the turret for only two men. A larger turret, with a loader position added, was used in some of the 2-pounder versions, but the position had to be removed again in variants with larger guns.

By 1944, the Valentine had been almost completely replaced in front-line units of the European Theatre by the Churchill (the "Infantry Tank Mark IV") and the US-made Sherman tanks.

In the Pacific, the tank was employed in limited numbers, at least until May 1945. It was used in New Zealand service, with the 3rd New Zealand Division, which needed a close-support vehicle. As the 2 pdr HE shell was lacking, some Valentine III's in New Zealand had their main armament replaced by the 3 inch howitzer taken from Australian Matilda CS tanks. Nine of the new 3-inch armed tanks and 16 normal Valentines - with 2 inch HE shells produced in New Zealand - formed the New Zealand Tank Squadron in 1944. New Zealand retained Valentines until 1955

In Soviet service the Valentine was used from the Battle of Moscow until the end of the war. Although criticized for its low speed and weak gun, the Valentine was liked due to its small size, reliability, and generally good armour protection.