tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030145265861917845.post237896780561174064..comments2024-03-28T14:35:30.147-04:00Comments on Tank Archives: Cromwells in NormandyPeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09622237223229485503noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030145265861917845.post-39428127547397599492017-06-08T10:03:06.506-04:002017-06-08T10:03:06.506-04:00You got me digging on this one. The commander and ...You got me digging on this one. The commander and gunner sit on the left of the Cromwell turret with the loader on the right. However, the Besa MG is mounted to the left of the main gun, which is unusual....normally the MG is on the same side as the loader. Besa's are belt-fed from the right. It's a little mysterious to me how it could be reloaded with the 75mm breech in the way. <br /><br />Nevertheless, with the MG on the same side as the gunner, you can see how he could have been killed by the hit described in the article. Dat34https://www.blogger.com/profile/05191197983174208313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030145265861917845.post-25946722799018484582017-06-08T09:04:20.262-04:002017-06-08T09:04:20.262-04:00Every tank battalion in the US Army had multiple s...Every tank battalion in the US Army had multiple small, truck-mounted cranes that could life out an engine. This is a routine part of maintenance. It is not credible that British units lacked similar equipment (indeed the most probable thing is that they had the very same trucks!). So, again, how is it possible that Cromwell engines could not be changed out in the field? No unit can be kept combat-ready if they can't do engine changes. Dat34https://www.blogger.com/profile/05191197983174208313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030145265861917845.post-14374197769679350632017-06-07T17:18:31.620-04:002017-06-07T17:18:31.620-04:00An engine is among other things also heavy, so you...An engine is among other things also heavy, so you need a crane to lift it out. I dont know how many ARVs the british had that could do that. The Builderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17242924608059447367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030145265861917845.post-37830436006841590732017-06-07T11:11:38.330-04:002017-06-07T11:11:38.330-04:00How is it possible that engine removal was impossi...How is it possible that engine removal was impossible in the field? Engine removal is routine on any tank. The Cromwell appears to have a big, flat, easily-removed engine deck giving good access to the engine. ????Dat34https://www.blogger.com/profile/05191197983174208313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030145265861917845.post-6939979999187751292017-06-07T05:19:24.628-04:002017-06-07T05:19:24.628-04:00How did a hit in the MG kill the gunner? I imagine...How did a hit in the MG kill the gunner? I imagine it was the coax, which would have been on the loaders side if anything. Cant be the bow MG since that has no way of being tossed into the radio in the turret bustle. The Builderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17242924608059447367noreply@blogger.com