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The FReeper Foxhole's TreadHead Tuesday - The British Valentine Tank Feb. 14, 2006
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Posted on 02/13/2006 8:35:48 PM PST by alfa6



Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.


.................................................................. .................... ...........................................

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THE VALENTINE TANK



Based on the A10 Cruiser tank, the Valentine was privately designed by the Vickers-Armstrong corporation (hence its lack of an "A" designation) and was submitted to the War Office on February 14, 1938. Like many other projects, the Valentine was rushed into production following the loss of nearly all of Britain's equipment during the evacuation at Dunkirk.

Several versions exist concerning the source of the name Valentine. The most popular one says that the design was presented to the War Office at St. Valentine's Day (February 14). Some sources, however, claim that the exact date the design was submitted was February 10. According to other version, the tank was called Valentine in honor of Sir John Valentine Carden, the man who led the development of the A10 and many other Vickers vehicles. Yet another version says that Valentine is an acronym for Vickers-Armstrong Ltd Elswick & Newcastle-upon-Tyne.



The War Office was initially deterred by the size of the turret and the crew compartment. However, concerned by the situation in Europe, it finally approved the design in April 1939. The vehicle reached trials in May 1940, which coincided with the loss of nearly all of Britain's equipment during the evacuation at Dunkirk. The trials were successfull and the vehicle was rushed into production as Infantry Tank III Valentine.

The Valentine remained in production until April 1944, becoming Britain's most mass produced tank during the war with 6855 units manufactured in the UK (by Vickers, Metropolitan-Cammell Carriage and Wagon and Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon) and further 1420 in Canada. They were the Commonwealth's main export to the Soviet Union under the Lend-lease Act, with 2394 of the British models being sent and 1388 of the Canadian (the remaining 30 were kept for training).



The Valentine was Britain's most mass produced tank during the war, having manufactured 6855 and a further 1420 in Canada. They were the Commonwealth's main export to the Soviet Union under the Lend-lease Act, with 2394 of the British models being sent and 1388 of the Canadian (the remaining 30 were kept for training). In Soviet service, they were quite popular due to their small size, reliability, and generally good armour protection. In Soviet service, the Valentine was used from the Battle of Moscow until the end of the war. It was employed mostly on the southern fronts, both because of the proximity to the Persian supply route and in order to avoid using the tank in very cold climate. Although criticized for its speed and its weak gun, the Valentine was liked due to its small size, reliability and generally good armour protection.

The Valentine was something of an oddity, having the weight and size of a cruiser tank, but the armour and speed of an infantry tank. Though its armour was still weaker than the Matilda and, due to its weaker engine, it shared the same top speed, its high reliability and lower cost kept it in the war.



By 1944, in the European Theater of Operations the Valentine was almost competely replaced in the frontline units by the Churchill and the US-made Sherman. In the Pacific the tank was employed in limited numbers at least until May 1945.

There were 12 variants of the Valentine as follows:



Valentine I (350)
The first model of the Valentine, it was not sent out due to problems from rushed production. It was equipped with a 2 pdr. gun and a coaxial machine gun. Its cramped turret forced the commander to also act as the guns loader. It used a 135 hp gasoline engine.

Valentine II (700)
This model used a 131 hp diesel engine in order to increase its range. It first saw combat during Operation Crusader, at which point it began to replace the Matilda.

Valentine III
A larger turret was installed, allowing the addition of a dedicated loader to ease the duties of the commander.

Valentine IV
A II using an American 138hp GMC diesel engine. Though it had slightly lower range, it was more silent and reliable.

Valentine V
Valentine III with the American GMC engine.



Valentine VI
A Valentine built solely in Canada. It used a cast hull and a Browning machine gun in place of the Besa.

Valentine VII
Improved version of the VI- it had jettisonable fuel tanks, new tracks and an expanded turret similar to the III. Also built only in Canada.

Valentine VIII
A III upgraded with the QF 6 pdr gun. In order to fit it, the coaxial machine gun and the loader crewmember had to be removed. The side armour was made thinner to reduce weight.

Valentine IX
A V upgraded to the 6 pdr. gun. Similar reductions as the VIII.

Valentine X
A new turret design and better 165hp GMC engine. A coaxial machine gun could be fitted again. Also used welded construction.

Valentine XI
An X upgraded with the OQF 75mm gun. Only served as a command tank.



Valentine DD
Valentines fitted with Straussler's Duplex Drive. Used by crews in training for the Sherman DD's of the Normandy Landings.


TOPICS: VetsCoR
KEYWORDS: armor; freeperfoxhole; tanks; treadhead; veterans
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To: snippy_about_it; alfa6
Engraved on the monument at Manassas . . .

"Look! There stands Jackson like a stone wall! Rally behind the Virginians."
~Brig. General Bernard Bee~


641 posted on 03/09/2006 7:43:13 AM PST by w_over_w (The more things change the more they stay the same. ~Bentfeather~)
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To: PAR35
4. Jamestown was the first English settlement in the U.S.

I did a little bit of research on this and it seems the distinction is successful colony. Roanoke, NC was more an exploratory expedition that didn't take hold whereas Jamestown was colonized for the purpose of settlement.

"Meanwhile, Grenville was delayed in leaving England for the supply of the Roanoke colony. This placed the colonists in a desperate predicament. This fact, the troubled state of Europe and America, making war with Spain now practically inevitable, and the unaccountable delay in the arrival of Grenville's supply fleet caused Lane to ask for passage to England. When Drake sailed, on June 18, 1586 he carried the colonists home with him."
State Library NC

"They sailed up stream for fifty miles, and, on the 13th of May, 1607, began the settlement of Jamestown, which was the first English Colony successfully planted in America."
Colonial Ancestors

Granted, it's a minor distinction but one that any proud Virginian would want to assert. IMHO.

642 posted on 03/09/2006 8:11:01 AM PST by w_over_w (The more things change the more they stay the same. ~Bentfeather~)
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To: w_over_w

Hey, we stood right there too!


643 posted on 03/09/2006 8:18:15 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: snippy_about_it
Lookie what we woke up to today!

That's a shame . . . some prankster covered your porch with cotton balls. Have you notified the police?

644 posted on 03/09/2006 8:18:18 AM PST by w_over_w (The more things change the more they stay the same. ~Bentfeather~)
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To: w_over_w








If they hurry they can catch them in the act!
645 posted on 03/09/2006 8:34:26 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: snippy_about_it

Wow . . . that's really beautiful. Drive safely!


646 posted on 03/09/2006 8:54:13 AM PST by w_over_w (The more things change the more they stay the same. ~Bentfeather~)
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To: snippy_about_it

I'm jealous. I had to mow the lawn last weekend.


647 posted on 03/09/2006 8:57:14 AM PST by Professional Engineer (Algebra? It's a piece of pi.)
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To: w_over_w
I agree that Jamestown was the first successful English colony, but that wasn't the claim. While the first group went home with Drake, a small force arrived to maintain English presence. Thin in 1587, a new batch of colonists arrived. That is the group that disappeared during the war between England and Spain. They were probably either killed or enslaved by the 'friendly' natives.
648 posted on 03/09/2006 10:47:24 AM PST by PAR35
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To: snippy_about_it; w_over_w

I can't at the moment find where I read the comment about Jackson.

As best as I recall after arriving at the Battle of Manassas Jackson and his brigade formed up and stood around for a period of time. The "Stonewall" comment was meant as a arcastic statement as Gen Jackson and his brigade wern't accomplishing anything more than a stonewall. Needless to say with out the actions of Thomas and his brigade, as well as several others, the Battle of Manassas might well be known universally as the Battle of Bull Run :-)

As I am on nights this weekend I will see if I can find an attribution for this story.

Regards

alfa6 ;>}


649 posted on 03/09/2006 10:48:44 AM PST by alfa6
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To: Professional Engineer; Peanut Gallery; bentfeather; snippy_about_it; All



650 posted on 03/09/2006 11:14:41 AM PST by Professional Engineer (Algebra? It's a piece of pi.)
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To: Professional Engineer; snippy_about_it
WOW! What bird feed did you purchase from Snip & Sam to attract those beauties to your backyard? ;)
651 posted on 03/09/2006 11:45:23 AM PST by w_over_w (The more things change the more they stay the same. ~Bentfeather~)
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To: w_over_w; snippy_about_it; SAMWolf

Purina Eagle Chow


652 posted on 03/09/2006 12:06:41 PM PST by Professional Engineer (Algebra? It's a piece of pi.)
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To: Professional Engineer

Wow!


653 posted on 03/09/2006 12:12:50 PM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: bentfeather

Hi miss Feather.

Bittygirl was playing with a bunch of pencils last night, and poked the end of her finger. She started bleeding. Not knowing what to make of the drops of blood, she started shaking her hand. Oh my, droplettes everywhere, including her Cinderella pajamas.


654 posted on 03/09/2006 2:55:21 PM PST by Professional Engineer (Algebra? It's a piece of pi.)
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To: Professional Engineer; bittygirl

Hi, Bitty Girl, be careful around those pencils.
655 posted on 03/09/2006 4:15:55 PM PST by Soaring Feather (Woman Poets Rock the Babies, Baby Rocks the poet.)
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To: Professional Engineer
Okay, where did ya see those eagles?? I saw some when I was in Alaska, impressive to say the least.
656 posted on 03/09/2006 4:17:54 PM PST by Soaring Feather (Woman Poets Rock the Babies, Baby Rocks the poet.)
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To: bentfeather
Okay, where did ya see those eagles??
657 posted on 03/09/2006 4:57:24 PM PST by Professional Engineer (Algebra? It's a piece of pi.)
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To: snippy_about_it; SAMWolf; Iris7; Valin; PAR35; alfa6; U S Army EOD; Peanut Gallery; USMCBOMBGUY; ...
Evening Grace Folks~

Sawtooth Ridge (AKA “The Needles”), at Washington Pass, North Cascades Hwy., Washington

Washington Facts and Trivia

1. The state of Washington is the only state to be named after a United States president.

2. Seattle is home to the first revolving restaurant, 1961.

3. Washington state produces more apples than any other state in the union.

4. Washington state has more glaciers than the other 47 contiguous states combined.

5. Washington state's capitol building was the last state capitol building to be built with a rotunda.

6. Everett is the site of the world's largest building, Boeing's final assembly plant

7. Medina is the home of the United States wealthiest man, Microsoft's Bill Gates.

8. The Northwestern most point in the contiguous U.S. is Cape Flattery on Washington's Olympic Peninsula.

9. King county the largest county in Washington was originally named after William R. King, Vice President under Franklin Pierce; it was renamed in 1986, after civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

10. Microsoft Corporation is located in Redmond.

11. Before it became a state, the territory was called Columbia (named after the Columbia River). When it was granted statehood, the name was changed to Washington, supposedly so people wouldn't confuse it with The District of Columbia.

12. The highest point in Washington is Mount Rainier. It was named after Peter Rainier, a British soldier who fought against the Americans in the Revolutionary War.

13. The Governor Albert D. Rosellini Bridge at Evergreen Point is the longest floating bridge in the world. The bridge connects Seattle and Medina across Lake Washington.

14. Washington is the birthplace of both Jimi Hendrix (Seattle) and Bing Crosby (Tacoma).

15. The oldest operating gas station in the United States is in Zillah.

16. Washington's state insect is the Green Darner Dragonfly.

17. The world's first soft-serve ice cream machine was located in an Olympia Dairy Queen.

18. Starbucks, the biggest coffee chain in the world was founded in Seattle.

19. Spokane was the smallest city in size to host a World's Fair. - 1974

That's it! What is it about these states that can’t come up with 50 fun facts? Let’s see if we can at least round it out to 20.

20. Washington was the first state to prove the “Al Gore Theorum”, if you recount votes enough times in a heavily democratic county you can elect a democrat to office. Congratulations to “not my” Governor Christine Gregoire.

658 posted on 03/09/2006 5:51:00 PM PST by w_over_w (The more things change the more they stay the same. ~Bentfeather~)
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To: w_over_w

Evening Grace to you woverw. ;)



16. Washington's state insect is the Green Darner Dragonfly.







http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/mpages/green_darner.htm


659 posted on 03/09/2006 7:07:43 PM PST by Soaring Feather (Woman Poets Rock the Babies, Baby Rocks the poet.)
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To: bentfeather

Oh my . . . just finished dinner. That's a little too graphic of Anax Junius. |^P


660 posted on 03/09/2006 7:29:03 PM PST by w_over_w (The more things change the more they stay the same. ~Bentfeather~)
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