The Tetrarch was not designed as an airborne tank
The British A17 Tetrarch light tank is best known for its role in Operation Overlord, where they landed in Hamilcar…
Second World War (15)
World War II Logic Puzzle
A friend of mine wrote a custom, World War II-themed logic puzzle for me. She's given me permission to post…
Getting Kids Started in Wargaming
For some time, I've been planning to introduce my nine year old son, Doug, to wargaming. He likes playing board…
Auxiliary Units: The Home Guard's Special Forces
On the 5th July 1940, a message was sent to all LDV area commanders. This message informed the commanders that…
Smelly: The British SMLE and No.4 Bolt Action Rifles
Smelly: The SMLE
The SMLE (sometimes pronounced "smelly"), or "Rifle, Short, Magazine, Lee-Enfield", to give its full designation, entered British army service in 1904. This replaced the MLE (Magazine Lee-Enfield, sometimes pronounced "Emily"), which had been produced in long (with a 30.2" barrel) and carbine (21.2" barrel) versions. The new rifle was designated "short" because its barrel length was 25.2", mid-way between the long rifle and the carbine. The short length was controversial. Many people believed the new rifle's short barrel would make it too inaccurate. In Canada, the Ross rifle was adopted for service instead of the SMLE, partly for this reason. A long bayonet (known as a "sword bayonet") was issued with the rifle, to compensate for the shorter length when fighting in close combat.
In defence of the Tetrarch
Yesterday, Bovington Tank Museum posted a photo on their Facebook page, of a Tetrarch light tank being loaded onto a…