The Cromwell tank was used by the British Army during the later stages of World War II. The Cromwell was ordered in 1941 and intended to replace the lightweight Crusader "cruiser" tank by being more heavily armoured, and, it was hoped, more survivable in battle. Its greater weight was to be driven by a 600-horsepower Rolls Royce Meteor engine, a derivative of Rolls Royce's line of aircraft engines. Initial models, however, were powered by other engines and were designated Cavaliers and Centaurs when they entered service in mid-1942. The first genuine Cromwells with Meteor engines entered service in early 1943.

The Cromwell tank weighed about 27 tons and had a top speed of 38 miles per hour and a range of between 80 and 170 miles, depending on the terrain. It was initially armed with a 75mm gun and two 7.92mm machine guns. The Cromwell's main assets were its speed, maneuverability, and ease of repair. It first entered battle in large numbers in mid-1944, during the Normandy Invasion and the ensuing campaign across northern France. From Normandy on, Cromwells and American Sherman tanks formed the backbone of British armored divisions. Like the Shermans, however, most Cromwells were outgunned by the more powerful German Panther and Tiger tanks. Cromwell tanks served in British armies until the war ended in Europe in mid-1945.

This particular 1:72 scale replica of a British Cromwell Mk. IV cruiser tank saw action in western Europe during 1945. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 3-1/2-inches
Width: 1-1/2-inches

Release Date: October 2007

Historical Account: "Operation Plunder" - During World War II, Operation Plunder was the crossing of the Rhine river at Rees, Wesel and south of the Lippe Canal by the British Second Army, under Lieutenant-General Sir Miles Dempsey, and the US Ninth Army, under Lieutenant General William Simpson. These formations formed part of the 21st Army Group under Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery. This was part of a co-ordinated set of Rhine crossings.

Three Allied formations made the initial assault - the British XXX and XII Corps and the US XVI Corps. One unit, the British 79th Armoured Division, under Major-General Sir Percy C S Hobart, had spear-headed the Normandy landings. They specialised in providing solutions to all situations with specially adapted armoured vehicles (referred to as Hobart's Funnies). One "funny" was the Buffalo, an armed and armoured amphibious tracked personnel or cargo transporter able to cross soft and flooded ground. These were the transport for the spearhead infantry.

The first part of Plunder was initiated by the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, led by the 7th Black Watch at 9pm on March 23rd, near Rees, followed by the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. At 2am on the 24th, the 15th (Scottish) Division landed between Wesel and Rees. At first there was no opposition, but later they ran into determined resistance from machine-gun nests. The British 1st Commando Brigade entered Wesel.

The US 30th Division landed south of Wesel, the local resistance had been broken by artillery and air bombardment. Subsequently, the 79th Division also landed. US casualties were minimal. German resistance to the Scottish landings continued with some effect and there were armoured counter-attacks. Landings continued, however, now including tanks and other heavy equipment. The US forces had a bridge across by the evening of the 24th.

Operation Varsity started at 10am on March 24th, its aim to disrupt enemy communications. Despite heavy resistance to the airdrops and afterwards, the airborne troops made progress and repelled counter-attacks. The hard lessons of Operation Market Garden were applied. In the afternoon, 15th Scottish Division had linked with both airborne divisions.

Fierce German resistance continued around Speldrop, north of Rees, where the entire 9th Canadian Brigade was needed to relieve the Black Watch. The bridgehead was firmly established, however, and the Allied advantages in numbers and equipment were applied. By March 27th, the bridgehead was 55 kilometers wide and 30 km deep.