Hobart's Funnies

Hobart's Funnies were a group of modified M4 Sherman and Churchill tanks used during World War II by the British Army, specifically by the 79th Armoured Division, under the command of Percy Hobart. These specialized tanks were designed to overcome the obstacles and challenges faced during the D-Day landings and the subsequent Normandy Campaign. The development of these tanks involved collaboration between Winston Churchill, Bernard Montgomery, and other notable figures, including Alan Brooke and Louis Mountbatten. The Funnies played a crucial role in the Allied invasion of Normandy, supporting troops from the United States Army, Canadian Army, and Royal Navy.

Introduction

The concept of Hobart's Funnies emerged from the need to address the challenges posed by the Atlantic Wall, a series of fortifications built by the German Army along the Normandy coast. The British War Office, in consultation with General Dwight D. Eisenhower and General Omar Bradley, recognized the importance of developing specialized tanks that could facilitate the landing and establishment of a solid foothold on the continent. The 79th Armoured Division, under the command of Percy Hobart, was tasked with developing and deploying these innovative tanks, which were designed to work in conjunction with the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy to support the D-Day landings. The Funnies were also intended to support the Polish Armed Forces in the West and the French Resistance in their efforts to liberate Western Europe from German occupation. The development of the Funnies involved collaboration with notable engineers, including Vivian Eyre and Nicholas Straussler, who worked closely with the Ministry of Supply and the Admiralty.

Development and Design

The development of Hobart's Funnies involved the modification of existing M4 Sherman and Churchill tanks to create a range of specialized vehicles. The AVRE (Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers) was one such example, designed to carry a Petard mortar for destroying fortifications, and was often used in conjunction with the Royal Engineers and the Royal Corps of Signals. The Crab tank was another example, equipped with a flail to clear mines and other obstacles, and was used to support the Infantry Tanks and the Armoured Infantry during the Battle of Normandy. The DD tank was a M4 Sherman or M3 Lee tank equipped with a duplex drive system, allowing it to float ashore during the D-Day landings, and was used in conjunction with the United States Navy and the Royal Marines. These tanks were designed to work in conjunction with the LST (Landing Ship, Tank) and the LCT (Landing Craft, Tank) to support the Allied invasion of Normandy. The development of the Funnies also involved collaboration with the National Research Development Corporation and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Types of Funnies

The range of Hobart's Funnies included the AVRE (Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers), the Crab tank, the DD tank, and the Bullshorn Plough tank, among others. Each of these vehicles was designed to address a specific challenge or obstacle, such as mine clearance, fortification destruction, or terrain navigation. The Bobbin tank was used to lay matting for other tanks to cross soft ground, and was often used in conjunction with the Royal Tank Regiment and the Queen's Own Hussars. The Fascine tank carried a fascine to fill trenches and ditches, and was used to support the Infantry and the Armoured Infantry during the Battle of the Bulge. These specialized tanks played a crucial role in supporting the Allied forces during the Normandy Campaign, and were used in conjunction with the United States Army Air Forces and the Royal Canadian Air Force. The Funnies were also used to support the Polish 1st Armoured Division and the French 2nd Armoured Division during the Liberation of Paris.

Operational History

Hobart's Funnies saw action during the D-Day landings and the subsequent Normandy Campaign, supporting troops from the United States Army, Canadian Army, and British Army. The 79th Armoured Division, under the command of Percy Hobart, played a crucial role in the Allied invasion of Normandy, using the Funnies to overcome obstacles and challenges on the battlefield. The Funnies were used to support the Infantry and the Armoured Infantry during the Battle of Caen and the Battle of Falaise, and were instrumental in the Liberation of Western Europe from German occupation. The Funnies were also used during the Battle of the Rhineland and the Battle of the Bulge, supporting the United States Army and the British Army in their efforts to defeat the German Army. The Funnies worked in conjunction with the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces to provide close air support during the Normandy Campaign.

Legacy and Preservation

The legacy of Hobart's Funnies can be seen in the development of modern specialized tanks and vehicles, such as the M1 Abrams and the Challenger 2. The innovative designs and technologies developed during the creation of the Funnies have had a lasting impact on the development of armoured warfare, and have influenced the design of tanks and vehicles used by the British Army, United States Army, and other military forces around the world. Many of the Funnies have been preserved and are on display in museums, such as the Bovington Tank Museum and the Imperial War Museum, serving as a testament to the ingenuity and innovation of the engineers and soldiers who developed and used these remarkable vehicles. The Funnies have also been recognized for their role in the D-Day landings and the Normandy Campaign, and have been commemorated in various ways, including the D-Day Museum and the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. The Funnies are an important part of military history, and continue to be studied by military historians and tank enthusiasts around the world, including John Keegan and David Fletcher. Category:World War II