Difference between revisions of "Churchill III"

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{{Specs-Card|code=uk_a_22b_mk_3_churchill_1942}}
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{{About
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| about = British heavy tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
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| usage = other uses
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| link = Churchill (Family)
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}}
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{{Specs-Card
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|code=uk_a_22b_mk_3_churchill_1942
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|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
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}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
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''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
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<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
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The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (or just '''{{Specs|pseudonym}}''') is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British heavy tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.55 "Royal Armour"]] along with the rest of the initial British Ground Forces Tree. Compared to its [[Churchill Mk I|predecessor]], the Mk.III has a more capable 6-pounder gun as its arsenal with its thick front armour.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
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''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
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{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
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<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
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The Churchill III is one of the best protected tanks at its battle rating. The tank has excellent frontal armour and can bounce several shots from tanks such as the [[Pz.III J1|Panzer III]], [[T-34 (1941)|T-34]], [[M4|M4 Sherman]], and even the dreaded [[Pz.IV F2|Panzer IV F2]] if angled. However, the Churchill III has its limits.  From the sides, the engine is easily damaged. The tank is also quite large and long and is a common target for bombers. Also, the sloped front part of the front armour is also weak, so the hull will need to be angled to be effective. It also has a machine gun weak spot on front. Some people do find their way around the armour and decide to shoot the turret or the turret ring. The lower glacis can sometimes be penetrated, but angling the tank can avoid that. Also, along with the [[Gun Carrier (3-in)]], it has thin roof armour and can easily be penetrated by rockets.
  
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''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
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'''Armour type:'''
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* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret)
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* Cast homogeneous armour (Driver view port, Machine gun area, Gun mantlet)
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 +
{| class="wikitable"
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|-
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! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
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|-
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| Hull || 89 mm ''Front plate'' <br> 89 + 89 mm ''Front plate (MG Port)'' <br> 38 mm (63°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 76.2 mm (19°) ''Lower glacis'' || 63.5 mm ''Overall side armour'' <br> 76.2 mm ''Side hatch'' <br> 38.1 mm ''Side edge'' || 50.8 mm <br> 25.4 mm (60-69°) ''Bottom'' || 19.05 mm ''Front'' <br> 15.87 mm ''Rear''
 +
|-
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| Turret || 89 mm (0-49°) ''Turret front'' <br> 89 mm (0-30°) ''Gun mantlet'' <br> 19.05 mm (77°) ''Roof area'' || 76.2 mm (0-47°) || 76.2 + 7 mm || 19.05 mm
 +
|-
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|}
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'''Notes:'''
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 +
* Suspension wheels and chassis construction are 20 mm thick while tracks are 30 mm thick.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
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''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
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{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
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<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
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The Churchill III won't get anywhere fast. It turns slowly and the reverse is also poor, making it difficult to peek hills or corner. If the terrain is rough, the Churchill's performance will suffer, as the suspension is not suited for rough terrain. Additionally, climbing hills is an excruciating experience due to the heavy armour, so you should choose a route with the shallowest incline possible.
  
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== Weaponry ==
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{{tankMobility|abMinHp=452|rbMinHp=310}}
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=== Main weaponry ===
 
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''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''
 
  
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=== Additional weaponry ===
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=== Modifications and economy ===
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''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
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{{Specs-Economy}}
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== Armaments ==
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{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
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=== Main armament ===
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{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
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<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
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{{main|6pdr OQF Mk.V (57 mm)}}
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The gun on the Churchill is also excellent, as it has very high penetration and deals also very good damage for such a small calibre. A good trait of British guns is their high rate of fire, and the Churchill's 57 mm is no exception. This allows the Churchill III to engage and/or destroy several tanks relatively quickly.
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
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|-
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! colspan="5" | [[6pdr OQF Mk.V (57 mm)|57 mm 6pdr OQF Mk.V]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
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|-
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! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
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! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
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! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
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|-
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! ''Arcade''
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| rowspan="2" | 85 || rowspan="2" | -12°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Vertical || 19.42 || 26.88 || 32.64 || 36.10 || 38.40 || rowspan="2" | 5.20 || rowspan="2" | 4.60 || rowspan="2" | 4.24 || rowspan="2" | 4.00
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|-
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! ''Realistic''
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| 14.28 || 16.80 || 20.40 || 22.56 || 24.00
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|-
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|}
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==== Ammunition ====
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{{:6pdr OQF Mk.V (57 mm)/Ammunition|Shot Mk.8, Shot Mk.5 HV, Shot Mk.9, Shell Mk.10}}
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==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
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[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
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<!-- '''Last updated: 1.101.1.16''' -->
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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|-
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! Full<br>ammo
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! 1st<br>rack empty
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! 2nd<br>rack empty
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! 3rd<br>rack empty
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! 4th<br>rack empty
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! 5th<br>rack empty
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! Visual<br>discrepancy
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|-
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| '''85''' || 81&nbsp;''(+4)'' || 42&nbsp;''(+43)'' || 21&nbsp;''(+64)'' || 4&nbsp;''(+81)'' || 0&nbsp;''(+85)'' || No
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|-
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|}
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'''Notes''':
 +
 
 +
* Racks disappear after all shells in the rack have been shot or loaded.
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* Turret empty: 81&nbsp;''(+4)'' shells.
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 +
==== Optics ====
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
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! colspan="3" | {{PAGENAME}} [[Optics]]
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|-
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! Which ones
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! Default magnification
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! Maximum magnification
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|-
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! Main Gun optics
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| x1.85 || x3.5
 +
|-
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! Comparable optics
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| colspan="2" | [[Pz.IV G]]
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|-
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|}
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
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''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''
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{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
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<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
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{{main|BESA (7.92 mm)}}
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 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
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|-
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! colspan="5" | [[BESA (7.92 mm)|7.92 mm BESA]]
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|-
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! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
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|-
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| Coaxial || 9,450 (225) || 600 || N/A || N/A
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|-
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|}
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 +
== Usage in battles ==
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<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
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The Churchill III can be effectively be played in a brawling style, going into the front lines. It can even hold off an entire enemy flank with minimal backup, due to the thick armour and excellent gun.
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 +
In city maps, you should be careful not to expose the side armour, as it is quite weak and the engine might get damaged. With its good gun, it can be used as a support tank as well, in the second line destroying tanks. Angle the hull armour to maximize its effectiveness. When frontally angled, even the sides will be tough to penetrate.
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There are some tanks that the Churchill III doesn't even need to worry about them penetrating the Churchill from the front, the most prominent of these being the Panzer III. Angling the armour will make the tank tough against even high-penetration tanks like the Panzer IV F2, though don't rely on that armour only as the F2 has a high-velocity cannon. Against those cannons, it is advised to take cover, angle, or destroy them first. Shermans are not much concern since they won't really penetrate the Churchill armour unless flanking or hitting one of the few weak points.
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 +
Most enemy tanks are easy to deal with as the 57 mm gun can punch straight through. Despite the small calibre, it can create enough post-penetration damage to one-shot medium tanks if aimed properly.
  
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== Usage in the battles ==
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Overall, the Churchill III is a very powerful Rank III vehicle that is capable of holding off an entire flank, while destroying tanks easily in quick succession. If the Churchill III is not in an up-tiered situation, it can effectively enter a battle and act as a shell magnet for enemy rounds which could've been fired at weaker teammates, and then either engage the enemy with the 57 mm cannon or let teammates return fire. Companion vehicles such as the [[Pz.IV F2|Panzer IV F2]], the [[8,8 cm Flak 37 Sfl.]] and other German vehicles possess superior firepower compared to the other country vehicles in rank III (Except for other special TDs, such as the American [[M10 GMC|M10]] and British [[Achilles]]) and can in most cases hold their own.
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''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
 
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
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''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
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<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* Excellent armour profile in the front, sides, and gun mantlet that makes it immune to most small-calibre rounds
 +
* Track and suspension profile on the sides has a tendency to absorb enemy shots, stopping them from hitting the armour
 +
* Has access to the 57 mm QF 6-pounder Mk.V cannon with higher penetration than the Mk III cannon variant
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* 57mm gun is very punchy for the rank, with access to a 132mm penetrating shell and a <4.6 second reload
 +
* Firing the gun produces little recoil due to the the vehicle's mass
 +
* Ability to pivot steer
 +
* Can be a formidable asset on the battlefield when used properly, acting as a barrier against an enemy assault or charging forwards as a spearhead
 +
* Exceptionally stable gun platform
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
 
  
−
== Historical part ==
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* Slow speed and mobility - Will take a while to reach combat and can lose a lot of speed when making a sharp turn in motion
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''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
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* Armour and gun are not sufficient against other heavy tanks or enemy tanks with high-velocity guns
 +
* Armour consists of lots of flat sides and has a frontal weak point in the machine gun port, also roof armour is quite thin
 +
* Has trouble scaling obstacles or hills
 +
* Ammo racks just below the turret, smart player will shoot there and will be lethal most of the time
 +
* Priority target by planes due to size and bad reverse speed
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 +
== History ==
 +
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 +
===Development===
 +
The General Staff specification ''A20'' was implemented before World War II and was meant to replace the [[Matilda Mk II|Matilda II]] and [[Valentine Mk XI|Valentine]] infantry tanks. The specification was based around the British infantry tank doctrine and with the expectation that the coming war would be based off the World War I trench warfare, thus the tank was needed to travel across unfavorable terrain and able to destroy enemy defenses and infantry obstacles. As speed and heavy firepower was not taken with priority, the vehicle was to have two 2-pounder gun on side sponson mounts with a coaxial machine gun, with another machine gun and smoke dischargers on the front hull, armour was about 60 mm on the turret. Four prototypes were made by June 1940 by Harland and Wolff. The front hull would see an upgrade in armament with a 3-inch howitzer during the prototype stages, the 43 ton tank had a 300 hp Meadows engine from the Covenanter tank and was made the tank underpowered. The A20 project was cancelled with the Battle of France, which saw the emergency evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk that left a majority of their heavy equipment behind.
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The Battle of France proved that the coming World War II was not going to be a stagnant battlefield like the trench warfare from World War I. The entire concept had to be redesigned and was done so by Henry Merrit, the director of Tank Design at Woolwich Arsenal. His new concept, the '''A22''' or '''Infantry Tank Mark IV Churchill''', was given to Vauxhall Motors in June 1940. War Office requested that the A22 be ready to enter production within the year due to growing pressure of a German invasion of Britain. The designs were ready in July 1940 and the first prototypes were made by December of the same year, production soon followed in June 1941. The rushed development was acknowledged in the company to being the cause of many faults and defects in the tank, but the demand by the government was so great that it must be carried out, with the expectation that the issues will be fixed during production. The Churchill tank suffered from an under-powered engine, weak armament, and mechanical issues. The weak armament from a 2-pounder was fixed with the arming of a 6-pounder on the Churchill, but the other issues caused poor performance of the Churchill in the battlefield. In fact, the Churchill production was almost cancelled in favor of the [[Cromwell V|Cromwell]] due to its issues, but its usage in the Second Battle of El Alamein proved its value and kept it in service.
 +
 
 +
The Churchill would carry on the rest of the war as one of the most versatile tank design in British service, serving in many specialist roles other than its tank role. Altogether, a total of 7,568 Churchill units produced from 1941 to 1945, with 5,968 as tanks.
 +
 
 +
===Variants===
 +
The Churchill, used in a multitude of roles, is made into many different variants. 12 different kinds of tank variants were produced for combat roles, with 11 more variants in specialized roles ranging from armoured personnel carrier, a bridge-layer, mine clearer, a [[Gun Carrier (3-in)]], flamethrower tank, and an armoured recovery vehicle.
 +
 
 +
===Combat Usage===
 +
The Churchill tank was first used in the Dieppe Raid in August 1942. While it was really a test on how an opposed landing would work, the 60 Churchill tanks to support the Canadian units suffered from mechanical issues, and those that did work are not able to penetrate past the sea wall due to impassable defenses. None of the Churchill tanks that landed returned from the beaches and with a 70% casualty rate, the raid's attempt to establish a beachhead was a failure.
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 +
The next use of the Churchill was in North Africa during the Second Battle of El Alamein. At this point, the Churchills have been upgraded to the '''Mk.III''' variants with 6-pounders as their main armament. The detachment, code named "King Force", help supported the 7th Motor Brigade in their attack. The Churchills were fired upon by many German anti-tank weapons, but none were taken out with only one receiving note worthy damage. "King Force", as a test bed for the feasibility of Churchills operating in the desert environment, was disbanded with the establishment of the 25th Army Tank Brigade with the Churchills to see action in February 1943 in Tunisia. In the German offensive Operation Ochsenkpf, two Churchill Mk.III from the 51st Royal Tank Regiment came across an entire German transport column that they ambushed. The end result was a loss of twelve artillery pieces, 25 wheeled vehicles, two [[Pz.III J|Panzer III]]s and 200 casualties on the German side with no losses for the British. The Churchill also played a key role in the Battle of Longstop Hill, where Churchill tanks in the 48th Royal Tank Regiment faced off with Germany's newest heavy tank [[Tiger H1|Tiger I]]. Though suffering losses, a lucky 6-pounder shot from the Churchill ended up jamming the Tiger's turret and turret ring that injured the crew, forcing them to abandon the tank. The Tiger tank was captured by the British for intelligence purposes on Germany's armoured forces. The Tiger Tank is named Tiger 131.
 +
 
 +
After the North African campaign, the Churchill began to see widespread usage in the British army as a support unit for the infantry. The Churchill saw much more operation hours than any other British tank in service. It was at this point that the Churchill Mk.III began conversion into the 75 mm guns that were used on the American [[M4|M4 Sherman]] tanks. These conversions, known as ''NA75'', proved to be more efficient than the Shermans and were used more effectively. Some Churchills were also converted into close support vehicles with 95 mm howitzers as their main armaments. In response to the growing German anti-tank firepower in the later years of World War II, the Churchill tanks were also upgraded in armour by a large degree, though their engines were also upgraded to compensate for the additional weight. The [[Churchill Mk VII|Churchill Mk.VII]], for example, has armour ranging up to 152 mm thick in the front, in comparison to the Mk.III 89 mm thick front hull. The Churchills also saw service in Europe during Operation Overlord. At the time, it was considered that the Churchill would become severely outdated with the growing tank technology, so an experimental program under specification A43, otherwise known as the [[Black Prince|Black Prince]], to up armour and up gun the Churchill. While this experiment seem fruitful, the development of more agile tanks with the same level of protection and armament such as the [[Centurion Mk 3|Centurion]] rendered the project obsolete.
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 +
The Churchill was also given out to the Allies to help combat the Axis forces. The Australian Army received a handful of Churchills for testing alongside the M4 Sherman with the Matilda II as the basis, to which proved that the Churchill was superior in jungle warfare. Of the 510 Churchills ordered by the Australians in the war, only 46 arrived in time and were not used in the Pacific War, the rest were cancelled with the end of World War II. The USSR also used the Churchills given by the British as part of the Lend-Lease act. 301 Churchills were sent, but 43 were lost to the sea by German naval forces. Of those that arrived, the Soviets gave the Churchills to the 5th Guards Tank Army in the Battle of Prokhorovka during the Kursk Offensive.
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 +
After World War II, the Churchill stuck around in the British Army until the Korean War, when the British sent the Churchill Crocodile Squadron (C squadron of the 7th Royal Tank Regiment) to Korea to fight with the Allied coalition. They fought as gun tanks in battles such as the Third Battle of Seoul. The Churchills were instrumental in some victories and were widely praised by both British and American forces and historians. After the Korean war, the Churchills remains in combat service until 1952, with the specialized bridge-layer variant staying until the 1970s. The Irish Army also received three Churchill tanks in 1948 and another in 1949 as rentals until 1954, when they were purchased after trials with the vehicles. Despite running out of spare parts for the Churchill, the Irish Army took them in and experimented with using different engines to keep them functional, though this ended with a failure and by 1967, only one was still functional. All were retired in 1969 and one was preserved at the Curragh Camp.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
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<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
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;Skins
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* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=uk_a_22b_mk_3_churchill_1942 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
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;Videos
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{{Youtube-gallery|gR3JPNt0iPw|'''Heavyweight brits''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 4:06 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|gxIVvUZGptw|'''The Shooting Range #51''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 03:14 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|UMCGzhRFKzc|'''The Shooting Range #42''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 02:53 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}}
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== See also ==
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<!-- ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
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* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
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* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
 +
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
  
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== Read also ==
 
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
 
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
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''ETC.''
 
  
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== Sources ==
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== External links ==
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''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
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<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''page on the Wikipedia;''
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* ''other literature.'' -->
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* ''other literature.''
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 +
* [[wt:en/devblog/current/845/|[Devblog] A22B Сhurchill Mk.III and A22 Churchill Mk.VII (with developers answers)]]
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{{TankManufacturer Vauxhall}}
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{{Britain heavy tanks}}

Latest revision as of 00:22, 8 May 2024

Rank VI USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Su-25K Pack
This page is about the British heavy tank Churchill III. For other uses, see Churchill (Family).
Churchill III
uk_a_22b_mk_3_churchill_1942.png
GarageImage Churchill III.jpg
Churchill III
Britain flag.png Britain
III Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
4.0 4.0 4.3
Class:
Research:18 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:47 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Tank, Infantry, Mk IV, Churchill III (A22) (or just Churchill III) is a rank III British heavy tank with a battle rating of 4.0 (AB/RB) and 4.3 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.55 "Royal Armour" along with the rest of the initial British Ground Forces Tree. Compared to its predecessor, the Mk.III has a more capable 6-pounder gun as its arsenal with its thick front armour.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull89 / 76 / 51
Turret89 / 89 / 76
Crew5 people
Visibility87 %

The Churchill III is one of the best protected tanks at its battle rating. The tank has excellent frontal armour and can bounce several shots from tanks such as the Panzer III, T-34, M4 Sherman, and even the dreaded Panzer IV F2 if angled. However, the Churchill III has its limits. From the sides, the engine is easily damaged. The tank is also quite large and long and is a common target for bombers. Also, the sloped front part of the front armour is also weak, so the hull will need to be angled to be effective. It also has a machine gun weak spot on front. Some people do find their way around the armour and decide to shoot the turret or the turret ring. The lower glacis can sometimes be penetrated, but angling the tank can avoid that. Also, along with the Gun Carrier (3-in), it has thin roof armour and can easily be penetrated by rockets.

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret)
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Driver view port, Machine gun area, Gun mantlet)
Armour Front Sides Rear Roof
Hull 89 mm Front plate
89 + 89 mm Front plate (MG Port)
38 mm (63°) Front glacis
76.2 mm (19°) Lower glacis 		63.5 mm Overall side armour
76.2 mm Side hatch
38.1 mm Side edge 		50.8 mm
25.4 mm (60-69°) Bottom 		19.05 mm Front
15.87 mm Rear
Turret 89 mm (0-49°) Turret front
89 mm (0-30°) Gun mantlet
19.05 mm (77°) Roof area 		76.2 mm (0-47°) 76.2 + 7 mm 19.05 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and chassis construction are 20 mm thick while tracks are 30 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB30 / 3 km/h
RB and SB28 / 3 km/h
Number of gears4 forward
1 back
Weight39.0 t
Engine power
AB668 hp
RB and SB350 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB17.1 hp/t
RB and SB9.0 hp/t

The Churchill III won't get anywhere fast. It turns slowly and the reverse is also poor, making it difficult to peek hills or corner. If the terrain is rough, the Churchill's performance will suffer, as the suspension is not suited for rough terrain. Additionally, climbing hills is an excruciating experience due to the heavy armour, so you should choose a route with the shallowest incline possible.

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 30 3 39 452 668 11.59 17.13
Realistic 28 3 310 350 7.95 8.97

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB1 227 → 1 592 Sl icon.png
RB1 271 → 1 649 Sl icon.png
SB1 709 → 2 218 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications19 450 Rp icon.png
32 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost980 Ge icon.png
Crew training13 000 Sl icon.png
Experts47 000 Sl icon.png
Aces330 Ge icon.png
Research Aces280 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
70 / 100 / 100 % Sl icon.png
136 / 136 / 136 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
890 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
890 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
1 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 000 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
2 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 400 Sl icon.png
195 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
2 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 400 Sl icon.png
195 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
890 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement uk.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
1 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 000 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
57mm_britain_6pdr_APC_ammo_pack
Research:
890 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
890 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
57mm_britain_6pdr_APCBC_ammo_pack
Research:
1 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 000 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
1 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 000 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Research:
2 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 400 Sl icon.png
195 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Main armament

57 mm 6pdr OQF Mk.V cannon
Shoulder stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in one plane while moving
Ammunition85 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
5.2 → 4.0 s
Vertical guidance-12° / 20°
Main article: 6pdr OQF Mk.V (57 mm)

The gun on the Churchill is also excellent, as it has very high penetration and deals also very good damage for such a small calibre. A good trait of British guns is their high rate of fire, and the Churchill's 57 mm is no exception. This allows the Churchill III to engage and/or destroy several tanks relatively quickly.

57 mm 6pdr OQF Mk.V Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 85 -12°/+20° ±180° Vertical 19.42 26.88 32.64 36.10 38.40 5.20 4.60 4.24 4.00
Realistic 14.28 16.80 20.40 22.56 24.00

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
Shot Mk.8 APC 116 111 94 76 62 50
Shot Mk.5 HV AP 115 111 93 75 60 49
Shot Mk.9 APCBC 132 127 110 91 75 63
Shell Mk.10 HE 9 9 9 9 9 9
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Fuse delay Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
Shot Mk.8 APC 883 2.87 - - - 48° 63° 71°
Shot Mk.5 HV AP 891 2.8 - - - 47° 60° 65°
Shot Mk.9 APCBC 847 3.23 - - - 48° 63° 71°
Shell Mk.10 HE 655 2.72 0 0.1 590 79° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Churchill III
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		5th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
85 81 (+4) 42 (+43) 21 (+64) 4 (+81) 0 (+85) No

Notes:

  • Racks disappear after all shells in the rack have been shot or loaded.
  • Turret empty: 81 (+4) shells.

Optics

Churchill III Optics
Which ones Default magnification Maximum magnification
Main Gun optics x1.85 x3.5
Comparable optics Pz.IV G

Machine guns

7.92 mm BESA machine gun (coaxial)
Ammunition9 450 rounds
Belt capacity225 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate600 shots/min
Main article: BESA (7.92 mm)
7.92 mm BESA
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 9,450 (225) 600 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

The Churchill III can be effectively be played in a brawling style, going into the front lines. It can even hold off an entire enemy flank with minimal backup, due to the thick armour and excellent gun.

In city maps, you should be careful not to expose the side armour, as it is quite weak and the engine might get damaged. With its good gun, it can be used as a support tank as well, in the second line destroying tanks. Angle the hull armour to maximize its effectiveness. When frontally angled, even the sides will be tough to penetrate.

There are some tanks that the Churchill III doesn't even need to worry about them penetrating the Churchill from the front, the most prominent of these being the Panzer III. Angling the armour will make the tank tough against even high-penetration tanks like the Panzer IV F2, though don't rely on that armour only as the F2 has a high-velocity cannon. Against those cannons, it is advised to take cover, angle, or destroy them first. Shermans are not much concern since they won't really penetrate the Churchill armour unless flanking or hitting one of the few weak points.

Most enemy tanks are easy to deal with as the 57 mm gun can punch straight through. Despite the small calibre, it can create enough post-penetration damage to one-shot medium tanks if aimed properly.

Overall, the Churchill III is a very powerful Rank III vehicle that is capable of holding off an entire flank, while destroying tanks easily in quick succession. If the Churchill III is not in an up-tiered situation, it can effectively enter a battle and act as a shell magnet for enemy rounds which could've been fired at weaker teammates, and then either engage the enemy with the 57 mm cannon or let teammates return fire. Companion vehicles such as the Panzer IV F2, the 8,8 cm Flak 37 Sfl. and other German vehicles possess superior firepower compared to the other country vehicles in rank III (Except for other special TDs, such as the American M10 and British Achilles) and can in most cases hold their own.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Excellent armour profile in the front, sides, and gun mantlet that makes it immune to most small-calibre rounds
  • Track and suspension profile on the sides has a tendency to absorb enemy shots, stopping them from hitting the armour
  • Has access to the 57 mm QF 6-pounder Mk.V cannon with higher penetration than the Mk III cannon variant
  • 57mm gun is very punchy for the rank, with access to a 132mm penetrating shell and a <4.6 second reload
  • Firing the gun produces little recoil due to the the vehicle's mass
  • Ability to pivot steer
  • Can be a formidable asset on the battlefield when used properly, acting as a barrier against an enemy assault or charging forwards as a spearhead
  • Exceptionally stable gun platform

Cons:

  • Slow speed and mobility - Will take a while to reach combat and can lose a lot of speed when making a sharp turn in motion
  • Armour and gun are not sufficient against other heavy tanks or enemy tanks with high-velocity guns
  • Armour consists of lots of flat sides and has a frontal weak point in the machine gun port, also roof armour is quite thin
  • Has trouble scaling obstacles or hills
  • Ammo racks just below the turret, smart player will shoot there and will be lethal most of the time
  • Priority target by planes due to size and bad reverse speed

History

Development

The General Staff specification A20 was implemented before World War II and was meant to replace the Matilda II and Valentine infantry tanks. The specification was based around the British infantry tank doctrine and with the expectation that the coming war would be based off the World War I trench warfare, thus the tank was needed to travel across unfavorable terrain and able to destroy enemy defenses and infantry obstacles. As speed and heavy firepower was not taken with priority, the vehicle was to have two 2-pounder gun on side sponson mounts with a coaxial machine gun, with another machine gun and smoke dischargers on the front hull, armour was about 60 mm on the turret. Four prototypes were made by June 1940 by Harland and Wolff. The front hull would see an upgrade in armament with a 3-inch howitzer during the prototype stages, the 43 ton tank had a 300 hp Meadows engine from the Covenanter tank and was made the tank underpowered. The A20 project was cancelled with the Battle of France, which saw the emergency evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk that left a majority of their heavy equipment behind.

The Battle of France proved that the coming World War II was not going to be a stagnant battlefield like the trench warfare from World War I. The entire concept had to be redesigned and was done so by Henry Merrit, the director of Tank Design at Woolwich Arsenal. His new concept, the A22 or Infantry Tank Mark IV Churchill, was given to Vauxhall Motors in June 1940. War Office requested that the A22 be ready to enter production within the year due to growing pressure of a German invasion of Britain. The designs were ready in July 1940 and the first prototypes were made by December of the same year, production soon followed in June 1941. The rushed development was acknowledged in the company to being the cause of many faults and defects in the tank, but the demand by the government was so great that it must be carried out, with the expectation that the issues will be fixed during production. The Churchill tank suffered from an under-powered engine, weak armament, and mechanical issues. The weak armament from a 2-pounder was fixed with the arming of a 6-pounder on the Churchill, but the other issues caused poor performance of the Churchill in the battlefield. In fact, the Churchill production was almost cancelled in favor of the Cromwell due to its issues, but its usage in the Second Battle of El Alamein proved its value and kept it in service.

The Churchill would carry on the rest of the war as one of the most versatile tank design in British service, serving in many specialist roles other than its tank role. Altogether, a total of 7,568 Churchill units produced from 1941 to 1945, with 5,968 as tanks.

Variants

The Churchill, used in a multitude of roles, is made into many different variants. 12 different kinds of tank variants were produced for combat roles, with 11 more variants in specialized roles ranging from armoured personnel carrier, a bridge-layer, mine clearer, a Gun Carrier (3-in), flamethrower tank, and an armoured recovery vehicle.

Combat Usage

The Churchill tank was first used in the Dieppe Raid in August 1942. While it was really a test on how an opposed landing would work, the 60 Churchill tanks to support the Canadian units suffered from mechanical issues, and those that did work are not able to penetrate past the sea wall due to impassable defenses. None of the Churchill tanks that landed returned from the beaches and with a 70% casualty rate, the raid's attempt to establish a beachhead was a failure.

The next use of the Churchill was in North Africa during the Second Battle of El Alamein. At this point, the Churchills have been upgraded to the Mk.III variants with 6-pounders as their main armament. The detachment, code named "King Force", help supported the 7th Motor Brigade in their attack. The Churchills were fired upon by many German anti-tank weapons, but none were taken out with only one receiving note worthy damage. "King Force", as a test bed for the feasibility of Churchills operating in the desert environment, was disbanded with the establishment of the 25th Army Tank Brigade with the Churchills to see action in February 1943 in Tunisia. In the German offensive Operation Ochsenkpf, two Churchill Mk.III from the 51st Royal Tank Regiment came across an entire German transport column that they ambushed. The end result was a loss of twelve artillery pieces, 25 wheeled vehicles, two Panzer IIIs and 200 casualties on the German side with no losses for the British. The Churchill also played a key role in the Battle of Longstop Hill, where Churchill tanks in the 48th Royal Tank Regiment faced off with Germany's newest heavy tank Tiger I. Though suffering losses, a lucky 6-pounder shot from the Churchill ended up jamming the Tiger's turret and turret ring that injured the crew, forcing them to abandon the tank. The Tiger tank was captured by the British for intelligence purposes on Germany's armoured forces. The Tiger Tank is named Tiger 131.

After the North African campaign, the Churchill began to see widespread usage in the British army as a support unit for the infantry. The Churchill saw much more operation hours than any other British tank in service. It was at this point that the Churchill Mk.III began conversion into the 75 mm guns that were used on the American M4 Sherman tanks. These conversions, known as NA75, proved to be more efficient than the Shermans and were used more effectively. Some Churchills were also converted into close support vehicles with 95 mm howitzers as their main armaments. In response to the growing German anti-tank firepower in the later years of World War II, the Churchill tanks were also upgraded in armour by a large degree, though their engines were also upgraded to compensate for the additional weight. The Churchill Mk.VII, for example, has armour ranging up to 152 mm thick in the front, in comparison to the Mk.III 89 mm thick front hull. The Churchills also saw service in Europe during Operation Overlord. At the time, it was considered that the Churchill would become severely outdated with the growing tank technology, so an experimental program under specification A43, otherwise known as the Black Prince, to up armour and up gun the Churchill. While this experiment seem fruitful, the development of more agile tanks with the same level of protection and armament such as the Centurion rendered the project obsolete.

The Churchill was also given out to the Allies to help combat the Axis forces. The Australian Army received a handful of Churchills for testing alongside the M4 Sherman with the Matilda II as the basis, to which proved that the Churchill was superior in jungle warfare. Of the 510 Churchills ordered by the Australians in the war, only 46 arrived in time and were not used in the Pacific War, the rest were cancelled with the end of World War II. The USSR also used the Churchills given by the British as part of the Lend-Lease act. 301 Churchills were sent, but 43 were lost to the sea by German naval forces. Of those that arrived, the Soviets gave the Churchills to the 5th Guards Tank Army in the Battle of Prokhorovka during the Kursk Offensive.

After World War II, the Churchill stuck around in the British Army until the Korean War, when the British sent the Churchill Crocodile Squadron (C squadron of the 7th Royal Tank Regiment) to Korea to fight with the Allied coalition. They fought as gun tanks in battles such as the Third Battle of Seoul. The Churchills were instrumental in some victories and were widely praised by both British and American forces and historians. After the Korean war, the Churchills remains in combat service until 1952, with the specialized bridge-layer variant staying until the 1970s. The Irish Army also received three Churchill tanks in 1948 and another in 1949 as rentals until 1954, when they were purchased after trials with the vehicles. Despite running out of spare parts for the Churchill, the Irish Army took them in and experimented with using different engines to keep them functional, though this ended with a failure and by 1967, only one was still functional. All were retired in 1969 and one was preserved at the Curragh Camp.

Media

Skins
Videos
Heavyweight brits discusses the Churchill III at 4:06 - War Thunder Official Channel
The Shooting Range #51 - Pages of History section at 03:14 discusses the Churchill III.
The Shooting Range #42 - Pages of History section at 02:53 discusses the Churchill III.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the vehicles;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


Vauxhall Motors Limited
Infantry Tanks 
Tank, Infantry, Mk IV, Churchill (A22)  Churchill I · Churchill III · Churchill VII · Churchill Crocodile
Tank, Infantry, Black Prince (A43)  Black Prince
Tank Destroyers  Gun Carrier (3-in)
Captured  ▀Pz.Kpfw. Churchill

Britain heavy tanks
Matilda  Matilda III · Matilda Hedgehog
Churchill  Churchill I · Churchill III · Churchill VII · Churchill Crocodile · Churchill NA75 · Black Prince
Post-war  Caernarvon · Conqueror
Other  Independent · Excelsior · TOG II

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