6 JUNE ARMOUR

On 6 June, and during the days afterwards, two armies grappled with all their might, including armoured vehicles. Both sides were using odd-looking tanks. The allies had modified their front line tanks to ensure success and even the odds, while the Germans were using old captured machines, some of which had been modified as well. This meant that D-Day could be called the battle of the Funnies, as both sides employed unusual machines.

CENTAUR

A DISPOSABLE TANK THAT WENT THE DISTANCE

As the invasion’s landing craft approached the beaches, their covering fire from distant warships would lift. In the minutes after this support fire ceased, but before the tanks could unload and provide direct fire, the landing craft were exposed to enemy action with no means of reply. To this end some solutions were arranged, such as mounting guns on to landing craft. Another quick and easy suggestion was to place tanks inside a standard landing craft, fitting these with raised