1946 to Present Day At the end of World War II there were 24 regiments of the RTR and they had seen service in France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Sicily, Malta, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Greece, Crete, Algeria, Abyssinia, Sudan, Palestine, Iraq, Persia, Jordan, India and Burma.
Reduced again to eight regular regiments in 1946, the tank has still continued to demonstrate its importance on the modern battlefield, with The Royal Tank Regiment seeing action in Aden, Borneo, Malaya, Egypt, Cyprus, Korea and the Gulf. The Regiment has also had units stationed in Germany, Libya, Hong Kong, England and Northern Ireland.
With amalgamations in the early 60's the next 30 years saw only 5 tank regiments.Again in the 90's this was reduced even further to 2 regiments the 1st and 2nd.
However, as the recent Gulf War yet again illustrated most clearly, it is the quality, bravery and high degree of expertise of the tank crews which was, and still is, the real battle winner. Throughout the tank's history the most important element has been the crewmen, who together make up this close knit team of professionals.
The value of the tank was reinforced again as late as the Summer of 1999 as tanks from a variety of units, led by RTR officers, spearheaded the allied entry into Kosovo as part of the Fourth Armoured Brigade.
 Conqueror Heavy Tank
Speed: 34 kph
Weight: 64,000 kilos
Crew: : 4 200 Conqueror's were built between 1955 and 58.
They proved too slow and difficult to maintain. They served from 1956 to 64 Chieftain
Speed: 48 kph
Weight: 55,000 kilos
Crew: 4 The Vickers Chieftain after having improved fire-power,replaced the Centurion. She was not very successful,and was replaced by the Challenger.
She only served from 1967 to 69 A41 Centurion
Speed: 34.6 kph
Weight: 51,800 kilos
Crew: 4 The Centurion was used widely and successfully by 1st RTR in Korea in 1952/53. She was the main British tank post war.
She saw service in Israel, Jordan, Singapore, SouthAfrica and Sweden. Also most notably with the Australian Army in Vietnam 1968/71 Challenger II
Speed: 56 kph
Weight: 60,000 kilos
Crew: 4 Vickers Challenger I was a development of the Centurion and the Chieftain lines.
She was criticised and mauled by the Press. However, proved them wrong by proving herself in the Gulf War.
The Challenger II is the tank of the 21st century. |
After the 2nd WW the 6th tanks served in Italy, Austria, BOAR and Cyrenica. they were almagamated with the 3th RTR in 1960.
The 7th tanks served in BOAR, India, Korea and were amalgamated with the 4th RTR in 1960.
The 8th tanks served in Italy,Austria,Cyprus and BOAR. They were amalgamated with 5th RTR in 1960.
Between 1945 and 75 the 1st tanks served in Korea, BOAR, Hong Kong, Persian Gulf,Cyprus and Ulster.
The 3rd served in Hong Kong, Sharja, Cyprus and BOAR
The 4th served in Italy,Palestine/Egypt, Persian Gulf, Malasia,and BOAR.
The 5th served in Korea, Cyrenica and BOAR.
The 2nd served in Italy ,Austria, Cyrenica ( Homs, Benghazi and Tripoli) Cyprus Ulster and BOAR.
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