Battle of Arras 1940 Matilda II vs Panzer 38(t) COBI 2284 - World War II 1:35

You know that:

• The Battle of Arras was one of the most important battles of World War II, fought on French soil in 1940.
• The fighting began on 10 May 1940, just one day after the Nazi invasion of Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
• The main objective of the Battle of Arras was to interrupt the advance of German troops towards France and allow the Allied forces time to organise their defence.
• During the first days of the battle, the Allied forces, especially the British Army, made several gains and inflicted significant losses on the Germans.
• However, on 13 May 1940, German forces led by General Heinz Guderian launched a counterattack and successfully penetrated into French territory, causing serious disruption in the Allied ranks.
• Many new technologies were deployed during the Battle of Arras, such as the Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft, which became crucial in the fight against the German Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters.
• The Battle of Arras was also the first time that the British Matilda tanks proved very effective against German tanks.
• The Battle of Arras lasted until 16 May 1940, when the Allied forces withdrew and the Germans continued their advance towards France.
• Although the Allied forces did not achieve their goal of halting the German advance, the Battle of Arras showed that the German forces were not invincible and that the Allied forces were capable of waging a successful fight.
• Coordination between British and French troops was also an important element of the Battle of Arras, although it eventually became clear that the Allied forces were not coordinated enough to handle the German attack.

Technical parameters:

Panzer 38 (t):

• dimensions: length 4.61 m, width 2.13 m, height 2.25 m
• weight 9 400 kg
• armour plating 12 to 25 mm
• power unit gasoline six-cylinder engine Praga TNHPS/II with 92 kW
• number of gears 5 forward + 1 reverse
• maximum speed 42 km/h on the road and 17 km/h off-road
• range 250 km on the road and 100 km off-road
• wading depth 90 cm
• main armament cannon Škoda A7 vz. 38 calibre 37 mm (90 rounds)
• secondary armament 2x machine gun ZB vz. 37 calibre 7,92 mm (2 700 rounds)
• crew of 4

Matilda II

• dimensions: length 5.61 m, width 2.59 m, height 2.51 m
• weight 26 925 kg
• armour 14 to 78 mm
• power unit gasoline six-cylinder engine Praga TNHPS/II with 92 kW
• number of gears 5 forward + 1 reverse
• maximum speed 24 km/h on the road and 13 km/h off-road
• range 258 km on the road and 90 km off-road
• wading depth 91 cm
• main armament OQF Mk IX 2 pounder 40 mm cannon (93 rounds)
• secondary armament Vickers machine gun 7.7 mm calibre (2 925 rounds)
• crew 4