Matilda I – The Little Tank That Did | Tank Chat #176

In 1940, this small but well armoured tank was pretty much all that stood between the German Blitzkrieg and a battered British Army that was retreating to the coast.

Slow, small, and armed only with a machine gun, the A11 Infantry Tank (Matilda I) would achieve great things in its only significant battlefield action – effectively saving the British Expeditionary Force from annihilation.

At Arras on 21st May 1940, Matilda Is and IIs of 4th and 7th Royal Tank Regiment counterattacked the rapidly advancing 7th Panzer Division. In doing so, they successfully halted the German advance and unnerving Hitler so much that he issued an order forbidding further advances - thus giving the British and French chance to organize the Dunkirk evacuation.

In this video, David Willey covers the history of this diminutive and often ridiculed little tank which altered the course of history by saving an entire army.

This video features archive footage courtesy of British Pathé.

#tankmuseum

[slartybartfarst]

The Tank Museum has some fantastic new presenters like Chris, but whenever David does a Tank Chat I settle in my chair like I am in front of an open fire with a glass of good Brandy. David & his garden chats got me through the Covid times, and I will always be grateful for that.

[bwilliams]

I've always had a soft spot for these funny-looking little gremlins, ever since I first laid eyes on one when I was about 6 years old. I'm glad to know more about them - particularly the truth behind the name. I love the optimistic little brass fire extinguisher strapped to the hull. I'm sorry, but if my tank is burning and I have to GET OUT to grab an extinguisher, I'm not climbing back in under any circumstances.

[KMac]

Hats off to Mr. Wiley!! I was always one to say "Pfff!--A Matilda I" But he not just gives a clear and concise account of the tank's development, but also of its brief, yet consequential, role in the history of WWII, and really, when you think about it, how that role helped save the BEF, and many French troops, (one of whom I worked with for many years) at Dunkirk, and thus the course of WWII. Great work, Mr. Wiley!

[stevenbrown]

I love these tank chats. 1935 Matilda 1 (mentioned) to 1945 ... the development is unimaginable. Looking back, we shouldn't be so harsh. It was the space race of its time. The tank museum really is first class.

[andrewbarratt]

Back in the hands of the master - thank you David for a superb presentation

[johnfisk]

One can see Carden’s thinking that was further expressed in the Valentine. To build the smallest reasonable hull so that, for a given weight, it can use thicker armour. To keep the suspension from intruding into the hull also minimising the volume of the hull. Carden was aware of the 6 Pounder gun when he laid out the Valentine and would doubtless have been later penning the successor in 1941 to carry the Vickers 75mm HV or 17 Pounder on similar lines. The track work was no more exposed to fire than peer tanks, just left more in the open because of minimum hull volume concept.

[megapangolin]

Excellent, informative video. So pleased that David did this tremendous deep dive, no gimmicks, no funny lines, just sincere appreciation of the subject and masterly presentation. Thank you.

David is a great presenter. Not only does he give us the facts about the tanks, he paints a picture that always captivates the audience.

[Fidd-mcsz]

The presence of anti-gas paint was not primarily to inform the crew that they needed to don gas masks. It was to inform them that that the vehicle (or aircraft) was contaminated with a persistent gas such as mustard. These anti-gas patches were sometimes surrounded by a red band, shewing the colour which the central green area would turn if it reacted to gas. The remainder of such a surround may be seen on the starboard tail-plane of the Vickers Wellington at Brooklands. Mustard gas could remain as a highly irritant and dangerous threat, especially on organic clothing, for a considerable period after a gas shell went off, so it was important that crew did not clamber into a vehicle that was contaminated without suitable clothing/gloves and decontamination.

[mpersad]

Another terrific review of a much overlooked tank, with great perspective on the development of tank strategy and use in pre WW2 years. Great video, and David Willey is as good as ever.

[davidpowell]

A first class tank history lesson. Learning about its importance at Arras puts a different perspective on how fortunate we were to evacuate from Dunkirk. Thank you.

[itsokiie]

I absolutely love this mans Narrative skills.

[neverknowngregory]

Still chuffed I met this guy! As brilliant in person as in these videos

[augnkn]

I for one am disgusted that they didn’t continue the Matilda naming convention. All British tanks should be called Matilda. The current challenger should be called the Matilda 14.

[Vulmada]

To restate what I said in an earlier video - 1 year later - I miss Fletcher (first time I saw him was in a HMS Hood documentary and it was "love" at first sight) but I am seriously glad that Willey has managed to be...maybe not the "moustache" but rather the "Beard" and in spirit (in my view atleast), carry the torch of history, knowledge and wit - Tank Chats is still going strong and will continue going strong. And to add to it - Willey, please dont stop...we need people like you, and I thank you for sharing your knowledge with us

[sloths-dfgf]

Have just re-watched Richard Holmes' War Walks episode on Arras, which featured the Matilda I. God bless that gent - I had the pleasure of meeting him.

[Kralle]

As someone who had to give academic presentations I can only repeat myself and state, that your work is very well made, informative and entertaining. Of course, you have the advantage of doing what you love, but nevertheless it is very skillful to address a topic in this way and make it seem to be chatty and lighthearted; even when it is about a contraption of war from a war-ridden period of time.

[kbm]

Nice to see Mr Willey again. This concept of light armament never really went away, look at the Ferret Scout Car to modern times and many more in the War years. Only difference was it found wheels and lost its tracks. Nice talk on a very important Tank.

[luislealsantos]

Excelent David. Always great to see one of Pandemic hero that helped trough covid. Hope Fin is well. Thank you all.

[colinfrancis]

This is a little tank that I have always been fascinated by. Arras was so crucial and the Matildas filled the bill.

Thank you for this important coverage. You guys are great.

Just wish I could visit. (Australia is a long way and I am old).


I will watch again from the start.

Again thank you.