Valentine Tank

The Valentine tank was the most-produced British tank of the Second World War. Built by Vickers-Armstrongs and other manufacturers between 1940 and 1944, about 8,275 Valentines were produced, more than any other British tank of the war. The Valentine was an infantry tank, designed to support infantry attacks with thick armour and a slow, steady advance, and it served in North Africa, in the Soviet Union and in the Far East. Although it was slow and its 2-pounder gun was soon outclassed, the Valentine was reliable, well protected for its size and easy to maintain, and it earned a reputation as a dependable workhorse. About 2,690 Valentines were sent to the Soviet Union under Lend-Lease, where they were used on the Eastern Front, and the tank also served as the basis for a number of specialist vehicles, including self-propelled guns and bridging tanks. The Valentine’s long production run and its service on three continents make it one of the most important British tanks of the war.

1. Key Facts

Type	Infantry tank
Origin	United Kingdom (also built in Canada)
In service	1940–1945
Number built	About 8,275
Crew	3 (Valentine I–VII); 4 (Valentine VIII–XI)
Weight	About 16–17 tonnes
Armour	8–65 mm
Main armament	2-pounder (40 mm) gun, later 6-pounder (57 mm) or 75 mm gun
Engine	AEC A190 petrol (135 hp) or GMC 6004 diesel (131 hp)
Top speed	About 24 km/h on roads
Operators	United Kingdom, Soviet Union, Canada, New Zealand, Poland

2. Development

A Private Venture

The Valentine began as a private venture by Vickers-Armstrongs, based on the company’s earlier A10 Cruiser tank. In 1938 Vickers offered the War Office a new infantry tank using many components from the A10, including its suspension and transmission, but with thicker armour and a smaller, two-man turret. The War Office was initially unenthusiastic, because it had already ordered the Matilda II infantry tank, but the fall of France in 1940 and the loss of most British tanks at Dunkirk changed the situation. Britain needed tanks quickly, and the Valentine, which could be built using existing components and production lines, was ordered into production in 1940. The name Valentine is often said to come from St. Valentine’s Day, 14 February 1938, when the design was submitted to the War Office, though the company also used the name as a code word.

Production and the Canadian Contribution

Production of the Valentine was spread across a number of British firms, including Vickers-Armstrongs, Metropolitan-Cammell and the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company, and the Canadian Pacific Railway workshops in Montreal also built the tank. The Canadian-built Valentines, about 1,420 in total, were mostly sent to the Soviet Union under Lend-Lease. British production was remarkable for its speed: the first Valentines were delivered in May 1940, only months after the order was placed, and production continued until April 1944. The total of about 8,275 vehicles made the Valentine the most numerous British tank of the war, ahead of the Churchill and the Cromwell, and its production was a major achievement for British industry under wartime conditions.

Upgunning the Valentine

The Valentine’s main weakness was its armament. The early marks carried the 2-pounder (40 mm) gun, which was adequate in 1940 but could not fire a useful high-explosive shell and was soon outclassed by German tanks. The Valentine II and later marks kept the 2-pounder, but the Valentine VIII, introduced in 1942, carried the 6-pounder (57 mm) gun, and the Valentine IX and X also mounted the 6-pounder. The Valentine XI, the last version, carried a 75 mm gun, the same weapon as the Sherman’s, which could fire both armour-piercing and high-explosive rounds. The larger guns required a bigger turret, and the Valentine VIII and later marks had a three-man turret with a loader, increasing the crew from three to four. The upgunning kept the Valentine useful, but it was never a match for the German Panther or Tiger, and by 1944 it was being replaced by the Churchill and the Sherman in British service.

3. Design

Armour and Protection

The Valentine’s armour was thick for a tank of its size: 65 mm at the front of the hull and turret, 60 mm on the sides, and 8 mm at the minimum. The armour was mostly riveted, though later marks used some cast and welded components, and the riveted construction was a weakness: a non-penetrating hit could shear off rivets inside the tank and injure the crew, a problem shared by many British tanks of the period. Even so, the Valentine’s armour was proof against the German 3.7 cm and 5 cm anti-tank guns at normal ranges in 1941–1942, and it gave the tank a good reputation for survivability. The tank’s small size — about 5.4 metres long, 2.6 metres wide and 2.3 metres high — made it a difficult target, and its low silhouette helped it in the desert and in the close country of the Far East.

Suspension and Mobility

The Valentine used a slow-motion suspension with three bogies on each side, each carrying two small road wheels, a design inherited from the A10. The suspension was simple, reliable and easy to maintain, though it gave a rough ride and limited the tank’s speed. The Valentine’s top speed was about 24 km/h on roads and about 13 km/h cross-country, which was slow even by infantry tank standards, and its range was about 140 km on roads. The tank’s engine was either the AEC A190 petrol engine of 135 hp or the GMC 6004 diesel engine of 131 hp, the diesel being preferred for its lower fuel consumption and reduced fire risk. The Valentine’s reliability was one of its strongest points: it broke down far less often than the Crusader or the early Churchill, and its crews trusted it.

Crew and Interior

The early Valentines had a crew of three: a driver in the hull, and a commander and gunner in the two-man turret. The commander had to load the gun as well as command the tank, which was a heavy workload and reduced the tank’s effectiveness in combat. The later marks with the three-man turret had a crew of four, with a dedicated loader, and this was a significant improvement. The interior was cramped, especially in the two-man turret, and the tank’s small size made it uncomfortable for long operations. The driver’s position was at the front of the hull, with limited visibility, and the tank’s steering was by clutch-and-brake, which was tiring on long marches. Despite these limitations, the Valentine’s crews generally liked the tank for its reliability and its armour.

4. Technical Specifications

Dimensions and Weight

The Valentine measured about 5.41 metres long, 2.63 metres wide and 2.27 metres high, with a ground clearance of about 0.4 metres. Combat weight was about 16 tonnes for the early marks and about 17 tonnes for the later marks with the 6-pounder and 75 mm guns. The tank could cross a trench about 2.4 metres wide, climb a vertical obstacle of about 0.9 metres, and ford water up to about 0.9 metres deep. Its small size and relatively light weight made it easy to transport by rail and by ship, which was an advantage for a tank that was shipped in large numbers to the Soviet Union and to the Far East.

Engine and Performance

The AEC A190 was a 6-cylinder petrol engine producing 135 hp at 2,000 rpm, and the GMC 6004 was a 6-cylinder diesel producing 131 hp at 2,000 rpm. Both gave the Valentine a power-to-weight ratio of about 8 hp per tonne, which was low and explained the tank’s slow speed. Fuel capacity was about 160 litres, giving a road range of about 140 km. The diesel engine was preferred by the Soviet Union, which valued its reliability and its use of the same fuel as Soviet tanks, and most of the Lend-Lease Valentines sent to the Soviet Union had the diesel engine. The Valentine’s engine was mounted at the rear, and the transmission was at the front, with a long drive shaft running through the fighting compartment.

Protection and Armament in Detail

The Valentine’s main armament changed over its production life: the 2-pounder (40 mm) gun on Marks I–VII, the 6-pounder (57 mm) on Marks VIII–X, and the 75 mm gun on Mark XI. The 2-pounder fired a 1 kg armour-piercing round at about 850 m/s and could penetrate about 50 mm of armour at 500 metres, but it had no effective high-explosive shell. The 6-pounder was a major improvement, penetrating about 80 mm at 500 metres, and the 75 mm gun could fire a useful high-explosive shell as well as an armour-piercing round. Secondary armament was a coaxial 7.92 mm Besa machine gun, and some Valentines carried a 7.92 mm Besa in the hull. Ammunition stowage was about 60 rounds for the 2-pounder and about 50 rounds for the 6-pounder.

5. Armament

The 2-Pounder Gun

The 2-pounder was the standard British tank gun of 1940, and it was adequate against the German Panzer III and Panzer IV of that year. It was accurate and had a high rate of fire, but its small calibre meant that it could not fire a high-explosive shell large enough to be useful against infantry, anti-tank guns or buildings, and this was a serious limitation for an infantry tank whose main task was to support infantry. By 1942 the 2-pounder was outclassed by the German 5 cm and 7.5 cm guns, and the Valentine’s 2-pounder marks were increasingly used for training and for secondary roles.

The 6-Pounder and 75 mm Guns

The 6-pounder, introduced on the Valentine VIII in 1942, was a much better weapon. It could penetrate the frontal armour of the Panzer III and Panzer IV at normal ranges, and it could fire a high-explosive shell, though the shell was small. The 75 mm gun on the Valentine XI, introduced in 1943, was the same weapon as the Sherman’s 75 mm gun, and it gave the Valentine a useful dual-purpose capability: it could engage tanks with armour-piercing ammunition and support infantry with high-explosive shells. The larger guns required a bigger turret and a fourth crewman, and they increased the tank’s weight, but they kept the Valentine in service for two more years.

Machine Guns and Close Defence

The Valentine’s secondary armament was the 7.92 mm Besa machine gun, mounted coaxially with the main gun, and some marks had a second Besa in the hull. The Besa was a reliable weapon, a British copy of the Czechoslovak ZB-53, and it was effective against infantry and soft targets. The tank also carried a 2-inch smoke mortar in the turret on some marks, and the crew carried personal weapons including Sten submachine guns and rifles. The Valentine’s armament was never its strong point, but the later marks with the 6-pounder and 75 mm guns were adequate for the roles the tank was used in by 1943–1944.

6. Variants

Marks I to VII

The Valentine I was the first production version, with a petrol engine and a 2-pounder gun in a two-man turret. The Valentine II had a diesel engine, the Valentine III had a larger turret with a loader’s position, and the Valentine IV was a Valentine II with an American GMC diesel engine. The Valentine V was a Valentine III with the GMC engine, and the Valentine VI and VII were Canadian-built versions of the Valentine IV and V. These early marks, all armed with the 2-pounder, were the most numerous, and they served in North Africa and in the Soviet Union.

Marks VIII to XI

The Valentine VIII, introduced in 1942, carried the 6-pounder gun in a new three-man turret, and the Valentine IX was a similar version with a different turret design. The Valentine X had a GMC diesel engine and the 6-pounder, and the Valentine XI, the last gun tank version, carried the 75 mm gun. These later marks were built in smaller numbers, about 1,000 in total, and they served in the Far East and in training units, as well as in the Soviet Union. The Valentine XI was the most capable version, but by the time it entered service the Valentine was being replaced by newer tanks.

Specialist Variants

The Valentine chassis was used for a number of specialist vehicles. The Bishop was a self-propelled 25-pounder gun on a Valentine chassis, built in 1942 and used in North Africa. The Archer was a self-propelled 17-pounder anti-tank gun on a Valentine chassis, with the gun facing rearwards, and it served in North-West Europe in 1944–1945. The Valentine Bridgelayer carried a scissors bridge for crossing obstacles, and the Valentine DD was an amphibious version with a canvas screen, used in training for D-Day. The Valentine was also used as an armoured personnel carrier, a command tank and a mine-clearing vehicle, and its chassis was one of the most versatile of the war.

7. Combat Record

North Africa

The Valentine first saw combat in North Africa in 1941, where it equipped British armoured regiments in Operation Crusader and in the battles around Tobruk. Its thick armour and reliability made it popular with crews, and it performed well against the Italian and early German tanks it faced. The Valentine’s slow speed was a disadvantage in the desert, where the cruiser tanks were faster, but its armour saved many crews. The tank fought at El Alamein in 1942, and it remained in service in North Africa until the end of the Tunisian campaign in 1943, when it was replaced by the Sherman and the Churchill.

The Soviet Union

About 2,690 Valentines were sent to the Soviet Union under Lend-Lease, and they served on the Eastern Front from 1941 to 1945. The Soviet crews valued the Valentine for its reliability and its armour, and they used it in the defence of Moscow, at Stalingrad and in the offensives of 1943–1944. The Soviet Union also used the Valentine as a basis for its own designs, and the tank’s diesel engine was particularly appreciated. The Valentine’s 2-pounder gun was a limitation on the Eastern Front, where it faced German tanks with thicker armour, but the Soviet crews used the tank for infantry support and for reconnaissance, roles in which its armour and reliability were more important than its gun.

The Far East and Other Theatres

The Valentine also served in the Far East, where it equipped British and Indian armoured regiments in Burma. Its small size and reliability suited the jungle terrain, and its armour was proof against Japanese anti-tank weapons, which were generally weak. The Valentine fought in the battles of Imphal and Kohima in 1944, and it remained in service in Burma until the end of the war. The tank also served with the New Zealand forces in the Pacific, and with the Polish forces in Italy. By 1945 the Valentine had been withdrawn from front-line service in Europe, but it continued to serve in training and in secondary roles.

8. Operators

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom was the Valentine’s main operator, using the tank in North Africa, in the Far East and in training units at home. The Valentine equipped the armoured regiments of the 1st Army Tank Brigade and other formations, and it was the standard infantry tank of the British Army in 1941–1942. By 1944 it had been replaced by the Churchill and the Sherman in front-line units, but it continued to serve in training and in specialist roles until the end of the war.

Soviet Union

The Soviet Union was the second-largest operator of the Valentine, receiving about 2,690 vehicles under Lend-Lease, mostly from British and Canadian production. The Soviet Union used the Valentine on the Eastern Front, and the tank’s reliability and armour made it popular with Soviet crews, who nicknamed it the “Valentina”. The Soviet Union also received Valentine-based specialist vehicles, including the Archer and the Bishop, though in smaller numbers. The Valentine remained in Soviet service until the end of the war, and some vehicles were still in use in the late 1940s.

Canada, New Zealand and Poland

Canada built about 1,420 Valentines, mostly for the Soviet Union, and also used the tank for training at home. New Zealand used the Valentine in the Pacific, and Polish forces under British command used the Valentine in Italy and in training in Britain. The Valentine’s wide distribution — it served with the armies of at least five countries — reflects its importance as a Lend-Lease tank and its reputation for reliability. Canadian-built Valentines were also used for driver training in Britain, where their simple controls and forgiving handling made them suitable for teaching new crews before they moved on to larger tanks.

9. Legacy

The Most-Produced British Tank

The Valentine’s production total of about 8,275 vehicles made it the most-produced British tank of the Second World War, and its long production run from 1940 to 1944 was a major achievement for British industry. The tank’s reliability, its thick armour and its versatility as a basis for specialist vehicles all contributed to its success, and its service on three continents showed that a well-designed, if unglamorous, tank could be more useful than a faster or more heavily armed one that broke down.

Survivors and Memory

A number of Valentines survive in museums around the world, including the Tank Museum at Bovington in England, the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, the Kubinka Tank Museum in Russia, the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa and the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. The tank is a popular subject for modellers, and its distinctive small turret and riveted hull make it instantly recognisable. Restored Valentines run at military vehicle events, and the type is well represented in films and documentaries about the war in North Africa and on the Eastern Front.

Assessment

Historians generally judge the Valentine as a sound, reliable infantry tank that was limited by its small turret and its weak early armament. Its slow speed and its two-man turret were serious drawbacks, but its armour, its reliability and its ease of maintenance made it a valuable tank in 1941–1942, when Britain needed tanks in quantity. The Valentine’s service in the Soviet Union, where it was used for four years on the Eastern Front, is a testament to its durability, and its role as the basis for the Archer and the Bishop shows the versatility of its chassis. The Valentine was not a great tank, but it was a good tank, and it was available when it was needed.

10. FAQ

How many Valentine tanks were built?

About 8,275 Valentine tanks were built between 1940 and 1944, making it the most-produced British tank of the Second World War. The total includes about 1,420 built in Canada, mostly for the Soviet Union under Lend-Lease, by the Canadian Pacific Railway workshops in Montreal. Production was spread across several British firms and the Canadian workshops, and the tank was built by Vickers-Armstrongs and other manufacturers. The Valentine’s long production run and its service on three continents make it one of the most important British tanks of the war.

Why was the Valentine sent to the Soviet Union?

The Valentine was sent to the Soviet Union under the Lend-Lease programme, which supplied the Soviet Union with weapons and equipment from Britain and the United States. About 2,690 Valentines were delivered, and the Soviet Union valued the tank for its reliability, its armour and its diesel engine. The Valentine served on the Eastern Front from 1941 to 1945, and the Soviet Union used it there for four years. The tank was an infantry tank, designed to support infantry attacks with thick armour, and it was reliable, well protected for its size and easy to maintain.

What gun did the Valentine carry?

The early Valentine marks carried the 2-pounder (40 mm) gun, which was adequate in 1940 but soon outclassed. Later marks carried the 6-pounder (57 mm) gun, and the last version, the Valentine XI, carried a 75 mm gun. The 6-pounder and 75 mm guns were much more effective, and the 75 mm gun could fire a useful high-explosive shell. The tank was slow, with a top speed of about 24 km/h, but it was reliable, well protected for its size, and its armour was 8 to 65 mm thick.

Was the Valentine a good tank?

The Valentine was reliable, well armoured and easy to maintain, but it was slow and its early armament was weak. It was a good infantry tank for 1941-1942, when its armour was proof against most German anti-tank guns, but by 1943 it was outclassed by newer tanks. Its crews generally liked it for its reliability, and the Soviet Union used it for four years on the Eastern Front, from 1941 to 1945. About 8,275 Valentines were built, more than any other British tank of the war, and the tank also served as the basis for specialist vehicles, including self-propelled guns and bridging tanks.

What was the Valentine’s crew?

The early Valentines had a crew of three: a driver, a commander and a gunner, with the commander also loading the gun. The later marks with the 6-pounder and 75 mm guns had a crew of four, with a dedicated loader, which was a significant improvement. The three-man turret of the later marks gave the commander more time to command the tank, instead of loading the gun himself. The tank was an infantry tank, designed to support infantry attacks, and it was slow, with a top speed of about 24 km/h on roads.

Where can I see a Valentine tank today?

Surviving Valentines are displayed at the Tank Museum in Bovington, England, the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, and the Kubinka Tank Museum in Russia. They are also displayed at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa and the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, among others. Restored examples also run at military vehicle events in Britain and Canada, and the tank served in North Africa, in the Soviet Union and in the Far East. About 8,275 Valentines were built between 1940 and 1944, more than any other British tank of the war, and about 2,690 were sent to the Soviet Union.

11. Sources

• Fletcher, David. The Great Tank Scandal: British Armour in the Second World War. HMSO, 1989.
• Fletcher, David. Valentine Infantry Tank 1938–44. Osprey New Vanguard series.
• Milsom, John. Russian Tanks 1900–1970. Arms and Armour Press, 1970.
• White, B. T. British Tanks 1915–1945. Ian Allan, 1963.
• Zaloga, Steven. Soviet Lend-Lease Tanks of World War II. Osprey.