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Question about the Battle for Habbaniya.
duck88
So I obtained the campaign on this battle not too long ago and since then I have had hell trying to find some info. The book talks of two tanks used by the British called 'Walrus' and 'Seal'. I can not find anything on what type tanks these were. I was wondering if anyone knew? Thanks.
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| Faganator |
1
I believe they were actually RAF Regiment armored cars that were present at the airfield as part of the RAF Regiment detachment there but I could be wrong.
Posted: 16-Sep-2009 20:14
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| AdamC |
2
I tried to find out the answer to this exact same question a while ago!!! I couldnt find the answer either but I always assumed they were either old pre war Tank Light Mk IIAs or possibly more modern Vickers VIs. I suppose they could have been Rolls Royce Armoured Cars but they are always described as tanks.
Posted: 16-Sep-2009 23:50
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| duck88 |
3
The RAF Armoured Car contingent is accounted for as well as the 'Walrus' and 'Seal', so I don't believe that they were armoured cars.
They are described as being ancient, so I don't think anything produced in the thirties would have counted. I found one website which suggested they might have even been Mark V leftover from the first world war. There was a unit of Mark Vs sent to Gaza in 1917 and many were left there. It might be possible a few migrated to Mesopotamia in the twenty-three year peace. Of course I could be totally wrong and they might have been Vickers or armoured cars.
Posted: 17-Sep-2009 01:21
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| AdamC |
4
I dont think they would have been anything that old. If they were there would be some pictures of them about. The tanks sent to General Allenby in 1917 were slightly older Mk Is and a few newer Mk IVs not Mk Vs (Mk Vs didnt appear on the front line till 1918). They were used at Gaza but then sent back to France in late 1917-early 1918. The only ones left behind were wrecks as far as I know. I think you need to be looking at light tanks from the 1920s and early 1930s to identify Seal and Walrus.
Posted: 17-Sep-2009 09:21
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