20th March 2012

20th March 2012 - Hobart's Funnies.

Cameron Dick

On March 20 Biggar Probus Club held its AGM in the Municipal Hall. President Jim Watt welcomed members and following his Annual Report handed over to the incoming President, Robert Kirkhope.

Following the meeting the new President introduced the speaker Mr Cameron Dick. The title of his talk was ‘Hobarts Funnies’. During WW1 General Percival Hobart served in the Royal Engineers. In 1923 he transferred to the Tank Corps and in 1934 commanded the world’s first Tank Brigade. His ideas were opposed by senior officers and in 1939, he was forced into early retirement. When Winston Churchill heard this he was furious and had him reinstated. In 1942 he formed the 79^th Armoured Division whose existence was shrouded in secrecy. In April 1943 he was asked to prepare his Division to lead the invasion of Europe.

By D-Day Hobart had developed a series of tanks that served very specific purposes, known as ‘Hobarts Funnies’. These included the Sherman Crab with a mine flail; the Churchill Crocodile had a flamethrower; the Duplex Drive Sherman tank was amphibious; the Buffalo LVT was a tracked landing vehicle, the Churchill ARK had ramps at both ends to form a mobile bridge. There were several others. Hobart was knighted by King George V1.

The vote of thanks for a fascinating talk was given by Ian Dewar.

Back to 2011 - 2012 programme