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| © Michal Derela, 2003 | ||
Part I: development history and construction
Part II: international service
Part III: Polish service
This page describes export and international service of Vickers Mk.E (6-Ton) light tanks. A development history, technical description, armament, armour and data are in part I. Details about the Polish service and combat use of Vickers Mk.E tanks are in part III.
The countries are listed in order of the Mark E tanks quantity.
Poland was the biggest user of original Vickers Mk. E tanks. As early as in September 1931 Poland ordered 50 twin-turret tanks Vickers Mk. E Type A. 38 tanks were delivered in 1932-33, while the rest was delivered in parts to assembly, but they were not assembled finally. Just in 1933-34, the tanks were modified by adding large air intakes behind the crew compartment, which improved engine cooling a little. It was a significant feature of Polish Vickers Mk.E tanks only. Also in 1934, 22 tanks were rebuilt to single-turret Type B standard, using the turrets bought in Great Britain, the rest (16 tanks) remained twin-turret. Apart from a cooling system, Polish twin-turret tanks differed from other Vickers Mk.E Type A tanks, having a bit different turrets, and different armament.
Apart from the tanks, Poland bought a licence. However, Poland did not start production of the Vickers E, because Polish designers seriously improved its construction, creating the 7TP tank. Polish Vickers Mk.E tanks fought in the Defensive War 1939.
The page about Polish Vickers Mk.E tanks, with a gallery.
Finland bought the first tank Vickers Mk.E Type B for testing in 1933. It was in standard configuration - with the turret on the left, armed with 47mm gun. Following the tests, on 20 July 1936 the Finns decided to order a series of 32 tanks. Of this number, 26 tanks were delivered in 1938-39, while the remaining 6 were delivered only after the Winter War. Therefore, Finland had 33 tanks Vickers Mk. E. The newly acquired tanks had new 'Mark F' hulls and turets on the right, with a rear niche for a radio. However, the radios weren't bought in order to lower costs. The tanks were also bought without any armament, because the original 47mm gun was considered as not satisfactory. It was decided to arm these tanks with the Swedish semi-automatic anti-tank gun 37mm Bofors L/45, produced in Finland (a data of similar Polish variant).
Finnish tanks were much rebuilt during their service. Since it took a time to complete the guns, the tanks were unarmed for the first period of their service. Only several tanks were temporarily fitted with one air-cooled MG in a turret. A few others were provisionally fitted with 37mm SA-18 Puteaux guns, but due to a weak mounting, they could fire blanks only, for exercise purpose. In the front armour of a combat compartment of all tanks, a pistol port for 9mm Suomi SMG was made, with a roof raised above the gunner's head. In the beginning of 1940, the tanks were finally fitted with 37mm Bofors guns and a coaxial MG, most likely a modified 7.62mm Maxim (despite the cover's look, the MG was air-cooled). The mounting of guns was probably designed by Bofors (it was very similar to the Bofors-designed gun mounting for the Polish 7TP tank). However, Finnish tanks had only simple colimator gun sights, because the Germans failed to deliver ordered special sights.
In the Winter War, the Finns captured great number of Soviet T-26 tanks (developed from Vickers Mk.E), which were put into the Finnish service next. In order to make easier maintenance, the Finns decided to rearm Vickers Mk.E tanks with Soviet long-barrel 45mm 20K tank guns, used in T-26. Complete 45mm gun mountings, with MG's and sights, dismounted from destroyed T-26 tanks, were mounted in Vickers turrets, in a place of 37mm gun mountings. Also, some other parts were taken from T-26. The Finns designated rebuilt Vickers Mk.E tanks as: T-26E ("E" for 'English').
Combat use:
The only Finnish Vickers unit formed during the Finnish-Soviet Winter War (30.11.1939 - 13.03.1940) was the 4th tank company (4./Pans.P), with 13 Vickers Mk.E tanks armed with 37mm Bofors guns. The company made a combat debute supporting infantry in an attack on Honkaniemi, 26 February 1940.
Soviet units were supported by T-26 and T-28 tanks of the 112nd tank battalion of the 35th light tank brigade and AT-guns. The attack was a complete fail. 5 Finnish tanks didn't take part in combat at all due to bad fuel quality, another one was immobilized in a ditch. From the remaining 7 tanks, 5 were destroyed, and one damaged. Despite a lack of experience and a poor sights, the Finnish tankers hit at least 3 Soviet tanks. On 29 February the Finnish tanks were delaying Soviet advance, losing 1 Vickers tank, but destroying 4 enemy tanks. One more Vickers was destroyed by the crew on 6 March 1940, after being stuck on rocks. Total losses in the Winter War were 7 Vickers tanks lost and 1 damaged (not repaired).
Vickers Mk.E tanks, which remained after the Winter War, were rebuilt to T-26E standard, and then used with captured T-26 tanks in the Continuation War against Soviets (1941-44). In 1945, Finland had 19 tanks T-26E left, which were used for training until 1959.
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| Left: abandoned Finnish Vickers Mk.E with 37mm gun, examined by the Soviet soldiers. The Finnish tanks in the Winter War had white-blue-white belts painted on a turret [source: E. Muikku and J. Purhonen; "Suomalaiset Panssarivaunut 1918 - 1997", Apali Oy]. Right: the Finnish Vickers Mk.E in a configuration from the Winter War, in Panssarimuseo Parola museum (photo courtesy of Jarkko Vihavainen). (click to enlarge). |
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In 1935, the Chinese government bought 16 single-turret tanks Vickers Mk.E Type B. In the following year 4 more were bought, fitted with Marconi radios in a turret niche (contrary to some information in publications, they weren't Mark F tanks, nor even they had Mark F hulls, which is evident even from photos).
Combat use:
Chinese tanks Mark E were distributed to the 1st Armoured Battalion (3 tanks, with 29 or 32 amphibious tanks VCL Model 1931) and the 2nd Armoured Battalion (17 tanks Mk.E and some dozen of others). Both battalions were intensively used in fighting against Japanese units in Shanghai, between 13 September and 9 November 1937. However, the tanks were ill-suited to urban fighting, and poorly trained Chinese tankers suffered big losses - about 50% of tanks were lost. The remaining tanks were probably gathered into one battalion and included into the 200th Motorized Division, formed in 1938 of Soviet equipment (T-26 tanks). This Division suffered heavy losses in a Nankin counteroffensive and in Kunlun pass, losing most of equipment. Detailed fate of Vickers Mk.E tanks is not known.
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| The Chinese tank Vickers Mk.E Type B destroyed in Shanghai and captured by the Japanese. The bullet holes are well seen. This tank was fitted with a radio - an aerial base is visible. (click to enlarge) |
Related links: Armour in China
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| The Thai tank Vickers Mk.E from the second batch. A national roundel is on a turret (colors: red-white-blue-white-red). |
On 17 November 1932, Siam bought 10 single-turret tanks Vickers Mk.E Type B, delivered in 1933. In 1938, the further 12 tanks were ordered, but most probably only 8 tanks were delivered before the war, and the rest was taken by the British government. The tanks from this second batch had Mark F hulls. Siam also bought 26 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns on Mark E chassis (see below).
Combat use:
Siamese tanks were used in armoured battalions, consisting of a command tanks and three 2-tank companies. Vickers Mk.E tanks were used during a war with France in Indochina (December 1940 - 28 January 1941). In January 1941, a land operation started, on 16 January there was a battle of main forces at Yang Dam Koum in Battambang province. The French forces consisted of 4 infantry battalions, supported by the Detachement Motorise de Cochinchine (FT-17 tanks and trucks armed with 20mm guns), but there is no information, if the French armour was used in this battle. The Thai infantry was efficiently supported by some Vickers tanks, and the French had no anti-tank means at first. Finally, the battalion of the 5th Foreign Legion regiment brought up two 25mm AT-guns and one 75mm field gun, and destroyed 3 tanks. The fighting was fierce and ended with the French withdrawal. In December 1941, Thailand fell under the Japanese control, and the further fate of Thai tanks is not known. Possibly one tank Vickers is currently in Cavalry Museum in Saraburi? (write me, if you know about it).
Related links: Thai AFVs of the "Indochina War 1940-41" (main page: Danny O'Hara's Weird Wars
The Soviet Union was the first buyer of Vickers Mk.E tanks. As early as on 28 May 1930, the USSR ordered 15 twin-turret tanks Vickers Mk.E Type A, delivered by July 1931, and bought a licence for domestic manufacture. The armament of the twin-turret variant was initially considered as suitable for infantry support, which was to be the tank's use. Initially, Soviet designers tried to create own improved tank, basing on Vickers Mk.E, with water-cooled engine "Hercules" 95HP, but two built prototypes TMM-1 and TMM-2 appeared unsatisfactory. As a result, the Soviets started to produce Vickers Mk.E with only small changes, mostly thicker 15mm armour. The licence-built tank was accepted into service in February 1931, before the first tanks were completed, with a designation T-26. These tanks were produced until 1941 in "Bolshevik" factory in Leningrad. During the production, many changes were done by the Soviets to the original design, some of them far-going.
The story of the T-26 is not a subject of this page, so we present its development only in short. The first series T-26 (model 1931) were twin-turret, MG-armed, but the construction and shape of turrets differed from the Vickers ones. In 1933, the Soviets started production of their own single-turret T-26 variant, with a long-barrel 45mm gun and a coaxial machine gun, in a big turret (so-called model 1933). It became a basic tank of the T-26 family. Since 1937/38, the tanks were produced wih a new, conical turret. In 1939, also the hull with sloped sides was adapted. The engine power and fuel tanks increased a bit as well. The tanks produced since 1940 had a thicker armour. The T-26 was also a base to produce several variants of tanks with a flamethrower and other special vehicles. Until 1941, about 12.000 of T-26 family tanks were made. They fought in all conflicts of the USSR, on some theatres even until 1945; they also fought in China and Spain.
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| The Bulgarian tank Vickers Mk.E on manouvres. A camouflage is visible (a factory one?), similar to the one on Chinese tanks. |
In September 1936, Bulgaria bought 8 single-turret Vickers Mk.E Type B tank, delivered in 1937. They were formed into the 2nd Tank Company. In June 1941, Vickers Mk.E tanks were included into the Armoured Regiment, as one company of the 1st Armoured Squad of the regiment (the other two companies of the 1st Squad consisted of PzKpfw-35(t) tanks, while the 2nd Squad consisted of R-35 tanks). In September 1943, these vehicles, with the newer ones, were included into the newly formed Armoured Brigade. In September 1944, Bulgaria entered the war on the Allied side, and the Brigade was used against Germans in Serbia and Kosovo. The details about Vickers tanks' usage are not known, but by then these tanks were already obsolete and lacking spare parts. It is known, that 3 tanks Mk.E were withdrawn from service in April 1945.
As it was mentioned, the British Army rejected Vickers 6-Ton tank. However, after the war outbreak, the British government took 4 tanks from the Thai order. All had 'Mark F' hulls, and were used for training until the end of the war.
Bolivia was the smallest active user of Vickers Mk.E tanks, but the Bolivian tanks were first used in combat (it was also the first combat usage of tanks in America). There is some discrepancy in publications as for the number and fate of Bolivian tanks, however. On 12 October 1932, Bolivia ordered 3 tanks Vickers Mk. E. Most publications claim, that they were two twin-turret Type A tanks and one single-turret Type B. However, according to Vickers documents, one twin-turret tank Type A (no. VAE 532) and 2 single-turret tanks Type B (VAE 446 and 447) were bought (this way also source [2]).
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| The Bolivian tank Vickers Mk.E Type A as a monument in Asuncion. (click to enlarge) |
Combat use:
Just in 1933, Bolivian tanks were used in the Gran Chaco war with Paraguay (1932-35). The conditions of Gran Chaco were unfavourable for tanks - a terrain was difficult, and high temperatures made the tankers open all hatches. The Bolivian tank "corps" (including also 2 Carden-Loyd Mk.VIb tankettes) was commanded by the German "advisor" Cpt. von Krier. The most known battle in which the tanks were used, was the battle of Ayala, 4-5 July 1933 (the second attack on Nanawa). Especially single-turret tanks appeared useful in fighting with MG-nestes and wooden pillboxes. The tanks were also used in next operations. Finally, one single-turret and one twin-turret tank were captured by the Paraguayans on 10 December 1933, on the 22nd km of Zenteno - Saavedra way (on the eve of a surrender of two Bolivian divisions at Campo Via). The third tank (most probably a single-turret one) was destroyed by a shot from 75mm Krupp field gun.
The captured twin-turret tank Mk.E Type A was put as a monument in Paraguay capital Asuncion. In the 1970's it was supposedly given back to Bolivia, but its current fate isn't known (write, if you know what happened to this tank!). The captured single-turret tank was sold to Spain in 1937, with a batch of guns and rifles. Most sources claim, that the captured twin-turret tank had a Bolivian name "Ina", but according to one source, "Ina" was the single-turret tank, sold to Spain.
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Greece bought 2 tanks Vickers Mark E - a twin-turret Type A and a single-turret Type B, ordered on 20 November 1930. I have no information about their turther fate. According to some information, Greece ordered 14 tanks Mk.E before the outbreak of the war, which were not delivered.
Portugal bought 2 tanks Vickers Mark E - a twin-turret Type A and a single-turret Type B for tests before the war. There is no further information about them.
Photos of Portugal tanks are at: Tanks! (section: Portugal)
See: Bolivia. According to the new sources, the ex-Bolivian single-turret Vickers Mk.E Type B tank (no. VAE 446), captured by Paraguay, was then sold to Spanish Republic in January 1937. The tank was sold with a batch of rifles and guns via Swiss trader, supposedly for a price of GBP 1,040. There is no information, if it was used in Spain.
Single tanks Mk.E were also tested (or bought?) by Japan, USA and Italy, possibly also by Romania, the Netherlands and Argentina. In the USA, there was designed an experimental tank T1E4, with a suspension modelled after Vickers Mk.E.
Models of Polish Vickers Mk.E tanks are described separately.
1/72:Main sources:
1. Janusz Magnuski: "Angielski lekki czołg Vickers Mark E w polskiej słuzbie"; Nowa Technika Wojskowa 5/99.
2. Mikhail Baryatinski: "Niepriznanny 'Vikkers'"; Modelist-Konstruktor 11/92 (available here).
3. Tomasz Basarabowicz, Jarosław B. Garlicki: "Leksykon Broni Pancernej
1920-45"; Militaria i Fakty - several issues.
Our thanks for:
- David Fletcher and the Tank Museum
- Jarkko Vihavainen
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You can mail me with any questions or comments. Corrections or photos are welcome.
All photos and pictures remain the property of their owners. They are published in non-commercial educational and research purpose.
Text copyright © Michal Derela, 2003.