Churchill and Sherman tanks (Tank trials)

An Australian Army research film produced by the Military History Cinema Section. This film was photographed during comparison trials between Churchill and Sherman tanks and provides a graphic illustration of the facts submitted in a report to the War Office. The trials were conducted in the jungle terrain of New Guinea using British Churchill Mk IV, Mk V and Mk VII Infantry tanks and American Sherman M4A1 and M4A2 Medium tanks. The Australian crews had to be trained prior to the trials in the operatrion of the Churchill tanks by British Army instructors. Tests conducted included, a mud test, hill climbing, driving through thick scrub, armament tests involving firing 75mm and 95mm main guns on a Japanese style bunker constructed from coconut logs. Recovery tests using a Dolly tractor and an Armoured Recovery Vehicle adapted from a General Lee Tank. Also shows the maintenance procedures undertaken at the Tank Park at the conclusion of each days trials.