- Yes
- No
General Description:
The A10 CS Mk IA has a main turret with a 3.7 Inch Tank Mortar and coaxial Besa machine gun, together with a second Besa in a mounting alongside the driver.
A six cylinder AEC petrol engine, giving 150bhp, drives through a clutch and five-speed crash gearbox to a bevel box and final drive. The final drive on each side consists of a steering clutch, epicycle reduction gear, sprocket, and brake drum. Steering is effected in the usual manner by two steering levers but these have actually to be pushed into the fully forward positions to engage the steering clutches.
History:
The A10 CS Mk IA (Cruiser CS Mk IIA) was developed in the late 1930s as an upgraded version of the earlier A9 CS Mk I (Cruiser CS Mk I) , featuring enhanced armor for better protection. This CS (close support) variant was created specifically for infantry support roles and was outfitted with a 3.7-inch (94mm) mortar. While the standard A10 tanks had 2-pounder anti-tank guns, the CS model utilized its mortar to launch smoke rounds and high-explosive shells, assisting in covering troop movements and clearing fortified enemy positions.
In the early phase of World War II, the A10 CS Mk IA was deployed with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and took part in the Battle of France during the German invasion of May-June 1940. Although it was outmatched by the speed and firepower of German Blitzkrieg tactics, the A10 CS Mk IA was vital for providing smoke cover and bombarding defensive positions. However, many A10 CS Mk IA tanks were abandoned during the retreat to Dunkirk, as most BEF units were evacuated, leaving much of their equipment behind.
Following France, the A10 CS Mk IA was active in the North African Campaign, serving with the British 7th Armoured Division, known as the “Desert Rats.” In the North African desert, the A10 CS Mk IA’s relatively slow speed and limited armor presented challenges. However, it proved valuable in creating smoke screens and attacking Italian and German defensive positions. The harsh desert conditions impacted its mechanical reliability, but the A10 CS Mk IA remained effective for disrupting enemy infantry and machine gun nests.
Over time, the A10 CS Mk IA was replaced on the front lines by more advanced tanks, such as the Crusader and Valentine models. Its limitations, particularly its vulnerability to stronger anti-tank weapons, became more evident as tank warfare intensified. Some A10 CS Mk IA tanks continued to serve in secondary roles or for training as the British military transitioned to better-armored and more mobile designs.
Vehicle Specifications:
3.7 Inch Mk I Mortar Ammunition Specifications:
Doing the conversions (1Lb, 9 Oz and 13 Dr) into grams the HE shell comes out to roughly 731.77g in explosive mass. To give an in-game example the T-34-85 O-365K HE shell has 741g of explosive mass, so it’d be doing fairly similar damage to that at a far lower BR.
Role in game:
This would be a 1.3 vehicle following on from the A9 CS Mk I or Cruiser CS Mk I already suggested here. Personally I don’t see it being very effective, but the option is there.
Sources:
