The A11 Infantry Tank I Matilda was a British tank of World War II. It is not to be confused with the A12 Infantry Tank, also known as the 'Matilda II' but took over the 'Matilda' name after the early part of the war when the first Matilda was withdrawn from combat service. They were of totally different design and did not share components, but did have some similair traits because they were both designed to be Infantry tanks, a type of tank that tended to sacrifice speed and firepower for increased armor protection.

General Ellis, watching it maneovre, commented that it 'waddled like a duck'. The name of a popular cartoon duck 'Matilda' was naturally applied.

Designed and produced for quick delivery by Vickers, the A11 used many stock parts from other vehicles: a Ford V8 engine, Fordson gearbox similar to the Vickers light tanks, suspension from an artillery tractor that was based on the their own Six Ton Tank Model E.

Although the hull and turret were well protected against current anti-tank weapons, the tracks and running gear were completely exposed and more vunerable then on tanks that had protected tracks.

Production history

Production: 140

Variants

Some used a 0.5" Vickers machine gun instead of the 0.303" mg.

Combat history

Matilda I (55) and Matilda II tanks fought together in France as part of the British Expeditionary Force in the Battle of France. They participated in the defense and counter attack operation at Arras against the invasion by Nazi Germany in May 1940, temporarily discomfiting the 7th Panzer division under Rommel.

When the BEF returned to the UK, nearly all their armour was left behind. Matilda Mk I's left in the UK were withdrawn for training purposes.