[2022] Tweets by Hoi game on 24 Feb

⚙️Good Morning Generals!⚙️ We made patch 1.11.6 live today! This small patch aims to make a few balance changes as well as fix some performance and stability issues. Read the full patch notes: https://pdxint.at/3JozWbP http://pbs.twimg.com/media/FLi2YokXIAAhePQ.jpg

Hoippy Valentine’s Day! On this day of romance, we’re going to get a little lovey for the Valentine Tank - an often overlooked British Tank of the second world war! http://pbs.twimg.com/media/FLkX46dXIAAnUjB.jpg

More than 8,000 tanks were produced in eleven marks, plus various specialized variants (such as the Bishop, Valiant and Archer), accounting for approximately a quarter of wartime British tank production. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/FLkX7rhXwAU_fiZ.jpg

The naming origin of the Valentine is often disputed. According to the most popular one, the design was presented to the War Office on St Valentine's Day, 14 February 1940. There are a few other versions but this is the most fitting for our story today 😍 http://pbs.twimg.com/media/FLkZLe1WUAUzaYz.png

The development of the tank tried to match the lower weight of a cruiser tank and combine it with the armour and stopping power of an infantry tank. Whilst it ended up with a speed similar to the Matilda II and thinner armour, Its use of cruiser parts made it cheaper to produce http://pbs.twimg.com/media/FLkY6WBXMAYhnT7.jpg

Vickers-Armstrong produced 2,515 vehicles and Metropolitan 2,135; total UK production was 6,855 tanks, with 2,394 exported from Britain to the Soviet Union under lend-lease. Canada also developed its own variant of the Valentine. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/FLkZ5bYWQAIgOVL.jpg

Canadian production was mainly at CPR Angus Shops in Montreal and 1,420 were produced in Canada,of which 1,388 were sent to the Soviet-Union. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/FLkZA2_XEAAxwUY.png

The Valentine first saw action in 1941, in Operation Crusader and slowly but surely replaced the Cruiser tanks in theatre. During the pursuit from El Alamein in late 1942, some tanks had driven more than 3,000 miles (4,800 km) by the time the Eighth Army reached Tunisia. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/FLkZuC3XwAcdM9_.jpg

The Valentine’s flaw, like most British tanks, was down to its 2 pound gun, which lacked HE ammunition and soon became outdated as an AT weapon due to the development of the 6 pounder. By the time they could be refitted with the 6 pounder, better tanks were already in development http://pbs.twimg.com/media/FLkaFrZXIAEjBTN.png

Due to the lend lease, Soviet Supreme Command asked for its production until the end of the war. In Soviet service, the Valentine was used from the Battle of Moscow until the end of the war, mainly in the second line. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/FLka9ZFXIAIOJ-Z.png

Although criticized for its low speed and the 2-pounder gun, the Valentine was liked due to its small size, reliability and good armour protection. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/FLkbJcIX0Awubms.jpg

By 1944, the Valentine had been almost replaced in front-line units of the European theatre by the Churchill tank (the Infantry Tank Mark IV) and the US-made M4 Sherman tank. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/FLkbgO9WQAA0fYs.jpg

A few were used for special purposes or as command vehicles for units equipped with the Archer self-propelled gun. The Royal artillery used the Valentine XI (with 75 mm gun) as an OP command tank until the end of the war. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/FLkbW8eXsAMhSga.png

As well as this great page that covers extra info we couldn't discuss like the tanks variants https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/gb/tank_infantry_mkiii_valentine.php

That concludes our look at the Valentine! We highly recommend you giving a read to this article about soviet tank modifications of the Valentine: http://www.tankarchives.ca/2016/03/valentine-mods-in-ussr.html

Furthermore, If you have any facts or stories about the Valentine you wish to share; let us know!

@ThyOfThee This video should get you started in no time! https://youtu.be/2vMdSOgsTNE

@ComradeKazimir That is a tough choice, 🥮don't mind this cake with a piece missing 👀

@mikie1mfs Reinforcements are on route. Just hold out! 🤺

@Nnseimanokk The lab is working REDACTED, but don't worry, we will REDACTED!