CHURCHILL Mk.II “OKE”

In 1941, the british “Petroleum Warfare Department” or P.W.D. established the idea of using oil as a weapon of war. For this purpose, studies for the installation of flamethrowers in models of the Universal Carrier tracked vehicle were initiated. The Major J.M. Oke proposed in the summer of 1942, to mount this system in a Churchill infantry tank and thus the Churchill Mk.II “Oke” flamethrower tank was born. A fixed flamethrower was installed on the left side of the front hull along with a disposable fuel tank on the outside rear of the vehicle. This system was built by the Ronson company and had a range from 35 to 45 meters. Three examples of the “Oke” tank were manufactured and sent to be tested in action at the Dieppe raid, France. Unfortunately, because the operation ended in disaster for the allies, none of the three “Oke” arrived to the beaches. All were sunk or destroyed and the tests were not performed.

CHURCHILL Mk.II “OKE” gallery and more info