Ranville in Calvados, Normandy, France — Western Europe
Le Char Centaur MK IV
⎯⎯⎯
Centaur Tank MK IV
Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025
1. Le Char Centaur MK IV / Centaur Tank MK IV Marker
Le char Centaur MK IV est un dérivé du char britannique Cromwell. Le Centaur a été utilisé par les régiments du soutien blindé aux Royal Marines (fusiliers marins) britanniques. Équipés de canons de 95mm, les chars Centaur ont effectué des tirs en soutien des commandos débarqués sur trois des cinq plages du Débarquement, à savoir Gold, Juno et Sword. Le plan initial consistait à utiliser les chars lors de l'assaut et au cours de la semaine suivante. Ils devaient ensuite être remplacés par les chars Sherman, mieux protégés et plus fiables. Cependant les besoins se sont avérés si importants que les Centaurs ont été utilisés jusqu'à la fin de la Bataille de Normandie. En août 1944, plusieurs Centaurs ont servi au sein du régiment blindé de reconnaissance de la 6e Division aéroportée, fournissant des tirs d'appui précieux à une division assez légèrement armée. L'équipage du char Centaur était composé de cinq hommes. Le pilote appartenait au corps de blindés britanniques, tandis que le commandant du char, le tireur, le radio et le chargeur étaient des Royal Marines. Les marquages sur la tourelle permettaient
this page online
The Centaur tank MK IV was a derivative of the British Cromwell tank. The Centaur on display here was used by the Royal Marines Armoured Support Group. With a 95mm howitzer, Centaur tanks gave gun fire support to the Commando forces landing on three of the five D-Day beaches, Gold, Juno and Sword. The initial plan was to use the tanks for the assault and for one week following the landings. They would then be replaced by the more heavily armoured and reliable Sherman tanks. However, the need was so great that the Centaur tanks continued to be used during much of the Battle of Normandy. In August 1944, several Centaur tanks served with 6th Airborne Division's armoured reconnaissance regiment providing valuable support to the relatively lightly armed airborne division. The Centaur tank had a crew of five, the driver was a soldier of the Royal Armoured Corps, the commander, the gunner, loader and radio operator were Royal Marines. The graduations on the turret enabled an observer outside of the tank to give gun fire directions, by radio, to the tank crew who had a very limited view of the combat.
Erected by Memorial Pegasus and Museum.
Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025
2. The Centaur Tank MK IV and Marker
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1944.
Location. 49° 14.56′ N, 0° 16.307′ W. Marker is in Ranville, Normandie (Normandy), in Calvados. It is at the intersection of Av. Major John Howard and Normandie Route D514 on Av. Major John Howard. The marker is located on the grounds of the Memorial Pegasus and Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Av Major John Howard, Ranville, Normandie 14860, France. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony and also the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Le Général de Brigade James Hill, D.S.O** M.С. / Brigadier James Hill D.S.O** М.С. (here, next to this marker); Vidette (here, next to this marker); Obusier de 5.5 pouces (140 mm) / 5.5 Inch Gun (a few steps from this marker); Les Dents de Dragons / Dragons Teeth (a few steps from this marker); L'Obusier de 25 Livres (87.6 mm) / 25 Pounder Field Gun (a few steps from this marker); Lance Corporal Brian J. Mullen (Sapper), R.E. (within shouting distance of this marker); Canon de 40 mm Bofors / Bofors 40 mm Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); M3/M5 A1 Half Track (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ranville.
More about this marker. The static displays and markers are
Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025
3. The view of the Centaur Tank MK IV and Marker on the grounds of the museum
Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 107 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 1, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
