Our next talk
"Hobart's Funnies"
TUESDAY, 13th May 2025 AT 19:30
Following the disastrous landings at Dieppe, it was realised that specialised vehicles would be needed to cope with natural and man-made obstructions during and after the Allied invasion of Europe.
The person chosen to lead the work on this was Major-General Sir Percy Cleghorn Stanley Hobart, KBE, CB, DSO, MC.
Having trained “Mobile Force (Egypt)” which later became the 7th Armoured Division, he was dismissed into retirement by General Wavell. Having joined the LDV as a lance corporal, this remarkable soldier was recalled into the army to train the newly formed 11th Armoured Division. Having done this, though by now 57, he was assigned to train a further new armoured division – the 79th.
At risk of disbandment due to lack of resources, the Chief of the Imperial General Staff (CIGS), General Sir Alan Brooke, invited Hobart to convert his division into a unit of specialised armour. Under Hobart's leadership, the 79th assembled units of modified tank designs collectively nicknamed "Hobart's Funnies".
The rest, as they say, is History.
In this talk, Colin Foster will provide a brief overview of Hobart’s career before reviewing the wide variety of vehicles used by 79th Armoured Division with examples of their use and impact in battle.
All are welcome and a lively discussion is guaranteed!
Admission is £5 per attendee including tea, coffee and biscuits
