The next month the first cruiser tanks were issued.

They generally carried more armour than the cruiser tanks as they did not need such a high top speed.

An even bigger problem for most cruiser tanks was the small calibre of their main gun.

The one surviving cruiser tank and the 18th Cavalry squadron were to rush the guns to the east, firing as they went.

The cruiser tank arrived after the squadron had advanced but gave some assistance before it was destroyed and the crew killed.

In practice the British did not operate only infantry and cruiser tanks.

Designated as a "heavy cruiser" tank, it was put into production in July 1938.

In mid-1940, the British were considering which tank should follow on from the new cruiser tanks then being developed.

For the formation of two armoured divisions it was expected that 1,200 cruiser tanks were needed.

This gun was more than able to pierce the armor of the British light and cruiser tanks.