 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2012) |
| "Hobart's Funnies" | |
|---|---|
 Amphibious DD tanks await blowing of breaches in the sea wall on Utah Beach. This photo was taken shortly after H Hour. | |
| Type | Modified tank variations |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1944–1945 |
| Used by | 79th Armoured Division or by specialists from the Royal Engineers |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Various |
| Designed | 1941–1944 |
| Manufacturer | Various |
Hobart's Funnies is the nickname given to a number of specialist armoured fighting vehicles derived from tanks operated during the Second World War by units of the 79th Armoured Division of the British Army or by specialists from the Royal Engineers.[1]
They were designed in light of problems that more standard tanks experienced during the amphibious Dieppe Raid, so that the new models would be able to overcome the problems of the planned invasion of Normandy. These tanks played a major part on the Commonwealth beaches during the landings. They were forerunners of the modern combat engineering vehicle and took their nickname from the 79th Division's commander, Major General Percy Hobart.
The vehicles converted were chiefly Churchill tanks and American-supplied M4 Sherman tanks.
- ^ Laurenceau, Marc (19 February 2016). "Hobart's Funnies during the Battle of Normandy". D-Day Overlord. Retrieved 4 December 2020.