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Development and Role

The Centaur tank was a British cruiser tank developed during the Second World War as part of the A27 tank specification. It was essentially an early variant of the more successful Cromwell tank, sharing an almost identical hull and turret design.

The primary difference was the engine. While the Cromwell (A27M) was intended to use the powerful, Rolls-Royce Meteor engine, derived from the Merlin aero engine, the Centaur (A27L – L for Liberty) was powered by the less powerful and older Nuffield Liberty V12 petrol engine.

Due to delays in Meteor engine production, the Centaur was a stopgap measure, produced in large numbers until the Meteor engine became widely available for the Cromwell. Because of its inferior engine performance—which resulted in lower speed and poorer reliability compared to the Cromwell—the Centaur was generally relegated to training roles and special-purpose conversions, rarely seeing combat as a standard gun tank.

Key Specifications and Armament

The Centaur utilized the Christie suspension system, a common feature of British cruiser tanks, which aimed to provide good cross-country speed.

Notable Combat Use: The Centaur IV

The most famous variant to see combat was the Centaur Mark IV Close Support (CS). This version was specifically created for the D-Day landings in June 1944. Its main gun was replaced by a 95 mm Howitzer to fire High Explosive (HE) and Smoke rounds, providing essential close fire support for the infantry during the amphibious assault.

• The Centaur IVs equipped the Royal Marines Armoured Support Group.
• They were initially designed to fire from the decks of Landing Craft Tank (LCTs) but were later prepared to operate ashore.
• The 95 mm howitzer provided much-needed heavy-calibre, direct-fire support to the commando units landing on the beaches of Normandy.

Many Centaur hulls were eventually re-engined with the Rolls-Royce Meteor and redesignated as Cromwells, which became the preferred frontline cruiser tank.