Thanks for the suggestion PanzerBoB, any I checked are engineer tanks with no carrying capacity. Interestingly, the Merkava series is also an MBT carrying troops externally. I know there was a big discussion about this on the MBT list and I have no intention of resurrecting it.
Andy, the book is:
Churchill's Secret Weapons: The Story of Hobart's Funnies by Patrick Delaforce first published in 1998, reprint 2006. Delaforce served with a tank unit during the war which lends some credibility but in my view, he is given to excess use of exclamation marks! And he seems to see Churchill as some sort of visionary armour expert!(!)
Page 77:
Quote:
The Churchill tank, although slow and ponderous, was roomy, had tough defensive armour and side-access hatches in the track frames. Through these a demolitions NCO from the crew of five could exit with General Wade charges, and place them in position against sea walls or whatever the object that needed to be demolished.
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There are references in the text to this happening in the field which I may edit in later.
To wrap up - this tactical use of dismounted demolition teams can be considered to be part of the general obstacle clearing capacity of the AVRE. To add the teams to the game would be to add a tiny piece of "chrome" only slightly more common than oh say Brandenburgers.
My one frustration is that the "carry as passengers" flag can be set for any unit in the scenario editor, but it is not accessible through Mobhack.
Oh well, an incentive to make a Funnies campaign I guess.