Created by the British at the outset of WWII, FRIEND OR FOE? is a series of training films that feature tanks and other armored vehicles, so that they could be distinguished from German tanks and vehicles. In this case the purpose is not only to familiarize soldiers, weapons and tank crews with the history of the tank, but to prevent friendly-fire incidents. Within these films you’ll see a wide variety of mobile weapons systems used by the Royal Tank Corps. and Royal Tank Regiment. These include Crusader, Matilda, Challenger, Valentine and other tank models. You’ll also see WWI vintage tanks which are shown fighting in the Battle of the Somme and at a demonstration for King George V.

The Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) provides the armour capability of the British Army, with vehicles such as the Challenger 2 Tank and the Scimitar Reconnaissance Vehicle. It was created as a loose association of armoured regiments, both the Royal Tank Regiment and those converted from old horse cavalry regiments. Today it comprises ten regular regiments and four Yeomanry regiments of the Army Reserve.

The RAC was created on 4 April 1939, just before World War II started, by combining regiments from the cavalry of the line which had mechanised with the Royal Tank Corps (renamed Royal Tank Regiment). As the war went on and other regular cavalry and Territorial Army Yeomanry units became mechanised, the corps was enlarged. A significant number of infantry battalions also converted to the armoured role as RAC regiments.[4] In addition, the RAC created its own training and support regiments. Finally, in 1944, the RAC absorbed the regiments of the Reconnaissance Corps.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com