10 Weirdest Weapons Used During World War II

3. The Hobart Crab - This Modified Tank Used Rotating Chains To Explode Mines

Crab Tank
Wikipedia

One of a bizarre collection of experimental tanks that came to be known as Hobart's Funnies - named after their commander, Major General Percy Hobart - the Sherman Crab was designed to create a safe passage for the British military through mine fields.

A normal tank modified by fitting a "mine flail" to the front, this vehicle would drive across fields and detonate explosives using a series of rotating heavy chains at rapid speed. The force of the chain hitting the ground mimicked the weight of a vehicle or person and caused the mines to detonate, but without injuring anyone or damaging any military goods because the explosions would occur a safe distance away.

Operated by the Lothians and Border Horse, the 22nd Dragoons and the Westminster Dragoons, the tanks were used in 1944 and 1945 in both north-west France and in Italy. They proved top be highly successful, although extremely slow.

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NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.