Cromwell Tank

CROMWELL TANK
STATE MEDAL 5764/2004
8th in the “Tanks that made History” Series

Just as the Israeli Air Force controls the skies of the country and protects from above, the Armored Corps ensures ground protection. This series of medals is dedicated to the Armored Corps and salutes “the soldier in the tank” – the tens of thousands of men and women who have served and fought in the Armored Corps since the establishment of the State of Israel. On the night prior to the final evacuation of the British Army from the Land of Israel, at the end of June 1948, members of the Jewish militia (the “Haganah”) successfully penetrated into the British camp and stole two Cromwell tanks. That same night, the two tanks were brought from Haifa to Tel Aviv and were hidden. Along with a solitary Sherman Tank, the two Cromwell Tanks formed a company in the first battalion of tanks. The Cromwell Tanks took part in the War of Independence and the tank’s silhouette served as the inspiration for the design of the Armored Corps’ emblem.

Obverse: The Cromwell Tank in motion on mountainous terrain; the word “CROMWELL” is inscribed in Hebrew and in English along the bottom section of the medal.

Reverse: A war chariot from the Period of Israel’s Kings with the words and source in Hebrew and English “Chariots of Salvation”, “Habakkuk”; the Armored Corps emblem appears in the lower part of the medal.

Edge: State emblem with the words "STATE OF ISRAEL" inscribed in Hebrew on the right and in English on the left; serial number and metal.

Designer: Eliezer Weishoff.

Engraving: Tidhar Dagan.

Mint: Hecht Ltd., Israel.