79th Armoured Division. Hobart's Funnies

In this episode of The Special Forces in World War II Podcast, host Michael Weyers explores the remarkable history of the 79th Armoured Division — one of the most innovative and influential Allied formations of the Second World War.

Created under Major-General Percy Hobart, the division became the home of the famous “Hobart’s Funnies”: specialised armoured vehicles designed to break through minefields, concrete defences, waterfront obstacles, and fortified towns. From the assault beaches of Normandy to the battles for Le Havre, Boulogne, the Scheldt, Walcheren, and the Rhine crossing in Operation Plunder, these unique machines reshaped the Allied approach to modern warfare.

Discover how the division was formed, how its equipment was designed and tested, and how its specialised crews supported nearly every major operation in Northwest Europe. Using original wartime accounts, official histories, and modern research, this episode reveals how engineering innovation and tactical adaptation helped secure Allied victory.

To explore photographs, maps, original documents, and the full list of sources behind this episode, visit the 79th Armoured Division page at www.worldwar2-sof.com.

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