L43 "Renouncer"
| L43 "Renouncer" | |
|---|---|
 The tank near Leoborg in 1949 | |
| Place of origin | Salisford |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1948-1961 |
| Used by | Reykanes |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1942 |
| Produced | 1943 |
| No. built | 1 |
| Specifications | |
| Crew | 5 |
Main armament | 1× 77 mm rifled gun |
Secondary armament | 2× 7.62 mm machine guns (1 coaxial, 1 turrettop anti-aircraft) |
| Suspension | Torsion bar |
Renouncer (Reykani: Afneitun) designated as Heavy Tank No.1 is a Salisfordian tank of the Army of Reykanes, which was transported to Reykanes in 1948. It was retired in 1961, after new tanks were introduced. The name came from what happened to the tank on multiple historic events during the history of Reykanes, where it changed sides, hence the name "Renouncer". The name was first used after the Communist Revolution but very rarely. It became common after the 1957 coup d'état.
Background
During the late 1940s the fear of a communist uprising was looming. As apart of the "Modernization period" of the Army of Reykanes, one single tank was shipped next to the already existing tank forces to have a leading tank. The L43 tank was shipped to Reykanes on 6 October 1948 and the supplies that came with it.
Battle service
Communist Revolution
During the communist revolution, which started in Leoborg, the Army of Reykanes sent the tanks and army to defeat the uprising. Several marches were conducted to keep order. Soon shoots were fired from both sides and the fighting commenced. Some tanks and the L43 were ambushed by communist rebel soldiers with molotovs and one tank burned out. The crew got out in time, and made a run for it. It didn’t get too far however. It turned to the Þingholtsstræti street, where it was first hit by hand grenades , that damaged the turret, making the tank swerve violently off the street, crashing into a nearby wooden house and getting stuck. The crew was then taken prisoner. The remaining force retreated after encountering the overwhelming communist rebels. After the city was captured, the tank was repaired and reused in the revolution. After a couple of days on monday at 11:07, the L43 encountered 3 Skriðdreki I tanks. 2 of the enemy tanks shot at the L43 but all bounced off. The L43 returned a shot and they hit the ammunition and the tank exploded. For a couple of minutes shots were exchanged but non hit till one of the tracks were destroyed of a Skriðdreki I, the crew escaped and the other tank retreated. Since the ammunition was low, it was rarely used after that. When the Revolution ended in a communist victory, it was paraded through cities.
The Coup
Till the coup d'état it didn't see any action. On 27 July 1957, the tank was stolen from the military depot near Vík naval base during the events in the Parliament. When the Coup ended the pro-Coup army marched to the military depot and demanded the surrender of the guards. Since the socialist leadership ended, they obligated. The tank was transferred to the other side and was used to intimidate other remaining communist forces.
Oil War
It was stationed near Port Sturla incase of Ajaki units moving out of the city but since that never happened, it didn't see any action.
