Crazy British D-Day Tanks That Saved Thousands of Lives Known as "Hobart's Funnies," these specialized British vehicles were the secret weapon of the Normandy landings in 1944. Based on the rugged Churchill and Sherman chassis, they were modified into swimming tanks, flamethrowers like the "Crocodile," and bridge-layers. While a standard Churchill moved at a slow 15 mph, these unique machines provided the specialized support needed to clear minefields and crush coastal defenses. By overcoming ob