8th. Army tank brigades started receiving Valentines in June 1941.   The main drawback was the small turret, where the commander also had to act as loader.   The Mks. III and V had the turret enlarged to accomodate a loader, the only difference between the two being the engine make.   They were both up-gunned with the 6 pdr. to become the Mks VIII and IX respectively.   The larger gun meant that the turret crew was again reduced to two and the co-axial Besa mg was deleted.   They served in North Africa, Tunisia and on the Eastern Front.