Hi,

The technique was developed from post WW1 training manuals of Infantry assault-

The Infantry tanks were used as mobile bunkers which advanced with the infantry troops, they used the vehicle machine guns and their main arm 2pdr gun to pin down the enemy forces whilst the troops attacked.
fix bayonets etc and go for it at a walking pace with the artillery and vehicles firing creating a creaping Barrage and protecting the infantry troops sheltering around the hulls.

the Mathilda was heavily armoured for its age , 1940 with the luftwaffe pounding the country and the Germans across the channel, any tank is better than no tanks!!! Development was slow.

Unfortunately by the time it arrived in AFrica and Rommel unleashed his tigers, it had become obsolete as well as most of the Cruiser tanks (Regular Cavalry Vehicles).
Leaving Shermans, Lees and Grants to come into the limelight.

As with most British armour, it was never perfect, underpowered with poor steering clutches.

It was replaced by the newer Churchill, which could evolve with heavier armour and bigger guns.

The mathilda was still ideal for jungle warfare against the Japanese forces, their Moderner tanks were even worse!!!

Matt