CSMMI MILART

by Mark W. Tonner

 Continuing on from the ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, Part 2, of 27 October 2014

Although not a ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, another conversion of Ram, Mark II tanks, was to that of an armoured ammunition carrier, to replenish the tanks of armoured and armoured reconnaissance regiments, with ammunition, fuel, and personnel, during ‘active’ operations. This conversion consisted of the removal of the complete turret, with the turret ring and ball-race¹ remaining in place, and the removal of the internal ammunition bins and racks. The No. 19 Wireless Set (a radio)² was reinstalled in the left-hull pannier³, on the left of the bow machine gunner’s position, and the vehicle batteries were moved from the hull floor, up into the rear of the left-hull pannier. A circular 1-inch (14-millimetre) thick armoured plate, with a 28-inch (71-centimetre) square door (with two 14×14-inches (36×36-centimetres) hinged hatches), in the centre, was placed over the turret ring and ball-race (enabling the armoured plate to be rotated), with a 7-inch (18-centimetre) high splash plate⁴, being installed around the 28-inch (71-centimetre) square double hinged hatches. The drive shaft was also to be covered over, as in the conversion of Ram tanks, to that of ‘Ram’ armoured gun towers, as mentioned in the ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, Part 2, of 27 October 2014. This would account for the references in some contemporary accounts of the drive shaft being covered over, as part of the initial conversion of Ram, Mark II tanks, to that of ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers, when in fact, only those ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers, based on the conversion of ‘Ram’ armoured gun towers, would have the drive shaft covered over.

Although, as mentioned in the ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, Part 2, of 27 October 2014, the front towing hook was to have been removed from ‘Ram’ armoured gun towers, as part of their conversion to that of a ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carrier. As can be seen, this was not always the case, as evidenced by the towing hook assembly being still in place on the front of the lead ‘Ram’ Kangaroo in this photo. Source: Author’s collection

A ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier of the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment. Note the forward facing secondary .30-calibre Browning machine gun mounted in the turret ring, and the vehicle tarpaulin, which as been pulled back from over a ‘tarp/bivouac’ support, which can be seen with one leg mounted in the front of the turret ring, while the other leg is mounted in the rear of the turret ring, with the centre pole of the
‘tarp/bivouac’ support, in between. Source: 1 CACR Association & Archive

One innovation, which wasn’t part of any conversion of Ram tanks or Ram armoured gun towers, to that of armoured personnel carriers, was that of ‘tarp/bivouac’ supports, which were improvised by the crew members of ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers, themselves, for use with the large vehicle tarpaulin. These supports (or poles) either were crescent shaped, or had a downward leg at either end of a straight pole, and were mounted into any of the bolt holes left in the circular opening of the hull top, by the removal of the turret ring during the initial conversion of Ram tanks to either Ram armoured gun towers, or that of ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers. Once in place, the large vehicle tarpaulin could be put up over these, leaving an opening at the front for the crew to enter or exit the carrier, while keeping the elements out (i.e., rain or snow). These ‘tarp/bivouac’ supports, were normally used when the crew knew that they were going to be in a static position for a time, and could easily be cleared away and stowed before they had to move off again.

An example of crescent shaped ‘tarp/bivouac’ supports being used on a ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier of the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment. Source: 1 CACR Association & Archive

Another example of the ‘tarp/bivouac’ supports in use, seen here on RED-CHIEF, a ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier of the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment. Source: 1 CACR Association & Archive

On 14 October 1944, in a letter, in which First Canadian Army Headquarters, informed Canadian Military Headquarters (London), that 162 ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers would be required, to form the Canadian armoured personnel carrier regiment, consisting of two squadrons of 53 carriers each, and a reserve of 50 armoured personnel carriers, an entitlement for six ‘Ram’ armoured ammunition carriers, was allotted to the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, Canadian Armoured Corps. These six ‘Ram’ armoured ammunition carriers, were to be used as ‘command’ carriers, within the regiment. Two each, were to be held by Regimental Headquarters, “A” Squadron Headquarters, and “B” Squadron Headquarters. As of 21 November 1944, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, Canadian Armoured Corps, held four (CT159532, CT159702, CT159871⁵, and CT159896) of their entitlement of six ‘Ram’ armoured ammunition carriers. At this time, First Canadian Army Headquarters decided that there was no priority for the issue of the remaining two, and that their issue be deferred until such time as either, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, was under command of First Canadian Army⁶, or that the two were particularly requested. However, that being said, a fifth ‘Ram’ armoured ammunition carrier, CT159891 (named MARION), was issued to the regiment sometime after 21 November 1944, and remained in service with 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, as a ‘command’ carrier. These ‘command’ carriers, would have been among those designated carriers that were fitted with a second No. 19 Wireless Set, or with No. 18, No. 22, or No. 38 Wireless Sets, as the need arose, as referred to in the ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, Part 2, of 27 October 2014.

One of the ‘Ram’ armoured ammunition carriers issued to 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, as a ‘command’ carrier, bearing the name MARION (CT159891), seen here, in June 1945, as the ‘Kangaroo’ of Major W.A. Copley, Officer Commanding, “B” Squadron, which he named after his wife Marion. Just above Major Copley’s head, on the top of the hull, can be seen, the 7-inch (18-centimetre) high, splash plate, which was installed around the 28-inch (71-centimetre) square double hinged hatches, in the centre of the circular armoured plate that was placed over the turret ring, as described in the text. Source: Bill Miller

As mentioned in the ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, Part 1, of 16 October 2014, part of the initial conversion of the Ram, Mark II tank, to that of a ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carrier, was the repositioning of the No. 19 Wireless Set in the forward left-hull pannier, and as noted above, was also the case with the initial conversion of Ram, Mark II tanks, to that of ‘Ram’ armoured ammunition carriers. One interesting revelation which came to light, as 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment started receiving ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, was that, in some cases, the No. 19 Wireless Set was mounted to far forward in the left-hull pannier, thus overhanging the edge of the pannier and protruding into the carrier, which restricted the traverse of the bow ball-mounted .30-calibre Browning machine gun, to the right by 5-degrees. This overhanging of the edge of the pannier and protruding into the carrier, of the No. 19 Wireless Set, was also noted in those ‘Ram’ armoured ammunition carriers, that had been initial conversions of earlier Ram, Mark II tanks, which had an auxiliary turret, on the left front of the tank. Although the problems mentioned above, had been rectified in ‘Ram’ armoured gun towers, converted to ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers, by mounting the No. 19 Wireless Set over the transmission, between the co-driver’s, and driver’s position, as mentioned in the ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, Part 2, of 27 October 2014. While awaiting a response to this latest problem (from Canadian Military Headquarters (London)) of the wireless set being mounted to far forward in the left-hull pannier, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment Signal Troop, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, as an expedient measure, remounted the No. 19 Wireless Set in the forward right-hull pannier, of those carriers, in which the mounting of the wireless set in the forward left-hull pannier, was causing problems with the protrusion of the set into the carrier, or that was interfering with the operation of the bow mounted .30-calibre Browning machine gun. In January 1945, having been notified of what measures 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment Signal Troop, had taken to rectify the problem with the No. 19 Wireless Set mounting, the Deputy Director of Mechanical Engineering, First Canadian Army⁷, in a letter dated 17 January, recommended to First Canadian Army Headquarters, that they make representation to Canadian Military Headquarters (London), that this work be done in the United Kingdom, prior to replacement ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers, being shipped over to North-West Europe.

Although, as stated earlier, the No. 19 Wireless Set was to have been mounted in the forward left-hull pannier of ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers, the reality was, that it could, and was, mounted in one of the three positions, as mentioned above, either in the forward left-hull pannier, or in the centre-front over the transmission, between the co-driver’s, and driver’s position, or in the forward right-hull pannier. Those ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers that were eventually equipped with a second No. 19 Wireless Set, would have had it mounted in one of these three positions, as well.

A diagram of the interior of a ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier showing the three possible mounting positions for the No. 19 Wireless Set, as explained in the text.
A – in the forward left-hull pannier,
B – in the centre-front over the transmission, or
C – in the forward right-hull pannier. Source: Author’s collection.

Also, as of 14 October 1944, with Canadian requirements having been met, for the foreseeable future, for the conversion of Ram, Mark II tanks, to either armoured personnel carriers, armoured gun towers, or armoured ammunition carriers, Canadian Military Headquarters (London), agreed to provide the British with 330 Ram tanks⁸, subject to financial agreement, to meet their armoured personnel carrier needs, since on 11 October, Headquarters 21st Army Group, had authorized the formation of a second armoured personnel carrier regiment, to support the Second British Army. Having obtained approval from National Defence Headquarters (Ottawa), these 330 Ram tanks, were released to the British in mid-December 1944, with the understanding that any additional ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers required by First Canadian Army, would come from this source. This was accepted by the British War Office⁹, on 21 December 1944, under the understanding, that a financial adjustment would be made for any issued to First Canadian Army.

Infantrymen of the 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, of 131st British Infantry Brigade, loading onto ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers of “B” Squadron, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, near Dieteren, Holland, on 15 January 1945, during Operation BLACKCOCK. Note that the crew of the ‘Kangaroo’ in the foreground has left their pioneer tools strapped in place on the rear deck, common practice within the Regiment was to remove these, so that their infantry passengers wouldn’t make off with them for their own use. Source: Bovington Tank Museum (BTM 2293-A5)

A ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier of “A” Squadron, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, lifting infantrymen of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade, in a thrust along the Cleve to Calcar road (Germany), on 16 February 1945, during Operation VERITABLE. Note the forward facing secondary .30-calibre Browning machine gun mounted in the turret ring, with its barrel pointing skyward. Source: MilArt photo archives

Having spent November and December 1944, in Tilburg, Holland, readying themselves and their ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers for battle, the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, Canadian Armoured Corps, resumed active operations on 8 January 1945, when two Troops from “B” Squadron lifted two companies of the British 1st Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment¹⁰, in an attack near Venray, Holland. From this attack to the end of hostilities in North-West Europe, on 5 May 1945, the ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers of the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, were continually in action, carrying infantrymen of both the First Canadian Army, and of the Second British Army, into battle. Although the pace of these operations limited thorough maintenance, in a workshop setting, the ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers of 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, were kept in serviceable condition throughout, by the valiant efforts the men of No. 123 Light Aid Detachment (Type E), Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, which during the more fluid operations in which the regiment was involved in, would split into two sections. “A” Section, would accompany “A” Squadron, with “B” Section, accompanying “B” Squadron, to aid the crews of the regiments ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, in both maintenance and repair tasks, as the need arose. On 9 March 1945, in preparation for the forthcoming crossing of the River Rhine (Operation PLUNDER), “B” Squadron, was ordered into workshops, followed by “A” Squadron (on 11 March), for a major overhaul and refitting of their ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers. By 20 March, both squadrons had returned from workshops, during which as part of the refitting process, their ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, had been equipped with the new track extended end connectors. These end connectors greatly widened the width of the track, which in turn, further reduced the track pressure resulting in better performance on soft ground.

BUCKSHEE and another ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier of “B” Squadron, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, with infantrymen of “A” Company, The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s), 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade, in Werlte, Germany, on 11 April 1945. Note the track extended end connectors on the outside edge of the right track, of both ‘Kangaroos’, and also the position of the secondary .30-calibre Browning machine gun mounted in the turret ring. Source: MilArt photo archives

ENID, a Kangaroo of the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, showing a closer view of examples of the crescent shaped ‘tarp/bivouac’ supports, the secondary .30-calibre Browning machine gun (with the feed tray) mounted in the front of the turret ring, with its barrel pointing to the right, the track extended end connectors on the outside edge of the track, and the later style of bogie assembly, with the return roller mounted on a trailing arm behind the bogie assembly. Source: 1 CACR Association & Archive

By April 1945, the Ram tanks upon which the ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, was based, were now two to three years old. Prior to conversion to armoured personnel carriers, these Ram tanks had been used extensively in the United Kingdom for training purposes by units of the Canadian Armoured Corps, before being converted to ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers, and having been, more or less in continuous use since arriving in North-West Europe, were now showing their age. Both the men of the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, and those of No. 123 Light Aid Detachment (Type E), Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, worked heroically to keep them maintained and ready for battle. As testament to the work of both the crew members, and of No. 123 Light Aid Detachment, in keeping their carriers in serviceable condition, and in response to some maintenance issues that were raised while his regiments armoured personnel carriers, were in workshops during March, Lieutenant-Colonel Churchill, Commanding Officer, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, in a letter of 4 April 1945, to the Brigadier, Royal Armoured Corps¹¹, First Canadian Army Headquarters, stated, that at no time had a Kangaroo failed to reach the objective, once an attack had commenced, unless it had been knocked out by enemy anti-tank fire, or suffered damage from enemy land mines, or had become stuck in mud, or had been stopped at the express request of the infantry commander of the infantrymen they carried. He also noted in his letter that since active operations had commenced for the regiment in January, neither of his Squadrons had failed to provide sufficient ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, to meet the requirements of the infantry, they were to carry. He also commented, that since January, only five of the regiments ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, had broken down due to maintenance problems prior to an attack, but that these breakdowns, had not impeded the attack or caused the infantry, not to have arrived at their objectives.

No. 1 Troop, “A” Squadron, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, carrying infantrymen of “B” Company, The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade, advancing on Groningen, Holland, on the morning of 13 April 1945. Source: 1 CACR Association & Archive

The end of hostilities in North-West Europe, on 5 May 1945, found all of the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, in Germany, with Regimental Headquarters, at Cloppenburg, “A” Squadron at Oldenburg, and “B” Squadron near Markhausen. On 15 May, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, was ordered to concentrate at Enschede, Holland, where they were to ready their ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, for turnover to Ordnance. The .30-calibre Browning machine guns, and wireless sets, along with all associated equipment, were to be removed, as well as all tank tools, and pioneer tools. The carriers were also to be cleaned and painted. On 11 June 1945, 52 ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, of “A” squadron, along with three belonging to “B” Squadron, were returned to Ordnance, followed on 15 June, by the remaining 50 ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, of “B” Squadron. Thus with having received notification of disbandment, on 12 June, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, Canadian Armoured Corps, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment Signal Troop, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, and No. 123 Light Aid Detachment (Type E), Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, were disbanded, with effect from 11:59 P.M., on 20 June 1945, under authority from Headquarters First Canadian Army Troops Area, dated 17 June 1945.

As of 28 July 1945, the Canadian Army Overseas¹², held a total of 160 ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, and an additional 20, that had been converted over from ‘Ram’ armoured gun towers, to that of ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers. Shortly afterwards, those that were held in vehicle parks within Holland, were handed over (at no cost) to the Royal Netherlands Army, as they began the process of rebuilding themselves, in the wake of the Second World War. Those that were held in the United Kingdom, eventually passed into service with the British Army.

The ‘Ram’ Kangaroo Armoured Personnel Carrier in British service

With Headquarters 21st Army Group, on 11 October 1944, having authorized the formation of a second armoured personnel carrier regiment, to support the Second British Army, the British 49th Battalion, Royal Tank Regiment (consisting of Regimental Headquarters, “A” Squadron, and “C” Squadron), was subsequently redesignated the 49th Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps (consisting of Regimental Headquarters, “A” Squadron, and “C” Squadron), with an authorized strength of 20 officers and 456 other ranks, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel N.H. King, Royal Tank Regiment, and were concentrated at Vilvoorde, Belgium, on 1 November 1944, for organizational purposes. From 2 to 7 November, as the crews of the 49th Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, received their ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, they set about the task of preparing them for action. On 22 December 1944, the 49th Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, joined their sister regiment, the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, in the British 31st Tank Brigade¹³, of the British 79th Armoured Division¹⁴, with which they served until the end of hostilities in North-West Europe, in May 1945.

The British 49th Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment was organized, under British War Establishment XIV/1643/1 ‘An Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, 21 Army Group,’ with effect from 16 October 1944, consisting of, a Regimental headquarters and two squadrons, with each squadron consisting of a Squadron headquarters with five armoured personnel carriers, an Administration Troop and four Troops, each consisting of a Troop headquarters with three armoured personnel carriers and three sections, each with three armoured personnel carriers. This armoured personnel carrier allotment to the 49th Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, gave it the capability of lifting two battalions of infantry as follows, using one Section – an Infantry platoon headquarters and three sections, using one Troop – an Infantry company headquarters and three platoons, using one Squadron – an Infantry battalion headquarters and four companies, and with using the whole Regiment – two battalions.

‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers of “A” Squadron, 49th Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps. Source: Bovington Tank Museum (BTM 1115-B3)

Infantrymen of the British 3rd Infantry Division loading onto Kangaroos of the 49th Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps, prior to an attack on Kervenheim, Germany, 2 March 1945. Source: Imperial War Museum (B 14972)

The ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers for the British 49th Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment came from Ram Mark II tank stocks in the United Kingdom, previously transferred to the War Office (see Note 8), and earmarked for conversion, by the British, to Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers. The majority of the Ram Mark II tanks transferred to the British, and then converted to ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, were mid-production Ram Mark II tanks bearing census numbers¹⁵ between CT40101 and CT40437, and those between CT40438 and CT40937, with auxiliary turrets but without sponson doors¹⁶, although the British also converted some of the earlier production Ram tanks they had received from the CT39000 series, which had sponson doors. Most of these had the earlier ‘Vertical Volute Spring’ type suspensions with the return roller mounted in the centre on top of each bogie assembly (see the ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, Part 1, of 16 October 2014). As mentioned earlier, an additional 330 Ram tanks, were released to the British in mid-December 1944, to meet their armoured personnel carrier needs.

Infantrymen of the British 3rd Infantry Division loading onto Kangaroos of the 49th Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps, prior to an attack on Kervenheim, Germany, 2 March 1945. Courtesy Barry Beldom

A ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier of “A” Squadron, 49th Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, carrying infantrymen of the 4th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, 130th British Infantry Brigade, on the outskirts of Ochtrup, Germany, 3 April 1945, prior to the liberation of Enschede, Holland. Source: Imperial War Museum (BU 2956)

From 8 November 1944, through to 5 May 1945, the British 49th Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, like their sister regiment, the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, were actively involved in operations. In March 1945, because of the increasing demands made on the regiment, in the support of infantry operations, and at the recommendation of the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel N.H. King, “F” Squadron, 49th Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, was authorized, consisting of a Squadron headquarters with five armoured personnel carriers, an Administration Troop and four Troops, each consisting of a Troop headquarters with three armoured personnel carriers and three sections, each with three armoured personnel carriers. At the end of hostilities in North-West Europe, the 49th Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment (Regimental Headquarters, “A,” “C,” and “F” Squadrons), was concentrated in the area of Hamburg, Germany, where on 10 June 1945, they began turning in their ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. The 49th Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, was eventually disbanded effective 13 December 1945. The British Army retained their ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers in service, as armoured personnel carriers, or as driver training vehicles, to name but a couple of roles, until approximately 1955, when they were phased out of service.

‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers in postwar service with the British Army. Source: Bovington Tank Museum (BTM 2293-A1)

A ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier in postwar service with the British Army. Source: Bovington Tank Museum (BTM 2272-E1)

Conclusion

From their first use on the night of 7/8 August, 1944¹⁷, through to the cease fire on 5 May, 1945, ‘Kangaroo’ armoured personnel carriers had been in the van of both major and minor assaults carried out by the infantrymen of 21st Army Group. The problem of lowering infantry casualties and moving the infantry at ‘tank’ speed from start line to the final objective, had been solved. The tactical handling of infantry in the ‘advance’, working with tanks, had been revolutionized by the advent of the ‘Kangaroo’ armoured personnel carrier.

Part of the Commanding Officer’s (Lieutenant-Colonel Churchill) address to 1st Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment, on 11 May, 1945, best sums up the story of the ‘Kangaroo’ in Canadian service:

“ ……we have also been instrumental in saving the lives of countless soldiers who, without the Kangaroos, would have had to advance on foot unprotected from enemy fire. It is most comforting to reflect that many Canadian and British soldiers are alive today because of this Kangaroo Regiment.”

The original concept of the ‘Priest’ and ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers is still in use today by the Canadian Army, in the form of the Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) III, although the Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) III is an eight-wheeled vehicle, its function is that of an armoured personnel carrier for the infantry, still adhering to the phase of 1944 “The essentials are that the infantry shall be carried in bullet and splinter-proof vehicles to their actual objectives.”

Any errors and/or omissions, in Parts 1, 2, and 3, of ‘The ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier,’ is entirely the fault of the author.

Bibliography:

Law, C M, Making Tracks, Tank Production in Canada, Service Publications, Ottawa, Ontario, 2001

Library and Archives Canada, Records Group 24, National Defence, Series C-3, Volume 14301, Reel T-15430 and T-15431, Volume 16317, Volume 14995, and various other Files/Volumes – Records Group 24, National Defence

Lucy, R V, Canada’s Pride, The Ram Tank and its Variants, Service Publications, Ottawa, Ontario, 2014

Knight, D, Tools of the Trade, Equipping the Canadian Army, Service Publications, Ottawa, Ontario, 2005

Ramsden, K R, The Canadian Kangaroos in World War II, Ramsden-Cavan Publishing, Cavan, Ontario, 1998

Roberts, P, The Ram Development and Variants, Volume 1, Service Publications, Ottawa, Ontario, 2002

Roberts, P, The Ram Development and Variants, Volume 2, Service Publications, Ottawa, Ontario, 2005

The National Archives Kew, Richmond, Surrey, United Kingdom – WO 24 – War Office: Papers concerning Establishments – Sub Series WO 24/954 – War establishments – 1945 January-March – An Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, 21 Army Group, War Establishment XIV/1643/1 (4 pages).

Tonner, M W, The Kangaroo in Canadian Service, Service Publications, Ottawa, Ontario, 2005

Notes:

1. The metal rings, within the turret ring, which have a circular track inside of them, in which the ball bearings enable the rotation of the turret.
2. The No. 19 Wireless Set consisted of an “A” set for general use and a “B” set for short range work and an intercommunication unit for the crew. The No. 19 set had a maximum voice range of 10-miles (16-kilometres) and a maximum morse range of 15½-miles (25-kilometres).
3. On a Ram tank, the hull pannier, was the armoured portion of the hull which extended outwards above the tracks to the outer edge of the track.
4. An armoured plated lip.
5. In error, in early October 1944, CT159871, was issued to the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, Canadian Armoured Corps, from “F” Squadron, 25th Canadian Armoured Delivery Regiment (The Elgin Regiment), Canadian Armoured Corps, but stayed in service with the regiment throughout the remainder of the war, with “B” Squadron Headquarters.
6. At this time, the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, was under command of the Second British Army.
7. The officer responsible for the maintenance and repair of First Canadian Army’s equipment.
8. These were in addition to the 446 Ram Mark II tanks that had been transferred to the British earlier, in exchange for Sherman tanks from British stocks, as agreed upon at a meeting between Canadian Military Headquarters (London), and the British War Office, which was held on 22 October 1943.
9. The British War Office was a department of the British Government responsible for the administration of the British Army, until 1964, when its functions were transferred to the British Ministry of Defence.
10. A component of the British 8th Infantry Brigade, of the 3rd Infantry Division.
11. The Brigadier, Royal Armoured Corps, First Canadian Army Headquarters, was the advisor to the General Officer Commanding -in-Chief, First Canadian Army, and officer responsible for all matters dealing with armoured formations and units, within First Canadian Army.
12. The Canadian Army Overseas was the name given to that portion of the Canadian Army that served in the United Kingdom and Europe, during the period of the Second World War.
13. Which on 2 February 1945, was redesignated the 31st Armoured Brigade.
14. The British 79th Armoured Division operated specialized armoured vehicles modified for specialist roles.
15. In order to provide a positive means of identifying individual vehicles, every Canadian Army vehicle was given a separate serial number, commonly referred to as census number. In the case of the Ram tank, this number was preceded by the prefix letters “CT,” the letter “C” denoting the vehicle as Canadian, and the letter “T” denoting that the vehicle was a tank. These census numbers were normally stenciled onto the vehicle in white letters 3½-inches (9-centimetres) high.
16. A door located in the centre of the left and right hull side.
17. See the ‘Priest’ Kangaroo Armoured Personnel Carrier, in Canadian Service, 7 August to 30 September 1944, of 28 August 2014.

The ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, Part 2

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by Mark W. Tonner

Continuing on from the ‘Ram’ Kangaroo Armoured Personnel Carrier, Part 1, of 16 October 2014.

On 9 October, a conference was held at Headquarters 21st Army Group, with, in attendance, representatives of Headquarters 21st Army Group, First Canadian Army Headquarters, and Second British Army Headquarters, to discuss armoured personnel carrier units. It was decided that such units were required to –

a.) – enable infantry in vehicles to accompany armour through areas still subject to fire from enemy weapons, thus assisting in preventing the enemy separating our armour and infantry

b.) – enable infantry to reach their objective more rapidly that at present possible by use of (i) armour protection to allow them to get closer to our own bomber targets whilst the latter are still being attacked. (ii) speed of the vehicle to reduce the time taken to reach the objective from the start line.

It was also agreed, that the squadrons of armoured personnel carrier regiments, must be organized to lift complete infantry battalions or subunits thereof. Therefore, it was agreed that an armoured personnel carrier regiment be organized and consist of a Regimental headquarters and two squadrons, with each squadron consisting of a Squadron headquarters with five armoured personnel carriers, an Administration Troop and four Troops, each consisting of a Troop headquarters with three armoured personnel carriers and three sections, each with three armoured personnel carriers.

This armoured personnel carrier allotment per regiment, was based on:

one Section (with three armoured personnel carriers)

– able to lift one infantry rifle platoon complete, with three armoured personnel carriers

one Troop (with 12 armoured personnel carriers)

– able to lift one infantry rifle company headquarters, with two armoured personnel carriers

– able to lift three infantry rifle platoons complete, with nine armoured personnel carriers

– one reserve armoured personnel carrier

one Squadron (with 53 armoured personnel carriers)

– able to lift one infantry battalion headquarters, with three armoured personnel carriers

– able to lift four infantry rifle companies complete, with 48 armoured personnel carriers

– two reserve armoured personnel carriers

one Regiment to consist of two Squadrons, with a total armoured personnel carrier strength per regiment of 106 armoured personnel carriers

It was also agreed, that each armoured personnel carrier regiment, should also have a reserve of 12 additional armoured personnel carriers, one for each of the regiments eight Troops, and two per squadron, and that squadrons, as far as possible, were to be administratively self-sufficient. Each regiment was to have an attached Light Aid Detachment (one officer and 52 other ranks, consisting of a headquarters and two sections, one section to each squadron) and a Signal Troop (one officer and five other ranks). The strength of each regiment was to be 25 officers and 522 other ranks (including the Light Aid Detachment and Signal Troop). The possibility of adding two more squadrons to each regiment was also discussed, and it was agreed that this would be put off for the time being. Eventually, the proposed two additional squadrons per regiment were dropped. With Headquarters 21st Army Group having come to the decision that two armoured personnel carrier regiments would be formed, one in the First Canadian Army, and the other, in the Second British Army, First Canadian Army Headquarters, informed Canadian Military Headquarters (London), on 14 October, that 162 ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers would be required to form the Canadian armoured personnel carrier regiment, consisting of two squadrons of 53 carriers each, and a reserve of 50 armoured personnel carriers.

A ‘Ram’ Kangaroo of 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, in support of 12th British Corps operations, in Holland, during mid to late October 1944. CT160141, was one of the initial issue of ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers to the squadron, having been received from “F” Squadron, 25th Canadian Armoured Delivery Regiment (The Elgin Regiment), on 2 October 1944. Courtesy of Bovington Tank Museum (BTM 2293)

On 19 October 1944, Brigadier C.C. Mann, the Chief of Staff, First Canadian Army Headquarters, sought out the approval of Lieutenant-General G.G. Simonds, the Acting/General Officer Commanding -in-Chief, First Canadian Army¹, for the authority to disband the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, Canadian Armoured Corps, and the Light Aid Detachment 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers². At the same time, the authority to form the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, Canadian Armoured Corps, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment Signal Troop, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, and No. 123 Light Aid Detachment (Type E), Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, was also asked to be approved. Having obtained Lieutenant-General G.G. Simonds’ approval, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, Canadian Armoured Corps, and the Light Aid Detachment 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, were disbanded, effective 11:59 P.M., 23 October 1944. At the same time, the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, Canadian Armoured Corps, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment Signal Troop, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, and No. 123 Light Aid Detachment (Type E), Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, were authorized to be formed, with effect from 00:01 A.M., on the morning of 24 October 1944.

General Order Number 60 of 1945, under which the embodiment of 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, Canadian Armoured Corps, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment Signal Troop, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, and No. 123 Light Aid Detachment (Type E), Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, was officially announced by Army Headquarters, Ottawa, on page 3 of Part “B” General Orders 1945, dated 24 February 1945. Authors’ collection

Although, as stated above, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, Canadian Armoured Corps, was disbanded, effective 11:59 P.M., on 23 October 1944, but, since they were at that time involved with active operations, in support of the British 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division, in the Moergestel, (Holland) area, they were in reality, absorbed into the newly created Canadian armoured personnel carrier regiment, as “A” Squadron, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, Canadian Armoured Corps, under command of Captain Corbeau. Lieutenant-Colonel G.M. Churchill³ was appointed Commanding Officer, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, Canadian Armoured Corps, with Major F.W.K. Bingham⁴ being appointed Second-in-Command⁵. Lieutenant D.H. Simpson⁶, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, was appointed Officer Commanding, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment Signal Troop, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, with Captain W.T.E. Duncan⁷, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, being appointed Officer Commanding, No. 123 Light Aid Detachment (Type E), Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

Letter from the Brigadier, Royal Armoured Corps, First Canadian Army Headquarters, to the Assistant Adjutant General First Canadian Army Headquarters, seeking approval for the appointment of Lieutenant-Colonel G.M. Churchill, and Major F.W.K. Bingham, as the Commanding Officer, and second-in-command, respectively, of 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment. Authors’ collection

On 24 October, Regimental Headquarters, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, was established in Antwerp (Belgium), to begin the process of organizing the regiment, with new personnel for the regiment being quartered in Rumst (Belgium), under control of Major Bingham (the regiment’s second-in-command), as they arrived to fill-up the positions in the organization of the regiment. On 28 October, Lieutenant-Colonel Churchill was informed that the regimental organization was to be completed by 6 November, followed, on 29 October, by the news that the regiment was to come under command of Second British Army on 1 November 1944. Arrangements were set in motion for the whole of 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, to concentrate in the area of Tilburg (Holland). “A” Squadron’s support of 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division operations having been completed, were concentrated at Tilburg (Holland) on 30 October. Also, on 30 October, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, was informed by First Canadian Army Headquarters, that 106, .30-calibre Browning machine guns, had been released to the regiment, and were awaiting pick-up at 3 Sub Depot, 14 Advanced Ordnance Depot, Royal Army Ordnance Corps⁸. These additional .30-calibre Browning machine guns, were to be mounted, one a piece, on the outer edge of the circular hole left in the hull top, by the removal of the turret during conversion, on each of the regiment’s 106 ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers. The idea, was to use one of the bolt holes left by the removal of the turret ring, as a mounting point for the machine gun. These guns were picked up by the regiment on 1 November, from which point, Captain S.F. Rook, the regiment’s Technical Adjutant⁹, and Captain Duncan, Officer Commanding, No. 123 Light Aid Detachment (Type E), Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, set about to devise a suitable device for the mounting of these guns, on the outer edge of the circular opening in the hull top of the regiment’s 106 ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers.

In an effort to minimize the potential hazard of infantrymen being exposed to shell splinters, or enemy fire, through the circular opening in the hull top of the ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, while aboard, No. 2 Canadian Tank Troops Workshop, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, devised a two-foot (one-metre) high shield, which fitted around the forward edge of the circular opening in the hull top. Major Bingham (the regiment’s second-in-command), inspected a ‘mock-up’ of this shield, which was fitted to one of the regiment’s ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, at No. 2 Canadian Tank Troops Workshop, on 27 October 1944. This proposed modification, however, was never adopted.

A mock-up of the proposed two-foot (one-metre) high shield, which fit around the forward edge of the circular opening in the Ram Kangaroo hull top, that was devised by No. 2 Canadian Tank Troops Workshop, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and was inspected by the regiment’s second-in-command, Major Bingham, on 27 October 1944, but was never adopted. MilArt photo archives

On 1 November, “A” Squadron was split into two squadrons, “A” Squadron, with Major Corbeau still commanding and “B” Squadron, under command of Major H. Baldwin¹⁰. By 2 November, all of 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment was concentrated in Tilburg, along with both No. 123 Light Aid Detachment (Type E), Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment Signal Troop, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. On 5 November, the overall strength of the regiment stood at 23 officers and 268 other ranks, holding a total of 85 ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers.

All of November was spent in Tilburg, organizing and getting the regiment ‘battle worthy’ for future operations, with maintenance being carried out on the carriers, which included the 100-hour check¹¹ (an overhaul), since the ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, was powered by a 450-horse power Continental R975/C1 radial air-cooled 9-cylinder engine, and on the incoming ones that dribbled in all month from Ordnance issues. Since the ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, which 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron had been issued with back in October, had been converted and shipped to Normandy for issue, there had been no time for proper maintenance to have been carried out on them. Once landed in Normandy they were to have been ‘lifted’ by either rail or tank transporter to the point of issue to 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, but ended up being driven from the Normandy coast to Pierreval (France), and once issued to the squadron, were committed right into ‘active’ operations, so it wasn’t until the coming together of all of 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, in Tilburg, that the opportunity finally arose for full and proper maintenance to be carried out on these carriers. Captain Duncan’s, No. 123 Light Aid Detachment (Type E), Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, were aided by the British 821, and 826 Tank Troops Workshops¹², Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, throughout the mouth of November, with both the 100-hour checks, and in doing minor repairs, on the regiment’s ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers. Captain Duncan, was also able to acquire much needed spare parts from both No. 2 Canadian Tank Troops Workshop, and No. 4 Canadian Armoured Troops Workshop, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers¹³.

CT160003, one of the initial 100 Ram, Mark II tanks, that were earmarked for conversion to that of a ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carrier, on 10 August, and was shown as converted to a ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carrier, by 26 September 1944, seen here in service with the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, in support of operations by the British 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division in the area of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Holland, on
22 October 1944. Authors’ collection

1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment Signal Troop, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, was also kept busy throughout the month of November, in not only organizing themselves, but also in, insuring that all of the regiment’s communications equipment was in working order, and that all personnel of the regiment, who would be operating wireless sets (radios), knew the proper procedures, for there use. Eventually all of the regiment’s ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, was fitted with a No. 19 Wireless Set, with other designated carriers being fitted with a second No. 19 Wireless Set, or with No. 18, No. 22, or No. 38 Wireless Sets, as the need arose. In an effort to better improve the supply of spare parts and other essentials that the Signal Troop required, to keep the communications equipment of 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, in working order, on 4 February 1945, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment Signal Troop, formally became a part of No. 4 Company, First Canadian Army Signals, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, although the remained attached to 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment.

On 9 December 1944, the design for the secondary .30-calibre Browning machine gun pintle mounting device and feed tray (which held one box of .30-calibre belted ammunition), that Captain’s Duncan, and Rook, had designed was approved by First Canadian Army Headquarters, with a pilot model being ready for inspection by both, on 14 December, at No. 1 Canadian Advanced Base Workshop, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Brussels, Belgium. These mounts, were immediately ordered into production, by the Deputy Director of Mechanical Engineering, First Canadian Army¹⁴, with him directing that No. 1 Canadian Advanced Base Workshop, produce 130 of these mountings, so as a reasonable reserve could be held, to replace battle damaged ones. On 30 December, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, received 110 mounts, with the remainder to follow. Some of the regiment’s ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, were eventually fitted with a third .30-calibre Browning machine gun, or with a single .50-calibre Browning heavy machine gun M2, in the turret ring. On 20 December, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, along with their attached Light Aid Detachment (No. 123), and Signal Troop, were placed under command of the British 79th Armoured Division¹⁵, with the regiment becoming part of the British 31st Tank Brigade¹⁶, which at the time, consisted of the British 141st Regiment (The Buffs), Royal Armoured Corps (equipped with Churchill Crocodile flame-throwing tanks), the British 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry (equipped with Churchill Crocodile flame-throwing tanks), and the British 49th Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment (equipped with ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers). 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment (along with their attached Light Aid Detachment, and Signal Troop), were the only Canadian unit, to serve as part of the British 79th Armoured Division. It was also on 30 December, that the decision was taken, to hold in abeyance, the matter of the proposed expansion of 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, to four squadrons, as discussed at the conference which was held on 9 October 1944, at Headquarters 21st Army Group, to discuss the formation of armoured personnel carrier units.

An example of the simple .30-calibre Browning machine gun pintle mounting device, which Captains Duncan and Rook had designed. This fit into any of the bolt holes left by the removal of the turret ring during conversion to an armoured personnel carrier, enabling the mounting of a secondary .30-calibre Browning machine gun. MilArt photo archives

An example of the feed tray, which held one box of .30-calibre belted ammunition, of the simple .30-calibre Browning machine gun pintle mounting device, which Captain’s Duncan, and Rook, had designed. MilArt photo archives

The secondary .30-calibre Browning machine gun pintle mounting device and feed tray (which held one box of .30-calibre belted ammunition), seen here mounted in the turret ring of CT159065, of “B” Squadron, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, in Wertle, Germany, 11 April 1945. Authors’ collection

Although, as noted in “The ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, Part 1,” the basis of the ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, was that they were based on the conversion of Ram, Mark II tanks, to that of ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers, other conversions of Ram, Mark II tanks, were also ‘converted’ to Ram armoured personnel carriers. On 2 November 1944, First Canadian Army decided that it no longer required any further ‘Ram’ armoured gun towers¹⁷, be produced to met its needs. Therefore, on 18 December 1944, Canadian Military Headquarters (London)¹⁸ instructed No. 1 Canadian Central Ordnance Depot, Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps (Bordon Camp, Hampshire), that since there was no further requirement for ‘Ram’ armoured gun towers, that the decision had been taken to convert all ‘Ram’ armoured gun towers, currently held on stock by No. 1 Canadian Central Ordnance Depot, and those currently in the process of being converted to ‘Ram’ armoured gun towers, at No. 1 Canadian Base Workshop, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, located at Bordon Camp, Hampshire, be converted to ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers. The initial conversion of Ram, Mark II tanks, to that of armoured gun towers, involved the removal of the complete turret, turret ring, and the internal ammunition bins, and the moving of the batteries up into the rear of the left-hull pannier, and the reinstallation of No. 19 Wireless Set, into the forward left-hull pannier. Stowage bins for 17-pounder ammunition, and a Tannoy loudspeaker system, were also installed, as was a towing hook on the rear, and one on the front hull. Therefore, their conversion to that of armoured personnel carriers, simply required the removal of the bins for 17-pounder ammunition, the Tannoy loudspeaker system, and the covering over of the drive shaft. The rear towing hook was to remain in place, while the front towing hook was to be removed, although this wasn’t always the case, as period photos show it still in place on some armoured personnel carriers. As a point of interest, during the initial conversion of Ram, Mark II tanks, to that of ‘Ram’ armoured gun towers, four hand grips (two on each side) were welded to the hull side to help the ‘gun detachment’¹⁹ in entering and existing the vehicle through the circular hole left in the hull top, by the removal of the turret. It is this author’s belief that these are the hand grips that are referred to in some contemporary accounts of the initial conversion of 100 Ram, Mark II tanks, to that of ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers, by No. 1 Canadian Base Workshop (for First Canadian Army), in August-September 1944²⁰, as also, are the covering over of the drive shaft.

An example of the ‘Ram’ armoured gun tower, seen here towing the 17-pounder anti-tank, and ammunition limber. Note the two hand grips welded to the hull side, which helped the ‘gun detachment’ in entering and existing the vehicle. Authors’ collection

A rear view of a ‘Ram’ armoured gun tower, showing the rear towing hook which was retained as part of the conversion to that of a ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carrier. Authors’ collection

A front view of a ‘Ram’ armoured gun tower, showing the front towing hook which was removed as part of the conversion to that of a ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carrier. MilArt photo archives

One draw back which was found from the conversion of ‘Ram’ armoured gun towers, to that of ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers, was that ‘Ram’ armoured gun towers, had been originally converted from earlier model Ram tanks that had the auxiliary turret, on the left front of the tank. When converted to armoured gun towers, and the No. 19 Wireless Set, was reinstalled into the forward left-hull pannier, it was found the wireless set protruded into the co-drivers position, due to the contour of the hull, and would not fit snugly into the forward left-hull pannier. This protrusion of the wireless set into the co-drivers position, made the handling of the auxiliary turret mounted .30-calibre Browning machine gun practically impossible. However a few ‘Ram’ armoured gun towers, converted to ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers, were issued to 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, before the problem with the repositioning of the No. 19 Wireless Set was discovered. With 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, having brought this problem to the attention of First Canadian Army Headquarters, they in turn, informed Canadian Military Headquarters (London), who in turn, advised No. 1 Canadian Base Workshop, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, the workshop responsible for conversions of ‘Ram’ armoured gun towers, to that of ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers. To remedy the problem, No. 1 Canadian Base Workshop, in December 1944, produced a simple kit for mounting the No. 19 Wireless Set over the transmission, between the co-driver’s, and driver’s position. These kits were made available to 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment Signal Troop, for the repositioning of the wireless set in those carriers which had been converted from armoured gun towers, to that of armoured personnel carriers. This modification, was also incorporated into the conversion of armoured gun towers, to that of armoured personnel carriers, by No. 1 Canadian Base Workshop.

An example of a ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, of the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, with a single .50-calibre Browning heavy machine gun M2, mounted in the turret ring, as a secondary machine gun instead of a .30-calibre Browning machine gun. This particular vehicle, named JOAN III, was commanded by Captain (formerly Lieutenant) H. Kaiser, and was his third carrier, with his previous carriers, named after his wife, JOAN, and JOAN II, having become battle casualties. MilArt photo archives

To be continued in The ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, Part 3.

Notes:

1. Lieutenant-General G.G. Simonds, normally the General Officer Commanding, II Canadian Corps, was appointed the Acting/General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, First Canadian Army, during the absence of Lieutenant-General H.D.G Crerar, General Officer Commanding -in-Chief, First Canadian Army, while he was away on sick leave in the United Kingdom, from 27 September to 9 November 1944.
2. The Light Aid Detachment 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, had been authorized on 28 August 1944, to support the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, Canadian Armoured Corps.
3. Formerly the Second-in-Command of the 25th Canadian Armoured Delivery Regiment (The Elgin Regiment), Canadian Armoured Corps.
4. Formerly of the 6th Canadian Armoured Regiment (1st Hussars), Canadian Armoured Corps.
5. The Deputy Commanding Officer.
6. Formerly of the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade Signals, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals.
7. Formerly the Officer Commanding the Light Aid Detachment 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
8. 14 Advanced Ordnance Depot, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, was located in the Rear Maintenance Area of 21st Army Group, which at this time was located around the French city of Bayeux, in Normandy, and contained all the static administrative and maintenance units, supporting the Second British Army, and the First Canadian Army, which were the two armies that made-up the 21st Army Group.
9. The unit officer responsible for the maintenance, repair and recovery, of a unit’s equipment.
10. Formerly of the 25th Canadian Armoured Delivery Regiment (The Elgin Regiment), Canadian Armoured Corps.
11. The ‘Ram’ Kangaroo’s 450-horse power Continental R975/C1 radial air-cooled 9-cylinder engine, required a thorough check after every 100-hours of operation.
12. From I British Corps, and XII British Corps, respectively.
13. Both components of First Canadian Army Troops.
14. The officer responsible for the maintenance and repair of First Canadian Army’s equipment.
15. The British 79th Armoured Division operated specialized armoured vehicles modified for specialist roles.
16. Which, on 2 February 1945, was redesignated the 31st Armoured Brigade.
17. Also referred to as the ‘Ram’ 17-pounder Tower, had been developed in late 1943/early 1944, as a towing vehicle, to tow the 17-pounder anti-tank gun, which weighed 4,625-pounds (2,098-kilograms), and for the transportation of both the 17-pounder’s crew, ammunition, and associated equipment.
18. Canadian Military Headquarters (located in London, England), held responsibility for coordinating the arrival, quartering, completing equipment requirements, and training of Canadian units and formations and to command and administer these units and formations in the United Kingdom and at base in the theatre of operations. In addition, the headquarters had an important liaison role, particularly liaison with the British War Office and with the General Officer Commanding Canadian Forces in the theatre of operations, as well as furnishing information to the Canadian High Commissioner in London.
19. A ‘gun detachment,’ is the term used by the Royal Canadian Artillery for an artillery piece’s crew.
20. See the ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, Part 1, of 16 October 2014.

Read part 1 here

Read part 3 here

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by Mark W. Tonner

In North-West Europe, during the later half of 1944 and into 1945, the Canadian Army used two types of armoured vehicles that came to be known as a Kangaroo. The Kangaroo was the world’s first fully tracked ‘Armoured Personnel Carrier.’ This ingenious concept was devised by Lieutenant-General G.G. Simonds, the General Officer Commanding, II Canadian Corps, as he searched for a way to reduce the high casualty rate amongst his infantry. His solution also allowed them to move at ‘tank speed,’ along with their supporting tanks, from start line too final objective.

The first of these two types of armoured vehicles that came to be known as a Kangaroo, was the ‘Priest’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier¹, which made its battlefield debut in Normandy, during Operation TOTALIZE (7-10 August 1944), in which, the infantry was able to obtain their objectives without suffering heavy losses from the enemy’s defensive machine gun and mortar/shell fire, while traversing the ground from start line too objective. Also, the mobility provided to the infantry by the ‘Priest’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, along with the armoured protection, resulted in fewer casualties and greatly increased morale. Their continued successful employment in Operation TRACTABLE (14-16 August 1944), convinced First Canadian Army that there was a continued requirement for armoured personnel carriers, for the transportation of infantry on the battlefield, in vehicles which had the same armoured protection and mobility as tanks. Due to the fact, that the ‘Priest’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers had been based on a ‘temporary measure’, and that, the vehicle it was based on, was on ‘loan’ from the Americans, steps were immediately taken to replace this ‘Priest’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, with another type of ‘Kangaroo’ armoured personnel carrier, which was based on the Canadian designed and built, Tank, Cruiser, Ram, Mark II².

An example of a ‘Priest’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier. Authors’ collection

Following discussions between Canadian Military Headquarters (London)³, and First Canadian Army Headquarters, the decision was taken on 9 August 1944, to convert 100 surplus Ram tanks held in the United Kingdom, to that of armoured personnel carriers, for use by First Canadian Army in the field. On 10 August, Canadian Military Headquarters, instructed No. 1 Canadian Base Workshop, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, located at Bordon Camp, Hampshire, to immediately convert 100 Ram, Mark II tanks, which were held on stock of No. 1 Canadian Central Ordnance Depot, Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps (Bordon Camp, Hampshire), to that of armoured personnel carriers on a ‘most urgent basis.’ These 100 ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers, were to be in France, ready for use by First Canadian Army, by 24 August 1944.

An example of a Tank, Cruiser, Ram, Mark II, without the auxiliary turret. MilArt photo archives

The conversion of these Ram, Mark II tanks, to that of ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers, consisted of the removal of the complete turret, turret ring, and the internal ammunition bins (to accommodate ten fully equipped infantrymen). As well, any unnecessary hull fittings were to be removed. The No. 19 Wireless Set (radio)⁴ was to be reinstalled in the left-hull pannier⁵, on the left of the bow machine gunner’s position. Also, if time permitted, the vehicle batteries were to be moved from the hull floor, up into the rear of the left-hull pannier. Most of the Ram gun tanks, to be converted to ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, were of the latest variant of the Ram tank, Mark II, and did not feature the cupola-equipped auxiliary turret mounted on the left-front of the hull, however, a small amount of Ram, Mark II tanks, bearing census numbers⁶ between CT159415 and CT159486, which were converted to ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, retained their auxiliary turret. The Ram, Mark II tanks, that were converted into ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, were from the CT15000 series, in the CT159402 to CT160145 block of census numbers.

An example of a Tank, Cruiser, Ram, Mark II, with the auxiliary turret. MilArt photo archive

The removal of the complete turret, with turret ring, and internal ammunition bins, made the Ram an ideal armoured personnel carrier, which offered a lower silhouette, lighter weight, and reduced track pressure, which made it more manoeuvrable over soft ground. The ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, was 19-feet (6-metres) in length, 9-feet, 1-inch (3-metres) wide, and stood at a height of 6½-feet (2-metres), with a ground clearance of 17-inches (432-millimetres). The hull was made from cast armour, and was two to three inches (51 to 76-millimetres) thick at the front, 1¼ to 2½-inches (32 to 64-millimetres) thick on the sides, and 1½-inches (38-millimetres) thick at the rear. The hull top armour was one to 1½-inches (25 to 38-millimetres) thick. The removal of the complete turret and internal ammunition bins, during conversion, reduced the overall weight of the vehicle from 65,000 lbs (29-tons), to that of approximately 53,760 lbs (24-tons). Access to the vehicle was gained through the large circular hole left in the hull top, by the removal of the complete turret, and turret ring. On those ‘Ram’ Kangaroos with the ball-mounted .30-calibre Browning machine gun, in the left-front bulge of the hull, there was a hatch provided for the co-driver in the top of the bulge, or if fitted, in the top of the auxiliary turret.

An example of a ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, based on the conversion of a Tank, Cruiser, Ram, Mark II, without the auxiliary turret. Authors’ collection

The ‘Ram’ Kangaroo, was powered by a 450-horse power Continental R975/C1 radial air-cooled 9-cylinder engine, with a maximum speed of 25 miles-per-hour (40-kilometres-per-hour), a range of 144 miles (232-kilometres), and a fuel capacity of 150-gallons (682-litres). Access to the engine was provided through two engine compartment top plates, and through a set of rear engine doors, located below the rear plate of the upper hull. The main armament of the ‘Ram’ Kangaroo, was the ball-mounted .30-calibre Browning machine gun, which was mounted in the left-front bulge of the hull (or was mounted in the cupola-equipped auxiliary turret, if present), and was operated by the co-driver. The driver’s position was located in the right-front of the hull, and was provided with a large vision aperture, with a small vision port protected by very heavy glass, for use, when the large vision aperture was closed, although most drivers preferred to keep the large vision aperture open in all but the heaviest enemy fire. They felt it was not really safe to drive using the small vision port only, their field of view was too restricted and their vehicle was often used in rather tight quarters. The opening and closing of this aperture was carried out by the driver, from within the vehicle. The driver was also provided with a Vicker’s No. III, Mark I Periscope, which was mounted in the hull top, slightly to his left. On those ‘Ram’ Kangaroos with the ball-mounted .30-calibre Browning machine gun, in the left-front bulge of the hull, there was a Vicker’s No. III, Mark I Periscope mounted on the forward edge of the co-driver’s hatch, while on those ‘Ram’ Kangaroos with the auxiliary turret, a vision port protected by very heavy glass, was provided on the left of the .30-calibre Browning machine gun.

The suspension used on the ‘Ram’ Kangaroo, was the ‘Vertical Volute Spring’ type, which consisted of 12 wheels in six bogies, with three bogie assemblies per track. The two wheels in each bogie assembly were pivoted on arms against a vertical spring, which was protected by the bogie-carrying bracket. A return roller was mounted either on top of, or on a trailing arm behind the bracket, the entire bogie assembly forming a self-contained fitting unit. External stowage bins (for various tools, and equipment), were also provided, along with the standard compliment of pioneer tools (shovel, crowbar, pickaxe, axe) and recovery/breakdown equipment (tow cable, jack and wood blocks), which were carried on all tanks. Four towing shackles were provided on the vehicle, two at the front, and two at the rear. Various external brackets were also provided for the carrying of spare bogie wheels, tarpaulins, and other miscellaneous items. Internal stowage bins for six boxes of .30-calibre ammunition⁷, was provided for, in the co-driver’s position, in the left-front hull.

An example of a ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, with ‘Vertical Volute Spring’ suspension, which has the return roller mounted on top of the bogie assembly. IWM (BU 4515)

An example of a ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, with ‘Vertical Volute Spring’ suspension, which has the return roller mounted on a trailing arm behind the bogie assembly. Authors’ collection

The conversion of Ram tanks, to that of ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers, began on 15 August 1944, at a rate of 15 conversions per day. By 22 August, the initial order for 100 ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers was completed. On 16 August, First Canadian Army, requested an additional 25 ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers be produced, as a reserve to the initial order for 100, so as to have a ready replacement for battle-damaged ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers. This was followed on 16 September, with another request from First Canadian Army, for the production of an additional 25 ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers, as a reserve. On 26 September 1944, Headquarters, No. 1 Canadian Central Ordnance Depot, Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps, informed Canadian Military Headquarters (London), that to date, 101 Ram tanks had been converted to that of ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers.

As they arrived in Normandy, these ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, were taken on charge of “F” Squadron, 25th Canadian Armoured Delivery Regiment (The Elgin Regiment), Canadian Armoured Corps⁸, starting on 18 September 1944⁹, where they were held until arrangements could be made for their issue to the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, Canadian Armoured Corps¹⁰, in exchange for their ‘Priest’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, with which they were equipped. On 21 September, in a letter to First Canadian Army Headquarters, it was noted by Lieutenant-Colonel G.C. Stewart, Commanding Officer, 25th Canadian Armoured Delivery Regiment (The Elgin Regiment), that the 25 ‘Ram’ Kangaroos, that “F” Squadron had received to date, were all found to be in reasonable condition, but that all would require through checking and minor adjustments to engines, track and suspension. He also noted, that they all still retained their No. 19 Wireless Sets.

An example of a ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, based on the conversion of a Tank, Cruiser, Ram, Mark II, with the auxiliary turret. IWM (BU 2956)

The primary users of the ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier in Canadian service, were the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, Canadian Armoured Corps, and later, the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, Canadian Armoured Corps. On 30 September, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, Canadian Armoured Corps, received orders from Headquarters, First Canadian Army, that all ‘Priest’ Kangaroos, were to be turned into the 2nd Canadian Tank Troops Workshop, Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, in the Cassel (France) area, for a complete overhaul prior to being returned to the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps¹¹ for disposal. The squadron’s ‘Priest’ Kangaroos were to travel to Cassel on their own ‘tracks’ where, once turned in, the drivers would proceed to Pierreval, France (near Rouen, France) where they were to pick-up ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers from “F” Squadron, 25th Canadian Armoured Delivery Regiment (The Elgin Regiment), Canadian Armoured Corps. The issue of these ‘Ram’ Kangaroos was spread over the period of 1-5 October, during which, the squadron was issued with 64 ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers¹². On 2 October, the Squadron was ordered to concentrate at Mill, The Netherlands. By the afternoon of 7 October 1944, all four troops of the squadron were concentrated at Mill, whereupon Captain F.S. Corbeau, Officer Commanding, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, organized each of his four troops with a Troop HQ with four ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers and three sections, each with four ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers

With having received reinforcements, each carrier now had a crew of two, instead of the one-man crews of the ‘Priest’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier. These ‘Ram’ Kangaroos all retained their bow ball-mounted .30-calibre Browning machine gun¹³. Most of the carriers were equipped with the No. 19 Wireless Set, and all still retained their intercom system, so the crew could communicate with each other and their infantry passengers.

Letter of 26 September 1944, from Headquarters, No. 1 Canadian Central Ordnance Depot, informing Canadian Military Headquarters, that to date, 101 Ram tanks had been converted to that of ‘Ram’ armoured personnel carriers. Authors’ collection

1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, now equipped with ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, was from 12 October, tasked to support the British 51st (Highland) and 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Divisions in the forthcoming operations to clear the Scheldt Estuary and the opening of the Port of Antwerp (Belgium), with Troops No. 1 and No. 4 (with 31 ‘Ram’ Kangaroos) assigned to the 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division and Troops No. 2 and No. 3 (with 31 ‘Ram’ Kangaroos) assigned to the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division. These operations the squadron was involved with until 22 October, when the complete squadron was tasked to the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division for the capture of Tilburg (Holland), which was to take place the next day (23 October). Having secured Tilburg, the squadron was next tasked, to the British 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division for operations. Reporting to Headquarters 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division, on the evening of 23 October, and being assigned to ‘lift’ the 10th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) (with 28 ‘Ram’ Kangaroos) and the 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s) (with 28 ‘Ram’ Kangaroos)¹⁴, the squadron went into harbour at Zon (Holland), to await the next day’s (24 October) operation.

A rare photo of ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers of the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron taken on 23 October 1944, carrying British troops of the 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, 152nd (Highland) Infantry Brigade, of the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division. Courtesy Ed Storey

As noted earlier, Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart, Commanding Officer, 25th Canadian Armoured Delivery Regiment (The Elgin Regiment), on 21 September had sent a letter to First Canadian Army Headquarters, regarding the condition of those ‘Ram’ Kangaroos received to date in Normandy, from the United Kingdom. Also in this letter, Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart addressed Captain Corbeau’s (Officer Commanding, 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron) concerns regarding the proper maintenance of the squadron’s ‘Priest’ Kangaroos (with which they were then equipped), with the limited resources and personnel that he had, with Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart suggesting amendments to the squadron’s War Establishment¹⁵, in both personnel and vehicles, requesting, that in light of operational value of the squadron, that action be taken to implement such amendments. Upon receipt of Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart’s letter, a conference was arranged, to take place at First Canadian Army Headquarters, on 29 September 1944, at which the future organization of a suitable unit to operate approximately 125 ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, based on the operational experience gained by the employment of ‘Priest’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, to date, by 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, would be discussed. Both, Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart and Captain Corbeau, attended this conference, along with representatives of I British Corps Headquarters, and of various branches of First Canadian Army Headquarters.

From this conference, it was agreed that First Canadian Army would recommend to 21st Army Group¹⁶ Headquarters, that a Canadian armoured personnel carrier regiment of three squadrons, capable of simultaneously lifting one-and-a-half infantry battalions be formed. It was also agreed, that Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart, in conjunction with Brigadier G.M. Grant, the Deputy Director of Mechanical Engineering, First Canadian Army¹⁷, would submit a recommendation of the personnel required within this armoured personnel carrier regiment, for the supervision of normal vehicle maintenance, and for the allotment of armoured recovery vehicles¹⁸ on the basis of one per squadron, and for the organization of a suitable light aid detachment¹⁹ to carry out all necessary repairs and adjustments within the regiment. It was also agreed, that a recommendation of the personnel required within this armoured personnel carrier regiment, for the maintenance of the communications equipment, would also be submitted, along with the recommendation, that the No. 19 Wireless Set, be retained in the carriers of a squadron headquarters, and in those of the individual Troop Leaders, while the rest of the carriers, be equipped with an intercommunication system, so the crew could communicate with each other and their infantry passengers. Lastly, it was agreed, that a crew of two each, would be recommended for each armoured personnel carrier within the regiment.

To be continued in The ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, Part 2.

Acknowledgements

The author wishes to thank Miss Courtney Carrier, for proofing reading and offering constructive criticism, and comments, on my draft copy of this article, and Clive M. Law, for providing photos from the MilArt photo archives, and for publishing this article.

Notes:

1. Which was based on the conversion of the M7 ‘Priest’ 105-millimetre self-propelled gun, to that of the ‘Priest’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier, see the MilArt article, ‘The ‘Priest’ Kangaroo Armoured Personnel Carrier, in Canadian Service, 7 August to 30 September 1944,’ published on 28 August 2014, for details.
2. The Canadian designed and built, Cruiser Tank, Ram, Mark II, was armed with a 6-pounder (57-millimetre) Ordnance Quick Firing gun, and three .30-calibre Browning machine guns, one of which was mounted coaxially in the turret with the 6-pounder, while another, was mounted in an auxiliary turret, located on the left front of the tank, or in later production vehicles, without an auxiliary turret, in a ball mount in the left front hull. The third .30-calibre Browning machine gun, was mounted beside the commander’s hatch, on the turret roof, and used for anti-aircraft/ground defence.
3. Canadian Military Headquarters (located in London, England), held responsibility for coordinating the arrival, quartering, completing equipment requirements, and training of Canadian units and formations and to command and administer these units and formations in the United Kingdom and at base in the theatre of operations. In addition, the headquarters had an important liaison role, particularly liaison with the British War Office and with the General Officer Commanding Canadian Forces in the theatre of operations, as well as furnishing information to the Canadian High Commissioner in London.
4. The No. 19 Wireless Set consisted of an “A” set for general use and a “B” set for short range work and an intercommunication unit for the crew. The No. 19 set had a maximum voice range of 10-miles (16-kilometres) and a maximum morse range of 15½-miles (25-kilometres).
5. On a Ram tank, the hull pannier, was the armoured portion of the hull which extended outwards above the tracks to the outer edge of the track.
6. In order to provide a positive means of identifying individual vehicles, every Canadian Army vehicle was given a separate serial number, commonly referred to as census number. In the case of the Ram tank, this number was preceded by the prefix letters “CT,” the letter “C” denoting the vehicle as Canadian, and the letter “T” denoting that the vehicle was a tank. These census numbers were and were normally stencilled onto the vehicle in white letters 3½-inches (9-centimetres) high.
7. Each box containing one 250 round belt of .30-calibre ammunition for the .30-calibre Browning machine gun mounted in the hull front.
8. “F” Squadron, 25th Canadian Armoured Delivery Regiment (The Elgin Regiment), was employed as the ‘Army armoured delivery squadron’ of First Canadian Army Troops, and held reinforcement tanks and men to supply the needs of the armoured units which came under command and/or control, of Headquarters First Canadian Army Troops.
9. From the initial issue to the squadron of nine of ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers on 18 September, issues continued on a daily basis, so that by the morning of 30 September, “F” Squadron held approximately 81 ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers, for issue to the 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, Canadian Armoured Corps.
10. 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, Canadian Armoured Corps, had been authorized to form on a temporary increment basis, on 28 August 1944, to operate 100 ‘Priest’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers.
11. One of the responsibilities of the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps, was the storage and distribution of vehicles to the field army.
12. In addition, CT159871, which was issued to the squadron on 3 October 1944, was in the configuration of a ‘Ram’ armoured ammunition carrier, having been converted too such from a Ram Mark II tank by No. 1 Canadian Base Workshop, Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, which was later converted into a ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier.
13. Although one, CT40926, had an auxiliary turret, having been converted from an earlier sub-model of the Cruiser Tank, Ram, Mark II.
14. Both battalions were components of the 227th (Highland) Infantry Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division.
15. A War Establishment is a detailed listing of the authorized complement of men, equipment, and vehicles of a military unit.
16. First Canadian Army and Second British Army, were under command of 21st Army Group headquarters.
17. The officer responsible for the maintenance and repair of First Canadian Army’s equipment.
18. The armoured recovery vehicle was a tank developed to recover a bogged-down, broken-down, battle-damaged, or a mine-damaged tank from the battlefield to a location where unit mechanics could attempt quick repairs.
19. A Light Aid Detachment, was made up of members of the Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and was attached to a unit, to assist the personnel of the parent unit in first line repair of its equipment, in so far as that repair was outside the capacity of the unit, to inspect unit equipment and supervise and advise on unit maintenance, to assist the unit in recovering its equipment when damaged or stranded, to assist liaison between the unit and second line workshops, and to advise the unit on technical matters.

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Go to part 2 here

by Roger V. Lucy

In late 1942, the workshop at No.1 Proving Ground in Ottawa initiated the idea of improving the traction of the Ford 6×4 truck by converting it to a 6×6, with a self-locking differential on the rear bogie. The idea was formalized at the Army Technical Development Board (ATDB) as Project 48 in December 1942, and assigned to the Department of National Defence’s Directorate of Mechanization (DMech). Its aim was to produce a low-silhouette, high-mobility, lightly-armoured 6×6 vehicle for use as an armoured personnel carrier, ammunition carrier or a self-propelled mount for light anti-aircraft guns, anti-tank guns, field artillery, or mortars. Three pilots were authorized, one for each role. Another possible role considered was as the chassis for a medium armoured car.

The first vehicle, shown here with a cargo holder attached to the front bumper. MilArt photo archives

Three obsolete 6×4 Ford trailing-axle chassis were selected for conversion, one as an unarmoured 4×6, and the other two as armoured 6×6 vehicles. Thornton 4-wheel rear bogies, with self-locking differentials, were fitted. This US-made bogie gave the wheels a high degree of movement when traveling over broken ground.

The locked differential greatly improved traction, by ensuring all four wheels were powered, at all times. In addition, greater gear reduction was provided and heavier shock absorbers, adapted from the Ford Scout car. The clutch, transmission, and 95 HP, 239 cubic inch (4 litre) engine of the Ford Field Artillery Tractor were fitted in the prototypes, but the eventual use of a larger engine and tires was contemplated. The frame was redesigned so the driver and his mate were seated on each side of it, with their heads just above the engine cowling, allowing the gun mounting to be placed as low as possible in the vehicle. The wheelbase was 131 inches (3.3 metres), and overall dimensions were 211 inches (l) x 82 inches x 55 inches (h) (5.25 metres x 2.05 metres x 1.4 metres). Ground clearance was 20 inches (50cm). The maximum weight of the two armoured prototypes was 16,000 lbs (7230 kg).

This is the second vehicle built and one of two sent overseas for testing. Here it takes part in trials to find a suitable tractor for the 6-pdr anti-tank gun. Here it is shown negotiating the long ascent – a trial segment it ultimately failed. MilArt photo  archives

The 6×6 was also used as a trial tower for the trails of the 25-pdr MARS gun. See article. MilArt photo archives

The 6×6 could attain a top speed of 60 mph (100 km/h), or 50 mph (80 km/h) when towing a 6-pounder anti-tank gun. The Canadian distributor for Thornton bogies, H.V. Welles of Windsor, Ontario, carried out the conversions. One of the completed 6×6 prototypes was sent to the John Inglis plant for trials as an SP mount for the Quad 20 mm; the other underwent extensive road trials at Ottawa’s No.1 Proving Ground. Canadian views of the vehicles’ purpose were decidedly mixed. The Deputy Master General of the Ordnance and DMech saw them as test beds only. They did not consider that their mass production would be feasible in Canada. (The bogies were made in the USA, which had its own demands on them, and the Canadian automotive industry had little enthusiasm for self locking differentials). H.R. Crang, of the ATDB, was, however, a keen advocate. While visiting the UK in early 1943, he tried hard to persuade Canadian Military Headquarters (CMHQ) and the War Office to let the vehicles undergo trials in the UK. In March 1943, DMech reported that the vehicles had met all expectations, both as a General Purpose Light Armoured Vehicle and as a 20 mm SP. In July the Army Engineering Design Board (AEDB) concluded, at the end of the trials at No.1 Proving Ground, that they did not offer sufficient advantage over other vehicles to merit further development as a gun tractor and that the GMC 6×6 would better fit this role.

Although lower the 6×6 provided sufficient
space for the 6-pounder gun crew. MilArt photo archives

In April, on the basis of Crang’s recommendation, CMHQ requested that the vehicles be sent, without delay, for evaluation in the UK, as the British were very interested in 6×6 vehicles. In August, following the completion of their Canadian trials, the two 6×6 vehicles were returned to H.V. Welles for refurbishing,  before being sent overseas. They arrived in the UK at the end of October. During Christmas week, 1943, one of the prototypes was tested, along with a number of wheeled and tracked vehicles, in trials to select a 6-pounder tower. These revealed the strengths and weakness of the 6×6. Its 14mm of armour provided good splinter protection, and its low silhouette gave good concealibility. Unlike several vehicles tested, it could carry the entire six-man gun detachment in relative comfort, as well as 72 rounds of ammunition (although, it was recommended that six ammunition racks be removed to allow all the crew to stow their kit). It was also the fastest vehicle tested, but – despite being able to pull the gun up a 50% grade with power to spare – its cross-country performance was deemed inadequate. It got stuck on the hummock test (and lacked a winch to extract itself ), and on the long hill test, where it stalled one quarter the way up a 1 in 7 slope. The two-foot (60cm) fording depth was deemed inadequate, and while it was easy to steer, the very low steering ration gave it a huge 72-foot (21 metre) turning circle. Other criticisms were that its design it did not allow for easy maintenance; access to the engine was poor to impossible, while the grease nipples on the suspension were completely inaccessible. In January 1944, the 6×6 was deemed completely unsatisfactory as a tower (rather unfairly, when compared to the other wheeled vehicles in the trials). The final blow appeared to be the change, in February 1944, to 21st Army Group’s requirements for 20 mm guns. Lacking any apparent requirement, the 6×6 project was declared complete by the ATDB on 14 March 1944.

The project took on a new lease of life in the summer of 1944. In April the 6×6 had been tested again by the Wheeled Vehicle Experimental Establishment (WVEE) at Farnborough, and compared to a 6×6 Studebaker truck. The Canadian vehicle’s cross-country performance, ability to handle mud, and 12-ton tractive effort compared very favourably to the Studebaker’s. Although its tires were deemed too small, the single-tired rear bogy performed better than the Studebaker’s double tires, and the 6×6 had very good ground clearance. WVEE recommended that a more powerful engine and a self-locking differential for the front wheels be installed. At about the same time, the USA advised the War Office that it was ending production of the M5E1 half-track, the chosen prime mover for the 17-pounder anti-tank gun. The War Office’s own gun tractor design, the Bedford Traclat – a half-track prime-mover based on the German Sd.Kfz 7 – would not be coming into production before late1946. An interim armoured gun tower was, therefore, required. In July the War Office asked DND to develop a new 6×6 prototype, incorporating the WVEE’s proposed modifications: a larger engine (the Chevrolet 140hp was under consideration), heavier clutch, improvements to the steering, and larger tires.

6-pdr towing trials. MilArt photo archives

Subsequently, the British suggested a number of other changes to the design: a 144 inch (3.6 metre) wheel base, a 12 foot (3.6 metre) body, and a tractive effort at least equivalent to the 10 ton 100hp Albion 6×6 artillery tractor. The vehicle was to be able to carry a two tonne payload, and almost 1,700 lbs (775 kg) of armour (10mm front, 6mm at the sides). DND estimated that it would take six months to convert the Canadian design, and 18 more to put it into production. The Directorate of Vehicles and Small Arms (DVSA) was instructed to determine if the Canadian auto industry could take on this project, and if so, when it could be completed. In November DND decided to base their design on GMC’s 3-ton, 145-inch wheelbase, 6×6. The AEDB estimated an unarmoured prototype would be ready by late January 1945, and the vehicle could go into production eight months later. By this time, the Ministry of Supply was beginning to look ahead to postwar requirements. In light of differences between North American and UK vehicle and manufacturing standards, British policy was moving toward sourcing post-war vehicles, as far as possible, domestically. In the end, Canada proceeded on its own with a new (and long-term) project, No. 908, approved by the ATDB in April 1945, to develop a 6×6 Interim Artillery Tractor. One version was to be an armoured tower for the 17-pounder.

Under McNaughton, the CAO had been looking at mobile anti-aircraft defence since the summer of 1941. Two Oerlikons were borrowed from the Admiralty to investigate mounting on an armoured chassis. In November, a British firm, Stohert & Pitt of Bath, was given a contract to develop a mock-up turret. Consideration was also given to mounting the guns on a Loyd Carrier chassis. This work seems to have been taken over by the British Ministry of Supply’s Directorate of Tank Design (DTD) eventually resulting in the Crusader AA tank. While the protection of armoured columns “under all conditions” could only be met by  using a fully tracked vehicle, protecting road convoys required a wheeled vehicle that could keep pace with road traffic. In Canada – with development of the Inglis 20 mm now underway – the design of such mobile mountings came under consideration. On 4 December 1942, the AEDB approved Projects 41 and 42 to develop respectively quad and twin mounted 20 mm guns on a wheeled chassis. Responsibility was assigned to DVSA and DArty with assistance from the AEDB. The Armstrong Wood and John Inglis companies of Toronto provided commercial input.

The third, and last, vehicle built in the series. This one was built as a SP mount to
transport the Inglis 20 mm Quad AA gun. Canadian Army policy on the types of AA guns deemed acceptable for overseas use saw this gun. MilArt photo archives
become redundant and the vehicle found itself without a cause. MilArt photo archives

General Service (GS) specifications drawn up on 19 December 1942, called for a vehicle, which offered a stable platform for the operation of quadruple or twin 20 mm guns. These were to be installed in a Canadian-designed or other suitable gun mount. The vehicle should have sufficient speed and cross country performance to operate with armoured formations. Armour protection would be confined to protecting the driver and co-driver. Armour was confined to that integral to the Inglis mountings. No predictor equipment was required; nor were out-riggers unless they proved necessary to provide stability; 500 rounds per gun was required, ready for instant use and a No.19 wireless set would be fitted. Project 42, the twin mount, was cancelled in February 1943, after CMHQ advised the MGO that “the superiority of the Quad Mount as developed by the John Inglis Company, over any two gun mount was so great that no further consideration was given the twin.” A pilot quad 20 mm vehicle with an unarmoured cab, aeroplane shock absorbers and a ring for the mount was ready by 20 March 1943. Further work was held in abeyance as CMHQ wanted to test the Inglis quad mount in the UK before a decision on the SP was made.

In August 1943, successful road trials were held using one of the high mobility 6×6 chassis, the quad mount and ‘drill purpose’ guns. The trials included a 650 mile (1,030 km.) road test and 100 miles at 30 mph (50 km/h) on the Ottawa No.1 Proving Ground’s test track. On 22 August, firing trials were held with the guns mounted on a GMC 6×6 at the Inspection Board’s small arms test range at Long Branch. Firing tests, broadside and to the rear, firing 10 rounds per gun simultaneously, showed minimal movement in any direction. Dispersion of the rounds on the target (at a range of 1,000 yards -900 metres) was 18 inches (45 cm) and the gunner noted very little vibration to the sight.

Reports on these trials were forwarded to the UK, but, despite several reminders, no response was received until 18 February 1944, when CMHQ advised DND of 21st Army Group’s Oerlikon only policy. The vehicle was eventually demonstrated in the UK in May 1944. The British Army was not impressed by it; however, the RAF showed some interest.

On 14 March 1944, the ATDB declared the project to be completed. Canada did, however, mount 250 Quad Polsten guns on the Ford 132-inch wheelbase, 3-ton, 4×4 truck. Sixty were sold to the UK and, in early 1945, 72 were shipped to First Canadian Army, in line with a revised 21 Army Group policy that replaced two 40 mm troops in each light anti-aircraft regiment with 20 mm SP mounts. By the time the vehicles were delivered to the units, the war was virtually over.

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For more information on the Canadian experimental projects order “Secret Weapons of the Canadian Army” from Service Publications