WIN Haynes Overland Camper Manual

www.cmvmag.co.uk
Closing date: June 26, 2020

MAY 2020 £4.99

Issue
189

ISSUE 228
Go-anywhere Campers Why ex-military vehicle
conversions are all
the rage!

1p0iring
ins ader
re cts
proje

French Flair Family Affair Battle of Stalingrad

The Panhard AML Armoured Car The Dodge WC-52 and WC-55 Tractor factory that refused to surrender
VISIT…
Catawiki.indd 1 28/02/2019 16:25:48
www.cmvmag.co.uk
75 years since VE Day
Andy Kyte’s 1942 GMC CCKW ST6 that he’s converted into a camper. ANDY KYTE
It is amazing how quickly
things can change. Just
last month my editorial
was about the ‘exciting
times ahead’ as the military
vehicle show season drew
nearer. However, Covid-19
has turned our world upside
down. Museums have
closed and events have been
rescheduled, or in some
cases completely shelved
like many of those planned
to commemorate the 75th
Anniversary of VE Day.
May 8, 1945 is the day the
Allies officially accepted the
unconditional surrender of
classicmilitaryvehiclemagazine
Nazi Germany and in the UK
more than one million people
poured into the streets to
celebrate. Organisers of
many of this year’s events
were hoping to recreate
the parties that took place
across the country to mimic
the national outpouring of
thanksgiving that occurred
75 years ago. However,
these have understandably
been cancelled as the world
battles the coronavirus.
We took the decision to
temporarily remove our
events diary from the
magazine until we have a
cmveditorial@keypublishing.com
3
May 2020 Frontlines
clearer picture of what the
year holds in store. The best
advice I can give for now is
to monitor the relevant show
websites and social media
accounts for updates. Above
all, stay safe and don’t put
your health at risk.
On a slightly different note,
our call for owners of ex-
military vehicles converted
into campers to get in
contact was well received.
We had responses from
several countries including
Norway, Canada, the US, The
Netherlands, France and of
course the UK so thanks to
www.facebook.com/cmvmag
everyone who got in touch.
At time of going to press,
production and dispatch of
the magazine has not been
affected by the coronavirus
pandemic. We will continue
to update you as best we
can. Some postal services
may be delayed. You can
keep in touch with our latest
updates by visiting www.
keypublishing.com/FAQs.
As always, your feedback is
welcomed and appreciated.
EDITOR ANDREW STONE
andrew.stone@keypublishing.com
www.twitter.com/cmvmag
www.cmvmag.co.uk

Features
06 Going Places
10 owners talk about their ex-military vehicle
camper conversions
words and pictures Louise Limb

Anyone for Coffee? T

he short, sharp and brutal
Falklands War of 1982 is still
very recent history. Many will
remember the hastily gathered
naval task force: 127 ships ploughing
8,000 miles through the waves towards a
distant archipelago in the South Atlantic.
Famous liners the QE2 and Canberra,
along with merchant ship SS Atlantic
This Land Rover Forward Control 101 was once deployed to the Conveyor, were requisitioned. The aircraft
carrier HMS Hermes was the flagship of
Falkland Islands and now serves coffee, supporting military veterans the task force, continuing to serve until
1984. The rescue mission to the Falklands
The Forces charity
Forward Assist has
converted a Forward
Control 101 to a
coffee truck
carried national pride as well as thousands
of British troops, bringing together the SPECIFICATIONS
British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Make Rover
Force in an urgent bid to rid a British Model One-Tonne Forward Control (Truck,
overseas territory of an invading force. General Service, 1 Tonne, 4x4, Rover)
Land Rovers had always been essential Nationality UK
on the Falkland Islands, but the vast Year 1976
stretches of boggy terrain demanded Used by UK and Allies
amphibious, tracked vehicles such as the Production Run 1974 to 1978
Scottish firm Cuthbertson’s ‘Water Buffalo’ Engine Rover
Type V8
tractor, which could extract heavy plant
such as diggers and excavators even from Fuel Petrol
marshy ground. Displacement 3,528cc
There are still two of these vehicles on Power 128bhp@5000rpm
the Falkland Islands from an original three Torque 185lb/ft @2500rpm
sent out there for land drainage work in Transmission Rover
Type Manual four-wheel
the early to mid-1960s.
Gears Four-speed
There’s also a Roadless Traction Series
Transfer box Two-speed
IIA Forest Rover now owned by Nick
Pitaluga. It escaped being commandeered
Suspension Semi-elliptic leaf springs with
by the Argentine forces in 1982 but
front anti-roll bar
another of his Land Rovers famously
Brakes Vacuum servo-assisted drums front
did see action, seized under Argentine and rear
occupation and deployed again by British Wheels Steel well base six stud
Forces in the period after liberation. Tyres 900x16 bar grip
Planning for the recapture of the islands, Crew/seats Two plus rear accommodation
the British saw that wheeled vehicles
would struggle and even supporting Dimensions
combat vehicle reconnaissance tracked Length 4,330mm (170.5in)
vehicles such as Scorpions and Scimitars Width 1,842mm (72.5in)
(and one Sampson recovery vehicle) were Wheelbase 2,565mm (101in)
deployed very hesitantly. Weight unladen 1,924kg 12v GS soft top
model (4,242lb)

The 101’s military

serial number, 67 FL 19
identifies it as part of
a British Army contract
from 1976

‘Land Rovers had always

been essential on the
Falkland Islands’

28 29

28 Anyone for Coffee?

Forward Control 101 supports military veterans

34 Family Affair
The Dodge WC-52 and WC-55

40 Remarkable Renault
The FT light tank

46 From Tractors to Tanks

The Stalingrad Tractor Plant in World War Two

52 French Four
Wheeled Flair
The Panhard AML Armoured Car

58 A7V Sturm
Panzerkraftwagen
World War One’s heavy armour

62 Made in the USSR

Soviet off shoots of the International KR-11
words and pictures Craig Moore

Tank Time Team ‘They decided the easiest option was to drive them into a
field and bury them in a pit’
Craig Moore embarks on a tantalising tank treasure hunt

I
n 2017, I was lucky to be part of Rick
Wedlock’s dig team which recovered a World
War Two Covenanter tank that had been
buried in a 3m deep chalk pit under the Denbies
Vineyard in Dorking, Surrey. The dig was filmed
and became a TV show.
Following the airing of that show, I was sent
information about the location of other buried
tanks around the UK. Many of the stories had
no substance, while the tanks in others had
already been recovered. But there was one story
that continues to intrigue me.
In the late 1940s, Jack Ray was still in the
army. He came home on leave and wanted
to see his brother who was employed as an
agricultural worker at Little Oddynes Farm,
In 2017 a World War Two
Horsted Keynes, West Sussex.
Covenanter tank was dug
Much of the farm bordered the track which out of a 3m chalk pit under a
is now part of the Bluebell Railway. Jack told Vineyard in Surrey. IAN WILCOX
me: “I had arrived home late and went to the
village pub, hoping to find my brother. I met his
workmate, who told me my brother had gone Cromwell tanks were replaced by Comet
away for a few days. We chatted about life in and then Centurion tanks after World
the army and then the conversation changed War Two. The army might have told the
to an incident that had happened at the railway railway company to scrap them. This
station. Cromwell was restored by Rick Wedlock.
RICK WEDLOCK
“He told me, ‘Jack, you will find this interesting
being in the army and all that. I was working
near Horsted Keynes Station when I saw
these tanks coming down the road from the
station. They were driven into a field, parked
up in some pits and then earth put on top of
them. I asked what was going on and one of
the railway workers told me that the tanks had
been brought back from France and had been
standing in the sidings for ages.
‘The railway company kept asking the army
where they wanted them taken to, but the
army kept stalling. Eventually, the army said
they no longer wanted the tanks and that the

Horsted
Keynes railway company could sell them for scrap. The could still be seen as small depressions in the
Railway problem was that the cost of scrap metal was ground near the entrance to Station Road.
Station so low that it would cost money to cut them The Bluebell Railway steam train restoration
signal box up and send them off to a scrapyard. It was workshops are opposite this field. When I
decided the easiest option was to drive them knocked on the door, I found it was tea-break
The technician had into a field and bury them in a pit’.” time. All the volunteers were sitting around
to walk up and down
Jack showed me the field he believed the a large rectangular table devouring cake and
the field with the
geophysical magnetic tanks were buried in. It was called Brick Field biscuits. I introduced myself and asked their
survey equipment and used to be the site of a brick factory. The opinion about how many tanks would a steam
strapped to a chest remains of the buildings were at the top of the train running on the Bluebell Railway in 1945 be
harness hill, and the location of the filled-in clay quarries able to transport?

68 69

68 Time Team
Craig Moore embarks on a tank treasure hunt

COVER IMAGE: Chris Velardi’s ‘Kraken’

camper which he and the family use for
getaways. CHRIS VELARDI

www.facebook.com/cmvmag
4
Classic Military Vehicle Issue 228 May 2020 Contents

The original caption reads: ‘Four MPs

take a break on their Jeep along a
German road to read in the ‘Stars and
Regulars
Stripes’ newspaper about the Nazi
surrender.’ Most VE Day 75 Commemo- 17 News and Letters
rations scheduled for May 8, 2020 have
unfortunately been cancelled due to the
Gear Retro T
Publishing

coronavirus. US ARMY
company Haynes
has added four new
titles to its compact
range of icon

GuideMessKit
manuals. The books
celebrate some
of the mechanical
legends of land,
The Kombat UK Clip Set sea and air and are
KFS sports a fork, knife aimed at enthusiasts
and spoon with a simple and historians with

Travelbag
clip finish for functionality an interest in the Avro

BlockTank
and ease of use, perfect for Lancaster, the Tiger tank, HMS
camping trips. Available from Victory and Flying Scotsman.
genuinearmysurplus.co.uk for The titles would make a great addition
£2.49 to any book collection.
They can be ordered through www.

IconTitles
Titles
haynes.com for £12.99 each
A selection of tools, Complementing its ‘Half Ton’ and ‘Wolf’ T-shirts Retro
equipment and gadgets Eighty brings you this new 101-based design. Screen printed onto
100% cotton T-shirt, sizes range from small to XXXL.
from around the world Available for £22 (freepost in the UK) from www.retroeighty.co.uk

Limited Looking for a great Father’s

M3Lee
Fuel
Day gift? This could well be

Edition
the perfect present for the
well-dressed tank fan. These
classy, monochrome cufflinks
are made bespoke for The
Tank Museum and fit regular
dress shirts. Available from

Saver
Corgi continues tankmuseumshop.org
to produce its for £14.99
excellent range of
diecast models

Classy
for military
enthusiasts
including this
1:50 scale limited-
edition Bedford QLD

This top quality, robust all-steel 20 litre fuel can is ideal for the safe
storage of a wide range of fuels and other liquids. Easily transportable,
it’s also a must-have for emergency situations. It features a wide ‘anti-
glug’ mouth for fast, efficient and clean fuel dispensing.
Cufflinks
4x4 general service
cargo truck of which only 1,100 have been made. The Bedford QL series This M3 Lee Lego compatible brick tank is made up of 530 blocks
utility trucks were some of the most heavily produced British vehicles of and comes with two figures: a US soldier and the tank commander.
World War Two and fulfilled a variety of essential communications and The model, which measures (L x W x H) 200mm x 100mm x 115mm,
supply roles. Available through corgi.co.uk for £49.99 depicts the World War Two-era medium tank armed with a 75mm gun.

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Available from machinemart.co.uk for £27.59 It is available from bricktanks.co.uk for £34.99

Cover Style TimeKeeper

Filled with 100%
polyester fibre,
these British

Power
Army Cadet 350g
Highlander sleeping
bags are designed to The Dirty Dozen British Army Watch
keep you warm. The outer was inspired by the original The Clarke G1200
material is 100% polyester with ‘Dirty Dozen’ watches Petrol Generator is
a DPM camo print and the lining issued to British forces the perfect generator
is polycotton. The mummy style in World War Two. The for caravanning,
provides for greater heat retention. watch features dual camping trips,
Travel in style Comfort Temperature 5c. Available from quartz movement, boating, markets and

Winter
with this unique genuinearmysurplus.co.uk for £24.99 is battery-operated even for emergency
passport cover and has glow home use thanks
made from vintage in the dark to its compact
silk ‘escape and evasion’ hands and hour dimensions, ease

Warmer
maps. Not only will the markers. The of use, portability
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it will also make it easy to splash and low noise output
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is unique depending on which Available from Available from
map is used. Suitable size for a UK epicmilitaria. machinemart.co.uk
passport. They cost £18 through www.nam.ac.uk com for £49.99 for £191.98

Got a product you’d like featured in our Gear Guide? E-mail cmveditorial@keypublishing.com Note: Prices do not include postage and packaging
18 19

18 Gear Guide
Our selection of gadgets, gear and equipment

21 Museum Museum of the Month Australian Armour and Artillery Museum

of the
Month
Visitors travel from far and wide to view the exhibits
The museum has a focus
on World War Two

T
he Australian Armour and Artillery Muse-
um is privately owned and is the largest
museum of its kind in the Southern Hem-
isphere. It is dedicated to the collection, pres-
ervation, restoration and display of armoured
vehicles and artillery from the 1800’s to the pres-
ent day and the collection includes armoured
vehicles and artillery from both World Wars, but
add some excitement to their day by purchas-
ing a ride in our de-commissioned armoured
personnel carrier or join us in our custom-built
shooting gallery (conditions apply).”
The museum caters to children through a ded-
icated ‘Kids Corner’ which gives them oppor-
tunity to take a photo dressed as a real soldier,
A dedicated ‘Kids Corner’ will keep children
try on genuine army gear or play on the battler entertained

Australian Armour
with a particular focus on World War Two.
As of March, the collection consisted of over
190 armoured vehicles and artillery pieces.
Some of the museum’s star exhibits include a
Hetzer, Sherman Firefly, Panzer IV Ausf D, Sen-
re-creation table, allowing their imaginations to
run wild. A new addition to the ‘Kids Corner’ is
an obstacle course style playground which has
proved a big hit with the younger enthusiasts.
“As it can take some time for you to see all the

Museum
tinel Mk IV while a fully restored and operational
Panther is due to arrive sometime this month
(May).
“We are constantly on the lookout for addi-
tional pieces of equipment that will make our
museum a richer experience for those visiting,”
said a spokesperson. “We aim to offer the per-
fect experience for the whole family. Once you
exhibits – especially if you have a real interest
in military history – we welcome you to sit, relax
and take a break in our self-service café area
where you can enjoy a tea, coffee, cold drink or
snack,” said the spokesperson. “We also have
a retail section where you will find a diverse Visitors can also get rides around the arena
collection of specialty items if you are looking
to take a souvenir of your visit home with you.” land, Australia. From here visitors can also

Heavy Metal
are finished exploring the exhibits, visitors can The museum is in Cairns, Far North Queens- access and enjoy the Great Barrier Reef, World
Heritage Rainforests and the Outback while vis-

22 New
iting a city that has all the comforts one would
expect from a renowned tourist destination.
For further information including details of any

Down Under
upcoming events, visit the museum’s website
at www.ausarmour.com You can also follow
the museum on Facebook for weekly updates
on new exhibits and current restorations.

Books
The Australian Armour Museum is the
largest museum of its kind in the Southern
Hemisphere

Three great new Australian Armour Museum

releases
Email: info@ausarmour.com
Phone: 07 4038 1665
Opening: Hours: 9:30am - 4:30pm
2 Skyrail Drive, Smithfield
QLD 4878 Australia

21

25 Military
Vehicle Market
Nigel Hay on what’s available

74 Moore’s D
Moore’s Manoeuvres words and pictures Craig Moore

middle section. Tank

Manoeuvres
avid Blower
sent me No 1 of the left section
photographs crosses the main trench
of his great and the support trench.
uncle Donald Gunn’s At the reserve trench, it
handwritten lecture turns left and machine-
notes. Donald had guns all the enemy
enlisted in the Royal troops in that trench.
Tank Corps before Tank No 2 and No 3 of
World War Two. Part the left section follow
of the training course tank No 1 of the left
at Bovington was to section to the reserve

Craig Moore’s
learn about the tactics trench.
that worked in World Tank No 1 of the right
War One and many section drives up to the

Trench Warfare
of the instructors had main trench and turns
served in it. What I left machine-gunning all

military world
found fascinating was a the enemy troops in that
diagram he had drawn trench. It is then joined
during the lecture on by tank No 2 of the right
the tactics for attacking Attacking enemy trenches in a tank section and they cross

TOP: The Mk.IV Male tank 8043 Don Quixote II was armed with machine guns and two six-pounder guns
ABOVE LEFT: Donald Gunn’s lecture note sketch of a tank attack on a German trench system
ABOVE RIGHT: A diagram based on Donald Gunn’s lecture note sketch of a tank attack on a German trench system
BOTTOM RIGHT: The Mk.IV Female tank 2740 was only armed with machine guns

a German trench system with tanks.
In the 1930s, trench warfare was still
considered a possibility in any future war.
Many of the accounts I have read show
tanks driving up to an objective (a trench)
then turning left or right as instructed
while machine-gunning the enemy troops
in those trenches to enable the infantry to
catch up and occupy the trenches.
The early World War One tanks were
Author Craig Moore is an editor for tanks-en-
cyclopedia.com and runs tank-hunter.com, a
guide to where you can find surviving World
War One and World War Two tanks
infantry killing weapons, and that is
why the female tanks, armed with more
machine guns than the male tanks, were
looked on as being more effective. That
was up until the arrival on the battlefield of
German Beuterpanzers (captured British
tanks) and Sturmpanzerwagen A7V tanks
in early Spring 1918. Then a cannon was
needed to engage in tank-on-tank combat.
Male tanks were armed with two six-
pounder main guns and machine guns.
Donald’s diagram showed a three-section
attack with nine tanks, three tanks per
section, on the frontline German main
trench, the support trench and the reserve
trench behind that (sections were called
‘troops’ in World War Two).
Tank No 1 of the middle section drives
up to the main trench and turns left
machine-gunning all the enemy troops in
that trench. Then tank No 2 of the middle
section crosses the main trench, and
at the support trench, it turns left and
machine-guns all the enemy troops in that
trench. It is followed by tank No 3 of the
the main trench, support trench and press
on to the reserve trench.
Tank No 3 of the right section crosses
the main trench on the far right of the
attack, and at the support trench turns left
and machine-guns the troops in that
trench. It then reverses and crosses the
support trench and drives on to the
reserve trench where it turns left to join
the other tanks while machine-gunning
any troops in the reserve trench. I may be
wrong on some details of the attack, but
this diagram illustrates that World War
One tactics were basically to drive along
the length of enemy trenches killing
everyone inside.

74

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5
words Andrew Stone pictures as credited

6
 Going 1
insp
0
iring

Places
reader
projects

Ex-military vehicles often make

great camper conversions
as an increasing number of
enthusiasts are finding out

W
hen we put out a request on social
media for owners of ex-military
vehicle campers to get in touch for
this feature, little did we expect the
avalanche of replies we received. Overwhelmed by
the response, we’re unfortunately not able to publish
the story of everyone who replied. It’s clear from the
‘We love the feedback that former military vehicles make great
campers and that their owners wouldn’t trade them for
Kraken as an the world. If you’re considering heading down this route,

off roader
the choice of vehicles is wide – from World War Two-era
lorries to more modern-day Land Rovers. There is no right

and camper
or wrong answer when it comes to selecting a vehicle.
Instead, you need to carefully consider your options and

during inclement decide what’s right for you. Hopefully, our selection of reader
stories will help point you in the right direction.

weather’ The ‘Beast’

American Chris Velardi, who lives in Hamden,
Connecticut,has a 1975 Land Rover 101 Forward Control
he uses as a camper. Like many others, Chris also has
an Instagram account (the kraken fc) through which he
documents his family’s adventures with the vehicle. Chris says
his 101 was one of 62 right-hand drive radio bodies made.
He bought the vehicle in 1999 while living in the UK and

7
 preparing for a trip across Africa. In the
end, he never took part in the trip but
shipped his 101 home to Hamden.
“Driving and owning a 101 takes a
little getting used to,” he said. “First you
have to plan more time to get to where
you’re going. Not so much because it
isn’t as fast as modern vehicles – I have
changed the high gears ratio in its LT95
transmission to Range Rover gears so
it will do 70mph, although it’s comfort
range is at 60mph or below – but because
whether you are stopped for fuel or food
or to just regain hearing and blood flow to
Chris Verladi’s ‘Kraken’,
a 1975 Land Rover 101 the legs, everyone from young children to
Forward Control the elderly has to ask questions about it
and take pictures.

The Gin Palace

Andy Kyte, a Military Vehicle
Trust member from West
Sussex in the UK, owns a
1942 GMC CCKW ST6 that he
has converted into a camper.
Andy, 51, has been involved
in the classic military vehicle
hobby for the past 30 years
and said that when he got the
idea of a adding a camper to
his collection, it needed to be
a World War Two vehicle. “My
hobby has always been the
World War Two side,” he said.
“None of us are getting any
younger and I got fed up with
pitching tents or roughing it in
the back of a truck, so I set my
heart on something that would
allow me to continue to enjoy
the hobby and also provide an
authentic looking vehicle from
the outside.”
He’s owned the GMC, which
has been restored on the
outside to resemble a mobile
broadcasting unit from World
War Two, for about four years
now. “About ten to 15 years
ago no one wanted these
GMCs,” he said. “Today, more
people are looking at them
as being practical for camper
conversions. If you’re looking
for a World War Two vehicle
to double as a camper, this
is not a bad option, but units
with a hard body are extremely
difficult to find.”
Andy said some owners of
GMCs with canvas bodies
had a sleeping area ‘hidden’
behind packing crates or a
false wall. “If you’ve got the
truck, it makes sense to sleep
in it. I previously had a GMC
canvas back and did the same,
but this time I wanted to take
it one step further because in
the canvas back you’ve got no
natural daylight. It gets quite
cold, you can’t always stand
up and you’re limited with
what you can do with regards
to fixtures and fittings.”
After some searching, he
found what he was looking
for. “When I got the truck, it
was just an empty shell at
the back,” he said. “During the
war they were configured as
workshop vehicles and were
used for carrying out repairs
to equipment like machine
guns and other things. Some
were also converted for
mobile communications
purposes or even for use
as dental laboratories. I did
find some evidence on mine
which showed that it may
have been used as a mobile
communications vehicle, but
I can’t say for sure. It was
important to me that it looked
authentic from the outside, but
from the inside it needed to suit
my needs, and this does the job
perfectly. I’ve restored it based
on a picture I have of a wartime
model – they were used for
entertaining the troops.”
Andy did the conversion
himself and the camper
interior features a kitchen unit
with fridge/freezer, basin with
running water, seating area
that converts into a double
bed or two single beds, fold-
out table for dining, overhead
lockers for storage and a
wardrobe. He said ‘decent,
running condition’ GMC
canvas-back trucks could be
bought for between £9,000
and £10,000. “The workshop
backed ones are really rare
and to find one with a wartime
body on the back like mine is
nearly impossible in the UK.
Demand for them has grown
which forced the price up so I
doubt you’d get one for under
£15,000 – if you manage to
find one that is.”
While Andy’s partner Kate
‘occasionally’ joins him at
military shows, it’s more
likely that his nine-year-old
son Morgan will tag along.
“During the summer we get
to use it pretty much every
weekend. Running costs can
be expensive and I work on
about ten miles to the gallon.
Because I’m based on the
south coast, I don’t have far
to drive to the shows I attend.
The furthest round trip I do is
around 150 miles or so.”
He said once the initial
purchase and restoration costs
were over, maintenance was
minimal. “With a big vehicle
like this, storage is always an
issue but I’m fortunate that I’ve
got a big piece of ground. It’s
very versatile and when we’re
not at a show and have guests
visiting, they love sleeping in it.
It’s really comfortable. People
do sometimes take the mickey
and call it the gin palace. I’ve
had military vehicles in the past
and often get asked if I plan on
buying anything else, but to be
honest I could not beat this. It’s
such a head turner.”

8
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EasternSurplus.indd 1 18/03/2020 16:15:55

 These beasts create conversation and
you must, out of Land Rover courtesy,
oblige.” Chris described driving a 101
as being “a bit different”. “The steering
at speed is unrefined, it’s a bit awkward
getting into the driver’s seat and parallel
parking is not for the weak or faint of
heart,” he said but added owning a
101 would open a new world. “You’ll
get to meet other owners but need to
understand these are not just ‘clubs’
with members but are better
described as ‘cults’.
“Luckily this cult is
a tight-knit, good-
hearted group
of people
who make
sure
FAR RIGHT: Colin Foster’s
1970 Marshall Body
Ambulance 2A
MAIN IMAGE: An
ex-military DAF T244
belonging to Nicholas Yu
their tools never get rusty and have re-
learned the lost art of home ‘shade tree’
mechanics. That’s because no Land Rover
dealership or private shop is ever going to
work on it for you.
“We love the Kraken as an off-roader and
camper during inclement weather. My best
advice is if you’re anti-social and don’t like to
make a scene when you arrive somewhere,
avoid purchasing a 101FC or be prepared
for a life-changing event. Best 4X4 by Far.”
The Canadian Camper
Canadian Nicholas Yu is another who
has converted an ex-military DAF T244
into a camper. Nick, 40, bought the vehicle
in 2013 while living and working in the
UK. He did the conversion himself before
shipping it back
home to
Canada
in 2016
when
he
10
returned. “I spent lots of time designing it
and gathering parts and equipment before
I’d even bought the truck,” said Nicholas.
“I started in 2011 and when I bought it in
2013, I already had about a quarter of all
the components I needed. I also had a lot
of help from various people in the DAF
community. Without the help of a bunch
of people, my project would not have
happened.”
Nicholas estimates that he spent around
£30,000 on the project, which included the
initial purchase price of the vehicle. “But
that cost is quite skewed as I salvaged
a lot of what I needed and of course it
doesn’t include my labour. I spent many
evenings and weekends working on it and
luckily have a very understanding wife.”
He said that from an ownership
perspective, the DAF was relatively easy
to own and maintain. “We’ve done about
15,000 miles so far which doesn’t sound
like a lot but most of that has been on
really big trips in North America. We’ve just
been on a big road trip to Texas. They are
pretty reliable
trucks
and I do as much of the maintenance push them when driving. We’ve taken it to
work as I can and it’s certainly a vehicle I’d Europe, and it is pretty reliable.
recommend to anyone looking to build a “I get around 18 to 20 miles per gallon.
camper. Some guys think they are too big I do most of the maintenance and repair
but for my family it’s great. We’ve got bunk work myself. That’s the good thing about
beds for the kids who are six and four and owning a Land Rover, they are relatively
a double bed for us.” easy to repair and maintain, although I
would recommend that you need to be
The Music Man mechanically competent if you plan to
Colin Foster, 61, from Swanley in Kent own one.
is the proud owner of a 1970 Land Rover “Overall, we’re very happy with it and
Marshall Body Ambulance IIA. To keep it suits my Land Rover,
the vehicle original, Colin and his wife Gill, camping and classic
who are regulars at live music festivals, car needs. I’m in
have adapted their camping needs to the the process of
vehicle instead of the other way around. downsizing my
“I’m a Land Rover fan and this is my first collection of
foray into military vehicles,” explained Colin, vehicles but we’ve
who is a member of the Military Vehicle already decided
Trust. “We go to festivals quite a bit and that this is one
used to camp, but a couple of years back we plan to
we started looking at campervan options. keep.”
I found this one in Coventry but when the
owner heard what I wanted to do I could
tell he was disappointed so I promised I
would keep it as is.
“I’ve always collected classic vehicles
and appreciated that this was an original,
so we ended up adapting our camping
needs to the vehicle. When camping,
we remove the stretchers and other
ambulance equipment from the back and
put a futon mattress in for us to sleep on.
There’s not a lot of headroom and it’s
not for everyone, but it suits Gill and
me and is far better than a cold bed
on the ground.”
Colin said it was also an affordable
and relatively simple option for
people looking to get into the
campervan market. “If you shop
around you can pick them up for
around £5,500 to £8,000,” he said.
“They are quite heavy vehicles on
the road and you obviously can’t

11

The Single Dad
Single dad, Paul Jackman, 47, from
Lincolnshire recently took ownership of
his 1994 Leyland DAF T244 overlander
which he plans to live in fulltime. Paul had
the ex-British Army truck converted by a
private company. “LGF Commercials did
the conversion for me,” he said. “This is
the first time the company did an overland
box, although they have experience at
building boxes for commercial use. We’ve
kept it as lightweight as possible to keep
the weight down. I’m not planning to travel
‘I’m not planning to travel around the
world in it but will be living in it and
travelling around the UK’
around the world in it but will be living in it
and travelling around the UK.”
Paul said this had been one of the most
affordable ways to get into a camper. “I
first tried looking to buy one, but they are
really expensive, he explained. “I eventually
bought the vehicle privately for £6,000. It’s
a 1994 ex-military flatbed truck and was
running perfectly. But it’s not the vehicle or
even the box itself that is the real cost, but
the interior. The more luxurious you make
it, the more it will cost.”
The ‘box’ features a separate shower
and toilet, kitchen area, a double bed for
Stuart Sandford’s 1954 Austin
K9 camper has proved a
‘reliable runner’
Paul, beds for his children aged nine and
12, gas heating, skylights and plenty of
wardrobes. “We’re also making it so the
one side can fold down and open it up,”
he said. “In total, I’ll have spent about
£50,000 on the project, but that’s because
I’m including loads of extras as I make it
completely self-sufficient with the use of
solar and wind power. I’ll also have things
like a smart TV and games station. But we
also enjoy the outdoors lifestyle so plan to
go hiking and exploring more. I work in the
printing industry and my shift work allows
me quite a bit of time off, so I expect to
travel quite a bit every year.” Paul runs a
YouTube channel and Facebook page
(The Offgrid Nomad UK) where you can
follow his adventures.
The Awesome Austin
Military Vehicle Trust member Stuart
Sandford from Essex owns a 1954 Austin
K9 that he and wife Vicky use to attend
military shows. Stuart, 48, has owned
the ex-military vehicle for about 11 years
and said it had proved a reliable runner.
“It was a flatbed originally,” he explained.
12
“I managed to get a box body and
converted it into a camper. I don’t know
the full military history of the vehicle, but I
have finished it with School of Signals at
Catterick markings.”
The camper interior features bench seats
that convert to a double bed, a sink and
cupboards for storage. “There isn’t really
room for a toilet or shower, so we just use
it for sleeping and cooking purposes,” said
Stuart. “I’ve used tents and caravans in the
past and this is the best option. You don’t
get wet if it rains, it rocks you to sleep if
windy and it’s warmer than a tent.”
As for the vehicle, Stuart said if you look
after the Austin and keep up with regular
maintenance and services, you’ll be OK.
“The Austin K9s are reliable and pretty
basic to fix if something goes wrong,” he
said. “I build trucks for a living so do all
of the maintenance and servicing myself.
I’d say you need some common sense
if you own a vehicle like this. Things do
sometimes stop working and you need
to sort them out, otherwise, it’s all good.
There are of course pros to owning a
vehicle this old in that you don’t have to
MoT it and its also tax-exempt.”
The Specialist
Martin Howdle, 47, has plenty of experience
at rebuilding ex-military vehicles, so while his
latest project may have appeared daunting
Martin Howdle has done a fantastic job on his
1997 Pulse 130 Battlefield Ambulance
to most, he took it on with relish. “I bought a
1997 Pulse 130 Battlefield Ambulance,” he
said. “It’s a 300tdi with a five-speed gearbox
but was rolled while in the British Army in
about 2008 or 2009. It had a bent chassis
and other damage but luckily came with a
rear body as it was a project that someone
had started but then given up on.
“We had to start from scratch, but I was
fortunate to have the help of a friend,
Antonio Felipez, who deserves a lot of credit
for the work we did.” Incredibly, Martin first
collected the vehicle on December 15 and
working through December and early
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013_CMV_MAY20_ad.indd 1 31/03/2020 11:52:49

 Jon Davy’s 1975 Volvo C304 was used by the
Swedish Army as an ambulance
January with Antonio, they were able to
take the vehicle for its MoT on January 20.
“We nailed the work over five weeks,” he
said, adding this had been the most cost-
effective way to get into a Pulse.
“They are rare vehicles and a standard
Pulse that has come out of the army
sells for around £26,000 plus VAT now
and that’s with 100,000 plus miles on it,”
he said. “If you’ve got one that has been
turned into a camper, they are fetching up
to £40,000. I got offered this one at next
to nothing, but that’s because the state it
was in. In the end, we had to put another
chassis on and even doing that I’m still
around £8,000 better off than buying one.”
Martin said he had budgeted around
£5,000 to £6,000 for the interior which
can sleep four and features a kitchen area
with cooker, fridge/freezer, a shower and a
toilet and four seats with seatbelts.
“I have a Bedford truck that we’ve used in is more for us. The nice thing about the owned a Land Rover Discovery 1 which I
the past, but this will allow us to do longer Pulse is that you can park it anywhere. did over 200,000 miles in, so when it came
trips,” he said. “Our teenage children I’ve fitted it with batteries and solar panels time to replace it I wanted something
are not interested in coming with Gail so you can live off-grid for two to three different and was looking for a Volvo
(Martin’s wife) and me anymore, so this weeks, but the only problem is that being when I came across this one.
a smaller vehicle means you can’t carry “It cost £5,000 and was mechanically
the same amount of water as you can sound but in need of a lot of tidying
Build Your Own with a bigger one.” up work. I spent the next 18 months
Overland Camper sorting things out and doing the camper
The Swedish Connection conversion myself.”
Publisher Haynes
Worcester resident Jon Davy, 44, Jon estimates he spent a further £22,000
Author Steve Wigglesworth has owned his ex-Swedish Army in addition to the original purchase price.
Year 2016 1975 Volvo C304 for three years. “It’s a bigger vehicle than what I originally
ISBN 9781785210761 Jon bought the 6x6 vehicle privately wanted, but the nice thing is that it still
and said he was the third UK owner. fits in a parking space and you can go
Language English
“I don’t know much of its history shopping at Tesco in it.”
Binding Hardback before it came to the UK, but it was He said a lack of power steering made
Pages 192 used by the Swedish Army as an manoeuvring into tight spaces a challenge
Size 21.7cm x 27.6cm ambulance,” he said. “I had previously while it was also quite ‘thirsty’. “On a good
Price £22.99
www.haynes.com OPPOSITE BOTTOM: An interior
view of the Bedford camper
While owning an overland camper may be a
dream for many, their affordability means it’s BELOW: Tom and Clare Read with
not a vehicle within everyone’s reach. If that’s Mason, Heath and the family’s
true for you, or if you’re someone who likes 1985 Bedford MJ
doing things yourself, the answer could be in
this book from author Steve Wigglesworth.
Build Your Own Overland Camper is a step-
by-step guide to doing it yourself. Steve has a
long history of exploring remote destinations
in self-modified vehicles, so he brings a lot
of expertise to the subject gained through
years of experience. This is a comprehensive
guide that takes readers through the planning
stages, selecting the right vehicle, getting it
road legal, building or adding a ‘box’ and fitting
interior fixtures. The manual is divided into 13
chapters and along with simple to read text
and a range of colour photographs to illustrate,
it provides comprehensive detail on the pro-
cess from start to finish. I particularly enjoyed
the six case studies that been included featur-
ing different owners and their vehicles.
Verdict: If you harbour designs on building
your own overland camper and need help and
guidance along the way then this is the book
for you. Review by Andrew Stone

14

Tom Duckworth, 25, is in the
process of building a camper
conversion business after
converting his own truck and
others. Tom bought his ex-
British Army Bedford MJ three
years ago, a 1988 left-hand
drive model that had seen
service in Germany. Once it
was decommissioned, it was
sold and went through the
hands of five private owners
before ending with Tom. “I paid
£4,350 for it, which was the
exact amount I had in my bank
account at the time,” he said.
“Work on the camper back
The ’Shedford’
was done on a tight budget.
I’d seen loads of tiny houses
in the US and wanted to do
something similar, only on the
back of my lorry. I ended up
collecting pallets and by the
time I had finished it looked
more like a shed than I had
intended, which is why I call it
the Shedford. I’ve been living
in it full-time for the past two
years.”
Having been involved in
restoring classic and vintage
cars, Tom wanted something
older when he started looking
for a suitable vehicle to convert
to a camper. “Military vehicles, on holiday somewhere, like
while they may have worked on a recent trip to Scotland.”
hard, have been well looked He said having a truck had
after,” he said. “It was in good allowed him to stay places
running condition when I got one normally couldn’t. “So, I
it and I do all the maintenance have saved costs not staying
and repair work that I can in B&Bs and hotels.” Tom said
myself. It’s quite a simple lorry he was not a regular yet on the
to work on in that there’s no military vehicle show scene
electronics, but you will need but would be in the future. “It
to have a basic understanding is something I’d like to get
of mechanics if you plan on more involved in,” he said. “I
getting one. They are just big have social media accounts
tractors really. where people can follow me
“Parts can be quite and see the conversion (web:
expensive as some have been thelorrylife.com
reconditioned and it does drink blog: thelorrylife.wordpress.
fuel, but I don’t drive excessive com; Instagram:@the_
kilometres unless I’m going lorrylife).”

day, I’ll get around 12 miles to the gallon
and on a bad day around nine. We use
it mostly for short trips around the UK,
although I do have plans to take it further
afield and would like to take it back to
Sweden at some stage.”
The fitment of a rear and a side camera
has helped overcome the challenge of
having a left-hand drive vehicle in the UK.
“It’s mechanically reliable and nothing has
ever gone wrong with it,” said Jon. “Once
you’ve got it up to a certain level it’s fine
to maintain and run.” The interior of the
camper can sleep two and has seating
for up to eight people, a two-burner gas
cooker and sink with running water, fridge
and cupboards. A portaloo is stored in a
cupboard. “It’s a great vehicle and ticks all
the right boxes for us,” said Jon.
The Family Friend
Norfolk residents Tom and Clare Read
and their sons Mason, 8, and Heath, 6 have
become regulars at The War and Peace
Revival. Tom, 34, said they had been going
to the show each year for the past seven
years and it had turned into their annual
family holiday. Having their 1985 Bedford
MJ camper made the time spent at the
show all that more comfortable.
“We also own an ex-military Series III
Land Rover that we take with,” said Tom.
He said they were not particularly looking
for a camper when they bought the
Bedford five years ago.
“A friend of mine had a Bedford which
he’d converted to a camper,” explained
Tom. “He phoned me one day to say he
had found one for us, so we viewed the
vehicle and ended up buying it. We don’t
have any regrets at all, it’s great. We use
it for a few military shows around Norfolk
and the furthest we go each year is to War
and Peace. The boys love it and love going
to the show.”
He said the left-hand drive Bedford was
not the easiest vehicle to manoeuvre due
to a lack of power steering, but it was
otherwise straightforward.
“It would help to have some mechanical
knowledge if you plan on getting one,” he
recommended. “That’s half of what being
an enthusiast is about – doing things
yourself. You don’t want to be sending it to
a mechanic each time something goes
wrong. I’m a truck technician so I do all the
servicing and maintenance on ours. It’s
relatively straightforward to maintain and I
get around 12 to 13 miles per gallon when
driving, but because we don’t use it that
much and don’t drive it too far it does not
work out to be too expensive for us.”.

15
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Militaria_Collectables_FP.indd 1 30/03/2020 11:58:07

www.cmvmag.co.uk cmveditorial@keypublishing.com
VE Day scaled back
to protect veterans
Commemoration events to
mark VE Day 75 have been
scaled back due to the ongoing
spread of coronavirus. In line
with advice from Public Health
England and guidance on mass
gatherings, the UK government
announced plans to mark
the 75th anniversary of the
end of World War Two will be
changed. As part of the new
plans the veterans’ procession
down the Mall and the events
in St James’s Park will no
longer go ahead. However,
government and the devolved
administrations were working
on new plans to ensure the
public could still thank the
Since you will probably get dozens of other
replies to Peter Herret’s question, the tank
photographed in India (CMV issue 226
March 2020) is the remains of an M4A2
Sherman DD or Duplex Drive amphibian. Not
only has the floatation screen been removed
and the propellers of course along with the
hull machine-gun, but the rear suspension
unit appears to be missing plus the gun and
mantlet look like fabrications. A complete
M4A2 DD can be seen in The Tank Museum
at Bovington if anyone is interested.
However, I also wanted to back up Tim
Gosling’s letter in the same issue. A hand-
book known as Training Note No. 2, sub titled
‘Tank Driver’s Handbook Marks I, II and IV
News
Operation
World War Two generation on May 8.  Shelton
Steel to take
Bruno Peek, one of the event organisers for
VE Day 75 said: “I am afraid that the terrible
Coronavirus emergency has caused us to make
the difficult decision to cancel the VE Day 75
centre stage
community celebrations due to take place on
the bank holiday weekend of 8th to 10th May.
“It is right and proper that people should be kept
safe and healthy. My sincere thanks to everyone
who registered their events and were looking
forward to celebrating VE Day 75. I know how After several successful years running the
disappointed you will be that these cannot ‘War in the Valley’ event, last year saw the
now go ahead. Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire
However, we are expand the 1940’s event with new
still encouraging branding and a refresh of attractions and
the solo piping entertainment resulting in ‘Staffordshire
element to continue at War’. The event’s team is looking to
from a safe and build on the local connections forged
suitable location, last year and so this year’s event will see
such as their ‘Staffordshire at War – Operation Shelton
homes.” Steel’ take centre stage. Like in 2019, this
All may not be lost year’s event aims to give visitors a taste
though as Bruno said of what the war years were like, not just
he hoped many of the in Britain but also in occupied Europe. As
events that had been visitors take a steam train journey each
‘so carefully planned’ station will have adopted a theme with
could be held over the suitable attractions, entertainment and
weekend of August 15 re-enactors to help visitors engage and
and 16 when VE Day experience what life was really like in the
and VJ Day celebrations 1940’s. Leekbrook station (accessible
could be held. For up by rail only) will be the main focus as the
to date information, base of the Allied forces with an
visit https://ve-vjday75. encampment complete with a battlefield
gov.uk or https://www. hospital and an assortment of military
veday75.org equipment and vehicles on display.
Cheddleton station will see the Axis
forces and their equipment on display as
they ‘occupy’ the station and surrounding
Tanks’ printed in 1917 village. Meanwhile, Consall station will
can be inspected in The play host to a village fete with games and
Tank Museum Library. activities for children of all ages while
This has a section on ‘The Froghall station will host some smaller
Lucas Electric Lighting displays and entertainment through the
Set’ which among other weekend. Each station will showcase a
things says that there variety of demonstrations and talks giving
is a switchboard ‘above visitors the chance to learn more about
floor level on the right what life was like in the 1940’s and to
hand side of the get up close to vehicles and equipment
differential casing, used during this period. A highlight of
looking from the front the daytime events will be the battle
of the tank’ it contains at Leekbrook, which will see Allied and
three switches amongst Axis forces battle. Entertainment at the
which ‘Switch S controls stations will allow visitors to experience
the festoon lamps inside different music and they will even have
the tank’. Now, I have to say that having been the chance to learn the Charleston Step,
inside the Mark IV at Bovington many times the Jitterbug and other period dances.
I have never seen this switchboard but it may Saturday evening entertainment will see
still be visible in the Mark IV ‘GRIT’ in Canberra, an ‘Allo Allo’ themed dining train travel
Australia which is the most complete along the line where passengers are
surviving Mark IV that I know of. I always served a feast of black-market delights
understood that the festoon lamps were onboard the railway’s luxurious dining
switched on or off individually in their train while enjoying scenes from the
sockets and the same handbook says ‘The popular television series. Visitors
festoon lamps can be rotated in their sockets dressed in 1940’s attire will receive a
to throw the light upwards, and can also reduced entry fee (visitors in fancy dress
be switched off singly by further rotation.’ type costumes will be charged at full
Perhaps later the circuit remained live and indi- price). This year’s event takes place on
vidual lamps were turned on or off in this way. June 20 and 21. For information and to
Regards, book tickets visit https://1940sbyrail.
David Fletcher                                                       co.uk or contact the railway directly on
Dorset 01538 758491.
17
Gear
GuideMessKit
The Kombat UK Clip Set
KFS sports a fork, knife and
spoon with a simple clip finish

Travelbag
for functionality and ease of

BlockTank
use, perfect for camping
trips. Available from
genuinearmysurplus.co.uk
for £2.49

A selection of tools,
equipment and gadgets
from around the world

Limited
Fuel Edition

Saver
Corgi continues
to produce its
excellent range of
diecast models
for military
enthusiasts
including this
1:50 scale limited-
edition Bedford QLD
4x4 general service
This top quality, robust all-steel 20 litre fuel can is ideal for the safe cargo truck of which only 1,100 have been made. The Bedford QL series
storage of a wide range of fuels and other liquids. Easily transportable, utility trucks were some of the most heavily produced British vehicles of
it’s also a must-have for emergency situations. It features a wide ‘anti- World War Two and fulfilled a variety of essential communications and
glug’ mouth for fast, efficient and clean fuel dispensing. supply roles. Available through corgi.co.uk for £49.99
Available from machinemart.co.uk for £27.59

Cover Style
Filled with 100%
polyester fibre,
these British
Army Cadet 350g
Highlander sleeping
bags are designed to
keep you warm. The outer
material is 100% polyester with
a DPM camo print and the lining
is polycotton. The mummy style
provides for greater heat retention.
Travel in style Comfort Temperature 5c. Available from

Winter
with this unique genuinearmysurplus.co.uk for £24.99
passport cover
made from vintage
silk ‘escape and evasion’

Warmer
maps. Not only will the
cover protect your passport,
it will also make it easy to
identify as yours. Each cover
is unique depending on which
map is used. Suitable size for a UK
passport. They cost £18 through www.nam.ac.uk

Got a product you’d like featured in our Gear Guide? E-mail cmveditorial@keypublishing.com
18
Retro T
Publishing
company Haynes
has added four new
titles to its compact
range of icon
manuals. The books
celebrate some
of the mechanical
legends of land,
sea and air and are
aimed at enthusiasts
and historians with
an interest in the Avro
Lancaster, the Tiger tank, HMS
Victory and Flying Scotsman.
The titles would make a great addition
to any book collection.
They can be ordered through www.

IconTitles
Titles
haynes.com for £12.99 each
Complementing its ‘Half Ton’ and ‘Wolf’ T-shirts Retro
Eighty brings you this new 101-based design. Screen printed onto
100% cotton T-shirt, sizes range from small to XXXL.
Available for £22 (freepost in the UK) from www.retroeighty.co.uk

Looking for a great Father’s

Day gift? This could well be
the perfect present for the
well-dressed tank fan. These
classy, monochrome cufflinks
are made bespoke for The
M3Lee
Tank Museum and fit regular
dress shirts. Available from
tankmuseumshop.org
for £14.99

Classy
Cufflinks
This M3 Lee Lego compatible brick tank is made up of 530 blocks
and comes with two figures: a US soldier and the tank commander.
The model, which measures (L x W x H) 200mm x 100mm x 115mm,
depicts the World War Two-era medium tank armed with a 75mm gun.

Portable
It is available from bricktanks.co.uk for £34.99

TimeKeeper
Power
The Dirty Dozen British Army Watch
was inspired by the original The Clarke G1200
‘Dirty Dozen’ watches Petrol Generator is
issued to British forces the perfect generator
in World War Two. The for caravanning,
watch features dual camping trips,
quartz movement, boating, markets and
is battery-operated even for emergency
and has glow home use thanks
in the dark to its compact
hands and hour dimensions, ease
markers. The of use, portability
watch is and impressively
splash and low noise output
rain resistant. of 68dB(A) at 7m.
Available from Available from
epicmilitaria. machinemart.co.uk
com for £49.99 for £191.98

Note: Prices do not include postage and packaging

19
 WW WW IIII
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ANNUAL PASSES
AVAILABLE ON SITE

Entry Only
$FAM7Kid10ILY5
$

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17LTS5
$ 50
Entry Only
Kids
Entry Only
$SE$KidNIO12RS50
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KIDS5
Kids
2 Skyrail Drive, Smithfield (Cairns), Queensland, Australia 4878
T: +61 7 4038 1665 E: info@ausarmour.com W: ausarmour.com
Open 7 Days 9:30am - 4:30pm* 175 exhibits as of
*Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Good Friday
^Conditions apply
October 2019

Australian.indd 1 04/03/2020 09:24:16

 Museum of the Month Australian Armour and Artillery Museum

Visitors travel from far and wide to view the exhibits

The museum has a focus
on World War Two

T
he Australian Armour and Artillery Muse-
um is privately owned and is the largest
museum of its kind in the Southern Hem-
isphere. It is dedicated to the collection, pres-
ervation, restoration and display of armoured
vehicles and artillery from the 1800’s to the pres-
ent day and the collection includes armoured
vehicles and artillery from both World Wars, but
with a particular focus on World War Two.
As of March, the collection consisted of over
190 armoured vehicles and artillery pieces.
Some of the museum’s star exhibits include a
Hetzer, Sherman Firefly, Panzer IV Ausf D, Sen-
tinel Mk IV while a fully restored and operational
Panther is due to arrive sometime this month
(May).
“We are constantly on the lookout for addi-
tional pieces of equipment that will make our
museum a richer experience for those visiting,”
said a spokesperson. “We aim to offer the per-
fect experience for the whole family. Once you
add some excitement to their day by purchas-
ing a ride in our de-commissioned armoured
personnel carrier or join us in our custom-built
shooting gallery (conditions apply).”
The museum caters to children through a ded-
icated ‘Kids Corner’ which gives them oppor-
tunity to take a photo dressed as a real soldier,
A dedicated ‘Kids Corner’ will keep children
try on genuine army gear or play on the battler entertained
re-creation table, allowing their imaginations to
run wild. A new addition to the ‘Kids Corner’ is
an obstacle course style playground which has
proved a big hit with the younger enthusiasts.
“As it can take some time for you to see all the
exhibits – especially if you have a real interest
in military history – we welcome you to sit, relax
and take a break in our self-service café area
where you can enjoy a tea, coffee, cold drink or
snack,” said the spokesperson. “We also have
a retail section where you will find a diverse Visitors can also get rides around the arena
collection of specialty items if you are looking
to take a souvenir of your visit home with you.” land, Australia. From here visitors can also

Heavy Metal
are finished exploring the exhibits, visitors can
The museum is in Cairns, Far North Queens-
access and enjoy the Great Barrier Reef, World
Heritage Rainforests and the Outback while vis-
iting a city that has all the comforts one would
expect from a renowned tourist destination.
For further information including details of any

Down Under
upcoming events, visit the museum’s website
at www.ausarmour.com You can also follow
the museum on Facebook for weekly updates
on new exhibits and current restorations.

The Australian Armour Museum is the

largest museum of its kind in the Southern
Hemisphere

Australian Armour Museum

Email: info@ausarmour.com
Phone: 07 4038 1665
Opening: Hours: 9:30am - 4:30pm
2 Skyrail Drive, Smithfield
QLD 4878 Australia

21
On the Shelf New Books
Kursk
1943
Publisher Casemate
Author Ian Baxter
Year 2019
ISBN 9781612007076
Language English
Binding Softback
Pages 128
Size 25.4cm x 17.8cm
Price £19.99
www.casematepublishers.co.uk
The battle of Kursk was the
largest and perhaps most
famous tank battle of World
Operation ‘Torch’
The Invasion of North Africa
Publisher After the Battle
Author Jean Paul Pallud
Year 2019
ISBN 9781870067966
Language English
Binding Hardback
Pages 321
Size 30cm x 21.7cm
Price £39.95
www.afterthebattle.com
Jean Paul Pallud’s offering,
Operation ‘Torch’ The Invasion
of North Africa provides a
comprehensive and impres-
sively detailed and illustrated
account of the Allied landings
that took place in North-West
Africa in November 1942. This
American Armor in the Pacific
Publisher Casemate
Author Mike Guardia
Year 2020
ISBN 9781612008189
Language English
Binding Softback
Pages 128
Size 25.4cm x 17.8cm
Price £19.99
www.casematepublishers.co.uk
Although there were no tank
battles in the Pacific Theatre
that matched the scale of those
such as Kursk and El Alamein
fought on the Eastern Front
and Africa, tanks still provided
War Two. To this day it still captivates the
imagination of armour enthusiasts and
military historians. ‘Kursk 1943’ by author
Ian Baxter uses rare photographs, maps and
colour illustrations to tell the story of how the
Wehrmacht and its elite Waffen-SS panzer
divisions tried and failed to
force their way through the
strong defensive lines of the
Soviets. The battle would
mark the last German offen-
sive in the East.
Verdict: The book forms part
of Casemate’s Illustrated
series and is divided into 10
chapters giving coverage
of the build-up to the battle,
how it played out and the
aftermath. It’s a good read,
well-illustrated and will
make for a decent reference
resource.
is a large book, both in physical size and
number of pages – more than 300 – and
the use of maps and colour and black and
white images along with
the detail of research is to
be commended. It covers
an operation in World War
Two which hasn’t always
received the same attention
as many others, but one
which marked an important
point in the war – the deci-
sion by the western Allies
to launch a second front in
North Africa.
Verdict: Well written and
exceptionally well-illustrated,
a great addition to any World
War Two book collection.
vital support to US infantry units fighting their
way through the tropical vegetation. M3 Stuart
and M4 Sherman tanks were
engaged in some ferocious
battles with the Japanese
who would fight to the death.
Author Mike Guardia’s account
provides background to the
conflict and uses more than
100 images to illustrate the
armour used on both sides.
Verdict: A must for fans of
heavy armour thanks to the
amazing array of wartime pho-
tographs alone. The further use
of maps and colour illustrations
add to the overall package.
22
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words and pictures Nigel Hay
I
am writing this column from Normandy under
a state of absolute lockdown. Interestingly,
several local military vehicle collectors I
spoke to told me that although it was all very
worrying, it has given them a lot more time to
get on with restoring and servicing their vehicles
in preparation for whenever it is we are allowed
out again – and then to any shows that have not
been cancelled.
As in all aspects of daily life, things have
changed, been put on hold or cancelled
altogether. I had to smile in our local shop when
a man came in wearing a full 1960s French army
chemical warfare mask and respirator. If he had
done that a few weeks ago, they would surely
have called security and removed him.
This month’s entry-level vehicle is a stripped
inside and out Mk1 Ferret. For £250 this is a
viable starting point for someone wanting to
build a Ferret from scratch. However, it’s hard to
tell if the sum of the parts to build one this way
will be more, less or even near the retail value of
the finished vehicle.
A good looking, but compromised, 1944
Canadian Universal (Bren) Carrier MKII, located
in Southern California was offered for a modest
$25,000. The seller admits it isn’t perfect as
his primary use of it was recreational desert
enjoyment with family and friends. But for
the money, it is certainly good value and for
someone wanting a Carrier to get started with,
most of the real work has been done.
CVRTs continue to come up for sale at
respectable money – including a just-finished
CVRT Striker at £25,500 and a fully refurbished
Cummins Diesel powered CVRT Alvis Spartan at
£26,950.
A good quality replica Kubelwagen that has
been around the film industry since the 1960s
was offered for a realistic £15,000, around 30% of
the value of a real one. It immediately got many
enquiries and should please its new owner as it
has already appeared in a selection of war films.
Stripped bare - entry-
level Mk1 Ferret at £250.
Fun in the sun with this Universal (Bren) Carrier
MKII at $25,000
Military Vehicle Market
The highest
price GPA ever
- at €205,000
Good replica
Kubelwagen at £15,000
with some film history
Nigel Hay’s round up of the military vehicle market
LET’S ALL
On the same day came a replica Blank Firing
Pak 36 at just £2,000 from a separate seller.
This would have made a very nice and realistic
KEEP
pairing with the Kubelwagen.
Another entry-level project that came up
for sale was a German-built Ford Eifel 1937.
A quasi-military vehicle, these were used by
the Wehrmacht and German government
departments. But for the re-enactor at €2,500,
CALM
this is a viable project and will enhance any
living history display. We also had a restored
and ready to show 1939 Peugeot 202 for sale at
€7,500 and many of these were impressed by
German forces during the occupation of France
and Belgium.
Aalderson Vehicles in Holland always has
a nice selection of turnkey World War Two
vehicles and the company this month offered a
Bedford QLR at €15,950 and a Ford C60L APT
at €12,750. Meanwhile, Reos seem to have
dropped off the radar recently so it was a delight
to see Andy Camp’s well known M35A2 Reo
Turbo cargo truck – dry stored for the past 30
years since its release – come up for sale at
a realistic £12,950. The MoD has released a
batch of seven Land Rover Wolf models – hard
and soft top – which are offered by JR Cars
from £7,500 each – reflecting the increased
availability of the Wolf Land Rovers.
1937 German Ford Eifel
at €2,500 - perfect for Well known French militaria and historic vehicle
the re-enactor auctioneers, Aiolfi is selling the reserve collection
of the MM Park Museum at La Wantzenau in
Eastern France. This is not the whole museum
contents, but it will include some significant
wartime vehicles. Like all museums in France
it is currently closed but once it re-opens it
is a ‘must-see’ museum with an eclectic and
carefully planned collection.
The exact catalogue should now be online via
Milweb’s Auction Feed as you read this. It will be
a very significant sale and one to watch with
interest. Quite how the military vehicle market
will be affected by the Covid 19 pandemic is
anyone’s guess. We just have to keep calm and
M35A2 Reo Turbo Whistler at £12,950
carry on buying and selling.
25
 Enjoy
wherever you are in the world
The classic military vehicle world is in a healthy state. There’s an exciting array
of restorations on the go, an increasing number of military shows taking place
and new military museums opening, making it a thrilling time to be involved. The
team at CMV are proud to be at the forefront of covering these events, and much
more, for our readers. With our newly introduced digital bundle subscriptions you
continue to get your magazine delivered with the added benefit of instant access
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188 CMV Bundle dps MAY20.indd 27 31/03/2020 17:05

 words and pictures Louise Limb

Anyone for Coffee?

This Land Rover Forward Control 101 was once deployed to the
Falkland Islands and now serves coffee, supporting military veterans

The Forces charity

Forward Assist has
converted a Forward
Control 101 to a
coffee truck

‘Land Rovers had always

been essential on the
Falkland Islands’

28
T
he short, sharp and brutal
Falklands War of 1982 is still
very recent history. Many will
remember the hastily gathered
naval task force: 127 ships ploughing
8,000 miles through the waves towards a
distant archipelago in the South Atlantic.
Famous liners the QE2 and Canberra,
along with merchant ship SS Atlantic
Conveyor, were requisitioned. The aircraft
carrier HMS Hermes was the flagship of
the task force, continuing to serve until
1984. The rescue mission to the Falklands
carried national pride as well as thousands
of British troops, bringing together the SPECIFICATIONS
British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Make Rover
Force in an urgent bid to rid a British Model One-Tonne Forward Control (Truck,
overseas territory of an invading force. General Service, 1 Tonne, 4x4, Rover)
Land Rovers had always been essential Nationality UK
on the Falkland Islands, but the vast Year 1976
stretches of boggy terrain demanded Used by UK and Allies
amphibious, tracked vehicles such as the Production Run 1974 to 1978
Scottish firm Cuthbertson’s ‘Water Buffalo’ Engine Rover
tractor, which could extract heavy plant Type V8
such as diggers and excavators even from Fuel Petrol
marshy ground. Displacement 3,528cc
There are still two of these vehicles on Power 128bhp@5000rpm
the Falkland Islands from an original three Torque 185lb/ft @2500rpm
sent out there for land drainage work in Transmission Rover
Type Manual four-wheel
the early to mid-1960s.
Gears Four-speed
There’s also a Roadless Traction Series
Transfer box Two-speed
IIA Forest Rover now owned by Nick
Pitaluga. It escaped being commandeered
Suspension Semi-elliptic leaf springs with
by the Argentine forces in 1982 but
front anti-roll bar
another of his Land Rovers famously
Brakes Vacuum servo-assisted drums front
did see action, seized under Argentine and rear
occupation and deployed again by British Wheels Steel well base six stud
Forces in the period after liberation. Tyres 900x16 bar grip
Planning for the recapture of the islands, Crew/seats Two plus rear accommodation
the British saw that wheeled vehicles
would struggle and even supporting Dimensions
combat vehicle reconnaissance tracked Length 4,330mm (170.5in)
vehicles such as Scorpions and Scimitars Width 1,842mm (72.5in)
(and one Sampson recovery vehicle) were Wheelbase 2,565mm (101in)
deployed very hesitantly. Weight unladen 1,924kg 12v GS soft top
model (4,242lb)
The 101’s military
serial number, 67 FL 19
identifies it as part of
a British Army contract
from 1976
29

The coffee roaster in the Sankey trailer
ensures that the truck always has supplies,
just like the army
Hydraulic struts keep the various covers
open while the Sankey trailer legs steady the
coffee roaster
A NATO tow hook sits on the front bumper as
well as one at the rear
Heavy-duty front and rear Salisbury axles
underpin the 101 Forward Control
Bob Wilson opens the
clever bespoke serving
hatch designed by Coffee
Latino
Pearson Engineering has recently fitted a grab handle between the door and air intake to make it
easier for Bob to climb into the cab, the camper conversion added Defender seats to provide comfort
Swedish tracked Bandvagn BV202s
would manage the peat bogs but most
troops, once on land, were on foot. 2 Para
(2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment)
fought its final battles around Port Stanley
on foot without any mechanised support.
Land Rovers however, were used in
small numbers, as can be seen from
television footage. The 12 Argentinian
Panhard AML-90 armoured cars were
confined to the streets of Port Stanley.
As a result of the war, and during the
succeeding years with a reinforced
garrison, bomb disposal and mine
clearance and the building of the Mount
Pleasant Complex for the HQ for British
Force South Atlantic Islands in 1985, the
islands acquired even more Land Rovers.
The 1976 Land Rover Forward Control
101 One-Tonne you see here helped
secure the Falklands during the war and
30
stayed on, acquired by a local farmer who
used it to transport supplies. It gained
a Falklands Islands civilian registration,
F565C but returned to the UK in 2013,
somewhat battered from the wet and
windy climate.
It is now working hard again, helping
veterans back into employment and
assisting them with the many challenges
of civilian life through the charity Forward
Assist. It is a perfect new chapter for a
101 that had once seen troops face the
toughest of military tests.
Manufactured at Solihull on December
13, 1976, the Forward Control carries the
military serial number 67 FL 19, making it
part of contract number WV9615.
It was one of a batch of 718 Cargo,
general service RHD models, registered
in January 1977 and with an asset code
of 1840-0750, it is described in military
nomenclature as a truck, general service,
1 tonne, 4x4, Rover. The ‘101’ refers to the
wheelbase length and Forward Control to
the driving and engine position.
Unlike some 101s, it did not have a 24-volt
electrical system and was not equipped
with a winch, or for any specialist function
such as radar tracking or gun tractor. Some
were equipped with radio or ambulance
bodies and especially for Cold War
electronic warfare, the Mobile VHF direction
system, known as the Vampire, came with
a sophisticated extending radio mast.
How many were sent to the Falklands
is hazy but there are photographs from
the victory parade later in London of 101s
towing Rapier missile systems and they
have their own asset code, 1833-0750,
detailing that they had 24-volt systems to
cope with the technology.
This vehicle may well have assisted in
carrying artillery across the island and
there are records connecting it with the
RAF and the Welsh Guards, the latter
regiment suffering the loss of 48 men
when RFA Sir Galahad was bombed on
June 8, 1982, at Port Pleasant, Fitzroy.
Back in the UK, the 101’s new owners
stripped it completely and undertook a
chassis-up refurbishment, converting it to
a camper and registered it in the UK with
an age-related plate.
They replaced the original Rover V8
engine with a 2,495cc 300Tdi engine
and matching five-speed gearbox and
high-ratio transfer box. With the wiring
renewed, they fitted rear lights from a
Land Rover Defender TD5.
The body was refurbished with 2mm
thick aluminium sheet over a 2in box-
section frame which in turn was built
onto the rear. Everything was sealed
and a considerable amount of chequer-
plate used in creating new cappings and
coverings. In particular, the cab was
‘With help from Starbucks and a grant from the
Northstar Foundation, the deal was done’
Keeping the camper’s
striking tiger stripe
paintwork has created a
distinctive look for the
charity’s truck
Reporting a distant war
News from the front is often sketchy and firmly
controlled and the Falklands was no different.
Myths have grown up over the years concerning
how many Land Rovers and other assets went
down with the Atlantic Conveyor.
Likewise, it has been very difficult to
ascertain which vehicles went to the Falklands.
Meanwhile, memoirs from news reporters on the
ground have authority on the experience of the
war which was mostly fought on foot.
The 101 as it arrived back in Britain after
Max Hastings, then of the Evening Standard its time in the Falklands and before its
and criticised later of jingoism for his reporting camper conversion
tone, looked back in 2012, calling the war,
“maybe the last really popular war that Britain will ever fight”. He had stayed close to the
troops and along with 2 Para was among the first into Port Stanley on June 14, 1982.
He remembers too that the Argentinians were no pushover, neither in the air nor at sea.
Hastings recalls being served bacon and eggs by a cheery Royal Marine on a landing craft,
after he had completed a gruelling overnight tramp, sometimes under fire, only to find that
the same landing craft was hit by an airstrike and all on board killed just days later.
It was on the ground, against the Argentine force of “wretched conscripts” that the
war was finally won. The calibre of the British troops was “vastly superior’”and Hastings
recalls a conversation with a Royal Marine commander who had captured one of the
mountains around Port Stanley.
“He looked at this terrific mountain, which the Argentines had been defending and
said that with 50 Germans he could have died of old age holding the place... we shouldn’t
pretend that the Argentine Army was the Wehrmacht... The real difficulty was fighting this
campaign at such a very long range.”
However, it was BBC Correspondent Brian Hanrahan’s famous broadcast line which at
the time set the tone for a brief war fought a long way from home and has stood the test
of time; “I’m not allowed to say how many planes joined the raid, but I counted them all
out and I counted them all back.”
By the time the Union Jack was confidently flying again on June 14, 1982, Argentina’s
dead totalled 649, Britain had lost 255 of its servicemen and three Falkland Island women
died in ‘friendly fire’ during the British naval bombardment of Port Stanley on June 11,
1982. Its inhabitants released from house arrest, the tiny group of islands, with weather
reminiscent of the Scottish town they are named after, gradually returned to a life as
British as its pubs and red telephone boxes.
Most of the soldiers returned home too, some gravely injured and others damaged
mentally as well as physically. Had it existed in 1982, many would have benefited hugely
from a charity like Forward Assist.
31
rebuilt and re-styled to suit a camper
conversion with the addition of fresh
seats and aluminium dash. They also
Forward Assist, making a difference
painted it in the distinctive orange and
black tiger stripes you still see today.
Forward Assist, an award-winning forces
charity Based in Dudley, North Tyneside,
looks for innovative ways to support
veterans.
In 2016 it was looking for a suitable truck
for its venture, Salute Coffee, the latest
in a series of initiatives. With ex-Royal
Marine CEO Tony Wright’s drive and
inspiration, coffee company Starbucks
came on board with the offer of training
and catering supplies and the partnership
has so far resulted in six fully trained
baristas.

Sabby Gill, Sage managing director, UK and Ireland lends his support to Forward Assist

Falklands stickers remind all of its military and
civilian life while North American Specification
Defender tail lights replace the originals
Forward Assist was launched in 2009 by former Royal Marine, Tony Wright, who had
been forced to take early discharge after a serious shoulder injury. He then went
into social work and with the personal experience of leaving service early, founded
About Turn, a community interest company, helping former service personnel who
were struggling to adapt to civilian life. As its web site explains, Forward Assist now
provides ‘support, advice, guidance and advocacy. We provide a variety of projects
to reduce social isolation, loneliness and activities that improve the physical and
mental health of veterans accessing our services’.
For Bob Wilson, AKA ‘Bob the Driver’, Forward Assist has been vital. After many years
of service with the Royal Artillery, deep personal problems came after retirement.
With the support of the Forward Assist team, Tony and Paula Edwards (who
is also the women veterans’ project lead) he has found a new lease of life. He
volunteers with the various veterans’ engagement projects Forward Assist has
launched, from staffing the Salute café at the John Willie Sams community and
leisure centre in Dudley to helping out with art exhibitions and other initiatives.
However, it is the 101 Forward Control that has become Bob’s domain, enabling
him to relive the driving he used to do in the army and feel invested in its upkeep. He
also makes a mean cup of coffee!
Forward Assist is an award-winning charity (Centre for Social Justice Awards
2015) and a full member of the Confederation of British Service Charities.
Find out more about Forward Assist here: https://preview.tinyurl.com/skrcr39

Bob serving coffee at a Sage Foundation event for
local people north of Newcastle, summer 2019
Bob is entirely at home wrestling with the heavy
steering of the 101
Scouring the auction sites, Tony had
spotted the 101 which fitted the bill
perfectly. With help from Starbucks and
a grant from the Northstar Foundation,
the deal was done and the Forward
Control went to Coffee Latino, a specialist
conversion company based locally in
Blaydon.
With the expert guidance of Ric Allan,
co-owner, managing director and one-time
graphic designer, a neat, bespoke design
was soon in place. With all the equipment
state-of-the-art, the Salute Coffee truck
was ready to go and now has a regular
pitch at frequent lively corporate social
responsibility events at the nearby Sage
software group headquarters, together
with other bookings.
The coffee truck was followed swiftly
by a coffee roaster installed in a Sankey
trailer, also kitted out by Coffee Latino.
In recent months, veteran of the Royal
Artillery Bob Wilson has become the main
driver for the coffee truck, his extensive
service experience with the 101 in the
1970s and his newly-acquired skills as a
barista a huge asset.
Recently, Forward Assist forged links with
defence engineering company Pearson
Engineering, also based in Newcastle,
when the latter kindly undertook a few
small but vital jobs on the truck.
It has provided grab handles adjacent
to the doors, making access to the cab
easier and added steps, which avoid the
need for the not-so-agile to clamber up
the front wheel hub step rings. Together
with the fine work that Forward Assist
achieves, the 101 and Sankey pair
certainly make an impressive ‘salute’ to
their previous military roles.
The 101 Club has forums and resources
for those interested in finding out more
about the 101 Forward Control. They can
be found here: https://preview.tinyurl.
com/um3sav2

32
 33

033_CMV_MAY20_ad.indd 1 31/03/2020 11:57:23


Family Affair
The Dodge WC series of vehicles came in several
variants that all contributed towards the war effort
A
staggering number of Dodge
trucks were built during World
War Two. More than 400,000
of these rugged, yet versatile
wartime warriors were manufactured
from1941 to 1945, demonstrating the
industrial might wielded by the US during
the conflict.
To put that number in perspective, in
1937, just two years before the outbreak
of war, the US Army had a fleet of 11,600
vehicles, with about a third to a half of
those bearing the Dodge name badge.
As the threat of war grew, the army
quickly realised it needed to add half-ton
vehicles to its fleet and, having already
supplied the military, Dodge was in the
driving seat to deliver more.
Steve Bowens and his dog
Sadie pose with the Dodges.
Both are stored with Steve
in Cambridgeshire as he has
the space for them
words and pictures Andrew Stone
The model was designated the Dodge
half-ton 4x4 Series VC and since most
were built in 1940, were assigned the
year as the model number. The VC series
never saw action in the war, however,
and a redesign of the hood and cab saw
the introduction of the 1941 Series WC
Dodge half-ton 4x4. It was the first all-
military design Dodge developed in the
build-up to full mobilisation.
The lightweight Dodge WC-series
(W:1941, C: half-ton) trucks were offered
in various body styles, the most common
being the command car, weapons carrier,
a hardtop-cab pickup, a panel truck, a
hardtop-cab emergency repair truck,
ambulance and a carry-all.
Production was broken into three series,
34
denoted by a four-digit engineering
code as the first part of the engine serial
number, stamped on the left side of the
block just below the head. Based on
Chrysler Corporation figures from 1946,
nearly 80,000 units were produced during
1941 and 1942.
While regarded as being successful, the
half-ton series was then replaced by the
three-quarter-ton series in 1942. The new
series carried the T214 engine code but
retained the six-cylinder in-line, L-head
engine. The redesign gave the Dodge WC
series a very different look, most notably a
lower profile cargo area that was now able
to seat an eight-man rifle squad and their
gear on top of the rear wheels, instead of
between them as in previous models.
The vehicle was a non-
runner when Steve took SPECIFICATIONS
ownership, but he soon Series WC-52
got it working again Total built 59,114
Weight 2,518kg
Length 4.48m
Width 2.1m
Payload 680kg
Engine Dodge T-214
Type six-cylinder four-cycle inline
petrol 74 kW
Suspension Semi-elliptic leaf spring
Operational range 290km on road
Speed 89km/h on road

Series WC-55
Total built 5,380
Weight 3,330kg
Length 4.52m (with winch)
Width 2.24m
Payload 540kg
Crew Four: Commander, gunner, loader,
driver
Main armament 37mm gun
Engine Dodge T-214

‘The Dodge has been quite

Type Six-cylinder four-cycle inline
petrol 74 kW

easy to maintain and is a

Suspension Semi-elliptic leaf spring
Operational range 290km on road

reliable vehicle’
Speed 89km/h on road

35
 The WC-52 is fitted with the original T214
engine
The WC-52 is differentiated from the WC-51
by the winch
A map-reading board slides out from under
the dash
The WC-52 was able to seat eight on two
bench seats
Some 59,114 WC-52s
were produced
Other changes included under-seat
storage and a distinctly different flat
bonnet design. The vehicles were
also widened and shortened, altering
their proportions. Despite these
changes, service parts remained 80%
interchangeable with the previous series,
which allowed for ease of maintenance
and repairs. It also meant the three-
quarter-ton models could be deployed
quickly while the earlier WC-series trucks
remained in use until the end of the war.
In total, more than 255,000 three-quarter-
ton WC-series trucks were built from 1942
to 1945. Models included the WC-51 and
WC-52 weapons carrier, WC-56, 57 and 58
command or Reconnaissance cars, WC-
53 Carryall, WC-54 Ambulance and WC-55
Gun Motor Carriage.
The WC-51 / WC-52 and
WC-55 all shared the
same engine number.
WIKICOMMONS /
US ARMY
36
While the vehicles pictured are almost
identical, the one on the left in the main
picture is a WC-52 while the one on the
right originally came out the factory as a
WC-55 before being converted back to a
52 during the war.
WC-52
The fact that the three-quarter-ton
WC-series vehicles share many of the
same features can make it difficult to
differentiate between them. The WC-51
and WC-52 were the most prolific of the
series, with the two models making up
nearly three-quarters of the 255,000 units
built. Some 123,541 received the WC-51
(without winch) designation and 59,114
the WC-52 (with winch) designation for
a total of 182,655 units. This number

‘In total, more than 255,000
3/4-ton WC-series trucks were
built from 1942 to 1945’
increases to around 188,000 if you include
the 5,380 WC-55s that were built.
Used to ferry cargo or personnel around,
the highly versatile open cab pickup could
be fitted with an optional M24A1 machine
gun mount, which bolted onto the cargo
area floor behind the front seats. The
mount could carry the M1918 Browning
Automatic Rifle, the M1919 Browning
machine gun, or the M2 Browning
machine gun.
The WC-52 pictured here is owned by
Cambridgeshire resident Steve Bowens
who bought it in 2015 from Dallas Auto
Parts. “We think it’s a 1943 or 1944 model,
but have not been able to confirm that
yet,” explained Steve. “It was still fitted
with its original T214 engine but was a
non-runner when I got it.
The three-quarter-ton WC series featured wider and lower proportions compared to previous models
“After taking it home I found it had a
cracked inlet manifold. I replaced the
manifold and got a new gasket along with
other bits and pieces, cleaned the head,
put the engine back together, gave it a
basic service, adjusted the brakes and
fired it up and away we went.”
Steve said the work had taken him ‘a few
weeks’ as he was only able to devote time
to it on weekends. He knows little about
the vehicle’s wartime history but says after
the war it saw service with the Norwegian
Army where it spent most of its life.
“It was released in the early 1990s
and sold to a private owner and was
apparently in Saving Private Ryan, so is
something of a film star,” he said. “At some
stage, it was also used to cart beaters
around on a shooting estate.”
37
Ammunition just unloaded from an RAF
Dakota is loaded onto what appears to be a
WC-52 at an airstrip in Burma, March 1945.
WIKICOMMONS / IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM
As wartime vehicles go, Steve said
the Dodge was a pleasure to own.
“The prices for these have been
going up but you can still get decent
examples for around £12,000 to
£13,000 but can also find some which
need a bit of work for between £6,000
and £8,000.
“If you use it regularly, keep it stored
nice and dry and maintain it, it won’t
give you a lot of problems – no worse
than a Jeep that is. It’s not as easy as
a Jeep to work on as the engine bay
doesn’t have a lot of room and it can
be quite an awkward vehicle to work
on depending on what needs doing.
But overall, it’s a great vehicle to own,
looks impressive going down the road
and is not a bad ride.”

The spare tyre located on the driver’s side of
the vehicle
The dash with its associated gauges
and instruments
A water or fuel container could be carried on
the side
WC-55
The WC-55, also known as the 37mm
Gun Motor Carriage M6 or M6 Fargo was
a modified WC-52 featuring a light anti-
tank gun. Used by the US Army for infantry
support and as a mobile anti-tank gun,
it was in use from late 1942 to January
1945 in the Mediterranean, Europe and
Pacific but ultimately saw limited use. The
vehicle was not popular with troops as it
provided no armoured protection other
than the armoured gun shield and had to
be reversed into firing position because
the gun could not be fired forwards
due to the blast effect on the crew and
windshield.
This did at least allow for a quick exit
from the battlefield when the enemy
started firing back. The 37mm gun was
also considered too small to render it
effective against German armour of
the time. It fired projectiles that could
penetrate 3.6cm of armour at 460m in
addition to Armor Piercing Capped M51
projectiles that could penetrate 6.1cm of
A top schematic showing the Dodge WC-55 M6 Gun Motor Carriage. WIKICOMMONS / US ARMY
Steve behind the wheel
of Paddy’s Dodge
38
armour at the same distance or a High
Explosive (HE) projectile.
A total of 5,380 units were built between
April and October 1942 with one online
source giving a cost of $4,265 per unit.
The intention was for WC-55 crews to
defend against enemy tanks attacks while
Allied tanks would be used in infantry
support roles.
However, the introduction of more
powerful tank destroyers featuring 75mm
and 76mm guns soon rendered the
WC-55 obsolete. Many had their 37mm
guns removed and were converted back
to WC-52 cargo trucks, like David ‘Paddy’
Walden’s vehicle pictured here.
It’s not easy to distinguish between the
two, but tell-tale signs are still visible on
the chassis of Paddy’s vehicle where it
was strengthened to prevent twist when
the gun was fired. As a WC-55, it would
have had a 37mm gun mounted in the
load area, two short seats in the cargo
area instead of the long bench seats and
storage for projectiles in the four corners.

‘The 37mm gun was also considered too small to render it
effective against German armour of the time’
A good example of what an M6 37mm
Gun Motor Carriage looked like.
WIKICOMMONS / US ARMY
“They are quite rare, and a proper WC-
55 restoration could sell for €30,000 to
€40,000,” said Steve.
Paddy, who also lives in Cambridgeshire,
bought it from a friend and has had it for
about a year. “I also own a 1942 Willys
Jeep, which I’ve been restoring,” he said.
“My Dodge came out of the factory as
a WC-55 and from what I know it went
to North Africa where it served with the
9th Infantry Division in Algeria. At some
stage, it was sent back for a refit because
the gun wasn’t man enough to deal with
the German armour of the time and they
put it back to a 52. It was then sent to
Normandy.
“I’ve given some thought to restoring it
to a 55 but getting an original 37mm gun
is near on impossible and while there are
companies that can make them, they are
Paddy Walden’s vehicle,
which originally came out
of the factory as a WC-55
was later converted back
to a WC-52
I might do it, but for now, it wouldn’t serve
our needs. The members love the vehicle
and they would certainly not let me sell it.
They’d lynch me if I did,” Paddy joked.
From an owner’s perspective, he said
the Dodge was not as easy as the Jeep
but the bigger vehicle had its advantages.
“When I first got the Dodge, I didn’t think
I’d like it as it has a crash gearbox and is a
lot harder to drive than the Jeep. But now
I love it. Yes, the Jeep is easier to live with,
in that you can put it in a garage and it’s
better on fuel, but there are pros and cons
to owning both. The Dodge has been quite
easy to maintain and is a reliable vehicle,
is great fun and if you take the canvas off,
you’ve got a big Jeep!”
expensive,” he said. “I also belong
to a re-enactment group and we
use it all the time to cart the troops
around, so if I had to convert it
back, it wouldn’t suit us as the gun
would take up a lot of room.”
The group, called the European
Theatre of Operations (ETO)
Alliance, attends most major
military shows throughout the year
and is always on the lookout for
new members. The ETO Alliance
portrays the 502nd Infantry
Regiment, which was assigned as
a regiment of the 101st Airborne
Division. “We attend all the major
military shows around the country
and drive the Dodge to them so with the To increase firepower, a 50-cal. machine gun was
37mm gun in the back there’d be only mounted on the front of the M6 37mm GMC (June
enough room for four people. Eventually, 1943). WIKICOMMONS / US ARMY
39

By the end of World War One,
around 3,200 tanks of all types
had been built but total production
figures were in the region of
4,517. Although Renault FTs are
sometimes referred to as either FT
17 or 18, the year of manufacture
official records do not confirm this
A Remarkable
Renault
It has been hailed as one of the most influential
tank designs in history due to its fully rotating
turret that housed its armament.
Bernard Holloway looks at the Renault FT light
T
anks were first used in battle on
September 15, 1916, at Flers-
Coucelette during the Somme
campaign. It was a campaign
fought between July and November
that year with trench warfare and hand-
to-hand combat at its most brutal and
bloodiest with push and counter push.
Combined with the devastating effect of
machine gun fire, aerial bombardment,
subterranean mines and poor strategy,
it cost both sides a total of 1.1 million
words and pictures Bernard Holloway
casualties, maybe more, aside from the
collateral damage to families of those
killed or injured.
And for what? Historians tell of an allied
gain varying between six to seven miles
along a 15-mile front. Most of us can’t
imagine the horrors that beset these men,
or indeed any other campaign during
subsequent wars, but into that slaughter
on that September day rolled 32, some
authorities advise 48, rhomboidal shaped,
Mk 1 tanks designed by the Allies to crush
40
SPECIFICATIONS
Type Renault FT
Tracks/Wheels Full-tracked
Armament Machine gun - 8mm Hotchkiss
machine gun (see text for others)
Cannon – 37mm Puteaux SA 18
Engine Renault four-cylinder, 4.48 litre,
39hp, water-cooled
Transmission Four forward, one reverse
Suspension Semi-elliptic leaf spring
Power to Weight Ratio 5.1 bhp/ton
Maximum Speed (road) 4.78mph
Type (fuel) Petrol
Maximum Armour Thickness (hull) 22mm
Number (crew) Two
Dimensions
Weight (overall) 6.89-tons
Length 4.1m
Width 1.74m
Height 2.14m
the German barbed wire defences, cross
broken ground and trenches and break the
deadlock of a war reliant on infantry.
Such are the pressures of war, they were
pressed into service before sufficiently
developed and the tactics issued by
the generals and advisors in their first
deployment were not of the best.
Consequently, despite the psychological
effect on the enemy and playing their part
in the advance, many broke down before
reaching their objective. Just under a
quarter remained operational, a further ten
were damaged by the enemy, nine broke
down and five were abandoned. Weighing
in at just over 28 tons when combat-ready,
they were slow and difficult to manoeuvre
and the crew of eight had to withstand
temperatures that peaked at more than
38°C, inside the cramped, noisy and poorly
protected hull. Combined with the petrol
fumes and carbon monoxide from the
engine, no firewall separating the engine
from the crew and a lack of suspension,
these conditions engender great respect
for the crews who fought in them.
The locations of either the six-pound
cannon or machine guns on the flanks
further restricted the field of fire.
But development, modifications and
improvements were made to ensuing
models. In time, a proven case was made
for the tank as an offensive weapon
although it had one obvious shortcoming:
a requirement for a better traverse for
laying down fire against an enemy that lay
dead ahead.
Concurrent with the development and
deployment of the British Mk 1s the
French, under the influence of Gen Jean
Baptiste Estienne, a French artillery
specialist and engineer and thought of
today as the father of the modern tank,
were developing a solution.
The approach was not as organised
as the British under the auspices of
the ‘Landship Committee’ but through
non-collaborating companies. The
first attempt, the ‘Schneider CA1’, the
forerunner of the modern-day assault gun,
was based on a Holt caterpillar tractor
which had been modified and developed
as a wire cutter.
The principal drawbacks of the type were
excess weight, poor cross-country ability
because of long overhangs affecting
approach and departure angles which also
compromised trench crossing ability.
The operation was further hampered by
poor vision and manoeuvrability, but unlike
the Mk 1, it carried one howitzer in a single
sponson and a pair of Hotchkiss machine
guns.
Some of the shortfalls were partially
addressed by an improved version built
by Forges et Acieres de La Marine et
d’Homecourt based in St Chamond near
Lyon. The 30-ton Saint Chamond was
armed with a central forward-facing 75mm
field gun and four Hotchkiss machine Weald Foundation goes to great lengths to obtain the
guns, but it was still difficult to manoeuvre correct equipment for all its exhibits and that extends
and operate, despite electric transmission to researching and authenticating the correct colours
which proved unreliable, a reoccurring scientifically with its paint conservation specialist
partner Lincoln Conservation
theme for these early weapons.
The Schneider saw action in April 1917,
in a misguided assault on the Hindenburg
Line under the overall command of the
French commander-in-chief. Of the 132
Schneiders committed, 57 were destroyed
and many more were rendered incapable
of further use.
Casualty figures neared 120,000 and
during May at Laffaux Mills, three of
the 16 Saint Chamonds deployed were
destroyed.
Before the emergence of the Renault
FT, reliance had been on slow, heavy,
unreliable machines with a limited range. Timber metal banded idler wheel and sprung
It’s only fair to comment that technically suspension made for a softer ride than the earlier
heavy tanks
these machines were the best that could
be engineered at that time.
Still, a rethink was required for a more
versatile and mobile tank. Enter the FT.
Conceived by Gen Jean-Baptiste Estienne
and manufactured under the control of
the Renault Company, it would become
the world’s first mass-produced tank with
a primary role, like the Mk 1, to cut through
barbed wire and provide infantry support.
Gen Estienne approached Louis Renault
who had rejected his initial approach in
1915 with a proposal to manufacture
Leaf-sprung bogies support the track wheels
while the small drive wheel at the rear gives
the track a distinctive sloping profile
The skid at the rear assisted balance and
The Weald Foundation’s Renault helped prevent bogging when crossing craters
FT and TSF side by side. and trenches
THE WEALD FOUNDATION
41

The spartan interior. A seat for the driver and,
on later models, a strap for the commander,
both offer little support. The latter would
stand to operate the weaponry
Simple gearbox lever and track controls fall
easily to hand for the driver
The turret access hatch for the commander is a
tight fit. He would often prefer to ride externally
on the rear of the turret rather than seated or
standing given the interior space and layout
Relatively sophisticated suspension design
with coils and large timber metal banded idler
wheel. Ease of maintenance and repair in the
field was a primary design objective
the first ‘heavy’ tanks. However, a year
later his proposition to develop and build
a lightweight mobile tank met with an
enthusiastic reception from Renault.
Aware of the power limitations of
the petrol engines of the time, Renault
instructed his leading designer Rodolphe
Ernst-Metzmaier to develop a tank around
a Renault engine that would not exceed
seven tons. It should also be easy to
operate and repair in the field, fast, mobile
with a hull offering a narrow frontal profile
and capable of being deployed en-masse
in battle, a method that Gen Estienne
likened to a swarm of bees. It heralded a
radical departure from established tank
design and use.
It also had another first. Although
not a new concept, as it had been
used on various armoured cars in the
past including those manufactured by
Renault, the FT was the first truly modern
tank, with a hand-operated, cast turret
The Renault TSF a tight
fit for the three-man crew
which included a wireless
operator. Note the turret
that could rotate through 360°, a clear
advantage over flank sponson-mounted or
fixed front-mounted armaments.
The prototype of this two-man tank was
completed by February 1917 and met
with approval from high command and an
order was placed with Renault. To counter
initial criticism that it was too lightly
armoured with its ball-mounted 8mm
Hotchkiss machine gun in a cast turret,
Renault designed an eight-sided slightly
sloping riveted steel plate turret known as
the ‘omnibus’ turret.
This was fitted to some of the initial
tanks ordered as it was also capable of
carrying either a machine gun or a 37mm
Puteaux gun as an alternative. The hull
was designed to be a little more than
a man’s width with the driver sitting at
the front and the commander/gunner
standing behind.
Although a leather-slung strap seat was
42
introduced later, it was still necessary to
remain standing when firing. A firewall
separated the crew from the rear-mounted
four-cylinder, gravity-fed petrol engine
which was designed to keep running when
on an incline.
As per its contemporaries, internal noise
was such that verbal communication
between driver and commander was
nigh on impossible, so a system of hand
signals and taps from the commander’s
boot became the norm.
The ride was considerably better than the
heavy assault-type tanks thanks to sprung
suspension and automatic tensioning
of the tracks, although the unprotected
track mechanism including the metal-
banded laminated timber idler wheels was
vulnerable to attack.
The driver gained access via two hatches
in the elongated nose and the commander
via a rear hatch, but the design changed
depending on the type of turret fitted. The
exterior was frequently fitted with the usual
paraphernalia of equipment including a pick,
shovel and chains for towing. A prominent
design feature was the elongated rear skid
to balance the tank when crossing trenches
and craters and hopefully eliminating the
problems of bogging.
The FT was first deployed with the 501st
tank regiment in support of ground troops
on May 31, 1918, near Ploissy-Chazelle
and proved successful when used in
numbers just as Estienne had predicted.
The tank’s size and agility proved useful,
particularly in the forests where larger
tanks could not be deployed.
Nine regiments (the 501st to 509th) were
equipped with FTs for an overall strength
of 27 battalions. Each battalion comprised
of three companies. At full strength, these
were equipped with one armed HQ tank,
three platoons of five tanks, five in reserve,
and a recovery platoon of three tanks, plus
 The Weald Foundation’s FT with seven-
sided turret contrasts with the TSF. The
foundation’s carefully restored Zundapp
KS Type 750 makes up the trio
‘Before the emergence of the Renault FT,
reliance had been on slow, heavy, unreliable machines’
an additional three in reserve per battalion.
Such was the demand for the FT that
an order for 7,820 was placed by the
end of October 1918, encompassing
those generically known as male (with
a howitzer) and female (with a machine
gun), unarmoured training tanks and the
TSF, designed to be the liaison between
tank units and their HQ carrying a crew of
three including a radio operator.
Mechanically the TSF was the same as
the FT but had a fixed armoured turret.
A variant with a 75mm cannon was also
built and the turret design was altered to
accommodate it.
Berliet, Delaunay-Belleville and
SOMUA and Renault were selected as
manufacturers under Renault’s supervision.
An American version, the M1917, was slow
off the blocks and only 64 were completed
before the war ended with a further 952
A radical departure in
tank design from its
predecessors. Although
offering a narrow profile,
the driver was exposed
in this lightly armoured
tank owned by the Weald
Foundation
built comprising radio, gun and machine
gun. A small number were employed by
American forces on the Western Front
with the British using a few for command
purposes.
Following the hostilities of World War One,
the tank was exported across the globe
to Japan, Russia, Poland, Italy, Asia and
Africa. It handled itself well over its long and
distinguished life span. Although obsolete,
poorly armoured and slow, many were put
into battle during World War Two and a
number were captured by the Wehrmacht
army and used for security purposes.
FTs would in later years see action with
Arab forces during the 1948 Arab-Israeli
War while their last use in combat may
have come as late as the 1980s during the
Soviet-Afghan War when some vehicles
were used for roadblocks or as pillboxes.
There are an estimated 41 surviving
43
FTs around the world today. The Weald
Foundation unit, pictured here alongside
an FT TSF, ended its operational life
entombed in concrete as a bunker.
Before being buried, all the interior and
exterior fittings were stripped out, leaving
only the hull, floor, turret and driver’s hatches
in place. The turret disappeared sometime
after the end of World War Two. The
recovery took place over several months,
reflecting the size, weight and number of
plates that had to be recorded, removed and
transported to the foundation’s workshops.
The plates were eventually laid out like a
giant jigsaw puzzle to enable restorers to
photograph and identify each component
and provide a lasting resource for the
research effort to come.
The TSF variant was used as an
observation vehicle or radio/command
tank so that units could stay in contact
with headquarters. The Weald Foundation
said there was a possibility its TSF
was assembled before November 11,
1918. “There is a good chance, given
its registration number 668, that it was
accepted by the French Army. This just
leaves the small matter of which unit
received it,” said a spokesman for the
foundation. “We assumed this information
would be relatively easy to isolate yet
registration number-based issuance records
within any military archives are thin on the
ground.”
Both the FT and FT TSF restorations
were completed in 2018 and the vehicles
were on show at Militracks 2019.
Acknowledgements: Cross and Willey
Tanks from the First World War to the
Present Day. An illustrated History; History
of War.org; Tank Encyclopaedia; The
Weald Foundation
www.cmvmag.co.uk

44
 Photospread 2020

Pictured are Viking vehicles from Armoured Support Group Royal Marines, conducting snow and ice driver training
at Setermoen, approximately 15 miles south of Bardufoss in Norway. As part of Commando Logistics Regiment,
Viking Squadron are 3 Commando Brigade’s experts in protected mobility. Operating the formidable, highly mobile
Viking all-terrain vehicle (protected), they support the lead commando group both on land and at sea. The Viking
has greater step, wade, swim and gap-crossing capabilities than any other fighting vehicle and has the ability
to move rapidly across the majority of different kinds of terrain to outmanoeuvre the enemy. Its ability to swim
allows the brigade to deploy forces rapidly across an area of operations. The primary role of Viking is in protected
mobility for the Marines it transports, it is also used in battlefield reconnaissance, fire support and as a command
platform. Having proved itself in action during numerous tours of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, its main focus
now is on amphibious assault, delivering Marines to the beaches and beyond. CROWN COPYRIGHT

45
 words and pictures James Kinnear

From Tractors
to Tanks
The Stalingrad Tractor Plant was not originally built to produce
tanks, but rather to assemble tractors for agricultural purposes

T
he Stalingrad Tractor Plant
(STZ) is one of the most famous
military production plants in
history, not least due to its status
as having remained in production until the
plant itself became the epicentre of the
battle that turned the war on the Eastern
Front in favour of the Soviet Union.
Stories of unpainted tanks moving
directly into combat may be slightly
exaggerated, but the location of the
plant and its central role in the battle
of Stalingrad are historical facts. The
plant was not however originally built to
produce tanks, but rather to assemble
tractors for agricultural purposes. Tank
production was a later consideration, as
it was at several Soviet manufacturing
plants now primarily known for tank
production.
The city of Stalingrad, as with several
cities on the Volga river, is very long
but also narrow, stretching today 70km
along the west bank of the River Volga.

46
 As such, the whole city was within enemy
artillery range for much of the battle,
the results of which can still be seen in
places today.
The city was renamed Volgograd in
1961 as part of the Soviet de-Stalinisation
programme following Stalin’s death in 1953.
The Battle of Stalingrad began in August
1942, when the German 6th Army and 4th
Panzer Army started the attack on the city
and its environs. It lasted until the surrender
of the aforementioned army by Gen Friedrich
Von Paulus in February 1943 after the last
Axis-held airstrip in the region had been
captured, denying resupply from the air.
Stalingrad was one of the largest battles
in the history of land warfare, with the Red
The Stalingrad developed STZ-15/30, built-in Army facing down German, Romanian,
Stalingrad as the STZ-1, was later also built at the Hungarian and other Axis forces. The
Kharkov Tractor Plant (KhTZ). This Kharkov-built
example is in the (old) military museum in Minsk actual losses are disputed, but Axis
forces lost between 647,000 and 948,000
killed, wounded and captured. The Red
Army lost an estimated 479,000 killed
or missing in action in the immediate
environs of Stalingrad. Comparing
A destroyed these figures with the combined Allied
SKhTZ-15-30 losses for all of World War Two gives
(Kharkov- built)
tractor in the some perspective as to the intensity and
summer of 1941 ferocity of the single battle.

47

A typical retouched Soviet-era illustration of
STZ-3 tractors at the STZ plant in April 1945,
after production had restarted according to the
original photograph caption
Early Days
The STZ was originally built to produce
wheeled and tracked tractors for use
in industry and agriculture, and latterly
also for the Red Army. The STZ-15/30,
sometimes also designated STZ-1, was
the first series-production tractor built
in the Soviet Union for agricultural use
as the country rapidly modernised and
mechanised in the early 1930s.
The huge STZ factory on the banks of the
River Volga began production of the STZ-1
‘International’ tractor with the design and
engineering assistance of the McCormick
Company. The first STZ-1 wheeled tractor
left the STZ production line on June 17,
1930. By 1932, the plant was producing
144 STZ-1 tractors per day.
The STZ-1 was a rudimentary ‘all-metal’
tractor, with even the road wheels being
made entirely of stamped parts, but
eminently suitable for Russian agricultural
conditions. From 1931, production of the
same tractor began at the Kharkov Tractor
Plant (KhTZ) as the SKhTZ-NATI.

An interior photograph
of the plant taken
A grainy photograph showing an STZ-3 in the in the 1930s.
despatch area of the STZ plant in Stalingrad WIKICOMMONS

A restored STZ-3 at the

Military Glory of the Urals
Museum, Verkhnyaya
Pyshma, Russia. JOHN HAM

and lighter tractors, STZ delivered only a

STZ-5 artillery tractors, produced alongside the
T-34 tank at the STZ plant, awaiting delivery
acceptance by the Red Army
The distinctive features of the Stalingrad
produced welded turret T-34 include the turret
undercut and sight arrangements
T-26 Light Tank Production
In the early 1930s, a special design and
experimental department was organised
within STZ, with the task of preparing
design documentation to modify the T-26
tank for series production at STZ.
The same team at STZ would also later
work on preparing the T-34 for series
production at the plant.
In August 1933, Workshop №2 was
completed at STZ, specifically organised
to produce T-26 light tanks as a secondary
production centre to primary T-26 production
at the Leningrad Kirov Plant (LKZ).
The first five T-26 tanks produced at STZ
were delivered to the Red Army by the
end of 1933. However, due to difficulties
related to conversion to the assembly of
armoured vehicles rather than simpler
further 23 T-26 tanks to the Red Army in
1934, albeit with the number rising to a
still modest 115 tanks delivered in 1935.
These were minuscule numbers by
Soviet production standards, but before
the outbreak of war, STZ remained
primarily a tractor rather than a tank
production plant. Production of the T-26
tank would nevertheless be a particularly
useful learning experience considering the
future importance of STZ in Stalingrad.
STZ-3 Tracked Agricultural Tractor
From 1933, work began at the National
Automotive and Tractor Institute (NATI)
in Moscow on a new tracked agricultural
tractor for production at the tractor plants
in Kharkov and Stalingrad. The STZ-3
tracked agricultural tractor was built at STZ
from 1937 until 1952, during which time
some 191,000 vehicles were produced.
Although primarily an agricultural tractor,
the STZ-3, powered by a four-cylinder petrol
(multi-fuel) engine developing 52hp, had a
tow capacity of five metric tonnes. It was
widely used by the Red Army during the
initial phase of World War Two when large
numbers were pressed into military service.
The same tractor design was also

48
 The STZ-3 was later adapted specifically
as a forward control cab artillery tractor for
military service. This is a prototype STZ-5
based on the STZ-3 chassis but with forward
control cab, rear cargo area and ‘road’ tracks.
MIKHAIL SVIRIN

The plant in Kharkov had, by 1940,

almost a decade of experience in tank
production, having developed the T-12 and
T-24 medium tanks, and series-produced
the BT series of ‘fast tanks’ and the T-35
heavy tank. By contrast, the STZ plant had

‘By 1932, the plant was been built to produce wheeled and tracked
tractors for agriculture and industry, albeit
producing 144 STZ-1 with the Red Army latterly taking delivery
of more specialised tractors for use as
tractors per day’ artillery and general-purpose transport use.
In 1940, the same department within
STZ that had earlier organised limited T-26
built in Kharkov as the SKhTZ-NATI. built, making the STZ-5 one of the most production at STZ worked to prepare the
The ‘S’ meaning ‘Selskoye Khozeistvo’ common of all Red Army specialised Kharkov-designed T-34 medium tank for
– agricultural use, KhTZ being the artillery tractors. production at the same plant.
manufacturer and NATI the Moscow- STZ used the technical documentation
based tractor design bureau where the T-34 Medium Tank Production provided by Plant №183 in Kharkov to
design was originally penned - for series Production of the T-34 was originally develop T-34 production in Stalingrad, with
production at Stalingrad and Kharkov. planned at Plant №183 (the former modifications to allow for local production
Kharkov Steam Locomotive Plant - KhPZ) requirements and alternative local sub-
STZ-5 Artillery Tractor and the ‘Dzherzhinsky’ plant (STZ) in component contractors.
As the STZ-3 agricultural tractor was being Stalingrad on the banks of the River Volga By comparison with Plant №183 in
developed at the NATI institute in Moscow, in southern Russia. Kharkov, T-34 production was also
work was undertaken in parallel on a
forward control cab version specifically
The Stalingrad STZ-5 on
designed as a medium artillery tractor for
parade on Red Square,
the Red Army. The STZ-5 featured a small Moscow, May 1, 1940
cab and a rear cargo area to accommodate
the gun crew and ammunition.
Mechanically the STZ-5 was identical
to the STZ-3, but it was fitted with small
link ‘road’ tracks as opposed to the
grouser tracks of the agricultural STZ-1,
which were designed for fields rather
than road transport. The load platform
could accommodate 1,500kg, and the
STZ-5 could tow artillery of up to 8,000kg.
The STZ-5 was built at STZ from 1937
until 1942, latterly in parallel with T-34
assembly until production was terminated
as all priority was by then on tank output.
A total of 9,900 STZ-5 tractors were

49

An STZ-5 in Red Army service, complete with
guitar carrying gun crewman, August 1942
An STZ-produced T-34 turret, now located at the
Central Armed Forces Museum in Moscow
T-34 turrets, of cast and welded construction,
are today located at strategic points around
modern Volgograd defining specific points in
the Battle of Stalingrad
This T-34 M-1942 today stands outside the former
STZ plant in Volgograd in proud recognition of the
workers who kept the plant operating during the
1941-45 ‘Great Patriotic War’
slow to start at STZ and pre-war remained
more modest in scale, with only 226 STZ
built T-34 tanks being delivered to the Red
Army before the outbreak of the ‘Great
Patriotic War’ on June 22, 1941. The plant
continued to assemble new T-34s on a
massively increased scale during the war
and undertook capital repairs of damaged
T-34 tanks and the repair of V-2 diesel and
M-17 petrol engines. After the evacuation
of the Kharkov plant to Siberia in the
autumn of 1941, the STZ plant remained
one of the main suppliers of new tanks to
the Red Army until the early summer of
1942. By this time the newly-established
‘Tankograd’ cities of Chelyabinsk (ChKZ
also having formerly been a tractor plant),
Nizhny Tagil and Sverdlovsk were online
and Axis forces were threatening the loss
of Stalingrad. Production of T-34 tanks was
STZ produced T-34 tanks during delivery acceptance. Note the mix of cast and
welded turrets, the latter with the distinctive STZ ‘chisel’ in the frontal turret
armour, the sloped STZ gun mantlet shield and the all-steel road wheels
finally stopped at STZ only on September
13, 1942, when the fighting was literally
on the territory of the plant. STZ produced
a total of 3,405 T-34 tanks during the war
before being temporarily overrun during
the battle that sealed the fate of the Third
Reich on the Eastern Front.
T-60 Small Tank Production
In addition to T-34 production at STZ,
tank production was also undertaken at
Plant №264 at Krasnoarmeisk, then a
suburb of Stalingrad. The Krasnoarmeisk
shipyard had been established in 1931,
being renamed Plant №264 in 1940,
at which time it was primarily building
Type 1124 river launches which were
armed with T-28, and latterly T-34
turrets. From 1940, the plant built T-34
hull and turret armour sets which were
shipped to the nearby STZ plant for final
assembly. But after the outbreak of war
and the evacuation of Kharkov and its
manufacturing facilities, the plant began
to produce complete T-60 ‘small’ tanks
50
as they were referred to in official Soviet
documentation, using hull and turrets sets
provided by the ‘Krasny Oktyabr’ (Red
October) plant in Stalingrad.
Hence the situation whereby Plant №264
built T-34 hull and turret sets for final
assembly at STZ, while receiving T-60 hull
and turret sets from the nearby Krasny
Oktyabr plant for final assembly of T-60
tanks within its territory. These plants are
not as widely publicised as the STZ plant
but were equally critical in the defence of
the city in its darkest hours.
In total, starting from the autumn of
1941, Plant №264 built 1,174 T-60 tanks
before production ceased in July 1942
to concentrate on the production of T-34
components for STZ and also due to
the T-60 having been replaced at a state
instruction level by the better armed
and armoured T-70 light tank - primarily
produced at GAZ in Gorky.
Stalingrad Today
Stalingrad, today Volgograd, was always
a city with a large industrial presence. As
with other cities such as Chelyabinsk, the
founding of a tractor plant would in the
years ahead form the basis of mass tank
production that would play a determining
role in the outcome of the war on the
Eastern Front.
As has been related, the T-34 production
at STZ is the best-known result of the
industrialisation of the city and its role in
the subsequent war, but there were, and
remain, several other defence plants in
the city the role of which was also not
inconsiderable.
It is an amazing feat that STZ, which
began producing rudimentary wheeled
tractors in 1930, would only one decade
later be producing the T-34 medium tank,
while a shipyard along the river would also
be producing smaller tanks. For a few

The T-60 tank was also
assembled in Stalingrad in
1941-42 at Plant №264, which
also fabricated T-34 hull and
turret sets for final assembly
at STZ along the river
months after the fall of Kharkov, STZ was,
in fact, the main T-34 production centre,
while mass T-34 assembly was being
re-organized behind the safety of the Ural
Mountains in Siberia.
As with the situation with the Siege of
Leningrad, having a tank assembly plant
located within the city, two in the case
of Stalingrad, played no small part in the
eventual outcome of events.
As might be expected, modern Volgograd
still has many visible references to the
famous role of the city as the turning point
of World War Two on the Eastern Front.
The famous Gerhardt Mill building
remains in the state it was left after the
battle, a sobering reminder of just how
hard-fought the battle was, the building and
‘The old STZ factory remains in production today, with a T-34
M-1942 located on a plinth outside the main office entrance’
nearby museum now being surrounded by
a collection of tanks and other vehicles.
The old STZ factory remains in production
today, with a T-34 M-1942 located on a
plinth outside the main office entrance.
Another T-34 is plinth-mounted as a
memorial in the south of the city, with a
third T-34 behind the massive monument
to Mother Russia at Mamaev Kurgan, the
hill to the west of the city centre which
dominates the landscape.
As is often related, grass would not grow
on the hill for many years after the war due
to the sheer level of metals embedded in
the earth on one of the most contested
areas of ground on the planet.
Another specific feature of Volgograd
today is the pedestal-mounted tank
51
turrets located around the city centre, that
demarcate the front line at different times
of the battle, which ultimately included
the territory of the Stalingrad Tractor Plant
itself.
The turrets are an ever-present reminder
of the past, not imposing, but omnipresent,
standing guard around the modern city,
something hard to capture in words alone.
Military production remains a major
enterprise in modern Volgograd, with
the manufacture of everything from light
armoured vehicles to the final assembly
of road-mobile intercontinental rocket
systems.
But in Volgograd, it is the sense of history
that prevails, a city that would not surrender
despite the odds, but also would ultimately
witness the surrender of the German 6th
Army and 4th Panzer Army, and the capture
of the remaining 91,000 troops of what
was at one time a force of over well over
600,000 men.
For those interested, they can research the
varying statistics, but the Red Army claims
to have recovered more than 250,000
German, Romanian and Hungarian Axis
fallen on the battlefield, with totals as high
as 800,000 Axis soldiers killed, wounded,
captured or missing in action.
To give some sense of scale, that is
more than eight times the entire size of
the current British Army lost in a single
battle.
And the STZ tractor plant was
metaphorically and physically at the very
epicentre of the battle, known around the
world even to those with no interest in
history, military or otherwise.
A Red Army T-34 M-1942
with sledge and 7.62mm
M-1910 ‘Maxim’ machine
gun in the area of
Stalingrad, December 1942.
D. VELIKZHANIN
 words David Garden pictures David Garden / as credited

French
Four-Wheeled

Fl a i r
T
here have been mixed opinions on the
value of armoured cars, particularly
concerning four-wheeled vehicles.
The US armoured forces did not
value their contribution in World War Two and
discontinued their development and service.
Other nations such as Britain and France found
them useful for reconnaissance and policing
and went on to develop successful vehicles
after 1945. France produced a great example in
the Panhard AML, but its Gallic flair was based
on a solid British design.
France entered World War Two fielding one of
the best four-wheeled armoured cars in the world,
the Panhard 178. The Germans used as many
captured vehicles as they could, believing it was
at least as good as their designs. After the war
in July 1945, Paris decided to develop modern
armoured cars such as the Panhard EBR which
entered service in 1950.
Meanwhile, the French had been supplied
with several Daimler Ferret armoured cars from
Britain. These proved successful in the Algerian
war due to their mechanical reliability, but like
France’s other armoured cars such as the M8
Greyhound, lacked fire-support weapons.
North African service showed the need for a
The Panhard AML has
light vehicle that was simple to maintain and proved that wheeled
operate.
The Ferret was ideal, and France ordered armour can have military
200 from the UK and seriously considered
building the Ferret under licence in France. The
value in the hands of well
single machine gun armament was, however, trained and motivated
considered inadequate and French firms of
Saviem, Berliet and Panhard petitioned vigorously crews
to produce an armoured car with heavier
armament.
In 1956 the Ministère de la Défense gave

52
 Left-hand
view of
Saumur’s
AML-60. This
is painted in
French Olive
Green

‘France entered World War

Two fielding one of the best
four-wheeled armoured cars
in the world’

53
 Front view of Israeli AML-90 at Latrun
SPECIFICATIONS museum. The vehicle is finished in IDF
Type Armoured Scout Car sand-grey. WIKICOMMONS
Nationality France
Manufacturer Panhard
Production 1960-1987
Number produced 4,812
Engine Panhard petrol 1.99 litre four-
cylinder air-cooled developing 90hp at
4,700rpm
Power/Weight ratio 16.36/tonne
Ground clearance 0.33m (1 ft1in)
Fuel Capacity 156 litres (41 US gallons)
Operational range 370 miles (600km)
Speed 37mph (60km/h)
Crew Three-commander, gunner and driver

Dimensions
Mass 5.5 tonnes (six tons)
Length 3.79m
Width 1.9m
Height 2.07m

out specifications for a French-designed wheeled

armoured car of similar size and layout to the
Ferret but armed with a breech loading mortar.
Panhard produced the Auto Mitrailleuse Légère
(AML) or light armoured car by 1959.
This was designated the Model 245 ‘B’ by
Panhard. All vehicles were manufactured at
one factory near the Porte de Choisy in the 13th
arrondissement of Paris until Panhard was taken
over by Citroën in the 1960s. In this period more
than 4,000 vehicles had been produced. Mass
production of the AML stopped in the late 1980s,
but AMLs were sold from French Army stocks up
to 1999.
Prototypes were completed in mid-1959. The
vehicle was armed with a 60mm Brandt gun-
mortar (up to 53 rounds stored) and two MAS
AA-52 NF-1 machine guns in a rounded turret.
The main armament had a maximum elevation
of 80° and depression of 15°. Sighting was by
optics through an M112/3 monocular telescope
combined with a binocular periscope.
By the end of 1961, at least one regiment in
Algeria was equipped with the vehicle. The AML
was very successful in the Algerian campaign but A rear view of the AML-60 as it leaves the arena
after that conflict ended the need for a mortar-
carrying vehicle ceased. Thought turned to the
threat from the Soviet Union and a Warsaw Pact
invasion.
South Africa had bought the AML armed with
the 60mm mortar. After considering buying the
Alvis Saladin, the South Africans asked Panhard
to up-arm the AML. This led to the AML-245 ‘C’
design which was armed with a 90mm rifled gun
in a new H-90 turret. The gun fired fin-stabilised
shaped charge projectiles with a muzzle velocity
of 760 m/s and had an elevation of +15° and
depression of - 8°.
The 90mm HEAT round could penetrate 320mm
of armour and 120mm armour inclined at 60°.
This meant that the AML-90 could even take on
main battle tanks. Fin-stabilised high-explosive
(HE) rounds could also be fired. With the larger
gun, the number of onboard stowed rounds fell
Saumur tank museum’s Panhard AML-90
from 53 in the Panhard-60 to 20 in the 90mm
sits in the sun. The vehicle is finished in
armed vehicle. the French three-tone NATO camouflage
As the AML lacks hydraulically assisted steering

54
it needs a big effort to turn the steering wheel
on the move. Like the Ferret, rear-wheel drive is
transmitted by bevel boxes.
No clutch pedal is needed as the motor
and gearbox are linked by a centrifugal clutch
with electromagnetic control. There are two
gearboxes, one each for high (on-road) and low
gear (off-road). Power is supplied by a Panhard
1.99-litre, four-cylinder, air-cooled engine giving
90hp (67kW). This proved underpowered for a
six-tonne armoured car and was liable to break
down in humid climates. In temperate climates, it
was adequate and gave 26,000km service before
replacement.
The AML has a simple hull consisting of only
13 welded armour plates. The driver sits in the
front and behind him is the turret basket. The Side view of the UN
latter is extremely cramped due to the large Panhard shows how
the 90mm gun and
90mm gun breech and ammunition storage.
turret dominates the
The commander sits on the left of the turret little vehicle
and the gunner on the right. Seven periscopes
are provided for the turret crew and three for
the driver, one of which can be changed for an Irish peacekeeping
infra-red or image intensifying periscope for troops with UN white-
night operations. painted AML-90.
There are two hull access doors, one on either IRISH DEFENCE FORCES /
side below the turret ring. The left door which WIKICOMMONS
mounts a spare tyre or fuel Jerrycans opens to
the rear in opposite to the front opening right
hull door. The rear-mounted engine is separated
from the crew compartment by a bulkhead and
accessed by two panels in the rear hull top.
For crossing obstacles such as ditches, two
sand channels are bolted to the hull front as on
the Ferret. The AML uses nitrogen inner tubes to
enable the car to have run-flat tyre capability.
Due to its simplicity of operation, low running
costs and powerful armament the Panhard AML
was an export success. Sales were mostly to
African, South American and Far East militaries.
However, Israel (29 AML-90s), South Africa (100
AMLs), Spain (140 AML-60 and 90s) and Ireland
(33 AMLs) were also customers.
I found no fewer than 36 current operators
with varying numbers of vehicles. Kenya has 82
refurbished by the Israelis, Saudi Arabia has 235
operational vehicles, the United Arab Emirates
have 90 and Yemen has 95 still in service. With
such large sales to so many users, it is not
surprising that the combat history of the Panhard
AML is a long one.
After the Algerian War, France saw two
separate uses for the AML. The first was the
classic armoured car use in reconnaissance
and combat and the second as a rear-guard
defence in the case of Warsaw Pact airborne
forces which had indigenous armour such as the
ASU-57, ASU-85 and BMD-1. The latter French
forces were designated Défense Opérationnelle
du Territoire (DOT) and were armed with AML-60
and AML-90s.
The air portable AML became a stable of the
Foreign Legion’s rapid deployment force. The
legion perfected assaults where AML-90s were
directly unloaded from Transall C-160s with
infantry parachute drops. AMLs were used
by the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment as direct
fire support for legion regiments. The AML-90
saw combat against FROLINAT rebels in Chad,
defeating forces equipped with BTR-152s, EE-9
Cascavel armoured cars and even T-55 tanks.
The AML’s speed and mobility allowed the French
crews to take on the main battle tanks by

55
outflanking them and hitting the tanks on the
sides and rear. The last AMLs were retired from
the French army in 1991 being replaced with the
Panhard ERC and AMX-10RC.
Portugal acquired about 50 AML-60s from
France between 1965 and 1968. These equipped
reconnaissance platoons in Angola, Mozambique
and Guinea-Bissau being largely used for convoy
escort duties. The African dust and tropical
environment caused transmission and engine
damage which led to the engines being replaced
by a liquid-cooled four-cylinder General Motors
powerplant. When Portugal withdrew from
Angola, about five AML-60s were taken over by
Angolan militias.
Israel obtained 29 AML-90s for its Defence
Force (IDF) in 1960 believing the high mobility and
simplicity ideal for airborne forces. About nine
AML-90s were used in the Six-Day War helping
to capture Ramallah. Later they were the first IDF
armour to cross onto the West Bank, the heavier
armour having been held up by tank barriers
which the nimble armoured cars could bypass.
Joined later by Sherman tanks and M3 half-
tracks, the AMLs helped to repulse a Jordanian
counter-attack led by M48 Patton tanks.
In the War of Attrition, Israeli AML-90s battled
Jordanian M48s when screening Israeli
Centurions during the battle of Karameh.
Several were knocked out by tank-fire from the
entrenched M48s and the type was withdrawn
from service soon after. However, in Israeli
service, the AML-90 knocked out at least 13
Egyptian and Jordanian tanks including T-54s.
The latter required multiple hits or a well-aimed
shot on the turret rim near the driver’s hatch.
Panhard won an order for the Royal Saudi
Army against opposition from Alvis UK (Saladin)
and Cadillac Gage US (V-100 Commando). The
Saudi Army had favoured the Saladin but the
AML-90 was much cheaper. Saudi AML-90s were
airlifted by Iranian Lockheed C-130s to assist
Syrian defenders on October 1973 during the
Yom Kippur War. The AMLs were used as static
guard vehicles and to patrol the Damascus to
Daraa road keeping open lines of communication
between the Arab armies. At least one AML-90
was captured and displayed by the Israelis as
proof of Saudi involvement.
The IDF’s 36th Armoured Division fought Saudi
AMLs on reconnaissance duties on October 16,
but the Saudis quickly withdrew. Shortly after,
all the Saudi AMLs attacked Israeli forces in the
The line-up of ex-Saudi army
AML-60s and AML-90s in the
service of the army of Niger.
WIKICOMMONS
A pair of French AML-60s patrol in Africa. Both are
camouflage-painted and carry sand channels. FORUM
WARTHUNDER.COM
An AML-90 of the Lebanese Army waits by a building
in Beirut. This picture indicates the type of fighting
that took place in the ruins of buildings. WIKICOMMONS
village of Tel Merai where the IDF claimed to have
destroyed most of the Saudi armour. Surviving
AMLs and their crews were integrated with the
Jordanian 40th Armoured Brigade. Saudi Arabia
ordered a further 200 to 220 AML-90s in 1968.
The Saudi Army has phased out its AMLs and
exported many to Senegal, Morocco and Niger.
Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) received 74
AML-90s between 1970 and 1975 which saw
Boxart from one of Takom’s AML-90 models.
This is a limited edition French regiments edition
56
considerable action in the civil war. Many were
stolen by LAF members joining local militias and
the remaining vehicles suffered from a shortage
of trained crews. Lebanese Front AML-90s in the
Port District of Beirut fought Charioteer tanks
of the Lebanese Arab Army (LAA) and Amal
militants. The crews used debris from buildings to
shield their vehicles from RPG-7 fire from Muslim
infantrymen.
The powerful 90mm guns on the Panhards
demolished fortified buildings with HE fire
and, supported by truck-mounted ZSU-23-2
anti-aircraft guns, overcame all resistance and
advanced to the waterfront. Counter-attacks led
by Charioteers and M41 Walker Bulldogs could
not make their way through the rubble and could
only offer inaccurate fire on the AML-90s.
Iraq received 106 AML-60 and 40 AML-90s
during 1968 and 131 AML-60s and 101 AML-90s
between 1972 and 1980.
The Iraqi Panhards first saw action in the 1980
invasion of Iran where several were knocked out
by Iranian Cobra attack helicopters. In the 1991
AMLs were used against US Marine Corps and
Saudi National Guard during the Battle of Khafji.
The Iraqis failed to use the Panhard’s mobility
and stuck to static positions where they were
destroyed by artillery. During the liberation of
Kuwait, Iraqi AMLs were knocked out by attack
helicopters before they could observe or attack
coalition forces. Others were knocked out by US
M1 Abrams tanks.
In the Falklands War, Argentinian forces
deployed 12 AML-90s near Port Stanley. The only
armour vs armour engagement of that war was
fought when the Argentinian AMLs took on FV101
Scorpions and FV107 Scimitars of the Blues and
Royals. All the Panhards were abandoned in Port
Stanley shortly after.
The Panhard AML has proved that wheeled
armour, simple to operate and maintain, can be of
considerable military value. In the hands of well
trained and motivated crews, these vehicles can
take on tanks and very much punch above their
weight.
If you want to model the Panhard AML in 1/35th
scale you are in luck. The AML-60 has been
produced by Takom and the AML-90 by both
Takom and Tiger Model (the latter includes a full
interior.) As usual, thanks must go to Lt Col Pierre
de Garnier de Labareyre of Saumur tank museum
for his kind permission to use photographs taken
at the museum.
GrahamSykes_FP.indd 1 01/12/2017 16:47

I
n mechanical terms, the German A7V
was a much better tank than the British
Mark IV, its closest contemporary. The
A7V had a much more sophisticated
transmission and a proper sprung
suspension, albeit tucked under an
armoured shell and lacking the sort of
profile suited to rough, uneven ground.
The German tank was also rather top-
heavy and prone to fall over at the least
provocation. However, the main drawback
seems to have been the disparity in
numbers; only 20 A7V were completed,
whereas almost 1,000 Mark IV fighting
tanks were built. So on that score alone,
the A7V was outnumbered by about 50 to
one.
Although several firms were recruited
to manufacture different parts of the
tank, final construction was undertaken
by Daimler-Benz of Marienfelde, Berlin
The A7V Sturm
Panzerkraftwagen
How did the World War One German A7V compare
to the British Mark IV? David Fletcher investigates
words and pictures David Fletcher
with Holt-style tracks and suspension
from Austria. True, the Germans did
try to overcome the track problem with
their A7V/U design, but it was tied to a
conventional A7V chassis and performed
badly during its trials.
The A7V/U weighed around 40 tons,
compared with 28 tons of a Mark IV, the
prototype tested at Mainz on June 25,
1918. Twenty production tanks were
ordered in September 1918, but none had
been built by the time the armistice came
into effect, so no more appeared.
One of the problems was that the
A7V played second fiddle to the supply
tank version, the chassis made quite
a good tractor but not a tank. Another
problem, due as much as anything else
to in-fighting in the Prussian military
system, was the diversion of chassis for
other purposes. For example, three were
58
completed as unarmoured Flakpanzers,
armed with captured Russian 7.62mm
guns, while one appeared, again
unarmoured, as a mobile trench-digging
machine. Both were perfectly acceptable
variants but perhaps not at such an early
stage of tank production, which was
already at the mercy of limited supplies of
armour plate.
A typical A7V in fighting trim weighed
about 33 tons. It was powered by a pair
of Daimler, four-cylinder, water-cooled
engines rated at 100hp each and located
side by side in the centre of the vehicle.
Since the two engines together
developed 200hp, the German tank was
a good deal more powerful than the
British Mark IV. However, it was said that
a pair of engines doubled the time for
maintenance since each one required the
same treatment.
The A7V-U prototype No 524, sometimes named
Hedi. It proved to be too heavy, too wide and
unstable so it was not developed, but it turned
up in Berlin after the war in a different guise

It is a problem the British Whippet of
1917 and, much later, of course, the A12
Matilda of 1938 were also subjected to.
One British report says that the engines
were difficult to service where they were
and that an engine would probably have
to be removed to work on, but you can
hardly expect a British investigator to be
objective, let alone charitable about an
enemy tank.
The Daimler engines drove into two
three-speed gearboxes contained within a
large casting, the final drive of which was
so low at the rear of the tank that it tended
to compromise the ground clearance.
Reverse was separate and applied to all
three speeds since the idea was that the
A7V could travel in both directions, but
only backwards for short distances since
the driver was always facing the other way.
A British report said that it was possible
to drive each engine, and therefore each
track in opposite directions, creating what
was in effect a neutral turn. Since there
were a pair of reverse gear levers acting
Hagen 528 and Wotan
563 during the advance
through Villers-Bretonneux
on 24 April 1918
An A7V tank chassis
under construction
showing the engine
layout and radiators,
enormous gearbox
casing at the rear and
the fuel tanks in front
on the gearboxes this was not a problem.
The A7V had a minimum crew of 18
which included a driver and commander
who occupied a platform above the
engines and sat facing forwards towards
the gun. Other crew included two men
nominated as engineers – who were
supposed to be able to fix a faulty engine
59
and deal with other mechanical problems
– a gunner and loader each to man six
machine-gun positions around the hull
plus a gunner and loader working the
57mm gun at the front of the tank.
A larger crew was often carried,
sometimes bringing the total up to 24
men. Not only could some of these men
replace wounded members of the existing
crew if required, but they were also carried
to jump down and occupy captured
trenches. At first, the plan was to produce
male and female versions of the A7V.
Females would predominate and out of
every ten tanks, only two would be male.
The gun chosen was a 57mm Nordenfelt
weapon captured from Belgian sources
but originally British, which meant that it
was very similar to the 57mm Hotchkiss
gun in British tanks.
Armour was 30mm thick at the front,
20mm at the back and 15mm thick
everywhere else. Some of the tanks later
had extra armour fitted around the driver’s
cabin at the top which seems to have come
from the mudguards. Armour produced by
Krupp at Essen was found to be bent and
An underside view of Elfriede after
the tank tumbled into a hole and
turned over. Note how the final
drives are below chassis-level
impossible to fit in one piece, so it was cut
up and applied as five individual panels
each side, joined by two rows of rivets.
The remaining tanks had a large single
panel of armour on each side, all tanks
had ventilation louvres in the roof and at
the top of the body, in the centre, was a
raised cab for the driver and commander.
It had hinged flaps on all surfaces to
enable the driver to see where he was
going and the commander to view the
battlefield.
The A7V had a top speed of about
10km/h against about 4mph (6km/h) of a
Mark IV but show an A7V a wide trench or
a hole in the ground and it invariably got

Breaking up the A7V Schnuck at the
original Imperial War Museum site at the
Crystal Palace
Nixe II at Aberdeen Proving Ground shortly
before it was scrapped
Mephisto, the only surviving A7V in
Brisbane, Queensland
Uberlandwagen on the road, loaded
with stores
stuck or rolled over.
If a Mark IV wanted to hit anything with
its side-mounted guns it was best to
stop, otherwise, vibration made accurate
shooting impossible. On the move, an A7V
made a better gun platform, due to its
sprung suspension.
One of the problems we have when trying
to tell an accurate story is the different
attitude of British and German reporters
or their supporters. For example, take the
events of April 24, 1918, the day of the
very first tank versus tank action.
It was described as the ‘Day of Triumph’
in one book devoted to German tanks.
According to Frank Mitchell, who
commanded a British Mark IV male
tank, on this occasion, he ordered the
tank to halt to enable the gunner to aim
and therefore score several hits on the
German tank, one of which killed or
wounded some members of the
German crew.
A German account says that seeing the
British male tank stopped, they assumed
it had broken down or been knocked out,
so they turned their attention to a pair
of female tanks that were also in the
vicinity. If true this was a dangerous, not
to mention a foolish thing to do, the male
tank was a threat to the A7V, the females
could not hurt it, so a couple of rounds
into it, even if it was incapacitated, would
be the prudent thing to do.
Anyway, the A7V stopped, and Lt Biltz,
who commanded it (the German tank No.
561 was named Nixe) ordered the crew
to evacuate it in case it blew up. Once it
was apparent that the tank was not going
to blow up the crew got back in again, the
tank began to make its way back towards
Villers-Bretonneux where it had come
from.
It only managed about 2km before it
60
ran out of lubricating oil and had to be
abandoned. The oil shortage was caused
by a leak which started when it was hit by
a British shell, so one way or another the
British tank had knocked out the German
machine.
Even so, the result has been called
a stalemate by one author. Nixe was
ultimately recovered by the Germans
but two other A7V tanks – 504 Mephisto
and 542 Elfriede were abandoned, the
latter having rolled over. In due course
both were recovered by the Allies and
Mephisto, now in Brisbane, Australia, is
the only surviving A7V from World
War One.
Two A7V tanks, Hagen 528 and Schnuck
504 were captured and displayed for
some time on Horse Guards Parade in
The remains of the
Uberlandwagen at
Aldershot where
it had been taken
for evaluation after
the war
London. One of them, probably Schnuck,
then joined the Imperial War Museum’s
open-air collection at Crystal Palace but
was ultimately broken up.
Today only the gun from one of them
survives. A7V No. 562 Herkules was also
captured by British troops but does not
seem to have left France.
The French recovered No. 542 Elfriede
and displayed her with other captured
equipment in Paris but she too was
ultimately broken up. The US received
529 Nixe II in a rather battered condition
and had the tank on display at Aberdeen
Proving Ground in Maryland, but it was
towed away and scrapped in 1942. Now
there is only one left, No 506 Mephisto,
although the Germans have built a non-
operating replica to full size and named it
Wotan.
What I knew as an uberlandwagen is
now called a gelandwagen but I shall
simply refer to the supply carrier version
as a tractor.
The exact number built is still being
 A poor but unusual picture of a topless Uberlandwagen
towing a captured Mark IV female tank backwards.
Considering a Mark IV weighs 28 tons that’s quite a load
for one of these machines to tow
argued about, but it seems that 75 was
about the top limit (although certain
sources say no more than 30). In any
case, it outnumbered the tank and without
the armoured superstructure had an
improved cross-country performance.
The German firm Durkoppwerke of
Bielefeld came up with a rival design of
supply carrier, the chassis of which could
also serve to mount a tank body, but it was
regarded as underpowered and was never
considered to replace the Bussing design.
The tractor seems to have had a payload
of around four tons, carried in the front
and rear trays. Side and end pieces could
be removed if required but this seems
never to have happened in service.
Artillery ammunition appears to have
been a popular load although of course,
the vehicles could carry almost anything.
Some sources credit the vehicle with a
total payload of ten tons, which it was
probably capable of carrying but the
extra weight would inhibit cross-country
performance and could obstruct the view
forward of the two-man crew.
As a tractor, it is said to be capable of
towing 15 tons yet there is a photograph
of one apparently towing a British Mark
IV tank, which weighed 28 tons, so such
figures probably depend to some extent on
the kind of ground they are towing over.
61
The tractor had a pair of heavy-duty
towing hooks attached to the chassis at
each end. One tractor described as a ‘land
boat’ that was captured in October 1918
was shipped to Britain after the war and
joined a huge dump of captured vehicles
at Aldershot.
It was examined and a report was
written, two extracts from which have
already been quoted. Measurements
showed that it already exceeded the
British railway loading gauge and it
appears to have been stripped to the
basics to overcome this. It was broken up
when finished with, so no example of this
interesting vehicle survives.
‘On good
ground, the
A7V had a
top speed
of about
10km/h’
An Uberlandwagen wearing a swastika as
a unit symbol showing its improved cross-
country ability compared with the tank
 words Bill Siuru pictures as credited

Made in the
USSR Bill Siuru looks at the Soviet offshoots
of the International KR-11

SPECIFICATIONS
Type ZiL 150
Wheelbase 4m
Overall Length 6.7m
Width 2.4m
Turning Radius 7.9m
GVWR 7,899
Payload 4,000kg
Tyres 9.00x20

Engine
No of cylinder Six
Displacement (cc) 5,555
Horsepower 90 @ 2400 rpm
Transmission Five-speed

62
 SPECIFICATIONS
Type IHC KR-11
Wheelbase 4m
Overall Length 6.8m
Width 2.4m
Turning Radius 8.8m
GVWR 8,164kg
Payload 4,431kg
Tyres 9.00x20

Engine
No of cylinder Six
Displacement (cc) 7,390
Horsepower 148 @ 2,600 rpm
Transmission Five speed

International
Harvester KR-11
supplied the USSR
under Lend-Lease
(right), ZiS-150 built
in the USSR (below).
WIKICOMMONS

D
uring the ‘Great Patriotic War’, the
US supplied the Soviet Union with
large amounts of war material
under President Roosevelt’s Lend-
Lease Program. This included most of the
Bantam Reconnaissance Car ‘Jeeps’ built,
most of the US6 trucks manufactured
by Studebaker and REO, thousands of
GMC CCKW deuce-and-a-half trucks and
1,243 five-ton 4x2 dump trucks. Most of
the dump trucks were KR-11s built by the
International Harvester Company.
Like many other things during the
communist days, the Soviets cloned
the KR-11 after the war, initially calling
it the ZiS-150. Reverse engineering
allowed them to quickly get products into
production without investing the time
and cost involved in development from
scratch. Also, copying successful designs
during Stalin’s reign was good insurance
against producing a poor design that
could result in an extended stay in a gulag,
or worse.
Many trucks built during the USSR days
were probably reverse-engineered, but
the ZiL-150 is the most obvious. The
contemporary GAZ-51 was a somewhat
less obvious copy of the Studebaker US6.
Even though many trucks were cloned
from US models, they were modified to
suit Russia’s harsher road and climate
conditions as well as its more limited
manufacturing capabilities.
Before World War Two, the Soviets
wanted to replace the ZiS-5, which first
appeared in 1934 and was an update
of an AMO (Avtomobilnoe Moskovskoe
Obshchestvo) series of trucks dating back
to 1931.
They were essentially American
Autocar Dispatch SA trucks built under
license. The result was the prototype
ZiS-15 in 1938. When World War Two
intervened, the USSR had to go to war
with the 4x2 ZiS-5 and a ZiL-6 6x4
variant along with the equally antiquated
GAZ-AA and GAZ-MM that were
essentially Ford AA trucks.
By 1944, Zavod imeni Stalina (ZiS) was
developing a replacement for the ZiS-5,
but not the ZiS-15. Instead, it went with
the ZiS-150, a clone of the International
KR-11. The ZiS-5 remained in production
until 1947, after 1947 as the Ural ZiS-
355 or ZiS-355. The IHC KR-11 was
International’s popular, heavy-duty four-
wheel truck between 1941 and 1947.

‘Like many other things during the

Communist days, the Soviets cloned
the KR-11 after the war’
63

The ZiS-5 was widely
used during the
Great Patriotic War.
WIKICOMMONS
The KR-11 and ZiS-150 differ mainly in
powerplants. The KR-11s were mostly
powered by an International FBC-401
six-cylinder engine with a displacement of
6,571cc and 114hp. The ZiS-150 used a
version of the American Hercules Engine
Company’s WXB six-cylinder engine. It
had already been used in the preceding
ZiS-5 and its predecessor AMO-2/-3/-4
built between 1931 and 1934. Since the
Russians already had the manufacturing
facilities for the WXB, it was logical that a
version of the engine would be used in the
ZiS-150. The 5,555cc WXB was rated at 90
to 94hp.
The ZiL-164
replacement for the
ZiS-150/ZiL-150.
WIKICOMMONS
It had a low 6:1 compression ratio
because of the low octane petrol available
in the USSR. The ZiS-150 had a five-speed
transmission, a first for a Soviet truck.
Production of the ZiS-150 started on
October 30, 1947, replacing the Zil-5 on
the Moscow production line.
Until 1950, the cab of ZiS-150 was
constructed of plywood and faux-leather
panelling because of a shortage of steel
in the USSR at the time. The ZiS-150
featured air brakes, but no pre-heater
or cabin heater. Its top speed when
fully loaded was 40mph. There were
many variants of the ZiS-150 including a
Until 1950, the
ZiS-150 had a
wood and
faux-leather cab
64

ZiS-120G chassis-cab version for dump
bodies, a ZiS-120N tractor-trailer version,
versions for export, a three-axle version,
a cowl-chassis for custom bodies, a
dual-fuel model and one that could run on
propane. A couple of 4x4 prototypes never
reached production.
In 1950, the ZiS-150 got a more modern
carburettor and new exhaust manifold for
more power and improved fuel economy.
Using feedback from users, the ZiS-150
was updated again in 1952 including
replacing of a fragile driveshaft with a two-
piece one, improved suspension, radiator
blinds and increased gear ratio for the
somewhat easier steering.
Another upgrade came in 1956 that
included a slight increase in compression
ratio that, along with a new carburettor,
intake manifold and air filter, increased
horsepower to 96.
The frame was reinforced, and hydraulic
shock absorbers were now used. When
production of the ZiL-150 ended in 1957,
a total of 774,615 had been produced.
In 1956, ZiS was renamed ZiL for Zavod
imeni Likhacheva as the result of the
denouncement of Stalin. Ivan Likhacher
Thousands of ZiS-150/ZiL-150s
provided transport throughout Russia.
It was even used for fire engines.
WIKICOMMONS
The ZiL-130, the replacement for the ZiL-
164, might be mistaken for a contemporary
International truck. Both were available
with V8 engines
was a former director of ZiS.
‘It proved an
In 1957 the Zil-150 was replaced by
the ZiL-164 that can be distinguished
ideal platform
by vertical grille bars, so it now looked for Katyusha
rocket
less like the IHC KR-11. The engine
got an aluminium cylinder head that
increased the compression ratio to 6.2:1
and increased horsepower and a pre- launchers’
heater plus other tweaks to better handle
Russian brutal weather. The chassis was
redesigned.
In 1961, there was a revised ZiL-164A
with a revised gearbox, front shocks and
100hp. The ZiL-164 was produced until
1965 when it was replaced by ZiL-130.
The ZiS-151/ZiL-151 was a 6x6 truck,
based on the ZiL-150, produced alongside
the ZiL-150. This was the Soviet military’s
first all-wheel drive truck. It proved an ideal
platform for Katyusha rocket launchers.
Other variants included the BTR-152
armoured personnel carrier and BAV 485
amphibious vehicle.
In parallel to ZiL-164, the ZiL-157,
introduced in 1958, had single rear tyres,
instead of the ZiL-151’s dual tyres. Both The ZiL-157, a 6x6 version, was used to
models remained in production until 1966. carry anti-aircraft missiles. BILL SIURU
The ZiL-157 did have wider rear tyres.
65

The Steagul Rosu (Red Flag) SR-101, manufactured in Romania, looked different to the Zil-150
To further increase its footprint for better
traction, a centralised inflation system
allowed the tyre pressure to be reduced
from the cab for soft surfaces, then re-
inflated for road use.
After 1951, an improved version of the
ZiS-150 was produced by the Kutaisski
Awtomobilny Sawod in Georgia as the
KAZ-150. An increased rear gear ratio
improved traction since it was designed
‘Some of these are still in use decades
after they were built’
was widely used by the People’s Liberation
Army. Production continued until 1986.
At least one prototype called the Chollima
was built in North Korea.
The ZiS-150/ZiL-150 and its many
variants, plus similar trucks produced
in Romania and China, made it one of
the most prolific trucks produced during
the post-war communist era. These
trucks, whose heritage can be traced to
International trucks supplied to the USSR
during World War Two, saw military
duty and civilian versions proliferated
on the roads of the USSR, its satellites
and China. They also were exported to
countries ranging from Afghanistan and
Cuba to North Korea and Zambia. Some
of these are still in use decades after
they were built.
for mountainous Georgia. Externally KAZ-
150 differed from the ZiS-150 grille with
its vertical bars. From 1959, KAZ built a
version of the ZIL-164.
The ZIS-150 was manufactured in
Brasov, Romania from 1954 to 1960 as
the Steagul Rosu (Red Flag) SR-101.
China’s First Automobile Work (FAW) built The BTR-152 was a six-wheeled armoured
personnel carrier using the chassis and drive
the ZiL-150 as the Jie Fang CA-10. The train from the ZiS-151. WIKICOMMONS
Jie Fang CA-30, a copy of the 6x6 ZiL-157,
First Automobile Works’
(FAW) Jie Fang CA-10
produced in China
66
 67

067_CMV_MAY20_ad.indd 1 31/03/2020 16:18:20

 words and pictures Craig Moore

Tank Time Team

Craig Moore embarks on a tantalising tank treasure hunt

The technician had

to walk up and down
the field with the
geophysical magnetic
survey equipment
strapped to a chest
harness

68
 ‘They decided the easiest option was to drive them into a
field and bury them in a pit’

I
n 2017, I was lucky to be part of Rick
Wedlock’s dig team which recovered a World
War Two Covenanter tank that had been
buried in a 3m deep chalk pit under the Denbies
Vineyard in Dorking, Surrey. The dig was filmed
and became a TV show.
Following the airing of that show, I was sent
information about the location of other buried
tanks around the UK. Many of the stories had
no substance, while the tanks in others had
already been recovered. But there was one story
that continues to intrigue me.
In the late 1940s, Jack Ray was still in the
army. He came home on leave and wanted
to see his brother who was employed as an
agricultural worker at Little Oddynes Farm,
In 2017 a World War Two
Horsted Keynes, West Sussex.
Covenanter tank was dug
Much of the farm bordered the track which out of a 3m chalk pit under a
is now part of the Bluebell Railway. Jack told Vineyard in Surrey. IAN WILCOX
me: “I had arrived home late and went to the
village pub, hoping to find my brother. I met his
workmate, who told me my brother had gone Cromwell tanks were replaced by Comet
away for a few days. We chatted about life in and then Centurion tanks after World
the army and then the conversation changed War Two. The army might have told the
to an incident that had happened at the railway railway company to scrap them. This
station. Cromwell was restored by Rick Wedlock.
RICK WEDLOCK
“He told me, ‘Jack, you will find this interesting
being in the army and all that. I was working
near Horsted Keynes Station when I saw
these tanks coming down the road from the
station. They were driven into a field, parked
up in some pits and then earth put on top of
them. I asked what was going on and one of
the railway workers told me that the tanks had
been brought back from France and had been
standing in the sidings for ages.
‘The railway company kept asking the army
where they wanted them taken to, but the
army kept stalling. Eventually, the army said
they no longer wanted the tanks and that the

Horsted
Keynes railway company could sell them for scrap. The
Railway problem was that the cost of scrap metal was
Station so low that it would cost money to cut them
signal box up and send them off to a scrapyard. It was
decided the easiest option was to drive them
into a field and bury them in a pit’.”
Jack showed me the field he believed the
tanks were buried in. It was called Brick Field
and used to be the site of a brick factory. The
remains of the buildings were at the top of the
hill, and the location of the filled-in clay quarries
could still be seen as small depressions in the
ground near the entrance to Station Road.
The Bluebell Railway steam train restoration
workshops are opposite this field. When I
knocked on the door, I found it was tea-break
time. All the volunteers were sitting around
a large rectangular table devouring cake and
biscuits. I introduced myself and asked their
opinion about how many tanks would a steam
train running on the Bluebell Railway in 1945 be
able to transport?

69

I was shocked when they said one steam train
could pull between 12 and 14 tanks loaded on
railway flats. Were there 12 to 14 tanks buried
in that field? I got excited. They also confirmed
that Horsted Keynes Railway Station was the
only place on the old Lewes and East Grinstead
Railway (now the Bluebell Railway) that had
long sidings.
Back home, I continued researching the
location. I found several old maps dating back
to 1899 that confirmed the site of the railway
‘Very quickly, his
machine began to
emit a deafening
beeping sound’
The Bluebell
Railway has the
largest collection
of South Eastern
and Chatham Railway
locomotives, carriages and
wagons. This is a SE&CR ‘P’
Class No.323 ‘Bluebell’ 0-6-0T
locomotive built-in 1910
sidings and that Brick Field had clay quarries
in the lower half of the field near the railway
station.
An aerial photograph taken in 1947 showed
the depressions of the filled-in clay quarries. I
tried to work out what type of tanks would be
brought back from war-torn Europe.
Britain sold a lot of its surplus armoured
vehicles to the newly liberated countries. For
example, the post-war Belgium Army used
British Sherman Firefly 17-pounder tanks and
70
Achilles self-propelled 17-pounder anti-tank
guns.
Comet tanks and Sexton self-propelled
25-pounder guns would still be used by the
British Army until the early 1950s. They would
not be scrapped. Cromwell, Churchill and
Sherman tanks would seem to be the most
likely candidates as they would have been
considered obsolete at the arrival of the new
Centurion tank in late 1945.
Jack Ray had lived with this story for 75
years. He said to me that he felt a great sense
of relief that he was not going to his grave
without someone else who was interested in
military history, knowing about it.
I could see no reason why Jack had been lied
to by his brother’s workmate. I could not speak
to Jack’s brother or his workmate as they
had both died. I went back to Horsted Keynes
and located the new owner of Little Oddynes
Farm. Unfortunately, the farmer’s father who
owned the farm during the 1940s suffered
from severe dementia and could not answer
any questions about Brick Field. The farmer
permitted me to survey the field and signed a
land-owner/detectorist contract form.
I now had the job of finding a qualified
technician who could carry out a geophysical
magnetic and ground-penetrating radar
survey. A hand-held metal detector would not
be able to go down deep enough into the clay
soil. Most of the companies that provide this
service work for big building companies and
charge big prices. I managed to find a Sussex-
based archaeological research company that
only charged £350 and not £1,000 to £2,000
for a day’s work.
The ground-penetrating radar equipment looked like a
very strange lawnmower
 ‘On the day of the
survey, the cows
were still in the
field. They were
Wellington boots were essential because of the cowpats
very inquisitive’
Brick Field is now used as a cow meadow. In After the initial excitement in the morning of of them to other friendly nations. It needed
the winter, it is waterlogged, so I had to wait learning that there was a lot of metal buried to dispose of the excess tanks that were now
until the ground had dried and hardened. I in the field, this was a big disappointment. I considered obsolete. The price of scrap metal
notified the farmer of the date I intended to believe there are buried World War Two tanks after World War Two was low because of
do the survey and requested that the cows be near the Horsted Keynes Railway Station in the available amount. Unfortunately, I do not
moved to an adjacent field. Sussex. I have no idea in which farmer’s field have the money or time to survey all the local
But on the day of the survey, the cows were they could be buried. Jack’s story, in my opinion, farmer’s fields.
still in the field and they were very inquisitive. I is credible. The post-war British Government If you or anyone you know has any further
spent the whole time chasing them away from had too many tanks for its needs. It sold many information on this, please get in touch.
the technician.
The technician searches typically for small Sherman tanks were replaced by Comet
metal objects like Roman coins, brooches, and then Centurion tanks after World War
buttons and jewellery on archaeological sites. Two. The army might have told the railway
He told me he was delighted to be looking for company to scrap them
tanks - something he never expected. He first
started to survey the field using his geophysical
equipment that measures the magnetic and
gravitational fields below the surface.
Very quickly, his machine began to emit a
deafening beeping sound. He turned around to
me with a big grin on his face and said: “It does
not usually do that. I usually only hear quiet
beeps when I find a coin or other metal artefact.
I think we have found something big and metal
at depth.” He did a little jig with excitement
before carrying on across the field.
As he walked into each depression that
indicated the location of a filled-in clay quarry
the same loud beeping noise could be heard
from the machine. After surveying the whole
field, he came back to see me. “Something is
a bit strange,” he said, “I get very loud readings
over the old clay quarries indicating that there is Are Churchill
Mk.VII Crocodile
a lot of metal buried in them, but I would expect
flamethrower tanks
the reading to continue over a bigger area. A buried in a field in
tank is a large rectangular shape that is six to Sussex?
seven metres long. I am not getting continuous
readings over an area that large. I want to
double-check my findings with my ground-
penetrating radar equipment.”
This machine looks like a strange lawnmower.
The results were very disappointing. The
technician reported: “I am sorry, but I cannot
find any evidence of tanks being buried in
this field. I would have been able to see large
rectangular shapes on the readout. I have not
found any. There is a lot of significant heavy
metal archaeology in this field. I suspect that
the clay quarries have been used by the railway
company workshops as rubbish pits.”

71
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73
Moore’s Manoeuvres words and pictures Craig Moore

D
avid Blower middle section. Tank
sent me No 1 of the left section
photographs crosses the main trench
of his great and the support trench.
uncle Donald Gunn’s At the reserve trench, it
handwritten lecture turns left and machine-
notes. Donald had guns all the enemy
enlisted in the Royal troops in that trench.
Tank Corps before Tank No 2 and No 3 of
World War Two. Part the left section follow
of the training course tank No 1 of the left
at Bovington was to section to the reserve
learn about the tactics trench.
that worked in World Tank No 1 of the right
War One and many section drives up to the

Trench Warfare
of the instructors had main trench and turns
served in it. What I left machine-gunning all
found fascinating was a the enemy troops in that
diagram he had drawn trench. It is then joined
during the lecture on by tank No 2 of the right
the tactics for attacking Attacking enemy trenches in a tank section and they cross

TOP: The Mk.IV Male tank 8043 Don Quixote II was armed with machine guns and two six-pounder guns
ABOVE LEFT: Donald Gunn’s lecture note sketch of a tank attack on a German trench system
ABOVE RIGHT: A diagram based on Donald Gunn’s lecture note sketch of a tank attack on a German trench system
BOTTOM RIGHT: The Mk.IV Female tank 2740 was only armed with machine guns
a German trench system with tanks. infantry killing weapons, and that is the main trench, support trench and press
In the 1930s, trench warfare was still why the female tanks, armed with more on to the reserve trench.
considered a possibility in any future war. machine guns than the male tanks, were Tank No 3 of the right section crosses
Many of the accounts I have read show looked on as being more effective. That the main trench on the far right of the
tanks driving up to an objective (a trench) was up until the arrival on the battlefield of attack, and at the support trench turns left
then turning left or right as instructed German Beuterpanzers (captured British and machine-guns the troops in that
while machine-gunning the enemy troops tanks) and Sturmpanzerwagen A7V tanks trench. It then reverses and crosses the
in those trenches to enable the infantry to in early Spring 1918. Then a cannon was support trench and drives on to the
catch up and occupy the trenches. needed to engage in tank-on-tank combat. reserve trench where it turns left to join
The early World War One tanks were Male tanks were armed with two six- the other tanks while machine-gunning
pounder main guns and machine guns. any troops in the reserve trench. I may be
Donald’s diagram showed a three-section wrong on some details of the attack, but
attack with nine tanks, three tanks per this diagram illustrates that World War
section, on the frontline German main One tactics were basically to drive along
trench, the support trench and the reserve the length of enemy trenches killing
trench behind that (sections were called everyone inside.
‘troops’ in World War Two).
Tank No 1 of the middle section drives
up to the main trench and turns left
machine-gunning all the enemy troops in
that trench. Then tank No 2 of the middle
Author Craig Moore is an editor for tanks-en- section crosses the main trench, and
cyclopedia.com and runs tank-hunter.com, a
guide to where you can find surviving World at the support trench, it turns left and
War One and World War Two tanks machine-guns all the enemy troops in that
trench. It is followed by tank No 3 of the

74
 N
Pacific Hell is a 116-page

EW
special magazine which
looks in detail at the attack by

!
Japanese carrier-borne aircraft
on the U.S. Pacific Fleet base at Pearl
Harbor on 7 December 1941, an attack
which stunned the world.

It then moves on to look at how Japanese

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British colony of Hong Kong before the
end of 1941 and in the early months of the
following year the Philippines, the Dutch
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and Burma also fell to the Japanese.

Though the war in the Pacific would grind

remorselessly on for another two terrible
years, it was clear that there could only
be one outcome – the emphatic defeat of
Imperial Japan.
116 pages, Special magazine.

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