Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and Venezuela). A 40-year insurgent campaign to overthrow the Colombian Government escalated during the 1990s, undergirded in part by funds from the drug trade. Although the violence is deadly and large swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence, the movement lacks the military strength or popular support necessary to overthrow the government. While Bogota continues to try to negotiate a settlement, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders. - U.S. CIA World Factbook

Locally Produced Armored Car. - Photo submission by Dr. Alberto Corradine.
Locally Produced Armored Car

Made in Cucuta, Colombia in the "Santander" Batallion workshops in around 1929, this vehicle picture (only) was sent to the Colombian Military Museum by Mr. Santiago Quijano from Vienna (Austria). Most likely an adaptation of a comercial truck chassis with armored plate and showing no visable armament.

Photo taken in the late 50's by Luis Fernando Robledo. The Mechanised Group "Paez" is shown in Bogota on Independence Day (July 20th). - Photo submission by Dr. Alberto Corradine.
White M3 Scout Car

The M3 was used only as comand vehicle. There is still one in "Grupo Mecanizado Rincon Quiñones" in Bogota. It is not currently in running condition. Presently the M3 is part of the collection of historical vehicles of this unit, inherited from the "Escuela de Mecanizacion". The "Escuela de Mecanizacion" was created about 1936, and was initially largely equipped with German vehicles.

The photographer, Dr. Alberto Corradine, writes: "This vehicle is in "Monument" condition, completely stripped inside, all the hatchs welded, and full spureous camouflage style. In service they were olive green (USA standard) and later Dark green, depending on the paint on hand, but the ususal mix is made from 3 parts Yellow and one part green (I saw a painter mixing it in the Army mainteinance works)." Photo taken by Dr. Alberto Corradine and submitted courtesy of Dr. André Louis Maurois.---M3A1 - Seen here with Colombian soldiers on May1957. - Photo courtesy of Dr. André Louis Maurois.---Photo courtesy of Dr. André Louis Maurois.---Photo by Marco Dini and provided courtesy of Dr. André Louis Maurois.
M3A1 Stuart Light Tank

30 to 40 arrived in 1947 as part of the help for Latin American armies, from war surplus in the USA.  They still served until the mid the 70's, mainly as school vehicles in the "Escuela de Mecanizacion" (Mechanized School) in Bogota, and various other Mechanized Cavalry Groups throughout the country.

Photo taken by Dr. Alberto Corradine and submitted courtesy of Dr. André Louis Maurois.---Photo taken in the late 50's by Luis Fernando Robledo. The Mechanised Group "Paez" is shown in Bogota on Independence Day (July 20th). - Photo submission by Alberto Corradine.---Photo taken by Dr. Alvaro Robledo and part of the "Marco Dini Collection". According to Dr. Alberto Corradine, this photo actually shows a M9 Half Track "after being locally modified with rear axles from comercial trucks, when the rubber tracks had worn out." - Photo courtesy of Dr. André Louis Maurois.
M9 Half Track

Some were later modified to use double wheels in a single axle because of the wearing of the chains and lack of spares.

The photographer, Dr. Alberto Corradine, writes:

"This vehicle is in "Monument" condition, completely stripped inside, all the hatchs welded, and full spureous camouflage style. In service they were olive green (USA standard) and later Dark green, depending on the paint on hand, but the ususal mix is made from 3 parts yellow and one part black (I saw a painter mixing it in the Army mainteinance works)."

A converted M3 halftrack with a 106mm Recoilless Gun. - Photo contribution by Bill Morran.
M3 Half Track

A real problem for the Colombians was the short track life of the M3 Halftrack. The vehicles were eventually converted into regular wheeled vehicles and served into the 1970's.

Photo research by Dr. Georg V. Rauch. Photo courtesy of Dr. André Louis Maurois.---Photo taken in the late 50's by Luis Fernando Robledo. The Mechanised Group "Paez" is shown in Bogota on Independence Day (July 20th). - Photo submission by Alberto Corradine.---Photo taken in the late 50's by Luis Fernando Robledo. The Mechanised Group "Paez" is shown in Bogota on Independence Day (July 20th). - Photo submission by Dr. Alberto Corradine.
M8 Armored Car

The M8 were widely used and still in service as fire support vehicles with a quad .50 mounting on top (M54 AA), and as TOW carriers with only the gun removed. There were also a couple of Riot Control vehicles in this chassis with extensive modifications, called "Escarabajos" (Beetles). Some remained in service up to 1983.

M20 - Photo contribution by Daniella Carlsson.
M20 Armored Car

The M20 were widely used and still in service as fire support vehicles with a quad .50 mounting on top (M54 AA), and as TOW carriers with only the gun removed. There were also a couple of Riot Control vehicles in this chassis with extensive modifications, called "Escarabajos" (Beetles). Some remained in service up to 1983.

(no photo)
Chevrolet Truck

The "Escuela de Mecanizacion" had 98 of these vehicles in 1939.

(no photo)
Various German Trucks

The "Escuela de Mecanizacion" had 50 of these vehicles in 1939 (mainly Henschel 33-D), including fuel tankers and one mobile workshop.

(no photo)
Various BMW Motorcycles

The "Escuela de Mecanizacion" had 7 of these motorcyles with sidecars and 13 solo bikes in 1939. The bikes with sidecars were equipped with a machinegun and were of the 700cc class. The bikes without sidecars were of the 350cc class.

(no photo)
German Tempo ATV

The "Escuela de Mecanizacion" had 2 of these all terrain vehicles in 1939.

People who helped to make this page possible

Daniella Carlsson
Daniella Carlsson

Bill Morran

Dr. Alberto Corradine
Dr. Alberto Corradine

Dr. Andre Louis Maurois
Dr. André Louis Maurois

Dr. Georg V. Rauch
Dr. Georg V. Rauch
Author of
Conflict in the Southern Cone

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Last Update: Thursday, February 13, 2003