It is known that India had 4 armored divisions during WW2. They were the 14th, 31st, 32nd, 43rd, and the 44th armored divisions. Others were the 50th, 254th, and the 255th Tank Brigades. These units operated in Burma.

Crossley Armored Car (India Pattern)

Passing tests, 32 Crossley 1.5 ton trucks were converted by Vickers. These were delivered in 1923 and a further order followed. Total deliveries were about 100. All of these vehicles were fitted with solid tires to reduce the risk of punctures but these were never very successful when used off road due to their narrow profile led to the vehicle sinking up to its axles. Two of the armored cars were also shipped to South Africa where the tires also caused trouble and were eventually changed to pneumatic types. Both of these survive and are in the South African War Museum. The Indian Army vehicle was used by Vickers as the basis for an armored car that could be sold on the export market. Large numbers were sold to Japan where it was known as the Dowa and a smaller number to Argentina. A 6 wheel version was also listed by Vickers and several were sold to Iraq. Vickers also supplied the 1.5 ton Crossley truck as part of an army mechanization package.

Vickers Guy Armored Car (India Pattern)

Designed to meet a requirement for patrols in the northern part of India. Proving too heavy for the task, the vehicles were converted to artillery tractors.

Chevrolet Armored Car (India Pattern)

Also known as the Crossley Chevrolet, these were Crossley Armored Cars refurbished in 1939 by Chevrolet. About 20 saw service in Palestine during attacks on the Vichy French forces that controlled Syria between 1940 and 1941. They were then passed to Iran, as a gift, in 1942.

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Vickers Light Tank Mark I (India Pattern)

From a 1922 design. First deliveries of this series were in 1924 to the British Army. Exact delivery for this version is unknown. All other tanks of this class were renamed Medium Tank Mark I, the India version being the only exception. All effort was made to make these tanks comfortable in the heat. Extra fans were installed as was asbestos padding. Only two were made. These tanks were armed only with .303 MGs.

Vickers Light Tank Mark II A (India Pattern)

Designed for the Indian Army. Production was completed by 1936. A few Mark II A served in North Africa in 1940.

Vickers Light Tank Mark II B (India Pattern)

Especially designed for India. Powered by a Meadows EPT engine. These tanks had a non-rotating bevel sided turret.

Vickers Light Tank 1933 India Pattern No. 1

Especially designed for India. This hull was some 2 feet shorter and 8 inches wider than previous light tanks made by Great Britain. The shape of the tank was simplified and the number of bulletproof plates was reduced to save on manufacturing cost. Improvements were a strengthened hull and turret design.

Vickers Light Tank IV A (India Pattern)

The photo was sent with the following information. "Indian troops in East Africa. The largest crowd Bombay city has seen for a long time turned out to see the spectacular finale of the city's "war week," a great route march by British and Indian naval and military units followed by armored vehicles and ambulances. Sir Roger Lumley, Governor of Bombay, took the salute from a saluting base by the fine Marine Drive. With him was General Sir Claude Auchinlock, Commander-in-Chief in India. How a tank goes over the top was graphically illustrated during the "war week" when the Rodney negotiated this wall with the greatest of ease." - I will admit that some of this statement does not make grammatical sense to me...

Vickers Light Tank VI B (India Pattern)

Especially designed for India before the outbreak of WW2. This version did not have a commanders cupola. The commander's single periscope was located in the front half of the turret hatch.

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American M4A1, M4A3 Sherman

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Sexton

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Churchill Infantry Tank

Exact model and numbers are unknown.

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American M3A1, M3A3 Stuart

It is unknown how many the Indian army used. It is known that the KNIL (see the Netherlands) was handed nearly 50 of these tanks by the Indians. The exact date and nature of that transfer is unknown.

Japanese Armored Tractor

The exact nomenclature of tractor is unknown, but the tracks clearly show a Type 94 tankette parentage.

Bren Gun Carrier

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Staghound Armored Car

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British Armored Carrier ACV-IP (India Pattern) Mk.1 - 4

There were 4 major models with 3 more with minor modifications for a total of 7. Models included Mk.1, Mk.2, Mk.2a, Mk.2b, Mk.2c, Mk.3, and Mk.4. The years of production were from 1940 - 44. The Indian pattern armored body was manufactured in India on the Canadian GMC chassis.

The Mark 1 and Mark 2 vehicles were issued to the 4th and 5th Indian Infantry Divisions in North Africa 1941-42. The 10th Indian Infantry Division in Syria 1941 used the MK II. The MK II was on issue to Malaya Command in 1941 until the Singapore surrender 15 February 1942. The Mark 2 appears to have been used in Malaya by the 9th and 11th Indian Infantry Divisions. Some Mark 2 tanks were obtained by the 8th Australian Infantry Division and were used in Singapore by the 18th British Infantry Division.

Indian Infantry divisions operating in Italy 1943-45, all appear to be equipped with MK II and later marks of the Armored Carrier 4 Wheel Indian pattern.

The vehicle served in India 1942 - 46, and was used by the Royal New Zealand Artillery in Korea.

The Armored Carrier (4) Wheeled Indian pattern is a four wheel vehicle. While the armored body was constructed in Indian, many by the Indian Railways the chassis was the universal G.M.C./Ford Canada chassis. The Ford Canada chassis was as the name suggests manufactured in Canada, the chassis shipped to India for the Armored Carrier Wheeled Indian pattern. The MK 1 version had the motor in the front, from the MK II onward the motor was in the rear. This same chassis powered the South African Marmon-Herrington Armored Cars, while in Canada the G.M.C./Ford Quad Field Artillery Tractor, also used right across the Commonwealth.

Paul Melnyk

Mark Holloway

Ralph DeLucia

Ross Wood

Last Update: Thursday, February 13, 2003