Tracked Fighting Vehicle

The tracked fighting vehicle proposed in 1912 by Australian engineer L. E. de Mole. It was one of the erliest practical designs offered to the British War Office. The idea was rejected.

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The German A7V

One vehicle captured and returned to Australia as a war trophy. Not used by Australians in combat. Perhaps the only surviving A7V left in the world.

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Tractor Tank 1933

A copy of the American Disston Tractor Tank (see the American and New Zealand section for details) on a commercial agricultural tractor chassis. Trials only. Not adopted (fortunately).

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Vickers Medium Mk. IIA (special pattern)

Four Medium Mk.IIA tanks were purchased in 1928, these differed from the English version by having the coaxial Vickers machine gun on the left of the 3pdr gun, and a ball-mounted Vickers MG on the right. The vehicle featured separate compartments for fighting and the engine. This particular design is a bit of a mystery as no records or correspondence relating to it nor can test data be found at Vickers or in Australia. It appears that the tank was purchased in haste in order to use funds allocated by the British Treasury before the fiscal year ended. The first production models rolled off the production line in 1923 (of the standard design). As well as a fully traversing turret, the Vickers Mark II employed a sprung running gear. This was made possible by doing away with the overall track layout of the WW1 heavy tanks and thus lowering the top run of the track. The tank was designed for exploitation rather than infantry support which is the reason for it's higher speed. There are reports that the Australians used the British version in North Africa at the Pillboxes of Mesa Maruth, however this is not confirmed. The first three pictures on the top are of the Australian version. The two bottom pictures are of the British version and one specifically in North Africa.

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Vickers Light Tank VI, VIA, VIB

Used by the 6th, 7th, and 9th Cavalry, home defense and in Syria in 1941. Only the right most picture actually shows Australian soldiers operating the tank.

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Cruiser Tank - Sentinel AC I - IV

This was a design started late in 1940 for a tank intended for Australian production utilising only readily available materials and sources. Commercial truck engines were to be used, together with an adapted bersion of the American M3 Medium Tank final drive and transmission. Cast hull and turret with 2pdr gun were features of the finalised design. Work on the AC I was held back for a time while an alternative design AC II was studied. The AC II was considered too complicated to build and was dropped. The AC I design was completed in September 1941 and the prototype was finished in January 1942. Production started in August 1942 and 66 vehicles were built. These were used only for training as there were by then plenty of American medium tanks available to equip Australian units in the field. The design was very sound with excellent armor. Note the Hotchkiss inspired suspension and the American tracks. The AC III was a close support version. The 25pdr gun required a larger turret ring and turret. The hull MG was eliminated and the triple engines were given a common crankcase. The prototype was tested early in 1943, however there was no production. The AC IV was a further developement of the AC III fitted with a 17pdr gun. Pending the availability of the 17pdr gun, twin 25pdr guns were fitted in order to simulate the high recoil of the 17pdr for test purposes. One test vehicle in the AC series was fitted with torsion bar suspension but did not proceed beyond prototype stage. Dimentions of the AC III and IV were generally similar to the AC I.

More - Sentinel Details

The Sentinel - by Steve Guy

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Matilda II

Matilda tanks in various forms served throughout WW2. Shown is a FROG Mk. I (flame thrower) in the left and center photos. The standard Matilda II is seen on the right. Other versions used were the Matilda Murray FT which was a modified FROG with cordite operated flame equipement. Another was the Matilda Hedgehog with a 7 spigot mortor taken from a naval projector and mounted in-line. Australia also used the CS version. Used in the defence of Australia, New Guinea, and Borneo with success by Australian soldiers.

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Universal Carrier

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Crusader Marks 1 and 2

The 9th Australian Divisional Cavalry Regiment was equipped with Crusader MK II Cruiser Tanks and General Stuart Light Tanks during their fighting along the El Alamein position 8 July to 5 November 1942. It was this unit which led the 8th Army armored break out through the "Panzerarmee Afrika" positions.

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Fiat M13/40 and Fiat M11/39

Many Italian vehicles were captured by the British army after being abandoned by their crews. Some units were issued to the British 6th RTR and others issued to the Australian 6th Cavalry Regiment early in 1941. M13/40s were divided into 3 squadrons which were called "Dingo", "Rabbit", and "Wombat". So that they would not be mistaken for the enemy, the Australians painted kangaroos on the sides, glacis, and the turret rear.

Renault R-35

Captured from Vichy troops and used in Syria.

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Churchill Infantry Tank Marks 4, 8, and 9

Used in trials only in New Guinea/Bougianville.

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Infantry Tank Mk. III Valentine

A small number were supplied to the Australians from 1943 onwards by some reports. This statement has been contested however. If you have conclusive evidence, please email me.

The United States M3 Grant

Used for the defense of Australia. Some units went to serve in Burma. Models no longer used by British 8th Army were given to the Australians late 1942 (however this statement either needs clarification, or should be considered challenged. Do you know for sure?). Another source states the M3 Medium Tanks, be they Grant or Lee that Australia received were not second hand from the Western Desert, but delivered new to Australia from the United States. By 30 April 1942, the Australian Army had 54 Grant/Lee Medium Tanks on strength.

The picture shows an unmodified to British specifications U.S. M3. The British designated the tank as a "Grant" (after the American Civil War General) if the commander's cupola was modified to British specifications. If the cupola was unmodified, it was called a "Lee" (after the American Civil War General). Basically the modification was to remove the machine gun and lower the height of the small turret. Unique was the Australian ARV version of the Grant. This recovery vehicle was designed for Australian service alone and not used by any other member of the Allies.

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The Sherman

3 variants were tested. This vehicle was not accepted for Australian service. This is rare as the Sherman was as common to the Allies as the FT17 was common to just about everyone before the war!

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The American M24 Chaffee

Used in trial only in Bougianville.

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M3 Stuart

Used in Australia for defence. Action in New Guniea, and 9th Cavalry at El Alamien.

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Cruiser Mk V Covenanter (A13 Mk III) Bridgelayer Tank

The bridge was 34' long and 9' 6" wide. Produced by the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company. The driver's position was moved to the right side and the radiators for the engine were located on the left side. This tank was never used in a regular tank mode due to excessive cooling problems. They did find a use as training tanks until 1943.

In November 1944 H.Q. 4th Australian Armoured Brigade established a special equipment section. No. 2 Troop was the bridge building troop equipped with the Coventanter bridge laying tank. Indications are the Australian Army had 9 of these tanks In 1944. The 3rd Australian Infantry Division was sent to Bouganville in the Solomon Islands, accompanying them was the 2/4th Australian Armored Regiment equipped with Matilda MK II infantry tanks and at least one Coventanter bridge laying tank. On 2 July 1945, the Coventanter bridge laying tank was used for the first time on operations crossing the Hari River.

Australian War Memorial Negative Number 094222, is a photograph of a Coventanter bridge laying tank on 20 July 1945 on a road washed away on the Ogorata and Mobiai Rivers on South Bougainville - proof that the tank was used operationally.

There is a preserved Coventanter bridge laying tank as a static display at the Parramatta Lancers Barracks in western Sydney.

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Marmon Herrington Light Tank

During early 1942 Australia received 138 Marmon-Herrington 2 man light tank, and even under the threat of invasion these tanks were considered not suitable to issue to the Australian Military Forces.

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South African Marmon Herrington Armored Car

The 8th Australian Infantry Division, during the Malayan Campaign 8 December 1941-15 February 1942,  possessed Marmon-Herrington MK III Armored Cars.

Chevrolet WA

The Chevrolet WA is seen in the configuration developed by the LRDG for their operations in North Africa. The vehicle illustrated carries a lewis gun behind the cab and a Browing .30 cal M1919 with AA barrel above the dashboard. This vehicle was used by both Canada and Australia.

Chevrolet C60L GS

The Chevrolet C60L GS truck became the mainstay of Canadian production and was built in a bewildering variety of different model including water and petrol tankers, ambulances and recovery vehicles. This vehicle was also used by Australian forces.

Ford 3 ton

The Canadian built Ford 3 ton truck was re-assembled at the Ford subsidiary plant in Victoria State in Australia. The vehicle shown is carrying lighting equipment.

Japanese Type 98 6ton Prime Mover

Details in the Japan section of TANKS!

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.

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Japanese Trucks

Details in the Japan section of TANKS!

Warposters

Steve Guy
Author Of
Thunder and Steel

David Makin

Paul McDonald

Katya Kuersteiner

Al Bowie

Dr. André Louis Maurois

Brian Ross

Ross Wood

Graham Matthews
Author Of
Arcane Fighting Vehicles - AFVs

Vanessa Jacobsen

Last Update: Monday, July 07, 2003