identify this...

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by luc désormeaux
So it was really use by canadian forces in Europe?

According to John in What kind of gun tractor?, only one Canadian unit used the Crusader Gun Tractor:

Originally posted by John McGillivray
The Crusader II, Gun Tractor Mk I, shown in the pictures most likely belongs to a British unit. When 3rd Cdn Inf. Div. landed in Normandy it was part of the British 1st Corps. The anti-tank unit of 1st British Corps was the 62nd Anti-tank Regt RA. I believe that part of this unit landed on Juno beach and was supporting 3rd Cdn Div during June.

The only Canadian unit to use the Crusader II, Gun Tracter Mk. I was the 5th A/T Regt. of the 4th CAD. This unit only landed in Normandy in late July.

Also note that the 7th Cdn A/t Regt and the 1st Cdn Corps were serving in Italy at the Time.

BTW, the only known surviving Crusader Gun Tractor is in the National War and Resistance Museum in Overloon (Netherlands).

HTH,
Hanno