Carriers and WD numbers question

[Mike Cecil]

There is a set of Nigel's books available via ABE Books ....

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Sea...rsal&sortby=17

Just have to sell your first born to afford them, that's all!!

Mike

[Jack Geratic]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

There is a set of Nigel's books available via ABE Books ....


Just have to sell your first born to afford them, that's all!!

Mike

Better get cracking then, I've no first born as of yet.

Seriously though, would this be worth considering:
http://robvanmeel.nl/?q=content/b-ve...-manufacturers

Ultimately, am searching for a census number from the support company in the Algonquin Regiment, specifically 3" mortar carrier. Though I have a feeling the best I can do is probably just find numbers that it would not be.

regards,
Jack

[Paul Singleton]

http://www.universalcarrierbook.co.u...es/Page423.htm

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Paul Singleton

http://www.universalcarrierbook.co.u...es/Page423.htm

"Universal Carriers Volume 3 - Sorry - This product is not currently available and cannot be added to the basket"

Have not heard for a long while from Nigel, BTW.

H.

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by Jack Geratic

Better get cracking . . .Ultimately, am searching for a census number from the support company in the Algonquin Regiment, specifically 3" mortar carrier. Though I have a feeling the best I can do is probably just find numbers that it would not be.

regards,
Jack

Can you give us some more details about what you are researching?
If the Algonquin Regt. 3” mortar carrier was Canadian factory made, the known available WD numbers cover a relatively small range over a few CDLV contracts.

[Jack Geratic]

Hello Michael, thank you for your interest.

Not sure what more I can add, other than I'm looking at NE Europe 1944-45 time frame. According to the August 1943 War Establishment, each infantry battalion should have it's own support company. It is here where is found the 3" mortar carrier platoon, and would contain 7 vehicles, according to this pdf file:

http://www.warestablishments.net/Can...ust%201943.pdf

Other than that, any info that can be added would go towards the building of a 1/35 scale model.


regards,
Jack

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by Jack Geratic

Hello Michael, thank you for your interest.

Not sure what more I can add, other than I'm looking at NE Europe 1944-45 time frame. . .
Other than that, any info that can be added would go towards the building of a 1/35 scale model.

Jack

If the Algonquin Regt experience in NWE ‘44-‘45 was similar to other Canadian infantry regiments, you may find images of mortar carriers that show the ‘operational’ customized examples. There are images available of factory built 3” mortar carriers on MK-I* chassis in use before and after June 6th, 1944.

Some main differences of note from standard MK-I* or updated MK-I* to MK-II:
no firing rests, no smoke discharger, no 2” mortar, no AA pole socket mounts, no BREN, PIAT or Boys brackets or mounts of any description.

Relocation of rations stowage box. No armoured wireless battery box. No wireless radio mounts, antenna bases or installed accessories. No small arms ammunition containers or ‘break-out’ pouch brackets and straps.

The Canadian factory 3” mortar carriers were enhanced/customized in the field with welded equipment storage frames in addition to the mounting bases for attaching deep fording plates when so equipped. Dare I apply the term: “operational” ?

I would feel pretty safe using the CT series of WD numbers for 3” mortar carriers, some examples are shown in the following images and single shipping document. Some known range of Canadian made 3” mortar carrier numbers: CT-113991-114026 (36); CT-162911-163910 (1,000); CT-201801-202100 (300)

[Jack Geratic]

Michael, now that is a gold mine of info you have provided, really appreciate that.

On seeing the photo of the two carriers, the first one has a tactical marking within which is M5. The numbering does seem to indicate M represents the 3rd platoon, while 5 represents the fifth vehicle as set out in this document:

http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...88/536?r=0&s=5
oocihm.lac_reel_t12688_data_sip_data_files_0536.jpg.jpg

So far so good, as the CanadianSoldiers site also illustrate the 3" carrier mortar being the no.3 platoon:
https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/tac...ybattalion.htm

What's throwing me is the tactical marking in the photo is in the shape of a HQ unit. So essentially the support company is an HQ unit (with it's own HQ) found within the Company HQ of the battalion.

regards,
Jack

[Ed Storey]

What you have to remember is that the markings evolved over time so what was written in earlier documents may not apply latter on.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Michael R.

Some main differences of note from standard MK-I* or updated MK-I* to MK-II:

Michael, do you have any evidence Mk.I carriers were ever updated to Mk.II? For sure Mk.I hulls were adapted as factory supplied Mk.II carriers (all the Mk.I bits were never installed and the holes riveted shut) but I've never heard of a finished Mk.I being so updated.

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker

Michael, do you have any evidence Mk.I carriers were ever updated to Mk.II? For sure Mk.I hulls were adapted as factory supplied Mk.II carriers (all the Mk.I bits were never installed and the holes riveted shut) but I've never heard of a finished Mk.I being so updated.

Yes, I do.