Burma carriers

[Rlangham]

Recently been reading about the 'Battle of the Admin Box' in the Arakan, Burma, early 1944. It mentions an attack on Japanese positions by a bren carrier patrol - does anyone know if the carriers in use at this time would be standard universal carriers, or if Bren carriers were still being used? I know that the poor chaps in the far east were last on the line for new equipment so wasn't sure. Any photos of them in use in the far east would be nice as well, if anyone had them.

Cheers, Rob

[alleramilitaria]

no such thing as a "bren carrier", they are kinda like the north american snipe, or southwest jackalope.

[horsa]

Think the "Machine Gun Carrier" series of vehicles was being transitioned to the "Bren Gun Carrier" series in 1937. The "Universal Carrier" made its appearance in 1939.

[alleramilitaria]

right MG carrier, but i dont think i have ever seen any "OFFICIAL" wording for "bren gun carrier". and im just being silly, not being a bolt nazi

[horsa]

Pretty sure the it was offically a Carrier, Bren following the Carrier, MG nomenclature. Only for a couple of years though. It was one of the initial body changes where a real crew comparment was created.

Sure someone else will chime in that knows more about this given a bit of time.

[alleramilitaria]

official name...... carrier machine gun No.2

osprey book page 10

[horsa]

Don't have the book. Does it say anything past what you found on that page to indicate what followed and when UC started being used as a name

[alleramilitaria]

summery....
the MG carrier No.1 (vickers) was reworked prior to WWII into the MG carrier No2 (bren). the rear was still cut away and when it went to a fully armored (yea right) version the name was changed to universal carrier MKI. NoI.
most comon carriers (canadian and brit) but not all
MG carrier No.1
MG carrier No.1 AOP carrier
MG carrier No.2 MKI
cav carrier
universal carrier MKI no.1-3
universal carrier MKI*
universal carrier MKII
universal carrier MKII (welsh)
universal carrier MK II med MG carrier
universal MK II artillery AOP carrier
3 in mort carrier
2 lb carrier
wasp

[Lynn Eades]

Here it is again Dave, as you must have missed it last time.
The" No." part is only the size of the motor; No.1 = 60 hp
No.2 = 85 hp
No.3 = 95 hp
You are sort of correct , but to be more accurate , the Carrier M.G. was re worked to produce the Carrier Bren No.2 (85 hp) Mk1.
They were mostly lost at Dunkirk and none exist in the U.K.
Even with my limited knowledge of the subject ,I've found
lots of erroneous info in print, with regards to Carriers.
So... as per plate. "Carrier Bren No2 Mk1"
Cheers.

[alleramilitaria]

wow i need some new books!!! even the official books from 40, 42, and 44 dont even say anything about the carrier as a BREN carrier. just carrier MG NO.2 MK1
learn something new every day.

does the carrier with the plack have the rear armor for the crew or is it a 3 man carrier?

[sapper740]

Originally posted by alleramilitaria
no such thing as a "bren carrier", they are kinda like the north american snipe, or southwest jackalope.

Uh, actually Snipe is a game bird that may be legally hunted in British Columbia, Canada, mein Gauleiter.

[alleramilitaria]

sapper, im talking about down here in the lower 48. you guys also have horse flys that feel like you were really bitten by horses
OUCH!!!!!

[grant fincher]

I think the term "Bren Gun Carrier " became the common name for any carrier. My uncle was in Egypt during the war and called them Bren Gun Carriers, as did my father who was not old enough to join up in 45. We came to Australia in 64 and quite a number of carriers were sold to farmers as very fast tractors. The common usage was also "Bren Gun Carrier" in those days. Not entirely correct, but every knew whay was meant.

[Lynn Eades]

Dave, check out the "I.D. Plate" thread for "then" and "now" pictures of the same Bren.