UN / Canada / Cyprus beginings

[Robin Craig]

Howdy,

When Canada first deployed to Cyprus it has been asserted that the Canadian troops used British Ferrets on loan.

Does anyone have images or can point me to images that definitively proves this statement. In addition any official paperwork that supports this would be invaluable.

If you don't have photos or paperwork were you there and did you see it happen?

This information is being sought to assist in the authentic recreation of that usage.

Thanks in advance


Robin

[Dano McLaren]

My dad was in Cyprus in 64 as Sigs attached to the VanDoos. I know they used British land rovers and Bedfords. I have this photo but can't seem to find the Cyprus album.

[rob love]

I have a series of press release photos which show the Canadian ferrets being prepped, loaded, unloaded (in Famagusta) and used in Cypress. The vehicles were unloaded March 30th, and there are photos of them being used for patrols in April.

According to a CF website, the advance elements of the Cdn Army started showing up in Cypress on 15 March. It would have been the LDSH who operated the ferrets, and the site does not mentin when they started showing up, or if the LDSH came at the same time, or even with the ferrets.

I would suggest that if Canada did borrow any British ferrets, then it would have been for a two week period or less. It would be very unlikely that the Canadians would re-mark them given the very short period of loan, and that is if it even happened.

As to Bedfords, we were still using them in the late 80s. But not because they came from the British army. We just often used fleets that were more easily sustainable in those outward theaters, just as you would see Mercedes Benz and VW used more often in Germany. That way we could draw on existing civilian supply sources, as opposed to trying to find pieces for North American vehicles where the civilian supply chain did not exist. Or even worse, trying to hold every piece to support every type of equipment.

During my tour in 89, the Iltis were already being packed up to return home as failures, and they were replaced with a fleet of Pajeros for the Jeep class, Toyotas for the 5/4 ton cargo class, and 3 ton Hinos to replace the 5/4 ton van style. All were chosen because similar civilian vehicles were available on the Island so their supply chains could be used. We also installed a commercial Holmes wrecker unit on the back of a Hino which replaced an old militia type 1980 Chevrolet 1 ton we had been using up to then. I was quite involved in that project in my last week there, and even was the one of the first to take it out on the line if I recall.

In those days, for parts, you filled out a paper 2302, they went out with the plane on Wednesdays back to Germany, and if Germany had it, then the part might be on the plane the next week, or maybe the week after. If it was coming from Canada, then you could be waiting weeks to months.

Things were quite a bit better for Afghanistan, however we still used local fleets of vehicles either as rentals or in some cases purchased. I won't go into specifics on those.

[Dan Martel]

Originally Posted by Robin Craig

When Canada first deployed to Cyprus it has been asserted that the Canadian troops used British Ferrets on loan.

Robin,

I've also read that Canadians used British Ferret scout cars in Cyprus, but it had nothing to do with a lack of scout cars available on initial deployment. Canadian Ferrets were available right from the beginning. Seven Ferrets (a troop) of the RCD were flown to Cyprus on Yukon aircraft at the same time as the R22eR. The remainder of the squadron arrived on HMCS Magnificent with the rest of the heavy vehicles.

The use of British Ferrets comes from photographs of Canadians using Ferrets with a turret, which the Canadian Mk I versions did not have. It might have been on the Canadian Ferret website, but the assertion was that any Canadian photographed operating a Ferret with a turret was in a British vehicle. I think the reason behind their usage was the extra protection it offered the vehicle commander. I'm afraid that's all I can recollect from what I read years ago.

So, look for photographs of Canadians operating scout cars with a turret, and then see if you can determine a British Army or Canadian Army registration number. It's as good a place as any to start.

Cheers,
Dan.

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Dan Martel

Robin,

The remainder of the squadron arrived on HMCS Magnificent with the rest of the heavy vehicles.

My references say it was the aircraft carrier Bonaventure that brought the ferrets across.

The turrets would make sense. Far better than the chicken cages 202 made up for our ferrets.

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by Dan Martel

The remainder of the squadron arrived on HMCS Magnificent with the rest of the heavy vehicles.

Dan;

HMCS Magnificent served with the RCN from 1948 to 1957, at which point, it was replaced by HMCS Bonaventure. The Magnificent‘s last mission, was that of the deployment of the Canadian UNEF contingent during the Suez crisis of 1956.

HMCS Bonaventure was involved with the deployment of the Canadian UNFICYP contingent to Cyprus in 1964, reference: paragraph 74, which reads:

"the Canadian contribution would consist of the First Battalion, the Royal 22e Regiment and a reconnaissance squadron of the Royal Canadian Dragoons.(132) The force would be airlifted to Cyprus by the R.C.A.F.'s Transport Command, and vehicles and materiel would be shipped on board the aircraft carrier H.M.C.S. Bonaventure.(133),"

of DIRECTORATE OF HISTORY - CANADIAN FORCES HEADQUARTERS - Report Number 4 - Canada and Peace-keeping Operations, dated 22 October 1965.

Cheers

[Dan Martel]

Originally Posted by Dan Martel

The remainder of the squadron arrived on HMCS Magnificent with the rest of the heavy vehicles.

Must have been a typo. Of course I meant the Bonaventure. Damn stubby fingers.

Cheers,
Dan.

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by Dan Martel

Must have been a typo. Of course I meant the Bonaventure. Damn stubby fingers.

[oldlithgow]

This old thread may be of some help.
http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/showthread.php?t=8628

[Robin Craig]

Dear All,

I know I go on a bit about things but proof always wins out in the end. Thank you for your replies thus far.

I am a royal pain on this subject I know.

This is the only image I have been able to find. Have a look at it and tell me what you think, there are some interesting details if you look closely.

Regards

Robin