A.R.V. (Grant) in 4th Cdn Armoured Div.

[John McGillivray]

Hello all,

In appendix “C” of CMHQ Report 141, it lists the equipment held by 1st Cdn Army in NWE at the end of Dec. 1944. It includes one A.R.V. (Grant).

I have attached the photo PA-135957, which is of vehicles of the 4th Cdn Armoured Div. The third vehicle behind the Sherman and the 3-Ton CMP appears to be the Grant A.R.V.

Dose anyone know to which unit the Grant belongs to, or has any more information about it? It is only to satisfy my curiosity.

John

http://www.forces.gc.ca/hr/dhh/Downl...hq/cmhq141.pdf

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally posted by John McGillivray
Dose anyone know to which unit the Grant belongs to, or has any more information about it? It is only to satisfy my curiosity.

John;

I found this Reference to your photo:

Item part of: Canada. Dept. of National Defence collection

'Sherman' tanks of the 4th Canadian Armoured Division [graphic]

26 Aug. 1944 / Bernay, France - 1 item - 2 1/4 sq. in. Army

REFERENCE NUMBERS:

ACCESSION: 1967-052 REPRODUCTION: PA-135957 (copy negative number);

CONSULTATION/REPRODUCTION:

Graphics: photos Restrictions on access: Nil

USE/REPRODUCTION:

Restrictions on use/reproduction: Nil Copyright: Expired
Credit: Ken Bell/Canada. Dept of National Defence/National Archives of Canada/PA-135957

Cheers

[Steve Guthrie]

Hi there

Apparently the 5th Armoured Division had one as well.

Somewhere I have reference to it being used by the 5th Armoured Brigade Workshop RCEME. It was deemed a more versatile (and valuable) vehicle than the Sherman ARV's because it had a winch and a boom. Consequently it was never sent into the front lines in case it got knocked out.

Steve

[John McGillivray]

Here is a photo of a Grant ARV I which is the British designation for the American Tank Recovery Vehicle T2 (M31).

The following is from Chamberlain and Ellis:

“Tank Recovery Vehicle T2 (M31): Trials of the T16 tractor suggested the use of the M3 chassis in the recovery role. Designated T2, this was a standard M3 with guns removed and replaced by dummy barrels, plus the addition of a rear mounted boom and winch, and tool boxes. Produced as a "limited procurement" conversion in September 1942, the T2 was redesignated M31 in September 1943 and classified "limited standard". M31B1 was same conversion on M3A3 and M31B2 was based on the M3A5. Winch had 60,000 lb pull.”

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by John McGillivray
Here is a photo of a Grant ARV I which is the British designation for the American Tank Recovery Vehicle T2 (M31).

Actually, the Grant ARV I was a British conversion of the Grant I or II:

Source: http://ww2photo.mimerswell.com/tanks/usa/med/m3/m3.htm


The M31 TRV was designated Grant ARV II by the British:

Source: http://ww2photo.mimerswell.com/tanks/usa/med/m3/m3.htm

HTH,
Hanno

[John McGillivray]

Hanno,

In Chamberlain and Ellis they list the Grant ARV and the Grant ARV I. So it looks like there is an error in their book.

If you look at the web site that you gave the link to, it also lists them as the Grant ARV and the Grant ARV I, with the Grant ARV I being the British version of the T2(M31).

Thanks John.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by John McGillivray
In Chamberlain and Ellis they list the Grant ARV and the Grant ARV I. So it looks like there is an error in their book.

John,

While Chamberlain & Ellis did great work in their time, their books are not without errors. Now, decades later, we have more sources available to enhance their initial research. Sadly, many of their errors are perpetuated by today's writers who simply copy what they read.

See British designations for US medium tanks and related AFVs for what I believe is the most accurate listing of designations available to date, based on original source documents. If any new information comes to light, I'd be happy to update the listing.

Regards,
Hanno

[John McGillivray]

Hanno,

I stand corrected.

thanks
John