Cdn Army assembly of CMPs in UK

[servicepub (RIP)]

This is from CMHQ Report 113. http://www.dnd.ca/hr/dhh/history_arc...hq_e.asp?cat=1

86. The delay in the provision of vehicles was due in great part to assembly difficulties. In September 1943 there were in England approximately 17,000 Canadian vehicles in crates awaiting assembly (Memorandum from D.Q.M.G., C.M.H.Q., to B.G.S., C.M.H.Q., 15 Sep 43, file 38/CMD Prod MOS/2).
Civilian assembly facilities were inadequate to maintain a sufficient flow of completed vehicles to the Canadian Army Overseas. In order to augment the rate of assembly a Canadian Equipment Assembly Company was formed; this was soon expanded into 1 Cdn Eqpt Assembly Unit, comprising a headquarters and six companies (C.M.H.Q. Administrative Order No. 148), 17 Oct 43). Up to 5 Jan 44, this unit had assembled 3423 vehicles, of which 1902 were delivered complete and 1521 were awaiting final completion owing to shortages of parts
(Weekly Report, file 58/Wksp Eqpt E A C/1). At the time of writing 1 Cdn Eqpt Assembly Unit and the civilian firms under contract with C.M.H.Q. have together assembled approximately half of the 17,000 vehicles mentioned above (Information from Mr. J. Douglass, Superintendent, Canadian Mechanization
Depot).

Can anyone (Dave H?) fill me in on this? It seems fascinating.