We have several Universal Carriers, although they are seldom all seen together. A single 43rd Recce Troop would operate with up to nine carriers, and five armoured cars. Carriers within a Troop were split into two sections of 3 or 4 carriers, with the final carrier (often a Windsor variant) being used by the Troop second-in-command (2IC).
Explore how 43 Recce fought with their armoured cars and carriers, as a ‘Troop and Patrols’, within their Squadron.
43RD (WESSEX) DIVISION GOES INTO ACTION ON THE ROAD TO AUNAY-SUR-ODON
Imperial War Museum (IWM) film attributed to 2 Aug 1944.
43rd Recce were not in action until 5th Aug, but are included in this 2 minute film. Copyright IWM, so opens in a new window on the IWM website.
Between 1:10 and 1:33 we see 3 x Universal Carriers and a Halftrack of 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment. The Halftrack is named ‘BELFREY’ indicating B Squadron.
Year : 1944
Designation : Carrier Universal no.2 Mk 11*
Model : C31UCW (Welsh Guards Stowage)
Engine : Ford 85 H.P’ V-8 L Head. Displacement (cu.in) 221
Manufacturer : Ford Motor Co of Canada Ltd.
– Hull : Canadian Bridge Company Armour Thickness : Side 7mm, front 10mm (riveted BP Steel)
– Armament : one Bren LMG, two L/E Rifles and two Sten Guns.
– Also either one 2″ Mortar or a Smoke Discharger.
– The former was fitted to the section leader’s carrier and could fire High Explosive (HE) and illumination as well as smoke
– Unladen weight : 7800lbs
– Gross weight : 9885lbs
Cost per unit : $3,000 (war-time prices)
Crew : 6
Power is transmitted through a standard clutch, four speed transmission and a conventional truck type axle with sprockets fitted rather than wheels. Steering is accomplished by a lateral movement of the front bogie assembly and breaking of either sprocket to stop the inside track for the second stage of steering. Both are accomplished by use of a steering wheel.
The Universal Carrier was developed from a series of infantry carriers designed between the war for reconnaissance purposes. They became synominous with the British Army serving on every battlefront and were modified to undertake a multitude of tasks including Vickers Machine Carrier, 3″ Mortar Carrier, Anti-Tank Gun Tower and Flamethrower.
The demand for Universal Carriers far exceeded UK production so Canada was invited to commence production producing by the end of the war 28,992 of all marks. This was approximately 20% of all Universal Carrier production. The MkII* version was introduced in 1943 and incorporated lessons learnt in the North African Campaign.
