Universal Carriers

The so called universal carrier was a great vehicle and as someone that drove one for the best part of the Africa to Austria campaign to us no other vehicle could have been the same we carried 4.2 mortars and Vickers machine guns and 56 recce also had them and they were probing enemy lines all the time so needed a reliable vehicle
If I was to find a fault it would have to be if you shed a track it was a hard job to get the track back around the sprocket to repair the track and push the pin through the two sides of the track and put a normal split pin once you had engaged both sides cobbled roads were a bugbear they had a mind of their own then and it was a toss up where you would end up the steering wheel was no use .they were easy to get out off and the engine was easily accessible so all in all a great little vehicle we even drove them over the Alps into Austria

Cheers niccar

 

My Late father mentioned that his unit had Bren Universal carriers in the Recce early in the Italian campaign and they loved them. A real workhorse, but apparently they were replaced by American White scout cars. Dad said that they had four all named after the Musketeers! I seem to recall that they were fitted with a cannon. He also mentioned staghounds came later.

Regards

Tom

 

After hostilities ceased in Italy there was much re-equipping of the Forces in the Trieste area.
As part of this process, we lost our beloved Honey (Stuart Mk III) tank and were given a Universal carrier in it's place.
I can't say i was much impressed by the replacement but i did admire it's maneuverability and you could literally "turn on a sixpence"


Ron

 

Was recently at #2 (Starting at about 17mins in) on here:

 

They shall beat their swords into plowshares!

 

Photograph from
Title: Wounded in Battle

Author: J. B. McKinney

In: Episodes & Studies Volume 1

Publication details: Historical Publications Branch, Wellington

Part of: The Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–1945

 

Hi all
Attached is a photo of 56th recce bren carriers entering Centuripe Sicily .

 

Gosh I love that photo Dave. It's a pity the men's faces aren't clearer.
Where did you get that photo?

Lesley

 

Hi Lesley,

It came up randomly in this Facebook group:

ONLY PHOTOS OF CARS, MOTORBIKES and TRUCKS TAKEN BETWEEN 1930 & 1969

 

Pretty sure I posted this before in another thread, but still... the ultimate Christmas present!

 

Some photos of Sgt. Fruin's mortar carriers (all called "Rene") and one other. Sgt. Fruin was mortar sergeant in G Company of the 8th Rifle Brigade (11th Armoured Division). For more on Sgt. Fruin and other members of the battalion, please take a look at my website Home - 8th Rifle Brigade. I hope you will enjoy it!