Hi Bob;
Regarding your question:
1. Markings -- Any suggestions form unit or other "tribal" markings? Did one unit drive them and they were attached to troop units as required? - I've done some digging and this is what I've found:
Notes on Kangaroo APC's used in Italy 1944-45:
There were two principal troop carrying vehicles which became the responsibility of 9th Armoured Brigade; the Kangaroo and the Landing Vehicle Tracked (L.V.T. Mk IV).
At the end of October, 1944, 4th Hussars joined 9th Armd Bde and were given Kangaroo Armoured Personnel Carriers. The Kangaroo was a battle tank with its turret and ammunition stowage removed to allow as much room in the hull as possible for carrying infantry and their battle equipment across fire swept ground. There were various types, General McCreery had been so impressed by reports of their use in northern France that he gave orders in October 1944 for local conversions to be carried out. The Sherman was used first; later the more roomy hull of the Priest, self-propelled gun, was converted. The War Office promised to send out the equivalent of an infantry battalion lift from the United Kingdom, but failed to meet its obligation. In the end all 8th Army's armoured personnel carriers had to be produced in its own R.E.M.E workshops. For the Spring offensive, R.E.M.E modified 75 Sherman and 102 Priests, giving a lift of some four infantry battalions. A battalion lift of Kangaroos (4th Hussars) was ready for 8th Army's December offensive but conditions were unsuitable for their deployment. They were first used in 56th Division's successful though brief operation in January 1945 (4th Hussars).
The Armoured Personnel Carriers were operated by the 4th Hussars and the 14th/20th Hussars. The organization finally agreed to in March 1945 was:
4th Hussars:
- one APC Squadron: 53x Sherman Kangaroos
- one APC Squadron: 56x Priest Kangaroos
- one Armoured Squadron: 17x Sherman gun tanks
14th/20th Hussars:
- one APC Squadron: 40x Priest Kangaroos
- one Armoured Squadron: 28x Sherman gun tanks
4th Hussars trained with Kangaroos at Peasro. On 17th March they moved forward to 5th Corps to train with the British 56th, 78th and 8th Indian Infantry Divisions. 14th/20th Hussars joined 2nd Polish Corps on 26th March and trained with 43rd Gurkha Lorried Infantry Brigade.
From 10th April, 45 onwards, the 4th Hussars, along with the 2nd Armoured Brigade and 38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade, along with supporting arms, formed "The Kangaroo Army".
From photos I've seen of the Priest Kangaroos of the 4th Hussars, lifting units of the 38th Bde, it looks like "A" Sqn was the Priest Kangaroo equipped squadron of the 4th Hussars.
Hope this answers some of your questions.
Cheers
