Restoration of Hull 731- Carrier, MG (Aust) Mortar Carrying

[Mike Cecil]

Hi Darrin,

OK, see your point, however this was my logic based upon formation and unit orders, and based upon your desire to represent 10/48 Infantry Battalion (AIF). This places the unit within a date range from March 1943 onwards (until the signage system changed in August 1944), as the unit did not 'go AIF' until about that date. (If you scratch the 'AIF' from the title, it date range could be Sept 42 onwards....)

10/48 Inf Bn arrived in NT as part of 3 Inf Bde in September 42, soon after amalgamation between 10 and 48 Inf Bns had taken place in August. Just before that, 10 Inf Bn had been in Sydney as part of 1 Inf Division prior to amalgamation with 48 Inf Bn - they are listed on 1 Div's ORBAT for 22 June 1942, with the unit sign 63 on a green background.

By end Dec 42, 10/48 Inf Bn had been transferred to 23 Aust Infantry Brigade, which was part of NT Force. (By then, 4 Div was in WA and well out of the picture).

The formation sign for NT Force/12 Aust Div came into existence in early 1943, and was promulgated by NT Force HQ as applying to all vehicles within the Force.

10/48 Inf Bn remained in NT Force until 1945, moving several times during that period: Nov 42 from 51.5 Mile to Fanny Bay; March 43 from Darwin Fortress to 37 Mile Camp; Nov 43 to Parap Camp; Dec 43 to 69 Mile Camp; March 44 back to Parap Camp, and May 44 to 67 Mile Camp, and so on.

So, the markings for 10/48 Inf Bn (AIF) have to post-date the Unit voting to 'go AIF', hence after March 1943. At that time they were (1) part of 23 Inf Bde and (2) with the higher formation of NT Force.

When the unit was posted to join 23 Inf Bde, they were allocated the unit sign of 53 on a red background, as per NT Force GS Instruction dated 15 December 1942. In early 1943, NT Force issued instructions that all vehs were to carry the buffalo over boomerang sign (and others were to be obliterated).

Hence, by March 1943 when the unit 'went AIF', the essential elements of the sign that come together for 10/48 Inf Bn were: 53 red background; Buffalo over boomerang.

As regards 82 on brown, this was indeed the marking for the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Brigade within an Infantry Division, but the actual application of same at unit level was also subject to a whole raft of other factors. And besides, 10/48 were, in theory, the 3rd Inf Bn within the 3rd Infantry Brigade within NT Force (23 Inf Bde had 7, 8, and 10/48 Bns), so in theory should have had the number '77' on the unit sign anyway. Why 53 on red? Hell, I don't know: some officer in higher HQ said so, that's why!

So, what you ultimately decide is up to you: it is your track, and what a truly magnificent job you are doing on it, too.

Regards

Mike

[Darrin Wright]

Mike, thank you for your comprehensive & detailed information on these unit markings.

Looking at my notes it would appear that I had the earlier unit signage correct (albeit with 1 mistake- the green & brown brigade colours mixed up). I did not have the info for when the unit transferred over to the AIF. So it makes sense and I am glad that I was on the right track going in the right direction.

I wish to make my vehicle correct as per the unit diary entry that I have, because that puts the vehicle in Darwin at that point in time. So will check the date of that entry and take on board your info and will most likely go with the info that you have provided.

EDIT:
Just checked my diary notes and they are from 17 Jan 43 to March 43 and detail that the unit had 21 BGC, 14 in MG configuration and 6 in Mortar configuration (with 1 MG BGC possibly as a command vehicle). Total of 7 BGC in Mortar Pl.
The notes, at this point in time, refer to the unit only as the 10/48th Aust Inf Batt- no AIF yet...

Once again, thank you very much.

[Darrin Wright]

I managed to trade some items for the last stowage box that I required (2nd from right box).
It did have a minor rusted out corner, so that was cut out, patches inserted and MIG welded back together.
Not my best welding; however, the patch work will never be seen due to its location.
Will be blasted early next week, and painted.

I think the 337 is an auction lot number, I did sand it down to see if there were any markings, but no.

[Darrin Wright]

Well after reading Mike's info and doing some research, I have found 2 variations on the NT Force Buffalo marking.
One source states that the signed and official formation marking has the animal facing to the right (as you look at it) over the boomerang.
Another source show"s the animal facing to the left as you look at it.

So which way should it face?

Soon I will take the correct image to the sign place and have a stencil made for spray painting.

[jack neville]

One for attack and one for retreat perhaps!!

[Ian Mastin]

It's the bottom one for me! Darrin.



Ian

[Darrin Wright]

Thanks Ian, I have a AWM pic that displays the Buffalo facing to the left.

Last night I installed the remaining 2 rear stowage boxes on the rear shelf.

Over the last week I have studied the reference pics when recovered (prior to restoration) and the official painting guides. What I have discovered is that no guide was followed. They just did their own thing, sort of...

I have used masking tape to give me a rough outline of where the camouflage lines will run.
Tonight is sits with tape all over it.

have done some test samples of light stone and different percentages of UFB to dull it down. Getting there with the matching satin effect.

[Darrin Wright]

Hull stencils are just about finished, so when I get it out of the wksp I will get some pics to update you on.

[Tony Wheeler]

Nice job on the replica base plate Darrin. It got me thinking about digital printing and what role it may play in the future for jobs like this. Some of the newer techniques can produce metal objects, and they're already used for complex shapes like aircraft parts and orthopaedic implants because they're cheaper than conventional manufacturing processes. It's only a matter time before this technology becomes fully commercialized and affordable in automotive and general industry. For example, consider the potential of Selective Laser Melting for those hard to get WWII vehicle parts:

"Selective laser melting is an additive manufacturing process that uses 3D CAD data as a digital information source and energy in the form of a high-power laser beam to create three-dimensional metal parts by fusing fine metallic powders together. Most machines operate with a build chamber of 250 mm in X & Y and up to 350 mm Z (although larger machines up to 500 mm X,Y,Z and smaller machines do exist). The types of materials that can be processed include stainless steel, tool steel, cobalt chrome, titanium & aluminium."

[Darrin Wright]

Our neighbour let us drive around on her 10 acre block/paddock, so after attending the local BBQ breakfast and flag raising, we drove down to the paddock (500m away).
With the size of the paddock and the laps that I completed, plus cutting back and forth; drove about 6km.
On 2 occasions, the engine stopped from fuel vaporising. Managed to restart the 1st time and continue driving. But the 2nd time I had to leave it for quite awhile and cool down. Spent the time in the neighbour's swimming pool. Not so bad.
Also managed to start finding all the gears, cannot get into 3rd and 4th around the driveway at home. But today I found them all!!!

[David Dunlop]

Great to see her out in her element, Darrin! Must have felt really good from your end!

David

[Darrin Wright]

I have a 3D printed data plate (collected last week) and have had it laser engraved with the details originally on my broken data plate.
Here are the pics of close up detail.

It is currently drying from a coat of green and will be ready to place on the BGC this weekend.

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

When the unit was posted to join 23 Inf Bde, they were allocated the unit sign of 53 on a red background, as per NT Force GS Instruction dated 15 December 1942.....Why 53 on red? Hell, I don't know: some officer in higher HQ said so, that's why!

I think we can make sense of it Mike. It seems there were two separate units formed from 10 and 48 Inf Bns:

1. E Coy, 48 Inf Bn joined 19 MG Regt in late '42, converting them to 19 MG Bn within 23 Inf Bde. Unit sign for MG Bn at that time was 53 on Red, which would seem to explain the December '42 instruction. Vehicle marking system changed in January '43, the new unit sign for NT Force MG Bn being 35 on Red. These Jan '43 instructions also introduced NT Force formation sign (Buffalo on Boomerang) which I assume would be present on all vehicles by March. The earliest appearance in photos I can actually date is 15 March.

2. 10/48 Inf Bn joined 3 Inf Bde in late '42, then joined 23 Inf Bde in March '43. As the last to arrive their unit sign should be 77 on Brown as you say.

Not sure what this means for Darrin's carrier but hopefully it adds to the picture. Info below reproduced from Australia's Forgotten Army Volume 2:

img209 - Copy.jpg

img210 - Copy.jpg

[Mike Cecil]

Tony, thank you! Now I see where I blundered!

As at 15 Dec 1942 10/48 Inf Bn were part of 3 Inf Bde (not 23 Inf Bde: my misinterpretation of the original instructions. To be fair, they are pretty badly presented.). 3 Inf Bde were the senior Brigade at that time, consisting of:
27 Inf Bn Veh sign 50
43 Inf Bn, veh sign 99
10/48 Inf Bn, veh sign 53

all of which had a red background. (E Coy is no longer relevant to the 10/48 markings story, as they had transferred to 19 MG Regt.)

The battalions in 23 Inf Bde at that time had a green background (7, 8 and 2/4 Pnr Bn) and 19 Inf Bde had a brown background (2/4, 2/8, 23/21 Bns).

When 10/48 Inf Bn was moved to 23 Inf Bde, they were allotted the unit sign 93 on a Green background, as per NT Force GS Instruction 37 of 6 April 1943.

So:
10/48 Bn Dec 42 to March 43: 53 on red. (part of 3 Inf Bde).
10/48 Bn March 43 till Sept 43: 93 on green (part of 23 Inf Bde until end Sept, then became part of 2 Inf Bde, then in July 1944, moved to 12 Aust Inf Bde)

Formation sign: Buffalo on boomerang from Jan 43 onwards.

Thank you.... I think we have it sorted!

Pity Graham Mck-Smith only produced the two volumes, they are excellent references. His original intention was to produce volumes to cover the entire mainland, but I've not seen anymore than V1&2: have you?

Mike

[Tony Wheeler]

Thanks for the explanation Mike. I'm always in the dark concerning late '42 unit serials, as the relevant instructions found in Taubert's work appear to be incomplete. Specifically, those relating to the new numbering system introduced in March '42:

SM 5849 of 30 March '42 instructs that: "AMF and AIF in Australia will adopt a new series of Unit serial numbers......Appendix "C" to SM 3457 will be destroyed and Appendix "A" to this instruction will be substituted." However, when I look at Appendix "A", which is indeed titled "Standard Unit Numbers for Inf. Divs.", I find it lists no numbers whatsoever, only background colours. Do you happen to have the applicable numbers Mike?

I agree with you concerning Graham McK Smith's work. I bought Volume 2 some time ago while researching my NT Force FGT8 provenance, and found it extremely comprehensive and immediately intelligible, even to my untrained mind. I particularly like the monthly location lists, which enable you to see at a glance exactly when each unit arrived and departed NT Force, as well as their precise movements within NT Force. As such it's an extremely useful ready reference, with further detail concerning movements and activities provided in the text. However it's more than just a research reference - I find it provides an excellent overall appreciation of WWII in the Northern Territory, by virtue of well structured chapters summarizing each stage of deployment, and explaining the policy and objectives behind them, all aimed at resisting the expected Japanese invasion. I'd very much like to read something similar on the Eastern States, but as you say Mike it appears he never completed the series. Which is perhaps not surprising, given his mention of 14 years researching Volume 2 alone! I can well believe that, given the breadth and detail found within. If anyone reading this thread is interested I have a spare copy available.

[Mike Cecil]

Tony,

Short answer is no, I don't: I suspect we sourced the same copy of SM5849. All I have for most of 1943 are unit and formation instructions which provide only unit-specific data, such as that for 10/48 Inf Bn mentioned above, and spread across a variety of dates throughout 1943 and early 1944 until the change to the two-tiered unit sign in August 44.

Mike

[Tony Wheeler]

Thanks Mike, I figured that was the case but thought it worth asking anyway. I note Taubert's introductory remarks: "Note should be made of the fact that during certain periods information on specific unit numbering does not exist (Part 2 of this manual). The reasons for this are many...."

[Darrin Wright]

Thanks guys for the detailed info on unit markings. Confusing now and it would have been just as confusing back in 1943. Some unit commanders would have been quick or slow to apply these changes and also depending on stores etc available at the time. So there would have been any number of vehicles sporting different unit markings during those busy days in and around Darwin.

My vehicle will be correct for Dec 42 to Mar 43 and I am happy with that as it ties in with the unit diary that I have for that time period.

From info gained in the 3" Mortar thread I have decided that the likelihood of ever finding a Mk1 base plate and then being able to purchase it would be quite remote. I have been following prices on mortar items and they are a little high to extreme. If and when the items come up.

So with that in mind, what does one do?

Well I decided to scale a replica baseplate from the pics on MLU and the mounting brackets in my hull.
So for less than $100 (and that includes buying the electric jigsaw cutter) I purchased 12mm ply, dowel wood and some wood screws and cut and assembled a baseplate. I then used automotive spray putty to fill in the wood grain and gaps; and when dry, a good heavy brushed coat of green left over from my Dodge restoration.

It has now dried and is mounted in the stowed position in the hull.

This was about 6hr of work to complete.

Being wood, it is quite light and does not pose a danger to my mortar crew (who are currently aged 12 & 14).

I think next I will try my hand at making a Vickers MG as I have the AutoCAD plans from Ebay. Not sure if I should go with a wooden or laser cut steel body?