M3 Stuart light tank, 1942

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by ericnuyt
The tanks were subsequently sent to Australia where they served with either the Australian or US Army.
Does anybody know which type/version of M3 this would have been (turret shape etc.)?

Nuyt, expert Paul Handel in M3 Stuart Light Tanks In Action In New Guinea writes: "at least one shipment was “Refugee Cargo”, indicating that a shipment bound for a destination other than Australia was diverted to this country when the original destination was overrun by the Japanese".
Further, Paul notes "in Australia there was great confusion over deliveries allocated and deliveries received, coupled with the fact that ships carrying refugee cargo arrived at undesignated ports and with cargoes unknown to local authorities until unloading and sorting took place. Official records therefore at best can only provide a part picture, ...".
So it seems M3 Light Tanks assigned to the NEI were diverted to - and used by - Australia, but their exact subtype will probably remain unknown. Possibly some of the members of the G103 · Stuart Light Tank mailing list can help to shed further light on this subject?

Regards,
Hanno