Vehicle ID help please

[Nick Balmer]

Hello Bill,

It's a Leyland fitted a 3 Pdr gun manned by sailors probably from either HMS Sussex or possibly HMS Valiant.

There were at least three hired in civilian trucks fitted with naval guns and splinter mattresses in Palestine in 1936. One has "American" type wheels, and had a 2 pdr pom pom on it and a latge shield.

These three trucks were called Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

The Brits were trying to implement a League of Nations Mandate and to keep the Arabs and Jewish settlers apart.

The roads between Tulkarm and Deir Sharaf were being ambushed nightly, so these trucks accompanied by one with a searchlight, and Rolls Royce armoured cars set out to separate them.

I have a horrible feeling that UN troops will be placed in just such a situation days from now,

See Wheels & Tracks No. 22 for an excellent article by David Fletcher.

Regards

Nick Balmer