Independent Machinegun Battalions

[horsa]

I've read the overview for the book but don't have a copy yet. On my wish list but I don't think it will cover what I was originally looking for on this thread. It probably would answer the things I was speculating on related to why the heavy mortar units received the T-16 in favor of the A/T units though.

Shot below is from the 1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (MG) history. It shows a T-16 4.2" Mortar Carrier prior to Operation Switchback in October 1944. You can tell it is a mortar version by the angle iron rail bolted down the length of the hull where the normal side skirts would be bolted on. This shot appears in a couple of other publications but it has different captions when compared to the 1948 printed Cameron war diary.



And since you asked, I think this is an overhead shot of an Oxford Carrier. It says experimental in the caption so the layout could be different but the exterior would appear to be an Oxford based on the front fenders, front armor and the skirt area over the tracks. It comes from the old Profile AFV Weapons series and is the book titled Armoured Personnel Carriers - A Survey. Price was $2 back in 1974

[Michael Dorosh]

The book is actually a streamlined version of four different reports, one of which you quoted from already - still well worth the money, in my opinion.

I sent the picture of the Oxford Carrier to an acquaintance - a group is working on a Korean War module for the ASL game and need to know the layout in order to do the counter artwork - and was quite thrilled after multiple searches proved fruitless. Thank goodness for old books, eh? Huge thanks to you, and your library.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Michael Dorosh

I sent the picture of the Oxford Carrier to an acquaintance - a group is working on a Korean War module for the ASL game and need to know the layout in order to do the counter artwork - and was quite thrilled after multiple searches proved fruitless.

Maybe some of the pictures in Oxford Carriers are of use to your acquaintance.

- Hanno

[Michael Dorosh]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Maybe some of the pictures in Oxford Carriers are of use to your acquaintance.

Mmm thanks for that. He was mostly in need of an overhead view - plan view or photograph. Still would like one if possible, but has found a good deal of side photos, which for his purposes unfortunately don't help much. He's designing boardgame counters which are done from the top aspect.

[servicepub (RIP)]

Dave,

Contact Dr. Ken Reynolds at DND's Directorate of History & Heritage. He was the Regimental curator/historian for the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa and was working on an updated history. I believe that he was in A'stan recently for DHH but should be back by now. I am sure that he can help.
I don't have access to his contact data right now but you can try through their website at http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/index-eng.asp

Clive

[horsa]

Hey Clive,

Weird timing you mentioning Dr. Reynolds as I just got off the phone with the museum and then got back on the computer to check messages and saw your updated post. He apparently is still over there but should be back in about a month they said. The book is supposed to be completed but not yet in print from what I was told. Not sure if it will fill in more of the specifics or not since it covers the time period from formation until recent years. Likely a carrier is a carrier but you never know.

I'd been planning to call since Thursday night is their drill night and the museum is open 7-10pm. Had hoped to catch a history buff or a WWII veteran working the desk.

Guess I'll flip over to your site now and order the book Mike recommended as it may fill in another puzzle piece or answer the next unformed question that pops into my head Still wondering if D-Coy went to Normandy with the T-16s or if they got them later in the campaign. I know they pulled off the line for a week at the beginning of August '44 for rest and vehicle maintenance so its possible they received some new vehicles then if they didn't already have them.