Canadian tank crews small arms

[Ed Storey]

Don't confuse WWII Thompson use with Korea. The Thompson was used early in WWII by the Canadian Army for training in the UK and in the Italian theatre. The Sten began replacing the Thompson in 1942 and the Thompson was not used by Canada in NW Europe. Remember the Thompson takes .45 cal ammunition and the Sten 9mm which impacts on the supply chain every time you introduce a new calibre of ammunition.

The RASC Standing Orders for 1 Commonwealth Division, the formation that the Canadian 25th Brigade fought under, clearly lists the variety of ammunition that the Division is require to supply and .45 cal ammunition is not on that list. The list does contain 9mm, 7.92mm BESA as well as .30 cal Belted, .50 cal Belted and .30 cal Carbine.

Some 60 years ago our U.S. may well have been very generous with their weapons and I have no doubt that 'gentlemen deals' were reached; but please do not let these colourful stories overshadow the facts.