Grizzlies

[Roddy de Normann]

Good morning to some, hello to all !

Ref Canadian Grizzlies - can anyone tell me who they were issued to ? I believe I am right in saying that very few left Canada, so where did they go ? Training units ?

Thanks to Peter Brown, I have details of the contracts as follows although I am not sure which were completed and which cancelled:

Contract - CDLV 558 for 189 vehs (reduced to 114) -

WD Nos:
CT-160194 to CT-160279 (86 vehs)
CT-163911 to CT-163930 (20 vehs)
CT-163949 to CT-163955 (7 vehs)
CT-164073 (1 veh - pilot model ?)

Contract - S/M 1482 for 92 vehs -

WD Nos:
CT-224784 to CT-224874 (91 vehs)
CT-329220 (1 veh - pilot model ?)

Thanks in advance

Roddy

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Roddy,

As far as as I know, no Grizzly Cruiser Tanks left Canada during WW2. They were used for training. Not sure if they were assigned to training units or units in training (if you know what I mean).

Some were converted to APC or driver's training vehicles, these had their turrets removed: http://web.inter.nl.net/users/spoels...04/apcgriz.htm

It was not until 1954 that 50 or more were shipped to Portugal as military aid: http://web.inter.nl.net/users/spoelstra/g104/p.htm

Interestingly, my web page on census numbers lists the following:
Shop No. 1 - 86 = DND registration no. CT-160194 - CT-160279
Shop No. 87 - 188 = DND registration no. CT-163911 - CT-164012

HTH,
Hanno
Sherman Register

[servicepub (RIP)]

I am expanding RamTank.ca to include Grizzlies, Skinks and Sextons (http://www.ramtank.ca/grizzly.htm) I will gladly accept any information or photos.
Clive

[Roddy de Normann]

Hanno -

Yep, you are correct ref the CT numbers...but on the Bovington contract card CT-164012 (102) has been crossed out and replaced with CT-163930 (20) so I presume the contract was cancelled...


Clive - will pass on any Grizzly details if I get them...

Roddy

[Roger Lucy]

LAC files indicate that certainly 75 and possibly 93 Grizzlies were sent to the UK in 1945. In late 1944, due to a shortage of M4 tanks from US supplies the War Office was interested in surplus Canadian M4 tanks. In late January, 1945, 75 Grizzlies were shipped to the United Kingdom. DND was willing to release another 18, which the War Office was interested in obtaining, but could not get authorization from Treasury. However as there were only 93 Grizzlies and two of the three Skinks in Canada and the end of the war,I assume that in the end they were sent.

Of those remaining in Canada, 40 were converted to APCs after the War and these along with the ones left as gun tanks were sent to Portugal as Military Assistance in 1954.
Roger

[Roger Lucy]

I forgot to add, here is the allocation Grizzlies in Canada as of 13 June 1946:
A21 RCOC TC Barriefield 2
Longue Pointe OD 1 (plus 1 Skink)
No.1 Proving Ground Ottawa 1 (plus 1 Skink)
Reserve Army Pool 4
Borden (storage) 52
A33 CACTE 30
Lord Strathcona's Horse 3