News from Heroes and Leaders mod

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British Cromwell VI T95* MT

The Cromwell VI CS (Close Support) was identical to Cromwell IV, but a low-velocity 94mm howitzer, which was designated 95mm to distinguish it from the weapon used in the older, the obsolete CS tanks, and was replaced the original gun of 75 mm to provide a close-support vehicle for the infantry. The Centaur IV were renamed later Cromwell Mark.VI. The precise number of Cromwells built is no longer known, but would appear to be about 341 was produced; in addition, many Centaurs were converted to Cromwells.
Named after the English Civil War-era military leader Oliver Cromwell, the Cromwell was the first tank put into service by the British to combine high speed from a powerful and reliable engine (the Rolls-Royce Meteor), and reasonable armour. The name "Cromwell" was initially applied to three vehicles during development. The Centaur tank was closely related to the Cromwell, both vehicles being externally similar. The Cromwell and Centaur tanks differed in the engine used; the Centaur had the 410 hp Liberty engine, the Cromwell had the significantly more powerful 600 hp Meteor; Centaur hulls were converted to Cromwells by changing the engine.
The Cromwell tank entered front-line service with the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944. Cromwells landed with the following forces on D+1. They saw extensive action with the British Army, forming part of the 6th Airborne Division, 7th Armoured Division, 11th Armoured Division, Guards Armoured Division, and 1st (Polish) Armoured Division.

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British Challenger A30 T76LL MT

Originally intended for long-range tank-vs-tank combat in the desert, the Challenger featured a lengthened Cromwell hull and chassis, with the hull center section widened to accommodate the large turret needed to carry a 17pdr. Unfortunately, the Cromwell was basically unsuitable for such a powerful gun, and numerous problems and delays were encountered during development. Many of the Challenger's deficiencies were never fully rectified, and concern about this led directly to the concept of the Sherman Firefly. The Challenger could not be used on D-Day because no deep-wading gear had been produced for it and the long guns prevented conversion of Challengers (or Fireflies) to DD status and suffered from front idler assembly failures.
The Challenger was a poor and unpopular substitute of the Firefly due to its inferior armour and a tendency to shed its tracks thanks to an unfortunate combination of rear sprockets, excessive track and hull length and its Christie suspension (which dispensed with return rollers). Another drawback was its poor ammunition stowage, for it carried only 42-48 rounds for the 17-pdr whereas the Firefly had up to 78. The stowage in the Challenger was the exact opposite; 31 rounds were in the hull front, three in the hull sides and just 14 readily available in odd corners of the turret, and while the tank's second loader was a help in feeding the gun, its rate of fire was not surprisingly too low to warrant. As for the derated '77mm' 17-pdr in the Comet, its AP performance was seriously compromised by the absence of APDS ammunition in wartime; small quantities were manufactured from early 1945 onwards but there is no evidence that it was ever issued. It was some consolation that the gun's accuracy and its HE round were both superb.
Even after being put into production the Challenger was still not considered truly battleworthy—but its potent armament was needed in combat, so it was issued to the Cromwell-equipped armoured recce regiments of the 7th, 11th, Guards, and 1st Polish Armoured Divisions, in which it was used in the same manner as the Firefly. 200 Challengers were built.

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British Matilda II MkII T40L

This was the first version of what the British referred to as the Infantry ("I") tank, whose sole function was to accompany and support infantry. The design specifications of the Matilda called for it to be small (i.e., inconspicuous) but well armored. A top speed greater than that of infantry was held to be unnecessary. Also of prime importance was that it be inexpensive to manufacture.
The Infantry Tank Mk II was faster and more heavily armored than its predecessor, and carried a gun capable of destroying any German tank in use in 1940. It was sometimes called the Matilda Senior while the Matilda I was still in service, but later was referred to simply as the Matilda. Its thick hide and well-protected tracks (which were covered by an outer layer of armor) made it virtually invulnerable to all but the German 88—as was shown in France at the battle of Arras. (Indeed, it is said that the Germans developed APCR directly in response to their experiences with Matildas in France.) In North Africa, after playing a large part in the rout of the Italian 10th Army in late 1940, the Matilda was dubbed "Queen of the Battlefield". In 1941 even German tankers showed a marked reluctance to engage it with anything less than over-whelming superiority—a condition the British called "Matildaitis". However, its lack of speed in the mobile desert war, its inability to be upgunned and the lethality of the 88 eventually caused its demise. Only 23 were used in France—all in the 1st Army Tank Brigade. Many were used in North Africa, seeing action in the 1st and 32nd Army Tank Brigades. In addition, B Squadron of the 4th RTR used Matildas in Eritrea, and eight fought on Crete with the 7th RTR.

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British Matilda II Mk II CS T76*

The Matilda II Mk II CS T76* was a tank for the close support of the infantry (CS) provided with an howitzer of 3inch (76.2 mm).
Throughout the war, a troop (called a section, prior to 1941) of Infantry tanks contained three "I" tanks of the same basic model (e.g., Matilda II or Valentines, etc.); CS models were normally found in a fighting troop only in the PTO, where the Australians used one CS and two 2pdr-versions per troop. Very generally, when "I" tanks were available one troop was allotted to each assaulting infantry company. Amazingly, a 1940 Army Tank Brigade—a formation whose sole function was to provide front line armor support for infantry operations—contained not one HE-firing weapon. This was belatedly, but only partially, remedied in early 1941 by the addition of a few CS "I" tanks to each squadron. Matildas were used in the PTO by the Australians, first on New Guinea, then later on Bougainville and in Borneo; they also developed a FT version, a few of which were used 7-8/45.
One Matilda variant which saw action after mid 1942 was the Matilda Scorpion, an early type of flail tank. 32 were available at the start of the second battle of Alamein, and some were used during the fighting at the Mareth and Wadi Akarit lines. In action they proved rather unreliable due to inherent weaknesses in the flail mechanism.
When Matilda was withdrawn from the service in 1942, more of these tanks were still in good functioning order. The Matilda was the first British tank with being equipped with plagues for the mine clearance, installing rollers or while transporting heavy loads of demolition. Layers of bridge were also developed, as well as tanks of earthwork with blades of bulldozer, tanks equipped for crossing of trenches with sliced or equipped with flame thrower.

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British Valentine II Mk III T40L

The Infantry Tank (“I”) Mk III, a private venture by Vickers-Armstrong Ltd., was loosely based on the A10 chassis and derived its name from being submitted to the War Office just before Valentine's Day, 1938. In mid-1939 with the war imminent it was ordered into production "straight off the drawing board"—and surprisingly proved to be one of the most reliable British tanks of the war. Though designed as an "I" tank it was often used as a Cruiser, in which role it was handicapped by its low speed and poor turret layout. 350 Valentine I were built, but apparently none were sent overseas. 675 Valentine II were built, plus an undetermined number of Valentine IV (which the game piece also represents). The difference between the three models lay solely in the type of engine used. Valentine II and IV made their greatest contribution to the Allied cause with 8th Army in North Africa, where they were used by the 1st and 32nd Army Tank Brigades and the 23rd Armoured Brigade. A small number were also used by a Special Service Tank Squadron in the invasion of Madagascar.
To overcome the deficiencies of the Valentine's two-man turret, a three-man version entered production around the end of 1941. Those with the new turret were designated Mk III or V depending on the type of engine installed (and all are equivalent in game terms). Their main combat use was in Tunisia with the 6th Armoured Division, which used mixed squadrons of Valentine III, Valentine V and Crusader III until re-equipped with Sherman III in March 1943 (at which time the Valentines were turned over to the French Army in Tunisia). In the PTO the three-man-turret Valentine was used just once, with the 3rd New Zealand Division's Special Army Tank Squadron Group during the 2/44 assault on Green Island. 25 Valentine III were employed there, with 9 carrying 3-in. howitzers instead of the standard 2pdr armament—a conversion made by the New Zealanders to give their Valentines a good HE capability.

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British Churchill Mk IV T57L

As a precaution against the possible return of WW1-type trench warfare, a requirement was issued in 1939 for a heavy Infantry tank to succeed the Matilda II. The new tank, designated A20, was to have the ability to cross very wide trenches and ground churned up by shellfire. It was not a success, but after Dunkirk it was hurriedly redesigned as the A22 (later officially named the Churchill) and put into immediate production; not surprisingly, the early models suffered from numerous mechanical defects. 303 Churchill I were built. After first seeing combat in the Dieppe debacle, the Mk I was employed as a CS (Close Support) vehicle in the 21st and 25th Tank Brigades in Tunisia and Italy. 1,127 Churchill II were also produced, with a BMG replacing the hull-mounted 3-inch howitzer—but most were either sent to the USSR or rebuilt as Mks III and IV.
A new turret had to be designed to mount the 6 pounder gun in the Churchill. Ultimately, two styles were produced: one of welded armor plate and another which was equivalent but made of cast armor. The Churchill III had the welded turret and the Churchill IV the cast version. The Mk III had its baptism of fire at Dieppe. Later, six Mk III were sent to Egypt for desert trials: Termed Kingforce, under the command of 1st Armoured Division they participated in two engagements during the second battle of Alamein, and were then withdrawn for evaluation. Churchill III and IV also saw action in Tunisia and Italy with the 21st and 25th Tank Brigades, and in NWE with the 6th Guards, 31st and 34th Tank Brigades. Prior to April 1945, Churchill squadrons in Italy contained two troops of Shermans. A TD troop was also often attached to a Churchill squadron in the ETO. 675 Mk III and 1,622 Mk IV were built.

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British Churchill Mk VII T75

As ample supplies of the British 75mm gun became available it was decided to mount it in the Churchill IV, which with this gun was designated Churchill VI. The Heroes and Leaders mod unit also represents the Churchill IV as modified in Tunisia by replacing its 6pdr with the 75mm gun and mantlet of a wrecked Sherman. Called the Churchill NA75, about 200 of these were converted; they were used in Italy by the 21st and 25th Tank Brigades.
In 1943 a major redesign of the Churchill was undertaken. The resulting Churchill VII, while in external appearance quite similar to its predecessors, in fact contained many improvements beyond its thicker armor. The Churchill VIII was identical to the VII aside from its low-velocity howitzer for the CS (Close Support) role. About 1,600 Mk VII and VIII were built. The Churchill was the second most numerous type of British-built tank in NWE, and was used in the 6th Guards, 31st and 34th Tank Brigades. The Mk VII and VIII appeared in Italy only late in the war, being used there in the 21st Tank Brigade. Some of the earlier Churchill Mks were improved to roughly Mk VII standards by the addition of applique hull armor and, in some cases, the Mk VII turret; designated Mks IX-XI. Total Churchill production was 5,640 vehicles. Since even the Churchill VII's hull was too narrow to accommodate the large turret needed to carry a 17pdr, a widened version called the Black Prince was developed. However, none of the six prototypes produced prior to VE Day saw combat, and the project was later cancelled in favor of the much superior Centurion.

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British Wolverine SPM M10 T76L TD

The Great Britain was also equipped with M10s and M10A1s which it baptized Wolverines and was employed in most types of AT regiments. British M10s were designated as 3in SPM M10. The M10 with the "wedge" counterweight was known as the 3in SPM M10 Mk I and the M10 with the "duck bill" counterweight was designated the 3in SPM M10 Mk II.
The Wolverine Tank Destroyer is based on the chassis of the M4A2 Sherman with diesel engine GM 6046 of 12 cylinders (mounted by couple on line), with liquid cooling, of 13.9 L of displacement, developing 375 to 410 hp at 2100 rpm. It is distinguished from the M10A1 thanks to its grid of ventilation of small size on the rear deck of the superstructure. The Tank Destroyer M10A1 is based on the chassis of the M4A3 Sherman with gasoline engine Ford GAA of 8 cylinders (V), of 18 L of displacement, developing 500 hp to 2600 rpm. It is distinguished from M10 thanks to its grid of ventilation of large size on the rear deck of the superstructure.
In British service, as self-propelled anti-tank guns, the M10 was operated by regiments of the Royal Artillery. Typically, two batteries had M10s while the other two batteries had the towed 17-pounder gun. One tactical theory was that the two towed batteries would form a gun line, while an M10 battery remained mobile on each flank to drive or lead enemy tanks to the static gun line. In practice, UK batteries were frequently separated in Normandy, M10s being seconded to British tank brigades equipped with Churchill tanks armed with the general purpose 75 mm gun just as were British 17 pounder conversions.
A troop com-prised four such AFV. 1,648 M10 GMC were Lend-Leased to the British. The appearance of the Archer in late 1944 freed additional Wolverines for conversion to Achilles.

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British Achilles T76LL TD

The British found the gun of 76 mm insufficient and lower than their anti-tank gun of 76.2 mm (17-pounder) Mark V. The gun of 76.2 mm was thus installed on a certain number of specimens with some modifications. The Achilles was basically a Wolverine with a 17-pounder gun replacing the original 3-inch gun. Both were employed in most types of AT regiments. A troop com-prised four such AFV. The appearance of the Archer in late 1944 freed additional Wolverines for conversion to Achilles.
Indeed to balance the British gun (equipped with a longer tube), a counterweight was installed at the end of the tube just behind the muzzle brake (with double deflector). The collar of the shield of the gun had to be widened to compensate the less diameter of the gun of 76.2 mm compared to that of the 76 mm (less thickness of steel). The cylinder head was also equipped with small modifications to be installed in the turret of M10. The gun of 76.2 mm had an elevation of 20° and a depression of 5° only. The British 76.2 mm was higher than the American 76 mm. Other changes were carried inside to conform the tank to the British uses.
Although the Wolverines used by the British forces were used mainly as support vehicle, nevertheless the Achilles rearmed with the gun of 17-pounder (76.2 mm) were used like true tank destroyers at the time of the reconquest of France.
Achilles went ashore on D-Day, equipping units of the Royal Artillery and Royal Canadian Artillery in Armoured Division or Corps Anti-tank Regiments. A typical AT Regiment would have 4 Batteries, 2 x Towed 17 Pdr Batteries, 1 x Achilles and 1 x M10 Battery. The M10 Battery was replaced by a second Achilles Battery as more vehicles became available.

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British Archer B76LL TD

With the 17-pounder with high swiftness, the English held a beautiful success as regards anti-tank weapon. Indeed the 17-pounder (76.2 mm) was able to destroy the great majority of the German tanks. However this gun until now only used as traditional piece of artillery missed mobility singularly. One thus judged necessary to create a motorized version of this gun. Research carried out gave like fruit the Challenger in 1944 and Avanger in 1945. The Challenger was not a success and Avanger came well too late to be able to be used with the combat. During the development of these two tanks it was decided to design a self-propelled gun on the basis of chassis existing, easy to produce and deliverable rather quickly. In July 1942 Vickers used the chassis of the Infantry Tank Valentine on the way to become obsolete. The first prototypes were delivered to at the beginning of 1943. Production of the Archer—the first full-tracked, British-built TD of any consequence in the war—began in early 1944, utilizing the late-model Valentine chassis. In July of that year, four were shipped to Normandy and another four to Italy, but not until late that year did Archer-equipped units enter combat. The Archer was unusual in that the gun faced to the vehicle's rear, which nullified its value in an offensive role, but which proved handy when having to quickly pull out of a position. The design also placed the breech of the 17-pounder directly behind the driver's head, thus making firing on the move impossible. Archers were used in troops of four in AT regiments, but outside of Italy apparently not in those assigned to armoured divisions. On the 800 ordered models, only 655 were delivered before the war is finished.

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British Daimler Dingo Mk I BMG SC:

With the end of the Thirties, the firm Alvis Coventry proposed the prototype of a scout 4x4vehicle. This vehicle baptized "Dingo" transported two crewmen and a light machine-gun .303cal (7.7 mm) Bren standard. In 1937, the BSA firm also produced a similar vehicle but slightly heavier. The Morris Commercial Car Ltd firm, also went there from its prototype.
In early 1938 the War Office requested a very small, partially armored vehicle to be used for scouting and liaison. This eventually resulted in the "Mark I Scout Car"—more commonly known as the Daimler Scout Car. Production ran to 6,626 vehicles in five Marks, the last of which was open-topped. Dingos proved quite successful, and the resulting demand for scout cars led to several other companies being asked to produce similar types. Ford of Canada answered this call by producing the Lynx, a copy of the Daimler. To get it into production as quickly as possible, already-existing automotive components were utilized, and because of this its exterior dimensions were significantly greater than those of the Daimler. 3,255 Lynx were built.
The Daimler's first combat came in Belgium and France, with 21 in the 4th Battalion of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, the recce battalion of the 50th Infantry Division, and 30 more in the various HQ units of the 1st Armoured Division. Thereafter as scout cars became more available they were allotted to many different types of units. From mid 1943 the Daimler SC was most commonly employed in armoured car regiments. The Lynx was used by Canadian units, and by British and Indian troops in the PTO.

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Marmon-Herrington Armoured Car

At the start of WW2, after being informed that Britain could not meet their AC requirements, the South Africans undertook the production of a domestically designed armored car. Its 4x2 Ford truck chassis was supplied by Canada, the armament by Britain, and the armor by South African industry. After the first 135 had been built, production switched to a 4x4 model using a conversion kit supplied by the U.S. Marmon-Herrington Co. The British contracted for a number of the 4x4 type, stipulating that each be equipped with an ATR, LMG, and an AA Vickers MG in lieu of the original armament of one Vickers. This version they named the Marmon-Herrington II, and the South Africans added the suffix ME ("Middle East") to distinguish it from the original-armament type which they designated MFF ("Mobile Field Force"). 338 ME and 549 MFF Mk II were built, with the former going to North Africa and the latter retained for use elsewhere. In May 1941 the Mk III entered production, featuring improvements derived from its predecessors' use in combat; 798 ME and 1,780 MFF Mk III were built, with about one-third of the latter going to India, Malaya and the Netherlands East Indies. While unsophisticated in design, lightly armored and poorly armed, Marmon-Herringtons (or South African Reconnaissance Cars, as the South Africans themselves designated them) were unfailingly reliable and proved a valuable asset to the Allies in 1941-42. Indeed, of the four British AC regiments that operated mainly in North Africa, only one (the 12th Lancers) was not completely equipped with the "Monkey-Harry" at some time during that period. In addition, South Africa's contribution to the desert war included two AC regiments and two divisional recce battalions, all of which employed Marmon-Herringtons throughout their tours of duty there. Besides North Africa, ME types also saw action in Syria, East Africa and Madagascar. The Union of South Africa ultimately produced 5,746 Marmon-Herringtons during WW2 (including the Mks IV-VII which saw no combat). Prior to mid 1943, an AC troop comprised three armored cars.

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British Humber T37LL AC

The Humber Armored Car, based on a Quad FAT (field artillery tractor), was an intermediate step between the crude pre-war AC and the more mechanically sophisticated Daimler Armoured Car. The Humber Mark I was to be in the beginning the Tank-Light-Wheeled Mark III. The Humber II had a two-man turret, but in the Mk III this was replaced by a larger, three-man version. The Humber IV was essentially the Humber II AC with a U.S. 37mm gun. Unfortunately, this weapon's bulk allowed only a two-man turret crew. The hull, in fact was manufactured by the firm Guy Motors, with some minor modifications, but was placed on a chassis of artillery tractor Roots Carrier. The pilot had sat in front of the hull and the two-seater turret accomodated the commander and the gunner. The engine was placed at the back of the vehicle. The shielding was 15 mm maximum and the engine (gasoline) was Rootes of 6 cylinders developing 90 hp to 3200 rpm. Humber could reach the 73 km/h on road.
In North Africa, Humbers were first used by the 11th Hussars and 12th Lancers; later in that theater, several other AC regiments and the RAF Regiment also received them. In the ETO, Humbers were generally found in the squadron and regimental HQs of AC regiments, as well as in the various HQ units of other armored formations. In the PTO, Humber IV were used by the 1st Indian Light Cavalry Regiment.
From late 1942, Humber AC were most often employed in the recce regiments of infantry divisions, in which a scout troop typically comprised one Humber AC as the troop HQ, a recce section of two car-patrols and two carrier sections containing a total of seven Carriers. With some 5,300 of all Marks produced, Humbers were numerically the most important British-built AC of WW2.

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British AEC Mk II T57L AC

The AEC armoured car started life as the brainchild of the AEC chief engineer serving on the Tank Design Committee from the Ministry of Supply. The AEC, an unsolicited design put forth by the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd. (the producer of London's double-decker buses), was a heavy AC, in effect the wheeled equivalent of a tank. The Army, having no requirement for such a large and slow AC, initially rejected it, but Prime Minister Winston Churchill himself showing an interest in this rather large armoured car. Orders were made for a number of vehicles for testing, followed by its adoption as a heavy armoured car, and eventually the AEC Mk I went into production.
The Hull was based on the AEC Matador Gun Tractor MAT (medium artillery tractor) fitted with a Valentine MK II turret. Late in the North African campaign a small number were issued to certain AC regiments as heavy support vehicles, but apparently were then withdrawn from frontline service after the Axis collapse in Tunisia. The Mk II, which featured increased horsepower and a new three-man turret with 6pounder gun. It was also fitted with a Besa 7.92mm MG. The Mk III, the final and most widely used model, was essentially a Mk II with the British 75mm gun.
By virtue of its armor and potent, fully traversable MA, it was the most powerful AC of the war. In March 1942 the King’s Dragoon Guards were re-equipped with Humber and AEC armoured cars, replacing their Marmon Herringtons. Total AEC production amounted to 629 vehicles, including 122 of the Mk I. AEC were sometimes referred to as "Junies" or "Matadors".

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British Bishop B88 SPA

In mid 1941 a request to the firm Birmingham Carriage & Wagon was made for develop a motorized version of the gun of 25-pdr (87.6 mm), which was being used increasingly as an AT gun in the desert, on the sturdy chassis of Valentine (Mark II). The Bishop was regarded as a model too lout and especially too high with its large and tall turret, rather crude, in the shape of box (which points out much that of the Russian KV-2). Only 100 were built since, soon after production had begun, the British decided to use the Priest in the SPA role.
The Bishop, though mechanically reliable, was not well thought of by its users who found it to be slow yet conspicuously large, with a cramped interior and very little inherent gun traverse (the latter a significant handicap in the AT role). By the time it became available the 6 pounder AT was being issued, so the Bishop was used as SPA. But even in this role it proved unsatisfactory, for its MA was so restricted in elevation that its maximum range was less than half that of the towed 25 pounder. Moreover Bishop was slightly armoured and equipped with a limited field of fire: 15° in elevation and 4° on both sides in traverse. Carrying in ammunition for the 25-pdr was of 32 rounds (+ a trailer of 32 rounds). The 25-pdr had a range of approximately 6000 m. When Bishop was used like a conventional piece of artillery (in fixed position), the broad back doors of the turret was open to facilitate the work of gunners (more space and facility of loading of external ammunition) and their comfort (ventilation).
Bishops saw action with SP field regiments of the Royal Artillery before being declared obsolete in October 1944. It entered in service in July 1942 within the British armoured forces in North Africa (8th army). It also took part in the first engagements in Italy then was replaced by Sexton and M7 Priest and was relegated to tasks of formation.

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British Priest B105 SPA

This was the U.S. M7 HMC. The British requested it in early 1942 but were told that U.S. requirements had first priority. However, when Rommel's forces entered Egypt that summer, 90 were shipped to the 8th Army, the first batch arriving in September. 24 Priests equipped the 11th Royal Horse Artillery in the 1st Armoured Division during the second battle of Alamein—the vehicle's first use in combat alongside the Bishop. The British Commonwealth armies had logistical problems in supplying the M7, as it used US ammunition that was not compatible with standard British artillery pieces or tank guns, and had to be supplied separately. Thereafter, a number of 8th Army field and RHA regiments in Tunisia, Sicily and Italy used Priests, with most eventually being replaced by Sextons. For the Normandy landings, each of the three infantry divisions (3rd and 50th British, and 3rd Canadian) making the initial assault had its three field regiments completely equipped with Priests, as did the 19th Canadian Army Field Regiment in the 1st Canadian Army. In July and August of that year all the former were converted to towed 25pdrs and the latter to Sextons. In the PTO, Priests were used in Burma by the 18th Field Regiment. During the Burma campaign, the Priest played a significant role, in particular, at the Battle of Meiktila and the advance on Rangoon (1945). After the Sexton became available in South East Asia, most British M7s were converted into Kangaroo armored personnel carriers. 828 M7 HMC were Lend-Leased to the British, who named them "Priests" because of their pulpit-like AAMG mount.

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British Sexton B88 SPA

The British were impressed by the sound design of the Priest, but were concerned that its non-standard gun would cause complications in training and logistics. What was needed was a well-designed SP 25 pounder, but at the time neither the British nor the Americans felt able to undertake production of a new vehicle. The solution to this problem was found in Canada, where the Ram tank (which, like the Priest, used the chassis and mechanical components of the U.S. M3 Medium) was being produced. Carrying only a 6 pounder gun, the Ram by late 1942 was fast becoming obsolete, and early that year the Canadians had begun experimenting with a SP 25 pounder variant to equip the artillery battalions of their armoured divisions. The fact that 25 pounders were already being manufactured in Canada was an added plus, for it assured a steady supply of guns. This variant carried the 25 pounder in an open-top non-turreted fighting compartment similar to that of the Priest, and the new vehicle, named Sexton by the British, entered production in early 1943. By late 1945 when it ended, 2,150 had been built.
Sextons were employed in Royal Horse Artillery and SP field regiments, both non-divisional and those organic to armoured divisions. The vehicles were first used in combat in Italy by the British Eighth Army. Later, Sextons took part in the invasion of France and subsequent Battle of Normandy and the campaign in north-western Europe. They eventually replaced most of the Priests being used in the SPA role. A troop of full-tracked SPA comprised four such AFV, plus in 1944-45 a Ram (for a Sexton troop) or Sherman (for a Priest troop) OP tank.

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British M3 GMC Autocar B75 SPA ht

The Americans wished to provide to their news Armored Force, a mobile fire support vehicle and Ordnance Department ordered at the end of 1941, the development of a conversion of M3 Halftrack armed with the howitzer of 75 mm M1A1 while waiting for the development of an entirely tracked model.
As M10 GMC became available in U.S. TD battalions, many of the M3 GMC they replaced were turned over to the British. A small batch of 170 vehicles was supplied to Britain, which used them in their Armoured Car Regiments which were the reconnaissance units of the armored formations. Their new owners designated them the "75mm SP, Autocar" and issued them to the newly reorganized AC regiments, wherein two M3 (plus a SC) formed the heavy troop of an AC squadron (though in some cases they were grouped together to form a regimental battery of eight such vehicles).
They were first used in the Tunisian Campaign with the Royal Dragoons. They were also used in Sicily, Italy, and later in France, but were gradually retired. A relatively small number were employed in NWE, with AC units transferred from the Mediterranean Theater. They were also used in a support role in some infantry recce regiments and tank squadrons—but such use was quite rare. The Free French Army also used M3s for training before receiving M10 tank destroyers. With two issued per squadron in practice they were used as an eight gun regimental artillery battery.

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British M17 MGMC quad-50 AA ht

This was a version of the U.S. "quad-50" M16 T4x12.7 AA halftrack. The US halftracks were used on all the theatres of operation within allied armies. Halftracks especially got a great mobility to the infantrymen on difficult ground, where the trucks and the armoured cars passed with difficulty. However as the war came to a end, these vehicles had supporters less and less. Indeed, if the halftracks had taken the step on the wheeled vehicles, they had to gradually yield the place to entirely tracked transport of troop. The US halftracks however played a very great part in the final victory.
Some M16 were made available to a few British AA regiments in NWE very late in the war (e.g., in the last few months before VE Day, the gun troops of the 94th Light AA Regiment in the Guards Armoured Division comprised two of these halftracks plus four Morris C9/B Bofors AA trucks). With the Luftwaffe practically non-existent, they were often used for infantry support.
The M16 was produced to 2700 were produced by White Motor Company from May 1943 to March 1944, with 568 M13 MGMCs and 109 T10E1 half-tracks being converted into M16s as well.
The M16 MGMC was used in AAA Automatic Weapons battalions in the same manner as the M15A1 MGMC, with the AA halftracks in these battalions ideally having a 50/50 mix of the two types.
The M16 MGMC entered service in early 1944, with the M13 taken out of action soon after. In addition to its anti-aircraft role, the M16 was used in an infantry support role, frequently accompanied by the M15 half-track.

[asl3d]

British M5 BMMG ht

These were U.S. halftracks built by the Inter-national Harvester Co. Considered non-standard, they were consigned to Lend-Lease stocks, and most went to Britain where they were designated "Truck, 15-cwt, Half-Tracked, Personnel". The British used them as command vehicles, prime movers for AT guns (mostly the 17 pounder), and as engineer/pioneer vehicles. Another important role was as an APC for the infantry sections in motor battalions—mostly those employed in NWE. When equipped with halftracks, a motor battalion was the functional equivalent of a U.S. armored infantry battalion. In game terms a 1944-45 motor platoon with halftracks contained four such AFV: three carrying a squad apiece, and the fourth carrying the platoon leader plus two HS, a PIAT and a 2-in. mortar. One thusly organized platoon was also found in each fighting squadron of an AC regiment, and in each recce squadron of an infantry division's recce regiment; however, it was termed a support troop in the former and an assault troop in the latter. Having one or more MG mounted on the halftrack seems to have been more the exception than the rule—and even when present such armament varied from vehicle to vehicle, so in this respect the game pieces are strictly generic. The British were Lend-Leased 5,690 M5 and M5A1 halftracks out of the 7,584 built, plus a large portion of the 3,433 M9 and M9A1 produced. In addition they were supplied with 1,600 M14 halftracks (M5 types that mounted twin .50-cal MG with 360 ° traverse), most of which they converted to APC.