The Canadian Kangaroos in World War II by Kenneth R Ramsden.

Published by Ramsden-Cavan Publishing, 1701 Stewart Drive, RR3, Cavan, Ontario L0A 1C0 Canada. ISBN 0-96996-97 Softback, 200 pages. Available direct from the Author, price $16.95 plus $3.00 postage etc in Canada. Overseas, send an IRC for details.

Among the innovations the Second World War brought onto the battlefield was the use of armoured personnel carriers to carry infantrymen into battle with the same levels of mobility and protection as tanks. Early half-tracks went some way to allowing the footsoldier to advance under fire, but both German and American designs were not well armoured nor always as mobile as the tank they were to accompany. Britain's Carrier series were mobile enough but still not well protected and far too small to carry more than a handful of men. The true breakthrough came in August 1944 during the Falaise breakthrough when redundant Priest self-propelled guns, withdrawn when Canadian regiments who used them during the D Day landings converted to towed 25pdr guns, were hastily modified and used with great success.

To man these vehicles, a new unit was formed from a variety of sources, which finally became now as the 1st Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment. It and its vehicles were initially classified "Secret", so much so that when they were assigned a Regimental Padre it took him a week to find his unit...

The troops did get regular mail however, and their success in reducing infantry casualties was such that they were expanded and a British tank regiment was re-equipped along the same lines. The Regiment fought, literally in the vanguard, in many major and minor actions as the 21st Army Group advanced across France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. It scored many notable firsts, and became the only Canadian unit in the British 79th Armoured Division. With the war in Europe won, it was disbanded and as such passed into history. Its deeds are mentioned in passing where they affected the course of events, but apart from a small Regimental History produced for its members its full story has not been laid down. Until, that is, former member Kenneth Ramsden produced this account.

It covers the Regiment and its actions from beginning to end, drawing on their original War Diary and recollections of those who were there to give a long overdue and detailed account of this unique unit.

Development of tactics, organisation and equipment is interwoven with the battle accounts and details of the Regiment's progress. The initial rush to produce the first converted Priests, the changeover to Ram Kangaroos which gave the unit its cap-badge and this book its name, will be of great interest to anyone interested in these unusual machines. While not technical in style, close reading will give a lot of pointers as to how the vehicles looked. Some photos of the Ram Kangaroos are among the illustrations, although none of the Priests and several of other 79th Armoured Division vehicles which, though good in themselves, are not strictly relevant to the story.

That small drawback apart, the account here makes for fascinating reading, with several unusual things brought to light. We now know why there was a sudden demand for uniforms in small sizes, and what lengths the unit's signals and maintenance sections went to provide radios and keep the vehicles running, including an unusual use for an 88mm gun trailer. Progress can be followed with clear maps, and those members of the Regiment who died or were wounded are listed. A bonus is the inclusion of the text of the original History booklet, and its list of those units carried by the Regiment into action. Like a number of units raised during the war and disbanded soon afterwards, the story of 1st Armoured Carrier Regiment should have been told a long time ago. Outside the small circle of AFV enthusiasts and modellers, they are all but unknown. That situation has at last been resolved, and we can now know their story and they themselves will be able to know that their efforts are not forgotten.