Bren Carrier (Mk II)

[Francis Currey]

Bren Carrier (Mk II)

Traducido literalmente como el portador del Bren (1) este vehículo todo terreno capaz de transportar hasta seis soldados se convirtió en un elemento muy apreciado entre las tropas aliadas, que por fin encontraban en 1939 con el diseño de la Vickers-Armstrong su vehículo todo terreno

Utilizado tanto en la campaña de Francia como en la del Norte de Africa, un gran número de ellos sería capturado por los italianos y alemanes los cuales no dudaron en emplearlo debido a su magnifica versatilidad como vehículo de transporte

El chasis de estos vehículos abarcaba una caja de acero simple con un compartimiento para el motor situado en el centro. En la parte delantera se situaba, sentado un conductor y junto a él, un tirador.

Ficha Técnica

Dotación: 6 tripulantes
Dimensiones: 3,75 m. largo; 2,1 m. ancho; 1,6 m. alto
Peso: 4.320 kgs.
Autonomía: 250 km.
Motor: Ford V8, 65 CV
Blindaje: 10 mm.
Velocidad: 48 km/h
Armamento: Un fusil ametrallador Bren 7,7 mm.; un mortero de 50 mm

(1) Fusil Ametrallador checo

[Francis Currey]

The first Machine Gun Carrier introduced into British service was produced by Vickers in 1936 and became the prototype for the Machine Gun and Bren Carriers. Designated the Carrier, Machine Gun, No.1, Mk I, it carried a crew of three, dispensing with the idea of carrying an independent machine gun team and replacing it with the idea that the vehicle and crew were the machine gun team, able to operate with or independent from the vehicle.

Early 1937 saw the testing of the General Purpose Vehicle. This was the earlier Carrier Machine Gun Experimental (WD No.T1583 and Reg. No. BMM 939) which had its superstructure altered to form a projecting gunners compartment at the front, but with a grooved rail around its top edge, in which was enclosed a four-wheeled mount for the Boyes AT Rifle. The operator of the rifle was able to traverse the gun 180 degrees. It also was armed with a Bren LMG in the usual position. This vehicle was never adopted but is importance in the development of the carrier because it set the form for the projecting front section of armour in front of the gunner.

As the ability for a tracked type of vehicle to carry 3 inch Mortar had been realised in the late 1920`s with Carden-Loyd's Carrier, 3 inch Mortar, Vickers built a pilot model for the mortar carrying role. A Carrier, Machine Gun No.1 MkI was fitted with special storage racks for the mortar and mortar bombs. To be used, the mortar was dismounted from the carrier and operated separately by its crew who had also been transported in the same vehicle.
The Carrier, Machine Gun, No.2, MkI went into service in late1937. Originally fitted with Vickers .303 Medium Machine Guns, these Carriers were later equipped with the .303 Bren Light Machine Gun and/or a Boys Anti-Tank Rifle.

In 1938 a Carrier, Machine Gun, No.2, MkI was fitted with a 2 pounder MkI X or Mk X Anti-Tank Gun mounted to fire forward through a shield. (WD/Reg.No. T2335/FME890).
Australia had laid down a policy for mechanisation of its forces back in 1930, but it wasn't until mid 1939 that she purchased a Carrier, Bren, No.2 Mk 1 (T2831) from Britain which was to become the pattern for a production of locally made carriers.

At almost the same time New Zealand took delivery of six Carriers, Bren, No.2 Mks I & II. They were issued two per military district and took part in the Composite Mounted Rifle Regiments annual camp where they were received with mixed enthusiasm. One crew fixed a lance to theirs and took part in the customary tent pegging competition! History does not relate how successful they were!
The Carrier, Bren No.2 MkI & Mk II entered service in 1938 and although similar to its predecessor included some major alterations to the design. The main modifications were to the front armour where a gunners projecting shield was formed with a firing slot and hinged flap to assist the firing of the Boyes AT Rifle now being issued. Protective shields for the vision ports were provided. However the main significant change made was to the front idler wheel. Its position was moved higher on the side hull. This produced a steeper track angle at the front and gave the vehicle its characteristic "tail down" position. The higher idler also necessitated the forming of a curved section of front mudguard over this portion of track; this was to remain throughout the Carrier models with the Loyd the only exception. They were issued to the British Infantry and first encountered action in France and the Low Countries. After Britain's withdrawal of her troops from France in 1940 many of these Carriers were captured by the Germans who altered them to suit their particular requirements. So many were captured, and subsequently altered, that the Germans even gave them their own vehicle designations.

Having established a effective design for the carrier, its development focused on modifications to meet a variety of specialist rolls the vehicle was required to undertake. The Carrier, Scout, MkI appeared in service in 1938. Designed as scout machines for the mechanised cavalry and light tank divisions, it had provision for carrying the No.11 wireless set and (apart from the pilot model) had high sided armour enclosure for the wireless operator's behind the driver.
There next followed the Carrier, Cavalry MkI, which was developed to carry six men who sat on either side of the rear compartments facing the engine. This was not a popular vehicle as its occupants were not protected from enemy fire.

The Loyd Carrier was developed and came into service in 1940. It was a simple container, armoured if required, with engine at the rear driving the sprockets at the front. This configuration allowed easy access to the vehicle via the rear and was much favoured by the troops.
Carrier, Armoured, OP No.1, MkI was produced for the Royal Artillery as a forward observation post. It contained a No.11 wireless set, a cable drum on the rear cover plate and an adjustable shutter over the gunners firing slot to facilitate the use of binoculars. Based on the Carrier, Scout MkI it was to be the beginning of a line of Observation Post (OP) carriers whose role continues even today.

Fuente: History of the Carrier por Nigel Watson Dundee

[PatricioDelfosse]

"(...) capaz de transportar hasta seis soldados se convirtió en un elemento muy apreciado entre las tropas aliadas(...)"

"(...) which was developed to carry six men (...). This was not a popular vehicle as (...)"

¿No es contradictorio?

Saludos

Pato

[Francis Currey]

Ciertamente la fuente posteada contradice en ese aspecto mi opinión personal. Yo como ya he expresado si considero que fuera popular, las muestras son sus diferentes variantes para Australianos, británicos e incluso estadounidenses, la exclusividad casí como vehículo aliado con estas características y el uso del propio vehículo por las tropas del eje.

Saludos cordiales

[Audie Murphy]

fuente http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... 282%29.JPG


Artículo inglés con toda la historia y desarrollo del Universal Carrier en sus distintas variantes
https://es.scribd.com/doc/242719928/Uni ... ed-vehicle

y reportaje en vídeo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H6TaztPvdA

Los rusos recibieron unos 2560 Carrier a lo largo de la guerra http://www.o5m6.de/universal_mkI.html

una versión modificada se utilizó por los zapadores de asalto ingleses como limpiaminas, pero el sistema "conger" demostró ser demasiado peligroso, como sucedió en la gran explosión accidental de Ijzendijke
https://www.docdroid.net/8mufJ0B/ijzend ... 9.pdf.html
http://www.forosegundaguerra.com/viewto ... 34#p139734



avance escocés en Liesel, Holanda 2 noviembre 44

fuente http://ww2today.com/wp-content/uploads/ ... 95x597.jpg

[PatricioDelfosse]

Artículo inglés con toda la historia y desarrollo del Universal Carrier en sus distintas variantes
https://es.scribd.com/doc/242719928/Uni ... ed-vehicle

Excelente artículo!

[Antonio Machado]

Hola Audie Murphy, gracis por compartir ese artículo, sin duda se trataba de un vehículo versátil, multi usos...


Saludos cordiales desde Nueva York,


Antonio Machado
"Tú no vengas a rezar a mi casa, yo no iré a pensar a tu iglesia"

[Juan M. Parada C.]

decisiva acción de un Wasp lanzallamas en el pueblo alemán de Lingen
https://www.docdroid.net/nvp2ZfT/wasps- ... 013-02-pdf




Fuente: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater

He aqui a un Bren Carrier del 12 cuerpo real de fusileros disparando a las posiciones alemanas en Holanda un 2 de abril de 1945.
Saludos y bendiciones a granel.