"Universal carriers - 1st Airborne Division, Arnhem" Topic

I need help again…

Right, a number of universal carriers were air landed at Arnhem by Hamilcar gliders. The Hamilcar was able to lift two carriers, and indeed that's what '"Airborne Armour" by Keith Flint says they did. Two carriers for use by each Parchute and Air Landing Battalion, total eighteen carriers in nine Hamilcars.

But, years ago I got a list of major equipments taken to Arnhem from the Airborne Forces Museum, verified by the curator himslef according to the copy. That says there were nine carriers with the Division. And, there's a reference from the loading officer of 7KOSB, which says his Bn had two Hamilcars, each capable of carrying one universal carrier.

I've checked through the war diaries for Bns published at pegasusarchive.org but there's nothing specific on the topic. Some mention of carriers, plural, but it's possible these were from more than one unit.

So in all the works published on Arnhem, has anyone seen anything on this minor point that might help me decide which source is right?

Thanks,

Gary

Martin Middlebrook reckons that the Parachute battalions limited themselves to 7 jeeps and 2 bren carriers for transport with the rest following up with the "sea tail". He lists a single Hamilcar based at Tarrant Rushton for each battalion taking bren carriers so he certainly understood them to be carrying 2 each for the Arnhem operation.

The only other units using Hamilcars were the 17 pounder anti-tank teams since the 17 pounders couldn't fit in a Horsa.

One Hamilcar was allocated to each of the six Para Battalions and the three Airlanding Battalions. Each carried two Carriers, for a total of eighteen Carriers directly attached to the teeth battalions. They were primarily tasked with ammunition carrying and general duties – not recce. John Frost (OC 2 Para) discusses his two Carriers in 'A Drop Too Many' and mentions that it was proposed to lead a charge across Arnhem Bridge in one.

Eight Hamilcars were attached to each of the two Antitank Batteries – each flying in a 17pdr and its tractor for a total of sixteen guns.

250 Airborne Coy RASC had another six Carriers, flown in by three Hamilcars.

261 (Airborne) Field Park Coy RE also had one Hamilcar – probably carrying a bulldozer and engineering stores.

A US Airfield Engineer Battalion that was due to fly in during the third lift (but cancelled) was also allocated several Hamilcars for bulldozers and heavy engineering stores.

The bulldozer apparently arrived by Horsa:

link

Dom.

Are there any photos of the carriers at Arnhem?

I have the "Before and After" set (absolutely brilliant), but I don't remember any photos of them. Could be wrong however – there's so much to look at in those volumes.

Yup, those little ones were deliverable by Horsa, but there were larger versions that needed the Hamilcar to deliver them. However, that bit was speculation – I've no idea what the REs brought in their single Hamilcar.

During Op Varsity and due to the lessons learned from Arnhem, the REs were allocated several Hamilcars for heavy engineering stores and the RAOC were allocated Hamilcars for large-scale ammunition delivery.

I don't recall ever seeing a photo of Carriers at Arnhem, though there are photos of them in Op Varsity.

Thanks all!

Gary

When Dragons flew shows a pic of a destroyed Carrier attributed to the Border Regt in Oosterbeek at the Utrechtsweg crossroads.

The bulldozers taken were Clarkair dozers.

3 para had a quick reaction force made up from remnants from A Coy and the assault platoon plus the Universal carriers.
There is also a mention of a Subaltern of either 3 or 1 para using a Carrier to recce towards the bridge but failed due to increasing fire.

There was a minimum of 18 universal carriers as each battalion took two Universal carriers with reserve ammo.I will look through my loading lists and verify the exact number.

Were they also used to tow the 17pdr though? I think so but can't remember where I heard or read this.

Don't think they were man enough to tow the 17pdr, didn't they use a cut-down Morris tractor to lug these beasties?

Very interesting thread – thanks for letting me listen-in :)

At Arnhem the Morris was used, at the Rhine they used 3/4-ton Weapons Carriers.

My old WO's grandfather (Sgt GE Thomas, 1st Airlanding Antitank Bty RA) borrowed a Carrier from one of the Airlanding Battalions to get his 17pdr from the LZ to Oosterbeek Church. The glider carrying the gun and its Morris tractor had crashed, killing everyone on board and destroying the tractor.

I concur with Gary – the Morris was replaced with the Dodge 3/4 tonner in October 1944. They were used in the Ardennes and across the Rhine.

In Arnhem the Morris was found to be slightly under powered to tow the 17Pdr especially when negociating difficult ground ( rail embankment for one), the Universal Carriers were fitted with a special higher towing hook to be used as an emergency towing vehicle. Again this was under powered and put too much strain on the engine.

The Dodge 3/4 tonner was chosen because it fitted into a hamilcar with out any noticable changes as it was in fact smaller in size and weighed slightly less.

Interesting stuff…Especially as we are kicking of an Airlanding Arnhem action, 6mm, 10mm and 20mm should be good.

"we are kicking of an Airlanding Arnhem action"

How much of the battle are you doing?

Our last outing was the whole campaign, but at rather a high level;-)

Hi Martin, I'm doing it with an ex 2 Para who dropped into Arnhem for the movie a bridge to far.

We are going to do only 1st Airborne, but I will let Steve plan his own drop and use the Ox & Bucks if he wants, as Gen Gale advised, or fight it historically. The 6mm will deal with the landings thereselves, 10mm for the drive into Arnhem and 20mm for the house to house stuff.

VIII, XII and XXX Corps will be as history dictates with a random die roll for later and earlier arrivals at different points, its still very much in the infancy. As a guide my Bulge campiagn lasted 18 months with 35 players so this is small fry.

Just a thought if it interests people, I will expand the area and the numbers involved…??

Sounds like an interesting project. The old(ish) computer game 'Airborne Assault' covered similar territory in that it was just the 1st AB area of operations.

XII and VII Corps are best treated randomly, I had them creeping up the edges of the map cutting off the German offtable movement capability as they advanced.

You input would be appreciated the lowest unit is the section for this game.

It wil be similiar to my Bulge campaign, good maps and lots going on.

Airborne assault is on my computer shelf as we speak. I may reload it. A thoroughly enjoyable game and deceptively complex.