What would a Canadian solider in WW2 in Artillary be issued to go to war? (This is a question to figure out what would be in the back of a quad tractor) Would they be issued 303. Lee Enfields? What would a Artillary man back in WW2 be issued or have as kit?
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR THE HELP![:D]
Well I know for sure the helmet would be issued. Webbing?
more like stens and thompsons.
Ah, The tommy gun what a nice weapon it is![:)] It is a sexy weapon[:o)]
Wasnt the thompson strictly american? I thought the Canadians and brits had stens only.
my trusted friend Mr. Sgt Curtis Remmington told be that and I belive him becuase he knows his history. I am not saying he could be wrong. But he is right 100 percent of the time and know more then me! so I generaly listen.
Well I belive he is wrong this time. I did some researching and I have come up with only US and french forces using the thompson. Canadians used the same stuff as the brits. Stens, enfields, Brens and vickers. So, no, canadians were not issued the m1a1 smg.
The issue of Thompsons to British and Commonwealth troops pre-dates the issue of Sten guns, the M1928 version anyway. The later M1 & M1A1 was included with American supplied tanks, and was used by the special forces (commandos, SAS, SBS etc) in preference to the Sten as it was of more robust construction.
Well maybee he meant to say something differnt I don’t know alot about modeling as this is mt first and he is helping me do some pretty avanced things for me alest like weathering and detailing. He is also my friend so you have to have some trust in friends and I have more than some trust in Curtis I have alot. Maybee he will read this and see that he made a mistkae. But then what kit would have the weapons a Canadian artillary man would have been issued.
Have a merry christmass eh! LOL[:)]
Rebelreenactor;
Just to clarify with the little bit of research I did. Canadians were equipped with items similar to the British Army is correct. However, Canadians were issued and did use the Thompson SMG and not just the original 1920’s variant.
In fact one of the best true and accurate accounts of a ‘Tommy Gun’ in a Canadian soldiers hands is that of Private Ernest Alvia “Smoky” Smith V.C. (Victoria Cross)
The official citation in the “London Gazette” for Ernest Smith’s award of the Victoria Cross sums up perfectly the situation on the River Savio at the time and part that Smith took.
[ London Gazette, 20 December 1944 ], Savio River, Italy, 21 - 22 October 1944, K52880 Private Ernest Alvia Smith, The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, Canadian Infantry Corps.
In Italy on the night of 21st-22nd October 1944, a Canadian Infantry Brigade was ordered to establish a bridgehead across the Savio River. The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada were selected as the spearhead of the attack and in weather most unfavourable to the operation they crossed the river and captured their objectives in spite of strong opposition from the enemy. Torrential rain had caused the Savio River to rise six feet in five hours and as the soft vertical banks made it impossible to bridge the river no tanks or anti-tank guns could be taken across the raging stream to the support of the rifle companies.
As the right forward company was consolidating its objective it was suddenly counter-attacked by a troop of three Mark V Panther tanks supported by two self-propelled guns and about thirty infantry and the situation appeared almost hopeless. Under heavy fire from the approaching enemy tanks, Private Smith, showing great initiative and inspiring leadership, led his PIAT Group of two men across an open field to a position from which the PIAT could be employed. Leaving one man on the weapon, Private Smith crossed the road with a companion, and obtained another PIAT. Almost immediately an enemy tank came down the road firing its machine guns along the line of the ditches. Private Smith’s comrade was wounded. At a range of thirty feet and having to expose himself to the full view of the enemy, Private Smith fired the PIAT and hit the tank, puting it out of action. Ten German infantry immediately jumped off the back of the tank and charged him with Schmeissers and grenades. Without hesitation Private Smith moved out into the road and with his Tommy gun at point blank range, killed four Germans and drove the remainder back. Almost immediately another tank opened fire and more enemy infantry closed in on Smith’s position. Obtaining some abandoned Tommy gun magazines from a ditch, he steadfastly held his position, protecting his comrade and fighting the enemy with his Tommy gun until they finally gave up and withdrew in disorder.
One tank and both self-propelled guns had been destroyed by this time, but yet another tank swept the area with fire from a longer range. Private Smith, still showing utter contempt for enemy fire, helped his wounded friend to cover and obtained medical aid for him behind a nearby building. He then returned to his position beside the road to await the possibility of a further enemy attack. No further immediate attack developed, and as a result the battalion was able to consolidate the bridgehead position so vital to the success of the whole operation, which led to the eventual capture of San Giorgio Di Cesena and a further advance to the Ronco River. Thus, by the dogged determination, outstanding devotion to duty and superb gallantry of this private soldier, his comrades were so inspired that the bridgehead was held firm against all enemy attacks, pending the arrival of tanks and anti-tank guns some hours later.
As Ernest Smith was not a regular soldier, he was demobilised in 1945, but he re-enlisted at the outbreak of the Korean War in 1951. He served in the Permanent Force retiring in 1964 with the rank of sergeant as a member of the Tri-Service Recruiting Unit in Vancouver. After retirement from the Army, Smith and his wife ran a successful travel business in Vancouver. In recognition of his long and devoted service to the Royal Canadian Legion of veterans, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 1995.
On Saturday, 13th August 2005, after lying in state, the body of Ernest Smith VC was cremated in Vancouver, and the following day, Sunday, 14th August, his ashes were scattered at sea from HMCS “Ottawa”
May God Rest His Soul.
So there you have it reb!
Canadians DID use the Thompson and use it well.
Cheers;
Gregory
I am proven wrong. Unrelated to the gun thing though, that story sounds a little fishy. First, the guy knocks out a panther, but with what? Not a bazooka, and sure as heck not any allied AT guns. When he jumped out in the road, where was the tank then? The other tank would have lit him up. More than likely the crew would still have been inside able to return fire. Then you have the “abandonded” ammo mags, just laying around.And a Private with a thompson? Did not know we manufactured that many.
It just doesnt sound right all together.
Reb,
I believe that you may have just skimmed the actual citation for Sgt. Smith’s Victoria Cross (Commonwealth equivalent of the CMOH), and am slightly offended that you call into question to heroism of one of Canada’s greatest wartime heroes. The action took place at night, in a ‘torrential downpour’. It would be far easier for a man to see a tank coming down the road than for a tank to see one man. Second, he was a member of a PIAT (Projector, Infantry, Anti Tank) party, explaining why he was carying a Thompson. Third, the second tank was not immediately on the scene, giving him time to lay another ambush. Lastly, something that wasn’t in the citation, was Smokey Smith’s state at the time, and I quote;
“I was drunk and wanted to live.” Never underestimate an inebriated, pissed off Canadian. Just look at hockey.
Reb;
As cader28 has outlined here.
This is the true account of what happened that night. I think you would do well to read more about Canadian Victoria Cross Recipients before assuming that it’s all fiction.
After all Audey Murphy was a war hero before “To Hell and Back” was a book or a film. Douglas Bader was a leg-less flying ace for Britain. The Great Escape did happen and was led by a South African and the tunnels were engineered by many a Canadian including Wally Floody. Sorry but no one jumped a motorcycle to escape to Switzerland. That’s fiction. Before you question the validity. Read and inform yourself, it only benefits you.
Cheers;
Gregory
I had the very great honor and pleasure of meeting Smoky Smith at a Canadian Legion in Vancouver in 1996. A more honorable man you could not hope to meet.
Canadian soldiers in WW1 & WW2 were issued many things, some of which were substandard. It was not an uncommon event to “exchange” your issued weapon with one more capable to the task. Britain and France were issued 130,000 Thompsons in 1939 and over 1,750,000 were eventually built during WW2. However Smoky ended up with one matters not. Point of fact, he ended up with one, and his actions on the field were such that he was awarded the Victoria Cross. It is not considered good form to insult an allies heroes.
As one who can bask in the secure knowledge of knowing he is correct, I shall not bear a grudge, and wish you a Merry Christmas.
Smoky Smith was a great man. Thats cool that you got to meet him. Back to the orginal topic what would a world war 2 soldier be issed to go to war?
Raventutor11;
To answer your question. The average Canadian soldier’s kit would consist of.
Battle Dress Uniform, Web Gear, Helmet, Lee Enfield Rifle. As shown here
This figure is from Ultracast.
These two are from NEMROD.
As well you tend to prefer plastic kits (As I have read in some of your previous posts). This set recently released by Dragon would provide the required kit for your artilleryman
As well you might want to consider getting a copy of this book for further reference.
http://livres.histoireetcollections.com/publication-1310-the-canadian-soldier-from-d-day-to-ve-day.html
This is one of the best reference books I have found that shows the complete answer to your question. It also has details of vehicles and armour markings. I am currently using it to paint a section of Canadian Infantry in the the Scheldt Estuary using the Dragon kit and another by DML of Commonwealth Infantry.
I hope you will be able to locate some of these to complete your 25 pounder lorry.
Cheers;
Gregory
I’ve seen pictures of british commandos using tommy guns. As for Canadian Artilleryman goes, I’m sure that they were issued basic uniform and webbing gear with either Enfield #1 or #4 in .303 cal.