All photos source wikipedia
When we talk about British armoured cars of the second world war, we are a little disoriented by all these different names: armoured car, light reconaissance car, scout car, and by the variety of different models: Humber, Morris, AEC, Daimler etc … some producing scout cars but also armoured cars etc … all this compared to the American pragmatism that will produce a single model of armoured car (for the US army) for the whole war, the M8/M20.
note: the British name armoured car will be used during all this article instead of the American armored car.
I – Designations of the different types of British armoured car during WWII:
Car, armoured (armoured cars):
More like a tank on wheels (also called light tank, wheeled), this model will receive from 1941 the name of armoured car.
Car, scout (scout cars):
Designation introduced in 1939, a lighter and more discreet vehicle for reconnaissance and liaison in the battlefield space, used with armoured regiments. This model will receive from 1941 the name of armoured car.
Car, light reconnaissance or light reconnaissance cars:
Designation introduced in 1941, vehicles used in reconnaissance regiments (successors of cavalry regiments) infantry divisions, intended for reconnaissance at medium distance beyond the battlefield. This class of vehicles derives directly from light armoured cars built in emergency after Dunkirk 1940. The usual weaponry is a Bren machine gun and a Boys anti-tank rifle.
The British make a difference between Scout which is a reconnaissance and short-range liaison within the battlefield (vehicles are without a turret because they are not really designed to fight) and reconnaissance that is designed more to medium or long distance (vehicles have a turret because they are more likely to fight) beyond the battlefield.
II- Armoured cars :
In the 1920s, the British army uses 4X2 chassis (mostly Rolls), at the end of this decade, Great Britain decided to modernize its fleet because these vehicles were not very suitable off-road. it was decided to favor 6X4 chassis for better performance, it was thus produced 43 Lanchester between 1927 and 1931 followed by 6 crossley (about 76 Rolls were still in use). At the end of the 30s, with the threat of war in Europe increasing, the British army decided to modernize its equipment with 4X4 chassis superior to the existing 6X4, in fact, the only modern armoured cars were the 100 (99 + 1 prototype) Morris CS9 / LAC (for Light Armored Car) tested in 1936 and delivered in 1938.
Tests were therefore carried out for the subsequent production of 4X4 armoured cars to replace all existing models. In February 1938, five manufacturers were chosen to offer chassis (Guy, Unipower, GMC, Morris, Steyr-Daimler-Puch). In late February 1938, GMC and Unipower were eliminated, testing continued with the other three manufacturers throughout the month of February, several vehicles (3 Guy, 6 Morris and 5 Steyr) being tested with different engine configurations.
The decision was taken in January 1939, a contract for 101 armoured cars was conclued with Guy, the name being light tank, wheeled Mark I Guy, the use of these vehicles being the long-range armed reconnaissance .
Marmon-Herrington Armored car:
In 1938, at the request of the South African government, two Armored car prototypes were built. At the declaration of war, in September 1939, facing the urgent needs of material, the contract was increased to 7 then 22 then 226 in October 1939. During this time, the original chassis ford 3 t. two-wheel drive was converted to four-wheel drive chassis by he firm Marmon-Herrington (Indianapolis, USA). The vehicle was delivered on September 18, 1939 and subjected to intensive tests and then accepted in January 1940. The contract was increased to 1000 vehicles after the disastrous campaign of France. The construction of such an armored vehicle had never been done in South Africa, but branches of Ford and General Motors existed on the country and the heavy industry was efficient thanks to the mines. Thus, the chassis was imported from Canada, the 4X4 conversion by the Marmon-Herrington firm of Indianapolis, USA, the assembly was supported by the South African Ford branch, the armor was produced locally. The first 1000 vehicles were produced from May 1940 to May 1941 (including the first 113 mark I in 4X2 and 887 following mark II in 4X4) and denominated South-African Reconnaissance cars mark I and II. These models were successfully used against Italians in East Africa. The British government then asked to receive these Armored cars and a quota of 400 mark II was delivered under the designation armored cars, Marmon-Herrington, mark II. Note that these vehicles were equipped with a Boys anti-tank rifle. A new model Mark III came out of the chains in May 1941 and in August 1942 the last of the 2630 ordered were produced. The main defect was the weakness of the armament, that is why, in the units, a more important weapon was often adapted (Italian breda gun of 20 mm, French 25 mm gun, etc ..). Mark III was also exported to the colonies. A new model mark IV, with a totally different look was conceived at the beginning of 1942 with rear engine and 2 pdr gun, 2116 were produced but not in time to take part in the African campaign, a large number was used in the colonies and by Allied forces. Other models (mark VI, VII, VIII) did not go beyond the prototype stage.
Guy armoured car :
The winner of the 1938 competition, 101 vehicles ordered. There were two versions (Mark).
Daimler armoured car :
Because of the very satisfactory performances reached by the BSA scout car, it was decided to rework the model in a larger version as light tank, wheeled. Work began in April 1939 and by the end of the year the two pilot vehicles were already rolling. But the tests showed that the passage of a scout car to an armoured car was not so simple and the difficulties led to production only in April 1941. During its development, the Daimler was denominated light tank, wheeled, mark II (the Mark I being the Guy), but later it took the new name of armoured car, Daimler Mark I. There were two versions (Mark) in total.
Humber armoured car :
When the war was declared, the need for armoured cars was too great for Guy, so the Rootes group was asked to design and produce another model. The firm Karrier was chosen and to go faster, the design was close to Guy’s model (which provided turret and superstructure) and already existing components used. A contract for 500 vehicles was passed in June 1940 and the first models went out of production at the beginning of 1941. This model was called light tank, wheeled, Mark III but later was renamed armoured car, Humber Mark I. There were four versions (Mark) in total.
AEC armoured car :
At the end of 1941, the armoured car regiments had acquired much experience following the fighting in Libya, but their equipment consisted mainly of Marmon-Herringtons too lightly armed to attack the axis armoured cars. The firm AEC aware of the problem developed on own funds a vehicle on wheels (Matador chassis) with armament and armor from a cruiser tank. This model aroused the interest of the army and a contract for 120 vehicles was passed in June 1941. There were three versions (Mark) in total.
Fox armoured car :
To increase the production of the Humber / Guy armoured cars, a contract for 200 similar vehicles was made with Canada. This model built on frame and engine GMC was called armoured car, General Motors Mark I and later Fox I in 1942 but was not followed by other orders.
Coventry armoured car :
With the Daimler and Humber models each having their own drawbacks, it was decided to rationalize production by designing a new model of armoured car that would include the best elements of the two previous vehicles. The model was called coventry armoured car because it was the Daimler and Humber factories based in Coventry that produced it. The coventry rolled in 1944 and a contract of 1150 then 550 was passed but canceled at the end of the war, the few models released were sold to France and went to Indochina.
production numbers:
Morris CS9/LAC : 99
Guy Mark I : 50 – Mark IA : 51
Daimler Mark I et II : 2694
Humber Mark I(dont 500)/II/III/IV : 5400
AEC Mark I(dont 120)/II/III : 629
Fox I : 200
Coventry : 220
III – Scout cars :
In 1938, following the good performance of the Steyr prototypes in the armoured car competition, it was decided to create a new class of vehicles: the scout car. Three firms were chosen to propose prototypes (Alvis, Morris, BSA). Note that Lanchester was absorbed by BSA in 1931. The tests were conducted from August 1938 on. Note also that the model of Alvis was already called Dingo. The final decision awarded BSA and then BSA / Daimler a first contract for 172 vehicles named « cars, scout, Mark I » in May 1939.
BSA/Daimler scout car :
These are the best known and most produced scout cars, they were nicknamed dingo.
Lynx scout car :
As with the Daimler and Guy, the Canadian industry was asked to participate in the production and a similar vehicle on Ford Canada chassis was designed. Called Cars, Scout, Mark III and later Lynx I, and in an upgraded Lynx II version, 3255 vehicles came out of production during the Second World War.
Humber scout car :
Humber was asked to design a scout car too. The first contract was passed at the end of 1942 for 4000 then 300 vehicles called Cars, Scout, Humber Mark I. There were two versions (Mark).
Production numbers:
BSA/Daimler Mark I/IA/IB/II/III Dingo: 6626
Lynx Mark I/II : 3255
Humber Mark I/II : 4300
IV – Light reconnaissance cars :
In 1941 reconnaissance regiments were formed to equip the infantry divisions and replace the mechanized cavalry regiments. They were equipped with light reconnaissance cars. These vehicles came from the light armored cars of 1940. Designed in the emergency after the evacuation of Dunkirk, they were manufactured by the standard firms Motor Company and Humber both based in Coventry.
Beaverette light armoured/reconnaissance car :
Manufactured by Standard Motor Company, named Beaverettes after Lord Beaverbrook, the Minister of Aeronautical Production. They were distributed to some mechanized cavalry regiments survivors of Dunkirk, the Home Guard and the RAF. There were three versions (Mark) including one with a Boulton Paul Defiant turret.
Humberette light armoured/reconnaissance car :
Made by Humber, called humberettes and for the first model without turret Ironsides. They were distributed to the surviving cavalry regiments of Dunkirk and some armoured regiments in place of the scout cars. There were three versions (Mark), the first being named Ironside.
In January 1941, the production of new armoured cars increased, Beaverettes and Humberettes became more available and equipped the new reconnaissance corps with the denomination of Cars, 4X2, light reconnaissance.
Morris light reconnaissance car :
To increase production, a new firm – Morris – was integrated into the project, and manufactured the Car, 4X2, light reconnaissance, Morris Mark I. This vehicle was later renamed Morris LRC (light reconnaissance car) and manufactured in two versions from 1942 to 1945.
These vehicles were used mainly in the home defense, by the RAF, in the reconnaissance corps, as vehicles of staff by various units.
Otter :
As with other vehicles, Canada was asked to participate in the program, and in 1942, its plants produced the Otter or Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian GM Mark I, or Otter I.
Production numbers:
Beaverettes : 2800
Humberettes : 3600 (inclus 400 Ironsides)
Morris LRC : 2250
Otter : 1761
V – Organisation :
armoured cars :
The first two cavalry regiments to be mechanized were the 11th Hussars and the 12th Royal Lancers in 1928. In 1939, the only modern armoured cars of the British army were the 99 morris CS9 and the six light tanks, wheeled Mark I Guy . Only the 12th Royal Lancers was engaged in France in 1940 and lost all its 38 vehicles. As a result of this campaign the fighting moved to Libya and it was there that the Marmon-Herrington (South African armoured cars ordered urgently to 1000 copies) were used in large numbers alongside the existing Rolls. It should be noted that the RAF had its own Alvis-Straussler AC3 armoured cars (12) for its Middle East bases.
Scout cars :
The first operational use of scout cars was in France with two platoons (21 vehicles) attached to 4th Bn, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. Scout cars were also used in the Regimental HQs and Squadrons of the 1st Armored Division.
Light reconnaissance cars :
Before 1941, light reconnaissance cars were called light armoured cars. these were the vehicles designed in emergency after the re-embarkation of Dunkirk and the threat of invasion. In January 1941, new reconnaissance regiments were created for the infantry divisions and these light armoured cars became light reconnaissance cars. They were used mainly in regiments HQs and squadrons HQ.
The British armoured car regiments were attached to armored divisions and the reconnaissance regiments to Infantry Divisions.
British armoured car regiment 1938-1940 (12th Royal Lancers) :
Only armoured cars are mentionned
HQ : 5 Morris CS9 armoured car
Squadron I
II
III – HQ : 2 Morris CS9 armoured car
– troop1
– troop2
– troop3 : 3 Morris CS9 armoured car
Total : 38 ligh armoured cars (Morris CS9/LAC)
After the first fights in the desert, it was decided to increase the number of vehicles per regiment because these units were used more often than the others, so they changed from 3 to 5 troops (3 vehicles per troop) per squadron, plus 3 at each Squadron HQ and 4 at the Regiment HQ.
British armoured car regiment 1941 :
Only armoured cars are mentionned
HQ : 4 armoured cars
Squadron I
II
III – HQ : 3 armoured cars
– troop1
– troop2
– troop3
– troop4
– troop5 : 3 armoured cars
Total : 58 armoured cars
After the French campaign, the fighting moved in the Lybian desert. The British armoured cars were then Rolls and Morris then arrived Marmon-Herringtons but all badly armed (machine gun bren and anti-tank rifle Boys) while the axis armoured cars were equipped with guns. It was not until September 1941 that the first Humber arrive, then 1942 for the first AEC, July 1942 for the first Daimler and October 1942 for the humber Mark III. Fighting in the desert brought a demand for larger vehicles carrying heavier weapons. Contacts with the American industry led to the construction of the Staghound armoured cars, but these vehicles arrived too late for the war in Africa.
After the war in Africa, the needs were revised upwards and a fourth squadron was added, which means:
British armoured car regiment 1943 :
Only armoured/scout cars are mentionned
HQ : 1 Daimler scout car
12 Humber scout cars
1 Daimler Armoured Car
3 Staghound Armoured Cars
4 Humber AA Armoured Cars
1 Armoured command vehicle
Squadron I
II
III
IV – HQ : 1 Daimler scout car
1 Daimler Armoured Car
3 Staghound Armoured Cars
– reconnaissance troop1
– reconnaissance troop2
– reconnaissance troop3
– reconnaissance troop4
– reconnaissance troop5 : 2 Daimler scout car
2 Daimler Armoured Car
– support troop : 1 Daimler scout car
– anti-tank section
Total : 125 armoured/scout cars
Reconnaissance regiment ( infantry division) :
Only armoured/light reconnaissance cars are mentionned
HQ : anti-tank, signal and mortar troops
Reconnaissance Squadron I
II
III – Scout troop1
– Scout troop2
– Scout troop3 – Armoured car section (2 Humber ou 2 Daimler)
– Light reconnaissance car section (2 véhicules)
– Assault troop
total : 28 armoured cars et 24 light reconnaissance cars