FIRST TANKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 76, 31 March 1941, Page 8

FIRST TANKS.

N.Z. WORKMANSHIP.! —■J H r CONVERTED TRACTORS DRAMATIC P.W.D. CHAPTER. (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. When Xcw Zealand's own tanks show their paces before the public for the first. time, .in, a'"few weeks, there will be presented the fulfilment of a dramatic chapter, in Che history of the Qublic Works Department. The genesis of these 2j-ton heavy tanks was a photograph taken in the United States, which was given to the Hon. R. Semple. That photograph showed a converted caterpillar tractor. and so impressed was Mr. Semple that when Belgium and France fell last year he became convinced that something '"hot"-' for any potential invader of New Zealand could be prepared on the lines of that valuable photograph. Mr. Semple showed the photograph to Mr. T. G; Beck, now district Public Works engineer in Christchurch, but at that time the engineer in charge of the huge irrigation .schemes in South and MidCanterbury, with headquarters at Temuka. : Mr. Beck was" faced with the tough question of wliethcr he could convert some of the'big P.W.D. tractors into tanks without any blueprints, as it would take . valuable time to secure prints "from America.

Satisfactory Tests. A prompt "Yes" was Mr. Beck's replv. and expert workmen at the Public Works Temuka workshops were organised by him for the job. First of all the 'tank" was made of three-ply to get the pattern, and then the next problem was to secure steel that would withstand anti-tank rifle tire. As a result of investigations and experiments, Mr. Beck devised armour which passed severe firing tests, and it was then decided to go ahead and build the first tank. The whole of that important task was carried out at Temuka, and the completed tank was tested before army representatives, and gave full satisfaction.

With a decision to construct further tanks, operations were shifted elsewhere. In addition, big trailers were made to transport tanks at high speeds to places where they might be needed. The trailers were designed bv the Public Works Department in Wellington, and the first was built under Mr. Beck's supervision at Temuka. Immense Power. Complete with their camouflage, paint, these New Zealand-made tanks look primly efficient, and their performances bear out their looks. Armoured bodies are placed on big 98-horse-power caterpillar tractors brought into New Zealand by Mr. Semple to do heavy Public Works construction jobs. These tractors are the most powerful in the world, and as tanks they have immense power. Xot only can they climb a grade of one in two, but they will travel through flood waters four feet six inches deep, traverse an embankment four feet six inches high, smash through gorse hedges, scrub and saplings up to six inches in diameter and move across country where roads do not exist. The armament consists of a number of quick-firing guns, and a hail of lead can be released. Each tank lias a crew of eight and normally carries 2...000 rounds of ammunition, "in addition there is room for the carriage of troops and ammunition in safety over country that might be under "enemy fire. Furthermore, each tank is fitted with a drawbar with which an armoured trailer can be towed. Mobile Pill Boxes. These tanks, which, incidentally, arc officially known as mobile, pill 'boxes, burn crude oil and, accordingly, cannot be vulnerable to inflammable bombs. The only thing that could put these tanks out- of action would be a bi<* gun. The tanks are not fast travelling units, but they can be taken wherever they are wanted on trailers as fast as any tank ever built. Thus thev can be moved as fast as infantry, "whether troops arc on foot or in trucks. Xot only can they go virtually anywhere, but the tanks can operate 60 hours without refuelling.

"If this country is going to be invaded, we needed to have equipment as good as that of the other fellow, if not better,", explained Mr. Sample. "We could not buy tanks from outside, but had to-act on our own resources. Luckily we had • big tractors here, and they proved a Godsend."