ARMOURED CORPS

Evening Star, Issue 23817, 22 February 1941, Page 19

ARMOURED CORPS

m ' ■' AUSTRALIAN SCHEME GOST OF MILLIONS The formation of an Australian Armoured Corps, embodying all the armoured fighting units at present raised in the A.i.F. and the A.M.F.* and the early formation of an Armoured Division of the A.I.F. have been announced by the Australian Prime Minister (Mr Menzics). The project, which will mark a most important step in the mechanisation of the Australian Army, will involve the expenditure of several millions of, pounds, a substantial portion of which will he spent in Australia on the production of armoured vehicles. Arrangements have already been made for the supply of armoured lighting vehicles and armament lor the armoured division of the A.1.F., which will eventually comprise two armoured brigades, a support group, armoured divisional troops, and ancillary troops. Already arrangements arc proceeding for the establishment of armoured corps training units and schools, so that personnel will be raised and trained and be ready to receive fighting vehicles in progressive stages as the vehicles become available. About half the personnel will bo raised and trained in this maimer. The first step will be the sotting up of an armoured trained training centre for the preliminary instruction of officers and instructors, who later will take command of the armoured units and undertake their training. Some of the mechanised equipment for the Armoured Corps is already in production, and progress is being made with the design or cruiser tanks, which will be the main striking arm of the corps. The design will incorporate the latest tank developments in various countries and some important local developments, and will be based on Australia’s needs and the resources of Australian nidus-

try within the munitions programme. The rate of output is assured by the reservation of sections of heavy industry for production of this tyc of armoured vehicle. Already Australia is making tank components, which have been sent to Britain for assembly, and their success under service conditions demonstrates Australia’s capacity for this type of work. 'The protective plating of the cruiser tanks will he made entirely by the Australian steel industry, and offensive armament has been provided for under the ordnance section of the munitions programme. This will be available when it is required. Machine-gun carriers, which have demonstrated their efficiency in the Aliddlo East, have been completely re-dosigned so that they can mount anti-tank gnus as an alternative to light or heavy machine guns.