The Kangaroos

Reviewed by Capt Tim Fletcher as written for Semper Paratus

August, 1944. The Canadians in Europe, under General Guy Simonds, were about to assault the Germans under Operation TOTALIZE. The infantry casualties during Operation SPRING, where they were often left unsupported by armour because infantry couldn't keep up, had weighed heavily on Gen. Simonds. He came up with a truly Canadian, innovation, the fore-runner to today's armoured personnel carrier.

Simonds ordered a number of "Priests" (older American M7 105mm SP howitzers based on the "Grant" tank hulls) to be disarmed. Without the gun and associated gear, there was room for a section of infantry. These so-called "Defrocked Priests" later called "Kangaroos" could advance into battle with their sup-porting tanks, contents safe from bullet and splinter. The original Kangaroos were soon replaced by Canadian Ram tanks by removing the turret. The Ram was unsuitable for battle, but in its new guise was perfect for the job. The concept was wildly successful, and within 10 months, the original squadron had grown into the 1st Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment, the first in the world. They saved the lives of countless soldiers, including Rileys.

Now, the story of those first precious APCs has been told fully for the first time by Kenneth Ramsden, a veteran of that historic unit. "The Canadian Kangaroos in World War II" (200 pp., soft-cover) is self-published. The author, at age 86, has taken it upon himself to ensure this important story is told. There are some minor quibbles (misspelling some units, listing Montgomery as a Major-General, no photos of the original Kangaroos) but historians, armour buffs, and those with an active interest in our profession of arms will find it highly interesting.

	Rileys moving into battle on Ram Kangaroos on the approach to Groningen, April 13 1945.

You can obtain the book direct from the author, Kenneth Ramsden, 1701 Stewart Drive/RR3, Cavan, ON, L0A 1C0. At only $16.95 plus $3.00 for shipping and handling (total: $19.95), the book is a steal, and a must for any library.