An armored car platoon composed of Austin (1st series) on patrol in Galicia (Austria), summer 1915..

Captured Contraband Truck. Franco-Belgian border, 1919.

Jeffery-Russell Armoured Cars of the 7th Armoured Motor Battery (AMB). Waziristan, ca. 1920

7th Armoured Motor Battery (AMB)

The 7th Armoured Motorized Battery, created in 1915 and aimed at the northwest frontier was formed by three Mercedes Armoured Cars (made on chassis of Mercedes passenger cars) and a support vehicle. Destined in Dera Ismail Khan, in May 1919 took part in the Waziristan campaign. Later he added the 6th Armoured Motorized Battery, consisting of three Minerva Armoured Cars and a support vehicle and destining to Bannu. Along side the two batteries continued to participate in the campaign (see below OOB part), added to the 1st Section of Defence Lines of Communication, Tanks area. At this time the armoured Mercedes and Minerva were replaced by four Armoured Cars Jeffery-Russell (4x4). Then the 7th AMB was destined to the 10th Armoured Car Company (10th ACC) belonging to the Tanks Corps (TC). They were also destined to the 10th Company (along with the 7th AMB) the following batteries:

10th ACC - India (II-1921)

 5th AMB (II-1921)----------------------3 x Jeffery-Russell
 7th AMB (VIII-1921)-------------------4 x Jeffery-Russell
13th AMB (VIII-1921)------------------3 x Wolseley 12/16
15th AMB (VIII-1921)------------------3 x Cadillac ???
16th AMB (VIII-1921)------------------3 x Wolseley 24/30



7ª Batería Motorizada Blindada (AMB - Armoured Motorized Battery)

La 7ª Batería Motorizada Blindada, creada en 1915 y destinada a la Frontera Noroeste, estaba formada por tres Coches Blindados Mercedes (realizados sobre chasis de coches de pasajeros Mercedes) y un vehículo de apoyo. Destinada a Dera Ismail Khan, en mayo de 1919, intervino en la campaña de Waziristán. Posteriormente se le agregó la 6ª Batería Motorizada Blindada, formada por tres Coches Blindados Minerva y un vehículo de apoyo, destinándose a Bannu. Juntas ambas Baterías siguieron participando en la citada campaña (ver abajo OOB parcial), agregadas a la 1ª Sección de Defensa de las Líneas de Comunicación de la zona de Tank. En esta época los coches blindados Mercedes y Minerva fueron suistituidos por cuatro coches blindados Jeffery-Russell (4x4). Posteriormente la 7ª AMB fue destinada a la 10ª Compañía de Coches Blindados (10th Armoured Cars Company, 10 th ACC), perteneciente al Tanks Corps (TC). También fueron destinadas a la 10ª compañía (junto a la 7ª AMB) las siguientes Baterías:


10th ACC - India (II-1921)

 5th AMB (II-1921)----------------------3 x Jeffery-Russell
 7th AMB (VIII-1921)-------------------4 x Jeffery-Russell
13th AMB (VIII-1921)------------------3 x Wolseley 12/16
15th AMB (VIII-1921)------------------3 x Cadillac ???
16th AMB (VIII-1921)------------------3 x Wolseley 24/30

INDIAN ARMY

DISTRIBUTION OF TROOPS IN WAZIRISTAN ON 6TH MAY 1919.
(Partial exposure)


Bannu Area.

In BANNU.

31st D. C. O. Lancers (less 1 Squadron).
1 Sec. 6-3 R. M. L. guns.
1 Section 33rd Indian Mountain Battery.
1-103rd Mahratta Light Infantry.
3-6th Gurkha Rifles.

Nos. 5 & 6 Armoured Motor Batteries.

In DARDONI.


1 Squadron 31st D. C. O. Lancers, 1 Section.
33rd Indian Mountain Battery (less 1 section).
55th Field Company Sappers and Miners.
1-41st Dogras.
2-112th Infantry.

In KURRAM GARHI.— Detachment 3-6th Gurkha Rifles.

NORTHERN WAZIRISTAN MILITIA and FRONTIER CONSTABULARY holding their usual posts.

Derajat Area. 

In DERA ISMAIL KHAN.

27th Cavalry (less one Squadron).
27th Indian Mountain Battery (less one section).
1-76th Punjabis (less 2 ½ Companys).
2-2nd Gurkha Rifles.

No. 7 Armoured Motor Battery.

In TANK.

1 Squadron 27th Cavalry.
1 Section 27th Mountain Battery.
2 Platoons 1-76th Punjabis.

In MANZAI.

75th Field Coy. Sappers and Miners.
1-66th Punjabis.

In JANDOLA, KHIRGI, GIRNI, JATTA— 2 COYS. 1-76th Punjabis.

SOUTHERN WAZIRISTAN MILITIA FRONTIER and CONSTABULARY holding their usual posts.

TROOPS COMPRISING WAZIRISTAN FORCE, 1919-20.
(Partial exposure)

In DERAJAT.

No. 1 Section, Tank Lines of Communication Defences.

Area:


Darya Khan to Hathala (both inclusive), later from Darya Khan to half way between Khirgi and Jandola.

Commander:


Brigadier-General R. B. Worgan, D.S.O.

Headquarters:

Dera Ismail Khan (later in Tank).

Cavalry:


16th Cavalry.
21st P. A. V. O. Cavalry (less 1 Squadron).
27th Light Cavalry.

Artillery:


1 Section, No. 35 Indian Mountain Battery.
1 Section, 15-pr. Guns. F. G .A.

Machine Gun Corps:

Nos. 6 and 7 Armoured Motor Batteries.
Post Machine Guns.

Infantry:


62nd Brigade Headquarters.
Brigade Signal Section.
2-90th Punjabis.
2-94th Infantry.
2-102nd Grenadiers.
2-113th Infantry (later moved up to Kotkai and joined No. 2 Section, Tank L. of C.).
2-127th Baluchis (later moved up to Sorarogha and joined 43rd Brigade).
2- 150th Infantry (joined 43rd Brigade at Kotkai on 29th December 1919).
Southern Waziristan Militia (less detachment with Striking Column).

Supply Units:


No. 119 Brigade Supply Section.
½ No. 395 Bakery Section.
½ No. 395 Butchery Section.

Details:


Post Stokes Mortars.
1 Stationary Wireless Plant.

************ 

Abbreviations:

D. C. O. Lancers = Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers
F.G.A. = Fighter Ground AttackL. of C. = Lines of Communication
P. A. V. O. Cavalry = Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry
R. M. L. = Rifled Muzzle-Loading – (Siege or "position" howitzer/mortar)

Locomobile Armored Car- First Armored Motor Battery (A.C. No. 2)- National Guard New York (N.G.N.Y.), 1916.

US Packard Gun Carrier, 3-ton Model 1909 whith QF 1-pdr gun, pedestal mount. US Army (Before WWI).

Rheinmetall 7.7-cm L/27 Ortsfeste Flak (Fixed Pedestal) (WWI).

Daimler Zugkraftwagen 38/80-HP Model 1913 (Spanish Army) (Before WWI).

Autocannone da 102/35 (SPA-9000 C Armored Gun Carrier - 102-mm L/35 Gun) (WWI).

 

Gruppo Artiglieria Autoportata da 102/35

Self-Propelled Artillery Battalion of 102/35 Guns (Italian Army 1915-1918)

HQ Self-Propelled Artillery Battalion

2 x Frera motorcycles* for Liaison Officers

2 x Frera motorcycles for messenger

1 x Isotta Fraschini Command Car (Model OC5 or TM 70/80)

1 x Lancia 1Z (Armored engine bonnet) Observatory light truck (with folding ladder for observation)

2 x S.P.A. 8000 C Cargo trucks

2 x Bianchi bicycles (manufactured expressly for the Army)

1st Self-Propelled Artillery Battery

HQ Battery

2 x Frera motorcycles with sidecars for Liaison Officers
2 x Frera motorcycles for messenger
1 x Isotta Fraschini Staff Car (Model OC5 or TM 70/80)
1 x Lancia 1Z Command light truck (equipped with telephones)
1 x Lancia 1Z (Armored engine bonnet) Observatory light truck (with folding ladder for observation)
1 x S.P.A. 9000 C Workshop Truck (Box truck with metal body)


1st Platoon

1 x S.P.A. 9000 C Armored Gun Carrier (102-mm L/35 Gun)
1 x S.P.A. 9000 C truck for transport of personnel, accessories and ammunition (Armored engine bonnet)
2 x S.P.A. 8000 C trucks for the transport of ammunition (Armored engine bonnet)
1 x S.P.A. 8000 C Cargo truck


2nd Platoon

1 x S.P.A. 9000 C Armored Gun Carrier (102-mm L/35 Gun)
1 x S.P.A. 9000 C truck for transport of personnel, accessories and ammunition (Armored engine bonnet)
2 x S.P.A. 8000 C trucks for the transport of ammunition (Armored engine bonnet)
1 x S.P.A. 8000 C Cargo truck


3rd Platoon

1 x S.P.A. 9000 C Armored Gun Carrier (102-mm L/35 Gun)
1 x S.P.A. 9000 C truck for transport of personnel, accessories and ammunition (Armored engine bonnet)
2 x S.P.A. 8000 C trucks for the transport of ammunition (Armored engine bonnet)
1 x S.P.A. 8000 C Cargo truck


4th Platoon

1 x S.P.A. 9000 C Armored Gun Carrier (102-mm L/35 Gun)
1 x S.P.A. 9000 C truck for transport of personnel, accessories and ammunition (Armored engine bonnet)
2 x S.P.A. 8000 C trucks for the transport of ammunition (Armored engine bonnet)
1 x S.P.A. 8000 C Cargo truck


Two or three batteries, with the same organization as above described, completed the Self-Propelled Artillery Battalion.

*Frera Motorcycles, manufactured expressly for the Army in 1915-17 and from 300 to 1140 cc

 

7.62cm Sockelflak L/30 (Conversion performed by Krupp in 1917-1918) (WWI).

REO Armored Car- No. 1 (2nd improved version). Michigan National Guard, 1916 (WWI).

Vittorio Emanuele III, King of Italy in a Fiat Model 1902, 12-HP (Before WWI).

Start of the Motorization in the Italian Army

In the early twentieth century, Italy began, like other European countries, the way to the motorization of the Army. In 1903, the Ministry of War ordered the acquisition of the first vehicles with combustion engines. 

The first type of vehicles, with which were equipped the Italian Army , was the Fiat 1902 Model, 12-HP of 4-5 places. Of this model the Fiat factory produced 78 units, both civilian and military use.

************************

Inicio de la motorización en el Ejército italiano

A principios del siglo XX, Italia inicia, como otros países de Europa, el camino para la motorización del Ejército. En 1903, el Ministerio de la Guerra ordenó la adquisición del los primeros vehículos con motor de combustión.  

 El primer tipo de vehículo, con el que se dotó al ejército italiano, fue el Fiat Modelo 1902 de 4-5 plazas y 12-HP. De este modelo la fábrica Fiat produjo un total de 78 unidades, tanto para uso civil como militar.

Italian Lancia-Ansaldo 1Z Armored Cars (1915 and 1917 Models) (WWI).

Russian Maxim Machine Gun - Model 1910.

Improvised Polish Armored Car “POWSTANIEC” (Insurgent) (After WWI).

Ford Model T Machine Gun Carrier. Ulster Volunteers. Ireland, ca. 1913 (Before WWI).

IRA Crossley Tender, ca. 1919, Ireland (After WWI).

IRA Crossley Tender

Crossley Tender belonging to a "Flying Column" of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Ireland, War of Independence, ca.1919.

****************************

Crossley Tender del IRA

Crossley Tender perteneciente a una "Columna Volante" del Ejército Republicano Irlandés (IRA). Irlanda, Guerra de la Independencia, c.1919.

Corps Expeditionnaire Belge des Autos-Canons-Mitrailleuses, Longchamps, Paris, France, April 17, 1915 (WWI).

"Corps Expeditionnaire Belge des Autos-Canons-Mitrailleuses"

"The Belgian Expeditionary Armored Squadron"

Parade-Presentation in Longchamps, Paris, France, April 17, 1915 (before departure to Russia).

************************

"Cuerpo Expedicionario Belga de Autos-Cañones-Ametralladoras"

Desfile-Presentación en Longchamps, París, Francia, 17 de abril de 1915 (antes de partir hacia Rusia).

Lancia Triota Light Truck, 1921. Italian Army (After WWI).

Studebaker-Crossman Machine Gun Carrier, 33rd Infantry Regiment, Michigan National Guard, 1917 (WWI).

Spanish Benz Armored Car No. 5 (Camión Protegido nº 5) Melilla, Spain, 1922 (After WWI).

Finnish Armstrong-Whitworth-Fiat Armored Cars, Helsinki, 1920 (After WWI).

Finnish Armored Cars Armstrong-Whitworthr-Fiat

Finnish Civil Guard Detachment Parade, District of Helsinki, 1920.

In 1918, these ex-Russian armored vehicles were captured to the Soviets by the Finnish White Army, in the cities of Tampere and Viipuri (now Vyborg, Russian city).

*********************

Coches Blindados Finlandeses Armstrong-Whitworth-Fiat

Desfile del Destacamento de la Guardia Civil Finlandesa del Distrito de Helsinki, 1920.

En 1918, estos coches blindados ex-rusos fueron capturados a los soviéticos por el Ejército Blanco Finlandés, en las localidades de Tampere y Viipuri (actualmente Víborg, ciudad rusa).

Renault Armored Car (Factory Model). Captured by the Germans, France, 1914 (WWI).

French Renault Armored Truck, 1914 Model. Captured by the Germans

The Renault Armored Truck was manufactured in 1914 during the first months of the Great War. It was a special project of House Renault, who designed and built on its own, this little known armored car model. Apparently many copies were made (*). There are photographs of the vehicle being used by the French troops. There is also a photograph of another vehicle, captured by the Germans, with normal slick tires (that of this photo takes pneumatics type Ducasble).

This vehicle is missing the front shield, which consisted of a rectangular steel plate slightly curved profile. This was in front of the engine hood tilt. In the picture we can see the hooks for armor plate. The original models armed with a machine gun (probably St. Étienne M1907 8-mm) placed on a pedestal in the center of the rear of the vehicle.

(*) Pierre Touzin, Les Véhicules Blindés Francais 1900-1944, ÉDITIONS E.P.A. 1979

**************************************

Camión Blindado Francés Renault. Modelo 1914. Capturado por los alemanes.

El Camión Blindado Renault se fabricó en 1914 durante los primeros meses de la Gran Guerra. Fue un proyecto particular de la Casa Renault, que diseño y fabricó por su cuenta, este poco conocido modelo de coche blindado. Al parecer se hicieron bastantes ejemplares(*). Existen fotografías del vehículo siendo utilizado por tropas francesas. También existe una fotografía de otro vehículo, capturado por los alemanes, con neumáticos lisos normales (el de esta imagen lleva neumáticos tipo Ducasble).

A este vehículo le falta el blindaje delantero, el cual consistía en una plancha rectangular de acero de perfil ligeramente curvo. Este iba situado delante del capó del motor en posición inclinada. En la fotografía se aprecian los enganches para la plancha de blindaje. Los modelos originales iban armados con una ametralladora (probablemente una St. Étienne M1907 de 8-mm) situada sobre un pedestal en el centro de la parte posterior del vehículo.

(*) Pierre Touzin, Les Véhicules Blindés Francais 1900-1944, ÉDITIONS E.P.A. 1979

 

Belgian SAVA Armored Car - Model Type 3 (Turretless) Ca. 1919 (After WWI).

Renault Armored Car, Drouet Battery, France 1914 (WWI).

Mors Armored Car. April 17,1915, Longchamps, Paris, France (WWI).

British 13-pdr 9ctw (Mk. IV mounting) Peerless 4-ton Lorry. Captured by the Germans. France, 1918 (WWI).

13-pdr 9ctw (3-inch mounting) Peerless 5-ton Lorry. France, 1918 (WWI).

Armored Cars in the Headquarters of Mongolian People's Revolutionary Army, March 1921, near Altanbulag (Northern Mongolia) (After WWI).

Mongolia People's Revolutionary Army (MPRA)

On the 13th of March, 1921, in Altanbulag (northern Mongolia) the Provisional People's Government of Mongolia was formed, created and led by the People's Revolutionary Party of Mongolia.

Then, on the 18th of March, in the same location, the Popular Revolutionary Army of Mongolia (MPRA) was formed.

The MPRA, backed by Red Army forces (Russian), fights and defeats the White Guard troops, led by the warlord Roman Ungern von Sternberg*.

Released on northern and central Mongolia, MPRA, along with support units of the Red Army attacked and defeated the Chinese warlords who dominated the the south of the country.

As a result of these victories, in 1924, the People's Republic of Mongolia was constituted.

In 1921, the Soviets provided the small army of Mongolia, among other types of weapons, four armored cars of the following types (in order of appearance in the picture):

2  x Austin Armored Cars (Model 3rd series)

1 x Fiat-Izhorsky Armoured Car

1 x Armstrong-Whitworth-Fiat Armored Car

Later (before 1925), they were given three more armored cars to the MPRA. Two of them were Austin-Putilov or "Russian Austin" (33 units built on Austin chassis of the 3rd series between 1918 and 1920). The third was a Fiat-Izhorsky.

Besides the seven armored cars, the Soviets provided the MPRA (between 1921 and 1927) the following weapons: 200 Maxim Machine Guns, 50 Mountain Howitzers, 30 Field Guns and 20 Light Tanks (Renault FT type, or the Soviet copy of it).

The MPRA was composed solely of cavalry troops (between 3000-4000 horsemen in 1923-1924) and supply carts. The performance of these troops with armored cars and mobile artillery proved an unbeatable combination for an enemy who had no armored motor vehicles.

* Roman Ungern von Sternberg is a charismatic figure who has inspired literary, cinematographic and comics authors.

***************************************

Ejército Popular Revolucionario de Mongolia (EPRM)

El 13 de marzo de 1921, se constituyó en Altanbulag (Norte de Mongolia) el Gobierno Popular Provisional de Mongolia, creado y dirigido por el Partido Revolucionario Popular de Mongolia.

A continuación, el 18 de marzo se crea, en el mismo lugar, el Ejército Popular Revolucionario de Mongolia (EPRM).

El EPRM, respaldado por fuerzas del Ejército Rojo (Ruso), se enfrenta y derrota a las tropas de la Guardia Blanca, acaudilladas por el señor de la guerra Romano Ungern von Sternberg*.

Liberado el norte y centro de Mongolia, el EPRM, junto a unidades de apoyo del Ejército Rojo, atacó y derrotó a los señores de la guerra chinos que dominaban el sur del país.

Como resultado de estas victorias, en 1924 se constituye la República Popular de Mongolia.

En 1921, los soviéticos proporcionaron al pequeño ejército de Mongolia, entre otro armamento, cuatro coches blindados de los siguientes tipos (por orden de aparición en la fotografía):

2 x Coches Blindados Austin (Modelo de la 3ª serie)

1 x Coche Blindado Fiat-Izhorsky

1 x Coche Blindado Armstrong-Whitworth-Fiat

Posteriormente (antes de 1925), le fueron entregados al EPRM tres coches blindados más. Dos de ellos eran del tipo Austin-Putilov o "Austin Ruso" (33 unidades fabricadas sobre chasis Austin de la 3ª serie entre 1918 y 1920). El tercero era un Fiat-Izhorsky.

Además de los siete coches blindados, los soviéticos proporcionaron al EPRM (entre 1921 y 1927) el siguiente armamento: 200 ametralladoras Maxim, 50 obuses de montaña, 30 cañones de campaña y 20 carros de combate ligeros (tipo Renault FT, o la copia soviética de éste).

El EPMR estaba constituido únicamente por tropas de caballería (entre 3000 y 4000 jinetes en 1923-1924) y por carros de aprovisionamiento. La actuación de estas tropas junto a los coches blindados y la artillería móvil resultó una combinación insuperable para un enemigo que carecía de medios motorizados blindados.

* Romano Ungern von Sternberg es un personaje carismático que ha inspirado a autores literarios, cinematográficos y dibujísticos.

Texto en la fotografía: Cuartel General del Ejército Popular Revolucionario de Mongolia, cerca de Altanbulag (norte de Mongolia) en marzo de 1921.

Canadian Jeffery-Russell Armoured Cars (United Kingdom, 1916) (WWI).

New York National Guard Armored Cars in the Toronto Parade, November 20 1917.

[Défilé de véhicules blindés, Avenue University, Ville de Toronto, Nov 20 1917]

See also:

Ver también:

 http://armoredcars-ww-one.blogspot.com.es/2016/10/the-new-york-national-guard-in-canada.html

Krupp 7,1-cm B.A.K. L/28 Sockelflak (Cruciform base) Model 1909 (WWI).

Pierce Arrow-Wolseley Anti-Aircraft Armoured Car (Brick Camouflage) (WWI).