India Pattern Wheeled Armored Carrier
Mark 2/2A/2B/2C
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Mark 2A
Specifications
| Country of Origin/Used by: | India (British Commonwealth) |
|---|---|
| Produced/Service Dates: | 1940-1944 |
| Manufactured by: | Chassis: Ford Motor Company of Canada; Armor: A majority of vehicles armored by East Indian Railway and Tata Iron & Steel Company. |
| Crew: | 3-4 |
| Armament: | (1) .55 Boys Anti-Tank Rifle and/or (1) .303 BREN light machinegun |
| Engine: | (8) Cylinder Petrol |
| Miscellaneous Info: | Vehicle is rear engined. The Mark 2 differed from subsequent versions (2A, 2B & 2C) due to improvements in later vehicles. |
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7th Light Cavalry, previously the 28th Light Cavalry , was a regular army cavalry regiment in the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1784 under the East India Company. The regiment later saw service on the North West Frontier and in World War I and World War II. In 1947, it was allocated to the new Indian Army, where it continues to exist as the 7th Light Cavalry
World War II
[edit]
At the start of the Second World War the regiment was stationed in Bolarum as part of the 4th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade. The 7th Light Cavalry were brigaded with the:
- 14th/20th Hussars
- Prince Albert Victor’s Own Cavalry
- 3rd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
- 4th Cavalry Brigade Signal Troop.[6]
The last mounted parade of the 7th Light Cavalry took place in 1940. However even by early 1941 the only mechanical transport provided for the now dismounted regiment was an Austin car for the commandant and a few motorbikes for dispatch riders.[7] Vehicles trickled in and finally a full complement of 52 Stuart tanks was received by April 1943.[8]
The regiment was then attached to the 254th Indian Tank Brigade,[9] in November 1941.
The brigade came under the command of Brigadier Reginald Scoones. When it was moved to Imphal in November and December 1943 the 254th Indian Tank Brigade consisted of the following major units:
- 7th Light Cavalry
- 3rd Carabiniers
- 3rd Btn 4th Bombay Grenadiers
The brigade served with the 5th Indian Division and the 7th Indian Infantry Divisions in Burma. It participated in the Battle of Imphal, Battle of Kyaukmyaung Bridgehead, Battle of Meiktila, and Operation Dracula (Rangoon Road).
In June 1945 the 7th Light Cavalry sailed from Rangoon to Madras and by July was stationed at Ahmednagar.
In August 1945 it was selected to form part of the British Indian Division (BRINDIV) This division served with the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces (BCOF) as part of the Allied Occupation Forces in Japan. The move to Japan occurred during March/April 1946. The regiment returned to India in August 1947.[4]
- 7th Light Cavalry