Bren Gun Carriers

[Cross]

I read recently that the Bren Gun Carrier – in its various forms – was the most numerous AFV in history. Between 35,000 to 57,000 were produced by 1945 (I think the 35k figure is for the UK) and 113, 000 were eventually manufactured.

In SP I noticed that the Canadians, ANZAC and Indian forces can purchase Bren Gun Carriers, but for the British it’s not so easy.

As the British you can pretty much only get a Bren Gun Carrier if you purchase a whole Mechanized Support or Patrol platoon (with infantry); or you can get it as a scout vehicle with Vickers MG, where it can only carry an addition 2 men.

It would be nice to just buy a couple of Bren Gun Carriers without strings attached, like the other nations. The Brits can buy Lloyd carriers as ‘prime movers’, but these have no Bren Gun.

If you get a chance this would be a useful adjustment for a future update.

Here’s one of my favourite Bren Gun Carrier photos:

[BadCompany]

Agreed.

For the future,add they should have so you can buy bren carriers in groups of 4,2,and 1

[PatG]

The other option would be to buy them as "captured" from the Canucks or other Bren Carrier endowed OOBs.

[BadCompany]

Never thought of that,just buy them from the allies.

[montieth]

IT is my understanding they you'll see carriers in specialized roles as well as in a general role in infantry divisions in a carrier platoon. The carriers were MORE likely to see in the following areas.

Divisional Reconnaisance Regiments, Infantry Divisions.
Recce troops, 3 troops per squadron, 3 squadrons per Regiment. 1 Regiment per division. Each troop had 7 carriers, organized 3 per section, 1 at the troop HQ. Interestingly, the Recce troops were commanded by 2 subalterns, not one. One subaltern rode in an armoured car, 1 rode in a carrier.

Infantry Battalion Carrier Platoon. 12 carriers as a Battalion level asset to be doled out to the companies OR to assist as a mobile reseve. They ended up being used both as recce, flank guard under movement, battle taxis, supply vehicles through danger zones and as mobile firepower reserves.

Infantry Division MMG units used CArriers, I'm not certain of the staff table allocation off the top of my head. But it's a toss up as to what a unit had for its transport. Sometimes it was trucks, sometimes it was carriers. By 44/45, carriers were more common because then you could get your Vickers MMGs into better positions and they were more solid and resiliant than a 15 cwt truck was.

Obviously you'll see them as FOOs. The RA liked them but added overhead armor to make them more protected from airbusting artillery. REME Light Aid Detachments used them as well.

[DRG]

These were added to the 3.5 OOB's. Two formations, 1 carrier and 2 carriers.

Don

[montieth]

If folks want to make up a full carrier platoon, I'd suggest break it into sections so you can buy the whole platoon (arrange it as a company) and send sections off to perform tasks.

The '41 organization has
Vehicles: 8 Motorcycles, 4 motorcycle combinations, truck 15cwt GS, 13 carriers universal
Officers: Captain and Lt as 2nd in command
NCOs: 5 sgts, 10 corproal LMG numbers & rifleman
Enlisted Fitter MV, 13 driver mechanics, 2 batmen, clerk, driver IC, 29 LMG numbers & riflemen
Weapons 2 pistols, 58 rifles, 4SMG, 13 LMG, 4 2 inch mortars, 4 AT Rifles.


The '43 organization has
Vehicles: 7 motorcylces, 3 cars 5cwt, truck 15cwt gs, 10 carriers.
Officers: Lt Platoon Commander
NCOs: Plt Sgt, 4 sgts, 8 corporal LMG numbers, corporal driver mechanic
Enlisted: Batman, 4 drivers IC, 28 LMG numbers & rifleman, 6 orderlies, storeman, 9 driver mechanics, fitter MV.
Weapons Pistol, 10 SMG, 38 rifles, 9 LMG


The '44 organization has
7 motorcycles, 2 15cwt GS trucks and 13 carriers in the organization.
Officers: One Captain as OC, one Lt as XO.
NCOs: 5 Sgts, 1 Corporal Driver IC, 8 Corporal LMG numbers and rifleman
Enlisted: 1 fitter, 13 Driver mechanics, batman, batman driver, 24 LMG numbers and rifleman 6 orderlies, 1 storeman.