The Armoured Carriers of India and New Zealand: Forgotten WWII Vehicles

India designed a series of armoured vehicles known as the Armoured Carrier, Wheeled, Indian Pattern (ACV-IP). These vehicles were built using Ford or GMC CMP truck chassis imported from Canada, with the Indian Railways primarily responsible for constructing the armoured hulls.

New Zealand also created their own version of the armoured vehicle. Construction of the armoured hulls started in early 1943 at NZ Railway Workshops in Petone. Production ceased by February 1944, by which time 76 vehicles had been completed, 9 were in the process of being fitted with bodies, and 15 chassis remained untouched.

Information about the NZ carriers' service history during World War II is limited. Only seven vehicles were sent to the Pacific with the 3rd NZ Division, and it is uncertain whether they participated in any of the three operations to secure the islands in the Solomon's archipelago.

A special thanks to the Heritage Fund and Arms and Armour Trust for their generous support in producing this video. And to the Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial and National Library of New Zealand for support with archive videos and photos.