- Yes
- No
Introduction
Established in early 1943, the 6th South African Armoured division was a mechanised division representing the bulk of South Africa’s heavy armour during WW2. The division was composed of South African volunteers and integrated Allied forces. Under the command of Major General W.H.E. Poole, the division was trained in Egypt for much of 1943, before being deployed into the invasion of Italy alongside the British, Americans, and other Allies.
Over the course of the campaign, the 6th South African Armoured Division distinguished itself highly, including during the liberation of Florence and battles in the Apennine Mountains. It played a vital role in disrupting German defensive lines, utilising its tanks effectively, despite often being significantly outmatched by Axis armour. The Italian campaign was an absolute hellish slog, against well entrenched German forces, but the South Africans consistently managed to do more with less. By the end of the war, the division had a well-earned reputation as an effective fighting force, leaving a lasting legacy in South African military history.
The vehicle discussed in this suggestion is the Morris-Commercial Self-Propelled 40mm Bofors, or Morris 40mm SP for short. This was a British-designed anti-aircraft vehicle developed during World War II. Built on the chassis of a Morris C8 artillery tractor, it mounted the famous Swedish 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun, one of the most effective medium-caliber AA weapons of the war. Introduced in the early 1940s, the self-propelled configuration allowed for greater mobility and faster deployment compared to towed versions of the Bofors gun. While its primary role was air defense, the weapon also proved effective against lightly armored vehicles and infantry in a direct-fire role.
The 6th South African Armoured Division utilized the Morris 40mm SP during its service in the Italian Campaign. In the early days of the Italian Campaign, the Axis still had a semi-function air force, so mobile anti-air guns were well sought-after. Though the threat of Axis air attacks waned later in the war, the vehicle’s flexibility allowed it to remain in service, providing 40mm fire support where possible.
Specifications
Images
Spoiler
British troops operating the Morris 40mm Self Propelled
Sources