View source for Universal Carrier

{{Short description|British family of light armoured tracked vehicles}}
{{Redirect|Bren Gun Carrier|the gun|Bren light machine gun}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2015}}
{{More footnotes needed|date=January 2009}}
{{Infobox weapon
| is_vehicle         = yes
| is_UK              = yes
| type               = [[Infantry mobility vehicle]] / weapon&nbsp;carrier
| origin             = United Kingdom
| name               = Universal Carrier
| image              = Universal carrier (mortar carrier) 9-08-2008 14-53-48 (2).JPG
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = preserved Universal Carrier as mortar carrier, 2008
| wars               = {{ubl|[[World War II]]|[[Indonesian National Revolution]]|[[Indochina War]]|[[1948 Arab–Israeli War]]|[[Costa Rican Civil War]]|[[Korean War]]|[[Suez Crisis]]|[[Biafran War]]}}
| number             = 113,000
| spec_label         = Universal Carrier, Mk 1
| length             = {{cvt|12|ft|m|2}}<ref name='AFV 124'>{{harvnb|Chamberlain|Crow|1970|p=124}}</ref>
| width              = {{convert|6|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}}<ref name='AFV 124'/>
| height             = {{cvt|5|ft|2|in}}
| weight             = {{plainlist|
* 3 ton 16 cwt (3.86 t) laden<ref name='AFV 124'/>
* 3 ton 5 cwt (3.3 t) unladen}}
| suspension         = [[Horstmann suspension|Horstmann]]
| speed              = {{cvt|30|mph}}<ref name=McNab142/>
| vehicle_range      = {{cvt|150|mi}}<ref name=McNab142/>
| primary_armament   = [[Bren light machine gun]] /<br/>[[Boys anti-tank rifle]]
| secondary_armament = one [[Vickers machine gun]] /<br/>[[M2 Browning machine gun]] /<br/>[[2-inch mortar]]/[[3-inch mortar]] /<br/>[[PIAT|Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank]]
| armour             = 7–10 mm
| engine             = {{convert|239|cuin|l|0|adj=on}} [[Ford flathead V8 engine|Ford V8]] [[gasoline engine|petrol]]<ref name=McNab142/>
| engine_power       = {{convert|85|hp|abbr=on}} at 3,500 rpm<ref name=McNab142/>
| pw_ratio           = 
| fuel_capacity      = {{convert|20|impgal|L|abbr=on}}<ref name='AFV 124'/>
| crew               = 3
| used_by            = United Kingdom<br/>[[British Commonwealth]]<br/>France
}}

The '''Universal Carrier''', a development of the earlier '''Bren Gun Carrier''' from its [[Bren light machine gun|light machine gun armament]],{{sfn|Fletcher|2005|p=5}} was one of a family of light armoured [[caterpillar track|tracked]] vehicles built by [[Vickers-Armstrongs]] and other companies.

The first carriers – the Bren Gun Carrier and the Scout Carrier which had specific roles – entered service before the war, but a single improved design that could replace these, the Universal, was introduced in 1940.

The vehicle was used widely by [[Commonwealth of Nations|British Commonwealth]] forces during the [[World War II|Second World War]]. Universal Carriers were usually used for transporting personnel and equipment, mostly support weapons, or as [[machine gun]] platforms.

==Design and development==
The origins of the Universal Carrier family can be traced back generally to the [[Carden Loyd tankette]]s family, which was developed in the 1920s, and specifically the Mk VI tankette.{{sfn|Fletcher|2005|p=3}}

In 1934, Vickers-Armstrongs produced, as a commercial venture, a light tracked vehicle that could be used either to carry a machine gun or to tow a light [[field gun]]. The VA.D50 had an armoured box at the front for driver and a gunner and bench seating at the back for the gun crew. The War Office considered it as a possible replacement for their [[Vickers Light Dragon|Vickers "Light Dragon"]] artillery tractors and took 69 as the "Light Dragon Mark III".{{efn|A larger [[Vickers Medium Dragon]] was used for guns up to 60-pounder}} One was built as the "Carrier, Machine-Gun Experimental (Armoured)", carrying a machine gun and its crew. The decision was made to drop the machine gun and its team and the next design had a crew of three—driver and gunner in the front, third crew-member on the left in the rear and the right rear open for storage. Fourteen of this design were built in mild steel as "Carrier, Machine-Gun No 1 Mark 1" and entered service in 1936. Six were converted into pilot models for the Machine gun Carrier No.2, Cavalry Carrier and Scout Carrier designs – the remainder were used for training.<ref>Instruction book, 1939, p7</ref>

[[File: Universal Carrier Mk II pic-10.JPG|thumb|right|The [[Ford flathead V8|sidevalve Ford engine]] was in the centre of the vehicle with the final drive at the rear.]]
The carrier put the driver and commander at the front sitting side by side; the driver to the right. The [[Ford Flathead V8 engine|Ford V8 sidevalve engine]] with four speed gearbox was placed in the centre of the vehicle with the final drive (a commercial Ford axle<ref>Instruction book, 1939, p20</ref>) at the rear. The suspension and running gear were based on that used on the [[Light Tank Mk VI|Vickers light tank]] series using [[Horstmann suspension|Horstmann springs]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwiivehicles.com/unitedkingdom/carriers.asp |title=Britain's Bren Gun Carrier |publisher=WWIIvehicles.com |date=1940-05-10 |access-date=2010-03-11}}</ref> Directional control was through a vertical steering wheel which pivoted about a horizontal axis. Small turns moved the crosstube that carried the front road wheel bogies laterally, warping the track so the vehicle drifted to that side. Further movement of the wheel braked the appropriate track to give a tighter turn.

The hull in front of the commander's position jutted forward to give room for the [[Bren light machine gun]] (or other armaments) to fire through a simple slit. To either side of the engine was an area in which passengers could sit or stores could be carried. Initially, there were several types of Carrier that varied slightly in design according to their purpose: "Medium Machine Gun Carrier" (the [[Vickers machine gun]]), "Bren Gun Carrier", "Scout Carrier" and "Cavalry Carrier". The production of a single model came to be preferred and the Universal design appeared in 1940; this was the most widely produced of the carriers. It differed from the previous models in that the rear section of the body had a rectangular shape, with more space for the crew.

==Production==
[[File:Carrier (i).jpg|right|thumb|Australian-built machine gun carrier]]

Production of carriers began in 1934 and ended in 1960.<ref name=McNab142>{{harvnb|McNab|2003| p=142}}</ref> Before the Universal design was introduced, the vehicles were produced by [[Aveling and Porter]], [[Bedford Vehicles]], [[Ford of Britain]], [[Morris Motors|Morris Motors Limited]], the [[Sentinel Waggon Works]], and the [[Thornycroft]] company. With the introduction of the Universal, production in the UK was undertaken by [[Aveling-Barford]], Ford, Sentinel, Thornycroft, and [[Wolseley Motors]]. By 1945 production amounted to approximately 57,000 of all models, including some 2,400 early ones.

The Universal Carriers, in different variants, were also produced in allied countries. [[Ford Motor Company of Canada]] manufactured about 29,000 vehicles known as the Ford C01UC Universal Carrier. Smaller numbers of them were also produced in Australia (about 5,000), where hulls were made in several places in Victoria and by [[South Australian Railways]] workshops in Adelaide, South Australia. About 1,300 were also produced in New Zealand.

Universal Carriers were manufactured in the United States for allied use with GAE and GAEA V-8 Ford engines.{{sfn|Chamberlain|Crow|1970|p=119-120}} About 20,000 were produced.

== Operational history ==
{{Expand section|date=March 2010}}
The Universal Carrier was ubiquitous in all the theatres during the Second World War with British and Commonwealth armies,<ref name="AFV_14-105">{{harvnb|Chamberlain|Crow|1970|p=105}}</ref> from the [[Pacific War|war in the East]] to the [[Allied occupation of Iceland|occupation of Iceland]].{{sfn|Chamberlain|Crow|1970|p=113}} Although the theory and policy was that the carrier was a "fire power transport" and the crew would dismount to fight, practice differed. It could carry machine guns, anti-tank rifles, mortars, infantrymen, supplies, artillery and observation equipment.<ref name="AFV_14-105"/>

=== United Kingdom ===
[[File:The British Army in the United Kingdom 1939-45 H25279.jpg|thumb|A Universal Carrier of 52nd Reconnaissance Regiment catches air on manoeuvres, Scotland, 10 November 1942]]
The seven mechanized divisional cavalry regiments in the [[British Expeditionary Force (World War II)|British Expeditionary Force]] (BEF) in France during 1939–1940 were equipped with Scout Carriers – 44 carriers and 28 [[Light Tank Mk VI|light tanks]] in each regiment. There were 10 Bren Carriers in each infantry battalion in the same period.{{sfn|Chamberlain|Crow|1970|p={{page needed|date=August 2018}}}}

The [[Reconnaissance Corps]] regiments – which replaced the cavalry regiments in supporting Infantry divisions after 1940 – were each equipped with 63 carriers, along with 28 [[Humber scout car]]s.

Universal Carriers were issued to the support companies in infantry rifle [[battalion]]s for carrying support weapons (initially 10,<ref>An Infantry (Rifle) Battalion, ref II/1931/12B/3, notified in [[Army Council (1904)|Army Council]] Instructions 6 April 1938</ref> 21 by 1941,<ref>An Infantry Battalion (Higher Establishment), ref II/1931/12F/2, notified in Army Council Instructions 4 June 1941.</ref> and up to 33 per battalion by 1943<ref>An Infantry Battalion, ref II/233/2, notified in Army Council Instructions 19 May 1943, effective date 30 April 1943.</ref>). A British armoured division of 1940–41 had 109 carriers; each motor battalion had 44.{{sfn|Chamberlain|Crow|1970|p=119}}

[[File:Troops of the 2nd Monmouthshire Regiment leap from their Universal carrier during an exercise near Newry in Northern Ireland, 26 April 1941. H9234.jpg|thumb|British troops leap from their Universal Carrier during an exercise.]]

A British Carrier platoon originally had ten Universal Carriers with three carrier sections of three Universal Carriers each plus another Universal Carrier in the platoon HQ (along with a 15-cwt GS truck). Each Universal Carrier had a [[non-commissioned officer]] (NCO), a rifleman and a driver-mechanic. One Universal Carrier in each section was commanded by a sergeant, the other two by corporals.

All the Universal Carriers were armed with a Bren gun and one carrier in each carrier section also had a [[Boys anti-tank rifle]]. By 1941, the carrier platoon had increased in strength to contain four carrier sections; one carrier in each carrier section also carried a [[Two-inch mortar|2-inch mortar]].

By 1943, each Universal Carrier had a crew of four, an NCO, driver-mechanic and two riflemen. The Boys anti-tank rifle was also replaced by the [[PIAT]] anti-tank weapon. The Universal Carrier's weapons could be fired from in- or outside the carrier. A carrier platoon had a higher number of light support weapons than a rifle company.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left"
|-
|+Carrier section composition (after 1943){{citation needed|date=October 2021}}
|-
!Task||Rank||Weapon||Notes
|-
|Orderly||Private||[[Sten]]||Equipped with a motorcycle
|-
| colspan="4"|'''Carrier 1'''
|-
|Commander||Sergeant||Rifle||
|-
|Driver-mechanic||Private||Rifle||
|-
|Gunner||Private||Bren||
|-
|Rifleman||Lance corporal||Rifle||[[Wireless Set No. 38|No.38 Wireless]] set
|-
| colspan="4"|'''Carrier 2'''
|-
|Commander||Corporal||Rifle||
|-
|Driver-mechanic||Private||Rifle||
|-
|Gunner||Private||Bren||
|-
|Rifleman||Private||Rifle||2-inch mortar with 36 rounds
|-
| colspan="4"|'''Carrier 3'''
|-
|Commander||Corporal||Rifle||
|-
|Driver-mechanic||Private||Rifle||
|-
|Gunner||Private||Bren||
|-
|Rifleman||Private||Rifle and PIAT||
|}

To allow the Universal to function as an [[artillery tractor]] in emergencies, a towing attachment that could allow it to haul the [[Ordnance QF 6 pounder]] anti-tank gun was added from 1943. Normally the [[Loyd Carrier]] – which was also used as a general utility carrier – acted as the tractor for the 6-pdr.<ref name='AFV 124'/>

In Motorised Infantry Battalions in the [[British Army of the Rhine]] (BAOR) in the early 1950s the Universal was issued one per platoon carrying the Platoon Commander, driver, signaller and the 2-inch Mortar group Nos 1 & 2.

===Australia===
Universal and the earlier Bren carriers were used by Australian Army units in the [[Western Desert campaign]].{{sfn|Chamberlain|Crow|1970|p=118}}

Australian Universal Carriers were deployed to the Western Desert, Egypt during August 1942 serving as command vehicles for the [[2/9th Cavalry Commando Regiment (Australia)|9th Divisional Cavalry Regiment]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C8566 |title=Image: Western Desert, Egypt. 08 AUG 1942. Command Vehicle of 9th Australian Divisional Cavalry Regiment sending and receiving messages |publisher=Australian War Memorial |access-date=23 January 2022}}</ref>

===Germany===
Captured Universal Carriers were used in various roles by German forces.

A total of around sixty Bren No.2 Carriers and [[Belgian Land Component|Belgian Army]] Vickers Utility Tractors were converted into demolition vehicles. Carrying a large explosive charge, these would be driven up to enemy positions under remote control and detonated, destroying both themselves and the target. Twenty-nine of both kinds were deployed in 1942 during the [[Siege of Sevastopol (1941–42)|Siege of Sevastopol]]. They achieved some success in destroying Soviet trenches and bunkers, but a significant number were destroyed by artillery. Others were disabled by [[land mine]]s before reaching their target or were lost because of mechanical breakdowns. A difficulty for the Germans using these foreign-built vehicles was the lack of spare parts.<ref name="EverettToscano2015">{{cite book|author1=H. R. Everett|author2=Michael Toscano|title=Unmanned Systems of World Wars I and II|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=odjgCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA474|date=13 November 2015|publisher=MIT Press|isbn=978-0-262-33176-0|page=474}}</ref>

==Variants==
[[File:The British Army in France 1939-40 O570.jpg|thumb|Bren Carrier No.2. The earlier carriers had much less armour than the Universal. In this case only one side behind the driver protected with a sloping plate.]]
[[File:Universal Carrier Mk II KID1033.jpg|thumb|right|Universal Carrier Mk II]]
[[File:Bren-carrier-latrun-1.jpg|thumb|right|Flamethrower-equipped universal carrier at the [[Yad La-Shiryon|Israeli Armored Corps museum]] in [[Latrun]]]]
The widespread production of the Carrier allowed for several variants to be developed, manufactured and/or used by different countries.

=== Argentine ===
An attempted conversion to self-propelled artillery consisting of a single T16 carrier fitted with a six-[[Model 1968 recoilless gun]] mount was developed in the late 1960s or early 1970s.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

=== British ===
====Early variants====
*;Carrier, Machine-Gun No. 2
:Introduced in 1937{{sfn|Chamberlain|Crow|1970|p=<!--publication doesn't have page numbers-->}}
*;Carrier, Bren No.2, Mark I and Mark II
:Seating for three crew.<ref name=Book24/> Armour plate on front and left hand side only.{{sfn|Chamberlain|Crow|1970}}
*;Carrier, Scout Mk 1
:Carried a [[Wireless Set Number 11|No. 11 Wireless set]].<ref name=Book24>Instruction book, 1939, p24</ref> Armour plate on front and right hand side only.{{sfn|Chamberlain|Crow|1970|p=<!--publication doesn't have page numbers-->}}
*; Carrier, Cavalry Mk 1
:Used for carrying personnel of Light tank regiments in [[British armoured formations of the Second World War|Mobile Divisions]]. A total of 50 were built by Nuffield, discontinued with the reorganization of the Mobile Divisions into Armoured divisions.{{sfn|Chamberlain|Crow|1970|p={{page needed|date=August 2018}}}} Seating was provided for six passengers on benches.<ref name=Book24/>
*; Carrier, Armoured Observation Post
: For carrying [[Royal Artillery]] observers under protection. The machine gun position was fitted with an armoured shutter instead of gun slit. Ninety-five built in two marks.
*; Carrier, Armoured, 2-pounder (40&nbsp;mm)
: A Carrier, Machine Gun converted to mount a [[Ordnance QF 2-pounder|2-pdr gun]] with fixed armoured shield protecting the crew.
*; Carrier, Armoured 6-pounder (57&nbsp;mm)
: A Carrier, Machine Gun converted to mount a [[Ordnance QF 6-pounder|6-pdr gun]] with fixed armoured shield protecting the crew.

====Later variants====
;Universal Mk. I
:Initial model.
;Universal Mk. II
:Updated stowage and layout, battery moved behind the divisional plate, [[towing hitch]] added. Welded waterproofed hull. Crew of four. 2-inch mortar or 4-inch smoke mortar beside gunner. Spare wheel on front hull. weighed 1/2 ton more than Mark I.
;Universal Mk. III
:Welded hull as Mark II, modified air inlet and engine cover.
; Wasp (FT, Transportable, No. 2)
: A [[flamethrower]]-equipped variant, using the [[Ronson flamethrower|"Flame-thrower, Transportable, No 2"]]. The Mark I had a fixed flamethrower on the front of the vehicle fed from two fuel tanks with a combined capacity of {{convert|100|impgal|L}}. 1000 produced.{{sfn|Chamberlain|Crow|1970|p=118}} The Mk II had the projector in the co-driver's position. The Mk IIC (C for Canadian) had a single {{convert|75|impgal|L}} fuel tank on the rear of the vehicle outside the armour protection, allowing a third crew member to be carried. Many Wasp variants were fitted out at No.71 Factory in Stoke-on-Trent{{efn|the premises that after the war became Rists Wire and Cables. No.71 Factory also repaired 20mm Hispano cannons during WWII}}

==== Praying Mantis ====
[[File:Universal Carrier Praying Mantis 1 Bovington.jpg|thumb|Praying Mantis prototype at [[The Tank Museum]]]]
The Praying Mantis came from an attempt to produce a low-silhouette vehicle that could still fire over obstacles. A one-man design based on Carden Loyd suspension was not adopted, but the inventor was encouraged to design a two-man version. This version was built in 1943, based on the Universal Carrier. The hull was replaced with an enclosed metal-box structure with enough room for a driver and a gunner lying prone. This box, pivoting from the rear, could be elevated. At the top end was a machine-gun turret (with two Bren guns). The intention was to drive the Mantis up to a wall or hedgerow, elevate the gun, and fire over the obstacle from a position of safety. It was rejected after trials in 1944.<ref>Fletcher, p47</ref> An example of the Mantis is preserved in [[The Tank Museum]].

=== Australian ===
[[File:Aust 3 inch mortar carrier(AWM 134428).jpg|thumb|An Australian 3 inch mortar carrier]]
*; Carrier, Machine Gun, Local Pattern, No. 1
: Also known as "LP1 Carrier (Aust)". Australian production similar to Bren carrier but welded and some minor differences.<ref name="AFV-14_120"/>
*; Universal Carrier MG, Local Pattern No. 2
: Also known as "LP2 Carrier (Aust)". Australian-built variant of the Universal Carrier. Also produced in New Zealand. Used 1938–1939 Ford commercial axles; the 2A had 1940 Ford truck axles.
*; 2-pounder Anti-tank Gun Carrier (Aust) or Carrier, 2-pdr Tank Attack
: A heavily modified and lengthened LP2 carrier with a fully traversable [[Ordnance QF 2 pounder|QF 2 pounder (40 mm)]] anti-tank gun mounted on a platform at the rear and the engine moved to the front left of the vehicle. Stowage was provided for 112 rounds of 2pdr ammunition. 200 were produced and used for training.<ref name="AMEPvol2">{{harvnb|Cecil|1992|page={{page needed|date=August 2018}}}}</ref>
*; 3&nbsp;inch Mortar Carrier (Aust)
: A design based on the 2 Pounder Carrier with a [[Ordnance ML 3 inch Mortar|3-inch (81 mm) mortar]] mounted in place of the 2 pounder. Designed to enable the mortar to have 360 degree traverse and to be fired either from the vehicle, or dismounted. 400 were produced and were ultimately sent as military aid to the [[Nationalist Chinese Army]].<ref name="AMEPvol2" />

=== Canadian ===
[[Image:Windsor kanada axb01.jpg|thumb|Windsor carrier, Overloon Museum]]
;"Carrier, Universal No.3" 
:* Mk.I* (certain differences, otherwise similar to British model)
:* Mk.II* (certain differences, otherwise similar to British model)
:* Mk.II*
;Carrier, 2-pdr Equipped
: Canadian modification of Mark I* and II* to mount 2-pdr gun. 213 used for training.<ref name="AFV-14_120">{{harvnb|Chamberlain|Crow|1970|p=120}}</ref>
;Wasp Mk II*
: Canadian version of the Wasp flamethrower variant.
;Windsor Carrier
: Canadian development with a longer chassis extended by {{convert|76|cm|in|abbr=on}} and an additional wheel in the aft bogie.

=== American ===
[[File:Universal carrier at W&P show pic4.JPG|thumb|T16 carrier]]
American production of the Universal followed the same design as the British Marks I to III{{sfn|Chamberlain|Crow|1970}}
*Carrier, Universal No.2 Mark I - Ford GAEA engine<!-- this looks wrong way round but its what the Profile publication says -->
*Carrier, Universal No.2A Mark I - Ford GAE engine
*Carrier, Universal No.2 Mark II - Ford GAE engine
*Carrier, Universal No.2A Mark II - Ford GAEA engine
*Carrier, Universal No.2 Mark III - Ford GAE engine
*Carrier, Universal No.2A Mark III - Ford GAEA engine
;{{anchor|T16 Carrier}} T-16
:The Carrier, Universal, T16, Mark I., initially "Cargo Carrier T16" was the result of US experimentation in 1942 to improve on the Universal for British use and for US in the Pacific war.{{sfn|Chamberlain|Crow|1970}} It was a significantly improved vehicle based upon those built by Ford of Canada, manufactured under [[Lend Lease]] by Ford in the United States from March 1943 to 1945. At {{convert|155|in|m|abbr=on}}<ref>TM9-2800 (1943) p44</ref> it was longer than the Universal with an extra road wheel on the rear bogie; making for a pair of full Horstmann dual-wheel suspension units per side, the engine was a [[Mercury (automobile)|Mercury]]-division [[Ford flathead V8 engine#239|239 version]] (GAU370) of the Ford V8 delivering the same power. Instead of the steering wheel controlling the combination brake/warp mechanism, the T-16 used track-brake steering operated by levers (two for each side). The British were supplied with over 3,200 in 1944-1945 but it was considered mechanically unreliable and had less carrying capacity than the Universal.{{sfn|Chamberlain|Crow|1970}} During the war, it was chiefly used by Canadian forces as an [[artillery tractor]]. After the war, was used by Argentine, Swiss (300) and Dutch forces.

=== German ===
* 2&nbsp;cm Flak 38 ''auf Fahrgestell Bren''(e): Single barrel German [[2 cm Flak 30/38/Flakvierling|2 cm Flak 38]] cannon mounted over the engine compartment of a captured Bren carrier.
* 3.7&nbsp;cm Pak ''auf Fahrgestell Bren''(e): Captured carrier of 1940, reused by the Germans and fitted with a [[3.7 cm Pak 36]] anti-tank gun.
* 4,7 cm Pak 35/36 L/35.6 (ö) “Böhler” ''auf Sfl. Bren''(e): Captured Bren carrier mounting a '''4,7 cm Pak 35/36 L/35.6 (ö) “Böhler”''' (a [[Cannone da 47/32]] with a L/35.6 barrel, pepper box style muzzle brake and had a slightly greater performance). Created by [[Alfred Becker#Baukommando_Becker|Baukommando Becker]].
*'' [[Panzerjäger]] Bren'' 731(e): Bren carriers captured by the Germans and fitted with a transport rack for three [[Panzerschreck]] anti-tank rocket launchers; the weapons were not fired from the Bren gun carrier, only transported.<ref>WW II German Infantry Anti-Tank Weapons: [https://web.archive.org/web/20091027135407/http://geocities.com/Augusta/8172/panzerfaust3.htm Page 3: Panzerschreck]</ref>

=== Italian ===
In 1942, at the request of the [[Royal Italian Army|Italian Army]] (''Regio Esercito''), [[Fiat]] produced a prototype carrier copied from a captured Universal Carrier; it was known as the [[Fiat Cingoletta 2800|Fiat 2800]] or CVP-4. It is uncertain whether production vehicles were manufactured.{{citation needed|date=April 2014}} Bren carriers captured by the Italians in the field were often fitted with [[Breda M37]] machine guns.<ref name="Battistelli and Crociani">{{cite book|first1=Pier Paolo |last1=Battistelli|first2=Piero |last2=Crociani|title=Italian Soldier in North Africa 1941–1943 |series=Warrior 169|pages=62|publisher=Osprey}}</ref>

== Operators ==
Many variants of the British Universal Carrier have been fielded and used by the armed forces of the following countries, amongst many others:
[[File:A Universal Carrier and mortar team of the Indian 6th Royal Frontier Force in Italy, 13 December 1943. NA9785.jpg|thumb|right|Universal Carrier, [[13th Frontier Force Rifles]] British Indian Army, in Italy, 13 December 1943.]]
[[File:Lend-Lease x Universal Carrier x Intrarea Armatei Sovietice in Bucuresti - Bulevardul Carol.jpg|thumb|Soviet [[Red Army]] soldiers travelling on a British Universal Carrier received from the UK under the [[Lend-Lease]] programme near Boulevard of [[Carol I of Romania|Carol I]] in the Romanian capital of [[Bucharest]] in August 1944.]]

=== Pre-war/Second World War period ===
* {{Flag|Australia}}{{sfn|Chamberlain|Crow|1970|p=119}}
* {{Flag|Belgium}} (used by [[Belgian government in exile|in-exile Belgian forces]] in the Middle Eastern regions during the war, after the country was invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany in 1940){{citation needed|date=August 2018}}
* {{Flag|Canada}}{{sfn|Fletcher|2005|p=41}}
* {{Flagcountry|Republic of China (1912-1949)}}: 1,500 UCs supplied by Australia during the war,{{sfn|Chamberlain|Crow|1970|p=119}} with a sizeable number of these (about 400) being 3-inch mortar-carrier versions.<ref name="AMEPvol2" /> The pro-Japanese [[Collaborationist Chinese Army]] also received carriers captured in Singapore by the Japanese.<ref name="ChinaIndia">{{cite book|last=Jowett|first=Philip S.|title=Rays of the Rising Sun: Armed Forces of Japan's Asian Allies 1931-45: Volume 1: China and Manchukuo|year=2004|publisher=Helion & Company Limited|isbn=9781906033781|page=76}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Czechoslovakia}} Mk.Is used by Czechoslovak battalion 11 in the Middle East, Mk.Is, Mk.IIs, Mk.IIIs,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vhk-erika.cz/takticky-vycvik-universal-carrier/|title=Taktický výcvik Universal Carrier – VHK Erika Brno z.s.}}</ref> Mortars used by Czechoslovak Independent Armoured Brigade in UK and Western Europe, 15 UCs Mk.II received from the USSR - served in I Corps of the Czechoslovak Army-in-exile on the [[Eastern Front (WWII)|Eastern Front]]){{citation needed|date=August 2018}}
* {{flag|France}}: used by [[Free French Forces]]<ref>{{cite web|title=La bataille de Bir Hakeim|url=http://www.cheminsdememoire.gouv.fr/fr/la-bataille-de-bir-hakeim|website=cheminsdememoire.gouv.fr|language=fr |trans-title=The Battle of Bir Hakeim|publisher=[[Ministry of the Armed Forces (France)|Ministère de la défense]]|access-date=28 August 2018}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Nazi Germany}} (by the German Wehrmacht, which operated a small number of carriers captured mainly from the UK)
* {{JPN}}: captured vehicles, many of them seized after [[Battle of Singapore|the capture of Singapore]].
* {{Flag|Greece|old}} (fielded by [[Greek government-in-exile|Free Greek troops]] following the country's fall to Nazi German occupation in the Middle East, like the exiled Belgian military forces){{sfn|Chamberlain|Crow|1970|p=113}}
* {{flagicon image|1931 Flag of India.svg}} [[Azad Hind]]: The [[Indian National Army]] received carriers captured by [[Japan]] after the fall of Singapore.<ref name="ChinaIndia"/>
* {{Flag|Ireland}}: 26 Mk. I carriers received in 1940 and 200 Mk. II carriers from 1943 to 1945.<ref name="B&B39">{{cite magazine|language=fr|title=Le Blindorama : L'Irlande, 1919 - 1938|magazine=Batailles & Blindés|issue=39|date=October 2010|publisher=Caraktère|issn=1765-0828|first=Xavier|last=Tracol|pages=4–5}}</ref> Still in service in the 1960s.<ref name='Fletcher & Bryan 42'/>
* {{Flag|Kingdom of Italy}}: a few captured UCs used by the ''Regio Esercito'' unit of the Italian Army<ref>{{cite book|last=Battistelli|first=Pier Paolo|title=Italian Soldier in North Africa, 1941-43|location=London|publisher=Osprey Publishing|year=2013|isbn=978-1-7809-6855-1|page=62}}</ref> and one locally produced copy (the {{ill|Fiat 2800|it|Fiat 2800 (trasporto truppe)|lt=Fiat 2800}})
* {{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Dutch government-in-exile]]: used by the [[Royal Netherlands Motorized Infantry Brigade]].<ref name="B&B43">{{cite magazine|language=fr|title=Le Blindorama : Les Pays-Bas, 1939 - 1945|magazine=Batailles & Blindés|issue=43|date=June 2011|publisher=Caraktère|issn=1765-0828|first=Yann|last=Mahé|pages=4–7}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Philippines|1936}}:  operated by the [[2nd Infantry Division (Philippines)|Second Regular Division]] during the [[Battle of Bataan]].
* {{Flag|Poland}}: operated by the in-exile [[Polish Armed Forces in the West]]{{sfn|Fletcher|2005|p=38}}
* {{Flag|Portugal}}: the Portuguese Army received more than 178 universal carriers from 1942.
* {{Flag|United Kingdom}} (the main operator in WWII)
* {{Flag|United States|1912}} (57 UCs en route for Canadian troop units in Hong Kong were in the Philippines when the Japanese invaded both Hong Kong and the Philippines, with 40 UCs taken over and operated by the US 1st Provisional Tank Group{{sfn|Fletcher|2005|p=37}})
* {{Flag|Soviet Union|1936}} (received 200{{sfn|Chamberlain|Crow|1970|p=119}} before the end of 1941 and 2,560 Universal Carriers and similar [[Loyd Carrier]]s starting from then until the end of WWII in 1945<ref>{{citation |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1946/apr/16/russia-british-empire-war-assistance |title=Russia (British Empire War Assistance) |work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]] |date=16 April 1946 |volume=421 |at=cc2513-9}}</ref>)
* {{Flag|Thailand}} (118 UCs operated in 1944, possibly supplied (covertly) by the UK){{citation needed|date=August 2018}}
* {{flagicon|Democratic Federal Yugoslavia}} [[Yugoslav Partisans]]<ref name="B&B53">{{cite magazine|language=fr|title=Le Blindorama: La Yougoslavie, 1930 - 1945|magazine=Batailles & Blindés|issue=53|date=February 2013|publisher=Caraktère|issn=1765-0828|first=Alexandre|last=Thers|pages=4–7}}</ref>
* {{Flag|New Zealand}}{{sfn|Fletcher|2005|p=17}}

=== Post-war period ===
[[File:IWM-SE-5866-tank-Surabaya-19451127.jpg|thumb|right|A British Indian soldier guarding a captured significantly-modified Universal Carrier, used by Indonesian ''[[People's Security Army|TKR]] Laut''{{efn|Abbreviation of ''Tentara Keamanan Rakyat[-]Laut'' ([[Indonesian language|Indonesian]]: People's Security Army Naval Branch), predecessor of the [[Indonesian Navy]]}} forces during the [[Battle of Surabaya]] in November 1945<ref name="Haryadi"/>]]
* {{flag|Afghanistan}}<ref>{{cite book|title=Armor of the Afghanistan War|first1=Steven |last1=Zaloga |first2=Wojciech |last2=Luczak |first3=Barry |last3=Beldam |publisher=Concord Publications |series=Armor 2009 |year=1992 |isbn=978-9623619097|page=3}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Argentina}} (250, including T-16s, supplied by the UK between 1946 and 1950)<ref>{{cite magazine |first1=Xavier |last1=Tracol |title=Blindorama: L'Argentine 1926-1945 |magazine=Batailles et Blindés |language=fr |date=October 2011|publisher=Caraktère |issn=1765-0828|issue=45|pages=4–7}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Biafra}} (very likely obtained from a French trader, with some converted and modified locally with extra armour)<ref>{{cite book |last=Jowett |first=Philip |title=Modern African Wars (5): The Nigerian-Biafran War 1967-70 |year=2016 |publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]] |series=Men-at-Arms 507 |location=Oxford |isbn=978-1472816092|page=24}}</ref>
* {{flag|Ceylon}} (former British stocks, which were retired from frontline service in the 1960s)
* {{flag|Costa Rica}}
* {{flag|Denmark}} (some were armed with a [[M40 recoilless rifle]])<ref name='Fletcher & Bryan 42'/>
* {{Flag|Egypt}}<ref name='Fletcher & Bryan 42'/> (possibly provided by departing British forces from the Middle East)
* {{Flag|France}} (small numbers used by the French expeditionary corps, the [[CEFEO]], fighting in Indochina<ref>[http://cdojaubert.canalblog.com/archives/2007/12/22/12686978.html B L M E O – IMG 11-0 à 11-111] (in French)</ref>)
* {{flag|Indonesia}} (small numbers of ex-Japanese stocks were captured and used by the [[Indonesian National Armed Forces|People's Security Army]] during the [[Battle of Surabaya]])<ref name="Haryadi">{{harvnb|Haryadi|2019|page=121}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Israel}}<ref name='Fletcher & Bryan 42'/> (received many from withdrawing British troops in Palestine, aside from buying them from the scrapyards of various European countries after WWII and capturing them from Egypt between their conflicts)
* {{Flag|Kuwait}} (former British stocks, which were retired from frontline service in 1961){{citation needed|date=August 2018}}
* {{Flag|Federal Republic of Germany}} (the Bundeswehr received 100 ex-British UCs in 1956)<ref name='Fletcher & Bryan 42'>{{harvnb|Fletcher|2005|p=42}}</ref>
* {{Flag|The Netherlands}}: a number operated following WWII (possibly ex-British UCs), especially in the independence war in their former colony of Indonesia (the Dutch East Indies) between 1945 and 1949, as part of the Indonesian National Revolution. A small number were lost and subsequently taken over by the new Indonesian Republic's military.
* {{Flag|Pakistan}}: In the early years of the [[Pakistan Army]] it was used as a mortar carrier and for the basic training of tank crews.<ref>{{cite book| author = Major-General Syed Ali Hamid| title = At the Forward Edge of Battle: A History of the Pakistan Armoured Corps 1938-2016| publisher = Helion & Company Limited| location = Warwick, England| year = 2021| isbn = 9781914377471| pages = i}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Sweden}} (at least two were unofficially used by Home Guard units during the 1950s)<ref>Pansar No.2 2024, pp.4-7</ref>
* {{Flag|Switzerland}} (used and fielded predominantly US-built T16 versions of the Universal Carrier up until possibly the early 1960s){{citation needed|date=August 2018}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:WASP Flamethrower CDN WWII DB.jpg|A Wasp [[flame tank|flamethrower tank]] on display in the [[Canadian War Museum]]
Image:2 pdr Aust ATG carrier(AWM 134672).jpg|An Australian 2-pounder anti-tank gun UC variant
Image:A Bren Gun Carrier brings in a batch of German prisoners.jpg|A British Army Universal Carrier leads some German prisoners-of-war into a Belgian town.
Image:Australians driving Bren Carriers towards Bardia, Libya, January 1941 (24667819900).jpg|Australians driving Bren Carriers to Bardia, Libya, January 1941
</gallery>

==See also==
* {{annotated link|C2P}}
* {{annotated link|Kettenkrad}}
* {{annotated link|Komsomolets armored tractor}}
* {{annotated link|Lorraine 37L}}
* {{annotated link|Loyd Carrier}}
* {{annotated link|M29 Weasel}}
* {{annotated link|Raupenschlepper Ost}}
* {{annotated link|TKS}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}{{Reflist|2}}

== References ==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book| last=Bishop| first=Chris| title=The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II: The Comprehensive Guide to Over 1,500 Weapons Systems, Including Tanks, Small Arms, Warplanes, Artillery, Ships and Submarines| publisher=Sterling Publishing Company, Inc| year=2002| isbn=1-58663-762-2}}
* {{cite book| last=Cecil| first=Michael K.| title=Australian Military Equipment Profiles, vol 2, Local Pattern Carriers 1939 to 1945| publisher=Australian Military Equipment Profiles| year=1992| isbn=0-646-12600-8}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Chamberlain |first1=Peter |last2=Crow |first2=Duncan |title=No. 14 Carriers |series=AFV Profile |publisher=Profile Publishing |year=1970}}
* {{cite book |last=Chamberlain |first=Peter |author2=Ellis, Chris |title=British and American Tanks of World War Two: The complete illustrated history of British, American, and Commonwealth tanks 1933–1945 |orig-date=1969 |publisher=Cassell & Company |year=2001 |isbn=}}
* {{Book-Fletcher-Great Tank Scandal}}
* {{cite book| last1=Fletcher| first1=David| others=illustrated by Tony Bryan| title=Universal Carrier 1936–48: The 'Bren Gun Carrier' Story| publisher=Osprey Publishing| year=2005|series=New Vanguard 110| isbn=978-1-84176-813-7}}
* {{cite book| last=Harris| first=J.P.| title=Men, Ideas, and Tanks: British Military Thought and Armoured Forces, 1903–1939| publisher=Manchester University Press| year=1995| isbn=978-0-7190-4814-2}}
* {{cite book| last=Haryadi| first=Yosafat Robert| title=Sejarah Kavaleri Korps Marinir| publisher=Penerbit Karunia| location=Surabaya| year=2019| language=ID| isbn=978-979-9039-97-2}}
* {{cite book| last=McNab| first=Chris| title=Military Vehicles: 300 of the World's Most Effective Military Vehicles| publisher=Grange Books| year=2003| isbn=1-84013-539-5}}
* {{cite book| last=Tucker| first=Spencer| title=Tanks: An Illustrated History of Their Impact| publisher=ABC-CLIO| year=2004| isbn=1-57607-995-3}}
* {{cite book|author=The War Office |title=Carriers, Machine Gun, No. 1, Mark I, and No. 2, Mark I; Bren, No. 1, Mark I and No. 2, Marks 1 and II; Cavalry, Mark I; and Scout, Mark I – Instruction Book| publisher=HMSO| year=1939}}

{{Refend}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book| last=Watson| first=Nigel| title=Universal Carriers Volume 1: Dragon – Armoured MG – Cavalry – Scout – AOP – Bren – Lloyd – Universal| publisher=Watson Books| year=2007| isbn=978-0955600906}}
* {{cite book| last=Watson| first=Nigel| title=Universal Carriers Volume 2: Universal – Mortar – Medium Machine Gun – T16 – Windsor – Local Pattern – Oxford – Cambridge – Flamethrowers – Armoured Snowmobile – Variants| publisher=Watson Books| year=2008| isbn=978-0955600913}}
* {{cite book| last=Watson| first=Nigel| title=Universal Carriers Volume 3 (Drawing Archive): Variants – Parts – Hull Details – Restored, Project Vehicles & Wrecks – Veteran Experiences| publisher=Watson Books| year=2011| isbn=978-0-9556009-2-0}}

==External links==
{{Commons|Universal Carrier}}
* [http://www.wwiiequipment.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51:carriers-universal-bren-and-loyd&catid=45:transport-carriers&Itemid=55 Universal Carrier production and technical data]
* [http://www.mapleleafup.net/vehicles/carriers/uc.html mapleleafup.net "The Ford Universal Carrier"]
* [http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-armour/allied/bren_carrier.htm diggerhistory.info "Bren Carrier"]
* [http://www.wwiivehicles.com/unitedkingdom/carriers.asp Britain's Carriers] at wwiivehicles.com
* [https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/GreLong-fig-GreLong025b.html Eighth Army Bren Gun carrier in the Middle East, 1941 (photo)]
* [https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/WH2-22Ba-fig-WH2-22BaP011b.html Bren Gun carrier with German Machine Gun in Gazala, Middle East, 1941 (photo)]
* [https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/WH2Econ-fig-WH2Eco041b.html Assembling Bren Gun carriers in New Zealand (photo)]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAzsR4AzuGI Restored Bren Gun carrier being driven by a collector in Australia (video)]
* [http://militaryvehicleweb.com/vehicle/t-16-universal-carriers/ Images of ex-Argentinean T16 carriers for sale] ''(retrieved 2014-04-05)''

{{WWIIBritishAFVs}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Tracked armoured personnel carriers]]
[[Category:World War II armoured fighting vehicles of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War II armoured fighting vehicles of Australia]]
[[Category:World War II armoured fighting vehicles of Canada]]
[[Category:Artillery tractors]]
[[Category:World War II military equipment of Greece]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced from 1940 to 1944]]
[[Category:Armoured personnel carriers of WWII]]
[[Category:Vickers]]