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| Australian Army |
Vehicle History Built in Australia as Universal Carrier MG, Local Pattern No. 2 / LP2 Carrier (Aust) / Bren Gun Carrier LP-2 with a Ford 239 engine made by Ford Motor Company in Canada. Delivered to the Australian Army as LP2 Carrier (Aust) serial number 1022. Registered in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) as T-16574. Wartime History During December 1941, in Melbourne this LP2 was embarked as cargo aboard SS Bantam and shipped to Ambon. Assigned the 2/21 Australian Infantry Battalion "Gull Force" for the defense of Ambon until abandoned in early February 1942. In early February 1942 captured by the the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). Afterwards, painted with dark green and olive drab upper surfaces with Japanese Navy anchor with chrysanthemum on the front center and a Japanese rising sun flag with a think black outline on the side with the number 5 in white with a think black outline. By the end of the Pacific War, abandoned in Ambon in dump area near a wharf. Postwar During late 1945, LP2 1022 in Japanese markings and LP2 1035 were found by Australian Army personnel abandoned in the dump and collected. The Australians immediately painted over the Japanese markings. During November 1945, reported by SSgt Stewart to the Australian War Memorial (AWM) as an item of historical interest. On December 14, 1945 a communication from Morotai to Australia noted this LP2 as: "Second Carrier MG LP2 Same details except Serial No.1022. Large figure '5' near side". By January 4, 1946 moved to the 1 Australian Military History Field Team Brigade HQ for shipment back to Australia as a war prize and historical item related to the defense of Ambon. The condition was noted as: "The Bren Carrier is in going order although the tracks will not stand up to very much more running about. Odd fittings are also missing from the Carrier. As far as can be ascertained both pieces of equipment were used by 2/21 Aust Inf Bn in the defence of Ambon." On January 28, 1946 the Australian MH Field Team reported: "...the 'Winchester Victory' called at Ambon before coming to Morotai... I signalled [signaled] HQ 33 Bde requesting them to load... the Bren Carrier and the 2 pdr Tank Attack (TA) gun. A few days ago I received a reply advising me that this had been done." During late January 1946 embarked as cargo aboard Victory ship SS Winchester Victory and shipped via Morotai to Australia and donated to the Australian War Memorial (AWM) for preservation. This LP2 was restored to retain the Japanese markings Display This LP2 is displayed at Australian War Memorial (AWM) in the Second World War Hall. References AWM Machine Gun Carrier LP2A : Gull Force, AIF (REL/16288.001) Contribute
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