The Vickers Mk VI British Light Tank was initially supplied to the New Zealand forces and used as a scout tank in North Africa, to gather up scattered troops, leaving the main attacks to the heavier tanks.

The Bob Semple tank was a light tank designed by Bob Semple, the New Zealand Minister of Works during World War II. Originating out of the need to build military hardware from available materials, the tank was built from corrugated iron on a tractor base.

Feb 4, 2017 · The Bob Semple was one of New Zealand's only indigenous tank designs, and one of the best and final tractor tanks.

The first unit operating with tanks was the 4th New Zealand Armoured Brigade (part of the 2nd NZ Division), formed from the 4th New Zealand Infantry Brigade in October 1942, taking a large part in the battle of El Alamein.

The 1st New Zealand Army Tank Brigade was an armoured unit of the New Zealand Army during World War II. The brigade was formed in New Zealand during 1941 to provide the 2nd New Zealand Division with armoured support in North Africa.

The first WWII New Zealand tank design. The vehicle would adopt the name of the minister who ordered it. Production started at Temuka, Christchurch workshops, based on a Disston postcard depicting the conversion of a tractor to a tractor-tank.

Nov 26, 2021 · In 1941, war hysteria gripped New Zealand and its neighboring country of Australia. The Japanese army was advancing rapidly across South East Asia invading Burma, the Dutch East Indies, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Manila, and Kuala Lumpur.

The first unit operating with tanks was the 4th New Zealand Armoured Brigade (part of the 2nd NZ Division), formed from the 4th New Zealand Infantry Brigade in October 1942, taking a large part in the battle of El Alamein.

Mar 23, 2005 · In June 1942 New Zealand received the first shipment of tanks from the U.S.A.. Known as the Stuart Hybrid these were late model M3 Light tanks which had been fitted with the flat-topped turret intended for the M3A1 Light tank but adapted for use on the M3.

Dec 28, 2018 · The tank was named after Bob Semple, the then-acting Minister of Works, who championed the idea of an indigenous New Zealand tank to defend the country from land invasion by Japanese forces. The tank was hastily arrange around a Caterpillar D8 bulldozer which had been in production since 1935.