WesWorld

I was going to post this in my news, but I think I'll post it over here instead, as there's several parts which I want to separate out a bit.

As I've noted in my news before, from 1938 onward Chile has been working on a number of army reforms following the experience of the Andean and Peruvian Wars and their operations in Chilean Bolivia. This series of posts will attempt to detail some of the things they're doing.

Manpower:
Due to a relatively peaceful situation in Chilean Bolivia, the Army is reducing its active-duty manpower from 188,000 men to 117,000 men. Conscription remains in effect. (As historical, all males are obliged to serve two years in the armed forces and are then released to the reserves - this lasted, so far as I can tell, until at least 2005 and in fact may still be the case in Chile.)

Reorganizations:
The Cazadores de Montaña (Mountain Hunters) and the Batallón de Paracaidistas "Boinas Azules" (Batallion of Paratroopers "Blue Berets") will be reorganized with four-man fireteams, similar - but not identical - to the Chilean Marines.

New Units
Thanks to Perdy's advice from a few months back, I've been working to create a new motorized unit to assist the Panzergrenadiers. I've used bits and pieces from different army units, and thanks to Bruce's help I've been able to draw up a more realistic order of battle for the troops and support units. (Thanks Bruce!) The idea I've worked up will be managed as part of the 1938-39 "New Model Army" reorganizations, making the Fusileros Montados Brigade. (If I have the right translation, it should be "Mounted Fusiliers / Mounted Riflemen" Brigade.) The unit will be created by combining three battalions from an infantry brigade with three battalions of a cavalry brigade.

New Equipment:
The Chilean Army currently has a number of older tanks not present in significant numbers:
- ?x AT-17s
- 16x AT-32s
- 16x Veles-B
- 20x Legionnaire
These tanks (with the exceptions of the AT-17s) will be removed from service and FAMAE, the army's arsenal, will rebuild them into armoured support vehicles. The 20 Legionnaire tanks will be joined by 17 more tanks purchased from Yugoslavia, bringing the total number of hulls to 37. The AT-17s will be scrapped or expended as gunnery targets. The retirement of these tanks, Chile retains only the sixty AT-36 medium tanks acquired in 1937 (actually AT36/57s - AT36 hulls with guns and turrets from the older AT-35 tank). Sixty tanks is insufficient to fill out even a single armoured battalion, and Chile's order of battle calls for three armoured battalions. Therefore, new tanks will be purchased in 1940 or 1941. [SIZE=1]I've actually already made my deals, so no offers please.[/SIZE]

Additionally, the Chilean Army will be accelerating its acquisition of trucks, driven largely by the creation of the Fusileros Montados, and the approaching obsolescence of trucks purchased during the Andean War and the Peruvian War.

Finally, in 1940, FAMAE is prototyping a new tracked vehicle for the cavalry. It is intended to be an inexpensive tracked alternative to the military motorcycle and sidecar combination, which Chile has found just doesn't work very well in the rocky terrain. This vehicle will carry a crew of four - one driver, one machine-gunner, and two soldiers on a rear-facing bench. [SIZE=1]Imagine a fully-tracked kettenkrad mashed together with a dune buggy mashed together with a lightened Bren gun carrier.[/SIZE]

Here's the proposed order of battle for the Fusileros Montados Brigade. Currently, one brigade will be organized in 1940, followed by a second brigade (if finances permit) in 1941. As this unit reorganization requires the cannibalization of one cavalry and one infantry brigade, there will be three "unassigned" cavalry and three unassigned infantry brigades, as well as an unassigned batch of support units.

It is uncertain if or when fire-teams will be introduced into the "regular forces", but since no one protested their use in the Chilean Marines, I wrote them up with fire-teams here.

Quoted

Fusileros Montados Brigade:
- 3 motorized infantry battalions: 834 men, 6x60mm mortars, 4x81mm mortars, 4 AT guns, 6 tracked carriers, 6 HMGs, 9 AT rifles, 6 flamethrowers, 76 trucks, 38 cars
- 2 cavalry battalions: 622 men, 8 cavalry tanks, 24 armoured cars, 108 alltracks, 54 motorbikes, 6 artillery tractors, 4 AT guns
- 1 cavalry armoured battalion: 569 men, 48 cavalry tanks, 24 medium tanks, 50 scout cars, 19 armoured cars, 24 motorcycles, 27 trucks, 3 recovery tractors
- 1 brigade HQ: 36 men, 6 cars, 3 trucks
- 1 brigade HQ company (also military police): 135 men
- 1 artillery battalion: 446 men, 16x 105mm howitzers, 8x 155mm howitzers, 36 artillery tractors, 24 trucks
- 1 brigade combat team: 1,106 men, 8 assault guns, 8 tank destroyers, 12 AT guns, 4 AA tanks, 72 alltracks, 6 120mm mortars, 3 AA guns, 6 HMGs, 12 AAMGs
- 1 brigade support team: 1,306 men, 79 3-ton trucks, 41 ¾-ton carryalls, 30 ¾-ton signals trucks, 30 ¾-ton ambulances, 33 jeeps
- Total: 7,344 men, 64 cavalry tanks, 24 medium tanks, 67 armoured cars, 50 scout cars, 288 alltracks, 16x 105mm howitzers, 8x 155mm howitzers, 8 assault guns, 8 tank destroyers, 8 AT guns, 4 AA tanks, 361 3-ton trucks, 41 ¾-ton carryalls, 30 ¾-ton signals trucks, 30 ¾-ton ambulances, 147 jeeps and cars

Quoted

Fire-Team:
- 1 team leader (Private 1st Class): 1x M31 SMG or FM36 rifle
- 3 riflemen: 3x rifle
- Total: 4 men, 1 SMG + 3 rifles, or 4 rifles

LMG Team:
- 1 team leader: 1x rifle
- 1 light machine gunner (Private 1st Class): 1x LMG
- 1 MG assistant: 1x M31 SMG
- 1 rifle grenadier: 1x rifle with rifle grenades
- Total: 4 men, 1 LMG + 3 rifles, carbines, or SMGs

Infantry Squad:
- 1 Squad Leader element: 2 men, 1 SMG, 1 rifle, 1 truck
- 1 LMG fire-team: 4 men, 1 LMG + 3 rifles
- 2 fire-teams: 4 men, 4 rifles
- Total: 14 men, 1 LMG, 1 truck

Infantry Platoon:
- 4 infantry squads: 14 men, 1 trucks
- 1 command squad: 1 lieutenant (SMG), 3 sergeants (carbine), 2 runners (2 carbines), 2 cars
- Total: 62 men, 4 LMGs, 4 trucks, 2 cars

Support Platoon:
- 1 platoon HQ: 6 men, 2 cars
- 1 sapper squad: 12 men, 2 flamethrowers, 3 ATRs, 2 trucks
- 1 weapons squad: 20 men, 3 SMGs, 2 mortars, 1 13mm MG, 3 trucks
- Total: 38 men, 2 mortars, 1 MMG, 2 flamethrowers, 3 ATRs, 5 trucks, 2 cars

Infantry Company:
- 1 company HQ & commanders: 6 men, 1 truck, 2 cars
- 3 infantry platoons: 62 men, 4 LMGs, 4 trucks, 2 cars
- 1 support platoon: 38 men, 2 mortars, 3 AT rifles, 2 flamethrowers, 5 trucks
- Total: 230 men, 2 mortars, 3 AT rifles, 2 flamethrowers, 18 trucks, 10 cars, 12 LMGs, 55 SMGs, 157 rifles

Infantry Battalion:
- 3 infantry companies: 230 men, 2 mortars, 3 AT rifles, 2 flamethrowers, 18 trucks, 10 cars, 12 LMGs, 55 SMGs, 157 rifles
- 1 support platoon: 25 men, 2 cars, 10 trucks
- 1 machinegun platoon: 36 men, 6xHMGs or MMGs, 1 car, 1 truck, 6 tracked carriers
- 1 mortar platoon: 36 men, 4x81mm mortars, 2 cars, 5 trucks
- 1 AT gun battery: 44 men, 4 76.2mm AT guns, 1 car, 5 trucks
- 1 battalion HQ: 11 men, 2 cars, 1 truck
- Total: 834 men, 6x60mm mortars, 4x81mm mortars, 4 AT guns, 6 tracked carriers, 6 HMGs, 9 AT rifles, 6 flamethrowers, 76 trucks, 38 cars

Quoted

Cavalry Armoured Lance:
- 2 cavalry tanks: 3 crew each
- Total: 2 tanks, 6 men

Cavalry Armoured Troop:
- 3 cavalry lances: 2 tanks, 6 men
- 1 command section: 8 men, 2 tanks, 2 motorcycle messengers
- Total: 26 men, 8 tanks

Cavalry Armoured Squadron:
- 3 Tank troops: 26 men, 8 tanks, 2 motorcycles
- 1 Scout Car platoon: 26 men, 8 scout cars, 2 motorcycles
- 1 Command Section: 15 men, 2 armoured cars, 5 trucks
- 1 Maintenance section: 10 men, 1 recovery tractor, 4 trucks
- Total: 129 men, 24 tanks, 8 scout cars, 2 armoured cars, 8 motorcycles, 9 trucks, 1 recovery tractor

Reconnaissance Platoon:
- 3x reconnaissance squads: 9 men, 2x T5 scout cars, 1x T3 Wolfhound armoured car
- 1 command and communications squad: 9 men, 1x T3 Wolfhound armoured car, 2x T5 scout cars/communications cars.
- Total: 36 men, 8x T5 scout cars, 4x T3 Wolfhound armoured cars

Reconnaissance Squadron:
- 3 reconnaissance platoons: 36 men, 8x T5 scout cars, 4x T3 Wolfhound armoured cars
- 1 command squad: 9 men, 1x T3 command armoured car, 2x T5 scout cars
- Total: 117 men, 26 scout cars, 13 armoured cars

Cavalry Armoured Battalion:
- 3 cavalry armoured squadrons: 129 men, 24 tanks, 8 scout cars, 2 armoured cars, 8 motorcycles, 9 trucks, 1 recovery tractor
- 1 reconnaissance squadron: 117 men, 26 scout cars, 13 armoured cars
- 1 battalion HQ: 35 men
- Total: 539 men, 72 cavalry tanks, 50 scout cars, 19 armoured cars, 24 motorcycles, 27 trucks, 3 recovery tractors

Quoted

Cavalry Fireteam:
- 1 vehicle
- 4 soldiers: 1 driver, 1 machinegunner, 2 troopers

Cavalry Squad:
- 3 Fireteams: 4 men, 1 alltrack
- 1 command team: 1 NCO, 1 Driver, 2 troopers, 1 vehicle
- Total: 16 men, 4 vehicles

Cavalry Troop:
- 3 squads: 16 men, 4 vehicles
- 1 command squad: 1 lieutenant (SMG), 1 sergeant (carbine), 2 runners (2 carbines), 4 motorbikes
- Total: 52 men, 12 alltracks, 4 motorbikes

Cavalry Squadron:
- 3 cavalry troops: 52 men, 12 alltracks, 4 motorbikes
- 1 armoured car platoon: 28 men, 6 armoured cars, 2 motorbikes
- 1 Command Section: 12 men, 2 armoured cars, 4 motorbikes
- Total: 196 men, 8 armoured cars, 36 alltracks, 18 motorbikes

Cavalry Battalion:
- 3 squadrons: 196 men, 8 armoured cars, 36 alltracks, 18 motorbikes
- 1 tank troop: 26 men, 8 tanks
- 1 battalion HQ: 18 men
- 1 AT gun battery: 4 57mm or 76.2mm AT guns, 44 men, 6 tracked artillery tractors
- Total: 622 men, 8 cavalry tanks, 24 armoured cars, 108 alltracks, 54 motorbikes, 6 artillery tractors, 4 AT guns

Quoted

Brigade Support Team:
- 1 engineering battalion: 300 men, minesweeping equipment, armoured engineering vehicles, cranes, excavators, dozers, and bridgelaying equipment
- 1 transport companies: 193 men, 6 jeeps, 2 ¾-ton carryalls and 51 trucks
- 1 supply company: 193 men, brigade field kitchen, 6 jeeps, 24 ¾-ton carryalls and 12 3-ton trucks (includes water-carrier trucks)
- 2 signals companies: 60 men, 6 jeeps, 15 3/4-ton signals trucks
- 1 medical battalion: 465 men, 9 jeeps, 15 ¾-ton trucks, 16 3-ton trucks and 30 ¾-ton ambulances
- 1 administrative office: 35 men
- Total: 1,306 men, 79 3-ton trucks, 41 ¾-ton carryalls, 30 ¾-ton signals trucks, 30 ¾-ton ambulances, 33 jeeps

Quoted

Brigade Combat Team:
- 1 120mm Mortar Battery: 70 men, 6x120mm mortars, 9 trucks
- 1 Light Detachment: 658 men, 72 motorcycles, 36 motorbikes, 6 HMGs, 2 mortars, 3 AT rifles, 16 armoured cars
- 3 AT gun batteries: 36 men, 4 76.2mm AT guns, 1 car, 5 trucks
- 1 tank-hunter troop: 52 men, 8 tank destroyers, 2 motorbikes, 4 trucks, 1 recovery tractor
- 1 AA Company: 166 men, 3x AA guns, 12x AAMGs, 4x AA tanks
- 1 assault gun troop: 52 men, 8 assault guns, 2 motorbikes, 4 trucks, 1 recovery tractor
- Total: 1,106 men, 8 assault guns, 8 tank destroyers, 12 AT guns, 4 AA tanks, 72 tracked carriers, 6 120mm mortars, 3 AA guns, 6 HMGs, 12 AAMGs

Quoted

Antiaircraft Company:
- 1 AAMG Platoon: 80 men, 12 AAMGs
- 1 AA Gun Platoon: 66 men, 3x76.2mm AA guns, 6 gun tractors
- 1 AA Tank Platoon: 4 AA tanks, 20 men
- Total: 166 men, 3x AA guns, 12x AAMGs, 4x AA tanks

Quoted

Assault Gun/Tankhunter Lance:
- 2 assault guns or tankhunters: 5 crew each
- Total: 2 AFVs, 10 men

Assault Gun/Tankhunter Troop:
- 3 AG/T lances: 2 AFVs, 10 men
- 1 command section: 12 men, 2 AFVs, 2 motorbike messengers
- 1 Maintenance section: 10 men, 1 recovery tractor, 4 trucks
- Total: 52 men, 8 AFVs, 2 motorbikes, 4 trucks, 1 recovery tractor

Quoted

Light Detachment:
- 1 Cazardores company: 230 men, 2 mortars, 3 AT rifles, 2 flamethrowers, 18 trucks, 10 cars, 12 LMGs, 55 SMGs, 157 rifles
- 2 motorcycle/alltrack companies: 196 men, 8 armoured cars, 36 alltracks, 18 motorbikes
- 1 MG platoon: 36 men, 6 13mm MGs
- Total: 658 men, 72 motorcycles, 36 motorbikes, 6 HMGs, 2 mortars, 3 AT rifles, 16 armoured cars

The Cazadores de Montaña (Mountain Hunters) and the Batallón de Paracaidistas "Boinas Azules" (Batallion of Paratroopers "Blue Berets") are being reworked according to the New Model Army concept. Like the Marines, they are shifting to the use of fire-teams.

Unfortunately, the Blue Berets now run into a tiny problem: their standard paratroop squads are now too small to fit in a single assault glider, and the FACh only retains a sufficient quantity of transport aircraft for the Blue Berets to conduct a two company combat parachute assault, sans support equipment. This will obviously cause havoc if the Blue Berets ever have to conduct a glider assault...

The Cazadores de Montaña (Mountain Hunters) do not usually exist above the company level; one company is usually assigned to a brigade as part of the Light Detachment. However, one full battalion of the Cazadores de Montaña exists, being deployed in anti-insurgency duties in Chilean Bolivia. The Cazadores are all volunteers, having received extra training in mountaineering, terrain survival, skiing, etc - in essence, they are Chile's version of the Gebirgjagers, Chasseurs d'Alpins, or Alpini.

Quoted

Paratroops Fire-Team:
- 1 team leader (Private 1st Class): 1x M31 SMG or FM36 rifle
- 3 riflemen: 3x rifle
- Total: 4 men, 1 SMG + 3 rifles, or 4 rifles

Paratroops LMG Team:
- 1 team leader: 1x rifle
- 1 light machine gunner (Private 1st Class): 1x LMG
- 1 MG assistant: 1x M31 SMG
- 1 rifle grenadier: 1x rifle with rifle grenades
- Total: 4 men, 1 LMG + 3 rifles, carbines, or SMGs

Airborne Infantry Squad:
- 1 NCO (Corporal/Cabo Primero): 1x SMG
- 1 LMG fire-team: 4 men, 1 LMG + 3 rifles
- 2 fire-teams: 4 men, 4 rifles
- Total: 13 men, 1 LMG

Airborne Infantry Platoon:
- 4 infantry squads: 13 men each
- 1 command squad: 1 lieutenant (SMG), 1 sergeant (carbine), 2 runners (2 carbines)
- Total: 56 men, 4 LMGs

Support Platoon:
- 1 mortar squad: 12 men, 2x60mm mortars
- 1 command squad: 4 messengers, 4 carbines or SMGs
- 1 flamethrower section: 4 men, 2 flamethrowers, 2 rifles
- 1 anti-fortications squad: 6 men, 3 AT rifles and satchel charges
- 1 company MMG team: 4 men, 1 MMG, 3 carbines or SMGs
- Total: 30 men, 2 mortars, 1 MMG, 2 flamethrowers, 3 AT rifles

Airborne Infantry Company:
- 1 company commander: SMG or carbine
- 1 company XO: SMG or carbine
- 1 company NCO: SMG or carbine
- 3 infantry platoons: 56 men
- 1 support platoon: 30 men, 2 mortars, 3 AT rifles, 2 flamethrowers
- Total: 201 men, 2 mortars, 3 AT rifles, 2 flamethrowers

Airborne Infantry Battalion:
- 3 infantry companies: 201 men, 2 mortars, 3 AT rifles, 2 flamethrowers
- 1 machinegun platoon: 6xHMGs or MMGs, 35 men
- 1 mortar platoon: 57 men and 4x81mm mortars
- 1 battalion HQ: 6 men
- 1 battalion commander
- 1 pathfinder platoon: 56 men, 4 LMGs
- Total: 758 men, 6x60mm mortars, 4x81mm mortars, 6x13mm HMGs, 9 AT rifles, 6 flamethrowers

Quoted

Cazadores Fire-Team:
- 1 team leader (Private 1st Class): 1x M31 SMG or FM36 rifle
- 3 riflemen: 3x rifle
- Total: 4 men, 1 SMG + 3 rifles, or 4 rifles

Cazadores LMG Team:
- 1 team leader: 1x rifle
- 1 light machine gunner (Private 1st Class): 1x LMG
- 1 MG assistant: 1x M31 SMG
- 1 rifle grenadier: 1x rifle with rifle grenades
- Total: 4 men, 1 LMG + 3 rifles, carbines, or SMGs

Cazadores Squad:
- 1 NCO (Corporal/Cabo Primero): 1x SMG
- 1 LMG fire-team: 4 men, 1 LMG + 3 rifles
- 2 fire-teams: 4 men, 4 rifles
- Total: 13 men, 1 LMG

Cazadores Platoon:
- 4 squads: 13 men each
- 1 command squad: 1 lieutenant (SMG), 1 sergeant (carbine), 2 runners (2 carbines)
- Total: 56 men, 4 LMGs

Support Platoon:
- 1 mortar squad: 12 men, 2x60mm mortars
- 1 command squad: 4 messengers, 4 carbines or SMGs
- 1 flamethrower section: 4 men, 2 flamethrowers, 2 rifles
- 1 anti-fortications squad: 6 men, 3 AT rifles and satchel charges
- 1 company MMG team: 4 men, 1 MMG, 3 carbines or SMGs
- Total: 30 men, 2 mortars, 1 MMG, 2 flamethrowers, 3 AT rifles

Cazadores Company:
- 1 company commander: SMG or carbine
- 1 company XO: SMG or carbine
- 1 company NCO: SMG or carbine
- 3 platoons: 56 men
- 2 assault pioneers squads: 10 men, scaling equipments
- 1 Tirador squad: 9 men, four marksmen teams
- 1 support platoon: 30 men, 2 mortars, 3 AT rifles, 2 flamethrowers
- Total: 230 men, 2 mortars, 3 AT rifles, 2 flamethrowers

Cazadores Battalion:
- 3 companies: 230 men, 2 mortars, 3 AT rifles, 2 flamethrowers
- 1 machinegun platoon: 6xHMGs or MMGs, 35 men
- 1 mortar platoon: 57 men and 4x81mm mortars
- 1 battalion HQ: 6 men
- 1 battalion commander
- Total: 789 men, 6x60mm mortars, 4x81mm mortars, 6x13mm HMGs, 9 AT rifles, 6 flamethrowers

One to two riflemen in each squad carry a match-grade FM36 or FM40 rifle equipped with a Russian-designed PU scope. Tiradors carry customized scoped rifles, either a FM36 or FM40, or an arsenal-reworked Steyr FM12 bolt-action Mauser.

TANK REBUILDS

The Army will be removing all tanks older than 1937 from active service, and FAMAE arsenal will rebuild them extensively into armoured support vehicles. These conversions will be viewed as "expedient" vehicles due to their lack of quantity.

The Chileans have acquired seventeen more Legionnaires from the Yugoslavian Army. The acquisition of these vehicles and the Yugoslavian spare parts means that they are the most favorable candidates for conversions, in addition to being the largest of the vehicles. The smaller AT-32s and Veles-B tanks are not present in much quantity and are judged less suitable for conversions; they may not all be converted as intended, in which case they will be scrapped or expended.

The choice of AA tanks is due to the observations the Chileans made during the campaigns in the Andean and Peruvian War; AA units found it extremely difficult to maintain coverage of advancing armour units, and tank-mounted 13mm machine guns are not deemed sufficiently powerful to down modern ground attack aircraft. The installation of AA guns on truck beds is suitable if mobility is the only consideration, but the lack of protection to the crew is troublesome when under fire.

- 16x AT-32s rebuilt into AA tanks with single 1.1" AA gun.
- 8x Veles-A tanks rebuilt into tank training vehicles
- 8x Veles-A tanks rebuilt into armoured engineering vehicles (dozer blade + light crane)
- 16x Veles-B tanks rebuilt into armoured engineering vehicles (dozer blade + light crane)
- 20x Legionnaire tanks rebuilt into AA tanks with twin 1.1" AA gun.
- 17x Legionnaires (from Yugoslavia) rebuilt into AA tanks with twin 1.1" AA gun.

Quoted

[SIZE=3]FAMAE ADT-40 (rebuilt Gothia Legionnaire)[/SIZE]
20 tanks, via Coldmere
17 tanks, via Yugoslavia

Weight: 20 tons
Length: 6.21m
Width: 2.34m
Height: 2.8m
Crew: 4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader)
Engine: 1x GWM STD-380, 380 Hp V-8 Diesel
Suspension: Horstmann
Speed: 42km/h
Armour: 15-50mm
Armament:
- 2x 1.1"/L70 AA gun

Follow-on conversion to the ADT-39, with more of the original hull retained. A new turret replaces the old, featuring side-by-side 1.1" AA cannons. The turret top is open but has a canvas raincover

Quoted

[SIZE=3]FAMAE ADT-39 (rebuilt AT-32)[/SIZE]
16 tanks, built by Atlantis.

Weight: 14.5 tons (20,000lbs/13,180 kg)
Length: 16'1"
Width: 7'7"
Height: 6'7"
Crew: 4
Engine: Roth 668R-1200 7 cyl radial, 250hp
Speed: 30mph/48km/h
Armor: 20-6.25mm
Armament: 1x1.1" AA gun in open mount

The ADT-39 is an expedient tracked AA-gun carrier. The turret and upper hull has been removed and replaced with a semi-enclosed rotating platform with a 1.1"/L70 antiaircraft gun. The ADT-39 is an expedient (test) conversion and not all AT-32s may be converted.

Quoted

[SIZE=3]FAMAE VBI-40 (rebuilt Gothia Veles-B)[/SIZE]
16 tanks, via Coldmere

Weight: 14 tonnes
Length: 4.90 m
Width: 2.47 m
Height: 2.16 m
Crew: 2 (commander, driver)
Engine: 1x GWM STD-300, 300Hp V-6 Diesel
Suspension: leaf-spring double-bogie mounted on two axles.
Speed: 60 km/h
Armament: None (or 13mm MG?)
Equipment: forward hardpoint for dozer blade or mine plow/flail, turret replaced with crane+winch or excavator. Can carry a fascine if necessary

Notes: Armoured Engineering Vehicle (expedient). The VBI-40 is designed primarily to clear a path through minefields, dig tank revetments, excavate trenches under fire, and tow disabled vehicles.

Eh, Yugoslavia never bought Legionaires (unless it was PM buy from some other customer/producer)

I also notice that the 16 Veles A are missing

Quoted

Originally posted by Vukovlad
Eh, Yugoslavia never bought Legionaires (unless it was PM buy from some other customer/producer)

I think Foxy or Earl ordered them for the Yugoslav War - they've been in service since 1935 or 36, IIRC. It's the entire reason why Bulgaria ordered a squadron of AT-37s.

Quoted

Originally posted by Vukovlad
I also notice that the 16 Veles A are missing

What Veles A? I have no records of Chile purchasing any of those.

Must have missed that order (all tank purchases from GW are listed in the GW encyclopedia thread)

Chile bought 16 each of the Veles A, B and the Legionaire and 4 of the Legionaire command variant

http://wesworld.jk-clan.de/thread.php?threadid=5447&sid=

Okay. Added the Veles-A tanks to the list:

- 16x AT-32s rebuilt into AA tanks with single 1.1" AA gun.
- 8x Veles-A tanks rebuilt into tank training vehicles
- 8x Veles-A tanks rebuilt into armoured engineering vehicles (dozer blade + light crane)
- 16x Veles-B tanks rebuilt into armoured engineering vehicles (dozer blade + light crane)
- 20x Legionnaire tanks rebuilt into AA tanks with twin 1.1" AA gun.
- 17x Legionnaires (from Yugoslavia) rebuilt into AA tanks with twin 1.1" AA gun.

Since it appears the difference between the A and the B versions are in mainly the guns, I'll just use the same conversion specs to turn the A model into the VBI-40. That will help the decision to keep the modified Veles tanks in service, though, and it'll give me more AEVs.

Oh, and I found where those Yugoslavian Legionnaires came from - here, purchased from "Eastern Wind" along with 32 Veles-B tanks.

Quoted

Originally posted by Brockpaine
Oh, and I found where those Yugoslavian Legionnaires came from - here, purchased from "Eastern Wind" along with 32 Veles-B tanks.

I hadn't realized that I Veles-Bs in the nominal inventory. If you're interested, I can sell you the remaining inventory of those as well alongside the Legionnaires - along with any inventory of spares and support equipment.

"A neat warehouse is a happy warehouse"

Might as well. How many remain?

Quoted

Originally posted by Brockpaine
Might as well. How many remain?

Figure thirty. Far fewer would have been expended as targets, as I have enough older light vehicles for such purposes. They probably have relatively little time on the engines as they probably sat in an ordnance depot awaiting issue. (IE - since I didn't know I had them, they must have fallen through the cracks).

That should take care of my need for hulls for expedient AFVs, then. Excellent.

I wonder if I can make some into armoured bridgelayers...?

Quoted

Originally posted by Brockpaine



Finally, in 1940, FAMAE is prototyping a new tracked vehicle for the cavalry. It is intended to be an inexpensive tracked alternative to the military motorcycle and sidecar combination, which Chile has found just doesn't work very well in the rocky terrain. This vehicle will carry a crew of four - one driver, one machine-gunner, and two soldiers on a rear-facing bench. [SIZE=1]Imagine a fully-tracked kettenkrad mashed together with a dune buggy mashed together with a lightened Bren gun carrier.[/SIZE]

If you have not already looked at such, OTL Vickers made a light tractor not unlike what you describe. It was built in Belgium as a gun tractor and troop carriers - the troopers sitting on bench seats hanging over the tracks. Not quite my idea, but YMMV.

I regret I don't have a good link at hand. But Google fu Vickers+tractor ought to turn up one.

The VCL Artillery Tractor. There is a pic and writeup in the Belgian Army Equipment thread, under D.4 Artillery Tractors, near the bottom.