Tag Archives: Daimler Armored Car

Flash and the locals

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Here we see a Daimler Mk. 1 Scout Car, apparently named “Flash”, crewed by Troopers W. Balinnan and A. Gallant of an unidentified Canadian reconnaissance regiment [likely the 4th Reconnaissance Regiment/IV Princess Louise’s Dragoon Guards], after the capture of Bagnacavallo, in Northern Italy’s Ravenna region, 3 January 1945.

The Canucks are speaking with a pair of local partisans, Louisa and Italo Cristofori. Note Louisa’s M1928 Thompson sub gun.

Photographer: Alexander Mackenzie Stirton. Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No.

Five regiments operated the Daimler in Canadian service during WWII besides Princess Louise’s– the Royal Canadian Dragoons, 12th Manitoba Dragoons, 17th Duke of York’s Royal Canadian Hussars and 14th Canadian Hussars– besides numerous smaller units that had a car or two for liaison and recce tasks.

The Daimler typically carries a 2-pounder (40mm) gun as well as a coaxial light machine gun. It could make 50 mph on good roads but only had enough armor to defeat machine gun rounds. It apparently remained in service with some Commonwealth countries as late as 2012.

Is that a 2-pounder on your roof?

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Here we see a Canadian Army Daimler Armored Car in France during WWII

Daimler Armored Car France WWII

Over 2600 of these hardy 13-foot long vehicles were built in WWII for the British and Commonwealth armies. Equipped with a 2-pounder (37mm) Quick-Firing gun, typically they carried 52 rounds for the main piece and some 3000~ for the coaxial machine gun and Bren LMG mounted up top when needed.

Powered by a 95hp straight-six, this little 4×4 has independent suspension and could run out to 50mph on paved hardtop. Used as late as the 1960s by Territorial Army units (the UKs version of the National Guard) they were largely scrapped after that, replaced by the equally well-liked Ferret.