Commonwealth arms

[Phil from Kansas]

When British Commonwealth troops (eg Canadian or Australian) reported for service in WWII were they issued weapons with British markings, or did each country have unique markings?

 

[CapnMac]

Generally, each of the Commonwealth Nations with sufficient industrial capacity armed their own military forces.

The Brits were having trouble getting enough SMLE to their troops, so the Canadians turned to the Ross rifle circa 1912. Later, the Canadians had access to UK-built SMLE, and later were given the full Data Package. The Anzac forces also used domestic arms, if to common ammo.

The Arms were labeled as to their location of construction, where ever those places were. Specific markings were typically limited to the Unit Disk in the stock.

Really local items were just that. So, the Aussies built the Austen and similar sub-guns. The Canadians were meant to order a bunch of M2 Hyde SMGs, but they got Sten production underway about the time the M2 was cancelled for the M3 grease gun. Canadians had some quantity of Thompsons, if memory serves, which meshed with UK issue.

South Africa used the arms the Brits had sent them, which did not have specific marking (IIRC).

The factory probably tells more than anything else.

 

[Phil from Kansas]

Did the Scotts and Welsh have dedicated units, or did tbey integrate with the English?

 

[792mauser]

Australia = Lithgow
NZ= Anything they could get but usually British or Australian
Canada = Long Branch & Savage
India= Ishapore
South African = British/ whater they could get

The rest of the commonwealth got whatever they could get their hands on.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

Australia received a number of SMLE rifles from British stocks between the wars, so one can find British-built (and I think Indian-built) examples with Australian markings. Australia then supplied 30,000 SMLEs directly to the British in 1940, so one can also find Lithgow-built rifles with British markings. There was sufficient movement of weapons within the Commonwealth that practically any combination of manufacturer and user is possible.

The regimental system within the British Army lent itself, then and now, to units with distinct regional identities. This also extended to the Commonwealth armies; one can still find Scottish units in the Australian, British, Canadian, and South African armies (and until recently that of New Zealand as well). Various other regional units (Welsh, Irish, etc) can also be found.

 

[CapnMac]

Did the Scotts and Welsh have dedicated units, or did tbey integrate with the English?

Yes.
They were separate Regiments, but equipped under the TOE of the time.

One exception: The Atholl Highlanders, which were more of a militia/Home Guard, were fitted up by the Duke of Atholl, the Murray Clan chief. They, if memory serves, carry No 4 Rifles on Parade.

 

[Obturation]

I've got a martini cadet made in England , stamped Commonwealth of Australia , it even has a little kangaroo stamped on the top of the receiver .

 

[Phil from Kansas]

Thanks to all who responded. What us TOE?

 

[Phil from Kansas]

Terms of engagenent?

 

[AlexanderA]

What is TOE?

Table of Organization and Equipment.