~ 720th Military Police Battalion Vietnam History Project ~
Photo G1531: ARVN's in an armored car on Highway QL-1 in Xuan Loc, Long Khanh Province, III Corps Tactical Zone, Vietnam in December 1966. This unusual armored car appears to be a well-worn Army of the Republic of Vietnam customized salvaging of a once popular 1940's WW-II Canadian Army manufactured C15TA (Otter) Armored Car used by the French Army during the First Indochina War in the 1950's. This vehicle most likely belonged in the inventory of the ARVN's Xuan Loc elements of the 18th Infantry Division's 5th Armored Cavalry Squadron. Courtesy of PFC Michael A. Goetz, A Company, 720th MP Battalion, October 1966 to January 1967.
Restoration
Canadian Army WW-II

     The C15TA Armored Car was built by the Canadian's to carry load during WWII. It was developed from the Otter (Armored Car) and was built by General Motors Canada in line with the concept for the American M3 Scout Car.

     It was used in the northwest European campaign during the World War-II by the Canadian and British units as an armored personnel carrier. It also served as an ambulance during the conflict.

     After the war, the countries that took to using the armored car units included Belgium, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, the French, Portugal, South Africa and even the Federation of Malaya.

     As seen in the top photograph, some of these vehicles were still in use in the 1960's.

     They finally became obsolete and disappeared from the ARVN inventory with the introduction of the U.S. manufactured Cadillac Gage Armored Commando Car (V100).
Canadian Army WW-II
    
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