SD:Sexton (Can)

 is a Canadian Artillery unit. Based on the Canadian Ram chassis, The Sexton is armed with a British 25-pdr and provides reliable long-range artillery support for Allied troops. It is reasonably armoured for an artillery unit and can withstand some light punishment.

Overview
The mobile warfare that the Second World War birthed made mobile artillery a necessity. The North African campaign saw the first British attempts at implementing self-propelled artillery vehicles, the Bishop, with mixed results. The British quickly switched to the US-buitl M7 Priest (based on the M3 chassis), which mounted a 105mm howitzer. This led to logistical difficulties, and a new vehicle was sought on which the 25-pdr could be mounted. Canada had been developing a tank of its own, the Ram (also based on the M3 chassis), but the widespread introduction of the US-built M4 Sherman made this project redundant. However, the Ram chassis could be used to mount the 25-pdr, and thus the Sexton was born. Manufactured in Canada, the first prototypes were shipped to the UK in 1943 and it quickly proved to be satisfactory. Over 2000 Sextons were produced for Canadian and British troops and it saw action in Italy, Normandy and the campaign in North-west Europe.

Three Royal Canadian Artillery Regiments used Sexton in World War II. Two of these Regiments served in Armored DIvisions. 23rd Field Regiment (Self-Propelled) served with the 4th Canadian Armoured. While the 8th Field Regiment (Self-Propelled) served in 5th Canadian Armored Division. 19th Canadian Army Field Regiment RCA represent the in game Sexton that served in 3rd Canadian Infantry. During the Normandy Landings 19th Canadian Army Field Regiment like their divisional counterparts was equipped with Priests but during the Priest the 19th regained their Sextons.

Strategy
The Sexton is in essence a mobile 25-pdr in an armoured tracked vehicle, sporting the exact same offensive characteristics as its towed counterpart. It is mobile and armoured enough to withstand counter-artillery fire as well as light-calibre aircraft attacks. Its long 2400m range allows it to stay out of harm's way for most of the time.

In short, the Sexton is a durable artillery unit and provides reliable and reasonable firepower at long range, suppressing and pinning soft targets.