AOP Carrier is a British Artillery unit in Steel Division II. The Armoured Observation Post carrier is a modified Universal carrier outfitted with radios to order off-map artillery strikes at a given location.
Background[ | ]
The Universal Carrier, or the Bren Gun Carrier, is a series of mass-produced light armoured tracked vehicles used extensively by British and the Commonwealth forces during the Second World War. An adaptable vehicle, they were used to transport infantry, personnel and equipment. They also acted as a machine gun platform or a support weapon platform. Amongst others, they were used as flamethrower vehicles or as mortar platforms.
The AOP Carrier is a carrier acting as an artillery observer. The Battery Commander along with a Subaltern are issued a Armored Observation Post to serve as artillery observers. The AOP carries a crew of 4 the Driver, Observer, observation post assistant and signaller.
It directs a few volleys of powerful long-range artillery onto German positions. The barrage is launched by groups of 8-inch gun M1s, American-made artillery guns which the British Army also made use of in small numbers with 3 Super Heavy Regiment and 61 Super Heavy Regiment serving in the North West Europe. With an effective range of 32.584m, it boasted the longest firing range of any US Army field artillery gun in the Second World War.