- For the Steel Division II unit see SD2:2-in Carrier (UK)
2-in Carrier is a British Artillery unit. The 2-inch carrier is a cheap close-support unit available in phase A. It boasts the shortest range of any artillery unit, 700m, but has a niche as a cheap artillery support for infantry engagements or as an inexpensive smoke screen placer.
Overview[ | ]
Derived from the Carden-Lloyd family of tankettes, the Universal Carrier was one of the most ubiquitous fighting vehicles of the British Commonwealth and, at 113,000 built, the most produced armored fighting vehicle in history.
The Carrier was designed in 1934, by Vickers-Armstrong, and accepted in limited line service in 1936. However, it wasn't until 1940 that the final Universal design was implemented, becoming the most widespread of Universal Carrier models, powered by an 85 hp Ford V8 petrol engine with a Horstmann suspension giving it excellent maneuverability.
The Carrier was used in a multitude of variants thanks to its ubiquity. The default version had a single Bren gun and enough space for a troop of soldiers. Some were converted into fire support versions by adding a two or three inch mortar mounted onto the Carrier's chassis.
Among the various Universal Carrier equipped units are Universal Carrier that has a 2-inch mortar. In the Carrier Platoon in the Infantry battalions one Universal Carrier in each section has one 2-inch mortar. In the Motor Battalion's Scout Platoon each Universal Carrier in the Scout Section has either a smoke discharger or 2-inch mortar.
Strategy[ | ]
With only 700m range, the 2-inch carrier has to put itself on the front line when acting as artillery support. This is unlike any other artillery unit, which can fire at much longer ranges and are placed well behind Allied combat units. Like nearly all artillery units, it boosts poor armour and cannot be expected to take any hit. The carrier is therefore best used in bocage terrain or at the outskirts of a contested town, where it enjoys relative safety. It can also fire smoke rounds, which can be used to great effect in a tactical engagement. The short range, however, means that it will become increasingly redundant in phase B and phase C, when better artillery units like the sexton or the 25-pounder become available.
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