Below is a photograph of a Royal Australian Air Force bulldozer being paraded on the back of a truck through the streets of Melbourne in front of an adoring crowd.

Taken on October 27, 1944, the image is a part of the machine parade, which took place in the second Victory Loan March through the city.

Why a Dozer and not a tank? In 1944 we did actually have tanks and so its not because of that, but rather the bulldozer was an important part of the war effort.

In fact Admiral Halsey was quoted as saying:  “If I had to give credit to the instruments and machines that won us the war in the Pacific, I would rate them in this order:  Submarines first, radar second, planes third, bulldozers fourth.”

The model I have is correct for Australian uses in some but not in others. Above is the Australian CR-1 based on the Caterpillar D7 design and manufactured under license. They were the first bulldozers manufactured in Australia. The model is permanently on display in the Australian Army Museum of Military Engineering.

You will note in this model that, although it is a D7 there is no armoured cabin. These types were used by the British in Normandy.

I can find no pictorial evidence of any armoured D7’s in Australian use.

I will continue to look for one. I know that Company B have them, however postage from the USA is prohibitive. I can get the Company B one from Great Escape Games, but 28 quid each is a bit rich for me. If any one is aware of an STL I would be pleased to receive a comment from you.

I have previously posted on the Matilda II Dozer, however they were not very effective in Borneo as the “coral mud” continued to grind away the drive mechanisms. As a result the CR-1 soon replaced them.

Back to the NWMP tomorrow.