Series number
AWM350
Series title
Royal Australian Armoured Corps – Centurion tank log books
Contents date range
1951 – 1981
Extent
3 metres
Access conditions
Subject to the Australian Archives Act (1983)
Agency controlling
Department of Defence
Custodial agency
Australian War Memorial
Function and Provenance
These items were acquired in two separate groupings. The first which comprised 13 log books was received from the Memorial’s Military Heraldry and Technology section circa 1990, it is not known how long they had been with that section at that time. The Memorial’s Official Records section appraised these log books in 2008 and accessioned six of them, all relating to tanks used in Vietnam. At that time the seven other log books were not included with the 2008 accession as those vehicles had not seen war service. Subsequently 106 more log books were anonymous donated to the Memorial in 2016. In 2023 the 113 unaccessioned log books were accessioned into RecordsSearch taking the total in the collection to 119.
Based upon the numbers on the log books, by examining the first and last log book numbers it is believed there were 143 Centurions of all marks in the Australian fleet, including four bridge layers; although some sources place the number at 144. There appear to be 24 log books not held in the collection. It is believed these are either in private ownership or possibly with Defence in the case of vehicles which are now gate guards.
Due to the large number of log books held, they represent a range of vehicles, some of which served in Vietnam. Most of the vehicles however spent their entire working life in Australia after being acquired.
The Centurions in the Australian fleet were either MBT (Main Battle Tanks) sometimes referred to as Medium Tanks; ARV (Armoured Recovery Vehicles; with a superstructure and winches instead of a turret); Tank-Dozers (MBT with a bulldozer blade mounted on the front of them); or Bridge Layers (tanks without turrets but instead carrying a deployable bridge).
Regarding tanks which served in Vietnam – “A” tank squadron from 1 Armoured Regiment, equipped with Centurion tanks, was sent to Vietnam in February 1968 to support Australia’s increased infantry commitment. The Centurions took over some of the tasks that had previously been necessary for the M113 APC’s to perform including close fire support for the infantry and perimeter defence. The tanks greatly increased the fighting power and protection of the Australians in Vietnam. The main elements of the regiment left Vietnam in October 1971 as part of the general Australian disengagement from the conflict.
Before deploying to Vietnam the Centurions received a number of modifications: a large external fuel tank was fitted on the back of each vehicle to increase its range; the main gun system was upgraded; a ranging machine-gun was fitted; and an infra-red illumination system was also installed for improved night vision. However, once operations began the external fuel tank was found to be potentially hazardous as they could catch fire if hit by a shell or bullet. The modifications continued “in country” once the squadron began operating in Vietnam: The tank’s side skirts were removed, as they became clogged with mud and scrub, the track guards were replaced with heavy gauge steel plate; and storage racks were welded to the back of the turret so ammunition and other equipment, such as an additional radio to allow communication between tank and infantry soldiers, could be carried.
Overall 58 Centurions served with Australia in Vietnam including bridge layers; 42 Centurions suffered battle damage in Vietnam.
The Army Registration Number (ARN) for the vehicles which served in Vietnam for which log books are held in the collection are 169003, 169005, 169007, 169013, 169022, 169026, 169029, 169035, 169036, 169037, 169039, 169042, 169043, 169047, 169048, 169049, 169055, 169056, 169064, 169066, 169067, 169069, 169071, 169074, 169075, 169076, 169077, 169083, 169084, 169087, 169089, 169091, 169096, 169099, 169103, 169104, 169108, 169109, 169110, 169113, 169122 and 11542.
The ARN for the Vehicles which served in Vietnam, but for which no log books are held are 169017, 169030, 169041, 169044, 169053, 169068, 169072, 169073, 169079, 169080, 169090, 169106, 169111, 169112, 115541 and 11544.
Content
The logs are divided into 12 sections: Mileage and running hours; transfers; inspections; modifications; repairs and overhauls; particulars of vehicle; engine history (3); barrel history and breech history (2).
The log books do not have every section filled out. Furthermore, they are not continuous for the whole life of the vehicle, as log books were often replaced. Although Centurions started to enter service with Australia in 1951, most entries in the log books are from 1965 onwards.
System of arrangement and control
Items are arranged in ascending order of ARN (Army Registration Number). The control symbol is the ARN number for each item, preceded by the series number i.e. AWM350 169029.
Some provenance for each vehicle can also be found from its ARN.
Vehicles 169000 – 169059 were received into Australian service as a batch of 60 Mk3 Centurion MBT purchased by Australian in 1949 and delivered 1951-1952.
Vehicles 169060 – 169110 were received into Australian service as a batch 51 Mk5 Centurion MBT purchased by Australian in 1954 and delivered 1955-1956.
Vehicles 169111 – 169114 were received into Australian service as a batch of four Mk2 Centurion ARV (Armoured Recovery Vehicle) purchased by Australian in 1954 and delivered 1955-1956.
Vehicles 169115 – 169120 were received into Australian service as a batch of six Mk5 Centurion MBT delivered 1956-1957.
Vehicles 169121 – 169122 were received into Australian service as a batch of two Mk2 Centurion ARV (Armoured Recovery Vehicle) delivered c.1961.
Vehicle 169123 is a little harder to determine, it appeared to be received into Australian service as a Mk1 Centurion ARV (Armoured Recovery Vehicle) purchased by Australian from New Zealand in 1969. This was the only Mk1 ARV to see service in Australia. Some sources list it as an Mk2 ARV.
Vehicles 169124 – 169138 were received into Australian service as a batch of 15 Mk5/1 Centurion MBT purchased by Australian from UK stock held in Hong Kong, arriving in Australian in 1972.
Vehicles 115541 – 115544 were received into Australian service as four Mk5 Centurion Bridge Layers delivered from 1961 onwards.
A short service profile of each vehicle can be viewed in the item note. The level of detail varies from vehicle to vehicle based upon what was readily apparent from the individual log book. Final disposition of each vehicle is taken from publically available information on the internet and were believed correct c.2015, individual vehicles may no longer be present in the locations listed.
Using the series
Each item in the series is recorded on the RecordSearch database which researchers can access via the Internet. Further assistance in finding relevant information may be gained from related series of records (click on Series Links at the bottom of this page).
Sources
AUXGEN website: https://auxgen.tripod.com/ viewed 1 May 2023
AWM350 Series Dossier
1st Armoured Regiment unit history, Australian War Memorial website