Desert Sand to Jungle Mud V2

In store by 8 December 2025.  Detailed coverage of the various tracked carriers developed, built and used by Australian forces.

Hard cover, 255 pages, over 500 black and white photographs.

The Australian Machine Gun Carrier was undoubtedly the most successful of the Armoured Fighting Vehicles built in Australia during the Second World War. Broadly based on their English counterparts, the Australian carriers differed in many details which made them unique. They were deployed operationally in North Africa and the Middle East, Malaya, the island arc to the north of Australia and in the defence of the Australian mainland. They were also supplied to Allied armies such as the British, United States and Chinese Nationalist armies. The type continued in service during the post-Second World War period, being deployed to Japan and Korea and in the training role within Australia until the mid-1950s. 

Alas, derivatives such as the Australian 2-pdr and 3-inch mortar carriers and the Tracked Truck as well as the carrier transporter trailer were not as successful, the projects being terminated and the orders for manufacturing large numbers cancelled before completion.

Australia also received English carriers of various types by assignment from British sources or by direct purchase from the United Kingdom. These played a significant role in North Africa and the Middle East, but most were progressively taken out of service once they arrived in Australia.

This book encapsulates the development, construction and use of tracked carriers by Australia in over 500 images, many not previously published. Detailed text and extensive captions explain every aspect of the tracked carriers developed for, and used by the Australian military forces.

By Keith Webb and Mike Cecil