Interview with a former Centurion tanker in the Army of Australia

A former Centurion tanker in the Australian Army kindly accepted an interview for the blog. R. has the distinction to be a second generation Centurion tanker, as his father served in one.

1. Hello R., thanks for accepting an interview for alejandro-8.blogspot.com. Could you provide a brief overview of your career in the Australian Army)?

I joined the Australian Regular Army straight from school at the age of 17. I was allocated to the RAAC after marching out of recruit training. After a short stint in Corps Holding Troop i was placed on the last Centurion 20 Pdr Gunner / Sig course conducted at was then known as the Armoured Centre at Puckapunyal Victoria. After qualifying as a Centurion Gunner Sig, i was posted to the 1st Armoured Regiment also at Puckapunyal.

Eventually the Centurions were replaced by the German Leopard AS1. By late 1977 we had coverted to Leopards and i stayed as a Leo gunner for the next 5 years. My reinlistment became due and i was not offered any prospect of promotion - i was not prepared to stay on as a trooper / gunner so i elected to corps transfer to RAEME. I stayed in RAEME serving on for another 14 years attaining the rank of Corporal.

2. Your career is peculiar in the sense that your Dad also served in a Centurion and was deployed in Vietnam. Did he give you any advice on the tank?

My father never offered any advice regarding career choices. Between himself and his 3 sons we clocked up 130 years in uniform. Generally speaking he was happy with the  choices we made.

3. What do you think were the strong and weak points of the Centurion tanks?

Strong points from my point of view as a gunner - was the protection provided to the crew. The Centurion was deployed to Vietnam between 1968 and 1971 with the loss of only 2 drivers KIA as a result of detonating anti tank mines.  Many turret crew were injured as a result of enemy action but none were KIA.



Another strong point was the Stabilized gunnery system allowing you to hit targets on the move.

Weak points - poor fuel economy - towards the end our Centurions service life we were getting approx 4 gallon to the mile. Other weak points was their lack of speed and they were very high maintanance.

4. Centurions kept a gasoline engine in an era when other tanks moved to diesel. What was your impression of the engine?

Centurion engines were strong and generally reliable - they were not user friendly for our RAEME personell. They were difficult to work on. Especially spark plug and fan belt changes.

5. The Centurion range was increased by using a trailer with 900 litters of fuel. Was it used in Australia? How useful did you find it if so?

Centurion fuel tank trailers were used in Australia but only for a very short time (before my time). They proved to be unsuitable for Australian conditions - many trailers were damaged (ripped off) during training. Australia opted for a 100 gallon fuel tank bolted directly to the rear of the tank before they were deployed to Vietnam. This was part of the upgrade to Mk 5/1 standard.

6. When training, at was the typical distance to the objective and speed of the tank when you fired? And the longest distance at which you ever fired?

During training target ranges varied - usually over 800yds up to 2600yds firing direct - beyond 2600yds firing semi indirect and indirect with an observer calling the fall of shot. Speed whilst firing on the move was usually around the 15 - 20mph. Furtherest distance i fired at target was approx out to 5000 yds firing indirect with an observer calling the fall of shot. Target unseen by gunner.

7. The Centurion versions used in Australia used a Ranging Machine Gun (RMG). Do yo uthink it was effective? Do you think there was a risk of confusion in a battle?

The RMG .50 Cal was brilliant. A skillfull guner with the correct use of the instruments and guages could pretty much guarantee a first round main armament round after ranging to the target with the .50 cal. As far as risk of confusion in battle ? obviously yes due to smoke, dust and overuse of radio transmission / air time etc.



8. What was the maximum rate of fire (ROF) you achieved? Was there a big difference in ROF as you went through the different bins?

Maximum rate of fire depended on type of round, stowage of ammunition and range to targets. I remember on one ocassion when i was gunning, my operator loader loaded so quickly, we had five 20Pdr HE rounds in the air at one time on a target at 2600 yds.

9. How was the night firing conducted? Did you use flares for battlefield illumination? What was the effective distance at which you could fire?

We rarely conducted night time firing but on the occasions that we did we used a combination of flares and I.R. search lights. Combined with the use of the gunner's traverse indicator. We could easily hit targets out to 1000 -1500 yds.

10. In terms of maintenance, was there any component or system that was more delicate? Were there any issues with the supply chain with the tank being built in the UK?

As far a maintanance goes - spark plug and fan belt changes were two of our biggest problems. Supply of parts was also an issue. Our gov was reluctant  to spend money and provide spare parts even though they literally had tons of parts in storage in the supply system. I know this to be a fact because i know the guy that bought all of the spares after the Cents had left service.

11. What was the maximum distance you covered in a day during deployments or exercises? Did the tank cope well or needed extra maintenance?

Generally speaking we never travelled over 35 - 40 miles in a days training due to the age and relability issues. Extra maint due to breakdowns was required. A very high demand was placed on our RAEME personell.

12. Did you struggle with the local conditions in Australia (hard soil, dust, high temperatures...)?  

Puckapunyal was a very harsh training area. Mud and flooded creeks in the winter, (ocaisional snow). Hot dusty and flies in the summer.

13. Australia deployed Centurion tanks in Vietnam. Did you get any information about the performance or lesons learned?

Most of my Troop Corporal, Sgt's and Officers were Vietnam veterans. They instilled in us a very high level of realistic training. Often using live ammunition during battle runs with several vehicle being damaged.



14. What was the maximum speed you managed to get in a Centurion? And in reverse?

Maximum speed would only be a guess as i was a gunner but i would say around 25- 30mph down hill in neutral. As far as reverse goes maybe 5mph (only a guess).

15. Did you practise NBC situations? What was the approach? How did it affect the crew performance?

We never conducted NBC training in our Centurions in my ERA. We did in our Leopards from 1977 onwards.

16. Centurion was widely exported tank and was developed by other countries. Did you get any information on the upgrades? Was there an element (diesel engine or transmission in Israeli/South African variants) you would have liked?

Australian Cents only went to Mk 5 / 1. Some countries developed them up to Mk 15 I believe but i cant coment on that as i know knothing about that.

17. Did you trained with personnel from other countries? Did you use any of their equipment? What were your impressions (training and equipment)?

I was fortunate enough to train with the US Army on exchange and also the BAOR in Germany. The yanks had pretty much the same equipment as us but their tactics were somewhat different.  Their causalty/death rate in Vietnam  speaks for its self compared to Australia. The poms made up for antiquated equipment by totaly professional and tradition orientated. Total respect for the poms.

18. Have you had access to Soviet equipment now that the Cold War is finished? What were your impressions? Was there a system you liked or disliked?

I know nothing about Soviet equipment so cant really comment, however from what is happening in Ukraine at the moment i would say their armour and or tactics might be somewhat lacking.

I know nothing about Soviet equipment so cant really comment, however from what is happening in Ukraine at the moment i would say their armour and or tactics might be somewhat lacking.

19. Is there an anecdote you would like to share before finishing the interview?

On the 7th of July 1977 a live fire ' Friendly Fire' incident occured whereby a Centurion was hit on the turret by a 20 Pdr HE round fired by another Centurion. The tank hit was ARN 169060. Callsign 21A. It is currently in Canada after featuring in a movie in America. The movie is called Courage Under Fire.
Ironically the movie is loosley based on a Friendly Fire incident during the First Gulf War.
Further irony - my father was awarded an MID for bravery in Vietnam for recovering a Centurion whilst under fire - saving the crew and the tank. The ironic thing about that is - the tank he recovered was also Callsign 21A.

Other interviews:

I am always looking for more veterans, active members or people related with the defence industry to accept interviews. If you enjoyed reading the material and would be happy to accept an anonimous interview you can get in contact with me. My e-mail can be found in this link at the heading. Otherwise leave a message in the comment sections.

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