CUTTACK : To commemorate fifty-years of induction of an armoured vehicle, a Canada-built tank that was in operation during World War II in many European countries was unveiled here as a `War Trophy' on Friday.

The First Orissa armoured squadron of NCC, which is now the proud owner of the tank, decided to dedicate the tank — a 4x4 light armoured Fox-1 GMI for public viewing after its fifty years of induction into the NCC unit.

Cadet training

The unit raised in 1961 was equipped with four such war vehicles to train the cadets on subjects like war vehicles, said the Cuttack-based NCC officer Colonel J.A. Rocque.

The war vehicles were always part of the NCC training and were taking part in all state level functions till the late seventies. They were however taken off from public viewing subsequently for vintage purpose, Rocque added.

Popular vehicle

The State Higher Education Minister Samir Dey who is also the local legislator unveiled the tank at a simple function here following which hundreds of enthusiasts made a beeline to the NCC office to see the vehicle.

Armour protection

Built by General Motors of Canada in the 1940s, the vehicle was a popular tank during the Second World War and has a unique war history, the NCC officer informed.

The three-seatervehicle was armed with one 15 mm and one 7.92 mm calibre machine guns and has an armour protection of 15 mm all-around. A commander, a driver and a gunner always occupied it.

The vehicle saw active military operations in Italy, England and India.

"Many a battles have been won by the Indian troops with the active participation of the tank after Independence," Col. Rocque said.

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