Bison concrete armoured lorry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bison concrete armoured lorries |
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Type 3 Bison
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| Type | Mobile Pillbox |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Home Guard |
| Wars | World War II |
The Bison was a special kind of armoured vehicle. People often called it a "mobile pillbox". These vehicles were made in Britain during World War II (1940-1941). This was a time when Britain feared an invasion. Bisons were built using different lorry (truck) chassis. They had a fighting area protected by thick concrete. The Royal Air Force (RAF) used Bisons to guard airfields. The Home Guard also used them. They got the name "Bison" from the company that made most of them.
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Why Were Bisons Needed?
In July 1940, France was defeated in the war. This made the British government worry about an invasion. One big problem was how to protect airfields. Airfields are large, open spaces. They could be attacked by enemy airborne troops.
Tanks and armoured cars would have been perfect for this job. But the British Army had lost many of its heavy vehicles. This happened during the evacuation from Dunkirk. So, Britain needed another solution. This new solution could not use up valuable resources. Those resources were needed for regular weapons.
How the Bison Idea Started
The Bison was invented by Charles Bernard Mathews. He was a director at a company called Concrete Limited. Many people tried to make quick armoured vehicles then. But Mathews had the skills and resources to do it properly.
Mathews and his partner, John Goldwell Ambrose, had been in the Royal Engineers. They had experience using concrete in wartime. They had made concrete pillboxes and dugouts in World War I. Mathews even tried an unusual idea in 1939. He stacked concrete balls on air-raid shelters. He hoped bombs would just scatter the balls.
Mathews bought 24 old lorry chassis. He built a prototype to show the army. The army gave helpful feedback. Mathews then made a version that met their needs. These vehicles were basically mobile pillboxes. Mathews said they would not replace tanks. But he believed they would be a serious problem for the enemy. He also noted that anyone could make them, once they knew how.
Concrete Limited's company symbol was a Bison. This name became the general name for all these vehicles.
Concrete Limited used any lorry chassis they could find. Many were old, some from World War I. One had even been a fire engine. Because of the different chassis, Bisons looked a bit different. But they were made in three main types:
- Type 1 was the lightest. It had a fully armoured cab. Its small fighting area had a canvas roof.
- Type 2 had an armoured cab with a canvas roof. It had a separate, fully enclosed fighting area. This looked like a small pillbox on the back.
- Type 3 was the biggest and heaviest. It had one continuous cabin and fighting area. This whole section was covered in concrete armour.
How Bisons Were Made
Steel was very important during the war. So, concrete was used for armouring these mobile pillboxes. Any available lorry chassis was used. But only the heaviest chassis could carry the concrete's weight.
Lorries arrived at Concrete Limited's factory in Leeds. Workers removed the old metal bodywork. Then, they built wooden frames called formers. Inside these frames, three sheets of expanded metal were placed. This metal acted as reinforcement. Then, fast-setting, strong concrete was poured in. This concrete was made with high alumina cement. You can often see ridges on the concrete. These are from the gaps between the wooden boards.
If a roof was added, it was made from pre-cast concrete. The walls were about 6 inches (150 mm) thick. They were strong enough to stop Bren gun bullets. They could also stop armour-piercing bullets.
We don't know exactly how many Bisons were made. Estimates suggest between 200 and 300. Concrete is very strong. So, some parts of Bisons still exist today. Other similar vehicles, like the Armadillo, were made of steel. They were recycled, so none are left.
The public knew about these mobile pillboxes. They were mentioned in The Times newspaper. They were also featured in Commercial Motor magazine.
What Was Their Job?
These vehicles were definitely not "armoured cars." They were simply a pillbox that could be moved. It was claimed they could travel at "normal lorry speed." But in reality, they mostly stayed on flat airfields. Most Bisons had trouble moving at all. This was due to their heavy weight, poor visibility, and engine cooling problems. Some broke down completely. They were either towed or left where they stopped. Those built on old steam wagon chassis handled the weight well. But their engines were removed, so they had no power.
Concrete is not the best armour against heavy weapons. But Bisons were good enough to defend against German paratroopers. These paratroopers were the expected attackers at airfields. Bisons could be driven or towed to a defensive spot. They could then cover the open space of an airfield. This would stop enemy paratroopers or planes from landing. When the airfield was needed for friendly aircraft, a Bison could be moved. This kept it from being a danger to planes.
Bisons You Can Still See Today
The Tank Museum
You can see a complete Type 2 Bison at The Tank Museum in Bovington. This one was rebuilt using original parts and an old lorry chassis. It is a Thornycroft Tartar 3-ton lorry from 1931 or later. The chassis was originally a military lorry.
To get into the rear pillbox, you climb through a hatch. The cab armour is open at the top. Early Bisons had one big box over both sections. Later ones had separate, sloped boxes. This saved weight. Some Bisons had cabs with no armour at all. This shows they were not meant to move much. They had to be in place before any attack. This Bison has only a light steel plate over half the radiator. The steering box is still exposed.
It's unlikely that a modern military lorry would have been used for a Bison during the war. They were too valuable after the losses at Dunkirk. The museum's Bison was built recently. It uses an original rear pillbox on a different original chassis. The front cab part is a modern copy. The museum's Bison sits on axle stands. This stops its tires from flattening.
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre
This Bison was used by the Home Guard to protect RAF Digby. Later in the war, RAF Digby became less important. So, the extra airfield protection was not needed. For a while, it was stored at Ferrybridge, Yorkshire. It was also used to guard a roadblock on the A15 road near Sleaford. Towards the end of the war, it was left in a small group of trees. This was next to the A15 near Quarington Lane end. Over the years, parts were taken from it. It was also damaged by vandals. Eventually, its chassis was turned into a farm trailer. In 1988, a group learned about these remains. Research showed what it really was.
On March 22, 1991, the Bison's remains were taken to the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre. You can still see traces of camouflage paint on it. One section even has its original wooden shuttering marks.
Images for kids
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Type 3 Bison
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Short wheelbase Bison
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Thornycroft, type 2 Bison on display at The Tank Museum, Bovington
