Canadian Army Trophy: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:CAT Trophy.jpg|thumb|300px|CAT Trophy]] |
[[Image:CAT Trophy.jpg|thumb|300px|CAT Trophy]] |
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[[Image:3-64 Armor CAT'87 Patch.gif|thumb|3-64 Armor CAT'87 Patch]] |
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The '''Canadian Army Trophy''' (CAT) was a [[tank]] competition established to foster excellence and competition among the armoured forces of the [[NATO]] countries in [[Western Europe]]. |
The '''Canadian Army Trophy''' (CAT) was a sterling silver miniature replica of a canadian Centurian tank mounted on a wooden base for the winner of a [[tank]] competition established to foster excellence and competition among the armoured forces of the [[NATO]] countries in [[Western Europe]]. |
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== History == |
== History == |
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| ⚫ | First held in 1963, the event was so named for the hosts, the Canadian Army Brigade forward deployed in [[West Germany]]. It was decided to hold the competition every two years at Bergen-Hohne (also at Grafenwöhr starting in 1987), Germany, from 1963 to 1991. Each member country was invited to field a 'team' to represent their respective Corps, or, in case of Canada, their Army. Nations represented include [[Canada]], [[Belgium]], [[Great Britain]], [[the Netherlands]], [[West Germany]] and the [[United States]]. |
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| ⚫ | First held in 1963, the event was so named for the hosts, the Canadian Army 4th Mechanized Brigade forward deployed in [[West Germany]]. It was decided to hold the competition every two years at Bergen-Hohne (also at Grafenwöhr starting in 1987), Germany, from 1963 to 1991. Each member country was invited to field a 'team' to represent their respective Corps, or, in case of Canada, their Army. Nations represented include [[Canada]], [[Belgium]], [[Great Britain]], [[the Netherlands]], [[West Germany]] and the [[United States]]. The trophy was given to best scoring team (Northern Army Group or [[Central Army Group]]) and awards were given for the best scoring platoons of each Army Group. |
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In the 1987 competition held at Grafenwöhr, there were 24 platoons competing (12 from NORTHAG and 12 from [[Central Army Group|CENTAG]]). NORTHAG fielded teams from [[Belgium]], [[Great Britain]], [[the Netherlands]], [[West Germany]] and the [[United States]]. [[Central Army Group|CENTAG]] fielded teams from [[Canada]], [[West Germany]] and the [[United States]]. The British (3-tank) tank platoons were presented 24 targets, while the other countries' 4-tank platoons were presented with 32 targets during the battle runs. Scoring was based on target hits, hit times, ammunition bonuses (only if all targets were hit), and hit bonuses (only if all targets were hit), machinegun hits, and penalties with a maximum platoon score of 20,600 points. The main gun targets were at ranges between 1600-3000 meters and would remain standing after being hit until presentation time had expired. No target would be presented twice, so the judges could actually count holes in the targets to verify target hits; "cookie bites" did not count as hits. |
[[Image:3-64 Armor CAT'87 Patch.gif|thumb|right|3-64 Armor/ 3ID CAT'87 Patch]]In the 1987 competition held at Grafenwöhr, there were 24 platoons competing (12 from NORTHAG and 12 from [[Central Army Group|CENTAG]]). NORTHAG fielded teams from [[Belgium]], [[Great Britain]], [[the Netherlands]], [[West Germany]] and the [[United States]]. [[Central Army Group|CENTAG]] fielded teams from [[Canada]], [[West Germany]] and the [[United States]]. The British (3-tank) tank platoons were presented 24 targets, while the other countries' 4-tank platoons were presented with 32 targets during the battle runs. Scoring was based on target hits, hit times, ammunition bonuses (only if all targets were hit), and hit bonuses (only if all targets were hit), machinegun hits, and penalties with a maximum platoon score of 20,600 points. The main gun targets were at ranges between 1600-3000 meters and would remain standing after being hit until presentation time had expired. No target would be presented twice, so the judges could actually count holes in the targets to verify target hits; "cookie bites" did not count as hits. |
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The 1989 competition was first time that night battle runs were part of the competition. The Canadian 4th Mechanized Brigade departed Germany in 1992, resulting in the end of the CAT competitions. In 1997 the competition began again, but only between the United States and Canada as the CANAM Cup. |
The 1989 competition was first time that night battle runs were part of the competition. The Canadian 4th Mechanized Brigade departed Germany in 1992, resulting in the end of the CAT competitions. In 1997 the competition began again, but only between the United States and Canada as the CANAM Cup. |
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* [[Military exercise]] |
* [[Military exercise]] |
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* [[Tank]] |
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* [[NATO]] |
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* [[Cold War]] |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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Revision as of 22:46, 20 May 2008
The Canadian Army Trophy (CAT) was a sterling silver miniature replica of a canadian Centurian tank mounted on a wooden base for the winner of a tank competition established to foster excellence and competition among the armoured forces of the NATO countries in Western Europe.
History
First held in 1963, the event was so named for the hosts, the Canadian Army 4th Mechanized Brigade forward deployed in West Germany. It was decided to hold the competition every two years at Bergen-Hohne (also at Grafenwöhr starting in 1987), Germany, from 1963 to 1991. Each member country was invited to field a 'team' to represent their respective Corps, or, in case of Canada, their Army. Nations represented include Canada, Belgium, Great Britain, the Netherlands, West Germany and the United States. The trophy was given to best scoring team (Northern Army Group or Central Army Group) and awards were given for the best scoring platoons of each Army Group.
In the 1987 competition held at Grafenwöhr, there were 24 platoons competing (12 from NORTHAG and 12 from CENTAG). NORTHAG fielded teams from Belgium, Great Britain, the Netherlands, West Germany and the United States. CENTAG fielded teams from Canada, West Germany and the United States. The British (3-tank) tank platoons were presented 24 targets, while the other countries' 4-tank platoons were presented with 32 targets during the battle runs. Scoring was based on target hits, hit times, ammunition bonuses (only if all targets were hit), and hit bonuses (only if all targets were hit), machinegun hits, and penalties with a maximum platoon score of 20,600 points. The main gun targets were at ranges between 1600-3000 meters and would remain standing after being hit until presentation time had expired. No target would be presented twice, so the judges could actually count holes in the targets to verify target hits; "cookie bites" did not count as hits.
The 1989 competition was first time that night battle runs were part of the competition. The Canadian 4th Mechanized Brigade departed Germany in 1992, resulting in the end of the CAT competitions. In 1997 the competition began again, but only between the United States and Canada as the CANAM Cup.
The failures of a nation's entrant to place well at the CAT have had considerable defence industry impact. The showing of the Great Britain's Royal Hussars at the 1987 competition was the subject of a front page story in London's Sunday Telegraph, June 21, 1987, titled "NATO Allies Outgun Britain's New Battle Tanks". Critics have used the results of CATs to criticise the way a nation's army trains, the quality of its soldiers, and its procurement policies.[citation needed]
See also
External links
- 3rd US Armored Division at CAT 1987 - A tribute to the 3AD victory in 1987 at the "World Series of Tank Gunnery"
- 43rd Tank Battalion CAT page - A Dutch page about the 43rd tank battalion's participations in the competition
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