Complex sentence: At the time there were no tanks available to be acquired from Britain so the Canadian were desperate to get equipment so 219 US M1917 tanks--a First World War design were obtained at scrap prices.
Split into simpler sentences: At the time there were no tanks available to be acquired from Britain so the Canadians were desperate to get them. Therefore, 219 US M1917 tanks--a First World War design were obtained at scrap prices.