early CMP's in Normandy
Interesting subject this Alex, there really is gap in our understanding as far as the early stuff goes.
As we know both Canadian and British forces stationed in the UK were issued with a mix of 11 and 12 cab CMP's form 1940 onwards.
David I would be interested to know when you think 13 cabs started to be issued to troop’s in the UK.
I have several photos of British 11 and 12 cabs in France, these are 15A's and 30's, not seen any pictures of 8's however.
Somewhere I have a reference to the fact that before D-Day
(it may be in a 'Wheels and Tracks' come to think of it)
British and Canadian MT sections attached to front line units were ordered to hand in 11 and 12 cab trucks to be replaced by brand new 13's.
If memory serves me correctly the article then goes on to claim that these trucks were then re-issued to Czech and Polish forces in the UK before they in turn moved to Europe in late June July.
As for the early release dates for 11 and 12's I can confirm that all of the Oxford Crew's 11 and 12's were released between 1947 and 1948.
A point we have noted on our own trucks and others we have brought as spares donors is that they all seem to have had a grey coat of paint applied over the drab before release.
On my 12 C15A for example the original log book states "colour" as grey this was borne out during restoration.
I suspect that most were held on charge in UK depots until cessation of hostilities.
Who can add more?
Pete
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