Gentlemen
I felt it would be good to post the following on the Softskin page for broader viewing.
Posted is a message under "WW2 Military History & Equipment", "Photos needed" by Mark W. Tonner, Senior Member, Location: London, Ontario
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark W. Tonner
... well for the edification and enjoyment of MLU'ers, here is a photo of an 'Amphibian Jeep' in Canadian service and markings even........ Enjoy 
From LAC: Personnel of the 17th Duke of York’s Royal Canadian Hussars transferring from a "Seep" (waterized jeep) vehicle to the Chevrolet C15A truck which serves as the unit’s bus, Weener, Germany, 13 February 1946 - PA-167682 |
I am referring to your article above on the Canadian marked GPA in Germany. It certainly was from a batch of vehicles supplied to GB under S/M 2820 and involved 621 GPA's, with no mention of Canada. GPA "P5219935" was one of 386 vehicles allocated a "P" number. The balance 235 vehicles may have been numberless.
The Canadians had 3 GPA's overseas (REPORT NO. 141 of CANADIAN MILITARY HEADQUARTERS, SITUATION OF THE CANADIAN MILITARY FORCES OVERSEAS stated;
"The Amphibian Jeep (5-cwt Ford) was first considered by the Canadian Army in May 1943, but this like other amphibian vehicles was to be supplied by 21 Army Group (C.M.H.Q. file 1/Veh Amph/1: Extracts from Agenda for third meeting Cdn M.T. User Committee, 4 May 43; S.D.3, C.M.H.Q. to Trg 3, C.M.H.Q., 5 Oct 43). The first four were received in October 1944 (Historical file: Cdn Units 21 Army Group, "A" and "B" Vehicle Position States)."
Canadian records indicate they received their first GPA in May, 1943 at Hogs Back, Mooneys Bay, Ottawa. A further 20 GPA's were delivered in early 1944, whilst Canada had requested 25 GPA's in June, 1943. Delay had been bought about by very limited supply from the US. All 21 GPA's were attached to Pacific Command in British Columbia by May, 1944. It is most likely the 3 GPA's in use overseas were additional to the 21 GPA's and probably sourced from GB.
I notice the date on the photo is 13 February, 1946 and there appears to be a cover over the driving compartment. Is this photo (PA-167682) from National Archives Canada and have you been able to source other GPA photos from the archives?
It is a shame Canadian archives are so far away.
Ian