What is the aim of rear bumper hole on international m2-4

[serge]

Hello

Our association has restored an INTERNATIONAL M 2-4 which was displayed at "DOG GREEN CAMP" in NORMANDY 2009 at VIERVILLE, a village in front of OMAHA BEACH.
On each rear bumper of the truck there is a circular hole and we don't know the aim of these holes. They seem to be original. Is any body able to answer?

Regards Serge

[Grant Bowker]

They look like they might have been to let a light be located inside the protection of the bumperette and shine through the hole. Are there mounting holes in the cross member that fit the spacing of lights?.

[serge]

Hello GRANT

Thanks you for your answer but the holes have not been intended for housing a light. On the left of the left rear bumper and on the right of the right rear bumper there are square housing for lights (seen on the second pic)

Regards Serge

[Bob Carriere]

The front bumper has two huge D shape rings..... and this is US Navy vehicle that probably would be off loaded using slings and crane....... and since I see no other lifting rings/devices at the back........

Could they have been intended to be used as lifting holes for hooks....??

BooBee

[Bill Murray]

I can't really prove it at this point as the rear photos of such vehicles are rare and mostly rather grainy, but if I look really hard at a couple of photos I have that are not good enough to post here, I think they are hard points for lifting rings as Bob says.

I will continue to look for better evidence.

Bill

[serge]

Hello

I think that BOB CARRIER is right. These trucks ordered by US NAVY ,were mainly used in the war in PACIFIC with a great number of islands. So these trucks have to be loaded on boat , travel from an island to an other island then loaded off from the boat. So the use of ring (in front of the vehicle and holes on the rear) avoided the sailors to use specials tools.
Nevertheless I think also that the most islands own no haven and the trucks were landing on the beach. I would be wonder to see the rear bumper of INTERNATIONAL M5H6 which is the equivallent of these trucks in 6X6 and largely used by US NAVY.

Regards Serge

[cliff]

Most of the photo of the LWB 6X6 I have don't show the rear of the truck. I do know the SWB 6X6 tipper photos show generally no bumperettes at all and the only photo I have of the LWB 6X6 is of an early closed cab truck which does not have the holes.

[serge]

Hello

I thank CLIFF for the two pics of INTERNATIONAL M5H6. If the holes in the rear bumper of M2-4 were used to lift the truck on ship , may be the same method was not used for M5-H6 due to it's weight.

regards to all Serge