Diamond T 980/981

[Tony Viste]

Here is a partial view of a Diamond T transporter from the 3 Cdn Fd Pk Coy. From the movie footage showing Sherman IIs from 44 RTR moving through Thaon France on 20 Jun 44.

Note the crooked Allied Star.

According to the War Diary the transporters were called "DORA" "DOT" and "DAISEY".

Also from the War Diary 17 Jun 44 - "Unloading commenced at approx 1330 hrs and completed by 1700hrs, with difficulty with the Transporters." - "D-5 party was coming ashore. They came by LST and in beaching the vehs struck a mud hole so that most vehs had to be towed onto beach laterals. One trailer with two D'4s got stuck and became tidebound to a depth of seven feet for some time before recovery."



Here is slightly further on the film showing a D4 on a trailer. (what is the official designation for this trailer?)



And a still photo from the opposite direction.
Frank L. Dubervill/Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-133748
Caption: "Traffic jam of tanks and trucks moving in opposite directions."

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

There are several shots of Diamond Ts (British and Canadian) in my new book:

http://www.pearsonsofliverpool.co.uk

[sapper740]

Originally Posted by Tony Viste

Here is slightly further on the film showing a D4 on a trailer. (what is the official designation for this trailer?)

I believe that is a Fruehauf M15 40t trailer that was commonly used in conjunction with the the Diamond T, in fact, the two were employed together so often that there was an official designation for the pair, which unfortunately, I don't remember at this time. Derek.

[Les Freathy]

Here we go then time to pull back one of the lost souls, a couple of shots of post war Ts in British service. This lot were engaged in transporting redundent LVTs to scrap

[Alex van de Wetering]

@ Tony. Excellent pictures! Pleace don't hesitate to post more.

I believe that is a Fruehauf M15 40t trailer that was commonly used in conjunction with the the Diamond T, in fact, the two were employed together so often that there was an official designation for the pair, which unfortunately, I don't remember at this time. Derek.

@ Derek, I believe the trailers were actually designed by the Rogers Brothers and designated M9. The Diamond T tractor was designated M20 and the combination of both, M19.
There probably was a bunch of manufacturers who produced the Rogers trailer under licence, as often was the case, probably including Fruehauf.

The M15 trailer is the one used with the Pacific M26, the combination becoming M25.

Rogers trailer were also "copied" in Italy post-war and I remember seeing a few of these for sale at Army Cars in Holland in the 90's.
The Czech army also produced a trailer along the Rogers design post-war. They even had a heavier version with an extra axle. They were used (and maybe are still being used) for years.