Early CMPs in NW Europe

[Alex van de Wetering]

Cab12 FAT in Leeuwarden 1945. Both pictures seem to show the same vehicle

source: https://historischcentrumleeuwarden.nl/

[David Dunlop]

This blend of old and new was probably not unique to the CMP. Wasn't there quite a mix of old and new model carriers in use, at least two models of DUKW and I don't think the Bantam and slat grilled jeeps disappeared as soon as the later model MB and GPW arrived.

The latest vehicles were probably not as critical an issue as one would encounter with aircraft.

David

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

Cab12 FAT in Leeuwarden 1945. Both pictures seem to show the same vehicle

source: https://historischcentrumleeuwarden.nl/

And is it the same one as shown on page 1 of this thread?

H.

[Alex van de Wetering]

And is it the same one as shown on page 1 of this thread?

Hanno; I think it's a different vehicle....the shape of the roofrack and the spare wheel location is different. Of course the wheel could have been relocated, but the top bar of the roofrack attaches to the upper roof panel in one of the pics and on the other FAT the bar attaches to, about halfway, the beetle back.
It could be the second one in the background of the "Groningerstraatweg" picture though......(?)

Alex

[Alex van de Wetering]

30cwt (?) Monkey face Ambulance, Apeldoorn 1945

source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRLn4WKWFHU

Alex

I don't think any army would throw them away for newer cars

This blend of old and new was probably not unique to the CMP

Hendrik, David, I agree.....even though I have no official documents to back it up. I don't think there was a luxery position to replace ALL cab11/12's with cab13's. Maybe the general rule, yes...but there was a shortage of everything, so I would not be surprised if someone turns up with a document stating that (cab 11/12) trucks are to be properly serviced and maintained.....and are only to be replaced by newer trucks if they are completely worn....frontline units coming first if new trucks are available.(?)

I was reading one of Mike Starmers publications on camouflage paints and he mentions a document stating that (SCC2 Brown) vehicles are only to be fully repainted in the "new" SCC15 Olive Drab if absolutely necessary, due to limited supply of SCC15. Vehicles are to be patched where possible. This could well be the same with replacement trucks (?)

[Alex van de Wetering]

Near Belgian-Dutch border 1944, close to Lommel.


source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...0105069&type=3

[David Dunlop]

Are those Buffalos on trailers in the wide angle shot?


David

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Are those Buffalos on trailers in the wide angle shot?

As far as I can see, there are pontoons only.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

>>>

Hendrik, David, I agree.....even though I have no official documents to back it up. I don't think there was a luxury position to replace ALL cab11/12's with cab13's. Maybe the general rule, yes...but there was a shortage of everything, so I would not be surprised if someone turns up with a document stating that (cab 11/12) trucks are to be properly serviced and maintained.....and are only to be replaced by newer trucks if they are completely worn....frontline units coming first if new trucks are available.(?)
.....

I doubt such a document will surface. Field armies never have enough of what they need and too many of the burdens of well-meaning staff officers. A RCEME veteran acquaintance told how one of the first things they threw out after landing in Normandy was an engine block for some very big truck. Some farmer near Bernier-sur-mer has a lump of cast iron in a filled-in slit trench.

After Desert Storm, I watched US trucks dragging around the most amazing collection of flatbeds, containers and trailers. When the units mobilized, everything old and new in the compounds got loaded.

The war moved fast, the logistics train was struggling to keep up, and the convoys didn't stop coming and shake out until the surrender. (If the staff asked for 30 sheets of plywood and 50 sheets show up, don't look a gift horse in the mouth.) Or if someone behind the fighting echelon found something abandoned or broken down in desert, so be it. Better to have something and not need it, than to leave it behind for the locals or stragglers to steal or use against your own troops. Besides, extras are always useful for trading and reconciling the books.

Contrast that to the retreating Iraqis. Everything they owned was dropped and abandoned. Every cab over engine 6-cylinder truck; every cam' net; every crate of ammunition; every fibreglass copy of the Kevlar helmet.

All of this is to say, if the soldiers can get their hands on working equipment, they will keep it.

[Alex van de Wetering]

Two 15cwt 4x2's in action in Normandy.
Pictures show French volunteer drivers that transported food to Paris. The British army supplied Dodge D15's for this task, and also at least two CMP 15cwt's, so it seems.

source: http://www.manche.fr/archivesDepartementales/

[Alex van de Wetering]

C15A cab 12's in Zutphen, april 6th 1945. Judging from the position of the star on the roof, there are at least two different Monkey faces in this footage, maybe even three.

The pictures are grabs from this footage

First two grabs show the same truck. You will note that the location of the third picture is the same as the picture posted by Henrik earlier....but it's a different truck, judging from the vehicles driving in front of it.

check around 2:20, 6:10 and 6:30


Alex