CMP 15-cwt truck at Poste Weygand

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I think this photo was taken in Syria, and that it probably shows one of the very earliest CMP trucks delivered into the Middle East.

I agree except that it is not strictly one of the very earliest deliveries, as the first Alpha-packed F15s assembled in Alexandria in January 1941 were 1941 Models, but # 11 Cabs. The tyres looked to me to be hardly worn, so I suggest that this was one of the earliest # 12 Cabs to S/M 2002, which was the very first, numerically, British contract placed for Canadian military vehicles in late June 1940.

Apart from the unusual WO number allocated to this truck we know that S/M 2002 deliveries to Egypt were issued with ME Theatre Census Numbers possibly in the Z 452XXXX series, including Z 4520080 which was allocated to the AIF and possibly ended up in Australia. There was also 500 delivered to Mombasa.


PS I have changed my opinion!
Poste Weygand was indeed in Palmyra, Syria and the photo may have been taken in November or more likely December 1941. It was originally a barracks of the French Foreign Legion, and was apparently shelled before capture. . I would suggest that the F15 was assembled in Alexandria, and was one of those that benefited from the running change from # 11 to # 12 Cab. Below is a photo of Major-General J. Northcott, later General Sir J, on an official inspection in December 1941 when GOC 1st Australian Armoured Division. I have speculated whether this is yet another F15 issued to the AIF and then 'sold', which meant that if it survived it was shipped to Australia.