Defective Pistons

[Noel Burgess]

From The book "44: In combat from Normandy to the Ardennes" by Charles Whiting - Chapter 4 "Breakout". In a paragraph suggesting that Allied equipment(Sherman, 6Lb A/T, Etc. Etc.) was generally inferior to German. I quote the following

The British three-ton Leyland truck also fell short of requirements, by the end of the Normandy campaign, 1,500 of them were in the workshops.

I regret that I only add to the question - I have no idea which vehicles or what the problem was

[Rich Payne]

I've been following a slightly too lively discussion of this issue in another forum. Has any more information come to light ?

Threre seem to be numerous references to problems but few specifics. Apparently the (available in facsimile) 1946 "Administrative History of the 21st Army Group" contains further information. Does anyone have a copy ?

Chester Wilmott's 1952 "The Struggle for Europe" is quoted as saying that "1400 British-built 3-tonners and all the replacement engines for this particular model had faulty pistons which rendered them useless."

Noel Burgess mentions Leyland trucks. Would these have been Retrievers ?

Any suggestions of further avenues for research would be appreciated.

Rich.

[Neil Ashley]

Most references I have seen in the past including from memory David Fletcher's book refer to Austin trucks (K6?).

The reference to Leyland vehicles is probably confusion over the post war BL group of companies. I assume Leyland Retrivers were not used in any major way for the carriage of supplies.

[Rich Payne]

Thanks Neil, that's very helpful. Do you recall which of David Fletcher's books ?

[Rich Payne]

Adam from WW2talk forum has located a copy of the 21st Army Group Admin History on line and it is fascinating reading. It also gives the definitive answer to this question - They were Austin K5s, mentioned in relation to September 1944

"(c) vehicle maintenance
During this intense period of activity the maintenance of vehicles inevitably had to be reduced, but partly due to the majority of vehicles being new no serious ill effects ensued. A major fault occurred in the engines of K-5 4x4, three-ton Austins, 1,400 of which, as well as all the replacement engines, were found to be defective and to have piston trouble."

The full report is here :-

http://www.movcon.org.uk/History/Doc...CHS%200514.htm

Rich

[Noel Burgess]

Thanks for that link Rich. Theres alot of interesting stuff to read there - dont think I'll be going to the pub for a few days!

Heres a random quote from the document - referinfgto the Normandy landings/breakout

Considering the size and nature of the operation, the number of typewriters lost or damaged beyond repair during the assault, or by subsequent enemy action, was surprisingly small.

Have you seen the other stuf available on that site - BEF, Grece, Middle east etc.
Noel