Hood number

[M38CDNBill]

Hello All,

Here is a website where you see a group of re-enactors in Normandy whose members claim to be truer than true. I met him few times and their president has a "Canadian" Willys MB on which the number that appears on the side of the hood is CM4402587. In 2009, I asked him if there was not a small error using CM44 and he replied with a vindictive military tone "Oh no sir, it's CM44 and it's documented". You'll see some pictures of this group and the markings in question by clicking the following link:

http://chemindeserables.pagesperso-o...tChaudiere.htm

What are your opinions on this hood number because I always beleive that the Canadian hood numbers for the jeeps began by CM42 and sometime by CM55 at the end of the war?

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by M38CDNBill

Hello All,

Here is a website where you see a group of re-enactors in Normandy whose members claim to be truer than true. I met him few times and their president has a "Canadian" Willys MB on which the number that appears on the side of the hood is CM4402587. In 2009, I asked him if there was not a small error using CM44 and he replied with a vindictive military tone "Oh no sir, it's CM44 and it's documented".

What are your opinions on this hood number because I always beleive that the Canadian hood numbers for the jeeps began by CM42 and sometime by CM55 at the end of the war?

Guy;

My 2¢ worth, I have the census numbers (or WD numbers) as being from the block CM 4230597 to CM 4233122 for Canadian jeeps (Car, 5-cwt, 4x4).

Cheers

[Eric B]

Hello Folks

I have been collecting WW2 CDN Jeep data for a number of years and have been to the CDN archives numerous times.

Jeep WD numbers generally start off in the CM116 range and then go all the way up to CM82.

We received blocks of WD from the British numbers and were given more as needed. At one point they stopped using the 116 numbers and moved up to a higher number, so even though we were assigned certain blocks, not all of these would have been used up. Jeeps were also included with other Car 5cwt's, which were predominently staff cars.

We also traded vehicles with the British. Pertaining to a memo, those that were transfered ownership would have had the C removed if traded to the British or the C added if it came to Canadian ownership. If it was on loan then the C would remain or not be added.

I also have some WD numbers that do not meet the standard seven numbers system.

So the answer to your question is that yes this number could be athentic. I do have one in the same range on file (CM4421919).

I am always looking for new infomeration and will follow up on this so that i can add this WD number to my file.


thanks
Eric

[Ed Storey]

You should have asked about the two 3/4 ton US 'Beep' Weapons Carriers, how documented are they!? Of course then there is the question about lettering styles used on Canadian vehicles, the use tyre pressure markings and the painting styles of vehicle formation signs...all good nit picky stuff.

[Mark W. Tonner]

Thanks Eric, it’s always good to learn something new, census numbers and I have been limited to Kangaroos and Churchill tanks for sometime now, the nature of the beast I guess.

Cheers

[Mark W. Tonner]

Some photos from Library and Archives Canada showing a range of census numbers used on Canadian jeeps:

(left to right)

Photo 1 (CM 4230213) - Troopers of the Three Rivers Regiment in a jeep, England, 22 July 1942.
Credit: Lieut. C.E. Nye/Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-213504

Photo 2 (CM 116 . . .?) - A jeep ambulance of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (R.C.A.M.C.) bringing in two wounded Canadian soldiers on the Moro River front south of San Leonardo di Ortona, Italy, 10 December 1943
Credit: Lieut. Frederick G. Whitcombe/Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-180097

Photo 3 (CM 4233488) - An ambulance jeep of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (R.C.A.M.C.), Vaucelles, France, 20 July 1944
Credit: Lieut. Ken Bell/Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-129031

Photo 4 (M 5826948) - Two unidentified corporals of the 2nd Provost Company, Canadian Provost Corps (C.P.C.), exchanging notes on the hood of their jeep in the Reichswald, Germany, 20 March 1945.
Credit: Lieut. Ken Bell/Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-140123

Photo 5 (CM 4232803) - Personnel of the British Columbia Regiment with a jeep, near Brasschaet, Belgium, 14 October 1944.
Credit: Lieut. Michael M. Dean/Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-151371

Cheers