Too incredible to be true?

[Gunner]

When we pulled into a laeger or "DP" we would not use the can on our veh unless it had already been emptied earlier. It stayed, full, on the vehicle and we gassed up using what the echelon or the service battalion delivered.

To back up Rob Love's points we, the users and abusers of the mechanised artillery, (Rob will get the reference being a RCEME type ) hardly ever hung all our clag and gear on the outside of the vehicle because it would disappear. Our rucksacks were generally stowed outside 'cause, frankly, who wants my smelly, skid marked clothes? The veh stores (tools, etc were carefully marked and carefully locked in the carrier or SP gun to prevent the five fingered discount!

On rail moves everything went inside, even the sopping wet cam nets, to prevent pilfering at every little whistle stop along the way. We even had to gun tape the periscope glass as vandals would chip away at them with sharp rocks!

Congrats on finding a possible historical link between a wartime photo and and an actual artefact.

Cheers, Mike

[Mike Cecil]

The 2 gallon can was part of the Vehicle Outfit List (VOL), these days called the Complete Equipment Schedule (CES). If the can was issued as part of the VOL, then it was expected to stay with that vehicle, and good crews would ensure that it did by labelling with some form of identification, often the vehicle registration number. As was said earlier, it helped defeat the '5 finger discount' mob!

The English/Canadian 2 gallon cans I have seen appear to be standardised in dimensions, so will fit any vehicle stowage position designated for a 'can, 2 gallon'. The Australian manufactured 2 gallon cans varied with (1) date made and, more particularly (2) manufacturer, and were often larger than their overseas counterparts. Made stowage problematic, to say the least. I wrote an article that was published in Army Motors several years ago about the subject that provided several sets of dimensions and descriptions as a comparative table. It also discussed the Australian 4 gallon drum that was an issue item from POL points, rather than part of the VOL of the vehicle. Of course, as Dave has said, why persist with such things when the best form of petrol carrier on the battlefield had to be 'liberated' from the enemy, and there were orders to do just that in North Africa, and send them to POL units for refilling and distribution. But that's another story...

Is it genuine? Don't know, but it sure looks good!

Mike C

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi all - if all fails, read the manual. Lo and behold after reading my 1943 Spare Parts Manual, I discovered that a two gallon water can was part of the kit. It was situated at the right-hand rear corner between Hull upper rear plate and lifting jack.

Embarresed Bob

[RichardT10829]

well here's hoping its the real deal... would be a great score Kevin... and perhaps a nice story to print along with your carrier restorations for say CMV mag