GPW Holden Ambulance?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Mike,

Indeed they did. Do a google search to find more info, like from http://www.film.queensu.ca/cj3b/fire...bulances.htmIl

Perhaps the most famous WWII ambulance jeeps were those used by the U.S. Marines in the Pacific, beginning at Guadalcanal. Known as the "Holden" ambulances because the first 200 or so conversions were done by the General Motors-Holden factory in Melbourne, Australia, very few are known to survive. Additional similar conversions were done in the U.S., and some Holdens were still in service in Korea.

The Royal Netherlands Marines, trained and equipped by the USMC, used them in Indonesia after WW2.

Hanno

[Mike Cecil]

Thanks Hanno,

I took a look at that and the entry is based upon the MVPA magazine article that states the conversion was done by GMH, but that article doesn't provide any evidence for the claim.

I know the conversion has been reported as being carried out by GMH - it has become one of those commonly accepted views we all just 'know'. But curiosity led me to have a look and see if there was any hard evidence to support that, and so far, I've come up short, hence my query here to MLU.

Mike C

[Mike K]

Hi Mike

It is mentioned in the WW2 GMH 'war record' . Do you have a copy of the excellent book, published by GMH themselves ?

I will find the relevant page and post it here later tonight

[Mike Cecil]

Mike

Thanks: found it! Page 31.

The story refers to the US Forces at Buna-Sanananda, which I thought were US Army. Have to check further.

Mike C

[Lionelgee]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

Hi Mike

It is mentioned in the WW2 GMH 'war record' . Do you have a copy of the excellent book, published by GMH themselves ?

I will find the relevant page and post it here later tonight

G'day the two Mike's,

Could you please post the full title of the book and the ISBN number please?

I have typed in a couple of different versions of the title and have had no luck so far in a couple of library catalogues.

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Lionelgee]

Hello Two Mikes and other MLU People,

Firstly - Happy 2013 to everyone.

I had a bit of a dig and found a link on the internet from a group by the name of G503.com - the name of the thread is "Do I have a USMC Holden Ambulance Jeep?"

http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=84&t=152844

Plus some rather bouncy video image of one in action http://www.armyjeepsforsale.net/usmc...lance-jeep.php

This link then goes to a couple of other links.

I am not sure if these are the same vehcile as your mentions Mike C?

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

I found a Youtube video from Iwo Jima colour and silent. The first half of the shot makes me think that the photographer had a bit of a wheel fetish as that is all that is visible. Or maybe it was "arty" things do improve later with decent footage taken of various vehicles including the "Holden Ambulances"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDBxvT54ZOc

Plus some more footage of this type of vehicle but as per following description ... "US 22nd Marine Regiment, 6th Division advances in Okinawa. Jeep wheel gets stuck in mud. Hills in background. Marine Corps Ambulance jeep (a "Holden" with spare tire on hood) driven through deep mud followed by other vehicles, trucks and jeeps. Jeep with a sign 'convoy' on it, passes by on a muddy road followed by a convoy of International 6x6 trucks." Accessed 1st January 2013 from http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65...s-stuck-in-mud

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

G'day the two Mike's,

Could you please post the full title of the book and the ISBN number please?

I have typed in a couple of different versions of the title and have had no luck so far in a couple of library catalogues.

Kind Regards
Lionel

hi Lionel

Just after WW2 the 'war record' book was apparently printed for the executives of GMH , each copy was to be signed by the new owner . There are a few copies around , but it isn't a common book . The print run would have been rather low , maybe 500 copies ?

You might get lucky on ebay one day .

Mike

[motto (RIP)]

H.V.McKay of Sunshine Harvester fame produced a large format, magazine style publication after the war showing their contribution to the war effort. The range of products they turned out was quite extensive and mostly unrecognised today but I suppose that's true of many large companies.

David

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by motto

H.V.McKay of Sunshine Harvester fame produced a large format, magazine style publication after the war showing their contribution to the war effort. The range of products they turned out was quite extensive and mostly unrecognised today but I suppose that's true of many large companies.

David

There was a similar publication produced by the Australian wireless industry . It details all of the projects undertaken during WW2 e.g., the 19 set ( Aust.) , made by AWA during 1943 . I have seen a copy, but sadly I do not own a copy.

Mike