Captured British truck in German service: ID wanted

Hanno Spoelstra · #1 10-11-04, 11:46

See WW2 german AFRIKAKORPS photo Crew on lorry Wehrmacht wh showing a "Group of Afrika-Luftwaffe Sodiers on a desert-wehrmacht-lorry". This is obviously a captured British truck (possibly in Caunter scheme camouflage), but what type? It go me stumped, and I don't have my references at hand to look it up. Who can enlighten us?
Note it has a German Notek lighting system and Wehrmacht (WH) or Luftwaffe (WL) registration added, which denoted it was not a temporary ride picked up off the battlefield.

Thanks,
Hanno

Alex van de Wetering · #2 10-11-04, 11:52

I think it is a Morris Commercial, but I am not sure what type.

I believe one of the first pages of "British military Transport" by David Jane, shows a picture of a similar truck from the front, but I don't have the book here.

Alex van de Wetering

Alex van de Wetering · #3 10-11-04, 12:15

Could it be a Morris Commercial CS11/30?

Alex

Hanno Spoelstra · #4 10-11-04, 12:20

Quote:

Originally posted by Alex van de Wetering
I think it is a Morris Commercial, but I am not sure what type.

Hmm, it could indeed be a Morris-Commercial CS11 30-cwt 4x2 truck.

This seems to be one also, still stowed on board of SS Thistlegorm...

Source: http://www.taucher.net/redaktion/2/show.html?topic=9

Hanno Spoelstra · #5 10-11-04, 14:37

CS11/30's were used as makeshift 2-pdr Portees as well...

"A towed 2 Pounder Anti-tank Gun with wheels removed and mounted on the back of a Morris CS 11 30 Cwt 4x2 truck. The truck body has been removed and a wooden frame built to carry the legs of the gun’s ground mount. Note the variety of headdress."
Source: Anzac Steel > AUSTRALIAN ARMOUR ON CYPRUS

Mark W. Tonner · #6 10-11-04, 15:46

Hanno/Alex;

I would have to say that it is a Morris-Commercial CS11/30, open cab variant. The registration is definitely Luftwaffe (WL), those being Luftwaffe personnel in the truck rear.

A picture of a Morris-Commercial CS11/30, closed cab variant:

Hope this helps

Bill Murray · #7 11-11-04, 00:38

A Morris CS11/30 it definitely is. Look at Vanderveen's first edition of FVD page 145 which has a good shot with lots of identifiers. I also have 3/4 other shots of both open and closed cab variants that are unfortunately second or third generation copies and not suitable for posting that indicate the same ID.
Bill

Alex van de Wetering · #8 11-11-04, 10:52

Mark,

That's the picture I was looking for! Thanks for posting it here, I didn't have the oppertunity to look for the David Jane book and scan the picture.

Alex

#9 14-11-04, 18:23

I had the walking Morris encyclopedia here today, he says only the first picture from Hanno with the Luftwaffe crew is a CS11/30, all the rest are the military WD10/40 trucks and even Vanderveen has got this wrong since these mil types are based on the CS10/80 (10ft WB and 80cwt) not the 11/30 (11ft WB and 30cwt) although they look like it.

Simply put its a C range truck, Six cyl engine, 10ft wheel base and 2 ton (40cwt) capacity. The mil WD10/40 "version" of the 11/30 has some noticeable differences:
Chassis size and width
Bull bar position
Headlights (on bull bar not wings)
Wheelbase (10ft)
Bonnet
Scuttle
Mudguards.

R.

#10 15-11-04, 21:06

Quote:

Originally posted by FV623
I had the walking Morris encyclopedia here today, he says only the first picture from Hanno with the Luftwaffe crew is a CS11/30, all the rest are the military WD10/40 trucks

Ah, not strictly true

as Rory only saw the first two and the web site pictures of Thistlegorm, which was interesting as we never knew there were M-Cs on there.

Mark's picture is a CS11/30 - has the full civvy mudguards that join to the running-boards.

R.

David_Hayward (RIP) · #11 23-10-05, 12:57

I am desperate for any pix of the military versions of the circa 1936 MCC 10/80 with 10 FT 6 IN WHEELBASE 2-tonner...77 ordered in 1936 with some already working in Egypt, and CS11/30 20-cwt with provision for sand tyres..bodies as ambulances (123) and 71 as G/S lorries.

Contributors get a free VINTAGE ROADSCENE!

Larry Hayward · #12 14-11-05, 23:22

David,

Are you a tied agent as far as Vintage Roadscene is concerned? Couldn't you write for Classic Military Vehicle Magazine in the UkK? They could sure use someone like you with the knowledge & expertise - and the photo resources!

David_Hayward (RIP) · #13 15-11-05, 09:20

Quote:

David,

Are you a tied agent as far as Vintage Roadscene is concerned? Couldn't you write for Classic Military Vehicle Magazine in the UkK? They could sure use someone like you with the knowledge & expertise - and the photo resources!

David, I would be excommunicated! I previously wrote for HERITAGE COMMERCIALS, and they wanted me back. There are other reasons why I could not, thanks but this may become more obvious in due course.

DavidH, b. Hampton 31 August 1955, lived Feltham 1955-65 and Hounslow 1965-81, all in the County of Middlesex.

PS I have a couple of shots of a WD 1936 CS11/30 and a 193x CS11/40 going in VRS shortly...the latter is a tipper with open cab. Back then a MCC CS11/30 was about £260 per unit to the taxpayer.

nuyt · #14 25-11-05, 19:42

are these pics of any help?
http://www.network54.com/Forum/33033...e+and+post+war
Nuyt