WW2 Photos

Justin Pollard · #1 20-04-08, 06:17

Hello everyone,these pics were taken by my Poppa on the way to and at Darwin.i posted them awhile ago on another forum but feel they would be more at home here.hope they fit the screen ok as i have no idea how to resize.

Justin Pollard · #2 20-04-08, 06:20

Justin Pollard · #3 20-04-08, 06:23

Justin Pollard · #4 20-04-08, 06:26

this one is of a Hospital ship bringing home ex POW,s into Darwin.thought the blitz might be of interest to.

Keith Webb · #5 20-04-08, 07:39

Magnificent shots!

The one of the Macks with trailers was taken on the North-South road - if you can get a copy you should read Allan Smith's Convoys up the track. I interviewed Allan on the Year of the Studebaker DVD.

cliff · #6 20-04-08, 07:51

great photos thanks for sharing.

cliff · #7 25-04-08, 01:08

David here is a AWM photo which shows two of these Canadian built Chevs (RHS) alongside two Holden Bodied examples, one of which is painted service green rather then the light stone of the returned Middle East vehicles. Photo caption is.....

ID Number: 025817
Physical description: Black & white
Summary: ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA. 1942-03. NO NEED FOR DISPERSAL NOW FOR FEAR OF AIR ATTACK, THESE VEHICLES, RECENTLY RETURNED FROM THE MIDDLE EAST WITH THE A.I.F. ARE DRAWN UP AT A CAMP OCCUPIED BY TROOPS WHO RETURNED IN THE SAME CONVOY.
Copyright: clear
Related subject: Motor vehicles
Related place: Adelaide; Middle East

Related conflict: Second World War, 1939-1945

The reason I have added this is the top two photos showing the vehicles on the train is not dated and the Chev utility behind the 3 tonner appears to be painted a lighter colour which could be light stone. Could this utility be one of the returned Middle East vehicles? If so the 3 tonner could also be a returned Middle East vehicle which has been refurbished by the workshops before being reissued. The photo of the NR7 model Macks in the outback dates that photo to about 1943.

David_Hayward (RIP) · #8 25-04-08, 08:53

That seems to prove that not only CMPs and carriers that were issued to the AIF in the Mid East! I have the contract numbers for Egypt deliveries and this seems to slot in. I can however imagine that ex-Mid East and direct shipments would be mixed up, especially with Holden refurbs. Great stuff!

cliff · #9 26-04-08, 11:44

here is another AWM photo showing Holden Bodied trucks with the heavy front bumper and a brush guard.

Caption...

ID Number: 084090
Physical description: Black & white
Summary: ATHERTON, QLD. 1944-12-14. ATHERTON DETACHMENT NO.1, QLD LINES OF COMMUNICATION AREA BULK ISSUE PETROL AND OIL DEPOT PERSONNEL OPERATING AS A MOBILE UNIT IN THE TABLELAND AREA FROM CIVILIAN UNDERGROUND EMERGENCY TANKS POSITIONED DURING THE JAPANESE ADVANCE. IDENTIFIED PERSONNEL ARE:- PRIVATE F.J. WALDUCK, (1); PRIVATE V.F. CLANCEY, (2); SERGEANT C. O'BRIEN, (3); PRIVATE T.J. MCFARLANE, (4).
Copyright: clear
Related subject: Petrol and oil supply; Group portraits
Related unit: Bulk issue petrol and oil depots; Queensland Lines of Communication Area
Related place: Atherton

Related conflict: Second World War, 1939-1945

cliff · #10 26-04-08, 11:50

Here is another AWM photo showing the imported Chev CC60L with a custom built van body on and a different front bumper again. I am assuming the rear van body was built locally onto an imported cab/chassis. These may have been bought back from the Middle East and rebuilt or imported direct to Australia.

Caption....

ID Number: 141861
Maker: Herald Newspaper
Physical description: Black & white
Summary: Brighton, Vic. 1944-10-23. Two Mobile Welfare Vans presented to the RAAF by members of the Brighton Hostess Air Force Auxiliary.
Copyright: clear
Related subject: Vans; Welfare
Related unit: Royal Australian Air Force
Related place: Brighton (Vic)

Related conflict: Second World War, 1939-1945

Mike Kelly · #11 26-04-08, 12:52

The lighter 1 ton variant is rather scarce . Back in 1981 I bought a ex army 1941 1 tonner for 50 bucks , up at Orange NSW . It had the GMH cab and sat on 17" wheels. I flat towed it from Orange to Cargo behind my 1946 Dodge ute .It was vandalised by the locals thee and ended up a wreck, it was in very good cond. too. The cab had a stencil on the wall .
VANS 1 Ton GS .

The little GMH badge said - paint : KHAKI 'defence enamel green'.

It was hairy towing it along the hilly road from Orange . The rear tray was a wooden thing .. original army one was long gone . Somebody had removed the cyl. head and it was in the back . The brakes worked well .

On the same trip I found a Fordson WOT2H in a field of lucerne . The local Butcher in Canowndra owned it . I approahed him and I got it free ! I borrowed Bedford wheels and flat towed it to Cargo behind the Dodge ,my 15 year old nephew steered it . Its brakes worked too , mechanical type.The skinny Bedford 20" wheels made it look very odd . The gearbox was full of water . i had to remove the rear half shafts to move it . It was in December and the heat nearly killed me , it was jammed on a old log and I had to jack it off . The door had a graziers name on it .. from Canberra of all places .The cab was excellent .. front wings stuffed . chassis good . Wish I had kept it . I sold it for 100 bucks to a NSW collector . I've got pics of all this .

Mike