LRDG-Chevy or not?

[Kuno]

Came accross this picture which's source is not known. It is said, that it shows LRDG-trucks. Ok; the headgear is the same the LRDG wore (sometimes) in the desert. But the trucks? Would say that they are Chevy WA's but they do not present me any of the typical LRDG attributes....

...any idea about?

[cliff]

yes the one in front is a WA Chev. These are more likely to be vehicles of the TRANS JORDAN FRONTIER FORCE as per the AWM photo below taken in Syria 1941. The vehicles are the same in both photos.

Cheers
Cliff

[Bill Murray]

Hi Cliff:
Not quite sure what you mean by "same" vehicles.
Kuno's is I think a 1939 model, or 1940 with large wheel/tyres and yours is a 1937 or 1938 model with what looks like 13" or so wheels/tyres.
In any case, thanks to both of you for the photos which were new to me.
Bill

[cliff]

Originally posted by Bill Murray
Hi Cliff:
Not quite sure what you mean by "same" vehicles.

In any case, thanks to both of you for the photos which were new to me.
Bill

Same body configuration & make but not necessarily year Bill.

The photo I put up is in the British Military Chevrolet album I have sent to you.

Cheers
Cliff

[Bill Murray]

Hi Cliff:
OK, just wondered what you meant. They are, though rather different vehicles as I mentioned, also the rear mudguards are different.
I just slotted in the disc you mentioned and sure as heck, there it was, the pic you posted here. I imagine it is that I got so many from you I miss one now and again.
Bill

[cliff]

LOL no problem Bill it is good to see you adding your knowledge again

[Mike Starmer]

The camouflage design on the WA gives the location away as this is the Australian pattern for the Palestine -Trans-Jordon area. Lovely picture, thanks.

[Shane Lovell]

Mike

The colours and patterns you identified as Australian is incorrect. The orders for the colours and patterns were issued by GHQ Palestine - Transjordan Forces.

The colours were applied to Australian vehicles stationed in Syria, however, the second disruptive colour was not applied to vehicles located in Palestine. They retained a single colour.

cheers

Shane Lovell
Canberra, Australia

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

The top photo is I believe a 1939 Model VA, as supplied to the War Office in Egypt and also Trans-Jordan Frontier Force, and possibly RAF and Egyptian Army. There is a photo of one in WHEELS & TRACKS and also in the 1944 GMOO wartime book: THE WAR EFFORT OF THE OVERSEAS DIVISION. They were assembled in the GM Near East Ltd plant in Rue Ptolomees, Alexandria.

In addition under Contract V.3352 515 1940 WA models were supplied, with two mixed batches, the first including 266 G/S and 84 Water Tankers. 19 of these were used by the LRDG alongside 14 taken from the Egyptian Army.

[Kuno]

Many thanks for all your information!

[Mike Starmer]

Shane, the pattern I was refering to is not the MTP20 style striped style which I have a copy of but it very closely matches the patchy style seen on Ford and Chev CMP and other Australin vehicles.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

..appears in WHEELS & TRACKS and it is clearly a [1939..VA?] TJFF truck. In the background appears to be '39 or '40 Fords.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

The TransJordan Frontier Force

"Within its ranks are Arabs, Circassians, Druses, Sudanese and Egyptians."

This photo appeared in the 21 June 1941 issue of The Sphere.


Source: https://flic.kr/p/8XUoZv