Thanks, Crewman and yes, I need to do better research on the Coast Guard involvement in the Normandy landings. Sometimes I get a bit lazy.
As to whhich branch of the service the vehicles belong to, I am now leaning toward the Navy. I believe I can spot two M-5-6 tippers in the photo as well and I know the Navy had these, especially the SeaBees. As the photo was taken at a port of embarkation it would make sense the SeaBees would be involved in building out auxilliary docking facilities, roads from the beaches etc. They were perhaps repainted to go along with everyone elses colours.
As to the Coast Guard photo, and their equipment, I can tell you that the Marine Corps was only surpassed by the Coast Guard in being on the bottom of the ladder when it came to funding for equipment prior to and during WWII. And, the Marines are probably on the bottom now as the Coast Guard has been given
Incredible funding for the "Defense of the Homeland" or whatever we call it now.
To add another historical footnote to the above issue, at the end of WWII, most branches of most countries military forces could not wait to get rid of their vehicles. We are all aware of the tremendous vehicle auctions in Europe and Britain and this took place in Asia as well. Not to mention the thousands of vehicles and other equipment dumped into the sea or scrapped.
The Marine Corps, on the other hand, in areas that they "controlled", brought back everything they could lay their hands on and that included thousands of vehicles, not only their own but also leftover Army and Navy vehicles. They were transported however they could do it, including filling aircraft carrier decks with trucks etc. They were taken to the Marine Corps Supply Depot, Barstow, California and stored under open sheds (Barstow is in the California Desert) and restored over several years. It was with these vehicles that the Marines went to Korea in 1950. I visited that base several times with my Dad in 1949-1950 and it was quite a sight.
Bill
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