CMP / Chevrolet in Libya

[Kuno]

Thought that I had posted the pictures about this truck already in last year in this forum - but canot find them any more.

Anyhow; recently I had the chance to visit that particular truck by myself. Was in a real hurry and had not much time to investigate. But we found some markings which were not mentioned earlier and may help to identify the vehicle.

It was for sure not one of the LRDG as several people have already claimed. Regular units of the 8th. Army were not that far South. The Free French did not employ this type of truck during their WW2 campaigns...

...any idea?

[Kuno]

Below picture shows a CMP-truck which has been photographed by a Legionaire Etrangere when he as garrisoned in SEBHA in the mid 1950ies. The captions says that this truck was a remnant of "Colonne Leclerc" and left there at their advance to the North in December 1942.

----

Up to now I did not find any proof that the "Colonne Leclerc" had these trucks in use with them.

The Ex-Legionaire who took the BW picture wrote to me that they have found several of these abandoned trucks and - since they were short of means of transport- have repaired and used them again.

[Kuno]

These would be the pictures sent to me about a year ago by the finder of that truck:

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Great photos as usual! Must join you sometime - can't imagine the feeling of discovering a WW2 truck in the desert, but it must be very memorable.

Originally Posted by Kuno

But we found some markings which were not mentioned earlier and may help to identify the vehicle.

Kuno, this picture is very interesting as it shows the contract number under which it was ordered:



Read AIF and AMF Mid-East vehicle supplies for some background information on Supply Mechanical 2019.

Hanno

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Kuno

Thought that I had posted the pictures about this truck already in last year in this forum - but canot find them any more.

Here you go: Chevrolet C60L - in the desert of Libya.

H.

[Kuno]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Can't imagine the feeling of discovering a WW2 truck in the desert, but it must be very memorable.

Ask Brendan how it felt... especially after he had to spend an afternoon and a night in a sandstorm before we proceeded to "his" beloved trucks of the LRDG :witch

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Almost certainly in my mind this was one delivered under Demand S/M 2019, and allocated a Census Number in the L 1304xxx or 1305xxx series. Also possibly assembled in GM Near East, Alexandria or the depot there.

I can now blow my own trumpet!

I shall note that assembly date, June 16th 1941, as an indication as to when these S/M 2019 CMPs were received in Alexandria and assembled. Thanks for that marvellous piece of info!

[Tony Smith]

This is also an interesting picture, showing where someone has souveniered the Canadian Body Builder's plate:

Considering how the surrounding paint has been blasted by the desert sands and the paint under the plate is relatively intact, the plate has been removed fairly recently (last 10yrs?).

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Kuno

Ask Brendan how it felt... especially after he had to spend an afternoon and a night in a sandstorm before we proceeded to "his" beloved trucks of the LRDG :witch

It's never too late for Brendan to join up to this forum , I believe he would be well received here, and have much to share.

[Kuno]

...hi Tony; had noticed the missing plate as well. Was particularily looking for it since the other truck (the one on its wheels) still had it...

[Kuno]

Coming back to an older subject (I miss the desert traveling and therefore started to dig a bit into my many photos).

Would somebody recognize the type of engine which was still fixed in that particular truck?

[cletrac (RIP)]

That's a 216 Chev engine, as fitted to most Chev army trucks.

[Kuno]

That was quick. Many thanks, David :-)