8 cwt trucks still in service in 1944? Normandy?

[Alex van de Wetering]

hi,

I was wondering if it would be possible for 8cwt Fords F8, Chevrolets C8 and also the British counterparts, Humber, Morris Commercial PU and Ford WOC to still be in active service in 1944?
Any ideas if any of them made the big jump to Normandy?

I have previously discussed this matter with the REME museum in Great-Britain (concerning the Morris PU) and they told me that the 8 cwt class became obsolete when more and more 15 cwt trucks were produced. They told me that the 8cwt trucks were than used for training purposes in GB and most of them were worn out by 1944.

But, I saw a picture some days ago, which was taken in Port-en-bessin, Normandy, some days after D-day and I think I recognize the rear of a FFW 8cwt body.

Has anyone got any ideas? Did the Canadians still continue to use their 8 cwt trucks when the British put their own 8 cwt's on a side track?

Alex van de Wetering




source: www.wingsandwheels.be

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Alex van de Wetering
But, I saw a picture some days ago, which was taken in Port-en-bessin, Normandy, some days after D-day and I think I recognize the rear of a FFW 8cwt body.

I'd say it is unlikely that 8-cwt's were still on strenght in 1944, but possibly a small number could have soldiered on in specialist/non-front line roles? Scan the picture so we can all try to determine it's a 8-cwt!

H.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

The [4x2 of course] C8 production terminated in late 1941 with '1942' Modesl, the highest known serial so far is # 2842001497, with the prototype C8A officially built in February 1942 although the engine dates from around August 1941. The earliest known C8A is # 2844501681, so you can see that C8 assembly was possibly a simple change to the 4 x 4 version on the Oshawa lines with no overlap.

I have a photo of a demobbed C8, Number 12 Cab rebuilt into a Salvage Corps vehicle Registration GLV 16 which might be a 1943 registration. If this is the case then this was the earliest known [to date] demobbed CMP.

I have no indication as to whether there were bulk disposals by 1944, and thus none could have gone to France. A quick check of known civilian regos shows that some were disposed of, sold AND REGISTERED in 1946, 1947 and 1949! So they must either having been sitting in dumps or were on active service until the Ministry of Supply disposed of them from 1946 onwards.

[Pete Ashby]

Interesting subject this Alex, there really is gap in our understanding as far as the early stuff goes.

As we know both Canadian and British forces stationed in the UK were issued with a mix of 11 and 12 cab CMP's form 1940 onwards.

David I would be interested to know when you think 13 cabs started to be issued to troop’s in the UK.

I have several photos of British 11 and 12 cabs in France, these are 15A's and 30's, not seen any pictures of 8's however.

Somewhere I have a reference to the fact that before D-Day

(it may be in a 'Wheels and Tracks' come to think of it)

British and Canadian MT sections attached to front line units were ordered to hand in 11 and 12 cab trucks to be replaced by brand new 13's.
If memory serves me correctly the article then goes on to claim that these trucks were then re-issued to Czech and Polish forces in the UK before they in turn moved to Europe in late June July.

As for the early release dates for 11 and 12's I can confirm that all of the Oxford Crew's 11 and 12's were released between 1947 and 1948.

A point we have noted on our own trucks and others we have brought as spares donors is that they all seem to have had a grey coat of paint applied over the drab before release.

On my 12 C15A for example the original log book states "colour" as grey this was borne out during restoration.

I suspect that most were held on charge in UK depots until cessation of hostilities.

Who can add more?

Pete

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

The information I have is that # 13 Cabs came in with serial # 284XX01524 which ,means that some C8s may have had the later style cabs. Then at # 2844513801 'OCTOBER 1942> # 13 CAB FRONT WINDSCREENS OPENED 90 DEGREES FROM ORIGINAL 30' according to my notes.

I reckon that the first deliveries of 13 Cabs in the UK were made in early 1942, possibly as late as the spring but Fords may have been earlier or later than this.

A very interesting point Sir!

[Alex van de Wetering]

Hi Guys,

Thank you for the replies so far. Unfortunately, It looks like I am mistaking. Now I have enlarged the picture, it looks like a 15 cwt truck with General Service body to me, allthough I still have some doubts looking at ths side of the body..

You can see the picture in this post.

The picture was taken in Port-en-Bessin, Normandy, some weeks after D-day. Port-en-Bessin was one of the Harbors for the PLUTO fuel supply project. Later, the village also became a movie-set for "the Longest day".


The picture source: Imperial War Museum, published in After The Battle.

[Alex van de Wetering]

Enlarged

[Pete Ashby]

Alex

I'm afraid you are right it looks most certainly like a 15cwt and I think you will find it's British note the rear wheel arch.

Bedford MW may be, but I'd put money on a WOT 2H

Pete

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by Pete Ashby
Bedford MW may be, but I'd put money on a WOT 2H

Pete,
It is not a MW as it would appear to have a narrower bonnet, I would guess at a Morris Commercial, or as you say, a WOT2. To the left is a Heavy Utility and the lorries are Dennis Max.

Richard

[Alex van de Wetering]

Hi Guys,

Here is a small shot from a page of the Dutch book : "1944-1945, Rosmalen in de Vuurlinie" (by Ad Hermans), which seems to suggest that somehow an C8 or F8 FFW ended up in Rosmalen, Holland in 1944/45. I don't want to jump to any conclusions yet, but I will be ordering the book to have a look at the pictures and the text next to it.

Alex

[Colin R]

Any information on this would be fantastic. I've been trying to hunt down info on C8s in normandy for some time now!!

[Colin R]

Any joy with that book yet Alex?