Studebakers in South East Asia in WW2

[Larry Hayward]

Dear Hanno,

I cannot see reference to prewar Studebakers on your link.

However I have attached a photo that may be of interest to you of a captured early Bantam 'Jeep' that was found at Balikpapan in 1945 where my father was stationed. No doubt it came from NEI or US in the Phillipines?

The caption reads: AUM 112057 - BALIKPAPAN AREA, BORNEO, 22 JULY 1945. LIEUTENANT M G SEARLES, 2-25 INFANTRY BATTALION, INSPECTING A JAPANESE JEEP FOUND ABANDONED ON THE MILFORD HIGHWAY NEAR POPE'S TRACK.

Incidentally there is a small Japanese Navy flag on the windscreen - as used on many vehicles from 22nd Special Base Force that defended Balikpapan. It also looks like it has an oversized bridge plate on the front!?

[Larry Hayward]

Has anyone got any idea if civi style Studebaker trucks were used by the French Army in Indo-China at the time of the Japanese occupation?

I seem to think that the French had some of these in Europe too?

NB - I do not mean US6 but their prewar designs

Thanks in advance