Dodge wc in Canadian Army?

[Kenny Desaever]

Hello Eric and Larry,
Thank you for your replys!
Now we are sure they haven't been used by Canadian Forces during WW2.
We are still searching for a smaller vehicle than my Ford F15A. I had to sell him because of health problems (rheuma). It isn't easy to find a vehicle that's easier to drive AND that has been used by Canadian Forces.

Greetings
Kenny

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

May I ask if there is a serial number listing etc in the 'SM 5150' list? I have not heard of a 5XXX series Supply Mechanical Demand before...only 2XXX and 6XXX.

[Keith Orpin]

Guys,
I know this is slightly off topic but.............

Originally Posted by David_Hayward

May I ask if there is a serial number listing etc in the 'SM 5150' list? I have not heard of a 5XXX series Supply Mechanical Demand before...only 2XXX and 6XXX.

David, I've just come across some official pictures which came from the Imperial War Museum many years ago, showing a WC 51, in British service. According to the pictures, it was supplied under S/M 2586, number on bonnet is Z5884938. I reckon this dates from 44/45, as she has the later wood/steel body fitted.The vehicle has had some mods done to it, presumably for acceptance for the British, i.e. front side marker lights moved out to the edges of the front wings, a blackout cover fitted to the N/S (Nearside) headlight, removal of headlight from the O/S (Offside), bridging plate fixed to O/S brushguard, rear veiw mirror moved from the N/S to the O/S, manually operated turn signal on the O/S white painted diff cover, rear marker light added to show diff cover. Actually, it would make a very interesting restoration. Do you, or anyone else know anymore about this contract ?
Regards
Keith

[Hanno Spoelstra]

I agree, all I have read and seen seems to disclaim the use of Weapon Carrier by the Canadian Army in NW Europe at least.

But what about this picture? If you look closely you will see Dodge WC52's towing 1-ton trailers with mortars. The picture is captioned "Victory Parade of the 1st Canadian Division in Rotterdam, 10 June 1945".

Is this picture showing as captioned? Or did they switch it with a picture of a few years later and does it actually show a post-war Netherlands Army Parade?

H.

[Kenny Desaever]

Hello Hanno,

Indeed, strange...
Its seems to be American Dodge's and not Canadian...
I tried to enlarge the pictures to see some details but they became unclear.
Perhaps an exception?
Before the Canadian forces build their own wc's, they must have tried the American's. Maybe these are them??

greets
Kenny

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Kenny Desaever

Indeed, strange...
Its seems to be American Dodge's and not Canadian...
I tried to enlarge the pictures to see some details but they became unclear.
Perhaps an exception?
Before the Canadian forces build their own wc's, they must have tried the American's. Maybe these are them??

Hi Kenny,

Personally I think it is a post-war picture of a big Dutch Army parade, like the used to do back then, but I would like to be proved wrong!

Also see Info about Dodge WC 55 in British Service.

HTH,
Hanno

[Kenny Desaever]

hello Hanno,

Indeed, looking at the speakers and the fences along the road, it doesn't seems to be a '45 parade...
Actually, i would also be very, very happy to find a picture of an American wc 51, 52, 62 or 63 used by Canadian forces. But....NOTHING to find.....
I think it's more confincing to use an American wc than a (very late-war)Canadian one.

greetings
Kenny

[Nick T236]

Hi,
I am also trying to find info on the use of Canadian WC 52.
This may be of some use.
I have pictures and spoken to a fella that had a 1944 WC 52 Canadian who found D-day signal markings when he stripped off the paint layers, including the original bonnet no: CZ 6644117

I am no expert, but mine has been 'converted' to accept a deep water snorkel on the n/s bonnet cover over the carb intake at one point and straighten back and rewelded.Why would this have done, except to drive up the beach on D-day?

I have also spoken to the odd veteran in this country and on the beach in Normany who say that the early dodges were there,is this true?
Nick T236

[Kenny Desaever]

Hello Nick
At the moment i've only heard that the building of the 3/4apt started end '44 and ended begin '45.
They made less than 10000, exact numbers aren't known.
It is said that the "Canadian" model hasn't been on the front but came later on, when Europe had already been liberated.
The first model would be made with the wide body and later on they made the "smaller" body. The waterproof intakes were also abcent on the first models, but these would be converted later on to make them "water-proof"

Is yours a "wide" body? Do you have some pictures?

greetings
Kenny

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

But what about this picture? If you look closely you will see Dodge WC52's towing 1-ton trailers with mortars. The picture is captioned "Victory Parade of the 1st Canadian Division in Rotterdam, 10 June 1945".

Is this picture showing as captioned? Or did they switch it with a picture of a few years later and does it actually show a post-war Netherlands Army Parade?

My belief that this is a post-war picture of a big Dutch Army parade, like they used to do back then, was strengthened when I received this picture today.

It shows the same Dodge Weapon Carrier trucks towing Dutch-built 1-ton trailers with mortars.

image.jpg