Dutch PAG-trekker (was: Captured Ford / Chevrolet / DAF ??)

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by David_Hayward
The rhd suggests another batch of Chevrolets assembled by GM Continental, supplied through the Rotterdam sales office, and then sent to DAF but not delivered.

Nuyt writes: "due to the "changing situation in Europe" we know that a different order was placed with DAF for a batch of right hand drive Chevrolet 4x4 commandowagens. These types, also available on Ford chassis, had already been tried out as light artillery tractors (Pantserafweergeschut or Pag-trekkers) by the Dutch Army in Europe. Probably none was delivered before the German invasion of Holland."

Hanno, do I take it that any survivors of these captured vehicles were made available to the Dutch civilians post-war? I know of a former Wehrmacht [Heer] Blitz that was issued to a Dutch business, only to be sold into preservation.

Most certainly any surviving vehicles were distributed to organisations which had an urgent need for transportation, like civil services, trucking companies, etc. Civilians were down the priority list. My grandfather got a temporary military rank, a VW Beetle and a driver to go and find back looted property (ranging from industrial machinery to an elephant!) in Germany. As such, he was one of the first civilians to have access to a car post war.
Possibly some Pag-trekkers ended up as fire crew vehicles or such after the war - that is if any were left! Most were probably sent to the Eastern front, though.

H.