Ford GPA

[Ian Grieve]

John

I had Appendix "C" in mind, and other references, when I mentioned conflicting records. Again, I am quite sure there were 3 GPA's overseas with the Canadians as referenced in the document. Photos possibly support this situation also.

Another official record for vehicles with Canadian Army Overseas had no GPA's listed at 31 December, 1944.

In another series of reports, Major-General P J Montague (in-charge of Administration) reported on vehicles held by Canadian Units (obviously overseas) at the following dates;

Date Number of Cars, 5 cwt Amphibian (GPA’s)
February 28, 1943 No listing
June 30, 1943 No listing
August 31, 1943 1
November 30, 1943 3
December 31, 1943 3
January 31, 1944 3
February 29, 1944 3
April 30, 1944 1
May 31, 1944 1
September 30, 1944 1

This information conflicts with the official report.

Homeland Canada had 21 GPA's at that date in Pacific Command.

The GPA approved for disposal by 1 COD on 29 August 1944 may well have been the September 30, 1944 GPA above.

Combined Operations School in Courtenay received their first GPA in late June 1943, whilst another 5 vehicles were allocated to the school before May 31, 1944.

Great to see history coming together.

Ian

[Hanno Spoelstra]

First time I see a GPA in RAF service!

TAF/84 denotes No 84 Group, they were attached to 1 Canadian Army. They must have picked up the GPA somewhere as they went along as I cannot imagine they were issued one officially.

"Ford GPA 'RAF 143054' of the Tactical Air Force in The Hague, The Netherlands, 8 May 1945"

HGA001321157.jpg
Vervaardiger: Bijleveld, R.Th.
Identificatienr. HGA001321157
Datering: ex. 8-5-1945
Source: https://haagsgemeentearchief.nl/medi...9-7b1735241da9

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Cross reference to Vehicle Census Numbers: Ford GPA?

[Ian Grieve]

Would that be May 8, or August 5?

Possibly a Victory/Celebration Parade?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Ian Grieve

Would that be May 8, or August 5?

Possibly a Victory/Celebration Parade?

8th of May as I wrote. On that day the Western part of the Netherlands was liberated. The German army had laid down their arms and all sort of Allied units drove into their territory to show the population they were liberated from their oppressors and to reinstate civil government.

[Mike K]

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/a...%20jeep%20sale

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/a...%20jeep%20sale

Sydney's first civilian amphibious jeep took the water In Rose Bay this week. The owner, Mr. John Crouch, a
Sydney motor salesman, drove it Into the Harbor from a bus stop. Mr. Crouch's jeep, named the Cygnet, does 8
miles an hour In water, up to AS on land. Steering wheel works the rudder. Mr. Crouch bought the Cygnet at
a Melbourne Disposals Commisuloin sale, will use it just fer fun. Top picture shows: Wheels were switched 'IT,
rudder, which works automatically with the steering on land, took charge, the propellor turned, and the jeep
cruised off at a steady seven knots nut into the deep., l^iwer Picture; Harbor cruise uver. the jeep returned to
land, running up to the roadway at Rose Bay. The children stood hy and wondered what they'll he doing neit.

[Mike K]

Deniliquin in NSW is where a bunch of surplus GPAs were bought and many were chopped and sold to farmers . This newspaper report indicates they held a rally at Deniliquin , beating Corowa by many years. And a GPA in flood rescue work Brisbane post war.

[Mike K]

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[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

Deniliquin in NSW is where a bunch of surplus GPAs were bought and many were chopped and sold to farmers . This newspaper report indicates they held a rally at Deniliquin , beating Corowa by many years. And a GPA in flood rescue work Brisbane post war.

Hello Mike, interesting newspaper clippings.

Do you know how many GPAs were supplied to the Australian DoD?