Dodge wc in Canadian Army?

[Eric B]

Hello Kenny

I have had a few requests like this over the years.

From those who are knowledable about US Dodges. From what i gather the official answer would be no.

Canada did not buy any mid size vehicles from the USA and i am not sure if these were provided to the British as part of lend lease. If they were provided to the British then it is possible that we obtained some through the British or we borrowed them from our US Allies. However this is not a vehicle that would blend into our own fleet and would be easy to spot.

I also have not seen any photos of these in Canadian WW2 Markings in the Archives or anywhere else.

In my search for 1/4 ton history i have not seen any Dodge WC's listed either.

Eric

[Larry Hayward]

According to Bart Vanderveen, the Canadian Dodge Weapons Carrier (T236) was used mainly by other countries but only AFTER WW2.

[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

[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

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Larry Hayward

According to Bart Vanderveen, the Canadian Dodge Weapons Carrier (T236) was used mainly by other countries but only AFTER WW2.

Is this one?

In service with the Dutch Army in Indonesia, 1945-1949.

744F8661-0BE1-4386-A1DD-5CD96CFAE5FB.jpg

[Eric hermanides]

Hello Hanno

Nice pictures but there is so much wrong at this Dodge and the guys sitting on it but the right tire is Canadian .
Also a strange thing is the American star on the bumper.
Nice pictures to talked about with the guys when there is a discussion if it is original or not.

About the question if there are wc51/wc52 in the Canadian army I am not sure but there was a combined army us-Canadian maybe they use the wc trucks.

Eric

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Hi Eric,

What triggered me to think it is an APT was the narrow rear body. But it was pointed out to me it should have a winch.

Could it be a Dodge-salad made up from various trucks?

The WC-series Dodge was not used by the Canadian army during WW2, that much is clear.

[Lynn Eades]

Hanno, I don't think it is a narrow bed? The left step is local made. It should have a spare wheel well in it. (only the WC55 Gun motor carriage had a flat step) The fuel filler appears to be a big cap, but sticks out too far?
My guess is that was a std. U.S.A. built 43 to 45 weapons carrier.

Question. (not that you can see in the photo) didn't some of the later APT's have an external air filter with a factory cut out to the vertical right side bonnet?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

Hanno, I don't think it is a narrow bed? The left step is local made. It should have a spare wheel well in it. (only the WC55 Gun motor carriage had a flat step) The fuel filler appears to be a big cap, but sticks out too far?
My guess is that was a std. U.S.A. built 43 to 45 weapons carrier.

Compared with a photo with a similar line of sight I'd say the one above has a narrower bed than the US built WC-51.

Could it be a Dodge-salad?

Compare with this photo of a Dodge WC-51 in service with the Dutch Army in Indonesia:
156085037_4095720953794982_4281650249964122692_n.jpg

[Eric hermanides]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Hi Eric,

What triggered me to think it is an APT was the narrow rear body. But it was pointed out to me it should have a winch.

Could it be a Dodge-salad made up from various trucks?

The WC-series Dodge was not used by the Canadian army during WW2, that much is clear.

Hello Hanno

Yes there is a lot wrong on this wc51
The radiateur and light guard are early second type
The cargo body is late type (1945)
The top bow are probably from a GMC
The bumper is also probably from a GMC

Yes the APT have always a winch and the extra rim at the wheels and it is a 12 volt truck and much more.

I am almost sure it is not a APT

Eric