1944 C-15A-Wire-5 Restoration

[Robert Bergeron]

Friends,

I worked on the project while i was East for Thanksgiving.

Had some help from a local chap called Dorick. Doric is a master welder and he will be working from now on on all my CMP and Carrier projects.

My friend fabricated the Jerrycan holders and the tool boxes for the Wire 5 box.

The chain holding the tool box lid is my idea and a deviation from original. Makes for a nice work table.

Doric even had some chains to offer. They fit just perfect. Drove 12 Km on the highway to test them.

[Robert Bergeron]

Of course there is always some fitting involved ,

and then some priming.

David Dunlop, i even have the correct diamond style steel screening for the generator compartment now.. Thanks for the heads up.

When the primer hardens , the correct colour will go on.

Still missing the mudflaps , position and stop lights .

The Wire 5 box had two 5 Gal Jerrycan holders instead of the racks for 2 Gal POW cans found on earlier versions.

My guess is the 1 Gal oil cans go in the tool boxes.


53 is the ID of the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regt.( 27 th armoured ) , 2 Canadian Armoured Brigade, D- Day June 44 till May 45 Holland and Germany.

[Robert Bergeron]

In this pick we see a similar but earlier version of the Wireless truck in Bergen Zoom Holland .

I say earlier because of the square roof hatch.

The unit is probably an armoured unit.

[Robert Bergeron]

Here are the pictures i used as a reference for the outside storage lockers.

Very good views indeed.

The first darker picture might be post war because of the headlights , the CFR number and the licence plate.

The other two are definitely during the war as Rob had indicated they were from the design patterns.

Also, note the passenger side blackout headlight.

Thanks Rob Love.

We clearly see the rear soft maybe canvas mudguards hanging from the Jerrycan holders.

Cannot decide definitely what are the front mudguards if any are like from these picks.

Any ideas someone ?

[Robert Bergeron]

Here is a shot of the rear generator compartment grill.

David Dunlop had advised that it was of the same pattern as the front radiator grill on a Chev CMP truck.

Thanks again David !

[marcel both]

About the photo of the square of Bergen op Zoom 1944.
Maybe the C15 wireless truck will belongs to the South Alberta Light Horse regiment.
The SALH were reorganized as the 29th armoured regiment(the South Alberta Regiment) when they arrive at Europe , the SAR was selected to be the reconnaissance regiment of the 4th Canadian(Armouded)Division and after a strongh/heavy fight at the scheldt at the Netherlands, the SAR was with the 4th Canadian(Armuded) Division and took part with the liberation of Bergen op Zoom..

Marcel Both.

[Robert Bergeron]

Great info Marcel . My truck needs to tour Holland when it is finished . I could also have spare unit markings up my sleeve and try to recreate this picture. Now , could someone here spare a Sherman and maybe a Stuart to fill some space in the town square ? On another subject , what were the rear mudflaps ( and front maybe ) made of ? Also , while we are at it : Can someone formaly identify the model and make of the truck in the foreground of this great wartime picture ? The one i have been refering to as a Wireless truck . Thanks again Marcel for the great info. Cheers. PS : I see a Chev radiator overflow tank on the right o the hood. I see two side windows on the box . I see an antennae base on the roof. But what model is it ?

[Robert Bergeron]

In case anybody is asking the question , I cannot add any of the superstructure on top of the box. The superstructure is composed of handrails for the crew climbing on top to install antennae. Also , there are antennae protectors . Reason : If I add them the truck will not fit in my garage !

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

The first darker picture might be post war because of the headlights , the CFR number and the license plate.

Not necessarily post war but certainly domestic.The DND number on the doors were of the second style that came out around 1943. Provincial plates were used on DND vehicles right up to about unification. The BO headlamps were contained in a small kit (tin in a wooden protector) and would be applied when needed. Domestically that would likely be just during exercise.

From the Cdn Army Manual of Maintenance and Lubrication:

(c) Vehicles, other than motorcycles, will be numbered consecutively irrespective of type or year of issue commencing with DND number 50-001.

(d) Motorcycles will be numbered consecutively irrespective of type or year of issue commencing with DND number 2-001

[Robert Bergeron]

Back in the truck hangar and out of the aircraft hangars for a while.

Feels nice to be reunited with my CMP trucks . Life is not the same without them.

Today , gave the tool boxes and jerrycan holders a final coat of OD colour.

[Robert Bergeron]

Friends,

Here are a few pictures my friend David Good ( AKA ) Super Dave was nice enough to send me.

They focus on the wireless table . He also sent dimensions.

They were taken in Reg Hodgson 's truck in Edmonton .

I will start the fabrication of the table soon.

[Robert Bergeron]

Here are the dimensions / measurements for the table.

Thank you very much David !

[Robert Bergeron]

More measurements

[lssah2025]

Looking good on your beautiful resto, I actually saw that picture of Bergen Op Zoom after I visited there a few years ago, actually stood in that square!!

[Robert Bergeron]

Thank you for your good words Lance.

It would be nice if i could make it to Holland with the truck.

Today i ordered the angled steel and tubes to start the fabrication of the wireless table .

I painted the inside of the tool boxes and the jerrycan holders OD Green.

Inside this toolbox i will store my portable CMP toolbox with all the specific CMP tools and the trouble lamp. A gallon of coolant fluid would be handy also.

Also painted the diamond shaped steel grills for the generator compartment.

Inside the box i installed a temporary equipment rack on the rear wall.

Looking for the plans or sketch and measurements for the original.

In said rack we see some of the equipment that would be carried : Rolls of field telephone wire for the phones and radio remote. Extension cable for the wireless set headset and a satchel with extra headsets , guy ropes for the vertical antennae . A first aid kit and a canvas cover for the wireless set when taken outside the box.The leather bag is canadian specific and is for the vertical antennae accessories.Some instruction books on the wireless set and remote unit. A piece of hemp rope for the penthouse tent .

[Robert Bergeron]

Other toolbox painted OD on the inside.

Inside this toolbox will be stored a few 1 Gal oil cans and the chains you see mounted on the rear tires.

An hydraulic jack with wooden support board should also nicely fit in here and be quite usefull in the event of a flat tire.

[Robert Bergeron]

Friends,

Hope you all had a nice Christmas with family and friends , inside in the warmth of your homes.

Our Veterans had a very harsh winter over in Holland in 44-45.

I took a ride in the Wire 5 project and took a few pictures. The chains were a necessity because of a spell of freezing rain.

Now , just imagine a minute the setting is in Holland during the winter of 44-45.

The convoy is en route on the Maple Leaf Up road to the Brigade HQ RV before the next phase of the operation.

The Jerries are entrenched , putting up rear guard actions and comitting exactions against the local populations.The civilians have been deprieved by the occupiers of the bare necessities of life. Crimes against Humanity are being comitted.

The Canadians are beginning secret negociations with the ennemy in order to resupply the famished population of Holland.

It is a Christmas without precedent in history. While the other Allied nations are rushing Germany , the Canadians are about to begin the largest humanitarian operation of the war while still fighting feverishly an ennemy that will not surrender at any cost. Canadian lives are lost by the hundreds in order to reach the Dutch and feed them.

The first Canadian Division is now in play. They have arrived from Italy where they were bloodied and they will join the fight in Holland in the New Year.

The 3 rd Canadian Div is in the fight ever since D Day. The Sherbrooke Fusilier and the Sask Light's are the vanguard of the advance . They now need to regroup, resupply before pushing on in very difficult conditions.

We are very lucky to be Canadians and being able to enjoy freedom and wealth away from war especialy at Christmas. In great part because of the sacrifice of our veterans.

That's why this is the time of the year i think of our veterans the most.

Thank you Sgt Fowlis , 27 th Armoured Regt ( Sherbrooke Fusilier Regt ) wherever you are now.

[Robert Bergeron]

Here is the result of the oil and water cans in the tool box.

Quite realistic in black and white.

Also, the jerrycan holder is quite true to original.

Compare with Rob Love's original pictures.

[Robert Bergeron]

How many of these were carried in the Wire 5 truck ?

[Robert Bergeron]

Bags , aerial gear Canadian ?

[Robert Bergeron]

Sorry.

Here is the picture.

[Grant Bowker]

I believe (only) one bag was carried, but wouldn't mind being wrong if someone has an easy-to-read kit list available.

[Chris Suslowicz]

I would say one bag. It contains the rigging kit for both the 20-ft and the 34-ft telescopic masts.

From the WS52 page in WftW Volume 2:

1 Bags Aerial Gear Canadian
8 Guys, assembly
1 Hammers, 4.1/2 lb., Striking
1 Hammers, Engineers, Ball-Pein, 8 oz.
1 Leads, Aerial, No.C6
8 Pegs, Antenna Rods. 'A'
2 Spikes, Ground
1 Base, Plate, vehicle roof
1 Pamphlets, Instruction
1 Base, Aerial, Assembly

All of that goes in the bag.

The WS19 Truck & Ground station is similar, and should be listed in the Canadian Working Instructions pamphlet - mine are all boxed up and not accessible at present.

Chris.

[Robert Bergeron]

Thank you Grant , thank-you Chris, very very usefull information.

One bag , aerial gear Canadian with content then .

I have all of the content in your list and the masts in both sizes , 20 ' and
34 ' .

Now the aerials , long wire . I have a box full of them , the longest being

260 ' in lenght no less !

What was a set of these comprised of and in what were they carried ?

Picture , a ride on ice covered roads , good thing i still had the chains on.


There is something to be said about chains !

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

Thank you Grant , thank-you Chris, very very usefull information.

One bag , aerial gear Canadian with content then .

I have all of the content in your list and the masts in both sizes , 20 ' and
34 ' .

Now the aerials , long wire . I have a box full of them , the longest being

260 ' in lenght no less !

What was a set of these comprised of and in what were they carried ?

I have no idea where they were carried, possibly in the Bags, Aerial Gear, or in a cupboard somewhere.

The set appears to be:

Aerial 70-ft No.1
Aerial 90-ft No.1
Aerial 110-ft No.1
Aerial 150-ft No.2
Aerial 185-ft No.1
Aerial 250-ft No.1

The frequency ranges that they can be used on are marked on the wooden board winders.

Later on these were replaced by the Aerial, 100-ft, No.5 which had insulators and shorting links to allow a range of frequencies to be covered.

The Canadian equivalent was the Aerial, Horizontal, 140-ft, 4-section, No.C1 for the WS52. I have two versions of this, an unissued one on the wood/metal drum winder with chain-link insulators, and a second one on a steel frame winder that looks to be American - this came in a kit with different antenna stays and the insulators for the aerial are separate strings of glass shells with a clip at each end. I'm not quite sure what to make of it.

Chris.

[Jordan Baker]

Packing list for the 34' antenna mast kit.

[Jordan Baker]

Every item pictured.

[Robert Bergeron]

Thanks again Chris great information.

AWESOME Jordan ! Thanks.

A while ago ,there was a discussion about two studs in a recess on the left side of the box . Location indicated by red arrow in first and second pictures.

WHAT are they for ? DC current for the No 19 set on the table in the penthouse ? Field Telephone connections ?

Anyway, i fabricated a cover for the recess today. A small step towards completion. My friend Richard had mailed me a small door that we tought would be the one but it did not fit.

A nice addition to the tool and jerrycan lockers indicated by red arrow again : padlocks.

[rob love]

Robert

Might I suggest the Corbin Canada padlocks that Dirk Leegwater has available from LWD parts. A little pricey at 20 Euro each, but totally authentic. He has some that are keyed alike, although I think I ended up with 2 or 3 different keys in the set I bought for my carrier.

Although the military had a real habit of going through padlocks like drinking water, I was still finding a few of these kicking arond even in the late 80s.

[Robert Bergeron]

Great idea Rob , thanks .