Canadian Mutual Aid Programme: WW2 equipment supplied to NATO Allies

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

For example: https://archives.nato.int/uploads/r/...57_ENG_PDP.pdf

See the document linked above: FWD SU-COE Medium Artillery Tractors were offered to several countries. Recently was one of three (3) delivered to France surfaced:

Daniel Fdl wrote:

"All I know so far is that this truck was assigned to the French Navy in Cherbourg, they had received 3 of them. I know one of them was used to at sea to pick up mussels and got rusty very quickly and out of service. The other one might still be around (had been use as a wrecker) and the third one left unused by the French Navy or by civil use after they were all sold by auction in the seventies. Apparently all the CMP vehicles offered as a gift to FRANCE got assigned to the French Navy .

I know there not too many FWD COE SU left around, it is a miracle that this one was left untouched since it was given to the French Navy. Unfortunately the cargo roof was removed as it would not enter the previous shelter. The roof was left outside and got completely rotten with time."

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[Ed Storey]

I hope whoever restores that vehicle keeps the original markings rather than adding spurious ones as they are unique to a key period in European history.

[Grant Bowker]

The spare parts lists for many of the FWDs in Canadian service were individually printed and identified by serial number. I have several of them. If the serial of that vehicle is known, and if I have the manual, I can probably be persuaded to re-unite the truck and manual. If anyone knows the present owner, please forward this to them so they can contact me.

[rob love]

I wonder if that was repainted to the 50s colour before sending to France, or if that was the original late war colour of the truck. Amazing condition...one that perhaps should not be touched as Ed says.

[Alex van de Wetering]

Awesome find. Also nice to see an FWD still with the original body fitted!

Hopefully the owner will join MLU soon.

Alex

[Harry Moon]

20 years ago I knew of one in Washington state being sold for the big block chevy that was in it. lost track of it.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Mike Cecil:

The Canadian Mutual Aid program dates from 20 May 1943 when it became law in Canada (so well after the start of US Lend Lease). The Canadian Mutual Aid Board was then established to 'contribute, exchange, deliver, transfer title to or possession of or otherwise make available war supplies to any of the United Nations other than Canada.' The primary purpose was stated to be 'to enable those of the UN who are short on Canadian dollars to continue to draw supplies from Canada to meet their essential wartime needs.' (Paras 1&2, Canadian Mutual Aid: Procurement of Supplies from Canada, Aust Treasury circular No.1943/25, 16 October 1943.)

Colin McGregor Stevens:

55-256 is the 5,256th vehicle assigned a Department of National Defence (DND) number in Canada. The new numbering system started about January 1943 for Canadian Army vehicles, at 50,000. There was no “,” so they used a “-“ or a “.” Motorcycles and Royal Canadian Air Force vehicles were in different number series.

Canadian Army vehicles in World War II were assigned British War Department Census numbers when they were sent to the UK e.g. CM4212345.

[Melvyn Bean]

Originally Posted by Grant Bowker

The spare parts lists for many of the FWDs in Canadian service were individually printed and identified by serial number. I have several of them. If the serial of that vehicle is known, and if I have the manual, I can probably be persuaded to re-unite the truck and manual. If anyone knows the present owner, please forward this to them so they can contact me.

Grant, I am in contact with the owner and he is trying to find the chassis number. Do you perhaps have a manual for either 61132 or 70718 by any chance too?
Kindest Regards, Mel

[Melvyn Bean]

Originally Posted by Grant Bowker

The spare parts lists for many of the FWDs in Canadian service were individually printed and identified by serial number. I have several of them. If the serial of that vehicle is known, and if I have the manual, I can probably be persuaded to re-unite the truck and manual. If anyone knows the present owner, please forward this to them so they can contact me.

Hello Grant,
The serial number of the truck above owned by Daniel Ferdinand (who will be joining the forum soon hopefully) is 64144. Do you perhaps have this book?
Kindest Regards, Mel

[Grant Bowker]

I will check all three once work gives me time to get at the books.

[Melvyn Bean]

Originally Posted by Grant Bowker

I will check all three once work gives me time to get at the books.

Thanks Grant, that’s greatly appreciated. Kindest Regards, Mel

[Melvyn Bean]

Here are some more pictures of the FWD, supplied by the owner Daniel Ferdinand.