Vehicles used by Dutch Prinses Irene Brigade

[Hanno Spoelstra]

I'd like to invite opinions on this being a Chevrolet C-GT or Ford F-GT

Thanks,
Hanno

Source: www.gemeentearchief.denhaag.nl
Caption: "Intocht Prinses Irenebrigade (Bezuidenhoutseweg)" (Den Haag)
Fotonummer: 1.11439
Fotograaf: Schrama, J.M.G., 10918
Datum: ex. 8 mei 1945
11439b01.jpg


Edited to attach larger scan and updated link to source:
HGA001048777.jpg
Source: https://haagsgemeentearchief.nl/medi...1-01985adb472a

[Phil Waterman]

Tried to blow up the front bumper area to look for the horn and the shape of the brush bar, but picture is to low resolution to really tell. Tend to think it is a Chevy though.

[cletrac (RIP)]

It doesn't have that extra bar across the grille or the overflow tank so I'd go with Ford.

[Keith Webb]

I agree David - also it looks like a short bar on the brush guard so it looks to be a FGT.

[chris vickery]

It's not being towed- must be a Ford for sure!

[Keith Webb]

Yes, if you have a look at the people, some have turned so they get the full stereo effect as it drives past; the person lower right is watching the next FGT coming and pondering what she has to do to score a ride...

[cliff]

Hmmm they may be D-GT's. you know the Dodge prototype CMP been made to work.

cheers
Cliff

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by cliff
Hmmm they may be D-GT's. you know the Dodge prototype CMP been made to work.

Now there's a concept!

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Is there anything in the Archives about the Dodge CMP programme? I have yet to find anything in the online catalogue.

[Nigel Watson]

I'm just learning about these but is that the oil cooler on the LHS wing? And if so does that not indicate a Chevy?

Nigel

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by Nigel
I'm just learning about these but is that the oil cooler on the LHS wing? And if so does that not indicate a Chevy?

No, it's the footwell vent in the open position. CMPs didn't have an oil cooler - the round object on earlier Chevs is a condensor tank for the cooling system. Late models placed it under the footwell on the left side.

[Pete Ashby]

Ford no doubt about it,

If you look closely you can see the lady with the bike asking if the crew need a tow, as that poor old short stroke V8 whispers to a stop with the obligatory overheated coil and vapour lock.

Man looking the other way "Mine Got seze Fords vay are so quite zay must be a stelth veapon......Ach it's stopped !!".

It's a Ford

Pete

Long live Louis, long strokers and proper coils !!!

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Looks like a Chev grille-guard to me...

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I keep trying to read the Census Number. It appears to my poor eyes as though it is H 55etc. and on that basis may I suggest either of two series:

H 5558176 to 5558375 SM 2546 F.-G.T. Ford Model C291Q F-GT... late 1942 delivery or 1943
However HISTORIC MILITARY VEHICLES DIRECTORY P. 52 has a photo of a Chevrolet FAT marked up as ‘H5558307’!

and

H 5570919 to 5571047 SM 6064 C.-G.T. Model 8440 which would be from 1944???

[Greg Beeston]

If in Australia this truck would be a chev as the fords here have Two small hand grabs on the roof, I dont know if your Canadian trucks are the same as the Australian trucks in this feature
Greg

[Keith Webb]

It's only the Aussie built Ford roofs which have those grab handles, Greg.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by David_Hayward
I keep trying to read the Census Number. It appears to my poor eyes as though it is H 55etc. and on that basis may I suggest either of two series:

H 5558176 to 5558375 SM 2546 F.-G.T. Ford Model C291Q F-GT... late 1942 delivery or 1943
However HISTORIC MILITARY VEHICLES DIRECTORY P. 52 has a photo of a Chevrolet FAT marked up as ‘H5558307’!

and

H 5570919 to 5571047 SM 6064 C.-G.T. Model 8440 which would be from 1944???

The picture on the top of this thread is one of the FATs in use with the Dutch Prinses Irene Brigade. David, I agree on the "H55" census number on the door. Can't tell is the third digit is 5 or 7, so this does not help to determine if it a Ford or Chevrolet.

The picture in HISTORIC MILITARY VEHICLES DIRECTORY P. 52 indeed has a photo of a Chevrolet CGT marked up as "H5558307", this number was copied from a wartime photo of a FAT of the Dutch Prinses Irene Brigade. Up till now no-one is really sure about whether this Brigade's FATs were Chevrolets or Fords. Difficulty is in the fact that the Prinses Irene Brigade had a wide range of vehicles, it seems they were handed all the left-overs from the British Army. The evidence available suggests Ford FGT, as seen below.

Source: beeldbank.nationaalarchief.nl
Desciption: Parade van de Irenebrigade te Amsterdam
Fotonummer 900_3234

245055.jpg


Edited to attach larger scan and updated link to source:
NL-HaNA_2.24.01.03_0_900-3234.jpg
Source: http://proxy.handle.net/10648/ac0a31...8-003048976d84

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra
The evidence available suggests Ford FGT, as seen below.

As endorsed by this census number in the "H555" range.

Source: www.gemeentearchief.denhaag.nl
Fotonummer 820711.01
Caption: "Bevrijding. Intocht van de Canadese troepen en de Prinses Irenebrigade op de Hofweg." (Den Haag)
Fotograaf: Heuvel, Fotopersbureau van den, 63
Datum: ex. 8 mei 1945
20711i01.jpg


Edited to attach larger scan and updated link to source:
820711_resized.jpg
Source: https://haagsgemeentearchief.nl/medi...0-303eb5672efc

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Here is another CMP FAT of which I don't know if it is a Chevrolet or Ford (but note the typical "Dutch stowage" ).

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Source: www.gemeentearchief.denhaag.nl
Caption: "Intocht Prinses Irenebrigade, Torenstraat" (Den Haag)
Fotonummer: 1.10816
Fotograaf: Koster, Ed, 1523
Datum: ex. 8 mei 1945

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally posted by Keith Webb
I agree David - also it looks like a short bar on the brush guard so it looks to be a FGT.

Jeez Keith...
Did anyone listen to it...???
I knew it was a Ford the minute I heard it...
There is no sound in the world like them ol' flat head V-8's...
But it's tired...I heard a wrist pin knocking in it....

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra
the Prinses Irene Brigade had a wide range of vehicles, it seems they were handed all the left-overs from the British Army

They even had a Morris-Commercial Quad!

Source: www.gemeentearchief.denhaag.nl
Caption: "Intocht van de Prinses Irenebrigade, Bezuidenhoutseweg" (Den Haag)
Fotonummer: 6.00292, 6.05421
Fotograaf: Schrama, J.M.G., 109/14
Datum: ex. 8 mei 1945

[Hanno Spoelstra]

I think this is a rear view of the late type Morris-Commercial Quad shown above.

Source: beeldbank.nationaalarchief.nl
Desciption: Parade van de Irenebrigade te Amsterdam
Fotonummer 900_3235

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

I think this is a rear view of the late type Morris-Commercial Quad shown above.

H4903314, to be precise. Can anyone confirm this is a Morris-Commercial Quad, please?

Image number: 42412
Collection: Nederlands Instituut voor Oorlogsdocumentatie
Caption: De Prinses Irene-Brigade hield op 31 Mei te Amsterdam een parade die afgenomen werd door Major Gen. Foster van de 1e. Canadeesche Divisie. 1st. Can. Army. Wapens waarmee de overwinning werd bevochten.
Image Date: 31-05-1945 (Opname)

42412-hi.jpg

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra
the Prinses Irene Brigade had a wide range of vehicles, it seems they were handed all the left-overs from the British Army.

And when push comes to shove, any 3-ton 4x4 truck will do as a gun tractor! (Ford WOT6 in this case, I believe).

[Rogier Peeters]

At the regionaal archief Tilburg website, another photo of a CMP tractor can be found:
http://regionaalarchief.tilburg.nl/i...PhotoID=012610

It's possible to zoom in on the census number: H555(6 or 8)...

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Rogier Peeters
At the regionaal archief Tilburg website, another photo of a CMP tractor can be found:
http://regionaalarchief.tilburg.nl/i...PhotoID=012610

It's possible to zoom in on the census number: H555(6 or 8)...

Thanks Roger!

Funny thing is that your URL does not work, until one has looked up the picture using the photo number first. Guess it has something to do with caching.

Anyway, I zoomed in and took a screenshot. I'd say it is H5556...

H.

Collectie: Regionaal Archief Tilburg
Fotonummer: 12610
Plaats: Tilburg
Straat: WILLEMSPLEIN
Dag 4 Maand 11 Jaar 1944
Omschrijving: Tweede Wereldoorlog, Bevrijding. Een militair voertuig van de Prinses Irenebrigade rijdt langs het talrijk opgekomen publiek tijdens de bevrijdingsfeesten op 4 november 1944
regionaalarchief.tilburg_fotonr12610.jpg


Edited to attach larger scan and updated link to source:
12610.jpg
Source: https://hdl.handle.net/21.12103/e203...b-86c459b4b8f4

[Rogier Peeters]

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra
I think this is a rear view of the late type Morris-Commercial Quad shown above.

This photograph can also be found in the book 'Vuur in beweging'. The census number of the tractor is H4903314.

Furthermore, the Irene Brigade used the Guy FA tractor while training in the UK:
http://beeldbank.nationaalarchief.nl...256/338453.jpg
(from beeldbank nationaal archief; copy-paste the link into the browser's location bar if the photo can't be seen).

338453.jpg

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Going slightly off topic, but interesting pic. Reportedly showing Bedford MW from Prinses Irene Brigade coming ashore in Normandy (via KTR list).

Image56.jpg

[Alex van de Wetering]

Interesting picture Hanno. That seems to be one of the British 3rd Infantry Division LCT's that landed at Sword beach.