Canadian / US CCKW-353

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I have been dialoguing with some guys interested in film locations, and am rather intrigued as to the GMCs with 'CL' census numbers borrowed, probably from Haymill Camp in Buckinghamshire near the Slough CMD. There were two or three used, which confirms that the Canadian forces used them by 1942ish. They are not referred-to in the Dr Gregg book so do we know when they came over?

I have no record of any CCKW-353 lorries being allocated to the British, but as there were, according to Bart Vanderveen, N African deliveries of CCW-353 6 x 4 versions, I did wonder if anyone had any proof that the Brits had them as well, and as they carried Mid-East Census Numbers would thus not be in the British Census Number book?

I suppose the US also used them in N African in OPERATION TORCH? Then Sicily.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by David_Hayward

I have no record of any CCKW-353 lorries being allocated to the British

David,

See my remarks in the threads British GMC CCKW? and Tower for 17-pdr.

From the Data Book of Wheeled Vehicles: Army Transport 1939-1945:

(click on image for large size scan)

Hope this helps,
Hanno

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

It would appear that the Canadians and British were issued with GMCs but in the first instance I have not yet come across any documentary evidence, and secondly I suspect that there were, as with other types, ex-US hand-outs in the Mid-East and perhaps in Sicily, and post-TORCH.

I may have to go some time down to Bovingdon to read their record cards, which of course will not include any Mid-East Theatre census numbers.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by David_Hayward

It would appear that the Canadians and British were issued with GMCs but in the first instance I have not yet come across any documentary evidence, and secondly I suspect that there were, as with other types, ex-US hand-outs in the Mid-East and perhaps in Sicily, and post-TORCH.

i´m pretty much convinced they were not (only) in-theatre hand-me-downs: your GMC list quotes SM contract numbers, for instance.

From the photo page of No. 75 O.T.U. R.A.F. North Africa here are a couple of GMC CCKW-353´s in RAF service in North Africa and Palestine, respectively.

H.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Thanks! I have now updated the list with the most modern version.

[jeff davis]

I have a CCW 1942 What Canadian Regiments if any would have ended up with these?
How many were used on the Alaska HWY
Jeff

[gordon]

Not only are they hard cabs, making them early rather than late, but they are early hard cabs with symettrical headlight guards and GMC badges on the grilles.

Some of the first quantity production delivered, I'd guess.