Studebakers in South East Asia in WW2

[Larry Hayward]

My dad was telling me other other day that when he was in Borneo in 1945 just after the war, that there were Studebakers that had been used by the Japanese. These were not the well known US6 but prewar models, that looked similar to Canadian Modified Conventional Chev or Dodge.

I have no idea what model they were but wonder if the Netherlands East Indies Army had been issued with Studebakers or whether these vehicles came from French Army in French Indo-China.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Larry Hayward

I have no idea what model they were but wonder if the Netherlands East Indies Army had been issued with Studebakers or whether these vehicles came from French Army in French Indo-China.

Larry,

Check http://www.overvalwagen.com/

Regards,
Hanno

[Larry Hayward]

Dear Hanno,

I cannot see reference to prewar Studebakers on your link.

However I have attached a photo that may be of interest to you of a captured early Bantam 'Jeep' that was found at Balikpapan in 1945 where my father was stationed. No doubt it came from NEI or US in the Phillipines?

The caption reads: AUM 112057 - BALIKPAPAN AREA, BORNEO, 22 JULY 1945. LIEUTENANT M G SEARLES, 2-25 INFANTRY BATTALION, INSPECTING A JAPANESE JEEP FOUND ABANDONED ON THE MILFORD HIGHWAY NEAR POPE'S TRACK.

Incidentally there is a small Japanese Navy flag on the windscreen - as used on many vehicles from 22nd Special Base Force that defended Balikpapan. It also looks like it has an oversized bridge plate on the front!?

[Larry Hayward]

Has anyone got any idea if civi style Studebaker trucks were used by the French Army in Indo-China at the time of the Japanese occupation?

I seem to think that the French had some of these in Europe too?

NB - I do not mean US6 but their prewar designs

Thanks in advance

[Larry Hayward]

I think it is a Studebaker K25 I am looking for.

Anyone got any good photos of the type?

[Larry Hayward]

This is the type of Studebaker that the Japanese in Borneo had and I wonder if it came from the French or Dutch Armies whether it was a common civi type in use in the area and was impressed by the IJN forces in Borneo?