G518 "Ben Hur" 1-Ton Trailer

[Matthew P]

What Allied nations saw use of these trailers during WW2? I know France had some and later a lot more. Many went to various Allies after the war.

But did other Allies, specifically Canada or Australia use these?

Thanks
Matt

[Tony Smith]

They were used with the Canadian-made, British-used F60B self propelled Bofors, either as an Ammunition trailer or to transport the Kerrison Predictor unit.

These appear to be a wooden body version, and they frequently re-appear for sale on Milweb in the UK or Europe, so I am not certain if they are the same as the US-made Ben Hur trailer, which is usually a steel body.

[rob love]

There was one here in Manitoba still in DND service in the 80s. It had a welding unit in it. The welder engine had problems because of lack of use. The welder and the trailer went to CADC as seperate units if I recall, and I think the trailer is still owned by a friend North of Winnipeg.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

The British Chilwell Census lists a contract S/M 6288 of 1 ton 2 wheel GS trailers by Willys. See the attached picture from David Hayward's book on Pearson's of Liverpool. It seems they were used primarily with the F60B 40-mm SP Bofors as stated by Tony above.




The text is not entirely correct: 1-ton trailers were not used with Jeeps, nor was the "F60B converted to SP units and the trailers re-allocated for further use" - the F60B was a SP unit from the onset.




F60B with 1-ton "Ben Hur" trailer, as assembled by Pearson's from Liverpool.

[Matthew P]

Thanks! The wood trailers are indeed the same as the metal ones. There were 30 manufacturers of these trailers in the US with many small coach and trailer companies having contracts for only about a thousand. Many of the companies made wood body ones. There are some parts that are singular to one type or the other, but many other parts are interchangeable and the same parts catalog covers both types.

I also forgot I had this image from IWM in the collection already:
https://g518parts.com/wp-content/gal...H_028473_1.jpg

Caption reads "No. 14 Power Trailer" and was dated 31.3.43

Matt

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Thanks Matt.

Has anybody seen any more WW2 photos of Ben Hur trailers in Commonwealth use?

I plan to use a Ben Hur trailer during the XXX Corps event this year. Would be interested to see some more examples.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

A column of Dodge D15's with Ben Hur trailers in Normandy:

Image description: Second World War (1939-1945) - World War II (WWII or WW2): Normandy (France) September 28, 1944:

From the beach, trucks driven by French volunteers transport food directly from LCT boats from Great Britain to Paris.

Source: https://www.bridgemanimages.com/en/n.../asset/4897126

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Photo via Simon Sage: "Bedford MW 15cwt towing what looks like a US Ben Hur trailer."

[Hanno Spoelstra]

LAE, NEW GUINEA. 1944-08-27.

PERSONNEL OF THE AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND HEADQUARTERS LOADING COMFORTS IN TO A JEEP AND TRAILER FOR DELIVERY TO THE UNITS IN THE AREA.

IDENTIFIED PERSONNEL ARE:- V92214 PRIVATE F.H. DAY (1); SX31108 CORPORAL F.S. PATTON (2); VX1444 SERGEANT D.V. NOONAN (3); MAJOR F.H. BUSS, HONARARY COMMISSIONER (4).

Source: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C65971

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Just came across this photo in an old thread. An unlikely combination!

Originally Posted by cletrac (RIP)

The second picture is a Canadian produced Carrier in Tunisia from Gregg's Blueprint for Victory.

[Jacques Reed]

Xmas Greetings to All,

I may have posted this before or on some other group but here is a Ben Hur trailer with my brother and I at Indian River Delaware in about 1955.

Dad bought a demonstrator 1946 CJ-2A from the local Jeep dealer, Ira Freyer, in Reading PA. He loved them so much in his wartime service. It can just be seen behind the screened enclosure. It was Harvest Tan colour with reddish-orange wheels.

He bought the trailer brand new a few years later war surplus from Indiantown Gap where many disposal sales were held. I think even the tent was war surplus. The Jeep towed the trailer OK the 160 miles to the beach even though they were not meant to be towed behind Jeeps.

I cherish those idyllic days camping with the family. To all on MLU have a wonderful Christmas with lots of Joy, love, and memories.

Cheers,

[Mike K]

Another one ?

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C65337