British Artillery, USA Transport

Just confirmed by IWM footage of the Regt in Aug 44 at Mt Pincon that they were using USA(Can) transport, which had fooled me sometime ago as too a picture of an OP with an US Half Track outside which i concluded was in an american sector.
This transport included 'White Carriers' and 'International Half-Tracks'.
This did surprise me somewhat, was it a normal occurrence for British Regts to be using these type of vehicles? or am i being naive.
Cheers
Rob

 

Hi Rob

No, Half Tracks were quite common in the RA, used as Command Post Vehicles for SP Units.

Phil

 

I can't get to the books at the moment but I'm sure I've seen quite a few pictures in ATB's Op Market Garden of them being used by 30 Corps.

 

I asked Tom Jones and he said it's not unusual.

I'm guessing that half tracks could have gone to SP regiments to replace some of the 15cwt trucks to ensure that key elements of the regiment could keep up with the guns across country. In addition to pure half-tracks, we had an abundance of M14 Gun Motor Carriages that were stripped of their twin Brownings and issued as carriers.

 

I can't get to the books at the moment but I'm sure I've seen quite a few pictures in ATB's Op Market Garden of them being used by 30 Corps.

Many thanks Gents!
Seems it was not so uncommon then, even with Towed Arty.
At the time they were being used by the CP's & OP's of the Regt which was under command 5AGRA (30 Corps).
Cheers
Rob

 

Just been reading in 78th div's 1942 diaries about a trial using the US Jeep to tow light artillery/6 pounder AT guns. It didn't say how succesfull it was, but then I'm guessing that it didn't have to...

 

Just been reading in 78th div's 1942 diaries about a trial using the US Jeep to tow light artillery/6 pounder AT guns. It didn't say how succesfull it was, but then I'm guessing that it didn't have to...

I wouldn't sell the Jeep short on towing ability.
It was a 1/4 ton truck, albeit with a very short wheel base.
It had a full ladder frame chassis and a two speed transfer case.

I can't find the source but I recall reading that they were rated to pull a 155 mm in an emergency. Clutch whould probably be worn out after that but .....

 

Regarding the Half Tracks the HAC certasinly used them as GPO vehicles as well.

Phil

 

Found this on another Forum.
Rob

The British were mainly supplied with International halftracks.
These had a different motor, and had rounded rear corners on the rear bodywork. They were IIRC known as an M5s. They were also some 3 to 5 miles per hour slower than M2s and M3s.

 

Found this on another Forum.
Rob





That's right, Rob.

Autocar and Diamond T also produced M2s and M3s but they were identical to the Whites and used the same engine. The International ones were different enough to get their own designation. I'm suprised they were slower as I thought the International engine was more powerful than the White.

 

Further info on the use of Halftracks, SP Gun Sections in 21 Army Group comprised the following:

Section 1
15cwt truck halftrack
driver mechanic
Carries 44 rounds of ammunition
Self Propelled 105mm Gun 1
serjeant, gun numbers 2 to 5, driver operator, driver mechanic
Carries 60 rounds of ammunition plus 12 rounds HEAT
Carries a wireless set
Self Propelled 105mm Gun 2
serjeant, gun numbers 2 to 5, driver operator, driver mechanic
Carries 60 rounds of ammunition plus 12 rounds HEAT
Carries a wireless set

In addition the following Half Tracks were used:
X1 15cwt truck, halftrack, FFW (Battery Commander's Vehicle)
Major, observation post assistant, 2 X driver operator
Carries Wireless set No 19 and Wireless set No 19HP
H 15cwt truck, halftrack, FFW (Command Post Vehicle)
Command Post Officer, 2 X command post officer’s assistant, 2 X river operator
Carries Wireless set No19

Troop Sergeant Majors in "Monkey Trucks" as part of the G Party
M2 15cwt truck, halftrack, FFW
4 X signaller, vehicle mechanic, batman, driver IC

Each Troop Leader
TLA(or B) 15cwt truck, halftrack, FFW
Subaltern (A troop leader), gun position officers assistant, batman,
2 X driver operator

According to the War Establishments, Priest SP Regiments had 6 Half Tracks on strenght, whilst Sexton Regt's had 34.

However, there is a qualifying note on the war establishment to the effect that many 15cwt Halftrack FFW were replaced by 15cwt 4 X 4 FFW.


Phil

 

I was reading "Standard Guide to US WWII Tanks and Artillery" last night.

It says that the White Scout Car used a Hercules JXD engine. 320 cubic inches, 87 HP

The White, Autocar and Diamond T Half-Tracks used a White model 160 engine, 386 cubic inches, 128 HP

International Half-Tracks used an International Red Seal 4508 engine. 451 cubic inches and 143 HP

They were all in-line sixes but I think the International was over head valve and the Whites were flatheads

 

Many thanks for all the help on this chaps, just one more.
I know it's a bad pic, but can anyone help identify this vehicle.
Cheers
Rob

 

Most probably a Mack NO but possibly a Mack NM - only a few NM were used in NW Europe and usually with the Canadians who were transferred from Italy in 1945.
Both were Lend Lease 6x6 heavy artillery tractors, the NM was also used to tow enginner plant & special loads.

 

Most probably a Mack NO but possibly a Mack NM - only a few NM were used in NW Europe and usually with the Canadians who were transferred from Italy in 1945.
Both were Lend Lease 6x6 heavy artillery tractors, the NM was also used to tow enginner plant & special loads.

Cheers Noel
The pic above was taken outside the Regt's OP at Ondefontain end of July 44,
so maybe they were using Mack's as well?
I've seen no mention of them before, the Regt only had 5.5's no 155's
Rob



Mack NO 7 1/2 Ton 6x6 Truck (G532) with 155mm 'Long Tom' Towed Gun, 16th Field Artillery Brigade, March 1943.

 

Hello Noel,

Those large Macks had radiators that were taller than they were wide. Doesn't that photo look like the radiator is wider than it is tall? Hard for me to see.

 

Good point Dave55 but I can't think of anything else it could be, I am assuming that the photo is of a British unit in NW Europe - is that correct Rob?
Noel

 

Good point Dave55 but I can't think of anything else it could be, I am assuming that the photo is of a British unit in NW Europe - is that correct Rob?
Noel

Yes Noel
The 10th Medium Regt RA
Aug 1944 Ondefontain, Normandy
Rob