How many variants of these amphibious vehicles were built. 1st Infantry Division Artillery 67th Field and some of 81st Anti Tank were brought ashore in them at Anzio in the Assault waves. They were loaded and unloaded using A Frame Derricks. They had experimented with them at Salerno initially with British RASC vehicles but they were too narrow so used modified American ones that had been used in the Salerno Landings. They arrived on an LST Tank where they had to be careful not to drive too fast into the sea and be overcome on the bows, one of them sank due to the bilge pump failing when there was a delay landing due to mines on the shoreline, they moved a little north to the exact designated landing zone at Piccadilly. THE ALLIED LANDINGS AT ANZIO: 22 JANUARY-23 MAY 1944 The Americans also used DUKWS in the Pacific for their 105mm howitzers.
At least 3 variants: up to Production Number 2005, 2006 to 2505 & after 2505. Cargo space width (at its narrowest) differed sligthly: up to No.2505 6' 7" after No.2505 6'10" Michel
Were these numbers British or American. There is an interesting video on YT of the US 5th Marines landing at Iwo Jima including shots of them unloading from DUKWS with A Frame derricks and firing their 105mm Field Howitzers at close range whilst still on the beach. 14:26 /17:28 The 67th Field Regt must have done the same at Anzio but placed their guns dug in under cover. The British 25 pounder was slightly wider and would not fit the British DUKWS. The American ones had to be modified to take them. I had a ride in a British DUKW courtesy of HM RM (I think) in a demonstration at Fremington in the 60's. Terrifyingly slow approaching the beach must have been a nasty experience while being shot at.
I assume you have this...but posting it “just in case” THE HISTORY OF THE DUKW AND RASC DUKW COMPANYS DURING WW11 http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site1634/the waggoner/ww11 dukw 3.pdf
These are production numbers, but I do not know which production numbers were supplied to the British. They did have some early models in the Med, as seen on photos, and it looks like all their DUKW in NWE were of the later model. The US presumably also had both models in use. Width of the 105 how M2A1 was 6'8", therefore it would fit in the later model (6'10" wide cargo space) but not in the earlier one (6'7"). The 25 pr was 7'0" so would not fit in either model. 105 how were loaded on DUKW to the US beaches on D Day, with disastrous results, much like the US DD tanks. Michel
US D Day beaches: I understood that the loss of the tanks and possibly the Duwks was due to sea swell/weather conditions plus they let them loose too far from the beach. The British beaches were I understand of a shallower and sheltered approach. The drivers of DUKW's at Anzio were under strict orders to leave the LST slowly so as not to swamp the bows, they lost at least one in training at Salerno as the American drivers tended to be a bit panicky due to previous experiences in the Salerno landing, racing down the ramp to get clear. At least one got into a tizz on the way in causing a British Artillery Officer on board to threatened to shoot him if he turned back. Monty in the Wagoner article didnt look like he had a comfortable trip on D Day seems a bit subdued!
I found this very interesting as my fathers coy is mentioned. As you have an interest in DUKW’s, would you know where I can obtain the nominal rolls for 387 Coy, RASC, amphibious dukw’s? Thank you
I have some pics of Duks coming ashore at Castellammare and Salerno taken by my grandfather.Will post tomorrow.
Not much online on the IWM website but still a couple of nice close up pics. Search for DUKW Burma. Note that the DUKWs with AoS Serial 73 are noted as "387 Divisional Troops Company RASC" whereas the Serial 73 should indicate the third Infantry Brigade Company RASC in an Infantry Division, Div Tps Coy RASC having the Serial 72. Note also that the AoS Flash is of the earlier (and Canadian) style, i.e. divided diagonally top left to bottom right. Michel
A few photos from my collection. My Dad [ RASC ] used to Drive and teach how to drive them to the troops. Keith
Here is a link to a downloadable file Obsolete Military Manuals Too big to attach, but more photos and lots of detail. Regards