A couple of days ago, on a thread relating to British & Commonwealth Armoured Bulldozers used on D-Day (Overlord), Mike (Trux) posted a picture of a US Dozer with an armoured cab.(first picture) This reminded me that I had some further information. Some time ago I downloaded from Fold (during a free offer) quite a number of documents; one was "History of the Ordnance Amphibious Division" This unit was set up in the UK to devise wading equipment for all types of vehicles and to conduct trials. From this I found the following: - Picture 2 is captioned "Beach Recovery June 1943, Instow Beach, Boom, Push Bumper and Radio Equipped TD-18 Tractor recovering drowned 1/4 ton 4x4 truck Picture 3 is captioned "Beach recovery April 1944. Permanently waterproofed TD-18 modified with Reversible Boom, armored cab and engine hood and push bumper. These features proved most desirable."
Fascinating stuff Noel. Thanks for sharing it. I suppose it was actually used on the US beaches. We are having problems with internet and email access. Somewhat intermittent. Mike
The document includes repots from Observers from the unit who went over to Normandy, some on D Day. They mostly criticise the de-waterproofing procedure and the effectiveness of non-waterproofed recovery tractors but does mention there being some of these D-18 Tractors on at least one of the US beaches. I have some more information prepared in Microsoft Word but something wont let me paste it into the thread. Noel
Nice! Were the TD-18s only used on the Britsh/Commonwealth beaches? I googled civilian TD-18 images and the air intake seems to be behind the firewall in the operator compartment so that is probably a snorkel in the third picture. Here is the Tractor Database entry http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/003/3/2/3321-international-harvester-td-18.html EDIT: I think most of the International half-tracks served with the British so maybe that went for the dozers too?
Dave, Noels post does not actually say but the thread title does. The photos are of US Army machines. The British did use some International but most of those used on the beaches, either as engineer or recovery tractors, were Caterpillar. International trucks and halftracks were 'limited standard' and went for Lend Lease. Most halftracks in British service were Internationals. Mike
Not really related but too good to miss. Two cylinder John Deere being attacked by a looney Boxer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8CyGOkfxbI
Here's the text from the report which relates to the development of this vehicle: - Tractor modification for re-floating beached LCVPs The problem of re-floating beached or grounded Landing Craft, LCVP has been investigated from the time of the depots activation. It was decided to use the Tractor, Heavy, mM1 (TD-18) for this purpose. In December 1943, an officer was assigned to this project; upon completion of working drawings, a workable model-boom, which could be reversed to lift from either end of the tractor, was made in the depot shop in January 1944 In March 1944, a lighter weight fixed boom for lifting the stern of the LCVP from the rear of the tractor was designed. A working model was completed in April 1944. A towing harness for the craft was developed to permit the stern to be lifted by the boom while the craft was towed by a cable attached to the towing eye of the tractor Since this tractor was intended for use in amphibious assaults, it was necessary to provide protection from enemy fire. Hence, an armored cab and armor plate covering for engine, radiator and fuel tank were designed and constructed. Tests of the modified tractor proved it capable of moving beached LCVPs. In May 1944 modifications on two tractors were completed at Bideford. Nine other tractors were modified in accordance with the adopted design at Ordnance Depot 0-642. By the middle of June 1944 six additional tractors had booms installed, however, there was insufficient time to permit the installation of armor plate on these. Noel
Thank you Noel. Worth the time and effort of solving the problem of cut and paste. I find that the US Army had a lot of equipment on order but not arrived in time. They also had equipment such as amtracks which they decided not to use. Lots still to think about. Of course the US Army admired a lot of British equipment and did use it. Field Bakery Equipment and Bailey Bridges spring to mind. They even liked British battledress. They actually wanted AVRE but did not get them. Mike
This D7 thing looks like it has the same armoured cab as in Mike/Noel's first photo in post#1 above, but with a different blade: Still very unwieldy when compared with the British version... Michel
