The GMC CCKW

I would like to know some more about the Market-Garden 2006 events. Specifically the "Race to the Bridge".

My new job starts next week. I am working for a German based company which makes Snow Removal equipment. I am part of their start-up plan in the United States. Much of the Equipment is manufactured at the company's plant in Holten Netherlands.

Fortunately for me training will begin in Holten (50km from Arnhem) on September 9 and I will be staying in the area over the weekend of the 16th with nothing to do. Kees has provided information through a separate post about the "Race to the Bridge" event and I would like to know more about it from someone who has participated in the past.

Of course I will not have an HMV but would love to watch the event from the crowd.

If there are any events or places that you think I should see that weekend please include them.

Thanks,

Bill

You lucky dog!!

Thanks Rob, I think so too! Funny how that worked out.

I love it when a plan comes together.

Now all I have to do is beg my new boss for a car to go the 50 clicks.

Bill

Photos Bill and lots of them. The school where I teach is named after a Congressional Medal of Honor recpient that was killed in Operation Market Garden and is buried in the Neatherlands. His name is Lt. Colonel Robert G. Cole and was the first member of the 101st Airbrone to get the medal.
Have fun.

Lt. Colonel Robert G. Cole

Killed during operation 'Market-Garden
On 18 September,1944 Robert Cole was hit by a German sniper when his unit was taking a bridge near Best.

Robert Cole is buried at Margaten war cemetery Netherlands
Plot B, Row 15, Grave 27

Bill, there is a huge Canadian WW2 Cemetery in Holten. It is certainly worth a visit.
Barry

Hi Bill, I f you ask your question on the HMVF forum I am sure you will get all the help you need, especially from the Dutch members,

Thanks Degsy...

Great idea....

Bill, let me know if the Dutch members of the other forum cannot be of assistance. I live a fair distance from Arnhem, so if anyone closer can help, it will be better. I have not been invited for the event since it is English or Canadian vehicles only. But i can still go there of course.

Thank you for the offer Keys.

I also that you for your package you sent.

English vehicles only???????

Did not the English heavily use the CCKW, Jeep, and Sherman? What is with that? The book I have about Market Garden shows mostly Jeeps and Shermans in Brit use...very little in the way of CMP vehicles in the pictures.

Still it will be good to see them...even if they are "Strange" looking.

Bill

Bill although you are correct that CCKW,s were used by the British I can't remember seeing a photo taken in NW Europe but there are photo's taken in the Western Desert and Italy. Jeep's, Halftrack's and Shermans were used by Guard's Armoured Div as they advanced towards Arnhem and the Airborne Force did have a few jeeps. Dodge WC's were also used by the British but I can,t say if any were used in this battle, the same applies to Mack, Diamond T'S etc. I think what Kees means is only British and Canadian marked vehicles, as although the US Airborne forces fought brilliant action's at Nijmegen, Grave etc their vehicles were not involved in 'The Race to the Bridge'.

Degsy,

That was done with a little "tongue in cheek" to see if I could get a rise out of the non-Yanks on the list and hopefully a little more movement in this thread.

I went back through my book Market-Garden Then and Now and you are entirely correct. What I thought was CCKW's is actually Diamond T's...so in fact there are no pictures of CCKW's being used by Brits, Poles, or Canadians.

My apologies...I like my "crow" with a little bernaise sauce...

Bill