The GMC CCKW

Excellent picture, which I would guess is from our Dutch friends?

But did you notice, and this is intended only as observation and NOT criticism, the gun ring on the rhs vehicle. This looks like a M37, normally fitted to closed cab vehicles and not the normal M36 intended for the open cab.

I don't wish to criticise in any way but it’s an interesting demonstration of one part being applied in a non standard role, as I guess so often happened in the combat theatre.

As for hanging those bags on the rifle in the universal mount ...well I didn't notice.

Karoshi

Karoshi,

Good Observation.....

I did notice the ring...but what the hey....it would not be uncommon for a local unit mechanic or a rebuild depot to add a ring from the scrap pile found off of any truck.

As I have read 25% of all trucks were equipped with M2HB's for AA use. I am sure that the Co-driver of any non-ring vehicle would of rather of had one. I know I would not want to go down without a fight.

Technically there should have been no more Closed Cab cargo's moving into the Theater after the invaison so any CC ring should not have a future home.

Based on that I would say that it could have been possible for a vehicle to be equipped that way from maintenance.

Regardless.....here in the states that type of ring mount system would be worth 2 to 4 times what an M-36 is worth.

Anyway it is a nice truck and a great subject picture. If it was not for the utility pole in the right of the picture...it looks like it could have been taken 60 years ago.

I thank the person for providing it.

Bill

Now some chap told me that you have some pictures from your youth that we would all like to see.....

I have a photo of a CCKW open cab on Utah beach and an M31 jeep mount has been placed through the leg holder on the passenger side and the relief driver has himself a .30 1917 water cooled Browning mounted in the mount.
My neighbor , who was a 2nd Marine Division combat Marine at Guadalcanal, Tarawa and Siapan talks of the International trucks they had that were equipped with a post mount behind the cab of the truck in the bed with a machine gun mounted in it. These were meant more for offensive and defensive measures against personel and not the ring mounts which were meant for anti-aircraft defense, primarily.

Weasel, I have seen a number of M37 gun rings fitted to 1619 cabs. All are "post war" restorations, enthusiast owned, and it would be difficult to tell how original they were.

These mounts are also valuable here in the UK and I have only once seen a M37 kit for sale, but it lacked the skate and yoke. I'm told that post war the Dutch, Norwegians, Swiss and French all used this mount, so maybe it was part of a re-build program. We have M36 mounts here but they too fetch a premium.

A nice piece of kit if you can find one, at the right price.

Karoshi

The one thing that all collectors can count on. Once vehicles arrived in the field of combat, changes were made to fit their need, based upon what they could Scrounge up. While this mystifys us as post war collectors, it was not nearly as important to the men in combat. Look at the number of original photos that show jeeps, Dodges and heavy iron with German and British jerry cans on them, as well as the U.S. manufactued cans. It was what they could Scrounge up.
We as CCKW owners also have a driven desire to turn these trucks into combat trucks with the addition of gun rings and machine guns, when really only a small portion of the trucks had armament. These trucks were not either defensive or offensive combat vehicles. They were support trucks and a major component of the vital supply line , carrying supplies to the advancing troops, operating behind our lines, therefore in ingagements with enemy infantry would be very unlikely. Occasional snipers or perhaps a stray Luftwaffe fighter straffing the convoy.
The Pacific was a different matter. Lines were erratic and cargo trucks were occasionaly attacked by infantry, but again not a common occurance.
The trucks we love so dearly were one of the most important Non-Combat vehicles in World War II and were clearly a major factor in the defeat of the Axis. General Eisenhower gave credit to three non-combat vehicles as being the most important in the winning of the war in Europe. The C-47 Douglas airplane, the Higgins boat and our favorite, the GMC CCKW trucks.
You don't have to go overboard with machine guns, hand grenades, rifles and combat gear on your CCKW to make her look good. She is a beauty without all of the war paint on her.