The GMC CCKW

Hi guys,

I am looking for info on the CCKW's used by the Free French 22nd Colonial AA Group which had a 40mm Bofors gun mounted on them.the sort of thing I'm looking for is info on the gun mount,who supplied the guns,who they were made by,who built the special bodies for the trucks etc.

I have the pictures in the book GMC A Universal Truck but I wonder if there are others which show more detail?

Thanks!

Matt.

Matt have you seen this site??

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jp2k/2db/materi ... ofors.html

Would like to be in touch with the owner of this truck, if anyone knows him



Rolf

As I speak french I may help you.

Le 22e Groupe Colonial de Force Terrestres Aeriennes (la DCA de la 2e DB) étant progressivement doté en camions GMC, c'est le 24 novembre 1943 que le premier GMC (6x6 de 2,5 tonnes CCKW immatriculé 415920 ) est équipé d'une pièce d'artillerie de 40 mm Bofors (Mk1 ou Mk2). C'est au champ de tir d'Aïn Diab puis sur le champ de tir de Mediouna que les premiers tirs furent effectués. Suite à plusieurs expertises et contrôles, il est décidé le 12 janvier 1944 de la transformation de 16 Bofors du groupen, en canons automoteurs.

Here is the translation I can make of this text:

The 22nd Colonial Group of the aerial ground forces (AAA of the 2nd french armored division) was progressively issued with GMC's. It's on november 24th 1943, that the first GMC (6x6 of 2 1/2ton CCKW matricule 415920) was fitted with a 40mm Bofors artillery piece (Mk1 or Mk2). It's in the firing range of Aïn Diab, then on the firing range of Mediouna that the first shots where fired. After several surveys and controls, it's decided, on january 12th 1944 to tranform 16 Bofors of the group to automotive guns.

It should have been made in England, but where?

Aïn Diab & Mediouna isn't it in north africa?

Why do you think they may have been built in England? I would have thought they were an in theatre conversion, ie. in N. Africa.

Degsy wrote:Why do you think they may have been built in England? I would have thought they were an in theatre conversion, ie. in N. Africa.

Maybe..

I don't know much about the french 2nd div. but I thougt they were preparing the Dday in England.

Wow, what an interesting use of the CCKW and the intricate modification of the bed to accept the gun. That is most interesting.

It says in your translation that the first test firings were in N. Africa so I would assume that they were built in N. Africa and modified there before acceptance.

Guys...

There is a couple of pages about the Bofors in The GMC a Universal Truck by Bonfiace & Jeudy. Starts on Page 124. Has a bunch of pictures.

Around Nov 1943 the CCKW/Bofors setup was developed by members of the 2nd Armored in N. Africa. The book states 32 units were built.

It is not completely verified of any construction, use, or success took place in N. Africa.

It was then redeployed to the Normandy area August 7, 1944 and again attached to the Franch 2nd Armored Division. It looks like the units first "kill" was a German Bomber on August 13.

I followed the 2nd Amored across Europe providing AAA support on their March toward Berlin.

There is much more in the book I have just hit the high points.

Bill