I think it is later that mid 1943. More like fall 1944. The engineer troops in the photo are wearing M1943 (long) field jackets with the button on hood. These didn't get to troops until late 44. They are also wearing the distinctive "Two Bucket" combat boot. They were authorized in Nov 43 and began to reach troops in early 1944.
The GMC has the revised canvas top with the metal reinforced side rail and has the pioneer tools on the bracket on the running boards. That would put it in 1944. The 43 built cargo trucks had the wood bodys and 44 era had the composit bolt together cargo beds. This one is a Tipper and they all had a full metal dump body so the cargo bed doesn't help.
I'd say Fall of 44. Summer they would not be wearing field jackets.
Drive on!
Cat Man
40 Years An Engine Guy
30 Years A Caterpillar Guy
Still Learning Every Day
I have one of those external type parking brakes also. Quite handy at times.
52 M38 Willy's
Former owner and restorer of CCKW353 " Betty Boop"
proud father of a career Army officer/Blackhawk pilot/ War in Iraq veteran
Retired high school history teacher at Lt. Colonel Robert G. Cole CMH High School, Fort Sam Houston Texas
proud great grandson of four Confederate soldiers.
great great grandson of a War of 1812 veteran
great great great grandson of 2 American Revolutionary war veterans
Great Photo , although the bit of bending in those gin pole legs would worry me a might if I were working up front like those two soldiers.
So often the photo's are of plain jane cargo CCKW's while they did the most moving of troop and material , it's nice to see a CCKW Dump with winch doing the hard work .