CCKW with Bofors AA gun.

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 2:54 pm

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.

mud-snow · Post by **mud-snow** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 2:04 pm

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

Ledog · Post by **Ledog** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 1:52 pm

As I speak french I may help you.

Le 22e Groupe Colonial de Force Terrestres Aeriennes (la DCA de la 2e DB) ÃƒÂ©tant progressivement dotÃƒÂ© en camions GMC, c'est le 24 novembre 1943 que le premier GMC (6x6 de 2,5 tonnes CCKW immatriculÃƒÂ© 415920 ) est ÃƒÂ©quipÃƒÂ© d'une piÃƒÂ¨ce d'artillerie de 40 mm Bofors (Mk1 ou Mk2). C'est au champ de tir d'AÃƒÂ¯n Diab puis sur le champ de tir de Mediouna que les premiers tirs furent effectuÃƒÂ©s. Suite ÃƒÂ plusieurs expertises et contrÃƒÂ´les, il est dÃƒÂ©cidÃƒÂ© 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 AÃƒÂ¯n 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?

AÃƒÂ¯n Diab & Mediouna isn't it in north africa?

Degsy · Post by **Degsy** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 3:59 pm

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.

Ledog · Post by **Ledog** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 4:14 pm

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.

armydriver · Post by **armydriver** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 2:22 am

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

Degsy · Post by **Degsy** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 1:44 pm

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.

Bill_Wolf · Post by **Bill_Wolf** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:29 pm

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

The GMC CCKW

CCKW with Bofors AA gun.

CCKW with Bofors AA gun.

seene this

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