Trucks of the Great War

[Hogarthde]

The book Australia's Road Transport Heritage by Liz Martin, O.A.M., makes note of the trucks requisitioned by the Australian War Office 1914.

A fleet of 132 trucks made up of 24 brands, including;
commer 19
Halford18
Austro Diamler13
Saurer 12
Mercedes Benz 11
Fiat 9
Albion 8
Berliet 6
Lacre 4
Halley 4
Thornycroft 3
Leyland 2
Enfield 2
Bellhaven 2
Berna 2
Romeycroft 2

Plus others , and some of uncertain make

Now then ,does anyone know of any of the above? The Road Transport Hall of Fame would be absolutely delighted to display one. What do you reckon V8Ian? any chance

[V8Ian]

I very much doubt any of those trucks are still around Dave.
As I'm sure you're aware, in the ten odd years following the ceasation of hostilities, the interstate and long distance road transport sector was conceived and developed in this country. During this period any truck was pressed into service, butchered, modified and changed to better suit the role, often many times. This and the universal disregard of manufacturers' weight limits, at the time, precludes the chance of any significant number of these old trucks survival.

[V8Ian]

My previous post was relivant to the post WW 11 period. I reread your opening post and realised that it referred to the Great War, WW 1. That in mind, I reckon there would be even less chance of finding any of those trucks. The rapid technological advances in motor vehicles in general and trucks in particular, meant that vehicles of the era usually had a relativly short service life. Chain drives and solid tyres are two major components to be superceded during the interwar years. The desparate need to recycle all metals during the second world war all but ensured that no old machinary would be preserved or survive.

[JDNSW]

It is just possible that a very few examples may still exist, or if not ones that were actually requisitioned, similar trucks. One example that I heard of years ago is one (that may be that old) that was laid up in 1939 when petrol rationing started, and was never taken out of the shed after the war, as disposals WW2 trucks were so much better. It was probably of WW1 vintage but was kept on during the thirties as a result of the Depression. I have no idea what happened to it though.

John

[numpty]

There's been a WW1 Albion at Corowa a few times over the years.

[Aaron IIA]

The National Military Vehicle Museum have a WWI FWD.

As for WWII trucks, I don't know why you would think that not many exist. You need to come to Corowa in March, or have a look at MLU.

Aaron

[stealth]

The Albion seen at Corowa lives on loan at Bandiana Museum. I know the owner if you would like to contact him send me a PM

[DoubleChevron]

My grandfather used to convert these trucks. He could build cranes and all sorts of useful stuff ( he was a truck mechanic by trade ... and wasn't allowed to head off to war as he was a required trade to stay here. So worked on these vehicles through the war as well).

The current generations are nowhere near as smart and hands on as the people back then. If I ask him though, he'll tell me they were all heaps of **** when new, and will be no better now :wasntme:

he'll tell me much the same about any old car I care to buy too :Rolling: :Rolling: Well, he doesn't mind Citroen DS's to much. But he reckons pretty much all old cars are hideous heaps of ****..... He's probably right :)

seeya,
Shane L.

[V8Ian]

Your Grandad's right onto it Shane. I enjoy old truck shows, truck museums and the like but after looking at each one I say a little prayer "Thank God we don't have to drive that crap anymore." :D

[Hall]

Dad set up his business after ww2 by buying surplus vehicles. He had a business in rural fencing, logging, domestic fuel merchant as in fire wood, coal, briquettes and carting water. So brought a ex Bedford troop carrier, Blitz and a Bren gun carrier ( minus the gun, pity that ). Also had a 1940`s GMC ute , but not sure if the was ex military. Was green though.
Cheers Hall

[jimr1]

Hi Hogarthde , I hope the Road Transport Hall Of Fame has some success , and they find some old trucks . My Grandfather told me many years ago now , about when he was wounded at The Battle of the Somme . That being in ww1 . He told me that he was waiting on a stretcher along with hundreds of other solders , to be evacuated . They were outside a farm house . He shared a smoke with another wounded solder . His turn came , he was lifted into the back of a truck . As It drove away German Artillery rained down on those left . He said he never new if the solder he shared a smoke with survived . I know It's a bit off topic , but It 's about trucks , and ww1 !!.. Jim

[Hogarthde]

G'day Jim, thanks for your interest; and no it is not off topic.

There is a story in everything , your Grandfather's experience of the Great War is not only of the whole tragic Battle of the Somme, [ tomes of history tell that], his story is of the immediate, personal,event. Leaving a fellow serviceman , sharing a smoke, suffering wounds ,going back in a truck, that was '' his war ''. All the trucks here have stories to tell,......Iwish they could talk

dave