CCKW WAR STORY

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RANGER
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CCKW WAR STORY

Post by RANGER »

I feel fortunate, as all of our mechanics at our business in the 40s thru early 60s were WWII veterans. Dave McQuarrie was my favorite and I would sit wide eyed listening to his experiences in M-10 Tank Desrtoyers, and later WWII experiences off hauling German POWs in back of AFKW GMCs in the Volturno Mountain region of Italy. David once told me "you haven't lived untill you have taken a crap in your steel pot" while couped up inside a Tank Destroyer. Dave also told me of the sweet sound an M-1 Kenworth Wrecker makes with a "straight pipe" while traveling down the Volturno mountains. Dave also remarked that the POWs would get rowdy and rock back and forth in an attempt to tip the trucks. He once had the engine of a CCKW he was driving shot out by an 88. He was slightly hard of hearing.
Bob Woodworth another of our mechanics was hauling a load of ammunition up a mountain road in the Alps in his CCKW and had the porcelin blow out of a spark plug. Bob used to enjoy throwing his Diamond T 6X6 Wrecker out of gear and out running the US Constabulary(Circle C Cowboys) who would attempt to catch him in their Dodge WCs.
Collectors should look into the colorful markings of the US Constabulary in Germany as they used glossy OD and lots of trim. There is more to markings than Armor and Airborne.
Last edited by RANGER on Thu Apr 11, 2013 12:52 pm, edited 2 times in total.
US ARMY HONOR GRADUATE MECHANIC, Restorer of fine Jeeps, MV's, MVPA 40+yrs, DAV, Army Aircrew member, Donor to Military Museums & CAF, MV Hobby since 1945
Other Hobby- Army Air Force & Busting Big Ass Military Imposters-Good at it
Robbo
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Post by Robbo »

Speaking of colourful markings, I'd thought I'd refer you all to this great picture:

http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/WW2Time ... e/mag.html

Each of the stripes has a meaning as explained elsewhere in the article.
RANGER
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Post by RANGER »

I have remarked that Dow Air Force Base had a Chevrolet 4X4 and a CCKW Communications Van assigned from the 50s thru 1961 ar their MARS facility. By coincidence, I found that Don Gaudreau, a friend of mine was one of the drivers while he was a communications specialist at Dow in the 50s. I believe he was reassigned to Libya and was issued a new M-Series Reo 6X6 Van. He lives locally and I see him often. He is a ctive in Coast Guard Auxiliary and also a member of an emergengy radio organization. Don is also involved in Homeland Security, and holds Coast Guard permits to operate ocean going vessels.
Small world, as I have known him sinde 1960. His Chevrolet van has the appearance of a porcupine with all the antennae.
US ARMY HONOR GRADUATE MECHANIC, Restorer of fine Jeeps, MV's, MVPA 40+yrs, DAV, Army Aircrew member, Donor to Military Museums & CAF, MV Hobby since 1945
Other Hobby- Army Air Force & Busting Big Ass Military Imposters-Good at it
RANGER
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Post by RANGER »

My good friend Bill Knight, world famous for greeting nearly 4000 flights of returning Desert Storm and Iraqui Freedom flights once drove in a convoy of CCKWs from an Army Airfield in Virginia to the yet to be built Dow Army Air Field in Bangor, Maine in June of 1941. Bill is now 87 and still going strong. He swapped over to the US Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in 1982. He is due for a ride in my CCKW. We will drive over to the former Dow AFB just for old times sake.
US ARMY HONOR GRADUATE MECHANIC, Restorer of fine Jeeps, MV's, MVPA 40+yrs, DAV, Army Aircrew member, Donor to Military Museums & CAF, MV Hobby since 1945
Other Hobby- Army Air Force & Busting Big Ass Military Imposters-Good at it
RANGER
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Post by RANGER »

Much of my CCKW background and collectibles comes from WWII mechanics and veterans who worked at our business in the 40s-50s.

Sanford (Sonny) Miller, propriortor of world famous Miller's Restaurant in Bangor, ME got his start as a book keeper at our place. He was great at telling how many WWII Jeep rear axles he broke while serving in the Pacific. He used to baby sit me.

Milton Andrews who served with Post War 14th Fighter Group, he was also an Aircraft Mechanic, and was at MUROC Field training on the P-84B and witnessed Chuck Yeagers testing of the X-1.

Dave Mc Quarrie M-10 Tank Destroyers, and Ordnance Mechanic
Bob Woodworth, WWII B-29 Gunner, wheeled Vehicle Mechanic and CCKW driver. He was a Tech Rep for Sikorsky on the H-37 Helicopter.

Denzil Watson,14 th Fighter Group, CCKW mechanic, Dow Field Boxing Champ, asssigned to 14th Moter Vehicle Squadron, at Dow 46-49.

Ray Earhardt, 43rd Bomb Group, B-17/B-24 Mechanic and Civilian Techician at Post War Dow field maintaining CCKWs and Military Fire trucks. Ray served with the 43rd at Dow 41-42 and in the Pacific with the 43rd. He was a super General Motors mechanic.

Jerry Marsh, WWII Civilian Mechanic at Dow Field, 41-45 My M-1 Bomb Lift , Ben, Hur, and NOS WWII Crated Headquarters Field Desks are all from the 14th Fighter Group, they were surplus and sold at the Base Supply building just around the corner from us when Dow was temporarilly closed in 1949.

Joe Strang, US Army Heavyweight US Army Boxing Champ also worked for us part time from 46-49 while he was stationed at Dow. He taught me how to ride a bicycicle, and was Supply Sgt with the 14th. He trained the Boxing Team while at Dow and would often pull thru our yard in a CCKW.

All of these gentlemen contribited to my interest in WWII Trucks and Aircraft. I am now sharing this background with you.
Last edited by RANGER on Sun Mar 15, 2009 2:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
US ARMY HONOR GRADUATE MECHANIC, Restorer of fine Jeeps, MV's, MVPA 40+yrs, DAV, Army Aircrew member, Donor to Military Museums & CAF, MV Hobby since 1945
Other Hobby- Army Air Force & Busting Big Ass Military Imposters-Good at it
RANGER
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Post by RANGER »

Not quite CCKW. but my Uncle Max rode to his C-47 in back of a 3/4 Ton WC, while flying combat in the Phillipines.
He was a member of the 39th Troop Carrier Squadron, 317th Troop Carrier Group. (The JUNGLE SKIPPERS) His First Sgt was movie star Broderick Crawford.
US ARMY HONOR GRADUATE MECHANIC, Restorer of fine Jeeps, MV's, MVPA 40+yrs, DAV, Army Aircrew member, Donor to Military Museums & CAF, MV Hobby since 1945
Other Hobby- Army Air Force & Busting Big Ass Military Imposters-Good at it
RANGER
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Post by RANGER »

We never hear any reports of any WWII drivers that had the opportunity to shut off the valve located on the RH frame rail in order to drive thru barbed wire and any similar barricades. The front brake hoses were vulnerable. The valves are for the most part at this late date, just an appendage and stuck. It is best not to attempt to turn them, as the lever will break. There is no aftermarket equivalent.
US ARMY HONOR GRADUATE MECHANIC, Restorer of fine Jeeps, MV's, MVPA 40+yrs, DAV, Army Aircrew member, Donor to Military Museums & CAF, MV Hobby since 1945
Other Hobby- Army Air Force & Busting Big Ass Military Imposters-Good at it
RANGER
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Posts: 6510
Joined: Sat Jul 01, 2006 6:29 pm
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Re:

Post by RANGER »

RANGER wrote:Much of my CCKW background and collectibles comes from WWII mechanics and veterans who worked at our business in the 40s-50s.

Sanford (Sonny) Miller, propriortor of world famous Miller's Restaurant in Bangor, ME got his start as a book keeper at our place. He was great at telling how many WWII Jeep rear axles he broke while serving in the Pacific. He used to baby sit me.

Milton Andrews who served with Post War 14th Fighter Group, he was also an Aircraft Mechanic, and was at MUROC Field training on the P-84B and witnessed Chuck Yeagers testing of the X-1. Andy was also an F-80C crewchief from 1950-1953 with the 80th FBS "Headhunters".

Dave Mc Quarrie M-10 Tank Destroyers, and Ordnance Mechanic. Had an engine blown out of his AFKW by a German 88. He was a rugged man, and claimed that he once got mad and losded a spare tire into his 10 Ton Wrecker by himself.
Bob Woodworth, WWII B-29 Gunner, wheeled Vehicle Mechanic and CCKW driver. He was a Tech Rep for Sikorsky on the H-37 Helicopter. He had the porcelin blow out og a sparkplug in his CCKW loaded with ammunition while climbing a grade in the Alps.

Denzil Watson, 14 th Fighter Group, CCKW mechanic, Dow Field Boxing Champ, asssigned to 14th Motor Vehicle Squadron, at Dow 46-49. Broke his hand on his boxing opponent.

Ray Earhardt, 43rd Bomb Group, B-17/B-24 Mechanic and Civilian Techician at Post War Dow field maintaining CCKWs and Military Fire trucks. Ray served with the 43rd at Dow 41-42 and in the Pacific with the 43rd. He was a super General Motors mechanic.

Jerry Marsh, WWII Civilian Mechanic at Dow Field, 41-45 My M-1 Bomb Lift , Ben, Hur, and NOS WWII Crated Headquarters Field Desks are all from the 14th Fighter Group, they were surplus and sold at the Base Supply building just around the corner from us when Dow was temporarilly closed in 1949.

Joe Strang, US Army Heavyweight US Army Boxing Champ also worked for us part time from 46-49 while he was stationed at Dow. He taught me how to ride a bicycle, and was Supply Sgt with the 14th. He trained the Boxing Team while at Dow and would often pull thru our yard in a CCKW.

All of these gentlemen contribited to my interest in WWII Trucks and Aircraft. I am now sharing this background with you.
The above gentlemen, all WWII veterans, worked for our business between 1945 and 1966. They were aware that my hobby was WWII vehicles and took time to answer all my questions about WWII.
US ARMY HONOR GRADUATE MECHANIC, Restorer of fine Jeeps, MV's, MVPA 40+yrs, DAV, Army Aircrew member, Donor to Military Museums & CAF, MV Hobby since 1945
Other Hobby- Army Air Force & Busting Big Ass Military Imposters-Good at it
RANGER
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Joined: Sat Jul 01, 2006 6:29 pm
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Re: CCKW WAR STORY

Post by RANGER »

These gentlemen were my mentors, they are all gone now and I miss them. The good times spent with them over the decades discussing their WWII experiences in combat and the details about the Jeeps and trucks they operated are etched in my memory and each trip in one of my MV's brings these heroes back for a few moments.
US ARMY HONOR GRADUATE MECHANIC, Restorer of fine Jeeps, MV's, MVPA 40+yrs, DAV, Army Aircrew member, Donor to Military Museums & CAF, MV Hobby since 1945
Other Hobby- Army Air Force & Busting Big Ass Military Imposters-Good at it
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