new member and owner of a WC54

[RBranche]

First off I would like to thank Vista52 and Gorden for there help in getting me registered on this site. There seems to be an unlimited amount of info and I plan on tapping into that.

I have always like the early flat fender dodges and am finally at a point in life where I could afford one. I recently purchased a 1942 WC54 VIN 81544565 and will be finishing the restoration that the previous owner started.

(1) I see the VIN is already entered in the WW@dodge database but was wondering if the hood numbers could be narrowed down a little closer than 77???. I didn't see a pic of the build card so I will be requesting one from Chrysler and will post it once received.

(2) How would the bumper markings appear for Company A, Tank Battalion? I had an uncle killed overseas in1945 who belong to that unit and would like to mark the bumper accordingly.

(3) Any other light can be shed on my vehicle would be appreciated.

Thanks, Ron

[juan15]

Hola Ron,

If the VIN of your WC-54 is 81544565, it corresponds to a vehicle manufactured the second or third week of July of the year 1942. The Build Card will tell us exactly.

Regarding Military Registration, we will be able to get closer if you tell us the number on the left in the Build Card (SCHED.Nº).

However, everything seems to indicate that your vehicle belongs to the contract number: W-398-QM-11420, W-374-ORD-2746, 850 units, Military Registration: W-77841 to W-78690.

It is quite possible that this car is one of the first units manufactured (WC-54, Ambulance).

It is very possible that it is among the first 100 units manufactured (WC-54). Therefore, the military registration number could be between: U.S.A. W-77841 to U.S.A. W-77940, painted in white.

B.R. Juan.

[RBranche]

Juan,
Thanks for the reply and info, I plan on getting the build card asap but there seams to be a paper work issue I need to resolve first.
Would the USA be on top of the W-77--- or would they be on the same line? I've seen example's both ways. Thanks again, Ron

[juan15]

if you can on the same line.

Anyway it equals.

B.R., Juan.

[Kaegi]

welcome. we like lots of pics.

[Vista52]

Hello Ron,

I'm very pleased to see that you made it over here. It looks like Juan has got some relevant info for you.

The next thing to do is get your build card and we can add more info on the database.

[June J]

Welcome aboard Ron, some awesome info is available on this site and some awesome folks as well.

Cheers

Ian

[RBranche]

Thanks for the welcome folks.
Just thought I would give you an update on progress, or should I say lack of progress. Still no paper work, therefor, I still can't apply for a build card. Bought this through John at Vintage Military Vehicles. Was told that transferable paper work was ready and available and would be sent with the vehicle, however, when vehicle arrived, shipper informed me he didn't have it and John would be sending it to me. Well here we are 3 months later and numerous phone calls to both John and the owner, nothing but the run around. Tried adding some pics but couldn't get them to upload, if someone could walk me through the process i would be glad to post some.

Ron

[Forgotten Field]

Ron,
I will blatantly omit comments about a vehicle dealer who can't get you paperwork for a vehicle sold by him.
But I will talk about units which used WC54's. Your Uncle's tank battalion probably did not have ambulances assigned. But the division where the tank battalion was assigned would have them in medical battalions. Some armor battalions were independent units assigned/attached to divisions, and some were assigned/attached to corps-level units. Some were organic to armor divisions. If you can find out the number of his armor battalion, you can then look for the divisional medical unit which supported his unit. This is the unit which would have WC-54's.
As an example, the 747th Tank Battalion was an independent medium tank battalion. This means they used M-4 Sherman tanks, and they were primarily attached to the 29th Infantry Division in WWII.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/747th_Tan ... ed_States)

The medical battalion for the 29th Division was the 104th Medical Battalion. This battalion was equipped with the WC-54, and was most likely the unit which would have transported the wounded for anybody assigned/attached to the division, like the 747th Tank Battalion.
If your Uncle was in an armor division, there would be a numbered medical battalion which was part of the division. This unit would have had WC-54's. Corps-level armor units would have been supported by whatever division they were operating near, or by independent medical battalions which were assigned to Corps-level. Good luck picking one of those- reading their histories, these Corps-level medical battalions jumped from Corps to Corps for assignment as needed for increased needs during offensives.
Of course, you can just mark it as your Uncle's armor unit- it's your truck to do with as you please. But what I wrote above is pretty much how ambulances were assigned to tactical units in WWII.
I'm a big fan of ambulances- I own a WC-54 and four WC-64 (KD) ambulances. I just found the driver and passenger seats for my WC-54 and am very happy about that. Good luck with your restoration.

[brian]

knowing the two clowns involved your never going to see paperwork. your going to have to get a salvage title or a bond title. from whatever state your in.
glad it went to a good home though.

BB

[RBranche]

Forgotten Field,
Thanks for steering me in the right direction. Armed with what little information my family had about my uncle, I know he belonged to the 701st tank battalion, Company A, and was killed in Germany around the beginning of Feb, 1945. The 701st was primarily assigned to the 1st armored division but I found no information putting them in Germany around that time. Digging deeper, I found out that the 701st was attached to the 102nd infantry division during the Rhineland Campaign, late 1944/ early 1945. Content with the time frame and location, i dug further which led me to the 327th medical battalion which also supported the 102nd so there you have it, my ambulance will be marked as such.

i appreciate your input as I would of just taken the easy way out and marked it for the 701st Tank Battalion

Brian,
Good home or not, with out paper work, I won't be able to do anything with it. Right now I am sitting on a expensive parts vehicle.
I sent you a PM

Thanks everyone , Ron

[ng19delta]

Ron- PM sent regarding titling...

Scott

[Forgotten Field]

Ron,
Great! I really appreciate you making the effort to tell a good story with your WC54. Not everybody goes to that effort, and I think it says something good about you as an owner and will certainly help preserve some of the history of a unit which most people would otherwise not hear about. Popular history of WWII always mentions casualties and Medics, but there isn't much describing the process of treating and evacuating wounded. If you haven't found this page-

https://www.med-dept.com/

it is a very good one regarding WWII Army Medicine. Poke around- there are lots of good articles including this one on Blanket sets (which are carried on a WC-54)

https://www.med-dept.com/articles/medic ... nket-sets/

I found this on the web about a Doctor who served in the 327th Medical Battalion. Below the link is a quote from the text. It might make a nice story board to display next to your Ambulance.

http://carol_fus.tripod.com/army_hero_leibold_robert.html

"Our ambulances were often parked next to the front line aid stations to effect prompt evacuation and most had a good many bullet holes in their side panels. The drivers were ever aware of their immobilization should tires or radiator be damaged and they tried to park their vehicles to protect these vital parts."

"One of our ambulances on a run to the rear was struck by an 88 shell which came down through the roof just behind the driver and out the bottom without going off. Shields, the driver, was a little shaken for a while. Those ambulance drivers were something! During their runs to the rear with wounded and under blackout conditions, they had to cope with vehicles moving to the front or they had to find alternate routes. Despite these difficulties the heroic drivers would deliver their patients and be back in a few hours ready for another load. Many a wounded owes his recovery and survival to these devoted men."

[G. Miskovsky]

Welcome to the group!

[jeff]

Welcome, glad to hear another one saved. Good Luck.