the light brown ones on the turret


Thanks again

Greg,

This image from the web shows a M-26 in Korea with a K or C-ration box in a similiar position. It could also be an Ammo Case which was light-colored wood around metal ammo boxes. But I could easily be wrong, since I'm just guessing.



And here's one of a M-47? showing the wooden ammo boxes like i'm talking about:



I'm pretty sure that's a german fuel can on the engine deck.

Hey Greg,
I'm not sure, hard to tell from the grainess of the photo. I'm going to say possible K-rations on the side of the turret. What the one is on the rear of the turret, your guess is as good as mine.

Rations or ammo, take your pick. The rack on the turret, originally designed to carry the driver and bow gunner's hoods, was used for just about everything else but.
Korea had logistic challenges, that's why Marine M26's carried all that .30cal on the fenders.
Yes that does appear to be a German can. Silly Jarheads!

G

Those pics help, thanks. I think I'll go with ration boxes then. I did catch the German Jerry can

Thanks guys!

Not necessarily. Early in WWII, the US coppied the British fuel can, which was a copy of the German fuel can. It was called the Blitz Jerry Can. You can see it below. It is more likely a left over US Blitz can.



Take note of the abscence of any stamped German or British markings.

Touche Thanks for the info Gino.

If the light colored box has metal cross-strapping, then it's most likely a 'C' or 'K' ration box (water-proofed cardboard insert). Also, among the stencilling on the ends is a large black cresent shape - this also helps to identify the box as rations.

The Bunker Militaria website lists a purported "Original WWII German 20 liter Fuel Can (Jerry Can)" that appears to only have markings on the handle near the spout:



But I could be wrong or the website is.

Most Jerry cans used by the US in NWE were actually manufactured in the UK and were indeed a copy of the German Can. It was far better use of limited shipping space across the Atlantic to send rolls of Sheet steel to make the jerrycans in the Uk than to ship them across the pond empty.
Of course the vehicles would have been dispatched with US style ones as part of their on board equipment.
If you look at pictures of large US fuel dumps, red Ball express etc in NWE the jerrycans are invariably the UK/German styled ones.
CHeers
Al