There are two well-known photos related to LCM3's being lifted from the Rhine (after the mass crossings) and driven toward the Atlantic. The first image is of Maastricht in the Netherlands, where one LCM3 is already loaded on a M15, and a second is having its hull scraped as it's lifted - dragged out of the river.



I'm wondering what the designation of the crane is? I've had poor luck searching for photos and info on US cranes in the war - any good sites for this will be appreciated. You can't tell if it's wheeled or tracted, but I'd guess that the major models were built both ways - perhaps with tracked more prevalent.

Apart from that, I don't understand the ramps, as they certainly don't appear to be being used. The caption mentions them as related to the current operation, but I have to think they're there for some other purpose?

The second photo is of a convoy stopped on the way west? I'm just guessing that as these two were loaded with the ramp in the rear, while most photos show them the other way around; however, this photo could be of some heading east during the fall or winter. It's a misty day in any event.



The front vehicle on the right is clearly a Jeep, and I have no idea what that is behind it - which may not necessarily even be a vehicle. What I'm more interested in is what seems to be a small troop carrier behind the LCM3. That ramp looks like it could break loose at any time, so it's a good thing the guy is standing just clear of it.

Thanks for any info.

The vehicle in the right foreground looks to be the Renault UE tractor, looking at it from the rear. Note the double driver domes. The louvered panel between them is an open engine access hatch. The signal disc on the left front fender is very clear as well.

The light truck on the right is a Dodge WC51 (or 52 if it's fitted with a front winch).

I"ll see what I can find for the crane in the top picture
At least in doesn't appear in the list on Olive-Drab.com :

http://olive-drab.com/od_mvg_vehicle_id_cranes.php

Could it be a civilian crane ?

H.P.

Thanks, Roy - you're clearly an expert. I can't even make those out as louvers, and didn't know if the bumps were watermelons, helmets, or what. OK - just kidding there.

Frenchy - do you mean on the left? Otherwise I don't know what vehicle you're talking about.

OOOOPS ! Of course I meant the vehicle on the left ! On a side note, another Dodge variant is visible in the first picture (it's a WC53 Carryall).

H.P.

[quote]OOOOPS ! Of course I meant the vehicle on the left ! quote]

Or, as we say here: "no - your other right"

BTW - has anyone there ever issued a kit for this 1939 Somua? Bridge layers tend to be strange beasts anyway, but this could be the funkiest I've ever seen, and the only one not based on a tank chassis.

There was a French resin kit I have the Artillery tractor version a lovely model but i cant find the instructions at the moment

Hi!
I am clearly not an expert or something near that for WWII operations and vehicles, but when seing the crane this one came into my mind:


http://www.accurate-armour.com/ShowProduct.cfm?manufacturer=0&category=14&subcategory=25&product=1564

Well, there are some differences, however there might have been related types around of that one? Also it is possible that it was a civilian product. At least in Germany, such cranes, mainly based on tracks (for cross country and the heavier duties), were common until the 60s. Later on, they looked more modern. "Menck" is a well known company of Germany of these days. If you google "Menck Kran", a lot of such equipment, old and new, pops up. Nothing real similar, but related.

Just an idea!

Andreas

Here you can see how it worked :

http://www.chars-francais.net/new/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&Itemid=38

H.P.

Andreas - I know the AA kit and it is indeed close. I'm fairly certain the Army would only use their own crane - for a number of reasons.

Frenchy - I find the sequence of the drawings quite confusing, as it seems to get deployed and then retracted, so I don't really follow what's going on. I had thought it might be a period movie.

I've just noticed that the images display on the Chars-français webpage is confusing if one uses Internet Explorer, but things get much clearer with Firefox
The drawings show the two types of bridges that were to be fitted to the truck.

Pics 1, 2 and 3 show the first type of bridge and pics 4, 5 and 6 show the second type of bridge (the more "sophisticated" one )
The last picture show the trailer that was used to carry two more bridges (1st type)

H.P.