Hi
Interested in doing an early war Pacific Diorama.
Want to use a US Ambulance & wondered where any used at the Battle for Bataan.
Any help would be great Photo's even better.
Spent hours getting No-where on the net.

Shaun

I haven't seen any Bataan-specific WC-54 ambulance pics, but the USMC mainly used special-modified jeep ambulances in the Pacific.

I would doubt it, I don't think the Dodge 3/4 tons were even in production pre-1941. Plus the shortage of fuel and supplies would lead me to believe that very few motorized vehicles were used on Bataan.

No ambulances that I know of. Medical supplies, food, and any other equipment needed was not stockpiled. Had there been a vehicle there would be no gas except for critical use. Even simple stretchers would have been of limited availability (they didn't even have bandages to cover wounds). Most likely wounded would be carried by improvised means, which continued over to the death march, where men can be seen carrying comrades in a blanket tied at the ends to a pole or tree branch.

From "The Battle of Bataan: A Complete History" by Donald J. Young :


There are a few mentions of ambulances in the book :

Google books search result

H.P.

Dodge built the VF-407 1-1/2 ton ambulance in 1940. One source says there was only one, another source three. It was a Dodge T203 civilian van with Dodge all-wheel drive assembly, cut away fenders to improve clearance, duel rear wheels, and modified to carry four liters.

Dodge 1/2 ton Ambulance: 2288 WC-9 built in 1941, 1555 WC-18 in 1941 and, 2579 WC-27 Ambulances 1941-42. They all resembled the later 3/4 WC-54 the most noticeable difference being the hood and grill.

Dodge 3/4 ton Ambulances: 26,002 WC-54 1924-44, 3,500 WC-64 Knock Down Ambulance 1945

The Marine jeeps pictured by Gino are Holden Jeep Ambulances converted from standard jeeps in Australia.

Another period picture :



H.P.

Hi
Thanks for the replies.
Gino Yeah I know of the USMC Holden version of Jeeps ( building 1 in 1/24th scale when time permits).
Frenchy Same photo's I found don't seem to be much else about. Was hoping a WC54 had been used .
Highway thanks for the info.
Looks like I'll have to build it as a rear area vehicle still Pacific based.

Shaun

A requisitioned civilian ambulance could be an option, but you would have to scratchbuild a 1/35th scale one...

According to the caption, the one in the picture below is a Ford 1939 (Luzon, January 2, 1942) :



Full size

H.P.