1942 WC 21 - 1/2 Ton
Generally, the Dodge WC 1/2 tons were not deployed for use in combat by the US Army. There were two significant exceptions. The first is those sent to the Philippines prior to World War II where they were captured by the Japanese who used them during the war. The second is that in Europe the Army Air Corps used several versions of the Dodge 1/2 ton trucks on English air bases in support of flight operations. Most notable were the 1/2 ton ambulances. Other 1/2 ton Dodges were modified to handle bombs.
My limited research on use of the 1/2 ton Dodges in combat with the US Army in North Africa is based largely in reviewing several hours of official Army file footage. Strangely, there were no 1/2 ton Dodges - or 3/4 ton Dodges shown. I would reasonably expect to see some Dodges in the Army footage.
Most of the Dodge 1/2 ton military trucks that saw combat in World War II were those shipped to Russia and Great Britain as "Lend Lease" aid. Lend-Lease aid destined for France was redirected when France surrendered. Lend-Lease Dodge 1/2 ton military trucks were deployed in Northern Africa where the rapidly alternating successes in battle saw them captured by the Germans and recaptured by the Allies. Military historians estimate that 85% of all German support and transport vehicles at the time of the conclusion of the North Africa campaign were captured Allied equipment. Remember that Germany was defeated as much by interdiction of supply lines as by actual combat so that estimate is 85% of not a whole lot.
As the US Army was being built up and trained, the half-tons were used in training. The "Louisiana Maneuvers" was one of the best known of the large scope training exercises. In smaller unit training, the half-tons were often fitted with silhouettes to represent tanks and other military weapons.
Production of the half-tons ceased in early 1942 as they were replaced with the more rugged Dodge military 3/4 ton WC series.
My limited research on use of the 1/2 ton Dodges in combat with the US Army in North Africa is based largely in reviewing several hours of official Army file footage. Strangely, there were no 1/2 ton Dodges - or 3/4 ton Dodges shown. I would reasonably expect to see some Dodges in the Army footage.
Most of the Dodge 1/2 ton military trucks that saw combat in World War II were those shipped to Russia and Great Britain as "Lend Lease" aid. Lend-Lease aid destined for France was redirected when France surrendered. Lend-Lease Dodge 1/2 ton military trucks were deployed in Northern Africa where the rapidly alternating successes in battle saw them captured by the Germans and recaptured by the Allies. Military historians estimate that 85% of all German support and transport vehicles at the time of the conclusion of the North Africa campaign were captured Allied equipment. Remember that Germany was defeated as much by interdiction of supply lines as by actual combat so that estimate is 85% of not a whole lot.
As the US Army was being built up and trained, the half-tons were used in training. The "Louisiana Maneuvers" was one of the best known of the large scope training exercises. In smaller unit training, the half-tons were often fitted with silhouettes to represent tanks and other military weapons.
Production of the half-tons ceased in early 1942 as they were replaced with the more rugged Dodge military 3/4 ton WC series.
1942 WC 53 - 3/4 Ton
This 1942 WC-52 3/4 ton Weapons Carrier is representative of the Museum's World War II military Dodges. The civilian POWER WAGON was developed from these military trucks. The 3/4 ton engine and drive line components, as well as the winch, front bumper, and a few body parts were carried directly to the military styled POWER WAGON first built in late 1945 as the 1946 Dodge WDX.