CMP truck file photo [26132]

CMP

CountryCanada
Primary RoleTransport

Contributor:

ww2dbaseThe Canadian Military Pattern truck (CMP) was not a particular model of truck but was a class of military truck adapted in many forms and made in large numbers during World War II.

ww2dbaseEarly in 1937, the Canadian Department of National Defence invited R. S. McLaughlin of General Motors of Canada Ltd. and the Ford Motor Company of Canada to produce a Canadian prototype of a medium transport truck based on the rugged British Scammell Pioneer heavy hauler. In an unprecedented level of cooperation between the two otherwise rival companies, Ford and Chevrolet created a standardized series of new military vehicles that met British specifications but were designed for production within the Canadian manufacturing processes. Originally they were designated "Department of National Defence" Pattern (DND) but when it became clear these Canadian-built trucks were going to serve in the forces of several other countries, the class of trucks was redesignated "Canadian Military Pattern" (CMP).

ww2dbasePrototypes were subjected to rigorous testing by 1939 and all-out production was underway by 1940. After the British Expeditionary Force was forced to abandon their equipment during the evacuation at Dunkirk in the spring of 1940, there was an urgent need to replace that equipment in the rapidly expanding armed forces of the Commonwealth Nations. The CMP was well suited for this purpose and so production demands went up.

ww2dbaseThe original specifications called for a cab forward design that resulted in a short, flat look to the front that became known as the "Pekinese." The cab design underwent several modifications in the early models before settling on what was called the Type 13 cab. One of the distinctive features of the Type 13 cab was that the two windscreen panels had a reversed slope to reduce reflected sunlight and make the vehicles less visible from the air. For the CMP short wheel base models, the almost cube-like overall shape made it ideal for packing aboard transport ships. For a truck that was destined to travel from Canada to nearly every theater of war, this was a considerable advantage.

ww2dbaseThe versatility of the CMP design is evidenced in the number of variants produced. CMPs were built with carrying capacities of 800 pounds, 1,500 pounds, 2,000 pounds, 2,500 pounds, and 3,000 pounds. The 3,000-pound 4x4 variant was the most numerous. The most common drive system by far was the 4-wheel drive system but there were some 2-wheel drive models and some 3-axle 6-wheel drive models. Based on its versatility, ruggedness, and ease of production, CMPs accounted for nearly two-thirds of all military trucks of all types built in Canada during the war. Nearly 10,000 Canadian-built CMP cab-and-chassis assemblies were also shipped abroad to Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, and Egypt where they were built into an even wider variety of configurations, including several versions of armored cars. In Australian service, CMP trucks were known as the "Blitz."

ww2dbaseCMP trucks were also shipped to the Soviet Union as a portion of Canada's aid to the Allies. During World War II, CMP trucks performed very dependably all around the world; notably in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, the Soviet Front, Burma, the Philippines, France, and Germany. After the war, production of new CMP trucks scaled back but the existing war surplus trucks went on to serve in several of the world's military fleets, as well as many civilian applications, for many productive years to come.

ww2dbaseThe History of the Second World War, the official British history of the war, says the production of the over 410,000 soft-skinned trucks, including trucks of the CMP class, was Canada's most important contribution to the eventual Allied victory. While the Third Canadian Infantry Division at Normandy's Juno Beach might see that question a little differently, the point remains that the CMP class of truck was a very important Canadian contribution to the overall ability of the British Commonwealth of Nations to wage this war.

ww2dbaseSources:
Wikipedia
Maple Leaf Up
Panzerserra Bunker
History of the Second World War (UK)

Last Major Revision: Aug 2016

SPECIFICATIONS

Ford F-30 30cwt
MachineryOne 239 cu in Ford V8 gasoline engine rated at 95hp
SuspensionWheels, 4x4
Crew1
Length5.05 m
Width2.10 m
Height2.22 m
Weight2.7 t
Speed80 km/h
Range150 km

Chevrolet C-60S 60cwt
MachineryOne 216 cu in GMC inline-6 gasoline engine rated at 85hp
SuspensionWheels, 4x4
Crew1
Length5.05 m
Width2.10 m
Height2.28 m
Weight2.9 t
Speed80 km/h

Chevrolet C-60L 60 cwt
MachineryOne 216 cu in GMC inline-6 gasoline engine rated at 85hp
SuspensionWheels, 4x4
Crew1
Length5.66 m
Width2.10 m
Height2.28 m
Weight3.0 t
Speed80 km/h

Photographs

Canadian CMP 3/4-ton 4x4 truck undergoing testing, 1941. Note early cab design with rear swinging doors, rear sloping windscreen, and traditional front fenders (wings).Canadian-built CMP Field Artillery Tractor being unloaded from a troop ship in Colombo harbor, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Feb 1942.Bedford QL truck being loaded onto a LCT large landing craft during a training exercise, circa 1942, location unknown.British driver posing with his Canadian Chevrolet-built CMP 4x4 truck in the North African desert, circa 1942.
See all 30 photographs of CMP Transport



Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds




Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Anonymous says:
12 Jul 2020 12:26:31 AM

I was born in 1945 just bought a Chevrolet blitz going to put it on the road

All visitor submitted comments are opinions of those making the submissions and do not reflect views of WW2DB.

Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
 Your email will not be published
Comment Type
Your Comments
 

Notes:

1. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.

2. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ.

Search WW2DB
CMP Transport Photo Gallery
Canadian CMP 3/4-ton 4x4 truck undergoing testing, 1941. Note early cab design with rear swinging doors, rear sloping windscreen, and traditional front fenders (wings).
See all 30 photographs of CMP Transport


Famous WW2 Quote
"All right, they're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of us, they're behind us... they can't get away this time."

Lt. Gen. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, at Guadalcanal


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!