Mack
Truck in World War Two
Allentown, PA
1900-Present
This page updated 7-27-2020.

Size does matter! The Mack NM-8D 6-ton 6x6 compared to
Ward-LaFrance 10-ton wrecker and two GMC CCKW 2-1/2-ton trucks. The Mack
NM-8D was built on June
12,1945 and is Serial Number 7594. It is owned by the Mack Truck
Museum in nearby Allentown, PA. Author's photo added 7-11-2019.

This was photographed at the 2019 World War
Two Weekend at Reading, PA. This was the truck's first appearance
at World War Two Weekend. This may be the only World War Two era
Mack truck in the United States. From the data shown in production
tables below, most of the trucks that Mack built during the war were
sent to the United Kingdom. The major exception to this was the NO
Series 7-1/2-ton 6x6 Prime Movers that were used by the U.S. Army to
pull 155mm "Long Tom" artillery pieces. Author's photo
added 7-11-2019.

Author's photo added 7-11-2019.

Author's photo added 7-11-2019.
Mack
World War Two Production Statistics: (32,069)
Military Trucks from Tables 1and 2, (8,131) commercial vehicles to include buses, trucks,
fire truck and trailers, and 2,600 M3 tank power trains.
Table 1 - Mack Truck
World War Two Trucks Accepted by Detroit Ordnance, US Army
The information below comes from "Summary Report of
Acceptances, Tank-Automotive Material, 1940-1945"
Published by Army Services Forces, Office, Chief of
Ordnance-Detroit, Production Division, Requirements and
Progress Branch
January 21, 1946. Supplementary and additional
information in reference to Mack Model numbers obtained from
"A Record of Military Macks in the Services and Beyond" by
Bart Vanderveen, published 1998. |
Type |
Mack Model |
1940 |
1941 |
1942 |
1943 |
1944 |
1945 |
Total |
2-1/2-ton 4x2 Cargo |
EF |
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
12 |
2-1/2-ton 4x2 Dump |
EE(S) |
101 |
|
|
|
|
|
101 |
2-1/2-ton 4x2 Stake and Platform |
EG |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
2-1/2-ton 4x2 Tank, Fuel, 1000 Gallons |
EG |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
2-1/2-ton 4x2 Tank, Sprinkler |
EG |
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
3 |
2-1/2-ton 4x2 Tank, Water, 1000 Gallons |
EG |
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
5 |
2-1/2-ton 4x2 Van, COE |
? |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
5-ton, 4x2 Cargo
(Lend-Lease to Britain) |
EH |
|
|
510 |
|
|
|
510 |
5-ton, 4x2 Cargo, COE
(Lend-Lease to Britain) |
EHU |
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
70 |
5-ton, 4x2 Tractor
(Lend-Lease to Britain) |
EHT |
|
|
140 |
|
|
|
140 |
5-ton, 4x2 Tractor, COE
(Lend-Lease to Britain) |
EHUT |
|
|
180 |
|
|
|
180 |
4-ton 4x2, Chassis |
? |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
5-ton 4x2 Dump |
? |
40 |
|
|
|
|
|
40 |
5-ton 4x2 Tractor, 132 inch WB |
? |
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
53 |
5-ton 4x2 Tractor, 141 inch WB |
? |
|
50 |
|
|
|
|
50 |
5-6-ton 4x4 Tractor,
COE |
NJU-1,2 |
|
694 |
6 |
|
|
|
700 |
5-6-ton 4x2 Cargo |
EH |
|
|
|
2,350 |
100 |
|
2,450 |
5-6-ton 4x2 Chassis, 230 inch WB, for 37 passenger bus |
? |
|
|
|
|
(100) |
|
(100) |
5-6-ton 4x2 Tractor |
? |
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
50 |
6-ton 6x4 Wrecker |
LMSW-23, 39 |
|
193 |
181 |
|
|
|
374 |
6-ton 6x6 Cargo |
NM-1 |
87 |
|
|
|
|
|
87 |
6-ton 6x6 Cargo |
NM-2 |
107 |
|
|
|
|
|
107 |
6-ton 6x6 Cargo |
NM-3 |
|
104 |
|
|
|
|
104 |
6-ton 6x6 Cargo |
NN-2 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
6-ton 6x6 Cargo |
NM-5 |
|
|
484 |
576 |
|
|
1,060 |
6-ton 6x6 Cargo |
NM-6 |
|
|
|
2,668 |
572 |
|
3,240 |
6-ton 6x6 Cargo |
NM-7 |
|
|
|
|
1,174 |
770 |
1,944 |
6-ton 6x6 Cargo |
NM-8 |
|
|
|
|
|
649 |
649 |
7-1/2-ton 6x6 Prime Mover w/w |
NO-2 |
|
|
|
403 |
|
|
403 |
7-1/2-ton 6x6 Prime Mover w/w |
NO-3 |
|
|
|
97 |
|
|
97 |
7-1/2-ton 6x6 Prime Mover w/w |
NO-6 |
|
|
|
513 |
584 |
|
1,097 |
7-1/2-ton 6x6 Prime Mover w/w |
NO-7 |
|
|
|
|
188 |
362 |
550 |
10-ton 6x4 Transporter
|
NR-1 to NR-15 |
|
199 |
1,351 |
3,692 |
6,555 |
3,731 |
15,528 |
10-ton 4x2, Hoist Dump
(Lend-Lease to Britain) |
FG |
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
25 |
Total |
|
357 |
1,248 |
3,002 |
10,349 |
9,073 |
5,512 |
29,541 |
Author's Note
and Disclaimer: The Detroit Office
of Ordnance of the U.S. Army was the primary purchasing entity for
vehicles for the U.S. Army during WWII. It also purchased vehicles
for the USMC, US Navy, and for Lend-Lease. However, there were
other organizations that also purchased vehicles including the Army
Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army Air Force, U.S. Army Signal Corps, Navy
Bureau of Ordnance, Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, and foreign countries
making direct purchases. See table 2 for further information.
Table 2 - Other
Mack Trucks not comprehended in Table 1.
Obtained from from "A Record of Military Macks in the Services and Beyond" by
Bart Vanderveen, published 1998. Note that there is a
differential of 300 units between what US Army Ordnance gives
and what "A Record of Military Macks in the Services and Beyond"
gives. |
Type |
Mack
Model Number |
Number
Built |
Year |
Comments |
5-ton 4x2 Cargo
|
EHT |
50 |
1943 |
To
Royal Australian Navy. |
5-ton 4x2 Fire Truck |
75 |
37 |
1942 |
To
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Chassid only for Class 750
fire truck. |
4x2
Fire Truck |
Various |
97 |
1940-1944 |
These
were most likely for the U.S. Army Air Corps. |
4x2
Fire Truck |
Various |
757 |
1940-1944 |
These
were for other U.S. government agencies including the U.S. Navy. |
10-ton 4x2 Dump Truck |
FT |
25 |
1943 |
Lend-Lease to Britain. |
12-ton 4x2 Tractor |
LFT |
5 |
1942 |
U.S.
Army |
12-ton 4x2 Tractor |
LFT |
Unknown |
1942 |
The
U.S. Navy utilized the LFT tractors for pulling helium trailers
for use in its airships. |
4x2
COE Tank, Fuel |
LJU |
6 |
1942 |
The
U.S. Navy purchased this type truck. There were at least
six built for the Navy. |
6x4
COE Tractor |
CJ |
1 |
1940 |
The
U.S. Navy purchased at least one CJ which was used at the
Portsmouth, NH Navy yard to moved 40-ton sections of submarines
to the final assembly point. |
2-1/2-ton COE four-door truck |
NB-1 |
368 |
1940 |
This
was for use as either a search light or general cargo truck. |
6-ton
4x4 Wrecker |
LMSW-53 |
139 |
1942 |
For
Canada. Chrysler in Windsor, ONT installed Garwood
equipment. |
6-ton
4x4 Wrecker |
LMSW-57 |
160 |
1943-44 |
Open
cab model for Canada. |
18-ton 6x4 Tank Transporter |
EXBX |
210 |
1940 |
4,800
tanker trucks converted to tank transporters. Ordered by
France but shipped to Britain. |
18-ton 6x4 Tank Transporter |
EXBX-2 |
60 |
|
|
Brockway Class 150 Fire Truck |
|
100 |
1944 |
|
7-1/2-ton 6x6 Prime Mover |
NO-3 |
513 |
1943 |
|
Total |
|
2,528 |
|
|
Table 3 -
Expanded NR Series Production Numbers.
Obtained from from "A Record of Military Macks in the Services and Beyond" by
Bart Vanderveen, published 1998. Note that there is a
differential of 300 units between what US Army Ordnance gives
and what "A Record of Military Macks in the Services and Beyond"
gives. |
NR Model Number |
Number Built |
Year |
Comments |
NR-1 |
Unknown |
1940 |
Directly ordered by British Purchasing Commission. Knocked
down |
NR-2 |
330 |
1941 |
Directly ordered by British Purchasing |
NR-3 |
61 |
1941 |
Lend-Lease Purchase |
NR-4 |
200 |
1941 |
Lend-Lease Purchase, this was to carry a M3 Stuart tank |
NR-5 |
189 |
1941-1942 |
Lend-Lease Purchase |
NR-6 |
500 |
1942 |
Lend-Lease Purchase |
NR-7 |
500 |
450 in 1942, 50 in1943 |
|
NR-8 |
700 |
|
|
NR-9 |
900 |
|
|
NR-10 |
1,257 |
|
|
Nr-11 |
239 |
|
|
NR-12 |
1,320 |
|
|
NR-13 |
1,280 |
|
|
NR-14 |
7,080 |
|
|
NR-15 |
847 |
1945 |
|
NR-16 |
455 |
1945 |
|
Total |
15,828 |
|
Army
Ordnance contracts end |
NR-17 |
None |
|
|
NR-18 |
150 |
1945 |
Ordered by US
Treasury for reconstruction in Belgium |
NR-19 |
150 |
1945 |
Ordered by US
Treasury for reconstruction in The Netherlands |
NR-20 |
300 |
1945 |
Ordered by US
Treasury for reconstruction in France |
Total |
600 |
|
|
Grand Total |
16,428 |
|
|
Table 4 -Mack Truck
World War Two Trailers Accepted by Detroit Ordnance, US Army
The information below comes from "Summary Report of
Acceptances, Tank-Automotive Material, 1940-1945"
Published by Army Services Forces, Office, Chief of
Ordnance-Detroit, Production Division, Requirements and
Progress Branch
January 21, 1946. |
Type |
Mack Model |
1940 |
1941 |
1942 |
1943 |
1944 |
1945 |
Total |
Semi-Trailer, 8-ton 2-wheel for 5-ton EHT and EHUT Tractors |
ST20 |
|
|
320 |
|
|
|
320 |
Author's Note
and Disclaimer: The Detroit Office
of Ordnance of the U.S. Army was the primary purchasing entity for vehicles for the U.S. Army during WWII. It also purchased
vehicles for the USMC, US Navy, and Lend-Lease. However,
there were other organizations that also purchased vehicles
including the Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army Air Force, U.S.
Army Signal Corps, Navy Bureau of Ordnance, Navy
Bureau of Aeronautics, and foreign countries making direct
purchases.
(700) 5 ton NJU series 4x4
trucks. (8) NJU-2 were used for towing topographical mapping
trailers and the remaining NJU-1s were used for towing pontoon trailers. The NM 6x6 series was a 6 ton
truck, of which (87) were NM-1, (107) were NM-2, (104) were NM-3,
(1,060) were NM-5, (3,240) were NM-6, and (3,888) were NM-7. There
were an unknown amount of NM-8s built. (2,053) NO 6x6 7&1/2 ton trucks
were produced among the N series.
Mack had a plant in New Brunswick, NJ plant
was purchased from the Wright-Martin Aircraft Company in 1919.
During WWI the plant had produced 5,816 Hispano-Suizas aircraft engines
under license and 51 aircraft. After the WWI, Mack bought the plant and the
equipment in it. This plant produced transmissions and drive train
components. Mack also had a plant in Plainfield, NJ that produced
the truck engines for Mack.
Mack Truck was 63rd in dollar value of WWII production
contracts.

Mack Truck in Allentown was awarded the Army-Navy "E"
Award four times. The first award was presented on November 21,
1942 as shown below.
The Mack plant in New Brunswick, NJ was awarded the Army-Navy "E" Award
three times.
The Mack plant in Plainfield, NJ was awarded the Army-Navy "E" Award
three times.

Photo added 6-13-2016 courtesy of Rudy Lev.

This is considered to be the oldest Mack
vehicle still in existence. While the lettering indicates it was
built in 1900, the registration on firewall shows it as a 1901.
Author's photo added 7-7-2020.

Author's photo added 7-7-2020.

This 1925 Model AC "Bulldog" truck is
similar to what the company provided to the British and US Armies during
WWII. British troops nick named them "Bulldogs" because of their
toughness. Note that the radiator is located just forward of the
firewall and the cooling fan was driven by the flywheel.
Originally the Model AC came with hard rubber tires and was introduced
in 1916. Author's photo from the National Automotive and Truck
Museum in Auburn, IN.

This photo from the the Mack Truck
Historical Museum shows a World War One Model AC. The radiator was
not placed in the front grill to keep it from being damaged by stones on
the road and irate teamsters that still used horses and threw rocks at
the trucks.

This Mack NO 7&1/2 ton truck is pulling a
155 mm gun through Brest, France in August of 1944, the task it was
designed for. Photo courtesy of the Mack Truck Historical
Museum.
More photos of Mack NM-8D 7594:
Below are photos of a 1945 Mack NM8D 7594
delivered to the US Army on June 12, 1945 and is undergoing complete
restoration at the Mack Truck Museum in Allentown, PA. This 6-ton
6x6 prime mover was being used as a target at Fort Indiantown Gap in
Pennsylvania. Restoration of the truck is scheduled to be
completed in time for a parade in Washington, DC during the summer of
2017. Photos courtesy of Rudy Lev and added 6-14-2016.







Due to the low production number very few
are in museums or owned by private collectors. This pristine
example of Mack NO is in the Overloon Military Museum in the
Netherlands. Photo courtesy of Zandcee.

This early World War Two photo shows the
Mack Model NR 6 ton truck. Photo courtesy of the Mack Truck
Historical Museum.

This Mack NO-3 is owned by WW2 Armor in Florida. Photo courtesy of
WW2 Armor added 7-7-2020.

The 2,600 tank transmissions went into the
M3 Lee/Grant tank. From the historical record it is unclear
whether Mack built the transmission or final drive, or both.

The Mack built transmissions were at the
front of the M3 tank. Author's photo added 2-16-2016.

Looking inside a cut-away tank at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, ONT,
one can view the M4A2 Sherman transmission inside the tank. This
was located to the right of the driver's position in the
background. The M3 and M4 series medium tanks used the same
transmission and final drive. Author's photo added 7-7-2020.

The next two photos show the internal gears
and brakes that Mack manufactured before assembling them into the final
drive unit. Author's photo added 7-7-2020.

Author's photo added 7-7-2020.

Post-World War Two Mack Military Trucks:

This 1956 Mack-built M54A2 was on display at
the 2019 MVPA Convention in Allentown, PA. There was an
interesting story to the vehicle. The owner entered it as a AM
General because that was the company that did the overhaul on the
vehicle. When the judges checked the serial number on the frame,
it was found to be a Mack. Author's photo added 7-7-2020.

Author's photo added 7-7-2020.

Author's photo added 7-7-2020.

Author's photo added 7-7-2020.

Author's photo added 7-7-2020.

The Mack E-9 military "Hypercharge" V-8
diesel engine was produced from 1985 to 1998. The 998 cu. in.
engine was equipped with four turbo chargers for two stage turbo
charging and also had two air-water heat exchangers. This engine
was on display at the Mack Museum. Author's photo added 7-7-2020.

Author's photo added 7-7-2020.

The four turbo chargers can be seen in this
photo. Author's photo added 7-7-2020.

This is one of the first five Mack M917
Heavy Duty Dump trucks that was delivered to the U.S. Army on June 10,
2019. I took this photo in front of the Mack Customer Center on
June 7, 2019 after visiting the Mack Museum at this location.
Three days later this vehicle, and four others were delivered to U.S.
Army officers in a ceremony inside the building. The M197A3 is
based on Mack's civilian "Granite" heavy duty dump truck.
Author's photo added 7-7-2020.

Author's photo added 7-7-2020.
"Geared for Victory"
Added 7-27-2020.
This Mack booklet detailing the
company's contribution to the war effort is undated. However, it
appears to be an early war document from the photos and the type trucks
shown on the pages below. The page on trucks for the building of
the third lock of the Panama Canal indicates this is a late 1941 or
early 1942 release. The third lock project was cancelled in 1942.












Work began on this project in 1941 but was
cancelled in 1942. The main reason for the third lock was to allow
the a new class of super battleship that was being planned to pass
through the canal. After it became obvious in the early stages of
World War Two that the new battleship was not needed, the project was
cancelled.







The historical record does not indicate that
any landing craft used by the U.S. Navy were powered by either Mack
diesel or gasoline powered engines. Mack may have provided marine
diesels for test purposes, but they were not used on production landing
craft.





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