Today in WW II: 9 Feb 1941 British Prime Minister Winston Churchill appeals for arms shipments from the US: "Give us the tools, and we will finish the job". More ↓

9 Feb 1943 Allied forces capture Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
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Chevrolet 1 1/2 ton 4x4 Earth Auger Truck (G7163)

The Chevrolet 1 1/2 ton 4x4 Earth Auger Truck (G7163) was part of the G506 series of 1 1/2 ton closed cab trucks built by Chevrolet in large numbers during World War II. The 145 in. wheelbase G7163 had the mission of drilling holes for setting of power or telephone poles. It was used by the Signal Corps who referred to this truck as the K-44.

There were two body styles, the first with rectangular corners at the top rear of the side panels and the second with rounded corners at that position. The truck was equipped with a hole drilling auger, various sized bits, cable reel, and pole jack (to extract poles). A powerful bed-mounted winch could be used to lift and set the poles. The latter function was also performed by the related K42 and K43 trucks of this series which had a pole setting A-frame.

All of the G506 series trucks were powered by the Chevrolet 235 cu. in. 83 hp. six cyl. engine mated to a four speed transmission and two speed transfer case.

1941 photo of Chevrolet 1 1/2 ton 4x4 Earth Auger Truck (G7163).