Today in WW II: 16 Sep 1940 Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 signed by Pres. Roosevelt, beginning the military draft of US men aged 21-36.  More 
16 Sep 1941 German encirclement of Soviet forces in Kiev completed, to be followed by ruthless German attacks to annihilate the trapped Red Army troops.
16 Sep 1943 Malaya Zemlya enclave of Novorossiysk port on the Black Sea, after holding out against Wehrmacht for 225 days, liberated by the Red Army.
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M819 Truck, Tractor, 6x6 Wrecker, 5 ton, w/winch

The M-819 Truck, Tractor, 6x6 Wrecker, 5 ton is part of the G-908 (or M-809) series of 5 ton 6x6 trucks. Details of the history, model numbers, and configurations of the M809-series of trucks are on the linked page.

The M819 was used for wrecker, hauling, and salvage operations. Its Austin Western hydraulically-powered, engine-driven crane is used for lifting materials and freeing mired vehicles. The crane can extend from 11 1/2 to 26 feet (3.51-7.93m) and is capable of lifting up to 20,000 lbs (9,072 kg). A hydraulically-powered swing motor allows the crane to rotate left or right a full 360 degrees.

The M-819 is also equipped with a fifth wheel at the rear for hauling military semitrailers and a front winch for self-recovery. The hydraulic system operates from a PTO on the truck engine.

The M819 Truck, Tractor, 6x6 Wrecker, 5 ton, w/winch was identified with NSN 2320-00-050-9004. Manuals for this equipment will be in the TM 9-2320-260-xx series, where the xx represents the maintenance level.

M819 Truck, Tractor, 6x6 Wrecker, 5 ton, w/winch.  Photo Government Liquidation.com
M819 Truck, Tractor, 6x6 Wrecker, 5 ton, w/winch. Photo: Government Liquidation.com.

Truck, Tractor, 6x6 Wrecker, 5 ton, w/winch.   Photo Government Liquidation.com
M819 Truck, Tractor, 6x6 Wrecker, 5 ton, w/winch. Photo: Government Liquidation.com.

M819 Truck, Wrecker, 5 ton, 6x6 w/winch in salvage yard, Granbury, TX, 4 October 2005.  Photo courtesy Bob Pettit
M819 Truck, Wrecker, 5 ton, 6x6 w/winch in salvage yard, Granbury, TX, 4 October 2005. Photo courtesy Bob Pettit.

M819 Truck, Wrecker, 5 ton, 6x6 w/winch in salvage yard, Granbury, TX, 4 October 2005.  Photo courtesy Bob Pettit
M819 Truck, Wrecker, 5 ton, 6x6 w/winch in salvage yard, Granbury, TX, 4 October 2005. Photo courtesy Bob Pettit.

M819 Truck, Wrecker, 5 ton, 6x6 w/winch in salvage yard, Granbury, TX, 4 October 2005.  Photo courtesy Bob Pettit
M819 Truck, Wrecker, 5 ton, 6x6 w/winch in salvage yard, Granbury, TX, 4 October 2005. Photo courtesy Bob Pettit.