WW II Crawler Cranes

The slow moving, but heavy capacity, cable crane on tracks (crawler crane) was utilized by engineering units in World War II for construction, material handling, bridging, artillery operations, and many other tasks.

Crawler crane surrounded by other vehicles, awaiting loading for shipment to Europe, Pier X, Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, Newport News, VA, 25 February 1943
Crawler crane surrounded by other vehicles, awaiting loading for shipment to Europe, Pier X, Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, Newport News, VA, 25 February 1943.

Today in WW II: 9 Jul 1940 Battle of Calabria [Battle of Punta Stilo, the toe of Italy] fought between the Italian Royal Navy and the British/Australian Royal Navies, 30 miles [48km] east of Punta Stilo.  More ↓
9 Jul 1943 US-British invasion of Sicily begins [night of 9-10 Jul].
9 Jul 1944 British and Canadian forces capture Caen from the Germans, a critical post-D-Day objective in Normandy, France.
9 Jul 1944 US forces reach the northern end of Saipan, finding thousands of Japanese civilian men, women, and children who commit suicide by leaping off the cliffs rather than be captured.
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.

WW II Crawler Cranes

Bucyrus-Erie produced two models of crawler crane for the U.S. military during World War II:

  • Crane, Revolving, Crawler Mounted, GED & DED, 1/2 cu yd, 5 to 6 ton, Class II
  • Crane, Revolving, Crawler Mounted, GED, 3/4 cu yd, 7 to 10 ton, Class III

GED and DED refer to the type of engine, "Gasoline Engine Driven" or "Diesel Engine Driven." The 1/2 cu yd Bucyrus-Erie Model 15-B was produced in the largest numbers, both as a crawler crane and as an excavator. Bucyrus-Erie produced many other crawler crane models, of varying capacity, which were procured by the U.S. military in small numbers.

U.S. Army crawler crane awaiting shipment at Hampton Roads, VA during World War II
U.S. Army crawler crane awaiting shipment at Hampton Roads, VA during World War II.

Crawler crane stacking lumber and other supplies at the Engineer Depot, Thatcham, England, April 1944
Crawler crane stacking lumber and other supplies at the Engineer Depot, Thatcham, England, April 1944.

Crawler cranes on board invasion barge, on the way to France on D-Day, 6 June 1944
Crawler cranes on board invasion barge, on the way to France on D-Day, 6 June 1944.