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.

Dodge WC-59 Truck, Telephone Maintenance, 3/4 ton, 4x4 (G-502)

Dodge produced the WC-59 3/4 ton 4x4 Telephone Maintenance truck in 1943, part of the Dodge 3/4 ton WC series of trucks.

Dodge WC-59 Truck, Telephone Maintenance, 3/4 ton, 4x4 (G-502).

The WC-59 was a specialized vehicle used by Signal Corps soldiers who installed and maintained telephone wiring in the field. When used by the Signal Corps, the WC-59 was designated K-50. Only 549 of these vehicles were produced. The WC-59 was replaced by the similar WC-61 and redesignated as the Light Maintenance Truck, 3/4-ton, 4x4. Some sources combine the production of WC-59 and WC-61 into a total of 607 vehicles.

The chassis of the WC-59 was similar to the WC-54 Ambulance, with the wheelbase lengthened by 20 inches (50 cm). A spare wheel was mounted behind the seats and a ladder carried diagonally on the left side of the vehicle. The box rear body was produced by Highway Trailer Co., Edgerton, WI.

The WC-59 (K-50) was used with the US Army Signal Corps K-38 Trailer, Cable Splicer, 1/4 ton, 2-wheel,.