FABULOUS FOUR-TONS

The four-ton Diamond T trucks were originally developed at the behest of the Quartermaster Corps, with the basic form of the short wheelbase cargo to serve as a prime mover for the 155mm howitzer, with a secondary role as a general purpose vehicle for the Corps of Engineers. However, due to the success of these trucks, it was soon adapted to other roles as well.

The four-ton was part of a vehicle program tracing its origins to 1 June 1939 recommendation to the Chief of Staff by the Quartermaster Corps Technical Committee that the army adopt five weight classes of trucks: 1/2-ton, 1 1/2-ton, 2 1/2-ton, 4-ton, and 7 1/2-ton. Further, all tactical vehicles were to be all-wheel drive. Additionally, Quartermaster General Louis H. Bash, long an advocate of standardization, recommended that trucks be purchased in large lots, rather than small contracts, and that the maximum interchangeability of parts be a goal. These recommendations were approved