M20 COMMAND CAR
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_/_______\_
_/|___|_|___|\_
/ [___] [___] \ FRANK ROBERTSON
/\_ [o] [o] _/\ Memphis, Tn USA
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|w|\u u/|w|
|w| \_______/ |w|
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From: owner-MIL-VEH@skylee.com on behalf of GIjeeps@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 1997 9:21 PM
To: Frank Robertson; mil-veh@skylee.com
Cc: GIjeeps@aol.com
Subject: Re: Vehicle History
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but here it goes. You cannot tell where
or when your vehicle served just by knowing the registration # or the serial
# or both. the only thing that would reveal this information would be a unit
bumper marking of some sort.
the only other way is pure luck. Ex; find a unit property list or Truck
Master's/ Dispatcher's log that lists your vehicle by reg.# or find a period
photograph that shows your vehicle and is taken from such an angle as to show
both the reg.# and the unit bumper markings. Not much chance in either case
I'm afraid. About the best thing you can do is choose a favorite unit of the
type that used your vehicle and replicate their bumper markings. M-20s were
not the most often seen vehicle in any theater but finding accurate markings
shouldn't be all that tough do to the limited nature of their service.
Cavalry Reconnisance units, Armored Infantry Battalions, and Light Tank
Battalions would be likely places to find M-20s. Most of the units that had
M-8s, Halftracks, or light tanks as a primary weapon would be likely to use
M-20s as recon vehicles and the Bn Commander's vehicle would often be an
M-20. Even Heavy Tank Bns. had them in some cases due to their light weight,
agility, speed, and radio set up. Can help you figure out a marking if you
choose a unit who's framework you would like to investigate.