Background

To be clear, Casemate Publishers is a welcome sponsor of WarWheels.net.  With that being said, we can start the book review.

This review is of the new book released by Casemate Publishers entitled, “U.S. Army Diamond T Vehicles in World War II”, authored by Didier Andres.  The book is the English version of the French reference, “Les Vehicules Diamond T de l’U.S. Army”, which was originally released by Histoire & Collections in 2021. 

The book is divided into chapters as follows:

Introduction (emphasis on early company history)

1.  Where it All Began

2.  The First Generation

3.  The Second Generation

4.  The Third Generation

5.  Cargo Trucks

6.  Wrecker Trucks

7.  Pontoon Trucks

8.  Dump Trucks

9.  Canadian Trucks

10. The Bare Chassis

11. Special Services

12. Halftracks

13. Prime Mover Trucks

14. Production

15. Technical Specifications

Photograph/Illustration Quality and Selection

The book contains over 400 high quality black/white photographs and six period color photographs.  All the photographs are crisp and clear throughout.  These will be an excellent resource for history buffs, vehicle restorers and model makers.  Modelers will benefit from the multitude of diorama ideas from the chosen scenes. 

The tables are informative and give the basic characteristics of the vehicles and production numbers of the various models.  The only criticism is the absence of any color vehicle and unit marking plates of the Diamond T equipped units.  Certainly not a showstopper but it would have enhanced this excellent book.

Book Quality

This edition is a sturdy 8” x 10” hard cover, well bound volume, that we have come to expect from Casemate Publishing. This is one in the high-quality series of Casemate Illustrated Specials.  The construction of the book facilitates frequent use, which you are surely going to do with this reference.

Chapter Review

1. Introduction.  For those of you wondering about the name “Diamond T”, well you will just have to read the book.  Diamond T was an interesting company with a long and fine pedigree in building motor vehicles.  During World War I they were one of the firms engaged in building the famous Liberty 3-ton trucks.  From these roots the company later became one of the early official suppliers to the US Army in the 1930s and went on to greater notoriety producing heavy trucks for World War II. From a once staunch American producer of heavy vehicles, it was later reduced to bankruptcy and eventual obscurity in 1975. Didier Andres has captured the essence of this once great company in this hugely illustrated volume.

2. In the first chapters the author looks into the origins of the Diamond T company and its early success in supplying the US Army with reliable medium load carrying vehicles.  These four chapters detail the evolution of this iconic vehicle through the first, second and third generation iterations.  A multitude of B&W photographs, technical manual diagrams and charts show the development of Diamond T.

3. Chapter 5 (Cargo Trucks) and Chapter 6 (Wreckers) delve further into detail about these well-known versions of the Diamond T.  Some amazing (and new to me), photographs and manual pictures enhance these chapters.

4. Chapter 7 (Pontoon Trucks) and Chapter 8 (Dumpers) go into greater detail about these lesser-known types of the Diamond T.  There are some great restoration and modelling ideas to be had here.

5. Chapter 9 was a surprise to me as I had no idea that Diamond T produced a uniquely Canadian truck in 1940.  Prior to the US entry to World War II Canada had a need for heavy load vehicles.  Canadian industry was fully engaged in the war effort, so Canada was unable to develop, trial and produce a heavy vehicle of its own.  Diamond T proved to be the perfect solution.  In fact, this international cooperation produced a new model known as the Diamond T 975/975A which were 30 inches longer than her American sisters.  About 300 of these vehicles served in a multitude of roles from cargo to wrecker to specialist workshops.  This number does include the hundreds of standard US models used in the Canadian Army later in the war.

6. Chapters 10 and 11 detail the specialist vehicles for the US Army and Allies ranging from water/fuel tankers, work shelters and special workshops.  The excellent photographs will provide a wide range of ideas for all hobbyists.

7. Chapter 12 goes into considerable detail concerning the company’s production of halftracks for the US Army.  Heavy vehicle production companies lend themselves to branching out in all directions during wartime and Diamond T was no exception.  During the war the company produced nearly 13,000 halftracks of the M3, the M3A1, and two of the gun motor carriages the T-48 and the T-19.  A well-illustrated account. 

8. Chapter 13 details one of the more renowned versions of the Diamond T – the Prime Mover Trucks.  Known to all the Allies as a workhorse for the recovery of other heavy vehicles using specialized trailers for tank recovery.  This chapter will give great ideas to the diorama builder.

9.  Chapters 14 and 15 wrap up the investigation of the Diamond T with fascinating production tables.  Chapter 15 is devoted to detailing the technical specifications of all the major models of the Diamond T at a glance.

CONCLUSION

In short this is another excellent collaboration of the Casemate Illustrated Specials with the author Didier Andres and a great tribute to this legendary vehicle. A worthy addition to any personal library whether it belongs to an historian, a vehicle restorer, or a builder of military miniatures.  This volume is highly recommended without reservation.  I look forward to future volumes in this Casemate Illustrated Special series.

Recommendation: “A Must Have”