White Motor Company in World War Two / WWII

White Motor Company in World War Two
Cleveland, OH
1900-1980
Rest in Peace

This page updated 9-1-2023.

I grew up in this house at 817 Smith Avenue in Lansing, MI. One summer day I was sitting on the front porch as a grade school student in the mid-1950s when I watched a yellow Coca-Cola come down the street. Author's photo added 9-1-2023.

The yellow Coca-Cola truck was very similar to this 1944 White WA-114. Was it a White truck like this? That will remain unknown. All I know is that it was a yellow Coca-Cola truck with cases of Coke in the back just like this one. Author's photo added 9-1-2023.

As it slowly made its way down the street, several men in Coca-Cola uniforms were pulling six-bottle cartons of Coke off the truck and then putting a carton on each of the porches along the street. I still remember the Coke man coming up our steps and handing me the carton of Coca-Cola. Author's photo added 9-1-2023.

One does not remember many of the events that have happened to them in their life. However, this White truck just inside the entrance to the display hall at the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum instantly brought back that piece of my childhood. Of the 130 trucks in the museum, this is the only one I can personally relate to. It took me back to a time when things were a lot simpler for me. And maybe for everyone else that grew up in that era. Author's photo added 9-1-2023.

White 1916 Armored Car in the Mexican Punitive Expedition: The 1916 White Armored Car was on display at the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, GA. The vehicle was located outside of the Armor and Calvary Gallery. The White was restored in six months' time by the personnel of Armor Museum Restoration Shop at Fort Benning.

The armored plate was installed on a 1916 White truck chassis at the Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, IL. The vehicle then became part of General Pershing's Mexican Punitive Expedition to find Poncho Villa in Mexico. After the Expedition was over, the 1916 White served at Fort Brown, TX. In the 1930's, it was moved to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds where work was being done on the next generation of armored cars. The vehicle came to Fort Benning, with the closing of the outside displays at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds during Army museum consolidation.

Author's photo added 9-21-2018.

The floor and the fire wall of the 1916 White Armored Car is wood. Author's photo added 9-21-2018.

This early White Motor Company truck is on display at the Sam Werner Military Museum in Monteagle, TN. The hard rubber has worn off of the front wheels but not the back. This truck was used to haul logs at the nearby Werner lumber mill. Author's photo added 2-26-2020.

Author's photo added 2-26-2020.

This 1919 White fire truck is on display at the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton, OH. It served with the Elyria, OH fire department from 1919 until 1948. Author's photo added 4-21-2019.

Author's photo added 4-21-2019.

In 1942 White was the first truck manufacturer to win the coveted Army-Navy "E" award.

The White Motor Company won the Army-Navy "E" award five times.

White Motor Company World War Two Products: 12,441 trucks of various types, 20,894 M3A1 Scout Cars, and 15,414 half-tracks of various types. White also converted 785 half-tracks from one type to another. White not only supplied the Hercules engines for its own half-tracks, but it also supplied the engines for those built by Autocar and Diamond T.

Table 1 White Motor Company World War Two Trucks Accepted by Detroit Ordnance, US Army The information below comes from "Summary Report of Acceptances, Tank-Automotive Material, 1940-1945" Published by Army Services Forces, Office, Chief of Ordnance-Detroit, Production Division, Requirements and Progress Branch January 21, 1946.
Type	White Model	1940	1941	1942	1943	1944	1945	Total
4-ton 6x6 Cargo SWB w/w	950x6	79						79
4-ton 6x6 Wrecker w/w	950x6	6						6
4-6-ton, 4x4 Tractor	444T					1,510	1,241	2,751
6-ton 6x6 Chassis w/w for Bridge Erector	666CE					823	329	1,152
6-ton 6x6 Chassis Van	666			1,062	808			1,870
6-ton 6x6 Prime Mover w/w	666			726	795	669	1,756	3,946
6-ton 6x6 Tank Gas 2000 Gal	666				25			25
6-ton 6x6 Tractor	666						112	112
10-ton 6x4 GSLC	1064			506	946	579	469	2,500
Total		85		2,294	2,574	3,561	3,907	12,441

Table 2 White Motor Company World War Two M3A1 Scout Cars Accepted by Detroit Ordnance, US Army The information below comes from "Summary Report of Acceptances, Tank-Automotive Material, 1940-1945" Published by Army Services Forces, Office, Chief of Ordnance-Detroit, Production Division, Requirements and Progress Branch January 21, 1946.
Type	1940	1941	1942	1943	1944	1945	Total
Total M3A1	825	1,908	7,046	10,174	941		20,894

Table 3 White Motor Company World War Two Half-tracks Accepted by Detroit Ordnance, US Army The information below comes from "Summary Report of Acceptances, Tank-Automotive Material, 1940-1945" Published by Army Services Forces, Office, Chief of Ordnance-Detroit, Production Division, Requirements and Progress Branch January 21, 1946.
Type	1940	1941	1942	1943	1944	1945	Total
M2		3,141	3,410	1,872			8,423
M2A1				625	341		966
M3		100	53				153
M4, 81mm mortar		1	571				572
M4A1, 81mm mortar				600			600
M21, 81mm mortar					110		110
T30, 75mm gun, M3			500				500
T10E1, twin 20mm gun					110		110
M13, twin .50cal HB				1,103			1,103
M16, multiple gun				2,323	554		2,877
Total		3,242	4,534	6,523	1,115		15,414

Table 4 White Motor Company World War Two Half-track Conversions Accepted by Detroit Ordnance, US Army The information below comes from "Summary Report of Acceptances, Tank-Automotive Material, 1940-1945" Published by Army Services Forces, Office, Chief of Ordnance-Detroit, Production Division, Requirements and Progress Branch January 21, 1946.
Type	1940	1941	1942	1943	1944	1945	Total
M3, converted from T30, 75mm				108			108
M16, converted from twin 20mm gun, T10E1, chassis only					109		109
M16, converted from twin .50 cal HB , M13				568			568
Total				676	109		785

Table 5 White Motor Company manufactured half-track information
Year	Number built	Type	Comments
1941-43	8,423	M2	M2 was designed as an artillery prime mover and ammunition carrier. It could seat ten troops.
1941-42	153	M3	Rearrangement of the interior of the M2 created the M3 that had seating for 13 troops and a rear exit door. It was also ten inches longer in the rear of the vehicle.
1941-42	572	M4	This carried a 81mm mortar on a M2 chassis. White was the only manufacturer of the M4.
1942	110	T10E1	These units were mounted with two 20mm cannon in a Maxson mount to test the feasibility of its use. All but one were converted to M16s in 1944. See below
1942	500	T30	This as an M3 chassis with a 75mm howitzer
1943	108	T30	Converted from M3 production. This was a 75mm howitzer version. This may not have been new production.
1943	600	M4A1	This carried a 81mm mortar. White was the only manufacturer of the M4A1 which had a reinforced floor.
1943	1,103	M13	This was a M3 but with four .50 M2 machine guns mounted in a Maxson M33 turret to provide mobile anti-aircraft capability for the infantry.
1943	568	M16	M13 to M16. Not new production. Remanufactured.
1943-44	2,877	M16	This was a M3 but with four .50 M2 machine guns mounted in a Maxson M45 turret to provide mobile anti-aircraft capability for the infantry.
1943-44	966	M2A1	Same as M2 but with .50 M2 machine gun mounted on a ring mount over right hand seat in the driver's compartment.
1944	109	M16	Converted from T10E1 to M16. Not new production from 1942.
1944	110	M21	This carried a 81mm mortar. White was the only manufacturer of the M21 which was built on an M3 chassis.
Total	16,199		If the 108 T30 and the 109 and 568 M16 conversions are subtracted from 16,199, the remainder is 15,414 units which is the total found in Table 3.

Model 666 6-ton 6x6 Prime Mover: The Model 666 is the White Motor Company's version of the Corbitt 50SD6. In White's nomenclature, the 666 designated six tons, six wheels, and six wheel drive. This excellent example is on display at the Army Transportation Museum at Fort Eustis, VA, which is on the north side of Newport News. This museum is well worth the stop for any person interested in Army trucks, small boats, aircraft, or rail stock. The U.S. Army has operated all types of this equipment in keeping its troops supplied. I highly recommend this museum.

According to museum records, this vehicle is serial number 306676 and was one of 1,756 built in 1945. Note that the vehicle has been put on jacks. The truck is outside in a covered building, so it is in relatively good shape. Author's photo added 8-5-2021.

Author's photo added 8-5-2021.

My first view of this truck was from the rear. I rounded the corner behind a rail car at the end of the building. At first, I thought it was a CCKW, but then I realized it was too large. Finding this at the museum was a very pleasant surprise. Author's photo added 8-5-2021.

This view shows that the bed was constructed of wood to conserve steel for other uses. Author's photo added 8-5-2021.

Author's photo added 8-5-2021.

The National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois, WY is another excellent museum with a White Model 666. This is a hard cab version that was built prior to April/May 1943. Author's photo added 9-1-2023.

This White 666 also has a wooden body like the one at the Army Transportation Museum. Author's photo added 9-1-2023.

Author's photo added 9-1-2023.

Scout Cars and Half-Tracks:

These White Motor Company armored vehicles from World War Two were photographed at the Fort Moore, GA. The M3 half-track and M3A1 scout car are part of the U.S. Army's Armor and Cavalry Collection. Author's photo added 4-29-2020.

M3A1 Scout Cars:

This M3A1 scout car is on display at the Wright Museum of WWII in Wolfeboro, NH. Author's photo added 4-18-2020.

This M3A1 is Ordnance Serial Number 1477 and was built in February 1941. Author's photo added 4-18-2020.

Note that this is an operable scout car and is registered as an antique vehicle in New Hampshire. Author's photo added 4-18-2020.

Author's photo added 4-18-2020.

This overhead view of the scout car gives an excellent view of the interior of the vehicle. Note the skate rail that runs all the way around the vehicle for mounting machine guns. Author's photo added 4-18-2020.

This photo of an excellent restoration of a 1943 White M3A1 Scout Car was provided by Jim Moffett. The vehicle is owned by his brother.

This White 1943 M3A1 Scout Car was also photographed by the author at the 2014 MVPA Annual Convention. Author's Photo added 8-5-2014.

Author's Photo added 8-5-2014.

This White M3A1 is on display at the US Army Basic Combat Training Museum at Fort Jackson. Author's photo added 4-6-2015.

This 1943 M3A1 was on display at the 2017 MVPA National Convention in Cleveland, OH. It is owned by Dr. James Laws and is serial number 265365. Author's photo added 4-29-2020.

This White M3A1 was photographed at Fort Benning, GA and is part of the collection of the U.S. Army Armor and Cavalry Collection. Author's photo added 3-29-2020.

This M3A1 is owned by the National Museum of World War II Aviation of Colorado Springs, CO and was on display at the 2017 Pikes Peak Airshow. Author's photo added 6-2-2020.

Half-tracks: The next logical step was to give the scout car a set of rear tracks for better mobility over off-road terrain.

All Auto-Car, Diamond T, and White half-tracks of all types utilized the White 160AX gasoline engine. An example of this 386 cu. in. engine that could produce 148 hp at 3000 rpm is shown in the next photos below.

This White 160AX engine is on display at the Military Veterans Museum in Oshkosh, WI. Author's photo added 12-4-2022.

Author's photo added 12-4-2022.

White-built M2 artillery prime mover half-tracks:

This M2 half-track is on display at the Wright Museum of WWII in Wolfeboro, NH. Like the M3A1 scout car at the museum, the M2 is licensed for public road travel. Author's photo added 4-18-2020.

The M2 was designed as an armored prime mover for artillery. One feature of the M2 half-track series is its ammunition storage compartments behind the doors on both sides of the vehicle. The storage compartment door has "Smokey Stover" painted on it and has two latches at the top of the door. The quarter-inch armor plate on White-built half-tracks was fabricated and installed by the Diebold Safe and Lock Company. Once the chassis was complete, the partially finished vehicles were driven to the Diebold plant where the armor was installed. Then the vehicles were driven back to the White plant for final assembly before shipment. Note that all of the button head screws that fasten the armor plate to the vehicle have their slots in a vertical position. This allows for a visual check to assure that none of them got loose. Author's photo added 4-18-2020.

The USMC used a different color of OD paint than the army. Author's photo added 4-18-2020.

The view from the balcony at the museum allows for a view into the vehicle. The ammunition storage compartments can be seen along with the skate rail for the machine guns. Author's photo added 4-18-2020.

This M2 has Ordnance serial number 3086 and was built in 1941. Author's photo added 4-18-2020.

This 1941 White M2 was on display at the 2018 MVPA Convention in Louisville, KY. Owner Mike Spradlin worked from 2012 until 2018 restoring this M2 back to what it would have looked like in 1942 for "Operation Torch" in North Africa. It is serial number 232903 and USA registration number 4013809. Author's photo added 4-29-2020.

The door and latches for the ammunition storage compartment are plainly visible in this photo. Author's photo added 4-29-2020.

Author's photo added 4-29-2020.

This White M2 half-track is on display at the Tico Warbird Museum in Titusville, FL. Author's photo added 1-29-2023.

The date plate shows that it is serial number M2 190. Author's photo added 1-29-2023.

Author's photo added 1-29-2023.

This White M2 is awaiting restoration at the Indiana Military Museum in Vincennes, IN. Author's photo added 1-27-2019.

This White M2 has Ordnance serial number 4448 and was also built in 1941 by White. Author's photo added 1-27-2019.

Author's photo added 1-27-2019.

White-built M2A1 half-track: The M2A1 differed from the M2 half-track, as the .50 caliber machine gun was moved from the skate rail on the M2 to an M32 ring mount above the passenger seat in the cab.

This 1941 M2A1 is serial number 275002. Author's photo added 4-29-2020.

White-built M3 half-track: The M3 had a body that was ten inches longer at the back end of the vehicle than the M2. Because it was utilized as a personnel carrier the ammunition lockers were removed. That can be seen as there is not a door on the side of the vehicle. A back door was added and there was seating down both sides of the rear section. The M3 could carry a twelve man infantry squad plus the driver.

This half-track was on display at the 2017 MVPA National Convention in Cleveland, OH, and is identified by the data plate as a White M3. The information placard on the top of the windshield armor plate indicates it is an Autocar. I will call it a White, based on the data plate. Author's photo added 4-29-2020.

The added ten inches to the rear of the vehicle results in the back wall protruding beyond the rear of the tracks. The rear door is open showing several of the seats along the left wall of the half-track. Author's photo added 4-29-2020.

Author's photo added 4-29-2020.

This M2A1 is owned by the National Museum of World War II Aviation of Colorado Springs, CO and was on display at the 2017 Pikes Peak Airshow. Author's photo added 6-2-2020.

White-built M3A1 half-track: The M3A1 differed from the M2 half-track because its .50 caliber machine gun was moved from the skate rail on the M2 to an M32 ring mount above the passenger seat in the cab.

M3A1 Israeli half-track serial number 264877 owned by Richard Mastin. The Israelis modified this M3A1, as they removed the M32 ring mount and armor plate and moved a .30 caliber machine gun into an armored window on the passenger side of the cab. They also installed a bar along the rear body for hanging back packs. The M3A1 Widow Maker in the background shows the half-track with the M32 ring mount and .50 caliber machine gun. Author's photo 4-29-2020.

Author's photo 4-29-2020.

This White M3A1 is on display at the Indiana Military Museum in Vincennes, IN. Author's photo 4-29-2020.

White-built M4A1 81mm mortar carrier half-track:

A 1942 White M4A1 81mm mortar carrier was on display at the 2014 MVPA Convention in Louisville, KY. This had a reinforced floor. White was the only manufacturer of both the M4 and M4A1 81 mortar carrier. Author's Photo added 8-5-2014.

Author's Photo added 8-5-2014.

White-built M16 quad-four .50 caliber anti-aircraft gun half-track:

This White M16A2, named the "African Queen" by its owner, is the most well-equipped and realistic half-track I have seen. It is on special display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, OH. Lt. Colonel Koloc found this vehicle in Djibouti in 2005, while on military duty there. He was then able to purchase it and return it to the U.S. for restoration. This vehicle has an extensive history, having served with the U.S. Army in Korea, the French Foreign Legion in Vietnam, and the Horn of Africa. Author's Photo added 1-2-2021.

To learn more about the "African Queen," go to: The African Queen Project

Author's Photo added 1-2-2021.

This M16A1 multiple gun carriage is on display at the Louisiana Military Museum at Jackson Barracks in New Orleans, LA. Author's photo added 4-18-2020.

The Louisiana Army National Guard used this type of weapon during World War Two to shoot down 127 German aircraft. The 105th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion destroyed the aircraft while operating in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. Author's photo added 4-18-2020.

Author's photo added 4-18-2020.

This White M16 Halftrack was formerly on display at the National Military Historical Center in Auburn, IN. It has since been sold. Author's Photo.

White built 2,877 M16s in 1943 and 1944 and converted another 109 T10E1s to the M16 configuration in 1944. Author's Photo.

This M16 is located in the motor pool of the New Jersey Army National Guard Militia Museum Annex in Lawrenceville, NJ. Author's photo added 6-2-2020.

This M16 half-track on display at the AAF Tank Museum in Danville, VA was one of fifteen half-tracks the U.S. Army brought back from France in 1988 to donate to American museums. It took museum volunteers six years to restore this vehicle back to running and display worthy conditions. Author's photo added 6-26-2020.

The Maxson quad fifty turret is missing but the elevated spacer ring can be seen through the open rear door. Author's photo added 6-26-2020.

Author's photo added 6-26-2020.