Detroit General Corporation in World War Two

The Detroit General Corporation in World War Two
1903-2001

This page updated 2-23-2022.

In 1903 the National Belting and Hose Company was established in St. Louis, MO. Two years later, the company changed its name to the General Manufacturing Company. In 1918 it began to manufacture fire extinguishers. The company entered the business of building fire engines in 1926 by doing joint ventures with several vehicle manufacturers. As a result of this, it changed its name to the General Fire Truck Company. In 1936 it moved to Detroit, MI to be closer to the source of vehicles for its fire trucks. Another name change took place in 1942 when it became the Detroit General Corporation. With the end of fire truck production in 1956, it changed its name yet again to the General Fire Extinguisher Corporation and focused on making fire extinguishers. It had continued that product line even when it entered the fire truck business. After a failed attempt to financially re-organize in 2000 under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy laws, it filed Chapter 7 in 2001 and its assets were auctioned off. This was a sad end for company that had lasted almost 100 years.

The Detroit General Corporation C/D Fog Division in Hamtramck, MI won the Army-Navy "E" Award one time.
The Detroit General Corporation Jefferson Avenue Plant in Detroit, MI won the Army-Navy "E" Award one time.

General Detroit Corporation World War Two Production: Class 125 fire trucks on International Harvester 1-1/2-ton 4x2 chassis, Class 135 fire trucks on Ford 4x2 chassis, Class 325 fire trucks on Chevrolet 1-1/2-ton 4x4 chassis, Class 500 fire trucks on Ford 4x2 chassis, 50 kits for Class 530 for overseas shipment for use on GMC CCKW 2-1/2-ton 6x6 trucks, and fire extinguishers

The 50 kits for the CCKW were the result of soldiers in Algeria taking the pumps from a Ford class 325 fire truck and mating it with a German 850-gallon water tank and mounting it on a GMC CCKW. An order was issued to the General Detroit Corporation March 22, 1945, for the delivery of 50 kits with 300 GPM pumps for overseas installation.

The Sam H. Werner Military Museum is located in Monteagle, TN. This museum has an excellent and, in many cases, a unique collection of military vehicles. One of the unique vehicles on display is a General Detroit Corporation Class 325 fire truck on a Chevrolet 1-1/2-ton 4x4 chassis. This vehicle appears to have served at Camp McCain, MS during World War Two. Author's photo.

This is Camp McCain in 1943 with lots of wood barracks needed to house members of the 87th and 94th Infantry Divisions during World War Two. In 1943 an American Army Infantry Division was made up of 14,253 soldiers. That makes for a very large number of wooden barracks, mess halls, and other buildings at the camp. Fire trucks were a necessity. General Detroit Corporation may have built one of the fire trucks located at Camp McCain. Photo by Lt. Omer Austin Heacox. Photo courtesy of the Archives of the University of Southern Mississippi.

It is very unusual to find a company's identification on a World War Two vehicle because that was prohibited in 1942. This Class 325 fire truck may have been built prior to the ban. Author's photo.

The General Detroit Corporation unit is the middle vehicle of three trucks located on a row. Behind it is a Chevrolet Class 135 and in front of it is a GMC CCKW. There is a wall next to where I took photos, restricting how I could take the photos. Author's photo.

I mentioned earlier that it "appeared" that this vehicle served at Camp McCain. Note that the "Camp McCain Miss" has been sprayed over the original paint. It could be that Sam Werner served at Camp McCain and wanted to paint that on this vehicle. In any event, it makes for a good story.

Author's photo.

The General Detroit Corporation data plate can be seen located in front of the driver's door. "Camp McCain Miss." has been over-sprayed on the bottom of the door. The registration number is also incorrect. It should start with a "50." Author's photo.

Author's photo.

There was not much room to walk and photograph on the passenger side of the vehicle. Author's photo.

Author's photo.

This 1939 Detroit General pumper is on display at the Michigan Firehouse Museum in Ypsilanti, MI. Built on a Ford chassis, it served with the Saline, MI fire department. Author's photo added 2-23-2022.

Author's photo added 2-23-2022.