A HISTORY OF THE D.U.K.W.

The DUKW was produced between 1942 and 1945.  General Motors built over 21,000 of these "amphibious" vehicles for use in World War II by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps.  Their primary purpose was to ferry ammunition, supplies, and equipment from supply ships in transport areas, up to 5 miles offshore, to supply dumps and fighting units at the beach.  The DUKW could also carry up to 25 fully outfitted GIs.

The name DUKW was given to the vehicles:
D - 1942 (when production began)
U -  utility (amphibious)
K -  front wheel drive
W -   two rear driving axles (wheels)

They were nicknamed "Ducks" by the American GIs.

The Ducks were first used in Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily in 1943.  The vehicles main purpose during this invasion was to ferry food and ammunition from ships to the shore where troops were.  The Ducks are most recognized for their service on D-Day.  On June 6, 1944, more than 2,000 ducks aided in the famous invasion of Normandy, France.  Carrying troops and supplies to shore, the ducks demonstrated their integral role for the American military.  Between June 6, 1944 and May 8, 1945, 3 of the 16 million tons of equipment and supplies were carried aboard the 2.5 ton, six-wheel amphibious truck to French and Belgian ports.  

The ability of the ducks to travel both in water and many types of terrain (sand, ash, coral reef, rock, etc.) proved very important for the many missions that the ducks were commissioned in.

One of the last major uses of the ducks was in March of 1945, when they were used to put men and equipment on the far bank of the Rhine River in Germany.   Ducks were also successfully employed in the Pacific.

A surprising number of the DUKWs have survived and today, function as adventure and tour vehicles.

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