Bedford At War

There are military vehicles designed to charge heroically into battle, bristling with weapons and attracting the attention of every enemy soldier within several miles. And then there are the considerably less glamorous machines responsible for ensuring that those heroic vehicles have enough fuel, ammunition, equipment and sandwiches to continue their adventures. Among the unsung champions of British military transport was Bedford, a manufacturer whose sturdy trucks helped keep the armed forces moving while receiving rather fewer appearances in dramatic war films than they deserved.

In Bedford at War (2005), military vehicle historian Pat Ware celebrates the remarkable contribution of Bedford trucks to Britain’s wartime transport operations. Published by Kelsey Publishing, this illustrated volume explores the practical, dependable and occasionally magnificently ungainly machines that became essential components of British military logistics.

During the Second World War, Bedford trucks served in an extraordinary variety of roles, transporting troops, supplies, ammunition and equipment across battlefields and military installations. The famous Bedford OY and compact four-wheel-drive QL series became familiar sights wherever British forces operated, demonstrating that military success depended as much upon reliable transport as upon tanks, aircraft and the occasional inspirational speech from a senior officer.

The Bedford QL, with its distinctive forward-control cab and rugged construction, proved particularly adaptable to the demands of military service. It was hardly an object of automotive elegance, looking rather like a garden shed mounted upon four substantial wheels, but its usefulness was beyond question. In wartime, the ability to carry several tons of vital supplies through appalling conditions was generally considered more important than attracting admiring glances outside a fashionable hotel.

Ware’s book recalls the engineering, development and operational service of these workhorses, exploring the many configurations that made Bedford such an important name in British military transport. From general-service lorries and specialist bodies to vehicles adapted for particular duties, the variety of applications demonstrated the remarkable ingenuity of wartime engineers and manufacturers.

There is something splendidly British about these machines. They were built to work, expected to endure extraordinary punishment and rarely troubled their occupants with unnecessary luxuries. Comfort was apparently regarded as a civilian indulgence, while weather protection and suspension refinement were matters best left to the imagination.

The Bedford story also reflects the immense industrial effort required to sustain a modern army. Behind every dramatic advance stood an army of mechanics, drivers and transport personnel whose achievements were essential, even if their vehicles lacked the cinematic appeal of a charging armoured division.

Condition: As New. This copy is in exceptional condition, presenting as new despite its 2005 publication date. Unlike a surviving wartime Bedford, it requires no chassis restoration, replacement canvas, troublesome engine overhaul or a large shed in which to store it.

Published by Kelsey Publishing in 2005. ISBN: 9781873098721.

Offered by Crappy Old Books, where we appreciate the magnificent machinery that kept Britain’s armed forces supplied, particularly when its history can be enjoyed without purchasing several gallons of diesel or finding somewhere to park a three-ton lorry.

An excellent addition to any collection of British military vehicle literature, Second World War transport history or classic commercial machinery. Particularly recommended for enthusiasts who understand that winning a war requires more than spectacular weapons: somebody must also deliver the ammunition, spare parts and tea.

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