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The Original Wisconsin Ducks' fleet
of 90 Ducks in Wisconsin Dells, WI is the largest single operation
in the US today. However, transporting visitors was not always the
function of a Duck.
From the D-Day invasion to the victory
in the Pacific, the history of the D.U.K.W. (affectionately nicknamed
Ducks by the American GIs) is an exciting look into the military
operations of the US during World War II. With the ability to carry
25 soldiers on land, 50 soldiers in the water and the capacity to
carry more than 5,000 pounds in cargo, the Ducks quickly became
a vital asset to military operations. The name D.U.K.W. stands for
D=1942, U=amphibian, K=front wheel drive and W=rear wheel drive.
Roger W. Hofheins originally approached
the U.S. government with the idea of an amphibious vehicle in the
late 1930s. However, at the time the country was at peace and little
need was seen for this type of vehicle. Less than a year later,
with the impending war in Europe, the Defense Department appropriated
funds for the development of an amphibious vehicle, and gave P.C.
Putman of the National Defense Research Committee responsibility
for heading the project.
Skepticism clouded the project from the
beginning until the Ducks proved their value and came to the rescue.
Awaiting a demonstration, one of the first vehicles was put to the
test when a U.S. Coast Guard vessel became shipwrecked along the
Massachusetts coast. Unable to reach the stranded crew, the Coast
Guard requested the services of the sitting Duck. Within six minutes,
the Duck successfully maneuvered through the waters and brought
the crew to safety.
The popularity of the Ducks grew quickly
and in 1942, the year the first Ducks were available, the U.S. government
classified the vehicles as standard military equipment. The initial
cost of a Duck was $10,000 -- the same cost as a three-bedroom house
at the time. More than 21,000 Ducks were produced over a three-year
period.
Ducks served a vital role in many major
World War II battles. On June 6, 1944, more than 2,000 Ducks aided
in one of the most famous battles, the D-Day invasion in Normandy,
France. Carrying troops and supplies to shore, the Ducks again proved
their unique contribution to the war. Out of nearly 16 million tons
of equipment and miscellaneous supplies sent to French and Belgian
ports between June 6, 1944 and May 8, 1945, three million tons were
carried by Ducks. Ducks provided an easy method of getting troops
and supplies from ships to shore and around the land through otherwise
difficult terrain. Six wheel drive capacity on land and the ability
to float in water, the Duck was a major force in the success of
US troops.
After the war, Ducks were used for a variety
of reasons such as aiding US Coast Guard officials in rescuing flood
victims. Today, Ducks are rare and usually require a staff of mechanics
to restore the vehicles to operational condition. Each year, The
Original Wisconsin Ducks staff search the world over to add to their
already abundant fleet.
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