World War II scrap metal drives claimed many old tractors

Letters to the Editor

Wayne Hardenbergh
May 2010

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I enjoy Josephine Roberts’ articles from across the pond. The article in the March 2010 issue of Farm Collector in regard to the Lend-Lease tractors was interesting, and a tribute to those who keep them running. (Read the article: “American Tractors Abroad: Lend-Lease Act Tractors in Wales”) 

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Her column reminded me of all of the old tractors, implements and cars that ended up overseas (Japanese or European theatres) disguised as guns, tanks, trucks, etc. During those years most, if not all, metal was considered a strategic item and was collected for the war effort.

Metal drives were organized to collect all such items and iron dealers canvassed farm areas in trucks to buy scrap metal. The family farm I was raised on had an old iron pile with an old tractor, a Model T Ford truck, a 1909 seven-passenger Page touring car, old plows and cultivators, and other miscellaneous scrap iron. That old iron was sold (and some was donated) and melted down for the war effort.

Wayne Hardenbergh
Lone Wolf, Okla.

Send letters to: Farm Collector, 1503 S.W. 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609; FAX: (785) 274-4385; e-mail: editor@farmcollector.com.

 


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