As a result of combat experience, the aim was to increase both offensive capability and survivability on the battlefield.
However, from a logistical standpoint, this new arrangement posed a challenge to the mobility of American troops, since the twelve-man sections could no longer be transported in the ubiquitous Dodge WC-51 and WC-52 “Beep” trucks, which had until then provided vital support to motorised units. To address this issue, Major General Courtney Hodges, commander of the U.S. Army’s X Corps, advocated for the development of an extended version of the WC-51 capable of transporting the new reinforced sections in time for the European landings.
In early 1943, the manufacturer’s design team began studies for the development of a lengthened WC-51, equipped with an additional axle to meet the increased transport requirements, while retaining the advantageous standardisation of components that would ease both production and field maintenance logistics.
The result was the creation of the Dodge WC-63 (or WC-62 when not fitted with a front winch), a 6×6 tactical vehicle with the unusual feature of normally operating with drive to just two of its six wheels. The front axle and the third rear axle could be engaged independently when greater traction was required – typically when driving off-road. The driver could choose to operate in 6×2 mode – the most common – or switch to 6×4 or even full 6×6 for maximum traction.
Used extensively in both the European and Pacific campaigns, the 6×6 was supplied in large numbers to Allied countries after the war, for both military use and fire service duties. As one example, in the département of Hérault in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France, the fire brigade operated 117 Dodge 4×4 vehicles (WC-51, WC-52, WC-54 and WC-56) and 41 Dodge 6×6 vehicles (WC-62 and WC-63), for a remarkable total of 158 units from this family of rugged and highly versatile American trucks.
After the war, some of these Dodge 6×6 units were also delivered to the Portuguese Army, where they were designated Viatura de Transporte Geral 1 ½ ton. Dodge T223 – WC62 D 6×6 m/948.