Among the 1100 Bedford trucks, delivered to Russia in 1942, were a few batches of Britain's most popular 3-ton military truck, the Bedford QL 3-ton 4x4, shown here as the QLD General Service truck.
Between 1941 and 1945, no less than 52,245 vehicles were built by Vauxhall in Luton, Bedfordshire.
Though all-wheel-driven and hence with the natural ability to tow guns, the QL, due to his weak 72 bhp engine, lacked sufficient power when under load, a fact certainly noticed by the ever so critical Russian officials.
Though not proved by wartime photos, the markings shown here were common practice on many Russian trucks, the slogan "Za Stalina!" meaning "For Stalin!".