Possible WWII-era U.S. Army knife from Accra

Ian · 22nd October 2018, 12:47 AM

I have had this knife for many years and wondered how it may have ended up with its stamped attribution. At forte there appears (stamped rather crudely):

U.S. ARMY ACCRA
MADE IN. G.C.N.A."

Accra, now in Ghana that was once called the Gold Coast.

The Digital Collections of the WWII Museum have some pictures of GIs in Ghana during WWII and the following information:

"This collection contains photographs from WWII with some possibly taken in Accra and other cities in Ghana, know at that time as the Gold Coast. There are 190 photographs with no provenance. A few clues suggest most of these were taken in Ghana (in or around Akropong, Aburi, Accra etc.) of an Army Air Force unit(s), probably part of the Africa-Middle East Wing and/or Air Transport Command. Ghana played a significant role in the Allied war effort. On 27 June 1942, the US Army activated the Air Transport Command in Cairo under Brigadier General Shepler W. Fitzgerald. Ten days later, Fitzgerald moved his headquarters to Accra [Ghana] and organized the Africa-Middle East Wing. In late 1942, the United States Army expanded its presence in Accra by activating the 12th Ferrying Group Headquarters, the 41st Ferrying Squadron, and the 42nd Ferrying Squadron. The 12th Ferrying Group, which was part of a transportation network reaching from the United States, via Africa, to the China-Burma-India theater of operations, ensured the movement of men and matériel through Senegal, Ghana, and Chad. Ghana played a significant role in the Allied war effort. On 27 June 1942, the US Army activated the Air Transport Command in Cairo under Brigadier General Shepler W. Fitzgerald. Ten days later, Fitzgerald moved his headquarters to Accra [Ghana] and organized the Africa-Middle East Wing. In late 1942, the United States Army expanded its presence in Accra by activating the 12th Ferrying Group Headquarters, the 41st Ferrying Squadron, and the 42nd Ferrying Squadron. The 12th Ferrying Group, which was part of a transportation network reaching from the United States, via Africa, to the China-Burma-India theater of operations, ensured the movement of men and matériel through Senegal, Ghana, and Chad."

So I think this knife is probably a one-off piece of war art from an unusual area of military action for U.S. troops during WWII. The abbreviation "G.C.N.A." probably stands for Gold Coast North Africa.

I'm wondering if anyone else has seen anything similar or other items from U.S. troops in Accra.

Ian.

CSinTX · 29th October 2018, 04:58 AM

Ive watched a lot of auctions selling US military items and never seen anything like it. A one-off is probably correct.

22nd October 2018, 12:47 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	Possible WWII-era U.S. Army knife from Accra I have had this knife for many years and wondered how it may have ended up with its stamped attribution. At forte there appears (stamped rather crudely): U.S. ARMY ACCRA MADE IN. G.C.N.A." Accra, now in Ghana that was once called the Gold Coast. The Digital Collections of the WWII Museum have some pictures of GIs in Ghana during WWII and the following information: "This collection contains photographs from WWII with some possibly taken in Accra and other cities in Ghana, know at that time as the Gold Coast. There are 190 photographs with no provenance. A few clues suggest most of these were taken in Ghana (in or around Akropong, Aburi, Accra etc.) of an Army Air Force unit(s), probably part of the Africa-Middle East Wing and/or Air Transport Command. Ghana played a significant role in the Allied war effort. On 27 June 1942, the US Army activated the Air Transport Command in Cairo under Brigadier General Shepler W. Fitzgerald. Ten days later, Fitzgerald moved his headquarters to Accra [Ghana] and organized the Africa-Middle East Wing. In late 1942, the United States Army expanded its presence in Accra by activating the 12th Ferrying Group Headquarters, the 41st Ferrying Squadron, and the 42nd Ferrying Squadron. The 12th Ferrying Group, which was part of a transportation network reaching from the United States, via Africa, to the China-Burma-India theater of operations, ensured the movement of men and matériel through Senegal, Ghana, and Chad. Ghana played a significant role in the Allied war effort. On 27 June 1942, the US Army activated the Air Transport Command in Cairo under Brigadier General Shepler W. Fitzgerald. Ten days later, Fitzgerald moved his headquarters to Accra [Ghana] and organized the Africa-Middle East Wing. In late 1942, the United States Army expanded its presence in Accra by activating the 12th Ferrying Group Headquarters, the 41st Ferrying Squadron, and the 42nd Ferrying Squadron. The 12th Ferrying Group, which was part of a transportation network reaching from the United States, via Africa, to the China-Burma-India theater of operations, ensured the movement of men and matériel through Senegal, Ghana, and Chad." So I think this knife is probably a one-off piece of war art from an unusual area of military action for U.S. troops during WWII. The abbreviation "G.C.N.A." probably stands for Gold Coast North Africa. I'm wondering if anyone else has seen anything similar or other items from U.S. troops in Accra. Ian. Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 22nd October 2018 at 01:18 AM.

29th October 2018, 04:58 AM	#2
CSinTX Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 233	Ive watched a lot of auctions selling US military items and never seen anything like it. A one-off is probably correct.