I need to contribute sometimes...
On my 1918 Standard B Liberty Type I (which I hope to restore finally this year) the starter was a generator, which would not necessarily produce enough power to start the engine, but could assist. The truck had full electric lights including tiny driving lights on the bframe horns, with armored steel wrapped cables to all the electrical parts, distributor AND a Magneto, set to run simultaneously, not independently like a Model-T where you could switch over.
The Type II came out and the US Army did away with ALL electrics, kept the magneto and added a carbide generator with gas lamps, spot lamp and a Kerosene tailamp.
So if the logic were that it was harder to get Carbide in the War Theater this is opposite of the simplicity and skill set? of maintenance of the operators, as doing away with the electrics meant they could do away with light bulbs, batteries, generators, points, a second set of ignition wires, etc. I suppose the principle of K.I.S.S. was evident upon creating the Type I and everyone made improvements for the Type II (prevalent version of most existing vehicles) to include a hand pressure pump to pressurize the spare fuel tank verses a big drain dump valve that you would use to fill a bucket under the truck and transfer the fuel manually spalshing fuel about. (perhaps while incoming shells were bursting)
I've located the steel wire conduit at several car restoration dealers in the US and UK. it's not going to be cheap, but the expensive Duessenbergs and such took silver or nickel plated conduit up into the late 30's.
V/R W. Winget
Carrollton, Virginia
USA