The FReeper Foxhole Studies The Military Jeep - October 17th, 2003

refer to 'Educational Sources' | various

[snippy_about_it]

Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.


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U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

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The Military Jeep


How it all began



In the beginning...
Prior to the Second World War, the United States Army had been looking for a fast, lightweight, all-terrain command and reconnaissance vehicle. Several vehicles had been used but none were ideal for the Armys needs.

In early 1940, as Nazi Germany began to win victories in Europe and North Africa, the need to quickly develop this type of vehicle became very urgent. The U.S. Army sent out specifications to car manufacturers asking for working prototype vehicles to be delivered in only 49 days.

The American Bantam Car Company (formerly The American Austin Car Company) and Willys-Overland were the only two companies that responded to the Army's request, although 135 companies had been contacted.

The depression of the 1930's had sent The American Austin Car Company broke, and American Bantam, which had been formed in the subsequent reorganisation had fared little better. By the time the Army asked for expressions of interest in a new command and reconnaissance car, production at American Bantam had ceased and they had no engineering staff left on the payroll.

The 49-day deadline was a huge problem, and Willys-Overland asked for more time to finish their vehicle but were refused by the Army.


This is the first Bantam prototype just prior to delivery, Designer Karl Probst in the passenger seat and Bantam manager, Harold Crist in the drivers seat. Note the rounded front fenders and grill.

Bantam's only chance to meet this deadline was to bring in outside help. Bantam's savior was Karl Probst, a talented freelance engineer from Detroit. After turning down an initial request from Bantam, Probst accepted the job after being asked again by the Army, and initially working without salary, went to work July 17, 1940.

In only two days Probst had completely laid out plans for the Bantam prototype, and the next day he estimated the total cost of the vehicle. On July 22, Bantam's bid was submitted, complete with blueprints. The bid claimed that the vehicle met the weight limit of 1,300 pounds (590 kg) although it was actually much heavier.

Much of the vehicle had to be assembled from existing off-the-shelf automotive parts, and the custom four wheel drive train components were supplied by Spicer. As the principal sub-contractor, Spicer's ability to manufacture the drivetain components in time was critical to Bantam's chance of meeting the Army deadline.

Bantam's first hand-built prototype was complete and running by September 21, 1940, just meeting the 49-day deadline and was delivered to the Army for testing at Camp Holabird, MD. The Quartermaster Corps put this prototype through torturous off road trials, after which the testers concluded "this vehicle demonstrated ample power and all requirements of the service."

Willys-Overland and Ford soon submitted prototypes based on the Bantam plans (supplied to them by the Army). Spicer supplied almost identical four wheel drive trains to all three manufacturers. The Willys "Quad" and the Ford "Pygmy" prototypes added their own changes and modifications to the basic Bantam design.


The Willys 'Quad' Prototype.

This ultimately worked to Willys advantage when the weight limit was increased: it was the only vehicle that met the Army's power specifications. In fact, the Willys 60 horse power "Go Devil" engine, with 105 foot-pounds of torque not only exceeded the required power, but dwarfed Bantam's 83 and Ford's 85 pound-feet of torque.

All three prototypes passed army testing satisfactorily, with changes being made to correct faults in the prototypes. The Army ordered 1500 units from each of the three companies. Ford started deliveries in April 1941 with Bantam and Willys a few weeks later.


The Ford 'Pygmy' Prototype

Once delivered, they started a revolution in the use of small military motor vehicles in the U.S. Army. Motorcycles, solo and side car, were rendered obsolete almost immediately.

In light of Bantam's shaky manufacturing and financial position, and the advantages of the Willys-Overland vehicle and their proven production capacity, the final mass production Army contract was awarded to Willys-Overland. The price was $749 each.

Since the War Department required a large number of vehicles to be manufactured in a relatively short time, Willys-Overland granted the United States Government a non-exclusive license to allow another company to manufacture vehicles using Willys' specifications. The Army chose Ford as the second supplier, but building Jeeps to the Willys' design. Willys supplied Ford with a complete set of plans and specifications. Sadly, American Bantam, the creators of the first Jeep, spent the rest of the war building heavy duty trailers for the army and finally sold out in 1956. Willys registered Jeep as a trademark in 1950 but cannot claim that they designed the Jeep.


The final Jeep production model, a Willys MB (Model B). The Ford GPW was almost identical.

By the time the United States entered the War in December 1941, Jeep production was in full swing. About 640,000 Jeeps were built in the four years until the end of the war in 1945. Over 360,000 of these were manufactured by Willys and the balance by Ford. This was about 18% of all the wheeled military vehicles built in the US during the War.

Jeeps were used by every division of the U.S. Military and 144 Jeeps were supplied to every infantry regiment in the U.S. Army. Large numbers of Jeeps were shipped to the Allied Forces of Britain and Russia - nearly 30% of total Jeep production.

An amphibious version was also produced called a Seep. They were not a military success as they were too small to be a good boat, and too cumbersome to be a good Jeep. Only about 18,000 were built by Ford.


A Ford GPA (Seep)

Jeeps could be fitted with .30" or .50" calibre machine guns for combat. They were also widely modified for long range desert patrol, snow ploughing, telephone cable laying, saw milling, as fire fighting pumpers, field ambulances, tractors and, with suitable wheels, would even run on railway tracks.


MB or GPW with rocket launcher unit. Note second jeep with heavy MG in background.

Jeeps could be loaded into transport aircraft for rapid deployment and were also small enough to fit into the large gliders used in the D-day invasion of Europe.

General George C. Marshall, US Army Chief of Staff during World War II, and later US Secretary of State, described the Jeep as "America's greatest contribution to modern warfare". The tough, simple, go anywhere Jeep became the GI's best friend - second only to his rifle.



There is no way to know for certain where the name 'Jeep' came from, but it was slang for some time before World War II. The US Army motor pool used the word to describe any new vehicle received for testing.

One of the most likely explanations for how the word was used for the Army's new four wheel drive car was from the character 'Eugene the Jeep', who was the creation of E.C. Segar, in the very widely read 'Popeye' comic strip. Eugene was small, able to move between dimensions and could solve seemingly impossible problems.


Eugene the jeep

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FReeper Foxhole Armed Services Links

[snippy_about_it]

The Military Jeep in WWII

The name "jeep" also has an interesting history. The name is generally accepted to have come from the Ford name for its general purpose vehicle, of GP for short. When slurred together it sounds like "jeep." Other theories include the "invisible, fourth dimensional creature of Africa," Eugene the Jeep, of E.G. Segars "Popeye" cartoon. The word "jeep" was also widely used in the army before the vehicle came into existence. It had many meanings, from a lazy soldier to a useless piece of machinery.

The jeep was also called a puddle jumper, Bantam Bug, Midget, Quad, and the peep. Willys made the word `Jeep' its trademark after World War II, much to the dismay of Bantam. Bantam felt that since they invented the first jeep prototype that they should have the trademark. The name continued to be passed down when Willys was sold to the Kaiser corporation and then to American Motors in 1970 and in 1987 to the current owner Chrysler.

The Willys Military model MB, or as the army called it, "Truck, quarter ton, four by four, and command reconnaissance," was a mechanically simple machine. In had a four cylinder L-head style engine (where the valves are in the block), which could operate at 4000 revolutions per minute for 100 hours straight. The air cleaner was improved from earlier models, and the oil filter was placed high up for easy accessibility. It also had a fold up cloth roof, which was easily set up. The six volt battery powered the headlamps, which were mounted on swinging levers in order for them to be pointed toward the engine for nighttime repairs. The engine also powered radar, radio, welding, and landing craft equipment. Special care was taken to prevent engine noise from interfering with army radios. It had a three speed manual transmission and four wheel drive transfer case with high and low gears. Over 350,000 MB's were made to fight in World War II.


The first jeeps were used in the United Kingdom before the United States entered in World War II. They were issued to infantry personnel to help fight the Nazi attack on England. They weren't shipped to the Pacific theater until 1943 when the Army used it for more civil purposes. The jeep helped build bridges and roads behind the fighting lines by hauling materials and carrying personnel. But its first real test of durability was demonstrated when a fleet of jeeps headed for China were stranded in Burma. The Army turned the jeeps over to the British Army to be driven north in order to get them to their destination. The jeeps pulled other vehicles out of the mud, dodge snipers, carried ammunition and trudged through rice paddies.

Its performance in World War II was superb. The jeep could operate without strain from three to 60 miles per hour. It could handle a forty degree slope, turn in a thirty foot circle, and tilt left or right on a fifty degree angle without tipping over. It would "go places where tankers quit and birds would go back exhausted." The jeep went up rocky mountains in Switzerland and moved snow off roads in Belgium. Although the tank had an influence on the war too, it could not go as many places as the jeep. Army official Ernie Pyle stated,

Good Lord, I don't think we could continue the war without the jeep. It does everything. It goes everywhere. It's as faithful as a dog, strong as a mule, and as agile as a goat. It constantly carries twice what it was designed for, and keeps on going. It doesn't even ride so badly after you get used to it.


Jeeps were coming out of the Willys plant at one jeep per one and a half minutes, so there were plenty to go around. The extra jeeps were used to haul trailers, artillery, operated timber saws, and also pulled railroad cars. The latter was achieved by replacing the wheels with cylinders that were made to run on railroad tracks. In fact, one jeep was known to have pulled 25 tons at 20 miles per hour. The jeep's flat hoods served as altars for chaplains and as playing tables for infantry men's card games. The fold down windshield helped to make the jeep into an ambulance. Pipes were mounted on the bumpers in order to hold the stretchers.


Americans drove the jeeps so much that they were associated with them to the utmost degree as illustrated by many stories. In France, three American soldiers walked up to a guard post and told the sentry that they were lost. The Frenchman immediately told them to surrender and found that they were German soldiers in disguise. When he was asked how he knew, he replied that Americans always travel in jeeps. Another example happened in Belgium when a guard ordered three German soldiers to surrender after he saw that a colonel was riding in the back seat. He explained later that if they were American that the officer would be driving and the infantryman would be in the backseat . The axis powers had their versions of the jeep, the German Volkswagen and the Japanese Datsun, but both were miserable failures .


Jeep vs Kubelwagen

After the war there was a considerable demand for the jeep. Servicemen were so impressed that they all wanted jeeps of their own after returning home. The United States Department of Agriculture also thought of hundreds of uses for a peacetime jeep and even made a pamphlet for agriculture purposes. The jeep could also be found to aid the worker in forestry, ranching, mining, or industry. The addition of power take off increased the number of operations the jeep could perform by adding machinery that could be run off the jeep's engine. Minor alterations on the transmission, transfer case, axle ratio and the steering made it more desirable for the domestic market . The Willys post-war jeep was called the CJ-2A (CJ stands for civilian jeep.) The produced over 73,000 in 1946 and 60,000 in 1947. Other jeeps were made as technology increased.

The engineering that went into the jeep helped make it an extremely reliable vehicle. The jeep was the servicemen's best friend, always trying to do its best for its driver. It would go, or at least try, where ordinary vehicles or animals would not or could not go. "The jeep became a sign, the emblem, the alter ego of the American fighting machine." For this reason, the men grew attached to their jeeps. It was said that more jeeps were ruined by drivers pushing their jeeps too far than were in combat. Jeeps would carry generals and privates alike and helped in combat, rushed the wounded to medic units, and surprised the enemy in ambushes. The jeep seemed to do everything, form climbing mountains in Italy to crossing the scorching hot desert of Northern Africa to roaming beaches in the South Pacific. One army officer said "It can do everything except bake a cake. "


"Run it up th' mountain agin, Joe. It ain't hot enough."

The end of an era came in 1981. The armed forces ended their orders for jeeps and a new vehicle was ushered in. The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (Hummer) replaced the quarter ton jeep in order to keep up with the new age of computers and technology. This machine took over for the half ton truck and the heavy duty one and one quarter ton truck. This vehicle was designed every bit as tough as the original jeep. It had to withstand tests of TNT explosions under the gas tank to driving under water. AM General won the contract for these new vehicles, and designed them with accessories from air conditioning to missile launchers. According to army officials, the Hummer performed excellently in Panama and the Persian Gulf.

The jeep, proven through the test of time, is an accomplished vehicle. The jeep's history certainly make it eligible for the most valuable player award, if the army had such an honor. Civilian jeeps also have their place in the glory, also, trekking through mud and climbing over rock. The jeep was a very important factor in the transportation of infantry, officers, and equipment by showing its extreme versatility. One author said, "the mechanical jeep, after all, could almost do anything!"

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Today's Educational Sources and suggestions for further reading:

www.fas.org
www.olive-drab.com/
www.hotkey.net.au/
http://www.off-road.com/jeep/jeephist.html

[snippy_about_it]

Jeep Pictures and Bill Mauldin cartoons




"Radio th' ol' man we'll be late on account of a thousand-mile detour."










Walker and Macarthur in jeep





Patton in his jeep


"... I'll never splash mud on a dogface again (999) ... I'll never splash mud on a dogface again (1000) ... Now will ya help us push?"



Patton's jeep (again)



Beetle Bailey (Thanks SAM)



Lieutenant General George S. Patton stops in a jeep to talk with US soldiers and French civilians whose town had been under heavy siege in 1944



"Why ya lookin' so sad? I got out of it okay."

[snippy_about_it]

[snippy_about_it]

.......FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole!

.......Good Friday Morning Everyone!


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[snippy_about_it]

Veterans Day 2003 - Attention Northern California
PDN News Desk ^ | Monday, October 13, 2003 | Patriot Defenders Network

Veterans Day is right around the corner. 

It's an opportunity for us to support our troops, our country and show appreciations for our local veterans. It's another way to counter the Anti-Iraq campaign propaganda.  Would you like to help?  Are there any VetsCoR folks on the Left Coast?  We have a school project that everyone can help with too, no matter where you live.  See the end of this post for details.

Three Northern California events have been scheduled and we need help with each:

 

Friday evening - November 7th Veterans in School (An Evening of Living History, A Veterans Day Ice Cream Social)

http://www.patriotwatch.com/V-Day2003c.htm

 

Saturday - 11 a.m. November 8th: Veterans Day Parade (PDN & Friends parade entry)

http://www.patriotwatch.com/V-Day2003b.htm

 

Sunday November 9, 2003 Noon to 3:00 PM Support our Troops & Veterans Rally prior to Youth Symphony Concert

http://www.patriotwatch.com/V-Day2003d.htm

 

Each of the WebPages above have a link to e-mail a confirmation of your interest and desire to volunteer.  These are family events and everyone is welcome to pitch in.  We'd really appreciate hearing from you directly via each these specific links.  This way, we can keep you posted on only those projects you want to participate in.

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Veterans in School - How you can help if you're not close enough to participate directly. If you are a veteran, share a story of your own with the children.  If you have family serving in the military, tell them why it's important that we all support them. Everyone can thank them for having this special event.  Keep in mind that there are elementary school kids. 

Help us by passing this message around to other Veteran's groups.  I have introduced VetsCoR and FreeperFoxhole to a number of school teachers.  These living history lessons go a long way to inspire patriotism in our youth.  Lets see if we can rally America and give these youngsters enough to read for may weeks and months ahead.  If we can, we'll help spread it to other schools as well.

  Click this link to send an email to the students.

[armymarinemom]

Good Morning everyone! God Bless our Troops!!!

Want to help the war on terror? Complain to Geocities about this site.
Jihad Home

I have brought down more than a dozen sites by filing complaints with hosts.

[Samwise]

Cool story today, snipppy.

Here's another cool WWII story that ran in the paper. I wish the online version had pictures; the paper version had them. Have you guys done a canine foxhole?

PLAINFIELD -- In 1944, Frank E. Sims, a Plainfield native, was sent to the Philippines to battle the Japanese. As part of the K-9 Division of the Quartermaster Corp. of the Army, Frank was assigned a dog named Queenie, said his brother Bob L. Sims.

"She was trained as a messenger dog," he said. "Frank rarely talked about his exploits but did tell that Queenie and he shared a mess kit at meal time and a fox hole at night."

During one of those nights, he said Frank was awakened by Queenie licking on his face to alert him that danger was at hand. The story is that three Japanese soldiers were sneaking up on his fox hole; Frank survived and the enemy did not.

When Frank was sent home to Plainfield in 1945, he petitioned the Army to let Queenie become his pet. His brother said the request was granted and after the dog was "de-trained," Queenie was shipped to Plainfield to live out her days with her beloved master.

"Eyewitnesses said that she nearly demolished her shipping crate upon seeing Frank approaching," Sims said.

Queenie became somewhat of a celebrity in town, he said, as many articles and pictures about her were published in the Friday Caller.

Frank worked for his brother George's Standard filling station on Main Street and that is where Queenie would hang out, Sims said.

Queenie died in the early 1950s. Frank died in 1994.

Two years ago, Sims began to petition Plainfield Plus to have Frank's name engraved on the war memorial flagpole in Friendship Gardens. His stipulation, however, was that Queenie be included in the stone remembrance. Bob said that some people in the organization objected to having the dog's name placed on a memorial for local men and women who served during wartime. But Sims protested that Queenie was also a member of the army and had as much right to be placed on the monument as Frank did.

"She had a serial number tattooed in her ear," Sims said. "They were as close as a human and a dog could be."

Two years may seem like a long time, but names are added to the monument only once a year. After awhile, the town agreed to include Queenie on the memorial.

Last month, the names were added to the memorial and Sims said every morning he walks by it and remembers.

Names may be added to the memorial at a cost of $75 each, Plainfield Plus President Scott Flood said.

[GailA]

Col Tony Lopez USAF (ret)Update: My Fellow Legionnaires, The Post Commander of Tipton County American Legion Post 67, Antonio (Tony) Lopez, has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Indications are that the tumor is benign. He is scheduled to undergo major brian surgery on Wednesday, October 29, 2003, at the Baptist Hospital, 5019 Walnut Grove Rd., Memphis, TN 38120.

Hospital recovery period will be a week to 10 days, with 2 to 3 of those in ICU. After surgery, he will be unable to fly or travel for at least 2 to 3 months.

His four adult children are scheduling themselves to be here from just before surgery until the end of November in order to assist his wife, Ruth, with the driving and other necessary chores required during this period.

FROM Col Lopez

"I want to thank all that have called, sent cards and e-mails, and have stopped by the Hacienda to wish me well. Needless to say the many prayers that have been and are being said on my behalf are truly appreciated. I am going into this surgery as knowledgeable as a layman can be and fully aware of the attendant risks, knowing that God will be with me thanks to your petitions."

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good morning to you, Snippy and to everyone at the Freeper Foxhole.

BTW, for those who use Windows on their computer, you'll be interested that Microsoft has implented a new schedule for Windows Critical Updates. Th updates will now be sent down on the First Tuesday of each calander. They're implenting this to allow Windows users to try out the new patches. They will still send out patches on a different schedule as events warrant.

Patches are what keep the computer running O.K. so that people like you and I can access message boards like this one. Be sure to download them when you get the chance.

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good morning to you, Snippy and to everyone at the Freeper Foxhole.

BTW, for those who use Windows on their computer, you'll be interested that Microsoft has implented a new schedule for Windows Critical Updates. Th updates will now be sent down on the First Tuesday of each calander. They're implenting this to allow Windows users to try out the new patches. They will still send out patches on a different schedule as events warrant.

Patches are what keep the computer running O.K. so that people like you and I can access message boards like this one. Be sure to download them when you get the chance.

[E.G.C.]

Whoops I see I double posted there. My bad(LOL)!!!!!!

[The Mayor]

Look for my daily message..

What a fun jeep they were..

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning armymarinemom and thank you for bringing this to our attention and providing the link.

[SCDogPapa]

Mornin' Snippy! Mornin' Samwolf!

Well it's Friday,,,,finally. Hope y'all have a great weekend.

BTW,,,good info on the tuff little Jeep.

[SCDogPapa]

Mornin' Samwise! Thanks for the great story about Queenie. She must have been one hell of a dog. Just more proof why "a dog is man's best friend." :)

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning Samwise. That's a great story about "Queenie".

Have you guys done a canine foxhole?

Yes we have but some of the pictures from our old server are gone now.

The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Canine Marine Raiders (1943-45) - Mar. 25th, 2003

I think it's time we did another thread on our Service Dogs, don't you? SAM, you want this one, or shall we toss a coin? I know we both love dogs!!

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning Gail. I've marked my calendar for Colonel Lopez, prayers offered.

[Samwise]

Morning, SCDogPapa! Great screen name. :^)

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning EGC. I like that they will have a regular schedule. Thanks for the information.

[snippy_about_it]

LOL. I thought I was seeing double!