In June 1940, with World War II on the horizon, the U.S. Army solicited bids from 135 automakers for a 1/4 ton “light reconnaissance vehicle” tailored to Army specifications. Only three companies responded – Bantam, Willys, and Ford – but, within a year’s time they collectively produced the template for the vehicle known worldwide as the “jeep.”
Willys-Overland delivered the prototype “Quad” (named for the 4WD system it featured), to the U.S. Army on Armistice Day (Veteran’s Day), November 11, 1940. The design was completed in a remarkable 75 days.
Only two prototypes were made.
Showing posts with label Image. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Image. Show all posts
Friday, May 27, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Towed Jeep Normandy 1944
Jeep being towed ashore in Normandy Invasion, June 1944
A U.S. Army Jeep 4x4 (nicknamed "Dam Yankee") is towed ashore on a Normandy beach, 12 June 1944.
Note the amphibious operation breathing tube leading to the engine compartment, and the U.S. flag mounted on the windshield.
Two of the men with this vehicle appear to be African-Americans.
Wartime censors have deleted markings on the Jeep vehicle's front bumper, and an object in the right distance.
Taken by Combat Photo Unit Eight (CPU-8). Photo #: 80-G-252807
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
A U.S. Army Jeep 4x4 (nicknamed "Dam Yankee") is towed ashore on a Normandy beach, 12 June 1944.
Note the amphibious operation breathing tube leading to the engine compartment, and the U.S. flag mounted on the windshield.
Two of the men with this vehicle appear to be African-Americans.
Wartime censors have deleted markings on the Jeep vehicle's front bumper, and an object in the right distance.
Taken by Combat Photo Unit Eight (CPU-8). Photo #: 80-G-252807
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Jacklyn Lucas Medal of Honor in Jeep
Private first Class Jacklyn H. Lewis of the U.S. Marine Corps - was awarded the Medal of Honor for pulling two grenades under his body to protect his fellow soldiers.
Read more of his exploits at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacklyn_H._Lucas
Jacklyn waves from the back seat of a Willys MB Jeep 4x4 as he leaves LaGuardia Airport for Nimitz Day celebrations in New York City, New York on 9 October 1945.
Photo #: NH 103870.
Collection of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Read more of his exploits at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacklyn_H._Lucas
Jacklyn waves from the back seat of a Willys MB Jeep 4x4 as he leaves LaGuardia Airport for Nimitz Day celebrations in New York City, New York on 9 October 1945.
Photo #: NH 103870.
Collection of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Jeep Nimitz Day Parade
Nimitz Day Parade, New York City, 9 October 1945
Preceded by marchers and cars bearing Admiral Nimitz and his party, Marine Corps Medal of Honor winners (in Jeep 4x4s) ride up Broadway and Cedar Street.
Private First Class Jacklyn H. Lucas, awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism on Iwo Jima, was one of those who participated in this parade.
Collection of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN. Photo #: NH 103871. Uploaded to Flickr by Lee Ekstrom.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Preceded by marchers and cars bearing Admiral Nimitz and his party, Marine Corps Medal of Honor winners (in Jeep 4x4s) ride up Broadway and Cedar Street.
Private First Class Jacklyn H. Lucas, awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism on Iwo Jima, was one of those who participated in this parade.
Collection of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN. Photo #: NH 103871. Uploaded to Flickr by Lee Ekstrom.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Jeep Iwo Jima Beach
Iwo Jima Operation, 1945
"Jeep in the Heart of Iwo -- One of the first Jeep 4x4s to roll ashore as the Fifth Marine Division landed on Iwo Jima, met the same fate as most of the other vehicles, when it sank into the soft black volcanic ash on the beach.
Until steel mats were laid a large number of Willys MB Jeep vehicles and trucks were stalled in the quagmire as they rolled from landing boats.
Bogged vehicles were favorite targets of Japanese mortarmen who fired down from flanking mountains overlooking the beach."
Quoted from the original photo caption, released by Commander-in-Chief, Pacific, on 25 February 1945.
Photographed by T/Sgt. H. Neil Gillespie.
LCVP being unloaded in the center background is from USS Newberry (APA-158). Note lines being used to keep it from broaching, and the small (bulldozer-type) mobile crane assisting the work.
The original print came from Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison's World War II history project working files. It was provided to Morison by E.J. Long.
Photo #: NH 104215. Uploaded on Flickr by Lee Ekstrom.
Official U.S. Marine Corps Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.
"Jeep in the Heart of Iwo -- One of the first Jeep 4x4s to roll ashore as the Fifth Marine Division landed on Iwo Jima, met the same fate as most of the other vehicles, when it sank into the soft black volcanic ash on the beach.
Until steel mats were laid a large number of Willys MB Jeep vehicles and trucks were stalled in the quagmire as they rolled from landing boats.
Bogged vehicles were favorite targets of Japanese mortarmen who fired down from flanking mountains overlooking the beach."
Quoted from the original photo caption, released by Commander-in-Chief, Pacific, on 25 February 1945.
Photographed by T/Sgt. H. Neil Gillespie.
LCVP being unloaded in the center background is from USS Newberry (APA-158). Note lines being used to keep it from broaching, and the small (bulldozer-type) mobile crane assisting the work.
The original print came from Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison's World War II history project working files. It was provided to Morison by E.J. Long.
Photo #: NH 104215. Uploaded on Flickr by Lee Ekstrom.
Official U.S. Marine Corps Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.
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