The Army Jeep Proved Versatile And Adaptable During War-time.

The Army Jeep: Simple Genius!

The Army Jeep is a great example of our rising to the occasion to create something extraordinary, but functional and versatile, during times of wars and conflicts.

Old Army Jeep!

As stated earlier Bantam, Ford and Willys-Overland produced similar models of each other (at least in appearance) with Willys-Overland eventually taking the lead. Many of these little spartan machines made their way to various locations throughout the world before, during and after World War II.

WWII Bantam Jeep BRC 40!

Bantam BRC 40 WWII Jeep

So, how did such a simple little machine provide so many amazing uses...some military and some not? Well, the answer lies in man's wonderful imagination and ability to adapt when necessary.

The American and Allied soldiers found this military Jeep an invaluable tool in the fight for freedom, however they also found this little machine (often with some adaptations) able to solve many day-to-day problems.

Heavily Armed 1942 WWII Combat Jeep!

1942 WWII Combat Ready Jeep

First, here are a few of the Military uses of the Jeep:

Military reconnaissance

VIP transport

Artillery hauler

Mobile mounted machine-gun

Emergency troop ambulance

Rescue vehicle

Mobile rocket launcher

Mobile radio/communication vehicle

GI mover

All-terrain/go anywhere/get-the-job-done workhorse

Other Military and non-Military uses of the Jeep included:

Modified railway vehicle with adapted train wheels

Semi-submersible with special extended engine air intake

Snow and mud adaptations of wheels and tires

And by jacking up the vehicle, the wheels were often used as pulleys to operate tools such as table saws, mixers or any other makeshift rotary device even including a washing machine

Also, from 1942 to 1943 the U.S. Military commissioned the building of up to 12,000 new Amphibious Jeeps with the initial purpose of transporting troops from ship to land and back.

These SEEPS or Sea Jeeps as they were called were build by the GPW Ford division and designated as GPA's with the "A" indicating "Amphibian".

1942 Army Jeep (SEEP)!

1942 Ford Amphibious GPA Seep

The SEEPS were miserable failures in their intended sea duty purposes with many sinking in moderate to high wave conditions, however they later proved valuable in river crossings.

Only about 5000 SEEPS were actually produced before being discontinued in 1943.

Watch this brief WW II British video on the Army Jeep!(57 secs.)

I like this close-up 360 degree video of an almost fully restored 1941 Willys MB Slat Grill Army Jeep! (2 mins. 21 secs.)

Now stand up...put your hand over your heart...and listen to one of the best renditions of our U.S.A. National Anthem...sung by 5 young ladies aged 8 to 13 yrs.

Get a closer look at some wonderful pictures and insights into military Jeeps with Graham Scott's Book: Essential Military Jeep: Willys, Ford & Bantam Models, 1941-45 (Essential Series)

(Click here to see a bit of Korean War era Jeep History: 1950 to 1953)

(Click now to see a chrononlogical listing of Jeep Models from the Bantam to the JK!)

(Also, don't forget to take a look at this site for some awesome "actual" Army Jeep photos!)

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