THE ORIGINAL JEEPS
Commemorating the Birth of an Icon 1940-1942
WINNER Bronze Medal Military Writers Society of America
WINNER Bronze Medal Dan Poynter's Global Ebook Awards
PREMISE
The spring and summer of 1940 witnessed the resounding defeat of the French Army and British Expeditionary Force at the hands of a modernized German Army, designed to take advantage of the latest advances in technology. This included mobile vehicles, tanks used in formation to puncture enemy lines, as well as close air support of ground forces. The evacuation of the British from Dunkirk, and the final defeat of their French ally in June 1940, left only a thin line of English fighter planes between that island nation and total defeat.
While events unfolded rapidly in Europe, leaders of the United States Army, decimated by demobilization after World War I and budget cuts during the Great Depression, knew they were completely unprepared for this new type of mobile warfare, called Blitzkrieg or “lightning war.” Experts in the Army had worked from the end of World War I to develop a combined light weapons carrier and command/reconnaissance vehicle—but with limited success. In June 1940 the military compiled a list of requirements for a revolutionary new truck to replace the cart and mule as the Army’s primary method of moving troops and small payloads.
This book tells the intriguing story of the American Bantam Car Company, Willys-Overland Motors, Inc., and the Ford Motor Company, who all dared to meet the challenge to build pilot models, and eventually production models, of this vehicle. Their journey throughout 1940 to January 1942 comprises a story from which legends come. Overcoming incredible challenges and long odds, these firms built the original ¼-ton truck 4x4 “lights”, later known as the iconic Jeep.
SYNOPSIS OF THE ORIGINAL JEEPS
In 1940, with blitzkrieg raging in Europe, the US Army proceeded on a mission to replace the 3-wheel motorcycle with side car and...the mule! The result was the iconic Jeep. With "The Original Jeeps", award-winning Author, Paul R. Bruno, commemorates the 80th anniversary of the car—a major reason the Allies won WWII with a detailed recounting of the creation of the first three Jeeps. Three car manufacturers were involved. The winner of the original RFP was bankrupt little American Bantam Car Company, Butler, PA, which designed the car with the Army. They then set about building a pilot model. At risk of penalty, they built their vehicle in an astonishing 49 days and their pilot model successfully completed all the Army's grueling tests.
Next the Army spread the wealth to two other companies in order to maximize the design potential for high-level performance under extreme battle conditions. The second company to deliver a prototype was Willys-Overland Motors, Inc. Toledo, OH. However, Willys' first attempt did not pass the Army's rigorous evaluation. They were allowed to resubmit another pilot model and that vehicle successfully completed the Army's testing.
The third manufacturer they solicited was Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI. Their pilot was built, submitted, and like Bantam, passed Army muster on their first try.
Then the real competition began for who would build the vehicles en masse. Noteworthy to point out, however, that Bantam never even had a clue that it was in a competition as it built and submitted its pilot model.
Between them, Bantam innovated 4x4 technology with Spicer Company, Toledo, for use in small trucks and cars which is ever-present today. Willys and Ford added their modifications through their work with Spicer.
In all, they developed just what the US armed services needed to win the war: a standalone weapons delivery carrier, as well as a nimble off-track mobile field battle-station vehicle. The Jeep has stood the test of time."
