Hitler's Third Reich and World War II in the News is a daily edited review of WWII news, providing thought- provoking collection of hand-picked WW2 information.

Category: World War II Jeeps  -- See latest WWII news here. See also 'Battle Tanks, Military Vehicles', 'Scale Models'.

Jeep: It's been debated how the word "jeep" was derived
One theory is that "GP" is the acryonym for the military terms "General Purpose." R. Lee Ermey argues the word jeep was intended to be used toward ore particular ends. He thinks that the jeep was not intended for general purpose, but rather that its modern name originated from Ford; the "G" indicating government use, and the "P" the vehicles eighty inch wheel base. He claims that it is from these assignations that the nickname jeep has been derived. The first use of the word "jeep" seems to have been during the WWI, assigned it to vehicles and recruits new to the army.     [ theweeklydriver :: 2008-03-11 :: World War II Jeeps ]

Jeep restorer Le Cong Vang, King of the Jeeps, satisfies local and overseas demand
Far-famed jeep restorer Le Cong Vang or Vang Le, who has been collecting and restoring jeeps for 4 decades, has become known as King of the Jeeps. He believes old jeep owners have a particular reason for their hobby. "They are witnesses of history, especially restored war vehicles." Last year Vang sold 10 restored jeeps, a number beyond his expectation. High local and overseas demand made his business a success. Film makers have used his jeeps in movies, giving his restored vehicles greater value. Many think jeeps will never be outdated because of their unique shape and history.     [ thanhniennews :: 2008-03-02 :: World War II Jeeps ]

WWII utility vehicles: American Jeep, German Kubelwagen, Schwimmwagen
One asset the Allied forces had was the 4-wheel-drive Jeep, a go-anywhere vehicle. By the end of the war 600,000 had been made, mostly by Willys-Overland. The German army also had its "Jeep," a light machine built in a VW plant. The little utility vehicle came in two versions: the 2-wheel-drive Kubelwagen and the amphibious 4-wheel-drive Schwimmwagen (with a retractable propeller driven off the end of the crankshaft). Because of the Kubelwagen's air-cooled engine it was effective in Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps campaign and on the Russian front. After WWII Willys-Overland released a civilian version of Jeep called the CJ, but Volkswagen stopped making its vehicles.     [ nationalpost :: 2008-02-23 :: World War II Jeeps ]

Bob Burdick restores WWII-era Jeep, travels European war route
One of Bob Burdick's greatest regrets is that he never served in the U.S. military. But rebuilding a World War II-era Jeep and driving it from Normandy to Bastogne came as close as he could get. "It was the trip of a lifetime," said Burdick, whose passion for military history became the foundation for spring's road trip. It also was a tribute to fellow Civil War buff, Richard Tonelli, whose father Rudolph drove a Jeep through France, Belgium and into Luxembourg as part of General George Patton's 3rd Army in 1944-1945. He spent a week in Normandy, where he helped lower the U.S. flag at the military cemetery at the end of one day.     [ greenbaypressgazette :: 2007-07-18 :: World War II Jeeps ]

Restoring World War II military vehicles more than a hobby - an honor
Dave Wakefield found a 1942 Chevrolet World War II truck buried up to its axle in dirt in Ellensburg. For him restoring WWII vehicles is more than a hobby, it's an honor: "It's kind of an adventure. Like being an archaeologist and finding a historical treasure you can share with others." When he enters his 1943 Burma Jeep in parades, he dresses in military uniforms, which he also collects. A clean vehicle is out of the question: "I don't think there ever was a vehicle that was spotless." In one parade, he felt uncomfortable because the jeep was too clean. He found a mud puddle and splashed through it for a genuine look.     [ kvnews :: 2007-06-18 :: Vintage Military Vehicles (AFV) & Battle Tanks ]

Amphibious Landing Vehicles of World War Two
Amphibious vehicles were a great asset in World War II for many reasons. A couple of the amphibious vehicles that were produced and that were popular during WWII are the Ford GPA, and the Volkswagen Schwimmwagen. One of the best designed amphibious automobile was the Volkswagen Type 166 - This 4-wheel drive could actually be driven in water. Not only is it known as the single most produced amphibious car but it also was very successful for use by the Germans. The Ford GPA was a later model from the Ford GPW Jeep - many of them sank because of the weight when any large waves happened to come by.     [ carjunky :: 2007-06-12 :: World War II Cars ]

Restoration of World War II Jeep
Bob Sokol took on a labor of love doing something he had never tried before, bringing back to life a rusted relic of trusty war horse that served the U.S. military for more than a generation. He brought the Jeep for $150 - and he had an old military Jeep manual, plus he obtained some advice from the New York-Penn Military vehicle Collectors Club, which he joined. While he did not know the history behind this vehicle, he learned it was a 1943 Ford GPW. Sokol pointed out how Ford put their insignia all over. Veterans just love the Jeep: Many have tears in their eyes and recount stories of their time in the Jeep.     [ wayneindependent :: 2007-05-11 :: World War II Jeeps ]

1942 Jeep - Wartime military vehicle icon to go up for auction
It was designed to serve as a mule but the Willys Jeep performed so well in World War II that it has become an icon of military vehicle design. Several thousands were made and used in every theatre of war, but at the end of the conflict some were pushed into the sea as the allied armies disarmed. Around 1,500 are known to survive in running condition in the UK and one of those is to be auctioned. The 1942 model was found rusting away in the mid 1980s and was restored over a 3-year period. Since 1999 it has been in the hands of military enthusiast Peter Cottam, but he is now selling it to focus on a different project.     [ yorkshiretoday :: 2007-03-02 :: World War II Jeeps ]

A WWII Jeep - Memorabilia and military vehicles
Article no longer available from the original source.
Paul Dooling spends many of his hours toiling away in his garage, or what he calls his "clubhouse" - for big boys that's steeped in history and filled with memorabilia from World War II: including a rebuilt Army Jeep, old military magazines and newspapers, even a parachute that was used for carrier pigeons. I paid $4,000 for the Jeep. I had another one that I put together and last year sold it for $11,000. I also got this ammunition trailer that the Marines used in the Pacific in Iwo Jima in Kings Park. And when I was a mechanic, some of my customers gave me their WWII uniforms and some of the stuff in the trailer.     [ newsday :: 2007-02-22 :: Vintage Military Vehicles (AFV) & Battle Tanks ]

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'Battle Tanks, Military Vehicles'

'Scale Models'.

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