Original Source Documents:    August 1, 1942 - The Story Behind the Army Jeep - Illustrated Gazette - Vol 1 No 4 - pg.1,2,6,8    details
Contributor:    Robert A. Notman
Source:    The Illustrated Gazette

WILLYS AND QMC TAKE THE BOWS

In the spring of 1940 Willys-Overland representatives were asked to reduce the silhouette of the Infantry's half ton truck but emphatically refused to have anything to do with any work that would require modification of their standard vehicles.

The Quartermaster General's office was called on the carpet by the then Secretary of War Harry Woodring in July, 1940, for attempting to "sabotage" the first Jeep test order.

However, this is what Willys-Overland's current magazine advertising says:

"We are deeply gratified that it was Willys-Overland civilian engineers - in close collaboration with U. S. Quartermaster Corps experts - who created and perfected the Jeep. It is a spectacular achievement."



Research Areas:

R-000098    1/2-ton Weapons Carrier (Marmon-Harrington) testing results
R-000095    Harry Woodring - Personal records
R-000114    Location of the Quartermaster General Files
R-000054    Quartermaster Corps Procurement Records
R-000076    Willys-Overland Motors, Inc. Procurement Records


Persons Referenced:

P-000041    Chapman, John W.
P-000035    Woodring, Harry


Topics Referenced:

T-000100    1/2-ton Weapons Carrier - Marmon-Harrington
T-000062    Quartermaster General
T-000135    Willys-Overland Ad - "Jeep Calls Them Daddy"
T-000090    Willys-Overland Motors, Inc.

Have any another ideas on things to research on this document?  Email me at: (paisley@erols.com)


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Copyright 2006 - Todd Paisley (paisley@erols.com)
Last updated 27 September 2006