Hope this helps,
There are a number of books specifically about the WW2 jeep, here are
some that I have collected
(and quite a few that I don't have!). The comments on books and
magazines marked with a (*) have
been kindly and enthusiastically supplied by a very keen jeeper, Dennis
Buijs of the Netherlands
(tc086726@inter.nl.net), I've included his reviews verbatim. Thanks
Dennis!
(NOTE: I have no connection to any of the following authors, publishers
or whatever)
All-American Wonder
Author: Ray Cowdery
Published: 1986, 1993 by:
USM, Inc.
PO Box 810
Lakeville, MN 55044-0810
fax (612) 469-4928
Format: Quarto, softcover, 142 and 133 pages
Volume One: ISBN 0-910667-10-1 Volume Two: ISBN 0-910667-20-9
This is a two-volume set, Vol 1 is pages 1 to 142 and Vol 2 is pages 153
to 286. Let me start by
saying that if you are restoring an MB or GPW, you *must* have this
(well you don't have to, but
that's how I feel about it). It really is the most in-depth reference
you could find. If you want to
know what wires and cables go through what holes in the firewall, or the
date on which the
spare-tire carrier was changed from three bolts to two bolts, then look
no further.
Volume 1 (which was revised in 1993) covers the history from
requirements and prototypes by
Bantam; the etymology of 'jeep' including a document from Ford on how
they 'improved' upon
Willys submission. It lists each contract given to Ford and Willys;
parts and accessories that were
included when shipping; manuals, docs; MB / GPW differences; wiring
diagrams and lots of other
extremely useful information including drawings and photos. A few
drawings of Ford-marked parts
are also there (but by no means comprehensive). The 1993 revised edition
has some corrections
and different photos and is available as a softcover rather than
previously hardcover-only one.
Volume 2 continues with post-war distribution of jeeps in Europe;
production classification (VEP
very early production to PWP post war production); serial
number-to-delivery date list for MB and
GPW; jeep paintings; a teardown report on swapping Willys and Ford
components; colours; jeep
models; jerrycan history; hood numbers; commonly missing parts;
uncrating instructions.
USM, Inc have some more WW2 jeep related publications (including
excellent reprints) listed
here, as well as some other military volumes.
JEEP JEEP JEEP
Author:Yasuo Ohtsuka
Published: 1983 by Hobby Japan Co Ltd.
Format: A4, softcover, 224 pages
ISBN (none)
Probably the best photo book on the jeep with *lots* of pictures that
haven't seem to have
appeared anywhere else. This book is now out of print unfortunately but
I have heard rumours that
it might be reprinted should enough interest be shown. Some of the
chapters (photo sections) are:
jeeps in Japan; gun carriers; radio jeeps; ambulance jeeps; floatation
devices; wire cutter fittings;
modifications; GPA; mechanical features. It's in japanese but it's a
photo book anyway. Get it if you
can!
JEEPS over the Pacific
Author:Yasuo Ohtsuka
Published: 1994 by Hobby Japan
Format: Quarto, softcover, 184 pages
ISBN 4-89425-039-X C0076 P4800E
The follow-on book by the author of JEEP JEEP JEEP. It focusses just on
photos of jeeps used in
the Pacific theatre. Chapters are: Jeeps in Australia; jungle usage in
New Guinea; jeeps and
jeepneys in the Philippines; Pacific Island combat; the Kurogane 4x4
japanese light vehicle; Burma,
China, Okinawa; Occupation of Japan; Korean War service. Highly
recommended. The book is in
japanese but english photo captions are also given.
The Jeep
Author: Jean-Gabriel Jeudy, Marc Tararine
Published: 1981 by Haynes Publishing Group, Newbury Park California USA
Format: A4, landscape, hardcover, 272 pages
ISBN 0 85429 584 4
A comprehensive and mostly photo book; some of the chapters are:
ancestors of the jeep; history;
armament; special jeep models; jeep ambulances; SAS jeeps; the GPA;
French Hotckiss jeep
rebuilds; jeep imitations. It is a nice coffee table book and has some
photos I haven't seen
elsewhere, with colour photos depicting UN and French M201's. Also a
must have, but not as
much as AAW.
JEEP goes to war
Author: William Fowler
Published: 1993 by Bison Books Ltd, London
Format: Quarto, hardcover, 112 pages
ISBN 1-85842-453-0
Coffee table book with quite a high proportion of colour photographs.
Some of the chapters are:
Origins; the jeep at war; variations; postwar; the new pretenders;
index. Has some colour photos of
the post-war russian GAZ 67 B which looks like a bad copy of an MB /
GPW. It has pictures I
haven't seen anywhere else, such as MacArthur in Korea. In the
frontispiece it has what it claims as
'a nicely restored jeep' in WW2 British Airborne markings.. look closely
at the photo and you can
see the bits welded on, rust bubbles etc, as well as tire pressure
markings above the wheels (this
was not done until after the war).
Hail to the jeep
Author: A. Wade Wells
Published: 1946 by Harper & Brothers (reprinted)
Format: 23 x 21 cm, softcover, 120 pages
ISBN (none)
One of the original books on the jeep as a topic in itself, and of
historical value. It is written very
much a morale-boosting style. The front half of the book is text and
covers the jeep in action;
ancestors; the standardised jeep; where *they* thought the name 'jeep'
came from; rearming a War
Horse for Peace. The photo section quality is not as good as other books
but I suppose this can be
forgiven, being written immediately after the war. Pictures include
jeeps in snow, desert; famous
people in jeeps; and most interestingly some pictures inside the
Willys-Overland factory of jeeps
being assembled. Probably the only place you'll find individual pictures
of the people who
contributed to building the legend including Probst, Herrington, Howie,
Gen. Barzynski, Capt.
Clement S. Jeep (Jeep family historian and Authority on the jeep).
Jeep: Warhorse, Workhorse & Boulevard Cruiser
Author: David Fetherston
Published: 1995 by Osprey, Reed International Books, London
Format: A4, softcover, 128 pages
ISBN 1 85532 521 7
The newest jeep book I know of to hit the shelves. It's a photo book and
only the first 40 pages are
about WW2 jeeps. Nonetheless, the author must have scoured archives
around the world for some
'new' photos. A number of them are from the Australian War Memorial
photo collection. It has a
few good photos on the post-war Willys Jeepster civilian car, and lots
of CJ's.
JEEP Mechanical mule to people's plaything
Author: Henry Rasmussen
Published: 1987 by Motorbooks International Osceola, WI USA
Format: 24 x 24cm, hardcover, 128 pages
ISBN 0-87938-241-4
A photo book with all modern colour photos of restored WW2 jeeps taking
up the most but not all
of the first 33 pages. Has some very nice pics of an unrestored Bantam,
and a jeep fitted with the
A-frame towbar. It has a huge section on jeeps that have been modified
with mud tires, rollbars etc.
Indestructible Jeep
Author: D Denfeld, M Fry
Published: 1973 by Ballantine Books Inc., New York USA
Format: A5, hardcover, 160 pages
ISBN (none)
A small but information-filled book. It has a good history section and
lots of black and white
photographs. Chapters include: variations, 'The most useful motor
vehicle we've ever had', and a
section on where they thought the name jeep came from. It covers
post-war MC's and M38's but
then goes back to the WW2 jeep. The final picture in the book is my
favourite, even if poor quality-
it is a jeep with windscreen down, parked in front of some Spitfires.
JEEP Collection No.1 1942-1954
Author: Compilation of various articles by R.M. Clarke
Published: 198? by Brooklands Books, Surrey, UK
Format: A4, softcover, 70 pages
ISBN 0 907 073 549
A collection of magazine articles on the jeep from Autocar, Motor,
Automotive Digest and others.
Nothing much in-depth, but interesting anyway. Some of the articles are:
Peeps under Test,
Sweethearts of the AEF, Airborne Jeeps, In a jeep on the Western Front.
Military Jeeps 1941-1945
Author: Compilation of various articles by T. Richards
Published: 198? by Brooklands Books, Surrey, UK
Format: A4, softcover, 104 pages
ISBN 0 946489 61 0
In the same vein as the above book; this has articles such as: American
Austin-Bantam, Blitz Buggy
from Butler, Seep Story, Willy the Jeep Goes Home, Servicing the Jeep.
This has recently been
rereleased as 'The WW2 Military Jeep Portfolio'.
Jeep Pictorial
Author: John Havers
Published: 1988 by ISO Publications, 137 Westminster Bridge Rd, London
SE1 7HR
Format: 20 x 23cm (8 x 9"), softcover, 38 pages
ISBN 0 946784 70 1
A compact little photo book with each page having two exactly half page
black and white photos. It
would be a good reference for model builders especially those putting a
jeep on a diorama. Things
you can see are: signals training jeep, ambulance jeeps, german POW's
riding on jeeps,
RAF/RCAF/NZ/US jeeps and their drivers, chinese and indian jeeps, jeep
towing a magnetic
sweeper trailer over a runway to remove metal fragments. Minimal
descriptions but large photos
make up for it.
Half-Safe: Across the Atlantic by Jeep
Author: Ben Carlin
Published: 1955 by Andre Deutsch Limited
Format: hardcover, 279 pages
ISBN (none)
A fantastic story about the australian Ben Carlin who outfitted a Ford
GPA amphibious jeep in the
early 1950's and then proceeded to drive it around the world. His
journey started in New York,
USA then crossed the Atlantic where he did things like valve-grinds etc.
in mid-ocean! After
reaching the Azores and Africa he drove to Gibraltar, Bordeaux, London,
where the GPA was
completely rebuilt, then on to Sweden. Truly amazing.
The other half of Half-Safe: Around the World by Amphibious Jeep
Author: Ben Carlin
Published: 1989 by Guildford Grammar School Foundation Inc., Western
Australia
Format: hardcover, 279 pages
ISBN 0 9598731 1 2
A sequel to the above, this book was published after his death in 1989
by the school he attended.
'Half-Safe' is kept in a museum at the school. The voyage continued from
Europe through Asia,
Australia, Japan, across the Pacific to Canada and back to Montreal. It
includes some revised
portions of the original book but also covers the second part of the
journey and has lots of photos
that weren't in the first book. An article and a good colour photograph
of 'Half-Safe' was published
in Wheels & Tracks magazine (#53)
Only in a Jeep (*)
Author: Jean Gabriel Jeudy
Published: Massin Editeur
Format: 24 by 31.5 cm, 192 pages
ISBN ????
This book tells the story of 50 years of the Jeep and includes 548
photos of which are 138 in color.
It covers the history of jeep since its birth until now.
La Jeep (*)
Author: Jaques Borge and Nicolas Viasnoff
Published: 1974 by Editions Balland
Format: 13.5 by 21 cm, 160 pages
ISBN ????
The book has 150 photos and is filled with stories on jeeps, including
jeep adventures, humour, the
human side of the jeep. This book is no longer available.
Jeep, etude technique et practique (*)
Published: French Ministry of Defense, Libraire de l'armee
Format: 21 by 27cm, 50 pages
ISBN ????
Very hard to get book concerning military Willys and Ford jeeps. Treats
the subjects of technical
data, parts and advice.
Jeep Express, Java-Holland (*)
Author: Jan Glissenaar
Published: 1951 by Scheltens en Giltay in Amsterdam
Format: 18 by 25 cm, hardcover, contains two maps + bw photos, 240 pages
ISBN: none
Written by one of the travellers, the journey started on the 3rd of May
1950 and ended with their
arrival in the Netherlands on the 2nd of December 1950. The 3 men drove
25000 km in their jeep,
crossing 3 continents and 18 countries. The route took them through
India, Pakistan, Persia, Israel,
Egypt, Sicily, Italy, Switzerland, France, Belgium and finally The
Netherlands. They bought the jeep
for 1200 Dutch guilders at the time and they also had a Bantam trailer
to carry their camping gear in.
The book has some black and white photos taken during the trip (one
shows the jeep stuck in
desert sand) and contains two maps showing the route they followed.
JEEP: Bantam-Willys-Ford: 1940-1945
Author: Emile Becker and Guy Dentzer
Published: ????
Format: 468 pages, A5, softcover
ISBN: ????
This book is in French and has more than 1,500 illustrations with
original technical extracts in
English. It includes archive photos and pictures of preserved examples.
Technical Manuals for the Willys MB and Ford GPW
TM-10-1186 Master Parts List for Willys Trucks and Trailers
Author: Willys-Overland Motors, Toledo, Ohio, USA
Published: June 1942, changed July 1, 1943
Format: A4, softcover, 195 pages
ISBN 0-910667-11-X (reprint from USM, Inc)
If you have tried to get hold of the rare Standard Nomenclature List
(SNL) for the MB/GPW, then
rejoice... the next best thing is the Master Parts List, which has been
reprinted by USM. (Note: the
publisher also has SNL G-658 Ford Master Parts List, but this 730 page
tome covers allcars and
trucks Ford made for the US Army). This book is one huge list of every
single part that went into
the jeep, including every nut, bolt, washer and fuel line clip! Quoting
the Preface: This Master Parts
List has been compiled in accordance with specifications and we have
endeavored to provide
a concise tabulation of every serviceable part in such a manner that
model, part number,
name, illustration, quantity per car or price may be readily located".
The book is in 3 main
groups: 1. Alphabetical Index alphabetical list, when the name of the
part is known; Government
Group Number follows the description. 2. Government Group Section Each
Govt Group No
represents a certain section eg. 01 Engine Group, 06 Electrical Group
etc. and further division into
sub-groups eg. 0101 Cylinder Block. 3. Numerical Index Includes all part
#'s in the Group Section
in numerical order followed by an abbreviated description, Govt
Sub-Group Number and list price
(for the 1940's unfortunately!) This manual has many more exploded
diagrams and half-tone
assembly photos than TM-803, TM-1803.
TM-10-1513 Maintenance Manual for Willys Truck 1/4-ton 4x4
Author: Willys-Overland Motors, Toledo, Ohio, USA
Published: March 1942, changed May 15, 1942
Format: A4, softcover, 154 pages
ISBN 0-910667-16-0 (reprint from USM, Inc)
The actual Willys technical manual. Covers unloading from crates and
freight cars, driver's
instructions, nomenclature plates, lubrication chart and periodic
inspection index, engine teardown
and rebuild, engine specifications, valve timing, clutch, fuel system,
cooling system, electrical system,
transmission disassembly/assembly, transfer case, diffs, steering,
brakes, suspension, and a Troubles
and Remedies section. A section on the body tells you how the chassis
can be straightened; or the
axe and shovel attached properly. It has a comprehensive and complete
8-page list including 2
pages of photos of the tools that were needed. USM, Inc. has for
interest's sake attached the
russian-language edition of the maintenance manual which is 18 pages in
itself. This bit covers just
enough to keep the jeep running, I should think!
TM-10-1349 Maintenance Manual for Ford Truck 1/4-ton 4x4
Author: Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan, USA
Published: September 1942, changed June 15, 1943
Format: A4, softcover, 143 pages (reprint)
The Ford version of the above manual.
TM-1100 Ford GP jeep Parts List
Author: Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan, USA
Published: March 1941
Format: A4, softcover, 66 pages
ISBN 0-910667-17-9 (reprint from USM, Inc)
The complete part listing for Ford's GP prototype jeep with 35 exploded
views of components.
The Military JEEP Complete* (*All 3 technical manuals in Full)
Compiler: Dan R. Post
Published: 1971 by Post-Era Motor Books, Arcadia CA 91006 USA
Format: A5, hardcover, 511 pages
This is a compilation of the three technical manuals issued by the US
War Department:
TM9-803 1/4 ton 4 x 4 truck (Willys-Overland Model MB and Ford Model
GPW)
TM9-1803A Engine and Engine Accessories for 1/4 ton 4 x 4 truck
(Willys-Overland Model
MB and Ford Model GPW)
TM9-1803B Power Train, Body, and Frame for 1/4 ton 4x4 truck
(Willys-Overland Model
MB and Ford Model GPW)
Short of getting hold of the original manuals (which might be difficult)
this book has all the
information you need to fix a WW2 jeep. Post has added a comprehensive
index that spans all the
volumes (which still have their own indexes). The book is also available
in softcover and is titled
"The WW2 Military Jeep Manual", published by Brooklands Books. Other
volumes (still available?)
from Post are ones for the Bantam BRC, Ford GP and Willys MA.
Technical Manual 1/4 ton truck (Willys-Overland Model MB and Ford Model
GPW)
Author: Department of the Army
Published: Changes No 1 17 May 1950, updates revision of 22 February
1944
Format: A5, paper + card cover, 51 pages
Document: TM 9-803 *C1
A small booklet which is an update for the TM. It covers modifications
such as the rotary light
switch, lubrication order, internal band handbrake, railcar shipping,
preventing enemy usage.
WWII Willys-Overland MB Manufacturing Print Sets (engineering
blueprints)
Format: 3 separate 1/4 scale prints, 22 x 38 inches (56 x 97cm)
Author: Willys-Overland, completely redrawn by USM, Inc.
In All-American Wonder, you get to see part of the blueprint of the side
profile of an MB. I
wondered what had happened to the full set and here they are. The
blueprints are extremely detailed
redrawings of the original 1/4 scale prints on good paper, from the July
1945 production. The
sheets detail part numbers for many components including hood bows and
wooden parts; also
precise measurements are given for things such as clutch and brake pedal
travel (5.718 inches in
case you need to know). The three sheets are: 1. Side view chassis print
with phantom body. 2.
Top view chassis print with phantom body. 3. Front and rear view chassis
print with phantom body.
The drawings are sent in a protective tube.
USM, Inc. also have some things that WW2 jeep owners love to go with
items such as jeep
posters, models and other memorabilia - commemorative jeep stamps! The
stamps are in sheets
with 36 to a sheet, and it goes into a picture frame very nicely. There
is a small blurb on jeep history
at the top and bottom of the stamp grid. Also, colour reprints of James
Sessions jeep pictures are in
an 8 print set, ISBN 0-910667-08-X and are 10 x 12.5" (25 x 32cm)
Instruction Book, Driving and Maintenance, for Trucks 1/4 Ton (U.S.A.)
Author: Australian Military Forces, Aust. Survey Corps
Published: July 1944, changed June 15, 1943
Format: A5, paper + card cover, 40 pages
Document: L.H.Q./MISC/6477
This little manual was prepared for the Australian Forces using the
jeep, and has the following
contents: Scope and Purpose, General Description, General Specification,
Driver's Routine
Maintenance, General Operating Instructions, Appendices. It has a
lubrication schedule, types of
trailers in use with the Truck 1/4 ton and some blank pages at the end
for notes.
Military Magazines and Periodicals that cover WW2 jeeps
Military Vehicles Magazine
Articles, ads and information about military jeeps, tanks, trucks, scout
cars, DUKWs, Humvees,
Ferrets, motorcycles and other related interesting things. For
enthusiasts, collectors, off-roaders,
construction companies or anyone interested in buying or using MV's.
They now have a new editor
who has had the foresight to set up a web page at:
http://members.aol.com/mvehicle/home.htm
Military Vehicles
12-W1 Indian Head Road
Morristown, NJ 07960
Wheels & Tracks - The international review of military vehicles
Battle of Britain Prints International Ltd
Church House, Church Street
London E15 3JA England
ph. 0181-534 8833 Fax: 0181-555 7567
Auto Collection (*)
Edited by La Societe de Presse Automobile, Loisirs, France
Dennis writes:
Recently I bought a French car magazine called "Auto Collection" which
is edited by La Societe de
Presse Automobile et Loisirs in France. Unfortunately I do not know the
full address of the
publisher. Issue number 23, July-August 1994, is devoted to the WW2
jeep. All 35 pages of this
magazine are filled with any kind of information on, and photographs (in
black and white as well as
color) of the one and only jeep. The photos are of high quality and some
are rare.
One photo shows Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna sitting in a toy jeep at
the age of four. Other
photos concern the railway jeep, the SAS jeep, the GPA amphibious jeep,
a Long Wheel Base
jeep designed to carry 10 US Coastguard troopers, jeeps in Lebanon, a
jeep with an aircraft
canopy as top, jeeps crossing a wild river and jeeps in civil duty.
Chapters of the magazine are
devoted to: history of the jeep, books and toys related to jeeps, jeeps
in art, jeep rallies, jeeps in
civil use, technical data of the jeep, jeep propaganda/promotion
leaflets, jeep variations and
imitations, production numbers and a story on the driving behaviour of
the jeep. The magazine also
includes a good cut-away drawing of the jeep. Some characteristic parts
are highlighted by detailed
photos and an explanation on their function and use.
The magazine also tells the story of jeep champagne. In 1944 the french
wineproducer Armand
Gourtorbe living in Damery-en-Champagne returned from the war as a
disabled. He could hardly
walk and as a result had difficulty with his work. The french government
permitted him to buy a
jeep, so this could transport him around his vineyard, so he could
continue his work. Jeeps were still
restricted to government use at that time. Grateful to the jeep, Armand
called his champagne
"Jeeper" from that time. What a tribute!
WW2 jeep Calendar for 1997 - it's out!
Return to the WW2 jeep home page
Copyright © Steven Malikoff 1996; (*) sections: Dennis Buijs
Last updated: 25-Dec-96