History
Background
The Willys MB, also produced under license by Ford as the GPW, was officially designated by the US Army as the ¼-ton 4x4 truck, with the standardized vehicle designation G-503. However, it became universally known as the “Jeep.” This vehicle emerged as the most iconic and recognizable American utility truck of World War II. Renowned for its speed, durability, and unparalleled versatility, the Jeep became the backbone of the US military’s logistical and tactical operations, effectively replacing horses and many transport vehicles as its workhorse.
Between 1940 and 1941, the US military faced a significant disadvantage due to its lack of standardized motor vehicles, especially in contrast to Germany’s standardized fleet. Before America entered World War II, the US Army relied on motorcycles, modified civilian cars, and heavier trucks for transportation. These vehicles, however, proved inadequate for the rugged terrains and versatile roles required in modern warfare. To address this, the Department of War identified the need for a small, lightweight, and versatile 4x4 vehicle to transport personnel and equipment quickly and efficiently to the frontlines.
On July 11, 1940, the Army issued detailed specifications for such a vehicle and invited US automotive manufacturers to submit designs. American Bantam developed the prototype, the Bantam BRC-40, which became known as the original Jeep of 1940. Willys-Overland and Ford also entered the competition. Bantam’s early experience with automobile design gave it an edge, securing the initial contract, while Willys struggled with its design in the early stages.
However, the Department of War quickly realized that Bantam lacked the production capacity and financial resources to produce the large number of vehicles the Army required. As Bantam’s BRC-40 underwent testing, Willys and Ford were invited to observe the prototype and develop their prototypes. After testing all three prototypes, the Army selected Willys’ “Quad” prototype due to its superior 60-hp Go-Devil engine, which offered unmatched torque and reliability. Willys refined its design into the Willys MA, revising it repeatedly to meet strict weight requirements. This vehicle became the foundation of the initial production variant, with many units supplied to the Soviet Union under the Lend-Lease program.
To streamline mass production, the Department of War directed Willys-Overland, Bantam, and Ford to consolidate the best features of their designs into a single standardized vehicle: the Willys MB. In October 1941, Willys was ordered to license its design to Ford to meet the overwhelming production demands. During World War II, Willys produced over 363,000 Jeeps, while Ford contributed an additional 280,000. The Willys MB went on to become one of the most celebrated and recognizable military utility vehicles in history.
Enter Armored Willys MB Jeep w/ Dual Bazookas
The Willys MB Jeep, renowned for its versatility, was often modified for various combat roles, including mounting heavy weaponry like a 37mm anti-tank cannon in its cargo bed. However, a simpler and lighter alternative to the 37mm cannon emerged in the form of dual bazookas mounted on a gun pedestal. This field modification was documented on January 16, 1945, in Belgium, where an intelligence and reconnaissance platoon of the 60th Infantry, 9th Division, equipped a Jeep with a pair of bazookas. These were mounted on a pedestal originally designed for a .50-caliber M2 Browning heavy machine gun. Additionally, the Jeep was reinforced with an armored shield made from steel plates around the driver’s compartment, providing partial protection for its crew.
The improvised armor consisted of 0.2-inch (6-mm) steel plates, offering minimal protection which was sufficient only against small-caliber firearms, such as pistols. The shielding primarily covered the front and sides of the driver’s area, replacing the windshield with a metal plate featuring two small sight openings. While far from ideal in heavy combat, this armor provided necessary frontal and lateral protections in skirmishes.
Visual records of this modification show the Jeep armed with two bazookas: an early-production M1 Bazooka, identifiable by its forward hand grip, and a late-production M1A1 Bazooka, which lacked the grip. Both variants fired the same 2.36-inch HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) rockets, capable of penetrating up to 3 inches (76 mm) of armor at a velocity of 265 feet per second (81 meters per second). According to the TM 9-294 2.36-inch A.T. Rocket Launcher M1A1 manual, these rockets were stored in fiber containers, with 20 containers packed into a wooden box weighing 128 pounds (58 kilograms) when fully loaded. A single Jeep could carry one or two such boxes in its bed, allowing the gunner to reload the mounted bazookas quickly.
The Jeep’s speed, maneuverability, low profile, and off-road capability made it an effective tool for “shoot-and-scoot” tactics. Acting as a mobile tank hunter, the Jeep could ambush enemy vehicles at short range and retreat before drawing significant return fire. Despite its functionally nonexistent armor, the Jeep’s agility often provided benefits to its survival on the battlefield. However, such dual-bazooka setups like this on a Jeep were relatively rare field modifications during World War II. Hence, lack of further documentation on this field modification.
This innovation may have influenced later US Army deployments of heavier weapons on Jeeps. For instance, near the end of the war, the Army began mounting the 75mm M20 recoilless rifle on Jeeps, significantly enhancing their anti-tank capabilities with greater velocity and penetration. Post-war developments further refined this concept, with the more modern Willys M38 Jeep eventually equipped with the 105mm M40 recoilless rifle, enhancing the Jeep as a flexible and formidable combat platform.
