History
Background
The Willys M38, officially designated as the ¼-Ton 4x4 Utility Truck M38 or G-740, was developed and introduced by Willys-Overland in 1949 as the successor to the iconic WWII-era Willys MB. Between 1949 and 1952, approximately 50,000 units of the M38 were produced, far fewer than the over 600,000 Willys MBs manufactured during World War II.
Although the M38 retained similarities to the Willys MB, it was primarily derived from the civilian Jeep CJ-3A. However, the military version incorporated several changes to enhance its field performance. These upgrades included a reinforced frame and suspension, a revised windshield design, a waterproof 24-volt electrical system, blackout lighting, and a sealed ventilation system for the engine, transmission, transfer case, fuel system, and brakes. One noticeable external difference was the relocation of the fuel cap to the left side panel of the vehicle body rather than beneath the driver’s seat as in the MB.
Enter Willys Jeep w/ M20 75-mm Recoilless Rifle
The M38 entered service in 1950 and saw use during the Korean War. Despite its introduction, the M38 was not the predominant jeep in the conflict, as most jeeps in Korea were refurbished Willys MBs left over from World War II. M38 production peaked after 1954, allowing it to gradually replace the aging MBs, which had begun to show their age. By July 1952, Willys had produced more than 45,000 M38s for the US Army, representing an endeavor to modernize the military’s fleet of utility vehicles.
Some M38 jeeps were modified to serve as mobile anti-tank platforms by mounting an M20 75-mm recoilless rifle. The M20, first used in the final stages of World War II and extensively in the Korean War, could fire HEAT warheads to provide infantry support. While it could penetrate up to 100 mm of armor, it proved largely ineffective against the T-34-85 tanks commonly encountered during the conflict. However, the M20-equipped M38 still played a valuable role in engaging lighter vehicles, soft targets, and fortified positions such as pillboxes and bunkers.
The Willys M38 was eventually phased out and succeeded by the M38A1 starting in 1952. The M38A1 introduced a new design, including rounded fenders and a redesigned hood to accommodate a more powerful engine. In addition, it was equipped with the much-improved M40 106-mm recoilless rifle, which featured better penetration capabilities and a spotting rifle for accurate targeting. This version with the M40 became standardized as the M38A1C, which would be the primary jeep-mounted anti-tank platform for the US forces moving forward.
