Not a great day for driving a jeep. This 1950 photo of Nightmare Alley was shot as these troops retreated. The temperature was estimated at -40 degrees. Read more about this LIfe Magazine photo here.
David Douglas Duncan / TIME & LIFE Pictures.
U.S. Marine crouching down next to his jeep while leading a convoy of vehicles during the 1st Marine Division’s retreat down canyon road they called “Nightmare Alley,” after being cut off by the Red Chinese and under fire from nearby hills in December 1950.
Just finished reading General MacArthur’s 1964 Autobiography. I was especially interested in his view of the Jeeps involvement as mechanized combat changed from WWI to WWII and then to Korea. Not one mention of the word Jeep was found until the time period of this picture. Then only twice did I find the word Jeep in the whole book. Very interesting reading, but disappointed with Jeep involvement. That front Jeep has either lost the left front chain or maybe that’s what the soldier is getting ready. Without Posi-Loc differential that right side chain will only help in steering those NDT tires with the solid center bar. At 40 below this is a tough assignment we are looking at here.
Talk about real American Hero’s…
My guess (not meant to disagree with the above comment) is it appears he may have the jeep in low range idling along while steering and creeping forward from his position as he uses the jeep for cover…