This interesting School at War Bulletin from October of 1943 was preserved by the University of Toledo. Pages five and six of the bulletin include a story about the success of the schools-buying-jeeps program. The war department had set a goal of 10,000 jeeps for US Schools for the year 1942. Each state was given a quota, which almost every state exceeded, resulting in the ‘purchase’ of 39,535 jeeps by schools.
You’ll find posted on eWillys various newspaper articles and photos describing the visits of jeeps and military personnel to schools. What I didn’t know was that not only did the jeeps visit the schools, jeeps also were driven “up steps, down steps, into gymnasiums, onto auditorium stages, and around school corridors. Once school in St. Paul, which “bought” 48 jeeps, reports that one of the versatile cars spent a whole day driving through the halls for inspection by the various classes.”
Here’s a break down of the jeeps purchased by schools during 1942:
Here is the full seven page bulletin:
“Almost” every state exceeded quota (maybe they all did, eventually), but the slackers on the above list were IL, MI, AZ, IN and OH ranging from just 72.1% of quota down to 27.3%. Still, very impressive results for an amazing and worthy campaign!
I can guarantee, if the politicians of Illinois got there hands on the money first, the military came up short.
Thanks Joe .. “ALMOST” was the correct *MISSING* term, lol.
Can I get a copy of this somehow?
Thanks
Tom
Tom,
If you are seeking a physical copy, there’s one in poor condition for sale on Etsy for the crazy price of $120! (https://www.etsy.com/il-en/listing/618310010/schools-at-war-wwll-poster-ear-savings).
I don’t have a hi res version of these pages, as I took screen shots of the images, then reduced the resolution. I’d be happy to email you the images I have if that is sufficient.
– Dave