UPDATE: Here’s a second version of this press photo.
Also, Thanks to Lester (who found a front view of this same jeep in the Concord Armor At War series # 7058 titled The US Army Jeep at War by Steven Zaloga on page 70) we also now know that the inscription reads: To the Commander of the First Ukrainian Army Group from Soldiers of the American Armies of the 12th Army Group …. Lester believes the same thing is painted in Russian on the hood. The jeep also has the insignia of the major formations of Bradleys command on the cowling between the hood and windshield. Finally, apparently the picture in the book clearly shows the two extra holes in the front bumper making it a GPW model.
Here’s another press photo that captures the gift of a jeep by General Omar Bradley to Marshal Ivan Konev of the Russian Army. Six days later, Marshal Konev responded in kind with the gift of a horse to General Bradley, the inspection of which was captured in the latter half of this video.
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“This is an original press photo. Bradley, Omar (General) (United States of America). General Omar Bradley, commander of the United States Twelfth Army Group, presents an American carbine and jeep foreground to Marshal Ivan Konev of the Russian Army following banquet celebrating the victories of their troops, near Berlin, May 5. This photo was taken by William C. Allen Associated Press Photographer with the wartime still picture pool. Photo measures 10.5 x 7.25inches. Photo is dated 5-5-1945.”
Here’s another photo of the two with the jeep from Pintrest, which originally found it within the Truman Archives. The there are other jeep photos in the archives:
Marshal Koniev (foreground, second from left) receives a United States Army Jeep as a gift from General Omar Bradley (foreground, left). General Bradley, commander of the United States 12th Army Group, had crossed over into Russian lines to meet Marshal Koniev, commander of the Russian 1st Ukrainian Army Group’s headquarters which was then located southeast of Torgau. All others are unidentified.
This photo is part of a series of photos shared by the families of famous Russian/Soviet families. There are other photos on this page that captured the first documented meeting of Russians and Americans on April 25,1945, near the German town of Torgau on the Elbe river.
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Originally Posted September 2014: “1945- General Omar Bradley, commander of the U.S. 12 Army Group, presents an American carbine and jeep to Marshal Ivan Konev of the Russian army following a banquet celebrating victories of their troops near Berlin.”
I wonder if Bradley kept the saddle horse he was given in exchange for the jeep and carbine? IMHO, the saddle horse would have been more appropriate for Patton, who was cavalry, than Bradley, who was infantry.
oddly relevent right now.
There is a front view of this same jeep in the Concord Armor At War series # 7058 titled The US Army Jeep at War by Steven Zaloga on page 70. The full words on the windshield are : To the Commander of the First Ukrainian Army Group from Soldiers of the American Armies of the 12th Army Group. I believe the same thing is painted in Russian on the hood. It has the insignia of the major formations of Bradleys command on the cowling between the hood and windshield. The picture clearly shows the two extra holes in the front bumper making it a GPW model.
Ask and I shall receive! Thanks!