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1941 Video Footage of Edsel Ford and the Ford GP

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This video was part of the press release information by Ford that introduced the new Ford GP. We’ve seen much of this footage previously.

“This black and white 1941 demonstration film, produced by Ford Motion Picture Laboratories and narrated by Michigan sportscaster Harry Wismer, shows U.S. Army Truck, ¼ ton 4×4 Command Reconnaissance vehicles in action at and around the Ford River Rouge Complex in Dearborn, Michigan (TRT 0:23).

Opening titles (0:07). Dedication: “This film is respectfully dedicated to the officers and men of the United States Army in the name of American Industry…” (0:27).

A trio of Ford 4×4 Reconnaissance Cars or GPW “Jeeps” exit a Ford River Rouge Plant garage in single file. Edsel Ford, president of the Ford Motor Company delivers the initial order of 1,500 U.S. Army cars to then-Brigadier General Charles H. Bonesteel III, speaking into a WXYZ radio microphone (0:45).
Continue reading

 
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1943 “MacArthur – GIs Training” Video

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This short 25 second video includes a Ford GPA driven into a stream as part of training.

“Various shots of General Douglas MacArthur watching GIs (General Infantrymen) training. The soldiers swing on ropes, drive small DUKW style jeep through river, and crossing rope bridges.”

 
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1954 “Marilyn Monroe in Korea” Video

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Marilyn Monore’s trip to Korea is featured. At one point she can be seen in an early M-38A1. The most fascinating part of the video to me was the sea of soldiers gathered to watch her.

“MS. Monroe on steps of plane waving. LS. G.I’s running. Various shots, Monroe in army uniform walking about. MS. Monroe running up steps to entertain troops. LS. Monroe on stage entertaining troops”

 
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1943 “Mountain Rescue Issue Title Is On The Spot” Video

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Interesting video of the RAF mountain rescue team and their use of a jeep, ambulance and climbing skills to investigate crash sites in the hopes of saving pilots and crew.

“Various shots of RAF (Royal Air Force) Mountain Rescue Service at work. Their job is to rescue RAF pilots that have crashed in hills / mountains. The search party consists of ambulance, jeep and team of mountaineers. An aeroplane flies over head to locate crash site. Good shot of team walking along ridge silhouetted against sky. We see the mountaineers climbing rock faces. The crash victim is strapped to a stretcher for descent. The mountaineers keep in contact with the ambulance and aeroplane using walkie talkies.

This is the crew of RAF Llandwrog training in the Snowdonia Mountains.”

 
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1944 “Mountbatten Visits Troops” Video

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This video focuses on Lord Mountbatten and a visit to see troops (in India or Burma?).  there are several clips of him traveling by jeep.

1944-lord-mountbatten-jeep

This closeup of the windshield appears at the 1:23 Mark.

“A jeep drives across bridge and into an army camp. Lord Louis Mountbatten inspecting troops lined up in the open – British and Indian, some black men seen. Lord Mountbatten addressing the gathered troops. Various shots of Lord Mountbatten walking around the camp talking to the men. A man on stretcher is carried towards a plane.”

 
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1943 “Mud and Flood” Video From Italy

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

The mud and water sure looked miserable! There’s at least one shot of an ambulance jeep.

“Army jeeps and lorries struggle through the mud tracks, they drive past ruined village. Allied soldiers trudge through the mud. Various shots of a completely flooded street in Borgo San Lorenzo, people stand in doorways and a lorry drives through. Soldiers lift children from a truck to their house, and a lady wades through whilst three soldiers push a bicycle.”

 
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1952 “Army Unveils New Jeep” Video

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This video shows the press’ introduction to the M-38A1. Note the “AUTO. DIV. TEST” stenciled.  on the side of the jeep.

 
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1944 “Newsbriefs” Video

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This video has stories from around the globe. The only US-specific report is jeep-centric, as it covers the Coast Guard’s Super Jeep.

“Members of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force receive Colours in Sao Paulo. Various shots as the men and women are reviewed by the War Minister and his staff as they march past prior to leaving on overseas service.

Various shots of women lifesavers on Bondi Beach in Australia. They push out their boat and row out to sea. Various shots of them exercising on the beach, they feed out a lifeline. M/S of two women carrying the victim back. M/S of them standing in a line.

Various shots of male and female Yugoslav partisans who have been in Malta recuperating from wounds gained in battle in their own country. They now march along in uniform and start to receive instruction on bren guns for the time when they can return to Yugoslavia.

L/S of an American army jeep and its new larger counterpart the scout car which can hold 10 men. They drive along the beach, the normal jeep gets stuck in sand dune but the bigger one drives up it with no problems. “

 
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1943 “Riders in Gliders” Video

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

A jeep makes a brief appearance at the end of this short news clip from 1943 titled “Riders In Gliders – Dublin”

“Several shots of the lines of gliders and men working on them – possibly in the factory. Various shots of glider pilots boarding their craft. With a tow from powered plane, the gliders go into the air and the pilots are left on their own. A glider makes a perfect landing. A jeep emerges out of one of the gliders – demonstration of the carrying power of these craft.”

 
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1943 “Rome Raiders Interviewed By Quentin Reynolds” Video

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This video covers an interview of the group that first bombed targets in Rome.

 
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1942 “Roosevelt With Troops” Video

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This British Pathe video that John shared shows some early shots of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in a jeep.

“Various shots of American President Franklin Delano Roosevelt arriving in front seat of open jeep at an open tented army camp at unknown location in America. He inspects the camp in a jeep. President Roosevelt remains seated to watch march past.”

 
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1943 “Roosevelt With USA Paras” Video

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This silent video includes several clips of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in a jeep.

“L/S palm trees – looks like hot climate, could be Cuba? C/U President Franklin D Roosevelt (FDR) with dignitaries and US Naval Commanders. FDR gets into jeep and is driven past village of straw huts. Various shots FDR having dinner with VIPs inside hut, one of the guests is black. Various shots FDR taking salute at march past by black / Latino soldiers in American army uniform, marching behind American flag. FDR wears a black armband.”

 
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1945 “Rundstedts Counter Offensive” Video

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This 1945 Pathe Gazette video shows the view of the war from a captured German videographer’s perspective.

 
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1943 Video “Smiles in the News” w/ Ford GPAs

• CATEGORIES: Features, GPA (SEEP), videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This news reel features three segments. The middle one is especially interesting as it shows Ford GPA Seeps zipping around a park in Philadelphia, then jumping into a lake.

“New Jersey. Various shots of the “Nappy National” in New Jersey. Parents putting nappies on their babies – this is a race. Babies take part in a crawling race – an annual event.

Philadelphia. Various shots of the new amphibious jeeps showing their paces. Jeep goes up and down some steps and then leaps from land into a lake and back again.

San Francisco. Various shots of the sea lions at the San Francisco Zoo performing for audience of children at feeding time – swimming around and leaping over and under obstacles.”

 
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1951 Video Jeep Goes Underwater

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Shot in Marineland, Florida, this 1951 video shows  one of the M-38 underwater tests.

 
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1944 “Surrender of Brest-POWS” Video

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Around the 2:35 mark of the video there’s a photo of a jeep with a spare tire mounted on the cowl, I’m sure someone else can confirm, but I’d guess that was partially meant to act as a shield for the passenger? There are only a few other jeeps shown.

 
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1948 Video “The King Inspects Cadets in Training”

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Portions of this short video show that John found show the rapid assembly of a jeep. It’s easy to see how this evolved into assembly competitions.

“The King Inspects Cadets In Training (1948)
Aldershot, Hampshire.

General view of tanks and infantry taking part in a cadet training manoeuvre at Aldershot. Back shot of King George VI and party in foreground. Pan from the King watching manoeuvres to tanks moving across plain. Tank being loaded onto lorry belonging to a tank servicing unit. Troops assembling jeep in record time. King with an army officer viewing assembly off jeep. Four soldiers hard at work assembling front portions of a jeep. King and army officers watch cadets carrying out a wireless training exercise. Army wireless equipment with back of radio operator at right of screen. King and two army officers seated in jeep enjoying private joke as jeep, which is mounted on tracked army servicing vehicle, moves away from camera.”

 
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1944 Video “The Battle of Strasbourg”

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This video includes some burning jeeps and a few other glimpses of jeeps, but it’s more about the collapse of the Axis forces in Strasbourg.

“The Battle Of Strasbourg (1944)
France.

Various shots of United States troops at 1914 boundary sign between Germany and France. M/S’s of U.S. troops and armoured vehicles entering Saarburg. M/S aerial dogfights (showing vapour trails) between ME 163s and 262s (Nazi jet fighters) and American fighters. M/S planes blowing up in the air. Pilots jump from them by parachute.

Various shots of U.S. troops and armour entering Mulhouse. M/S’s sullen looking Alsace crowds. M/S refugees with French flags entering town down main street. M/S’s U.S. and French troops with tanks entering Strasbourg. Various shots of wrecked Strasbourg. M/S of a burning jeep – C/U of a body lying next to it. M/S of a pile of Nazi emblems in street. Various shots of the German Commander of Strasbourg with U.S. army officers after surrendering. Various shots of prisoners of war marching in column and mounting U.S. vehicles.”

 
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1945 Video ‘The Lighter Side of War’

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This short video shared by John shows a jeep used to make ice cream, then a soldiers getting a haircut in front of pinup photos.

“Various shots of the American soldiers making ice cream with the aid of the drive of a jeep. Several shots of the American soldiers eating their home-made ice cream.

Several shots of barbers shop with wall filled with pin-up girls. The barber has great difficulty in making customers keep their heads straight.

Voiceover finishes: “There’s only one thing a barber can do for this able-bodied soldier with Grable-bodied mind.”

 
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1942 Video ‘The Turn Of The Tide’

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This video, ‘The Turn Of The Tide – Allied Landings In North Africa’ does not have much in the way of jeeps, but one sequence (start 4:40 mark) shows a jeep towing a large field gun as it leaves the landing craft and churns through the water up and onto the beach.

“North African coastline and Algiers, Africa.

Various shots of a large convoy of American transporter ships and the British naval escort heading towards the coast of North Africa. Italian planes fly overhead and the gun crew of the escort ship jump to action, firing with the anti-aircraft guns. As night approaches, the guns go into action again and the night sky fills with tracers. L/S of a German bomber in flames diving into the sea (not seen very clearly).

More footage in daylight of the convoy moving along. High angle view of men in lifejackets packed into a troopship. On board the ships we see last minute inspections and briefing. A plane takes off from an aircraft carrier.

View of the coast at Algiers as seen by the American Rangers and British Commandos as they prepare to land. British troops board landing craft and start to come ashore. Great shots of them moving towards the beaches and landing (one has a bicycle). American soldiers do the same. Supplies are brought ashore, including a truck, a jeep and a large field gun.

General view of Allied aircraft standing on Maison Blanche aerodrome, a key point in Algiers that was captured by the US Rangers without a shot being fired.

Back at the quay in Algiers a huge troopship docks and British and American troops unload supplies, form up and start out on the road through Algiers. Trucks carry soldiers through the streets. On the streets just outside Oran we see the action when a sniper opens up on some Americans who pull their guns. The American Rangers storm the building and march off with prisoners.

Jumping ahead to when an armistice was called for in Algiers, we see the Commanding General of French North Africa General Nogues arriving for a conference with the Commander of the Algiers district.

Locals talk to Allied soldiers in the streets. A tram packed with people goes by. Out of the Hotel Angleterre come some Italian soldiers who are being taken for internment. Commentator says “As a matter of fact, it was a former Pathe Staff man with a detachment of American troops who made the capture” (hooray!). The Italians board trucks and are driven past crowds of jeering Algerians. The locals cheer and give the victory sign as the Allied troops drive through.”

 
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1944 “Tree Felling” Video

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I’m not sure what “VS” stands for? The latter half of the video has Black Peter and Saint Nicholas in a jeep, the first half with the fire and felling trees is interesting, too, but, I’m not sure why?

“VS of troops sitting around wood fire outside trying to keep warm.

Shots of soldiers chopping down large fir trees. They carry off cleaned tree trunk. VS of them chopping up logs with saws and axes.

Shots of two soldier cutting down small fir tree. More shots of soldiers carrying ‘Christmas’ Trees.

VS of soldiers in hospital decorating a Christmas Tree with help from nurses. Shots of other decorations being made.

Quick shot of Saint Nicholas and Black Peter meting children in town. Shots of children and mothers smiling. Shots of St. Nicholas escorted to jeep by soldiers and presents are loaded in. Children cheer and wave. The Christmas jeep is driven along.”

 
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1944 Video of US Troops and Nazi Pigeons

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This very short video looks staged to me. But, it does show a good shot of a jeep with “MESSENGER” written across the windshield.

“An American Messenger jeep drives up road past soldiers. Various shots as they take carrier pigeons out of basket. C/U swastika on paper tied to pigeon’s wing. C/U message American soldier is writing ‘Adolph (sic) Hitler, Berchtesgaden. No Happy Returns on your birthday but see you soon. Ninth U.S. army.’ Various shots as they tie message to the pigeon’s leg and release it. We see various takes of the same scene.”

 
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1944 Video of US and Canadian Troops

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This video shows a burning jeep being pushed aside; oh the horror!

“US And Canadian Troops In Anzio (1944) … L/Ss of burning vehicles, allied troops in background. Several shots of bulldozer pushing burning machinery off the road. Shots of bulldozer clearing up rubble from damaged building. M/S of red cross jeep with wounded soldier strapped on top. M/S of soldier writing letter. Nice M/S of two American soldiers reading letters. They suddenly jump down behind ditch as if a shell has exploded somewhere nearby. Several shots of troops relaxing. M/S of soldier with wounded eye drinking from flask and smoking. More shots of soldiers relaxing.

(L/S = long shot, M/S = Medium Shot, C/U = Close Up)

 
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WWII Video of US Troops in the Pacific

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This video shows a few jeeps acting mostly as ambulances.

 
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1944 Video of Paris Parade

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There aren’t many jeeps in this video, but the sea of soldiers marching is pretty impressive.