If you do a look for on the Online, there is a big total of disinformation relating to how the quarter-ton arrived to be termed the “jeep”. Some of the posters claim that it may have arrive from the slurring of the initials for “Standard Function Car or truck” or “GP”. Some go on to claim that the 1/4-ton was referred to as a “normal objective motor vehicle”. This is not genuine but there is truth of the matter about at least part of it.
No one particular can be particular about when the term “jeep” to start with came into prevalent utilization. Merriam-Websters’ Online Dictionary states the jeep is “a modest normal-goal motor vehicle with 80-inch wheelbase, 1/4-ton ability, and 4-wheel drive utilized by the U.S. Military in Environment War II also : a related but larger and a lot more strong U.S. military vehicle”. But they do not explain the place the term jeep is derived.
In the ebook, Hail To The JEEP! by A. Wade Wells, a Major E.P. Hogan is quoted as saying, “Jeep is an aged Army grease-monkey expression that dates back again to the previous war and was used by store mechanics in referring to any new motor car or truck been given for examination. In the latest a long time the term has been utilized in particular by the Armored Drive but not in relation to the 1/4-ton. Just when this usually employed term was particularly utilized to the auto it now describes is difficult to say.” This is the passage that Main Hogan is generally cited as having composed in an article in Quartermaster Overview in 1941. Then Lieutenant Hogan wrote two posts for Quartermaster Review in 1941. The to start with was entitled “The Bug” and the 2nd was “The Tale of the Quarter-Ton”.
In the very first write-up released in the March-April 1941 problem, the auto is not referred to as a “jeep”. Even so, other names these types of as, “bantam,” “puddle-jumper,” “bug” are exclusively outlined. Other sources, like Rifkind, explain to us it was also referred to as “jeep,” “geep,” “blitz buggy,” and “leaping lena.”
In the September-Oct, 1941 situation of Quartermaster Critique, Hogan referred to the quarter-ton as a “jeep” and a “peep”. He does not focus on the origin of the title as is usually attributed to him
The name “Jeep” was finally related with the quarter-ton on a planet-large basis when Katherine “Katy” Hillyer wrote an posting in the Washington Daily Information in February, 1941. Irving “Purple” Hausmann was demonstrating the jeep in Washington and Ms. Hillyer, a reporter, was their to protect the tale. In accordance to Mr. Wade immediately after the demonstration was more than, she asked what was the matter identified as. Mr Hausmann, replied, “It is a Jeep.” Shortly after publication in the newspaper the identify “Jeep” was completely affixed to the small automobile…besides probably in the Armored Forces which insist that a “jeep” is a 1/2-ton Dodge Command Car or truck.
Jeep is a registered mark of Daimler-Chrysler. Having said that, “jeep” is a generic term associated with all WW2 1/4-ton automobiles (and in some conditions Dodge Command Autos.)
In numerous books and websites you see inadequate Lt. Hogan misquoted about where the name “jeep” arrived from. But he has some other fascinating words as effectively.
An remarkable characteristic of the “bantam” is the results with which four wheel drive has been tailored to it. Its front axle can be utilized wither as a driving axle or an idling axle and, though the 4-wheel generate characteristic in more compact vehicles is an adaptation of the Army’s typical layout, in the “puddle-jumper” the resulting overall performance has been far bigger even than anticipated. “Bugs” are developed for greatest cross-region mobility – an indispensable need in contemporary warfare – which is enormously greater by owning electrical power in all 4 wheels.
Now Hogan was a Quartermaster Corps male but looking through this it seems to say that the jeep wasn’t a “new” plan so a great deal as its general performance was fantastic.
Also on the Web you can find an posting by the renowned “jeep” author, Ray Cowdery. I’ve identified Ray for a very long time and rely him amongst my “jeep” buddies. In the report, “How the jeep * received its identify…..”, Ray seeks to disclose the indicating of jeep and how it turned involved with the car through WW2.
Ray is a good male but this report is crammed with way as well a lot conjecture and far too small reality. I shudder at the WW II US Army Air Drive reference to the B-25 bomber as “Baker Two-Bits” and the common “Duece-and-a-50 percent” name for the 2-1/2 ton truck are but two illustrations. The place does that arrive from? I’ve by no means listened to of the Baker reference for the B-25 but that doesn’t signify it is not real.
I know that Military services Car or truck Journal was on the lookout for (even working a contest) proof that through WW2 the “Jimmy” or GMC 2 1/2-ton truck was ever referred to as a “duece-and-a-50 %” for the duration of WW2. As considerably as I know no evidence has been presented.
Positive the now very well regarded aspect about Ford GP, “G” for federal government automobiles and the “P” for 80 inch wheelbase reconnaissance. But other than Ray’s short article were being is there proof that “GP” was slurred with each other to type jeep? Now I will confess that I am in this camp as well but I have identified dang tiny evidence.
Proof has been observed in the Military Motors of WW2:
May perhaps, 1941 (See The Geep is a Typical Function Car! ):
“Distributor shafts on the 1/4-ton 4×4 Ford “GEEPs”‘ are binding or seizing in distributor housing due to obvious deficiency of lubrication. This is due to the 40-12141 oiler felt inserted in the B-10141 oiler assembly in foundation of the GP-12124 distributor housing not permitting adequate lubricant to seep by way of to hold distributor shaft effectively lubricated. It is necessary to clear away this oiler felt instantly. Acquire a extended pointed needle or any pointed piece of slender wire and bend a pretty small hook at a 90 degree angle at the pointed conclusion and ‘fish’ out the felt in the oiler passageway. After oiler felt is eradicated, oiler should be stuffed with oil.”
And but an additional tidbit!
“Pieces lists and upkeep manuals for the 1941, 1/4-ton, 4×4 Ford “GEEP” have been issued as TM 1100 and TM 1101. This must go through TM 10-1100 and TM 10-1101. Correct your copies and refer to them as TM 10-1100 and TM 10-1101 in all correspondence.”
Are there any other references to the Ford GP currently being referred to as “GEEP”?
The other reference that could tie in is that of “normal function”. This may perhaps be aged information to some of you but the jeep was a normal intent car or truck! Now how in the world can that be you ask incredulously? In which do I occur up with this kind of heresy? Following all it was a command and recon auto or lightweight liaison auto, right? Perfectly, I have been carrying out some analysis into some early paperwork.
The earliest specs for what would come to be the jeep identified as for an armored windshield for the driver. Evidently, this was accomplished to expedite the system of procuring the automobile. This would put it in the Ordnance course of cars. And in point it was briefly in the hands of the Ordnance Committee. Soon after additional research it was proposed to be turned over to the Quartermaster committee.
So why do I say that this is a general function car. The Quartermaster only procured typical intent automobiles. These ended up in the kind of both Administrative (like a employees car) or tactical (the jeep would be just one of those). In fact, proof of this is said in Army Regulation 850-15 as quoted by Reserve 120 Industry Artillery, Automotive Instruction, 1941 Edition:
“Classification: Basic-Goal Motor Autos–All wheeled cars adapted for basic hauling applications such as general cargo, ammunition, personnel, and equipment and for towing trailers, guns, and other wheeled products. Examples: Cargo vans, dump trucks, passenger vehicles, ambulances.”
“Estimates, Design and style, Growth, Procurement, Upkeep, Storage, and Challenge: By the Quartermaster Corps, besides the style and design and growth of ambulances, which will be by the Professional medical Section in collaboration with the Quartermaster Corps.”
The exact Book 120 also defines “truck”. Vehicles are “motor-propelled automobiles designed mostly for carrying cargo or machines. They may well be utilised for carrying personnel or for towing functions.” Still further it presents a chart that lists the Truck, 1/4-ton, 4×4, Ford, 1941. The chart defines ‘purpose’ for us. The intent will be indicated by stating the general character of the entire body or the use for which the car is built. The vans probably for “cargo, gentle restore, reconnaissance, dump, tank, cargo and dump, wrecking, or select-up.” The jeep’s (or Geep!) reason is reconnaissance.
Herbert R. Rifkind in his The Jeep–Its Advancement and Procurement Underneath the Quartermaster Corps, 1940-1942, states that jeep when no 1 is selected, of study course, could have been derived from basic purpose. “The preliminary letters of the War Department’s car classification, “general objective” (G.P.), below which the 1/4-ton was mentioned, into a monosyllable. Credence is lent to this concept by the truth that an early spelling variation of the phrase was “geep”.”
The other challenge I see in the post by Ray is the leap of faith in what the that means of “GPW” usually means. The paperwork displayed evidently display what “GP” signifies but what about the “W”. It may well be “reasonable” but it is however just an assumption. It could easily stand for “Willys”, “War Section” or “What Occurred?” for that make any difference. Willys for the reason that the geeps ended up patterned just after the Willys model. War Section because the War Department questioned Henry to produce the Willys model. What transpired? Because Ford had the offer all sewed up until the federal government agency “watchdog” around-dominated the QMC and awarded the contract for 16,000 standardized automobiles to Willys for the reason that they had been the most affordable cost.
*-The term employed right here and during my Weblog or web site relates to the automobile ordered by the US Army prior to and for the duration of Environment War II Prior to Willys-Overland trade-marked the identify “JEEP”. The trade-mark “JEEP” is owned by Daimler-Chrysler. The use right here is only for identification applications.