Vehicle Sighting - Ancient Jeep

[Owen Lucas]

The Germans thought we had 100. We had over 2,500 in theater of over 20,000 were built.

The Germans sorely misunderstood our manufacturing capabilities and efficient logistics. Supposedly when the Germans found chocolate bars in soldiers rations and witnessed an endless supply of fuel and supplies i.e. the red ball express, some of the higher ups realized they will lose the war and that they were fed a ton of propaganda by the party.

Many POWs brought to the US were shocked by the size of the manufacturing plants, availability of high quality food (that was reserved for the elite in Germany even before the war) and even that farms had electricity, which was not common in most of Germany.

 

[Number_35]

They were used in Boston until 2014: now they are diesel-powered replicas but not sure who builds them. They garage in our neighborhood so we see them all the time.

They have USCG certification and the drivers require Captain’s licenses because thry carry passengers for hire. They go in the Charles River near the dam, and cruise down to the Longfellow Bridge, AKA “Salt & Pepper Shaker Bridge.”

The DUKW played an essential role not only on D-Day but in later river crossings. The Germans thought we had 100. We had over 2,500 in theater of over 20,000 were built. The Germans defended known ford sites: DUKW’s could turn up anywhere they could get up the bank; move infantry units, Forward Observers, mortars, etc inland; resupply them and evacuate wounded.

Going back to original topic, the Germans also produced a light scout car, the “Kübelwagen.” It was very light, rear-engine and air cooled. Two wheel drive with limited slip. The Germans produced around 50,000: contrast that with over 600,000 jeeps.

Wasn't VW's The Thing c. 1975 based on the Kubelwagen? IIRC, it was basically a reskinned VW Beetle.

 

[Number_35]

The Germans sorely misunderstood our manufacturing capabilities and efficient logistics. Supposedly when the Germans found chocolate bars in soldiers rations and witnessed an endless supply of fuel and supplies i.e. the red ball express, some of the higher ups realized they will lose the war and that they were fed a ton of propaganda by the party.

Many POWs brought to the US were shocked by the size of the manufacturing plants, availability of high quality food (that was reserved for the elite in Germany even before the war) and even that farms had electricity, which was not common in most of Germany.

Yes, once the U.S., with its immense industrial capacity, entered the war in late 1941, the outcome was basically decided.

There were lots of hard times ahead for the Allies, but by the end of 1941 the Axis was in big trouble.