To think that was just one of thousands of "graveyards" for the material of war that was no longer needed.
Sad to see all that equipment just going to pieces. My father bought a surplus jeep, a 1944 built by Ford . I was about 8 and by 13 it was the way my brother and I got around the farm. Learned to drive it and a International Cub at the same time. Loved the jeep, three speed manual, two levers, one for a double low and the other four wheel drive. Ours had no top and the windshield stayed down all the time. Faded green with a faded white star on the hood. I am guessing it made 40-50 hp, far cry from modern jeeps but wish I still had it.. Thanks for the pictures, nice memories. Gaines
Something that should be remembered here, isn't just the "number" of Jeeps being put aside. It should also be taken into account that those sent overseas were not just "made on the cheap", but they were NOT welcomed back into the States (or allowed to be taken by other allied nations) post war. Those sold in the US post-war, had never been shipped, and were for the most part "redo" vehicles for civilian surplus sale. The reason for this was during the war prodution of the little GP (W) from Ford they had stopped finishing the crankshaft with a balancing. This meant the cranks shipped overseas were un-balanced, un-trued, and quite likely to tear the main bearing out of the little four banger in only a few hours of serious operation. That was of little concern to the Quartermaster Corps, since each "jeep" had a life expectancy on the front of less than 20 hours. Those which lasted more than 20 hours without being "blown up", sunk in mud, or otherwise still in service had their crankshafts and main bearing shells replaced. Odd little piece of trivia I picked up over the years. The engine with a "balanced" crank cost the government (at Ford wholesale prices) about $40 more than the engines without it. However, it wasn't only cost, but time that put the "raw" cranks into the engines. A balanced crank adds between five and twelve hours per engine, and we (allied forces) needed more not better engines.
I remember seeing ads in the back of magazines that the Govt was selling surplus Jeeps for $50 bucks each. I always wanted one or two but was not allowed to buy them. If only they knew what those go for these days? One of my Brother-in-Laws relatives owns a huge yard full of these and is located somewhere near Dallas. One of my Nephews bought a nice jeep that was Korean War vintage and my B-in-Law bought a WWII Willys hes currently restoring.
Be still my beating heart! I found out a while back a cousin had bought 3 WW2 era jeeps still in the crates while he was in the Navy in San Diego back in the 80's early 90's. He put one together and sold the other two still 'boxed'. He ended up selling his a couple years later. Had I known I'd probably have one now!! Should add he paid $600.00 each.
Years ago my grandpa made a comment that he either saw or heard that alot of vehicles/equipment or maybe both were just dumped in the ocean. I'll have to ask him about it again. Seems like such a waste.
While a few were "available" immediately post-war in a "crate" it really is an urban myth for the most part. Here is another link, which is probably the "last word" on Government "jeeps". Goto: History of the Jeep, both the word and the vehicle - How it got it's Jeep Name - Brian's Military Jeeps of WWII - Brian's Military Jeep site is chock-a-block full of good information on the lovely little unit.
This is true, a great amount of equipment was disposed of in the ocean instead of bringing it back to the states. One reason was the automakers didn't want the government surplus vehicles in competition with their new products, and that was a good thing really when you think of it. The need for new cars and trucks drove the economy with good jobs all up and down the line. This also freed up more space on the ships returning to the states for servicemen. Now, the families of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines wanted them home "ASAP". To try and tell the families their son, husband or brother was "bumped" for a load of jeeps and trucks wouldn't have worked at all. The Soviets were so disgusted with what we were doing with the L/L Studebakers they were returning to us as per the agreements, they hid them rather than turn them over. They saw the 6x6s being loaded onto ships, taken out to sea, crushed on board, and dumped in the deep ocean to keep them from being salvaged. It might seem like a "waste", but as these units were built for a short shelf life, NOT putting them back to use was the wisest. The picture I remember being most upset with was the miles on miles of WW2 fighter planes being sliced up with giant guillotines and shipped off as scrap aluminum. But, America needed new toasters, freezers, and refigerators more than it needed aircraft, and those were the products made out of the recycled aluminium.
I understand completely. This was coming from a guy that to this day saves every penny. I agree that getting the men home was the first priority. I read a book about one of the great ships of WWII being sold back to I believe the Japanese after the war was over. I'm sure there was good reason, it just seems that those ships should stay with the country they did so much for. Guess I'm being sentimental.
Hello, Just reading your quote about jeeps were not sold off to allied nations. When hostilities ended in France, 22,000 jeeps were turned over to the French forces on a lend-lease basis, also enough new parts to build another 22,000. Bill
I just learned another lesson on "Trust But Verify"! Contacted my cousin who 'allegedly' bought three WW2 era jeeps still in their packing crates. His response: "No I did not, but had a chance to, they were in rough shape. All the belts, hoses, tires and such were gone as in dry rotted. We had a willies on the ranch I was a foreman on along with a 43 power wagon that had been modified to be a mobile crane." Jeez' when you can't even believe a story a family member tells ya'. Come to think about it, those are exactly the 'stories' you should question.
Out on the farm we had two little Jeeps, a 1949 CJ2A that Dad bought after the war with the same little "Go-Devil" L head that the military model had. His had the balanced crank though, and it ran for decades until sometime in the late sixties when the thing really needed an overhaul. I took it apart and put it back together in the seventies, and as far as I know it is still running around out there on the farm being a utility vehicle. We mostly used it for fencing, hunting, and as a crop spraying unit for hard to reach spots. Had a little PTO driven pump and tank for herbicide with a hand wand. In the late fifties Dad bought me a used '56 CJ5 with the F head, more powerful four-popper, and I rebuilt that engine at the same time I did his flat-head. That one had a slick "convertible" top, and a heater that wasn't as weak as the old Willy's. Of course the 12 volt system had much better blower motor power than the 6 of the old CJ2A. It still wasn't great, but better than the other one. Nasty thing to go hunting in when the weather got below zero. Great fun to run around in during the summer months with the top off, and the windsheild down. It too is still "on the job" on the farm, my son saw it when he was up there last July fourth, and they used it to pull a bunch of stuff down to the private pond to go fishing. Jason says it is still reliable as houses. Won't get you there in a hurry, but you'll always finish the trip.
