The American off-road vehicle called Willys MB was mass-produced from 1941. In 1942, the license copy of the vehicle came about under the name Ford GPW. It is believed that the common name “jeep” was derived from a slurring of this abbreviation. In total, over 650,000 off-roaders were produced before the end of WW2.
The Lend-Lease program deliveries of Willys MB cars to the Soviet Union began in the summer of 1942. The American vehicle has proved to be remarkably effective in the conduct of hostilities. Depending on the military situation and the type of troops, the Willys MB served both as a command reconnaissance vehicle and as a light artillery tractor for 45mm and 76mm guns. Many Willys vehicles had machine guns and other small arms installed. Also, some of the cars were converted to accommodate stretchers in order to provide medical care.
Overall, the USSR received a little over 50,000 Willys MB off-road vehicles. The cars were usually delivered in boxes and unassembled, which considerably facilitated the delivery. The components were put together at special assembly sites arranged in Kolomna and Omsk during the war.
The Lend-Lease program deliveries of Willys MB cars to the Soviet Union began in the summer of 1942. The American vehicle has proved to be remarkably effective in the conduct of hostilities. Depending on the military situation and the type of troops, the Willys MB served both as a command reconnaissance vehicle and as a light artillery tractor for 45mm and 76mm guns. Many Willys vehicles had machine guns and other small arms installed. Also, some of the cars were converted to accommodate stretchers in order to provide medical care.
Overall, the USSR received a little over 50,000 Willys MB off-road vehicles. The cars were usually delivered in boxes and unassembled, which considerably facilitated the delivery. The components were put together at special assembly sites arranged in Kolomna and Omsk during the war.
