War Images Research Archives

To Top

Mobile Orientation Unit — Fritz Kaeser

December 24, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, War Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Originally published in January of 2010″

In the two photos below, photographer Fritz Kaeser captured this Mobile Orientation Unit presentation on June 28, 1945, near Cividale, Italy (at least that’s the assumption as Cividale is scribbled on the back). I did a search on “Mobile Orientation Units”, but didn’t have any success learning more about them. Fritz ran a studio in Wisconsin before World War II and then headed to the Western U.S. after the war, photographing the American Southwest and the Rocky Mountains. These photographs are a part of Denver Library’s Western History Collection.

This photo shows the Tenth Mountain Division Information and Education’s Mobile Orientation Unit’s jeep-top stage parked in the middle of a grassy field during a discussion of the Pacific campaign. Pfc. Bob Wright (left) and Sergeant Ed Curry sit at tables atop the stage. Behind them is a banner with a map of Japan and the slogan: One war, one world. A jeep trailer contains a sound system and two loudspeakers, a third loud speaker is on the other side of the stage. http://photoswest.org/cgi-bin/imager?00200148+TMD-148

In the photo below, the Tenth Mountain Division Information and Education’s Mobile Orientation Unit holds a discussion of the Pacific campaign and invasion of Japan with soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division’s Quartermaster Battalion. T/4 Theodore “Ted” Lockwood uses a portable microphone amid the audience. http://photoswest.org/cgi-bin/imager?00200149+TMD-149

To Top

A WWII Courier Willys

October 14, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images, War Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I don’t know anything about this particular jeep except that it is called the “Dixie Flyer”. It seems to be a modified MB with a ‘Courier’ sign in the front and some modifications to the fenders. It also appears to have a gas tank on the passenger side (I think that is what is sticking down under the passenger?). I found this image on the European Center of Military History’s Blog.

To Top

Just for fun, here are a couple Jeeps ‘in flight’ ….

March 15, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, Library Collections, Old Images, War Images • TAGS: Library of Congress. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

From the Library of Congress

To Top

Roosevelt, Morocco & an MB

March 2, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, Library Collections, Old Images, War Images • TAGS: Library of Congress. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Here’s a couple images from the Library of Congress showing President Roosevelt cruising the American troops in Morocco.

Here’s one image: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/fsa.8e01227

Here’s a second image: morocco2: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/fsa.8e01229

To Top

V for Victory — Anthracite Rallies in 1942

February 15, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, Library Collections, War Images • TAGS: Library of Congress. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

In this image, a large number of jeeps have been parked on a baseball field. The headlights display a V for victory. I searched for other pics or other information about these rallies, but didn’t stumble onto anything.

According to the Library of Congress, this is an Anthracite rally. The Jeep headlights form V for victory at a night rally for Pennsylvania anthracite miners in Wilkes-Barre on September 29th, 1942. Similar rallies were held in other anthracite area cities from September 28th through October 1st 1942.

Library of Congress

To Top

Airfield Security during WWII in Hawaii — LOC

February 8, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, Library Collections, Old Images, War Images • TAGS: Library of Congress. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I really like the composition of this image. One thing I had not seen before was a gun mounted to the windshield. I guess they didn’t drop the windshield?

“Four men in a jeep at the Dusty Hollow Training Center included the following members of an airfield security detachment in Hawaii. Front seat (left to right): Private Lester H. Howell, Statesville, North Carolina and Private First Class Thomas Irvin, North Ashville, Tennessee. And rear: Private Arthur W. Blakemore, Saint Louis, Missouri and Private First Class Donald Wilson, Sanford, Florida” — Library of Congress

To Top

Rubber Drive during WWII

February 2, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, Library Collections, Old Images, War Images • TAGS: Library of Congress. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

According to the Library of Congress, there was a serious scarcity of crude rubber, so reclaimed rubber made from scrap was required to meet demands. All Americans were encouraged to donate used or worn out rubber articles to the nation’s scrap piles.

As part of that campaign, Judy Canova, star of stage and screen, opened her personal salvage drive for scrap rubber in September 1942 by donating her personal slingshot to the drive. Behind here is an image I’ve seen before, but I’ve never seen it used as part of the ‘Save Rubber’ campaign.

To Top

A Willys Jeep modified to simulate a Gas Attack

January 28, 2010 • CATEGORIES: War Images • TAGS: Library of Congress. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Here’s an interesting modification. A Willys modifie to simulate a Gas Attack. According to the details of the image, this image was taken at Geiger Field, Washington (which would be Spokane, Washington, if I’m not mistaken). “Officers and men are taught to be on the alert for a gas attack at any time. This jeep appears at unexpected places and sends out a charge of tear gas from the ingenious device attached to the muffler. Those in the vicinity, to protect themselves from the irritating gas, must be able to don their masks instantaneously.”

Library of Congress

To Top

Jeeps in Production

January 26, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, Library Collections, War Images • TAGS: Library of Congress. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Here are 3 images taken by Alfred Palmer in December of 1941. These three photographs were taken at the Toledo Willys Plant. There are other images that show the machines used to manufacture parts, but I didn’t really find them very interesting.

Library of Congress Link for the below photo

Library of Congress link for the below photo

To Top

Australian Troops in New Guinea

January 25, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, Library Collections, War Images • TAGS: Library of Congress. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Here some pics of Australian Troops during WWII from the Library of Congress.

Taken in March, 1943, In New Guinea. This Willys serves as an ambulance for Australian troops in New Guinea. Library of Congress

Here’s some troops navigating through some muck. This convoy is carrying military chiefs and cabinet ministers on a visit to battle areas in New Guinea. Air Vice-Marshall G. Jones is shown in the leading vehicle during the tour of the convoy. Library of Congress

This image might not be Australian Troops, but it is supposed to be taken in October of 1942 in Australia. Library of Congress.

Soldiers, wounded in the fighting in New Guniea, are carried to a base. Library of Congress.

This was taken in March of 1943. Australian troops and supplies go to the front line at Buna. Library of Congress.

To Top

Coast Guard Anti-Saboteur Patrol

January 22, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, Library Collections, War Images • TAGS: Library of Congress. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I haven’t seen too many Coast Guard Willys Pics. According to the Library of Congress, here’s one from April 1943.

The Library of Congress’ caption to this photo is: Coast Guard anti-saboteur patrol. Vital cargoes of war supplies for America’s far-flung battle lines must also be protected on the docks and piers from enemy attempts at sabotage. The Coast Guard now uses jeeps with armed Coast Guardsmen maintaining vigilant waterfront patrols.

To Top

The MB Chapel

January 21, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, Library Collections, MB, Old Images, War Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I’ve seen a few pics that show the jeep as a temporary place for worship. This is another image from Roy O. Bingham. The Library of Congress reports that in this pic, “Members of the Tenth Mountain Division, 605th Artillery Battalion, attend a Protestant Easter religious service at Rocca Pitigliano, Italy, conducted by Chaplain William H. Bell. In the foreground, four men bow their heads together. Corporal Ralph Squires sits at a portable organ and two soldiers face the Chaplain who stands in front of his jeep draped with a white cloth in use as an altar for a small crucifix.”

Library of Congress

To Top

Seeps: These Sea Jeeps Get Ready to Serve

January 19, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, GPA (SEEP), Library Collections, War Images, Women & Jeeps • TAGS: Library of Congress. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Paul (of stainless M-38 friend) told me a couple days ago that he has a friend (whom he calls Crazy Ralphie) who has been restoring a GPA. He’s promised to provide us with some pics once the Alaska winter subsides a bit. In the meantime, here are some SEEP images I found at the Library of Congress. I have seen a few of these in books, but none as crisp as below.

Ice is no barrier to this prototype Ford-built amphibian car. According to Mark Askew in his book Rare WW2 Photo Archive 1940 – 1945 which shows this image and other prototypes of the SEEP, this photo was taken in February 1941 near the Ford Plant in Dearborn, Mi. Library of Congress

After breaking through the shore ice, the Ford-built amphibian car makes its way through ice floes and water at a good speed. Library of Congress

The Ford-built amphibian car can handle itself on rough ground. This picture shows a test driver putting one of them through its paces. Mark also features this image in his book. Library of Congress

Here’s a photo of tests on the Rogue River near the Ford Plant. Library of Congress

Here’s another shot from the Rogue River. Library of Congress

Below is a production SEEP. Note the ribs on the side. I believe this photo is from maneuvers held in the Detroit area, when soldiers from Fort Wayne in full combat dress manned the machines Library of Congress

The picture below shows maneuvers held in the Detroit area, when soldiers from Fort Wayne in full combat dress manned the machines. Library of Congress

The two photos below were taken by Arthur Siegel. During WWII he worked for the Office of War Information (OWI). These two were taken in April of 1943. Library of Congress

Library of Congress

To Top

Artist and Army Captain Ed Reep

January 18, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Artists/Drawings, Features, War Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Another artist featured in the PBS series They Drew Fire, Combat Artists of World War II, Ed Reep, captured this scene. While he tries to paint the image colorfully, there’s no doubt, based on his description, that his subject had an unimaginably colorful character. After ending the war as an Army Captain, Ed would go on to teach at the Art Center College at East Carolina University and the California Institute of the Arts.

Ed writes, “There was a fellow who hauled a bathtub out of Notuno, and filled it with water, and then he punched a hole in the gas tank and lit it. The painting was nutty. That’s all there was to it. How in the world could this man be smiling on a beach-head where shell fire would come all the time, constantly?” You can see this painting on PBS’s Website. This painting is currently located at the U.S. Army Center for Military History in Washington, D.C.

To Top

Food, Jeeps, GIs and Photos

January 17, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Features, Library Collections, War Images • TAGS: Library of Congress. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Here is an updated link to Denver’s collection of Bingham’s pics.

Photographer Roy O. Bingham followed the 10th Mountain Division through at least part of Italy during World War II. I searched for some information on Bingham and though I found photos, I haven’t found any biography information yet.

During World War II, the 10th Mountain Division trained in Colorado in anticipation of fighting in the Italian Alps.

The following photo was snapped by Bingham and the 2nd is of Bingham himself.

Roy O Bingham. Library of Congress

This photo was taken by Richard A. Rocker, who was also a photographer with the 10th Mountain Division. You can see a variety of his pics at the Denver Library’s online collection of Western History and Genealogy,

The soldiers in this photo were likely parked amongst the rubble of a shelled town called Pietra Colora. According to the photographer, they are listening to the sound of German artillery falling nearby and preparing to take cover if the rounds start falling closer.

To Top

Some Drawings by Howard Brodie

January 16, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Artists/Drawings, Features, War Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Thanks to Robert for providing me a good link into the Library of Congress for these and many other pics to be displayed later.

By all accounts a life long artist, Howard Brodie has captured sports figures, war events, legal battles and more with his drawing talents. He sketched his way through several wars, from World War II in Guadacanal, the Battle of the Bulge and more, to Korea, French Indochina, and Vietnam. As best I can tell, he is still alive and, hopefully, drawing at his home in San Miguel, California. He is currently being featured by PBS as part of a series called They Drew Fire, Combat Artists of World War II.

In this sketch, American soldiers in a jeep travel down the road to Kokumbona on Guadalcanal island, past abandoned Japanese field pieces during the World War II Battle of Guadalcanal. Library of Congress.

In this sketch, soldiers are taking a “K.I.A.” down a jeep trail from Mt. Aestin Guadalcanal. Library of Congress

To Top

Famous Life Lines Article/Ad

December 13, 2009 • CATEGORIES: War Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I found this for sale on eBay (hence the text in the middle of it).

To Top

Another Follow Me Jeep Pic

December 13, 2009 • CATEGORIES: War Images • TAGS: Follow-Me. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I found the original of this on eBay for sale (though the sale had expired).

To Top

WWII — A Jeep Called Shortstop

December 5, 2009 • CATEGORIES: War Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

‘Shortstop’ has some interesting art on the side. Many thanks to Bruce for sharing it.

To Top

1945 Follow Me Jeep Pics

December 3, 2009 • CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, War Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Here are some great “Follow Me” Pics of one jeep. Thanks Bruce!

To Top

Kill the Bastards … Here’s an Interesting WWII Pic

December 1, 2009 • CATEGORIES: War Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: This photo appears in the September 27, 1943, issue of Life Magazine. It was the magazines’ “picture of the week” (pages 36/37) https://books.google.com/books?id=YFAEAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false … it’s described as an ACME Telephoto; no photograph name is associated with it.

====================

Bruce provided me a copy of this pic. That’s a pretty intimidating sign.

The sign reads:

KILL THE BASTARDS!
Down this road marched one of the regiments of the united states army
Knights serving the Queen of battles
Twenty of their wounded in litters were bayoneted, shot and clubbed by the yellow bellies
KILL THE BASTARDS!