Friday, November 16, 2012

The Airborne Jeeps of the British 1st Airborne Division at Operation Market-Garden - 1944


In Operation Market-Garden the primary, and most prolific, vehicle employed by the British 1st Airborne Division  was the Truck ¼ Ton, Utility, Willys MB or Ford GP (General Purpose), thus more commonly known as the ‘Jeep”. Also referred to as Car, 5-cwt. 4 X 4. A principal reason for this was the fact that not only did it conveniently fit (with modifications) within the cargo envelope of the Airspeed AS 51 Horsa Mk I Assault Glider, but could be loaded through the forward door of the glider (hinged nose of later Mk II configuration), and was well within the payload weight carrying capacity of the Horsa.




In order to further facilitate its glider carriage and use by airborne forces, the Jeep was extensively modified to an airborne configuration by further reducing the size profile and weight. This task was undertaken, and accomplished on an accelerated schedule, by the Airborne Forces Development Center. It included the following features:

                  • Cutting down the front bumper Footsteps and grab handles removed to allow fitting into the Horsa Glider.
                  • Stowage of the spare wheel in front of the radiator grill to prevent shrapnel damage in the Reconnaissance version. This, in turn, unfortunately caused over heating.
                  • Addition of a pintle mounted single or twin Vickers .303 cal. 'K' Machine Gun for the front passenger in the Reconnaissance Role.
                  • Stowage of the rear jerry can in between the front seats, with two more added behind the seats to enable loading in a Horsa Glider.
                  • Fitting of a No. 22 Wireless Set over the rear drivers side wheel arch and additional battery holders and reels for the Signals variant.
                  • Attachment points on the bonnet (hood) for stretchers for the Ambulance version.
                  • Attachment of a collapsible stretcher rack (accommodating two stretchers) on the rear for the Ambulance version.
                  • Attachment of a collapsible pannier rack on the rear of the Payload Recovery configuration.
                  • Removal of the windscreen
- Addition of a removable steering wheel with the horn being moved to the dashboard.
                  • Entrenching tools removed from the sides, to allow for easy loading and unloading, with the tools relocated to the bumper.
                  • Black-out driving light on the left front mudguard removed and the lights in the grill were replaced with smaller versions mounted on the mudguards. The two main headlights were generally replaced by a single British blackout headlight.

As inferred above, there were at least five configurations in the TO&E of the 1st Airborne Division, which nominally included 904 Jeeps.
                  • Armed (not armored) Reconnaissance configuration
                  • Ambulance configuration
                  • Signals (communications) configuration
                  • Payload Recovery configuration (facilitated the carriage of CLE containers and panniers) Very limited information available to the author on this variant. It is known to have had a collapsible pannier carrying rack on the rear. See drawing further below on this page.
                  • Basic Airborne configuration (10% being provided with the rear collapsible stretcher rack)

The following photograph is of one of the armed Jeeps of the 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron.


Note both the Arm of Service (AoS) tactical marking and the 1st Airborne Division's Airborne Forces 'Pegasus'  formation sign still discernible on the vehicle's front bumper. Also the single Vickers .303 cal. 'K' Machine Gun still mounted on the passenger side pintle.




A frontal view of the armed Jeep, with single Vickers .303 cal. 'K' Gun as used by the 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron.



As indicated the standard means of delivery of the Airborne Jeeps was by the Airspeed AS 51 Horsa Mk I Assault Glider. Probably most interested readers know that the 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron had 39 armed Jeeps in their ‘coup-de-main’ force delivered in the 1st Lift. (Chalk No. 354-375). The 1st Airlanding Light Regiment, RA employed the Jeep to tow their batteries of the 75mm Pack Howitzer, M1A1 (M8 carriage). It was capable of being carried with a Jeep, trailer, and crew, as one payload in the Horsa Glider.  The 1st Lift also included 7 gliders (early Chalk No. 263, 286-290, 313) carrying major elements of the 181st Airlanding Field Ambulance.

The following drawing is of an official loading diagram for the 75mm Howitzer, M1A1 (M8 carriage), a 10-cwt trailer (loaded) and its Jeep towing vehicle. Not that the gun carriage is partially disassembled. All as a single load in an Airspeed AS 51 Horsa Mk I  Assault Glider. 



As an aside, and for those of us not fortunate enough to obtain the real thing, to say nothing of a discrete place to park it, the following is a good alternative. It is a highly detailed, and "reasonably (limited by use of polystone) accurate", 1:6 scale model of the 75mm Howitzer, M1A1 (M8 carriage) produced by Dragon Models. The aiming stakes are scratch built from brass tubing. Based on expert knowledge however, modified lifting bars, not the stakes shown, were used for the function.  Keen of eye might notice the base of a scale model complete round (real brass) for the howitzer on the shelf above, beside a No. 75 Anti-Tank Grenade, ( 'Hawkins Bomb'), and two No. 69 Grenades.


In order to afford a direct comparison, the following are a few photographs of the real thing, first in a museum, and then in actual use from the battery positions of the 1st Airlanding Light Regiment RA in Lower Oosterbeek within the final perimeter. In the last picture of the howitzers in action note the fuze assemblies of the stack of ready service rounds in the immediate foreground.










This drawing is of the collapsible pannier carrying rack in stowed position on the Payload Recovery configuration. An educated guess would be that Jeeps of this specific capability would have been within the TO&E of the following elements of the 1st AB Division; 250th Light Company RASC, 93rd Composite Company RASC and 253rd Composite Company RASC. The AoS Tactical Marking of 250 Lt. Coy. RASC is shown as an example below the drawing.




In further detailing the Ambulance Jeeps, the Order of Battle of the 1st Airborne Division contained three field ambulances. The 16th Parachute Field Ambulance was assigned to the 1st Parachute Brigade, the 133rd Parachute Field Ambulance to the 4th Parachute Brigade, and the  181st Airlanding Field Ambulance to the 1st Airlanding Brigade. According to original source documentation; 1 AIRBORNE DIVISION, Report of Operations “MARKET” ARNHEM 17 – 26 Sep 1944, Parts 1 - 3, SECRET, 10 January 1945) Appendix ‘C’ to Part II ORDER OF BATTLE – A/Q STAFF AND SERVICES (page 33) a table details the following;
                    16 Fd. Amb          5 jeeps 4 trailers 2 m/cs 1 Lt wt m/c
                  133 Fd. Amb         5 jeeps 4 trailers 2 m/cs 1 Lt wt m/c
                  181 Fd. Amb         10 jeeps 6 trailers 5 m/cs
These figures are in slight variance to another original source document; REPORTS BY MEDICAL OFFICERS OF 1 A/B DIVISION on OPERATION “MARKET” AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT EXPERIENCES 17 SEPT 1944 – 8 MAY 1945, which cites the following numbers;
                    16 (Para) Fd Amb   6 jeeps 6 trailers 4 m/cs
                  133 (Para) Fd. Amb  8 jeeps 6 trailers 2 m/cs
                  181 (A/L) Fd. Amb 8 jeeps 4 trailers (unk) m/cs

The following group of photographs show an excellent specimen of a fully restored Airborne Ambulance Jeep with the exception of the light blue WD numbers (correct for 6th AB Div), would be white in most, but not all the vehicles, of 1st Airborne Division, and the yellow bridging disc, which was present on many of the known jeeps at Arnhem or Oosterbeek. The Jeep shows both the correct AoS marking, White '117' on Black 'Square', for the 181st Airlanding Field Ambulance, and the Airborne Forces 'Pegasus' formation badge on its front bumper.






 There are only limited contemporary photographs of ambulance jeeps present at either Arnhem or Oosterbeek. Am not certain about the first photograph as the windscreen (windshield) is still present.



Unfortunately because this jeep is burnt out no markings are discernible, other than the white star on the side. As a consequence it cannot be positively identified as an airborne ambulance jeep, or one of the airborne jeeps with the stretcher rack modification.

An example of a correctly restored Airborne Signals Jeep configuration is shown in the following photographs. Again restored in the colors of the 6th Airborne Division (light blue) the WD and AoS numbers would be white rather than light blue for the 1st Airborne Division. Also note collapsible stretcher on rear. See; http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2012/09/british-1st-airborne-division-vehicle.html on this blog page. (with full and  grateful acknowledgement to David Gordon's excellent Airborne Jeep web site; see Links).








Finally a photograph of an excellent restoration of the 'standard' Airborne Jeep, with exception of the side view mirror. Again the AoS tactical markings are for the 6th Airborne Division (with full and grateful acknowledgement to Brian Tegg).



Sources of information for this blog page included: 
1 AIRBORNE DIVISION, Report of Operations “MARKET” ARNHEM 17 – 26 Sep 1944, Parts 1 - 3, SECRET, 10 January 1945, Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces Official Files, Aldershot
REPORTS BY MEDICAL OFFICERS OF 1 A/B DIVISION on OPERATION “MARKET” AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT EXPERIENCES 17 SEPT 1944 – 8 MAY 1945, Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces Official Files, Aldershot
Margry, K., OPERATION MARKET-GARDEN Then and Now (Vol 1 and 2), After the Battle, London, 2002, ISBN 1 870067 45 2
Peters, M. & Buist, L., Glider Pilots at Arnhem, Pen & Sword, Barnsley South Yorkshire, 2009 ISBN184415763-6
181 Airlanding Field Ambulance RAMC Living History Group Website;
Middlebrook, M., ARNHEM 1944 The Airborne Battle, Viking, London, 1994 ISBN 0-670-83546-3
Piekalkiewicz, J., Arnhem 1944, Scribner’s, New York, 1976 ISBN 0-684-15479-X
Taylor, R., WARPAINT Volume II: Colours and Markings of British Army Vehicles 1903-2003, MMP Books, Poland ISBN 8389450925
Forty, G., BRITISH ARMY HANDBOOK 1939-1945, Sutton, Gloucestershire, 1998 ISBN 0-7509-1403-3
Airborne Jeep – Modifications; http://www.m201.com/abmods.htm
Bouchery, J., THE BRITISH SOLDIER FROM D-DAY TO VE-DAY (Vol 1 and 2), Histoire & Collections, Paris, 1999 ISBN 2 908 182 742
Hodges,P. and Taylor, M., British Military Markings 1939-1945, Cannon Publications, 1994, ISBN 1-899695-00-1

28 comments:

David Gordon said...

You say that our jeeps are incorrect with blue markings and that the tac signs are incorrect. But these are all restored as British 6th Airborne for units in Normandy, not at Arnhem. British 1st Airborne had white markings and British 6th Airborne had blue markings. In the case of my jeep, the white 67 on an earth brown backing represents 2ndOBLI of the 6th Airlanding Brigade.

Arnhemjim said...

Apologies David, Stand corrected. Unfortunately most of my research at this level of detail has been limited to the 1st Airborne Division, consequently my error. Envy your collection, and have all of your books, truly a hurculean effort on your part.

Anonymous said...

Jim, did they also have some jeeps that had the standard wheel in back?

enrique said...

Hello Jim ,what about the modification at the bodys of these jeeps? I refer to : steps could be folded due to lack of hat channels under them, also this modification was made in the UK or a special order to the factory?

Arnhemjim said...

Hello Anonymous,
You are absolutely correct. It’s my best understanding that if a jeep was not specifically modified for a special mission requirement, the spare wheel rim with tire, was normally mounted by a bracket to either the left or right hand side of the tail of the jeep.

Arnhemjim said...

Hello Diego del solar,
Momentarily thrown off, “way above my pay grade” with regard to your question about any hat channel modifications in the airborne jeeps. In a reasonably extensive search of both the Internet and other reference sources, I can’t find any mention of hat channel modifications in the airborne jeep modification package. See; http://www.m201.com/abmods.htm. As you can realize the majority, if not all, of the modification package was to reduce weight and overall exterior dimensions to facilitate glider loading/off-loading. Given how far into the body of the vehicle you have to go to gain access to the hat channels, would conjecture that any modification would have been accomplished at a depot level, i.e. rear echelon.

enrique said...

Thank you very much sir, here in Argentina we have 4 jeeps with these body including mine, write AACVM forum and take the issue because it appeared the 4th jeep with this modification, this is the post http://foro.aacvm. com.ar / viewtopic.php? f = 56 & t = 6318
As you say there is no information about this, personally I would say that modification so complicated think was made in factory, 4th jeep has the data plate from the tow bar and has a modified body. would honor us you Jim if you see the pics in this post .May I have your permission to comment on some details of your post to our forum of course with link reference.
Regards

Alex Schmidt said...

Hi Jim, regarding your comment on the Dragon 1:6 Pack Howitzer scale model, as an owner of the model and 3 of the real ones, I think it's absolutely crap! for the same money a much better model could have been made, if a real one was measured and photographed, all little details are wrong, and the whole thing is very misproportioned, the sight is almost twice as big in comparison to the rest etc. etc.

When I opened up the box, and examined the contens, I quickly closed it again, not sure to keep it or sell.......

The aiming posts were never ever used like that, only the 105mm had the wooden ones, for the Pack, the lifting bars were used, with canvas sleeves slid over them, also painted red/white.

Keep up the good work,

Alex Schmidt

Arnhemjim said...

Hello Alex,
Your comments are really appreciated. I only wish that more people, with direct, hands-on knowledge, would contribute to the blog. I’m going to modify the wording regarding the pack howitzer model based upon your inputs. Personal conjecture, not offering an excuse, but I believe that the fragile nature of the polystone used in the model’s construction precluded accuracy in the smaller fittings, consequently they were “beefed-up” in size. That is certainly the case with the sight assembly. It also is my understanding, that although relatively minor, there were specific differences between the American and British versions of the howitzer. It’s singularly my error regarding the aiming stakes, as I relied on those used in the museum display, which is obviously inaccurate. To be honest am not certain the tight clearances in the Horsa glider afforded the use of the lifting bars, but personally don’t know. Based on your ownership of not one, but three of the real deal, I would strongly suspect active service as a “cannon-cocker”. Thanks again for taking the time and effort to contribute your knowledge.

Arnhemjim said...

Hello Diego,
Please certainly feel free to use any of the information that might prove helpful,
Slainte (Gaelic for "Good Health")
Jim

enrique said...

Thank you Jim,on advance !
Regards

Diego

Anonymous said...

Gents , stunning work. Great reference. keep up the good work. i am new to Airborne lore but i do own a 44 GPW.What about the Canadians ? Did we modify Jeeps ? thanks . A Canadian enthousiast. Bob

Arnhemjim said...

Hello Bob,
Colin MacGregor Stevens CD, is retired Manager of the New Westminster Museum and Archives in British Columbia, Canada (also Captain (Rtd), Canadian Army), and is an advanced airborne collector, maintaining two web pages. He has owned a restored Airborne Jeep, and is very knowledgeable on restored jeeps in Canada. The addresses of his websites are; http://bcoy1cpb.pacdat.net/ and http://seaforth72.wix.com/colin-m-stevens. Hope this helps. Best Christmas Wishes,
Jim

Anonymous said...

Hello Arnhem jim.Bonkers here,
ive just finished building a replica of an airborne jeep .
the question is , did 10 para take jeeps to arnhem , if so were they bombed up with brens and k guns or just mules. Also what tactical markings used. My mate matt was in 10 para TA. He says the black square with red X is post war .so what tac marking was used ,
many thanks.

Bonkers.

Arnhemjim said...

Hello Bonkers,
10th and 11th Para Bn’s jeeps landed by Horsa gliders in the second lift (Chalk no. 1010, 1012-1025 and 1027-1029; 23 gliders. Chalk No. 1011 and 1026 aborted.) No “K” guns to the best of my knowledge, possibly some Brens per Bn’s TO&E, but no special gun mounts. Not certain of the numbers. Carried a white ‘68’ in a green square on the right front bumper and left rear bumper. Also carried a Light Blue ‘Pegasus’ in a maroon square on the left front bumper and right rear bumper. See; http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2012/09/british-1st-airborne-division-vehicle.html . Hope this helps.
Jim

Unknown said...

Can you possibly give a approximate weight that the airborne trailers weighed? Looking at a no.1 mkII. If you can email specific(s) to merc1677@gmail.com, greatly appreciated. Doug

Arnhemjim said...

Hello Doug,
For the WWII British Orme-Evans No.1 Mk II Lightweight 10-cwt Airborne Trailer, have the following characteristics:
Un-laden weight: 260 kg. (551 lb 2.5oz.)
Payload: 500 kg. (1102 lb 4.98 oz.)
Total laden weight: 760 kg. (1675 lb 8.21 oz.)
Overall length with shaft (tongue) and hook (rear shackle): 2.70 m.
Width: 1.30 m.

For photographs and additional data see: http://horsa.bizland.com/OBLI/Trailer.htm
Hope this is of assistance.
Jim

Jimmy E said...

I would like to make a comment on the white or bleu markings on the Jeeps. Some believe bleu = 6th airborne, white= 1st airborne. My conclusion is that this is not the case. Some former 1st airborne units were transfered to 6th when it was formed. Seems very unlikely they would repaint all their jeeps. Ox & Buck being one of these units. (Hear say:)A couple of years ago the remains of a jeep bonnet was found in the ground in Oosterbeek. The markings were light bleu. I have found on internet 6 colour photo 1945 taken in Denmark showings a couple of jeeps from 1 parachute Battalion in Denmark (55 on a red square) with civilions and Danish army personel and British paratroops at Skealskor. Two different jeeps show the light blue nummbers.

Arnhemjim said...

Hello Jimmy E.,
Thank you very much for your research regarding the color of the basic numbers used in the tactical markings of the British Airborne Forces during WWII. Although the vast majority of the numbers found are white, the British 6th Airborne Division chose light (“Cambridge”, coincident with the blue in the Airborne Forces Formation Badge) blue rather than white. Given the inherent chaos of war I’m absolutely certain that your findings are accurate.

I’m not certain whether you have had the opportunity to view a companion article, also contained in this blog, which discusses some of the confusion regarding the tactical markings of the 1st Airborne Division’s vehicles.
http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2012/09/british-1st-airborne-division-vehicle.html .

Based on your observations I’m going to add a brief revision to both articles, hopefully further clarifying the issue. Once again sincere thanks for your interest in the blog.
Best regards,
Jim

Unknown said...

Does anyone know where I could find the serial numbers for the jeeps assigned to the 2nd Parachute Battalion at Arnhem ?

Arnhemjim said...

Hello Gary,
As you have probably already realized that is a daunting task! Personally don't have a massive library, but certainly a reasonably extensive one, including original source documentation from the archives of the Parachute Regiment. Don't recall any documents which recorded individual jeep serial numbers. Have documents recording the number of jeeps, by battalion, by glider serial, but nothing as fine grained as individual vehicle serial numbers. As ubiquitous as the jeeps were, and as many photos were taken by the AFPU cameramen, I personally would still be hard pressed to provide an example of a single serial number for a jeep guaranteed to be attached to 2Bn Para. Sorry can't be of more assistance. Hopefully a blog reader may have more information.
Best regards,
Jim

Unknown said...

Jim,
I am researching the jeep which the public relations team 'borrowed' when their camera team was trying to reach the bridge. There is only one picture of it and they had used chalk to obscure all the unit and vehicle markings. It had some kind of square frame welded to the bonnet. Any suggestions regarding what version of the airborne jeep it was. I can send you the photo if you don't already have it.
Andy

Unknown said...

Andy,
A square frame welded on the bonnet? Could be the stowage frame for the ammo cannisters for the 6 Pdr Anti-tank gun, that it would have towed.

Unknown said...

Andy,
To add to my reply above, I've just looked up the photo you mention ( in "Arnhem", by Lloyd Clark), and it is indeed a Jeep intended to tow the 6 Pdr. Also note the two small bars welded to the grill, and the brackets on the bumper, which were for the straps to tie more ammo cannisters to the front.
Of interest is the writing on the bonnet side, which appears to say ... ARMY FILM........ (presumably ARMY FILM AND PHOTO UNIT) rather than the usual number.
Also, the tow pintle to the front bumper, which would be used to manouevre the gun into position.
Henk.

Unknown said...

Hello jim I have come across your page today and I am hoping that you will be able to help me out with some details about walter Hewerdine who was a driver for a six pound gun in arnhem I know that he was a gunner and went to arnhem in a horsa from down south on the first landing into arnhem and any information on my uncle would be greatly appreciated....regards dave

Unknown said...

I've just learned something new again...
The tow pintle mounted on the front bumper is not primarily for manoeuvring the gun into position, but for use with the triangular bracket on the back, to tow another jeep.

I can see how that might work, but the bracket looks a bit too flimsy to be of serious use when used "in anger"..

Unknown said...

Hello Jim,thanks for the photos...my old man Sargent Bill Lister was in 1st airborne (kosb)and went to arnhem in a Horsa with a trailer as part of a mortar team..tow plane got into bother over North sea and dropped glider, Canadian pilot diched head first into sea (as instructed)and was killed..the old man was ripped out of his clothes and out of glider and was picked up by one of our boats.. couldn't swim till the day he died in 97..went on to serve in Norway and India and always had a soft spot for Canadians.

Arnhemjim said...

Hello Unknown,
You and your entire family can be enormously proud of your father, particularly to have been able to live to 97. Unbelievable. When asked, "What did you do in WWII?", to reply "I was in Operation Market-Garden.
Best Regards,
Arnhem Jim

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