The World War Vehicle Heroes
World War II depended on far more than tanks, aircraft, and warships. Armies also needed enormous numbers of cars and light vehicles to transport soldiers, carry supplies, deliver messages, evacuate wounded personnel, and keep units moving across difficult terrain. Some were modified civilian vehicles, while others were designed specifically for military service.
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1. Willys MB Jeep
Probably the most popular American military vehicle of World War II. Small, light, and able to go almost anywhere with its four-wheel drive. Used for just about anything from reconnaissance to transporting men and material. The Willys MB would see action on many fronts of the war.
2. Ford GPW
Ford would build thousands of the GPW under contract to the military. These were nearly identical to the Willys MB Jeep. There was such a massive demand for these types of vehicles that the Americans would produce them by the thousands. They could be used to transport personnel and even pull trailers or mount weapons.
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3. Dodge WC Series
Many light trucks and utility vehicles can be classified under the Dodge WC series. Used as weapons platforms, ambulances, and troop transports. Their versatility meant that a single basic vehicle family could handle many different jobs in the field.
4. Volkswagen Kübelwagen
Another German-built military vehicle. Used to transport personnel and material around. Built on Volkswagen's platform of cars. Its light weight allowed it to go many places with ease. It would be used by German forces throughout the war.
5. Volkswagen Schwimmwagen
This took the light military vehicle one step further by adding the ability to swim. It could go over roads and off-road, then, if the need was there, it could swim through water. It was used for many things by the Germans during the war.
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6. Horch 901
The Horch 901 was a staff car built for the German Wehrmacht. It was equipped with four-wheel drive and was used throughout the war by German forces. Depending on its configuration, it could transport officers, equipment, or personnel across challenging terrain.
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7. Opel Blitz
Not technically a car, but this list would not be complete without the Opel Blitz. It was actually a series of trucks used by the Germans. The Wehrmacht relied heavily on these trucks to move ammunition, fuel, food, and troops. Keeping supplies moving was essential to German military operations, and the Blitz became one of the country's most widely used transport vehicles.
8. Mercedes-Benz 170 VK
The Mercedes-Benz 170 VK was built for the German military during WWII. It would be used for staff purposes and transportation. Its conventional automobile design made it suitable for carrying personnel who needed a road-going vehicle rather than a specialized armored machine.
9. Mercedes-Benz G4
Mercedes built this large three-axle vehicle during WWII. Many were built for use by the Germans and were used as staff cars. This vehicle was much more sophisticated than the normal utility vehicles being used.
10. M3 Scout Car
A four-wheel-drive armored vehicle made by the Americans during WWII. It was used to transport personnel and perform reconnaissance missions. It provided protection to those inside from enemy fire. The U.S. Army and other Allied forces used the type for reconnaissance, command, and patrol duties.
11. M3 Half-Track
The half-track had wheels in the front and tracks in the back. This allowed it to travel both on roads and off-road terrain. It could transport infantry while providing some protection from small-arms fire and shell fragments. The design became an important part of American and Allied mechanized forces.
12. M8 Greyhound
It was used by American forces as a reconnaissance vehicle. It was armed with a 37 mm artillery gun, giving reconnaissance units some offensive capability when they encountered resistance. Its speed and road mobility made it particularly useful for scouting and screening operations.
13. M20 Utility Car
Similar to the M8 Greyhound but with some changes to make it more of a command vehicle. Instead of the Greyhound's turret-mounted main weapon, it had an open fighting compartment and different equipment arrangements. It gave commanders and reconnaissance personnel a relatively mobile way to move around the battlefield.
14. Daimler Dingo
Built for the British military, this vehicle was used as a reconnaissance vehicle. Small in size, it could get around quite fast. The Dingo would be used by British forces throughout the war.
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15. Humber Light Reconnaissance Car
Another British vehicle that was used as a reconnaissance vehicle. It would give the crew some protection and be able to move around. It was used by British forces throughout the war.
16. Austin K2/Y Ambulance
It would be used to transport wounded soldiers from the battlefield. It was used by British forces throughout the war. It could carry wounded personnel from battle areas toward medical facilities, making it an important part of military logistics and medical evacuation. Its distinctive body style also made it one of the more recognizable British support vehicles of the war.
17. Universal Carrier
Used to transport troops and equipment by the British military. It could be used to pull many things or just transport men and supplies. It was highly adaptable and appeared in numerous configurations across British and Commonwealth forces. Crews could use it for carrying supplies, moving personnel, supporting weapons teams, and performing other battlefield tasks.
18. GAZ-67
The Soviet GAZ-67 was a four-wheel-drive utility vehicle developed during World War II. It was used to transport many different things during WWII. It would fill many of the same jobs as the other vehicles on this list. Large numbers were produced as the Soviet Union needed practical vehicles to support its enormous military effort.
19. GAZ-MM
The GAZ-MM was a Soviet light truck derived from the GAZ-AA design. It carried supplies, ammunition, equipment, and personnel for Red Army units operating across the Eastern Front. Its relatively straightforward construction was well suited to mass production during a war in which transportation was an enormous logistical challenge.
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20. Jeep Bantam BRC
One of the first Jeep prototypes built by Bantam that helped establish the military requirements eventually associated with the famous World War II Jeep. American military testing of vehicles from Bantam, Willys, and Ford contributed to the development of the standardized Jeep design. Although the Bantam BRC didn't become the main production Jeep, its place in that development makes it an important part of the story.
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