Testing Bantam Jeep with 37mm Antitank Gun

This photo was taken in 1941 at New River, North Carolina during testing of the Bantam BRC-40 jeep, the forerunner of the Willys MB and Ford GPW jeeps that became the World War II standard. This photo of the Bantam has all four wheels off the ground (six if you count the towed 37mm Antitank gun), the inspiration for the "Flying Jeep" poster and similar depictions.

Original caption: "Bantam car in mid-air."

Today in WW II: 8 Feb 1940 Germans establish the first large Jewish ghetto in Poland in the city of Lodz. More ↓

8 Feb 1941 US House of Representatives passes the Lend-Lease Act [265 to 165].
8 Feb 1942 Battle of Sarimbun Beach begins, the first stage of the Japanese assault on Singapore.
8 Feb 1942 Japanese Offensive in Burma begins [8 Feb-2 May].
8 Feb 1945 Battle of the Reichswald: British and Canadian forces under Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery begin Operation Veritable [8 Feb-11 Mar].
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.