Today in WW II: 21 May 1942 Sinking of the Mexican tanker Faja de Oro by German submarine U-160, off Key West, precipitates Mexican declaration of war against Nazi Germany.

Bantam BRC-40 Jeep

The full story of the development of the original Army Jeep of World War II is on the linked page. See the Bantam BRC-40 page for more details on this prototype jeep. See also the photos of the Checker-built Bantam BRC-40 jeeps.

Many rare Bantam photos in the Olive-Drab.com WW II Jeeps Photo Collection.

Bantam BRC40 4x4 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle.

Bantam BRC-40 with 4 wheel steering.

Bantam BRC-40 undergoing Army testing towing unidentified trailer.

Bantam BRC-40 with .50 cal. anti-aircraft machine gun, Ft. Riley, KS. From Field Artillery Magazine, June 1941.

Loading a Bantam BRC-40 onto a ship, USMC, New River, NC, 1941.

Bantam BRC-40 with DR-5 drum mounted on RL-31 frame attached. The DR-5 drum carries two miles of W-130; Five miles can be carried. Photo: Field Artillery Journal, July 1941.