Ford GTB 1 1/2 Ton Burma Jeep

The Ford GTB, called the "Burma Jeep," was produced during World War II and was used primarily by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in the Pacific. Its Ordnance standard nomenclature number was G-622.

The G-622 GTB vehicles were produced with and without a 10,000 pound Gar Wood or Braden front mounted winch. All models except the GTBS had dual rear wheels. The cab area was separated by the top of the engine cover and the folding passenger seat faced the driver. The open cab could be enclosed by raising the windshield and installing a canvas top. The cargo truck had troop seats and bows for a canvas cover.

The G-622 series trucks were powered by a Ford 6 cyl, 226 cid 90 hp gasoline engine, mated to a 4 speed transmission and 2 speed transfer case.

Seabees in Ford GTB, World War II
Seabees in Ford GTB, World War II.

Today in WW II: 19 Feb 1941 Luftwaffe's Three Nights' Blitz over Swansea, South Wales devestates the town as incendiary and high explosive bombs cause up to 270 deaths [19-21 Feb].  More ↓
19 Feb 1942 President Franklin Roosevelt signs Executive Order 9066 directing the seizure of property belonging to Japanese Americans and their internment in War Relocation Camps.
19 Feb 1942 Japanese warplanes attack Darwin, Australia with heavy damage and 243 people killed.
19 Feb 1943 Third Battle of Kharkov begins offensive operations by German forces agains the Red Army in the vicinity of Kharkov [19 Feb-15 Mar].
19 Feb 1943 Mass armor/infantry attack by Germans under Rommel against US II Corps breaks through the mountains at Kasserine Pass, Tunisia, a spectacular success [19-20 Feb].
19 Feb 1945 US Marines attack the Japanese held island of Iwo Jima, landing 30,000 troops on the congested beachhead the first day.
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.

Ford GTB 1 1/2 Ton Burma Jeep (G-622)

The low silhouette, short and maneuverable GTB was produced by Ford from June 1942 through the end of WW II in five models collectively called G-622. Total production of G-622 1 1/2 ton vehicles was over 15,000 units, including these variants:

  • GTB Truck, Cargo
  • GTBA Truck, Cargo (U.S. Navy)
  • GTBB Truck, Wrecker (Rare, only 50 produced)
  • GTBS Truck, Bomb Service, with Crane (U.S. Navy)
  • GTBC Truck, Bomb Service, with Crane (Improved U.S. Navy)

The G-622 GTB Burma Jeeps were used by all the services but primarily by U.S. Navy and USMC. Ford production records indicate that the paint color for the Ford GTB series of trucks was called "Ocean Gray" for all U.S. Navy contracts.

Manuals for the Ford GTB inlcude TM 10-1435, Operation and Maintenance, and TM 10-1434, Parts List.

Ford GTB Burma Jeep Photos

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the Ford GTB Burma Jeep at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup.

Ford GTB Burma Jeep Photo Gallery

Partial view of Ford GTBS loading bombs aboard a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura in the Aleutians, circa summer 1943
Partial view of Ford GTBS loading bombs aboard a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura in the Aleutians, circa summer 1943.

Marine Corps Ford GTBC Bomb Service truck towing a string of bomb trailers, at a Pacific base, 1944?
Marine Corps Ford GTB Bomb Service truck towing a string of bomb trailers, at a Pacific base, 1944?

U.S. Navy Ford GTBA towing 500 lb. bomb trailers, Falalop Airstrip, Ulithi Atoll, Caroline Islands, late 1944 or early 1945
U.S. Navy Ford GTBA towing 500 lb. bomb trailers, Falalop Airstrip, Ulithi Atoll, Caroline Islands, late 1944 or early 1945.

Ford GTBC Bomb Service truck
Ford GTBC Bomb Service truck. Photo courtesy Randy Lamers. As of November 2007, this truck is for sale: contact Randy Lamers if interested.

Ford GTBC Bomb Service truck
Ford GTBC Bomb Service truck. Photo courtesy Randy Lamers. As of November 2007, this truck is for sale: contact Randy Lamers if interested.

Ford GTB Burma Jeep. Photo: Courtesy of John Buckley
Ford GTB Burma Jeep. Photo: Courtesy of John Buckley.

Ford GTB Burma Jeep. Owner: Tim Snider, Photo: Courtesy of Jim Rice
Ford GTB Burma Jeep. Owner: Tim Snider, Photo: Courtesy of Jim Rice.

Ford GTB Burma Jeep, unrestored driver's side interior. Photo: Courtesy of John Everett
Ford GTB Burma Jeep, unrestored driver's side interior. Photo: Courtesy of John Everett.