[Frederico Aquini]

Has anyone seen or have a photo of Italians using a captured Willy's Jeep?

I tried searching the internet, but with no luck.

Grazie,
Frederico

[Gian]

This one was likely captured in the "back-and-forth" desert campaigns.


More were seized in the aftermath of El-Alamein battle: since the Italian and German armies were left with few vehicles and supplies (or none at all), many soldiers volunteered to ambush convoys so as to get both of them.
Never heard about Jeeps in the post-43 fascist forces, although the Germans surely had some: I imagine that RSI soldiers might have seized a few of them, but they were likely damaged beyond repair.

[BRY]

Apparently the axis was pretty flush with equipment around the time of Kasserine.

[Gian]

I even came across a short story in which an Esercito Captain narrates being stranded behind enemy lines and evading capture by stealing a Jeep and getting back to the Italian side. I do not know how he was able to go unnoticed, but he mentions being able to speak English and carrying a Tommy Gun. I suppose he was also wearing a captured Battle Dress.

[BRY]

Wearing a captured uniform was sometimes necessary...

[glenning]

I've also heard the same story, but that he only wore a khaki shirt and a pair of khaki shorts, with no insignia. So I guess, with a british cap or weapon he could "get away" with it?

[Gian]

BRY said:

Wearing a captured uniform was sometimes necessary...

Yes it was. When supplies were not coming through both sides made use of captured materiél. Especially in Africa (the "Jeep theft" I mentioned took place there).

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I've also heard the same story, but that he only wore a khaki shirt and a pair of khaki shorts, with no insignia. So I guess, with a british cap or weapon he could "get away" with it?

Yes Glenning. It must have happened more than once.

[Gian]

In his autobiography "Tigers in the mud" Panzer pilot Otto Carius mentions one episode which occurred in Siegen (Rhine area). With all of the unit's Kübelwagen being disabled, he sent out a night patrol to fetch some functioning vehicles. They came back in due course with two Jeeps. Stealing a Willys was easy because it was started by a simple electric switch, not by a key.