Captured Jerry Cans?

I do recall reading that the British in N Africa used the German cans. Apparently the British cans leaked like sieves.

Interesting photo.

I had read about that too Bish. From what I have read, the Jerry cans were much preferred to the Commonwealth "flimsies".

Jerry cans were one of the more sought after items in terms of German captured gear, neat to see a color photo showing them hanging around. Hence the term 'jerry can' becoming ubiquitous for a 5 gallon gas container, they literally invented the thing as we know it.

They are most likely US Blitz cans (used early in the war) painted a lighter color.  The Blitz can was a modified copy of the German jerrycans they found in North Africa but had US on them instead of German markings.  These are Blitz cans in Europe, September, 1944.

The caption reads:

"Gasoline arrives by Air Evacuation C-47 to help fill the needs of Patton's 3rd Army, September 1944. Nurse Irene Steffens is carring two jerry cans at at time, about 80 pounds! "

That pic does not show up there HA. A later thought occurred to me that they may be Brit Jerry cans as they had the same pattern of stamping as the German. But in any case the color strikes me as odd. US Earth Yellow? British Light Stone? just stuff  to ponder...

Hmm, that's weird.  Here is a link to the pic, for what it's worth.

http://olive-drab.com/images/can_gas_5gal_04.jpg

Eek, 405 Forbidden--do I need to know the secret red-leg handshake, or can I just summon a FAC?

Hmm, even more stranger (SP?).

It is on OliveDrab.com.  Here is the direct link to the page.  Scroll down to the bottom.

http://olive-drab.com/od_mvg_jerry_can.php

The previous pic and link work on my computer.  Weird.

Ok, that was a fascinating trip through some well-researched data.  Bravo.

The whole topic is rather funny; Jerry was a nickname for Germans. The term "Jerry Can" literally means a German Can. Of course they were captured and pressed into service, and as stated, copied.

Indeed... Now HA's pic is showing up on my screen...

And as Rob says they are German cans... I am just intrigued by the appearance of so many non OD water cans on US vehicles in one place... In North Africa it makes sense, but a supposed short time after the invasion when so many supplies had been stockpiled for months beforehand... very interesting.

I never realised the Allies had there own Jerry can's so early on. Some great info.

The yellow can in the first pic does seem a bit odd. I know the Germans painted there can's both green and yellow, but then of course yellow was a part of their vehicle camo.

Hello!

Those cans are so popular, the copy of the German design is still available in Poland, you can buy one for like 30$ in many hardware and car supply stores.

More details

Have a nice day

Paweł

The original was German, & copied by the Italians, they were also made in various occupied countries to the German design.

The US (modified) and the Brits, (eventually) copied them & yes they were prized Beute/Booty in all theatres, esp. the Middle East by the Brits as their flimsies were aptly named, & sometimes more fuel was lost than delivered.

I have the Red-ball Express book (ETO) & there are pics of stacks of cans from all 'original owners' & used interchangeably.

The cans mounted on the DUKWs would seem to be the British/German type as the X indentation and the corner mounted spout would indicate their difference from the US type. The US type has an X indent that has no square in the middle and has a center spout.

US jerry can

 British jerry can

It replaces the old Tommy can

German

http://olive-drab.com/od_mvg_jerry_can_metal_gas.php