Before the Lend-Lease act was signed in March 1941, the U.S. already provided military supplies to the Western combattants in Europe through the so-called »Cash-and-Carry« system.
As the orders for military trucks increased in 1940, Dodge decided to built several thousands 1.5ton 4x4 trucks based on the standard commercial version and with only minor modifications.
These included the second drive axle, which increased off-road passability, as well as the external radiator grill protection, different front fenders and optionally a front winch.
The Dodge specification was »VF-401« to »VF-407« (the »V« standing for the 1940 production year), the military »T-203«.
The French government ordered 1,500 of them with the by 17in. longer wheelbase (160in. to 143in. resp.), but the delivery of these "ex-French-contracts" were diverted to Britain after the French defeat and, at least partially, found their way to Russia.