Deuce And A Half Register

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- U.S. 2½ Ton 6x6 Trucks of World War 2 -

Legends -A

The following facts and figures are part of the explaination behind the popularity -the legend- that surrounds these trucks, cargo, 2½ ton 6x6:

"The Red Ball Express" (August - November 1944)
The Allied troop advance was so fast that three months after D-Day, advanced elements found themselves in positions which should not have been achieved until nine months after the landing (according to the Chief of Staff's forecast). In addition, the Allied Command had to face a dual problem. On the one hand; the lengthening of communication lines in countries where links were completely disorganised (rail links in particular). On the other hand; the non-availability of adequate port facilities in the vicinity of the front. The solution to the crucial problem of suppling the powerful invasion force (entirely mechanised) of more than 1.5 million men was overcome by rational organisation of logistical support equipment in three stages.
This rational organisation had to be done by the US Army.
The first stage was the setting up of a large supply system using road vehicles on specially arranged itineries. The second stage took place after the French rail system was back into shape. The third stage took place when Antwerp was captured: this large port had the considerable advantage of being extrememly close to the combat zone. Until this Belgian port was taken, American supplies had to cross 4,800km of ocean plus 550km of French territory before being delivered to the combat units.
In this context, vast road transport supply operations were organised during the summer and autumn of 1944. The most important was named the "Red Ball Express".
From August 25th to November 16th 1944, the US Transportation Corps (with an initial stock of 5,400 trucks - mainly GMCs), formed a gigantic "conveyor" between the Normandy depots and the front... [ continued - 'Legends part B' ]

1. Utah beach (June 8 1944). GMC CCKW radio van in foreground.	2. Rubble cleared from the main road, US reinforment troops move forward through St. Lô. (July 28 1944).
3. CCKW-H1 dump truck moves troops into action through a Normandy village (1944). Tank tracks are fresh...	4. GMC hit on the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines/Ribeauville Rd (1944).
5. Drivers and trucks waiting for work; lines of GMC (types CCKW, AFKW, and DUKW). Cranes can be seen working the stores delivered by DUKW (Cherbourg August 1944).	6. An US 3rd Army MP waves on a convoy (August 1944).
7. CCKW-353 750gal tanker on a new airstrip of the US Army Air Force in Normandy, late in June 1944.	8. MP directs traffic near the French Atlantic front (Royan pocket 1944.)
9. USN salvage crew at Cherbourg Harbour (July 6 1944). GMCs with Ben Hur 1 ton trailers, and a jeep.	10. CCKW-353 (the 10,000th vehicle) on its way. This Ordnance assembly unit, stationed on the Cotentin Peninsula (Normandy), unpacked and assembled jeeps and trucks around the clock from June 16 1944.
11. US Army Ordnance assembly area (Normandy) built its first vehicle only 48 hours after arriving on site. Capacity 700-800 vehicles per week, every week.	12. Ordnance Corp assembly line. GMC_353 with banjo axles, totals 9135 parts (3614 part types)
13. CCKW (352?) dumper on nearly completed pontoon bridge. 1945. What is the soldier on the driver-side of the truck reading?

forward to Legends part B

Picture credits
1,2,13 US Archives.
3,4,7,8,10,11,12 'GMC, The Universal Truck'. Warne.
5,6,9 'WW2- Liberation'. Time-Life.