During World War II, one of the most significant logistical challenges faced by the Allied forces during their invasion of Europe was ensuring a steady flow of essential supplies like food, fuel, and ammunition to sustain their troops. The rapid advance of American forces into France hinged on their ability to secure these vital resources. Complicating matters, the Allied bombing campaign had rendered the railway network unusable, preventing its use by the Germans but also hindering the Allies' own supply efforts. Additionally, access to key ports in France and Belgium had not yet been secured, which meant that ships couldn't dock and unload supplies directly. As a result, the majority of the required fuel, provisions, and ammunition had to be offloaded at the French port of Cherbourg in Normandy and then transported via truck over narrow rural roads to the American supply depots in the Chartres—La Loupe—Dreux region.
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The Red Ball Express. Photo credit: National Archives USA
Source: amusingplanet.com