In Episode 48 of Mil History Talk, Hope and Brian take you inside one of the most demanding logistics operations of World War II—the Red Ball Express. When the breakout from Normandy outran every sustainment assumption, thousands of trucks, overworked drivers, and improvised supply routes became the only lifeline for U.S. forces racing across France.

We break down how the crisis formed, what the Red Ball Express actually accomplished, and the staggering statistics behind the effort: fuel deficits, maintenance backlogs, port shortfalls, and the human endurance that kept the campaign alive.

Then, in our final segment, we explore what this WWII emergency teaches modern planners about Large-Scale Combat Operations—why improvisation can’t replace railroads and pipelines, how specialized logistics units matter more than ever, and why LSCO will always be limited by fuel, infrastructure, and friction.

It’s a fast-moving episode about the trucks that kept victory possible.

For more history shorts and visual breakdowns, visit the Mil History Talk YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@MilHistoryTalk

In particular look at the video short on the CCKW 2 1/2 truck: US Army GMC CCKW 2 1/2 Ton Truck