Andres, Didier U.S. Army Tractor Trucks and Semi-Trailers

A volume from the "Casemate Illustrated Special" series. In the late 1930s, the US Army began a major overhaul of its vehicle fleet, creating the logistical backbone of World War II. There were two major schools of thought regarding logistical support: some experts proposed the trailer or semi-trailer, which had a physical separation between the mechanical part of the truck and the rear technical section containing supplies or specialised equipment; opponents advocated the use of compact and inseparable assemblies to save time in the field. During the First World War, both types of lorries were used, with the complete lorries destined for the front and immediate rear area, while the lines of communication and the staging area were the domain of tractors and articulated lorries. This book looks at the different weight classes of tractors and semi-trailers used by the US Army during the Second World War. Illustrated with hundreds of contemporary photographs, illustrations and diagrams, the text covers all variants including a range of specialised vehicles for units such as Commissary, Engineering, Aviation and Cavalry.