UNCLASSIFIED
RED BALL
EXPRESS
“Let it never be said
that stopped Patton
when the Germans
couldn’t.” – Brigadier
General Plank
UNCLASSIFIED
• The Red Ball Express : Past Lessons for Future Wars
https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/English-EditionArchives/March-April-2021/Carey-Red-Ball-Express/
• “Keep ‘em Rolling”: 82 Days on the Red Ball Express
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/red-ball-express
• http://ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-E-Logistics2/maps/USA-E-Logistics2-5.jpg
• “Red Ball Express: The Legendary Lifeline
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/2016/10/20/red-ball-express-the-legendarylifeline/#:~:text=The%20primary%20vehicles%20assembled%20for,%2Dby%2Dfo
ur%20tractor%20trucks.
UNCLASSIFIED
• Why was it called the Red Ball Express and
the role it played in supporting operations in
WWII.
• What were the demographics of the Motor
Transportation Service and why?
• Hazards drivers faced
• Summary and Key Takeaways
 Red Ball Refers to Red Ball
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UNCLASSIFIED
Freight trains that carried priority
materials.
Operation was run 24 hours a day
by the Army Transportation Corps
6000 Trucks on convoy, Primarily
the wheeled cargo GMC CCKW
Truck, marked with red balls for
priority access on regular roads
One way on the express was
approx. 534 miles – closed to
civilian traffic
Hazards included Accidents,
Enemy Aircraft, Breakdown.
MPs kept roads, bridges,
intersections clear to ensure safe
travel.
Most notably crucial to General
Pattons 3rd Army stronghold, they
lacked fuel and ordinance
KEY TAKEAWAYS AND SUMMARY
• OPS. began AUG1944
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UNCLASSIFIED
Ended NOV1944 after
restoration of rail line.
75% African American
and under 24 years old
Consisted of an est.
23000 drivers and
Mechanics
Est.12000 supplies per
day for 82 days
412000 tons of fuel,
ammo and equipment
by missions end.