The GMC CCKW

There is a special series of shows on the Weather Channel called when Weather Changed History.

The Jan. 13 episode is about the weather and Battle of the Bulge. A decent 1 hour show filled with historic footage and reenactor sequences.

My favorite is the Sherman sliding on the ice unable to stop. Great pics of chain equipped CCKW's pulling each other out of the mud.

It was worth an hour of my time.

I believe it is going to be repeated every night this week in prime time. Monday at 8 pm eastern is the next showing.

Bill

Thanks for the tip. I will be watching.

Watched it last nite!

My father was there with 82AB in the northern sector of the "bulge", all he ever says about it is how COLD they all were.

Bill, did you see those couple of pics of some M5s towing and sliding ?

Thanks for the reminder

John

Hey John,

I did see that shot of the M5. It had teel tracks and it must have been a "flatlander" driving who did not know how to drive in the snow...much like what we are subject to every weekend .

Somewhere in the past I came across a picture of a Sherman with chains on it. I wonder if they really worked.

I like the pics of the Jimmies slugging it out through the mud.

I think this is on a couple of more times until the next episode comes out on Sunday night.

Bill

I find it hard to believe that with all the material this country produced during WW2 and being that late in the war, The US Army would have sent those men in the field dressed the way they where after all it was late December. Even the Germans who were being pounded on all fronts on the ground and from the air had their troops properly dressed for winter battle.Someone didn't do their job and should have been CM because alot of GI'S paid the price

Jim,

That was discussed in the special. The theory put forward was that Omar Bradley decided that Food, Fuel, and Ammo were more of a priority than Winter Clothes.

Somewhere I saw it discussed that the Clothing was in Theater but that it was just not put into the que for dispersal to the front lines. Others can chime in but I read that it had been a warmer than normal Winter before Dec 16th and that complicated the situation with scheduling and urgency for Winter clothes. Some units in Western France had their Winter gear but were not wearing it as it was too hot. The cutoff of the units during the German advance and lack of clear skies to air drop further complicated the situation.

Regardless...you are right...it was a FUBAR of unbelieveable consequences leading to 50% of the killed and wounded due to clothing alone.

A mistake I hope we don't make again.

Bill

According to my father.....
The 82AB was on rest/leave in Reims France and was rushed/trucked to the front with no time for preparation whatsoever.
AND... the mind set by many "higher ups"that the" war was over"probably lead to the supply chain "slowing down" as well.

Thanks for the tip about the show Bill. I haven't got to see it yet but hopefully will tomorrow night.

My father was in the Eighth Infantry Div. and he said it was so cold that winter that he said it was impossible to describe to someone that didn't experience it.

The horrors those men endured....