This is some awesome WWII history right here. You are about to watch a training film shown to WWII Motor Pool drivers to aid in their training with regard to how best to cover and traverse difficult terrain. We’re talking mud, rocks, ruts, etc. Today there’s millions of Americans who love recreational four wheeling and they have fun climbing rocks or slogging through the mud. Back then there were basically people who drove city streets and maybe some farm boys who liked running their tractors through the muck and stuff. There was not a culture of off-road driving and enthusiasts. The basic principles of off-road driving were incredibly important to know on the war front. Why? Because it was a mangled hell of mud, destroyed buildings, and barely or non-existent roads.
There isn’t a lot of Earth shattering stuff talked about here but there is a load of awesome footage showing the mule-like rigs of the second world war at work. These old trucks did not have much horsepower, did not have much suspension, and did not have much maneuverability. The driver played a he role in the success or failure of the operation. Today’s trucks are more capable by a factor of thousands but a talented driver can never be replaced. Good decision making, good control, and a good idea of how to properly use the machine he’s operating were the different between a successful trip and a disaster back in the day.
Enjoy this video, especially if you love old trucks and four wheeling!
