World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
7 Jun 2015 11:42:01 AM

US ARMY MECHANIZED...1941 NOT SO FAST

BEASTS OF BURDEN:

Before the U.S was drawn into WWII, in spite of modern mechanization (tanks, jeeps, half-tracks and trucks, the army still had over 50,000 horses and pack mules.

HORSE SOLDIERS:

Between the wars some in the old school couldn't
see replacing the horse to them the Cavalry was a horse mounted soldier. Many fought the new armored vehicle as their replacement.

Did you know the US Army still had the First and Second Cavalry Division were still equipped with horses, the army still had two horse-drawn
artillery battalions along with two horse, mule
and transport battalions with 16,000 horses and 3,500 mules. During WWII the army continued to employ horse and pack mules for transporting
guns, ammo and other supplies.

UNSUNG HEROES: BOTH MAN & BEAST

I once met a man who was part of a mule supply unit in the (CBI) China Burma India area of operations. Those brave men went through difficult hardships he still remembered his mules names. He slept, ate and took care of them, it hard to part with them due to sickness, death and injury.
R.I.P. Mr. Young you were part of the "GREATEST GENERATION"

I thank the editor/ww2db for allowing me to leave this comment...