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Photo collection depicts logistics operations during wartime

In honor of Veterans Day, we highlight the importance of logistics in war

Logistics throughout war have been extremely important. (Photo: Fort Leonard Wood/Engineer History Office)

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In honor of Veterans Day on Saturday, we’ve compiled a collection of photographs from the National Archives and the U.S. Army Center of Military History. While logistics jobs may not be the first thought of in times of war, they are vital to any war campaign.

Check out some of the most interesting photos of wartime logistics below and thank our veterans for their service.


World War I

World War I Christmas mail delivery Bruvans, France
A shipment of Christmas mail arrives in Bruvans, France, during World War I in 1917. (Photo: Signal Corps/National Archives)
Soldiers opening Christmas gifts shipment by tree
Soldiers in World War II open a shipment of holiday packages around a small Christmas tree. (Photo: Signal Corps/National Archives)

World War II

Jeep assembly line WWII World War II
On Sept. 8, 1943, a jeep assembly line works to finish the making of military jeeps for World War II in just three minutes. (Photo: Signal Corps/National Archives)

Normandy

Tanks loaded with artillery equipment for storming of Normandy, France
Artillery equipment is loaded onto landing craft tanks (LCTs) at an English port to prepare for the invasion of Normandy, France, in June 1944 during World War II. (Photo: Signal Corps/National Archives)
Tanks loaded with artillery equipment for storming of Normandy, France
A port in England prepares for Normandy and transports jeeps onto LCTs while larger trucks and ducks enter landing ship tanks (LSTs) in June 1944. (Photo: Signal Corps/National Archives)
Tanks loaded with artillery equipment for storming of Normandy, France
An ambulance is loaded onto an LST. (Photo: Signal Corps/National Archives)
Tanks loaded with artillery equipment for storming of Normandy, France
These antiaircraft halftracks are loaded onto an LCT in preparation for the attack, specifically for the first wave of assault from the German military on Normandy Beach. (Photo: Signal Corps/National Archives)
Tanks loaded with artillery equipment for storming of Normandy, France
On June 6, 1944, Normandy Beach was loaded with supplies. (Photo: Signal Corps/National Archives)

The Korean War

Korean war convoy
On Sept. 16, 1950, two trucks cross a river by an underwater bridge, eight miles northwest of Taegu, Korea, on their way to the front line. (Photo: Fort Leonard Wood/Engineer History Office)
Cranes loading ships during Korean War at Inchon inner harbor.
Cranes load landing craft mechanized with gas during the Korean War at the Inchon inner harbor. (Photo: Fort Leonard Wood/Engineer History Office)
Unloading ship during Korean War
On June 12,1951, troops of the 532nd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment unload supplies at the harbor in Inchon. (Photo: Fort Leonard Wood/Engineer History Office)
Helicopter dropping off supplies during Korean War
On May 23, 1953, a helicopter of the 6th Transportation Helicopter Company, U.S. Eighth Army, delivers C rations to the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th U.S. Infantry Division, near the former village of Panmunjom. (Photo: Fort Leonard Wood/Engineer History Office)
lumber transportation in Korean War
In November 1953, the 13th Engineer Combat Battalion loads a truck for lumber transportation. (Photo: Fort Leonard Wood/Engineer History Office)
On March 4, 1952, an aerial tramway transports supplies and wounded during the Korean War. (Photo: Fort Leonard Wood/Engineer History Office)

Vietnam

helicopter vietnam
A helicopter prepares for a resupply mission during the Vietnam War in December 1967. (Photo: National Archives)
Vietnam War bunker
On Nov. 25, 1967, a group of men from the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines take a break while they construct a bunker during the Vietnam War. (Photo: National Archives)

The Gulf War

On Feb. 8, 1991, a 6,000-pound rough terrain forklift moves supplies at a logistical base in northern Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War. (Photo: PFC John F. Freund/XVIII Airborne Corps History Office)
the gulf war
More rough terrain forklifts operate at the forward landing strip at Logistical Base Charlie. (Photo: PFC John F. Freund/XVIII Airborne Corps History Office)
the gulf war
(Photo: PFC John F. Freund/XVIII Airborne Corps History Office)
the gulf war
On Nov. 8, 1990, the 129th Postal Company unloads mail at the “Dragon City” compound near Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. (Photo: PFC John F. Freund/XVIII Airborne Corps History Office)

FreightWaves Classics articles look at various aspects of the transportation industry’s history. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter!

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Brielle Jaekel

Brielle is the deputy editor of Freight Waves and has a more-than-10-year history in B2B publishing, tackling cutting edge stories in business, with four years specifically focused on freight. She’s interviewed numerous CEOs and is adept at finding stories that matter to the industry. She believes in finding a new way forward in the supply chain to solve problems, drive sustainability and put people first. If you’d like to get in touch with Brielle, please email her at bjaekel@freightwaves.com.