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Red Ball Express

Discussion in 'Information Requests' started by Jolly Joker, Mar 17, 2018.

  1. Jolly Joker

    Jolly Joker New Member

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    I have recently been learning about my grandfather's role in WW2. He was a mechanic for the Red Ball Express. I was curious to know what that would have been like. From what I read, it seemed like a pretty hectic operation trying to keep all those trucks operating at once.

    I don't know very much about the RBE except Wikipedia and some random Youtube videos. Is there anywhere else I can do to do research or someone who could tell me more about it? Specifically, I have a few questions:

    1. How much danger would have been involved as a mechanic? Would he have been expected to be combat ready?
    2. Apparently there was a commendation or something that he turned down. Any clues as to what that could be?
    3. He brought home a decent stash of Nazi daggers, swords, rifles, and even a Luger. How would he have gotten that all back to the states? Was that allowed or was that a contraband operation?
    4. Is there anywhere I can look to see where he was stationed and what his other assignments were during the war? Is there a database that has that information public?
     

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