Progress on the Alaska Highway in the summer of 1942 depended not only on the soldiers but also on their heavy equipment. The problem of keeping the big machines running plagued the line companies and put motor pool mechanics at the heart of every regiment’s operations.
With the “midnight sun” shining in July, machines and vehicles ran 24/7, taking a serious beating. Mud sucked hydraulic hoses loose from their fittings; some had been replaced many times. Others hadn’t been replaced at all. A serious number of heavy trucks operated without brakes.
Operators and mechanics in each company performed “first echelon” maintenance, lubricating, blowing debris out of radiators, making minor repairs… For more serious problems—second, third and fourth echelon—the companies turned to the motor pool for support.
The regimental motor pools had brought enlisted mechanics, senior non-commissioned officers, from the states; but they couldn’t do it all. Men with mechanical experience in civilian life found their way to the motor pool. And mechanics trained and rated for second echelon work routinely did third and fourth echelon work.
John Virtue reports a memory of a 2nd Lt. named Schnurstein who served with the black soldiers of the 93rd. “The guys would get out there and get on those tractors and would pull them apart and do all sorts of things–with gloves on. I don’t know how they did it, but they fixed them. They were good.”
Some of the most serious repairs had to be made on site—deep in the woods. That meant that the mechanic had to get himself and his tools, often including a welding rig, through the woods to the distant site. The motor pool had its own transportation, but it broke too. In the end, like every other soldier on the project, the mechanics made do with what they had and, somehow, got it done.
I feel you cannot overstress the get ‘er done attitude. The setting aside of prejudice, wnd teamwork that this great accomplishment shows.
Incredible accomplishment(s).
Love the picturez
Thank you.