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Studebaker US6

1941 COLD WAR WORLD WAR 2

History of Studebaker US6

In April 1941, as World War II loomed again in Europe, the U.S. government contracted the Studebaker Motor Company to begin production of 2.5-ton military trucks at its South Bend, Indiana, plant. The three largest U.S. 2.5-ton truck manufacturersGeneral Motors, International Harvester, and Studebakermade about 900,000 trucks in total during World War II, and GM and IHC supplied their products to the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps , as well as 197,678 Lend-Lease trucks for Studebaker's production - which were ultimately used primarily by the Soviet Red Army. President Roosevelt's plan at the time was to "lent" or "lease" such military assets to any country whose security was critical to U.S. defense.

Saw production of Studebaker US6 from 1941 to 1945.

The original 2.5-ton truck grew out of the U.S. military's need for a cargo hauler that was mass-produced to meet the logistical needs of combatants in theaters around the world. All American-built 2.5-ton trucks have some interchangeable parts that simplify overall production and further aid overseas repairs.

Due to the need to transport people, weapons and goods by traditional means, in 1942 the Studebaker's design was copied and built in a Soviet factory to support the demand.

The Russian Army is particularly excited about their Studebaker stock after discovering that Hercules engines can run on virtually any gasoline available. The usual gross weight limit was often exceeded out of absolute necessity, and Soviet personnel loved American products so much that they simply called them "Studers".

Eventually, various improvised configurations (never envisioned by American designers) were implemented. The side rails and platform were removed and replaced by a tubular steel frame that could be raised and moved with a hand crank system. Fifteen-foot steel rails are welded to the top of this folding frame to accommodate fourteen or more M-13 Katyusha high-explosive battlefield missiles. The M-13 missiles are 5 feet 11 inches long, 5.2 inches in diameter and weigh about 93 pounds each. This variant of the US6 was the first mobile missile launcher for the Soviet Army.

The Germans, within the weapon's lethal range, dubbed these rocket launchers "Stalin's organs" because of the characteristic howl when they were fired. While only partially accurate, battlefield missiles proved to be a powerful area-saturating weapon and psychological tool for the Soviets during World War II.

The US6 was used in many roles in the Red Army - from troop and ammunition transport to artillery movers and battlefield support weapons. In July 1943, the Soviets planned a major offensive against the Germans in Kursk.

Soviet General Zhukov knew the German battle plan months in advance and knew that the enemy was deploying 912,000 men, 2,928 tanks, 10,000 artillery pieces and 2,100 aircraft to attack. Zhukov then had enough time to build a formidable force of 1.91 million men, 5,100 tanks, 25,000 guns, and more than 3,000 guns. Zhukov's main problem in the upcoming operation will be supply lines, as tanks and support vehicles roam the battlefield.

In addition, it was difficult to move infantry and field guns quickly into vantage points along changing fronts. The answer to Zhukov's question was thousands of "Studer" trucks to supply vehicles, transport artillery and crew, and transport infantry.

After the decisive Soviet victory, it became clear that the US6's role as a reliable heavy field truck played a vital role in advancing Soviet forces. As a tribute, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin personally wrote to Studebaker an official letter of thanks from the Russian people.

After the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, the Studebaker US6 6x4 and 6x6 truck models ceased production in July. Several wartime figures eventually agreed that the value of the 2.5-ton truck was a major logistical innovation for the Allies to truly win World War IImore than any other single conflict "weapon".