'Red Ball Express' (1952) - WW2 Patton's Third Army Convoy Movie

A tense World War II tale based on the true story of a special truck convoy created to transport urgent supplies to General Patton's army situated inside German-occupied France. A racially integrated platoon fights to overcome their differences during World War II.

In August 1944, Patton's Third Army has advanced so far following the D-Day invasion toward Paris that it cannot be supplied. To maintain the momentum, Allied headquarters establishes an elite military truck route. One racially integrated platoon of this Red Ball Express encounters private enmities, German resistance, minefields and increasingly perilous missions. Starring Jeff Chandler and Alex Nicol, featuring early screen appearances by Sidney Poitier and Hugh O'Brian.

First released on May 24, 1952.

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[transom]

My Dad was a Staff Sargeant with the Red Ball Express. It was a great honor to see him lay a wreath at the opening of the WWII memorial in Washington DC. He went to his eternal rest 2 years ago at the age of 99!🙏❤🙏

[bobbyd.]

MY Uncle Jim was a truck driver in Europe during WWII. He was not a nice man. A man most people would avoid. Just before he passed away ... he loosened up and shared some stories with me. He had driven his truck onto 5 beach heads 3 of which were contested at the time ... including Anzio. He almost got court-marshalled when he refused to go give "his" truck. He had been driving for 72 hours straight and had "his" truck setup like a home away from home. His commanding office had to remind that it was not his truck but the United States Army's truck and he could either give up the truck or be court-marshalled. It also came to light that he had been assigned to Red Ball Express and had been wounded when his truck fell into a burned-out house's cellar. To top all that off. He was taken prisoner of war during the Battle of the Bulge. No body in our family knew anything about all this. I ended up with his DD214 which confirmed his service. God Bless him and all those who serve without recognition especially those young people now serving.

[jrwalker]

I had an uncle, John Harrison who drove for the red ball express. He had an auto body shop in Cleveland in later years. RIP !!!

[markpaul-ymwg]

This was sidney poteirs first movie, and boy did he have a stellar career.One of a kind.

[randyblackburn]

My father was in Pattons Third Army 95th Infantry Division, he landed on Omaha beach 100 days after D Day, waited 1 week and because he had an army drivers license was taken with other men and put on the red ball express. They drove at night in blackout from the English Channel to the front and back. They drove Duce and half GMC trucks back and forth with gasoline, rations, ammo and artillery shells . Daddy never got shot at or bombed while on his truck but saw a lot of blown up trucks along the way . After 30 days they parked the trucks and marched thru the French Lorraine fighting at the underground forts, fort jussy, fort Durant and so forth . Daddy was shot and wounded on a rail yard Dec 9 1944 in Fraulaturn Germany. One thing he said about the trucks was they broke the governors so they could run about 45 mph.

[davidhewson]

I was born in 52, six yrs after WW2 end. My Dad was a paratrooper, jumped out of a Dakota over Arnheim. He came back from war and abandoned me to go to his village in Cumberland. I grew up in Sth. Wales, fatherless. This film reminds me of rationing, blokes in hospitals ( shellshock ), ex.forces men with no work. Iff the Americans didn't give Britain their help, we would be talking German . Thanks yanks !!!. Movie 10/10. Dave

[OdeeOz]

Saw this on TV in 1959, and according to my Mom, who survived Hitler's 1938-1945 Germany on a Farm... The script is pretty accurate for the times. Red Ball always fascinated me about things done during War Times. That and the Historical value should be taught every kid from grade 5 through College. 👍👍 10⭐

[stevenrussell]

Nothing better in a movie of WW2, then to have it filmed in black and white. That format gives the movie a raw authenticity. God bless all of our troops, both from our history, and future. They are and have done a job no one else would do. God bless America, our home sweet home,

[dongilleo]

Jeff Chandler was a very good actor, who appeared in a number of movies, including as Indian chief Cochise in the Western "Broken Arrow". This movie has similar themes to another Jeff Chandler movie, "Away All Boats", which was about a U.S. Navy transport ship. In both movies he plays a hardcore, no nonsense military officer, often hated or misunderstood by his subordinate officers and men, who pushes his command to the fullest.

[skywolfguardz]

I have to seeb this movie for a very long, long time. I enjoy watching classic war movies. My parents and I enjoyed watching classic movies. And war movie. Especially me and my mother. May God rest her soul. Whenever a war movie comes on. Me and my mom be right in front of the TV. Ready to watvh it. And I did have family members in the Arm forces during WW2. And I am proud of them. I already a nephew served 5 years in United States Marine Corps. And I am proud of him. As nation of freedom. We. The American people should honor and salute our brave men and women in United States Arm Forces. And give all the respect they earned. As well as our Veterans. May God bless America. Thank you so much for putting movies like this on YouTube.

[yomama]

Thank you we Americans owe our privileged life to men and women represented here 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[alvaropelayo]

Jeff Chandler was one of the best actors ever. He wasn't given a real opportunity to show how good he was. God bless him for all the joy he gave us.

[captainscarlett]

As an infantryman I never looked down on support troops and don't think my peers did either. Nobody has an easy job in the army. We did mess duties and saw how cooks worked, our band were familiar medics in the field and the quartermasters were all seasoned soldiers. Without support you've got maybe a week.

[jpyagar]

I saw this movie when I was a young teenager. Sometime in the middle of the movie my dad said 'That is what I did during the war'. It is the only thing he ever said about the war. When he was stationed in Germany we took a road trip summer vacation that started where he entered the war until it's conclusion. RIP Sgt.

[garyjarvis]

Great plot, cast and filming making this a wonderful movie. A tribute to logistics which is actually the most important element in any battle. These men were just as important as any soldier in the war. Nice to see they are getting recognition.

[felipetijerina]

I love this movie second time i'v seen it, I was a truck driver in Vietnam 70/71 128th Trans. Co. 48th Group known as the " DELTA EXPRESS "

[Boomer_in_the_Trees]

Sidney Poitier and Hugh O'Brian in their prime. Doesn't get any better than that.

[johnsadventures]

As an Army truck driver and mechanic stationed in Germany during the 80s, I salute these guys that came before me.

[georgetaylor]

Great movie!! Never heard of the Red Ball Express!! May all who lost their lives, , RIP!! They gave their all!!💓💓

[jonathanskidmore]

My dad and his two brothers were in the service. Each in a different branch. His oldest brother, Andrew, was drafted late in the war in his thirties. The other men referred to him as the old man so he was sent to drive trucks to avoid combat. That put him place to become part of the Red Ball Express. He told us kids a few stories like driving all night to the front lines without lights and coming back with a load of prisoners. He was by himself with only his M-1. He said they never tried to escape.