Highballing to Victory
Encyclopedia
Highballing to Victory is a short US propaganda film made toward the end of World War II
about the importance of material and transportation in the war effort.
After some stylized, art deco, opening credits, the film begins with a shot of Hitler and scenes from Nazi rallies and early conquests in Europe. "In 1940 Germany set out to dominate Europe" the narrator begins. "He look upon the Eiffel tower
, and beyond it, to the Statue of Liberty
." Then the scene switches to scenes in Paris soon after its liberation. "But in 1944 this happened to him." the film then goes on to explain the revolution in military logistics needed to create the Red Ball Express
, a system of roadways leading all the way back to Normandy.
In quick succession the film explains how American transportation equipment, especially tires, can be used at that very moment in France, Italy, and in Russia to defeat the third Reich. The narrator reminds us that these materiel begins in America, and even the large amounts of tires and trucks created last year can be "casualties" of war already. The film also emphasizes that it is difficult even to get the materiel to the front, first having to get to port by rail, and then overseas in U-boat inhabited waters. Extensive time is spent on the transportation of materiel to China, and the difficulties getting it to Asia and over the "Hump".
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
about the importance of material and transportation in the war effort.
After some stylized, art deco, opening credits, the film begins with a shot of Hitler and scenes from Nazi rallies and early conquests in Europe. "In 1940 Germany set out to dominate Europe" the narrator begins. "He look upon the Eiffel tower
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is a puddle iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. Built in 1889, it has become both a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world...
, and beyond it, to the Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886...
." Then the scene switches to scenes in Paris soon after its liberation. "But in 1944 this happened to him." the film then goes on to explain the revolution in military logistics needed to create the Red Ball Express
Red Ball Express
The Red Ball Express was an enormous truck convoy system created by Allied forces to supply their forward-area combat units moving through Europe following the breakout from the D-Day beaches in Normandy. The term "Red Ball" was a railroad phrase referring to express shipping...
, a system of roadways leading all the way back to Normandy.
In quick succession the film explains how American transportation equipment, especially tires, can be used at that very moment in France, Italy, and in Russia to defeat the third Reich. The narrator reminds us that these materiel begins in America, and even the large amounts of tires and trucks created last year can be "casualties" of war already. The film also emphasizes that it is difficult even to get the materiel to the front, first having to get to port by rail, and then overseas in U-boat inhabited waters. Extensive time is spent on the transportation of materiel to China, and the difficulties getting it to Asia and over the "Hump".