When we talk about victory in the Great Patriotic War, we first of all remember tanks, planes and artillery. However, without reliable logistics support, no army could move forward. Trucks of the Great Patriotic War became that invisible but powerful backbone on which the front was supplied with supplies. It was these vehicles that delivered shells to the front line, transported the wounded and evacuated entire factories to the east.
The history of Soviet motor transport of that period is full of drama and heroism. The vehicles worked to the limit, often without spare parts, on surrogate fuel, in muddy conditions and off-road conditions. The drivers, who were called “front-line soldiers on wheels,” performed daily feats to ensure a continuous flow of goods. GAZ-AA, ZIS-5 and American Studebaker US6 - these names are forever inscribed in the history of mankind as symbols of perseverance and engineering.
In this article we will analyze in detail which models plied the roads of war, how they differed from each other and why they allowed the Red Army to survive and win. You will learn about technical features, operational problems and how equipment was modernized in extreme conditions.
The legendary "Lorry": the basis of the Red Army fleet
The main truck of the Red Army at the beginning of the war became GAZ-AA, which received the affectionate nickname “Lorry” among the people. This name reflected its payload capacity of 1.5 tons, which was the standard for light trucks at the time. The car was produced at the Gorky Automobile Plant, and by the time hostilities began, it made up the lion's share of the fleet. The design was simplified as much as possible for mass production, but reliable.
The 3.28-liter engine produced a modest 50 horsepower, but the low center of gravity and good traction characteristics allowed the Polutka to cope with tasks where more powerful cars skidded. GAZ-AA trucks were used everywhere: from transporting personnel in booth bodies to installing anti-aircraft machine guns and mortars. At critical moments, even 45-mm anti-tank guns were mounted on the frame.
However, the war made its own adjustments to production. The shortage of steel and non-ferrous metals led to the fact that in 1942 they began to produce a simplified version - GAZ-AA-S (with a simplified cabin). Instead of metal, the cabin was made of wood, plywood and even cardboard, and the front wings were stamped from roofing iron.
⚠️ Attention: Simplified versions of the "Lortorok" from 1942-1943 had a wooden cabin frame and one wiper that worked only when the engine was on, which created serious problems with visibility in bad weather.
Despite the spartan conditions, these machines carried lives. It was on the "Lorry" that the wounded were often evacuated, installing special wooden arches and canvas awnings. The simplicity of the design made it possible to repair them in the field using a minimal set of tools.
Three-ton ZIS-5: hard work on the front line
If the "Lorry" was the workhorse of the rear, then ZIS-5 (Stalin Plant) was a real heavyweight. This 3-tonne truck has become the main vehicle for transporting heavy loads, artillery systems and engineering equipment. ZIS-5 trucks They were distinguished by a more powerful engine and a reinforced frame, which made them indispensable in difficult conditions.
The production of these machines was dispersed throughout the country. In addition to Moscow, they were collected in Miass, where the plant was evacuated, and also in Ulyanovsk. The 5.55-liter engine developed 73 horsepower, which was an excellent figure for those years. An important feature was the ability to operate on low-octane gasoline and even kerosene under certain conditions.
At the base ZIS-5 created many modifications. There were gas generator versions that ran on charcoal, which solved the problem of a shortage of liquid fuel in the rear. Buses, ambulances and even truck cranes were also produced. A modernized version appeared in 1944 ZIS-5V with a simplified cabin, similar to the "Lorry".
Why was the ZIS-5 called “Trekhtonka”?
The official carrying capacity was 3 tons, but in conditions of war and bad roads, drivers often overloaded the car to 4-5 tons, risking damage to the springs, but fulfilling the cargo delivery plan.
Special role ZIS-5 played in the battle for Moscow. It was these vehicles, often with shields mounted on their sides to protect them from bullets, that delivered ammunition directly to the line of fire. Reliability and cross-country ability made it a favorite among front-line drivers.
Lend-Lease: Studebaker US6 and imported equipment
Since 1942, American trucks began to arrive en masse in the USSR under the Lend-Lease program. Studebaker US6. It was a completely different philosophy: a comfortable cabin, a powerful 6-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive (in the 6x6 version) and high cross-country ability. Studebaker Trucks came as a shock to Soviet drivers, accustomed to the asceticism of domestic technology.
American cars were valued for their reliability and ability to transport up to 4.5 tons of cargo (although the official figure was 2.5 tons). They were actively used to tow heavy guns, such as 122 mm and 152 mm guns, which Soviet trucks often could not cope with. All-wheel drive versions US6 became the basis for the famous Katyusha rocket launchers (BM-13N).
However, there were also problems. Imported equipment required high-quality fuel and oils, which were in short supply in the USSR. In addition, the complex design required qualified repairs, which were often lacking in the field. Nevertheless, the contribution of Lend-Lease to the victory was enormous: every third truck in the Red Army by the end of the war was foreign-made.
- 🚛 Studebaker US6 - the most popular and beloved Lend-Lease truck, distinguished by comfort and power.
- 🇬🇧 Austin and Ford - light trucks, used primarily in rear services and as staff vehicles.
- 🇩🇪 Opel Blitz — captured German trucks that were actively used after repair, despite the shortage of spare parts.
To operate imported equipment, special driver training was required, since the arrangement of levers and pedals often differed from Soviet standards.
Specialized equipment and tractors
The war required not only simple flatbed trucks, but also specialized vehicles. To transport tanks, heavy artillery and engineering structures, powerful tractors were required. Here the Yaroslavl giants took the stage - YAG-6 and YAG-10. These vehicles, with a carrying capacity of 6 and 10 tons respectively, were real monsters of pre-war engineering.
YAG trucks were equipped with diesel engines, which was rare for that time. They worked slowly, but could pull incredible weights. During the war, their production was curtailed in favor of simpler models, but the available machines were used to the last screw. Half-track tractors were also actively used, such as ZIS-42, which could pass where regular wheels would slip.
| Model | Load capacity | Engine | Drive type |
|---|---|---|---|
| GAZ-AA | 1.5 t | Gasoline, 50 hp | 4x2 |
| ZIS-5 | 3.0 t | Gasoline, 73 hp | 4x2 |
| Studebaker US6 | 2.5-4.5 t | Gasoline, 90-95 hp | 6x4 / 6x6 |
| YAG-6 | 6.0 t | Diesel, 95-105 hp | 4x2 |
Sanitary modifications deserve special attention. At the base GAZ-AA and ZIS-5 were created GZ-AA and ZS-1. Special racks for stretchers in two or three tiers were installed in the bodies. This made it possible to remove the wounded from the battlefield quickly and relatively safely. Each such machine saved dozens of lives every day.
Problems of operation and "folk tuning"
The operation of equipment during the war was fraught with enormous difficulties. Lack of roads, spring and autumn thaw, frosts down to -40 degrees - all this tested the strength of the cars. Trucks often broke down, and there was a catastrophic shortage of spare parts. Drivers had to show miracles of ingenuity.
There was a term “folk tuning”, when drivers themselves modified the equipment. They installed additional fuel tanks, strengthened the springs, and changed the design of the cabins. Wooden gas generators were often used, making it possible to drive on wood. This reduced speed and power, but allowed movement when there was no gasoline.
⚠️ Attention: The use of gas generators required frequent cleaning of the firebox and filters, and also reduced the maximum speed of the car to 30-40 km/h, which made them an easy target for enemy aircraft.
One of the main problems was the lack of antifreeze. The radiators were filled with water, which had to be drained at night in winter to prevent the engine from being torn apart by ice. In the morning, the long procedure of warming up and pouring new water began. This took hours of time, but there was no other choice.
☑️ Preparing the truck for winter operation
The role of vehicles in victory and the memory of generations
It is difficult to overestimate the contribution of the automobile troops to the victory. According to statistics, for every 1 ton of cargo delivered by air or rail, up to 3-4 tons were transported by road transport over the last mile. Trucks were the circulatory system of the army. Without them, factories would stop, soldiers would starve, and artillery would stop working.
Many drivers died along with their cars. Having been blown up by a mine or burned in a car after being hit by a shell, they remained in memory as nameless heroes. After the war, many survivors ZIS-5 and GAZ-AA They worked in the national economy for many years, restoring destroyed cities.
Today, restoration and restoration of military equipment is becoming a popular hobby. Enthusiasts search for remains of bodies in the forests, restore engines and give legends a second life. A unique fact is that some examples of GAZ-AA, found at the bottom of lakes, were restored to running condition 70 years after the war. This is a living memory that should not rust.
Motor transport ensured the mobility of the Red Army, allowing it to carry out complex operations to encircle the enemy and quickly transfer reserves.
Why were American trucks called "Students"?
The name comes from the car brand Studebaker. Soldiers and drivers often abbreviated complex foreign names for convenience. “Studer”, “Studebek” or simply “American” - these were the affectionate and respectful names for these powerful cars, which were significantly superior to their Soviet counterparts in terms of comfort and cross-country ability.
What was the maximum speed of the GAZ-AA?
According to the passport data, the maximum speed GAZ-AA was 70 km/h. However, under conditions of full load, bad roads and worn-out equipment, the actual cruising speed rarely exceeded 30-40 km/h. On off-road conditions the speed dropped to 10-15 km/h.
Were trucks used to install Katyushas?
Yes, the famous BM-13 (Katyusha) was mounted on the chassis of various trucks. The first were ZIS-6 (triaxial), then widely used Studebaker US6 (the most successful chassis) and even GAZ-AA (for light versions of BM-8-24). The truck had to be strong enough to withstand the recoil of the salvo.
Where can you see restored WWII trucks?
You can see equipment from the Great Patriotic War in museums such as Patriot Park in the Moscow region, the Vadim Zadorozhny Museum of Technology, as well as at various retro festivals and Victory parades. Private collectors also often put their items on display.