
This Universal picture paid tribute to a hitherto unsung bunch of heroes of World War II.
It is August 1944, and Patton’s Third Army has advanced so far toward Paris after breaking out from the D-Day landings that it cannot be supplied.
A group of men are commandeered to drive a ceaseless convoy of 6,000 trucks (labelled the “Red Ball Express”) carrying ammunition and fuel into enemy territory to supply American tanks.
Most unwillingly, Lt. Chick Campbell (Jeff Chandler) – an ex-trucker from back home – is ordered to command this outfit of truck drivers.
He is joined by hot-headed Sgt. Ernest “Red” Kalleck (Alex Nicol), who knew Chick back in the States and hated him for an accident in which his own brother had been killed and cremated in a burning truck that Chick and he were driving.
The newly-formed fleet – staffed primarily with African-American soldiers – crosses enemy territory, still littered with mines and German snipers, to deliver their loads to their advancing colleagues.
Petty personal conflicts, passing romantic interludes, touches of heroism and comedy come and go as the story goes on its episodic way.
Lt. Chick Campbell
Jeff Chandler
Sgt. Ernest “Red” Kallek
Alex Nicol
Pvt. Ronald Partridge/Narrator
Charles Drake
Joyce McClellan
Judith Braun
Cpl. Andrew Robertson
Sidney Poitier
Antoinette Dubois
Jacqueline Duval
Pvt. Taffy Smith
Bubber Johnson
Pvt. Dave McCord
Robert Davis
Pvt. Wilson
Hugh O’Brian
Pvt. Higgins
Frank Chase
Kitty Walsh
Cindy Garner
Tank Lieutenant
Gregg Palmer (as Palmer Lee)
Tank Sergeant
John Hudson
Heyman
Jack Kelly
Maj. Gen. Lee Gordon
Howard Petrie
Director
Budd Boetticher
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