17-9-26 Garand Pictue of the Day

[ed skeels]

Italy? Looks like pack mules in the rear.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Mark in Rochester]

Italy? Looks like pack mules in the rear.

For the U.S. Army in WW II, transportation of supplies, equipment and personnel was almost entirely based on motor vehicles. However mules continued to be used in certain circumstances for their ability to negotiate rugged terrain inaccessible by vehicles. Mules could negotiate jungle or mountainous terrain that no horse or vehicle could traverse. In North Africa, the mountains of Italy and jungles of Burma, mules made a significant contribution. Locally obtained donkeys and burros added capacity to Army mules shipped from the U.S.

Ed no note on this one but I am sure you are correct - Italy

[us019255]

Mules could negotiate jungle or mountainous terrain that no horse or vehicle could traverse

A common misconception, it persists to this day in the western USA. Yes, four footed beasts are a great way to move stuff and people in mountains but mules aren't better than horses. They were initially used by the US Army because they were cheaper than horses, and being hybrids were not susceptible to certain genetic diseases found in poorly bred horses. I am a horse owner and have ridden and packed horses in MT in the high mountains. They are every bit as sure footed as mules, and actually easier to handle.

[browningautorifle]

They are every bit as sure footed as mules, and actually easier to handle.

Yes, though there was something about mules the military liked, strength or stamina or something... I agree horses can be just easier to deal with.