The Great Turkey Lift of WW2

Nothing is more American than Thanksgiving

A lot of American soldiers fighting in Europe in 1944 thought the war would be over by Christmas. This was looking less and less likely as the front stalled in a brutal winter. To boost morale, American commanders promised a real turkey dinner for Thankgiving to every man. The Problem: how to get that many frozen turkeys to Europe before they spoiled. Enter the SS Great Republic, a supply ship carrying 1064 TONS of frozen turkey. It delivered its cargo and then the logistics nightmare of delivering all the frozen birds by flatbed truck began. Within two days of Thanksgiving all American troops had a meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, string beans, cranberry sauce, hot rolls, and (drum roll) pumpkin pie. Did this contribute to the War? You bet it did. A short time later the Battle of the Bulge began and the US was losing 8000 soldiers a day. Who is to say that this last Thanksgiving meal was not the strength that carried our men to victory? Valor is in you. Set it free. Happy Thanksgiving, America!!!