American Studebaker US6: The Backbone of the Red Army

Fun Fact: One of the most important and iconic vehicles used by the Red Army was actually American.

The Origins of the Studebaker US6

Designed and manufactured by the Studebaker Corporation, the Studebaker US6 was a series of 2+1⁄2-ton 6×6 and 5-ton 6×4 trucks initially developed for the US Army Ordnance Corps.

When World War II rolled around, the US6 soon found itself being exported to other allied nations under the Lend Lease Act. Interestingly, the Soviet Union would become the largest foreign operator, as hundreds (if not thousands) of them would be shipped to the communist state and pressed into service with the Red Army. Needless to say, the Soviet soldiers and officers soon fell in love with the American-made truck as it fulfilled many important roles in service with Soviet military forces during the war.

Roles and Uses in the Red Army

Apart from transporting cargo, they were used to tow artillery pieces and anti-tank guns across the battlefields and transport troops over long distances. They were even used as a suitable platform for conversion into Katyusha rocket launchers.

But as mentioned, the Red Army LOVED these trucks and even called the “Studers” and “King of the Roads” while in Soviet service. This was due to their reputation for reliability and dependability, something which could not be said for some of the Russian-made trucks they also used. So popular were the US6, they were even used as the basis for the GAZ-51 and the ZIS-151 after the war.

The Legacy of the Studebaker US6

So the next time a Russian fan boy boasts about how the Red Army pushed the invaders from the Motherland, remember it was an American truck that carried them.

~NC