Questions about Logistics and Infrastructure on the western front in WW2

by Curiouskraut

I am interrested in the topic of infrastructure and logistics on the western front in World War 2 and would like some book recomendations.

I am familiar with the Red Ball Express and the Mulberries, but would like to get a broader picture of how things got handled.

1- How did Logistics develop pre DDay (Buildup in England) and how was the Normandy area utilized past Dday? How was the need for Operation Overlord measured? How was supply through the beaches and the cherbourg harbour actually organized? How was local infrastructure used in the war effort?

2- How are logistics handled during combat, how would someone in charge know, where to ship a specific supply? How were huge numbers of POWs organized, were they supplied with food and shelter?

3- How do logistics change in the event of an army getting destroyed ? What does it mean for an army to loose such high amounts of men and armor? How was the large frontline from the northsea to the Mediterranean organized and supplied?

4- How did logistics change with the availiability of the harbour of Antwerp in the end of 1944. What is the need of an occupying force in 1945 and beyond and how is it organized?

thunderbird45

Although somewhat dated, I would recommend starting with the United States Army in World War II series book titled, United States Army In World War II: The Technical Services The Quartermaster Corps: Operations In The War Against Germany by William F. Ross and Charles F. Romanus. This should provide you with some great info concerning logistics and supply on the Western Front. You can access the digitized version of this book, online at: [http://www.history.army.mil/html/books/010/10-15/CMH_Pub_10-15.pdf]