WHEN MILWAUKEE WENT TO WAR

PART Three: Bucyrus-Erie

This is the third of a series of articles that highlight contributions of Milwaukee-area industry to the war effort during World War II. Many thousands of Milwaukeeans, men and women, helped to provide the munitions and other products to make Victory possible.

As the Second World War broke out in Europe, Bucyrus-Erie saw a welcome increase in orders for its excavating equipment, helping it to recover from the Depression. Initially, Bucyrus intentionally limited its involvement in munitions production in order to meet the demand for its products.

As the United States and the Allies geared up to increase steel, coal, and mineral production, Bucyrus manufactured scores of shovels, cranes, draglines, dredges, pile drivers, drills, and other equipment—all of which was critically needed by industry to meet military needs. In addition, the company’s equipment was also used directly by the military for dredging harbors, lifting and moving heavy military loads, and for military excavation and construction projects.

A BUCYRUS-ERIE BUILT ‘DOZER SHOVEL’ IS SHOWN UNLOADING BOMBS FROM AN LST IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR. WITH INTERCHANGEABLE BUCKETS AND BLADES, THE DOZER SHOVEL COULD BE USED AS EITHER BULLDOZER OR CRAWLER-LOADER. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF THE SOUTH MILWAUKEE INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM.

Because of Bucyrus-Erie’s expertise and facilities, it was also called on to play a role in designing and manufacturing carriages, mounts, and transport vehicles for the 240-mm howitzer and the 8-inch gun. These were the largest mobile artillery pieces of the US Army during the war. The ‘240’ could be used to send 360-pound projectiles a distance of up to 14 miles to knock out enemy bridges and armaments. Bucyrus-built transport wagons could move these weapons at speeds as high as 50-mph. Both the 240 and the 8-inch guns could be removed from their transport vehicles and assembled ready for firing in as little as 30-minutes. The resulting mobility frustrated the enemy armies and provided the United States with critical capabilities during the war.

A 240-MM HOWITZER IS SHOWN BEING MOVED ACROSS DIFFICULT TERRAIN DURING WWII. DURING THE WAR, BUCYRUS-ERIE BUILT THE TRANSPORT VEHICLES FOR THE 240 AND THE ARMY’S 8-INCH GUNS, AS WELL AS THE CARRIAGES AND MOUNTS, USED TO POSITION THE GUNS FOR FIRING. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF ROBERT JELINEK.

BUCYRUS-ERIE SHOP EMPLOYEES AND MANAGEMENT POSE IN FRONT OF A HOWITZER MOUNTED ON A BUCYRUS-ERIE CARRIAGE. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF THE SOUTH MILWAUKEE INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM.

THE MAGNIFICENT MACHINES OF MILWAUKEE

Tom Fehring has written extensively about Milwaukee-area industry, highlighting innovation that resulted in the formation of numerous companies that employed hundreds of thousands of Milwaukeeans. His latest book, entitled “The Magnificent Machines of Milwaukee,” is available for sale at the Milwaukee County Historical Society, Historic Milwaukee, Boswell Books, and on Amazon.com.

WHEN MILWAUKEE WENT TO WAR

PART Three: Bucyrus-Erie

A 240-MM HOWITZER IS SHOWN BEING MOVED ACROSS DIFFICULT TERRAIN DURING WWII. DURING THE WAR, BUCYRUS-ERIE BUILT THE TRANSPORT VEHICLES FOR THE 240 AND THE ARMY’S 8-INCH GUNS, AS WELL AS THE CARRIAGES AND MOUNTS, USED TO POSITION THE GUNS FOR FIRING. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF ROBERT JELINEK.

BUCYRUS-ERIE SHOP EMPLOYEES AND MANAGEMENT POSE IN FRONT OF A HOWITZER MOUNTED ON A BUCYRUS-ERIE CARRIAGE. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF THE SOUTH MILWAUKEE INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM.

THE MAGNIFICENT MACHINES OF MILWAUKEE

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