Andrew Kryliouk

How British pilots made beer runs for Allied troops in Normandy

During World War II, the formidable task of maintaining the efficiency of numerous soldiers and their intricate machinery fell upon the shoulders of diligent logistics technicians. Their paramount concern was to ensure the steady supply of bombs, bullets, planes, and tanks for the military campaign, leaving little room for indulgence in luxury items like beer, which, though potent in uplifting the spirits of the troops, was deemed nonessential in the face of combating the scourge of Nazi forces. Amidst this arduous wartime environment, British breweries valiantly stepped forward to offer their support to the soldiers by donating free beer. However, just after the pivotal D-Day event, a significant impediment arose - the challenge of transporting the donated beer across the perilous English Channel.