Operation Boller

WWII American mass production exhibit transformed into world-class display.

On December 29th, 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a radio broadcast during which he coined the fateful term “Arsenal of Democracy” to describe the role of the United States. The address signaled that the previously neutral United States would muster its immense industrial capacity to build the weapons of war needed by the last struggling democracies to save themselves, and the idea of democracy itself, from the threat of fascism and militarism in Europe and Asia.

By the end of the war, U.S. industry was out producing all the Axis countries combined. American trucks, tanks and aircraft were also supplied to Allied nations, from Canada to Britain to the Red Army of the Soviet Union. The Arsenal of Democracy exhibit at the American Heritage Museum highlights the phenomenal American industrial effort throughout WWII. With the support from Bill Boller (former President of Jacques Littlefield’s Military Vehicle and Technology Foundation and Board Director for Collings Foundation, Inc.) the Arsenal of Democracy highlights American industrial ingenuity and mass production during WWII. This part of American history has been a passion for Mr. Boller for many years and his insights have enhanced the Arsenal of Democracy exhibit.

Working closely with museum staff, historians and people who were a part of the industry during the war, he helped guide development of an exhibit that portrays a 1943 Detroit tank manufacturing plant “frozen” in mid-production. Exploring the exhibit is like being at a real WWII mass production line for Sherman tanks.

The sequential steps of a tank’s construction are showcased, from receiving the engine and parts to the final assembly of the Sherman tank. Arriving from the “manufacturing floor” are a series of R-975 radial engines ready for installation. Each engine has a number written in chalk, showing the tank for which it is designated. The featured tank on display has

#200 engine hanging over the tank ready for installation with #201 next in the assembly line. You will see the main gun suspended at the right angle for installation into the turret, the rear idler ready to go on the tracks, and front drive sprockets set to be put on.

The entire exhibit is filled with details that capture the look and feel of 1943. As you explore the space, you will find air lines, welding leads used by technicians, time clocks, bond and recruitment posters and other authentic period accessories. It is incredible to imagine, but in 1943 all of the manufacturing for the military was classified. Plant personnel had to go through a security screen as their work was top secret! The Arsenal of Democracy exhibit is a wonderful hands-on experience for people of all ages. Many thanks to Bill Boller for his support.

Top left photo: Shop Manager and “Chief Tankologist” Dick Moran (left) and Bill Boller pose in front of the Sherman tank. Top right photo: The front of the Arsenal of Democracy exhibit showing the control differential and transmission assembly. The 75mm gun is hanging in position ready to be installed into the turret. Middle photo: Sequentially numbered R-975 radial engines are positioned to look like they are ready for the next tank in line. Bottom photo: A hands-on display featuring an escape hatch, traverse mechanism, azimuth indicator and elevation mechanism.