Panama supports the practical expansion and movement of American power during the Second World War. Goods loaded at eastern ports can remain aboard ship as they pass into the Pacific. Without the canal, cargo would more often have to move by rail, be unloaded, and then be loaded onto another vessel on the west coast. Removing those transfers saves time, labour, rolling-stock capacity, and handling risk across a vast wartime supply system.
Notable Point · 52:02-53:00
Panama streamlines Pacific war logistics
The canal lets eastern American ports send ships and cargo directly toward Pacific operations without a transcontinental transfer.