Convoys are groups of vehicles that travel together for mutual benefit, including protection from raids, negotiating better deals, and supporting each other in combat or dangerous conditions. They have been used for centuries in trade, military, and informal settings.
A convoy is a group of vehicles that travel together for mutual benefit. There are several different types, including those who are armed during war and those who travel together through remote areas to ensure everyone can survive. The practice of traveling in groups is ancient; Some of the earliest convoys were probably groups of traders traveling together across foreign lands.
Historically, trade convoys have been used for centuries, with some consisting of thousands of people traveling together. Many traders traveled in groups through the greater deserts of Africa and the Middle East with large numbers of camels and other beasts of burden. By traveling this way, merchants could protect themselves from raids, and were also sometimes able to negotiate better deals on the other side of the desert by negotiating together.
At sea, many convoys are military in nature. Warfleets often travel together to support each other, and merchant ships may summon during a period of hostility to protect each other. During times of war, national armies often provide support to merchant fleets and may station multiple destroyers to travel with a group of cargo ships. You can see some impressive photographs of naval convoys from World War II, when ships traveled between Europe and the United States in large groups with air and sea support to defend them from German U-boats.
On the ground, a convoy of military vehicles travel together to support each other in combat operations. Big truckers can also ride this way as a form of friendly brotherhood. People can also gather in a group to drive through dangerous weather conditions or remote areas to ensure that if a vehicle runs into trouble, someone will be there to notice. In such cases, other vehicles may help with repairs or transfer cargo and passengers from the disabled vehicle to a working one if it becomes clear that the downed vehicle will not be able to continue the journey.
A convoy of vehicles may simply travel together on a more informal level to ensure that they reach a final destination at the same time. For example, a group of people going to a wedding or funeral together usually go as a group. In the case of funerals, vehicles may use markings that identify them as part of a funeral convoy to ensure they do not get separated. This form of travel is also useful when only one car knows where the group is supposed to end up; the other cars can follow the lead vehicle to the final destination without worrying about directions.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
