THE PASSAGE of the Prohibition Act (1920-1933) in America, which forbade the manufacture, importation or sale of alcoholic beverages, led to the rise of organized criminal gangs who manufactured or smuggled illegal liquor into the country and often fought ‘wars’ over territory. The Great Depression of 1929 saw millions unemployed and widespread disregard for the rule of law and order.
A new class of criminal arose, equipped with modern firearms and displaying a willingness to use violence. Murderous criminals such as John Dillinger, “Baby Face” Nelson, “Pretty Boy” Floyd, Ma Baker and Fred Bowerman – and their gangs – spread terror as they robbed banks, stores, express offices, National Guard armouries and gas stations across the Midwest leaving a trail of dead police officers and civilians in their wake.
This crime wave was made possible in great part by the newly popular automobile which allowed gangsters to commit crimes, escape quickly, and elude pursuit. Automobile bodies of the day were made from heavy gauge steel, which in some cases provided a kind of ‘armoured’ vehicle. The infamous Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were vocal in their preference for Ford V-8 automobiles because their powerful engines permitted them
