The Carolina Manuevers of 1941

[Story]

Note that this is the third part in a series -

The Carolina Maneuvers finally took place in November of 1941 and consisted of two phases. The first phase—entitled the “Battle of the Pee Dee River”—saw the numerically superior Blue army (“First Army”) tasked with preventing the Red army (“IV Corps”) from crossing the Catawba- Wateree River in force and then attacking Red territory. On the other side, the Red army’s mission was to cross the Catawba-Wateree, march east to the Pee Dee, and prevent a Blue invasion.

Interestingly, yet importantly, the battle was essentially a clash between “old” and “new.” The Blue army was organized into an infantry-oriented force with tanks deployed in the traditional manner of support (“penny-packets”). The Red army, however, consisted of a smaller but more mobile motorized/armored force. At the time, this was a significant distinction because the former suggested a post- WWI approach while the latter resembled the mechanized German panzer armies, which had devastated France in just three weeks.

Despite the differences, the “old” triumphed in phase one thanks in large part to flagrant rules violations by Blue’s commanding officer Lt. General Hugh A. Drum. As a result, the Blue army got a sizeable head start, easily secured three bridgeheads over the Pee Dee, and pushed the Red forces back at every turn.

http://www.thecolumbiastar.com/news...ught/Part_III_Carolina_Maneuvers_of_1941.html

 

[Story]

Also, the Camp Beauregard Louisiana Military Maneuvers Museum got a recently discovered M2A4 or M3 Stuart hulk.

http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/...ic-tank-buried-Camp-Beauregard?nclick_check=1

 

[Foster]

My great uncle was involved in the Carolina Maneuvers. I recently was able to see the photo album he kept, and it showed the early "Parson's Jacket" field jacket and some other interesting details.

 

[Story]

Well, how about some scans?

 

[Foster]

My aunt has the album, otherwise scanning would be easy. I did take a photo of one page with my phone. I will try and find it to post tomorrow.

 

[Foster]

This is the photo I managed. Not the best image, the album was falling apart due to age. He was in the 8th Infantry Division.

 

[Story]

The maneuvers ended in late November, 1941. General Lesley McNair held a press conference, declaring that American boys could fight effectively, but warned that losses would be “unduly heavy” at the present level of training. Four days later the Japanese bombed Pear Harbor.
http://unctvreports.blogspot.com/2010/11/nc-wwii-experience-carolina-maneuvers.html


http://youtu.be/CwBqbyqAL1Y