The maneuvers continued for the 2nd, 36th, and 45th Divisions at Camp Blanding, in Florida,
with its sometimes ankle-deep sand, pine woods, and swamps.
with its sometimes ankle-deep sand, pine woods, and swamps.
 |
| Friend of John Edward Camp Blanding, 1941, family scan |
"chiggers, snakes, mosquitoes, red bugs, etc."
John Edward wrote. (2 Jun)
John Edward wrote. (2 Jun)
Camp was no better:
"In fact, from 10:00 am yesterday
until 1:00 pm, 13 copperheads were
killed in our camp area!!! " (2 Jun)
"In fact, from 10:00 am yesterday
until 1:00 pm, 13 copperheads were
killed in our camp area!!! " (2 Jun)
This photograph is taken in front of a camp barrack.
The doughboy helmet and leggings worn by John Edward's friend are both from first World War inventory. The
rifle, most likely a .03 Springfield, was the most widely used
in that war. It would still be used over a year later in North Africa while updated rifles and other weapons were in production.
The doughboy helmet and leggings worn by John Edward's friend are both from first World War inventory. The
rifle, most likely a .03 Springfield, was the most widely used
in that war. It would still be used over a year later in North Africa while updated rifles and other weapons were in production.
We can see two reflections of water maneuvers
being conducted on Kingsley Lake.
Amphibious training was essential for this war.
Troops and vehicles shipped overseas would not disembark in harbors,
but from boats transporting them from ship to beach.
In June of 1941, training at Camp Blanding primarily consisted of
small boat and rubber raft maneuvers.
small boat and rubber raft maneuvers.
In the photograph below we see the cargo net scaling obstacle
that we explored in the last post.
that we explored in the last post.
Along that shoreline we see a shallow-water training course that was set up
with wooden poles and ropes a few feet into the lake.
with wooden poles and ropes a few feet into the lake.
 |
| Small boat water maneuvers near the beach Kingsley Lake, Camp Blanding, 1941, family scan |
They negotiate their way between the cargo net
and the rope-line, while another boat is further along the rope-line.
Rubber raft training was held on another shore.
 |
| Rubber Rafts used in Water Maneuvers on Lake Kingsley Camp Blanding, 1941-42, Army photo |
These were considerably more difficult to launch,
propel, and steer -- particularly when one was fully geared,
an essential component for realistic practical training.
During combat rubber rafts were used to transport cargo, torpedoes, or
a small number of troops. They were invaluable at night for reconnaissance
and would be used in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and throughout the war.
a small number of troops. They were invaluable at night for reconnaissance
and would be used in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and throughout the war.
 |
| Friends of John Edward, McKingsley Lake, Camp Blanding, 1941, family scan |
While Army troops were
taught basic water maneuvers,
the Navy evaluated
amphibious exercises and
recommended
redesign regarding
several issues.
Particular attention was given
to the transfer of troops
from ship to shore
in an efficient manner.
Existing boats required soldiers to haul themselves over the bow
along with weapons, equipment, and supplies.
Such a cumbersome and time-consuming landing put every soldier in peril.
A solution was developed by the Louisiana boat-maker Higgins,
who had already designed a low-draft boat that could negotiate shallow shoreline waters
better than Naval designs.
who had already designed a low-draft boat that could negotiate shallow shoreline waters
better than Naval designs.
 |
| Kingsley Lake water maneuvers, Camp Blanding, 1941, family scan |
A hinged ramp was also added to the bow of a boat much like the one above. When
lowered, troops transported from ship to beachhead on the Higgins Boat (as it came to be called), might then swiftly run ashore with equipment and weapons.
lowered, troops transported from ship to beachhead on the Higgins Boat (as it came to be called), might then swiftly run ashore with equipment and weapons.
 |
| North Africa Landing, November 11, 1942, Army Photo |
were indispensable to the Allies not only for troops, equipment, and weapons,
but also vehicles.
John Edward and the troops will be transported from ship to shore on them in Casablanca,
North Africa, and then in Sicily, and in Naples and Anzio, Italy. They were used
throughout the European Theater, including Normandy, and in the Pacific.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower (who became president after the war)
said that If Higgins had not designed and built these boats
"we never could have landed over an open beach and the
whole strategy of the war would have been different."
Training in discipline and protocol also continued at Camp Blanding.
 |
| John Edward letter home, Jan 28, 1941, family scan |
A later edition of a Camp Blanding Training Manual gives instruction on Salute and Uniform Protocol.
 |
| Salute Protocol, Camp Blanding Training Manual, Army Photo |
we have seen how
John Edward
read, memorized,
and internalized training manuals.
They became
an automatic part
of what he did and who he was.
In North Africa, we will see how Gen. George S. Patton took
particular notice of John Edward's attention to detail.
particular notice of John Edward's attention to detail.
We can observe salute protocol in the photograph below.
As Camp Blanding troops march in Parade Formation, soldiers in the front salute an officer,
those in the next rows either salute or move their arms toward a salute,
and those further back have not yet advanced far enough to see the officer.
As Camp Blanding troops march in Parade Formation, soldiers in the front salute an officer,
those in the next rows either salute or move their arms toward a salute,
and those further back have not yet advanced far enough to see the officer.
 |
| Camp Blanding troops marching in Parade Formation, 1941, Army photo |
 |
| Camp Blanding Training Manual, Army Photo |
In the handbook
there is also
a full page
devoted to uniforms
both on and off the base.
there is also
a full page
devoted to uniforms
both on and off the base.
John Edward's close friend
Ruth later wrote:
"I remember when we
first went into the Army,
we were always
so very careful to keep
all pockets buttoned."
Ruth later wrote:
"I remember when we
first went into the Army,
we were always
so very careful to keep
all pockets buttoned."
She continued:
"I also remember
how hard
you and I bucked
for promotions,
and what
lousy deals you got."
(9 Spt 1943)
During the last couple of days at Camp Blanding John Edward wrote home:
"Am in Starke now waiting to catch a bus for Williston
where there is a cute 18-year-old girl waiting (I think) for me.
And I do mean cute. Pretty brown hair, brown eyes, a Florida tan, etc.
This U.S.O. (they have 6 in Starke) is a pretty place – “Calif style.” (13 June)
"Am in Starke now waiting to catch a bus for Williston
where there is a cute 18-year-old girl waiting (I think) for me.
And I do mean cute. Pretty brown hair, brown eyes, a Florida tan, etc.
This U.S.O. (they have 6 in Starke) is a pretty place – “Calif style.” (13 June)
(In February of 1941 President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the U.S.O. -- a group of
United Service Organizations -- to provide soldiers, their families, and defense workers
with support services, entertainment, and recreation.)
United Service Organizations -- to provide soldiers, their families, and defense workers
with support services, entertainment, and recreation.)
 |
| Letter home, June 13, 1941, family scan |
John Edward
ended this letter
with thanks to his mother
for writing to a friend.
ended this letter
with thanks to his mother
for writing to a friend.
Letter writing was
a serious endeavor
and a significant way to
support soldiers --
whether or not one
knew them personally.
a serious endeavor
and a significant way to
support soldiers --
whether or not one
knew them personally.
