"Our second war," John Edward wrote on the 24th of
August 1941, "started last night at midnight."
The second round of the Louisiana Maneuvers
war simulation had begun.
Rifles
loaded with blanks, and wooden weapons when
those ran out, were redistributed.
Airplanes were equipped with more flour bombs and artillery sand-bag shells.
Tanks and trucks with large signs identifying them as various military vehicles
were moved to newly designated starting positions.
Mess halls and mail call continued to serve the troops spread across Louisiana.
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| Mail call in the field, Louisiana Maneuvers, 1941, Army photo |
Umpires stationed themselves across Louisiana and prepared to
grade officers of both the Red Army and the Blue Army.
This evaluation remained one of the priorities of
Gen. Marshall as the troops were trained.
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| Gen. Patton during the maneuvers, Army pho |
The mission of each Army was
to take control of a city
and headquarters in the
other's territory.
The Blue Army, to which
John Edward was assigned,
was to take control of Shreveport.
The 2nd Armored Unit
of this Army was led by
Gen. Patton, who
demonstrated innovative
leadership and would later have
a significant role in the
military career of John Edward.
When the second war began,
Gen. Patton laid out his plans.
He circled his trucks, tanks, and
other vehicles,
and led them through east Texas
to swiftly approach Shreveport
from behind the Red Army.
The troops rose to the challenge of the top-speed movement
ordered by Gen. Patton and barrelled through east Texas.
Tanks were refilled with the five gallon jerry cans carried by convoys and any
needed repairs were made in record time.
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| Filling jerry cans for the Louisiana Maneuvers, 1941, Army photo |
The gambit
was threatened,
however,
when fuel
allotted to the
Blue Army
grew scarce.
Gen. Patton
simply ordered
vehicles refuel at
gas stations
in towns
along their route.
For John Edward, battles in training were exponentially less
turbulent than the battles he experienced with
perpetual refusal of promotion due to his stuttering.
For John Edward could not envision the duration
of his service as Private First Class -- to which
he would be mandated if continuously denied promotion.
This was a particularly grievous prospect now that service had been
prolonged from one year to three.
So he considered strategies to get out of this now-extended
three year commitment. He also turned to his mother for help as we see
in his long August 24 letter. It was addressed to "Dear Mother,"
rather than "Dear family," "Dear Folks," or "Hello Folksies."
John Edward began:
"Well, I'll have to hand it to you -- you sure are trying to
get me out of this thing."
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| John Edward letter to his mother, August 24, 1941, family scan |
With his questions, we learn that John Edward did not know
with whom his mother was talking. And further on we learn that some
particularly dire incident had galvanized her.
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| John Edward letter to his mother, August 24, 1941, family scan |
We also read about his latest conversation regarding promotion.
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| John Edward letter to his mother, August 24, 1941, family scan |
But John Edward was not one to give up.
In addition to the strategic move
to keep Cousin Jim (Col. Jim Caviness)
involved without relying on him, he wrote about a
quite involved machination planned with
a mysterious influential man.
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| John Edward letter to his mother, August 24, 1941, family scan |
These evolving plans were underscored by a new determination.
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| John Edward letter to his mother, August 24, 1941, family scan |
Over the years, with the help of his parents and professionals,
John Edward had repeatedly tried to stop stuttering.
This, however, marks a different and distinctive intention -- underscored by
his handwritten note, "unquote."
Several paragraphs followed with updates on Ruth, concluding with
another revealing reference to her as "one's future wife (I hope).
John Edward letter to his mother, August 24, 1941, continued, family scan
Overwhelming frustration continued throughout the Louisiana maneuvers;
letters were written from various towns and camps where his company
was quartered -- his typewriter seemingly always on hand.
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| John Edward in the field, Louisiana Maneuvers, 1941, family scan |
The next letter, again addressed only to his mother,
marked a decisive resolution.
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| John Edward letter to his mother, September 5, 1941, family scan |
As well as information on the next training for officers.
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| Continuation of John Edward's letter to his mother, September 5, 1941, family scan |
Toward the end of the letter John Edward gives us a rare glimpse into the maneuvers.
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| Continuation of John Edward's letter to his mother, September 5, 1941, family scan |
He ended the letter with wit and humor.
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| Conclusion of John Edward's letter to his mother, September 5, 1941, family scan |
in response to a humorous comment by his mother -- that
his company was in the rear.
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| John Edward letter to his mother, September 15, 1941, family scan |
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| John Edward letter to his mother, September 15, 1941, family scan |
However, in the midst of continued denials
for promotion or acceptance to Officer Candidate School,
there is report of a vindicating event.
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| John Edward letter to his mother, September 15, 1941, family scan |
by some outside and inside of his company.
and troop training, continued.
And the weather cooperated with another hurricane.
Gen. Marshall's orders for realistic war simulation was supported
by the miserable conditions it brought.
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| John Edward letter to his mother, September 24, 1941, family scan |
had written in support of him attending
officer training -- but the letter had been forwarded
so often it was too late to help.
 |
| John Edward letter to his mother, September 24, 1941, family scan |
was approaching its end.
By September 28 the Blue Army had soundly trounced the Red Army.
Shortly afterwards Gen. Ben Lear, commander of the Red Army, protested.
When Gen. Patton had taken his unit into east Texas, Gen. Lear complained,
they went outside of the designated maneuver area.
Furthermore, local gasoline was not part of the allocated fuel supply.
Gen
Patton replied:
"I am unaware of the existence of any rules in war."
This was the sort of creative leadership Gen. Marshall was looking for.
Out of 41 senior commanders graded by umpires
during the two mock wars, 31 (including Lear) were replaced.
Other officers stood out for their leadership:
Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar Bradley, George Patton, and Mark Clark.
The Louisiana Maneuvers was accomplishing its dual purpose: to identify
those who could successfully lead well-trained troops to victory.
Join us back at Camp Bowie in the next post.
