Chapter 6
Return to Duty
6-1 – Relocation Camp, Day 1
After several days in the hospital, Tony was approved for duty and transferred to the reassignment camp. Upon checking in, Tony informed the sergeant that he was ready to return to his squad. From his desk, the sergeant looked up in surprise, the laughed. He told Tony that his position in the squad had been replaced, and that when a position was open, he would be notified. The policy was to not return personnel to their original tank battalion.
When Tony went to the barracks, there was a lot of interest in him. There were several men waiting for assignment, and none had seen action. Tony, had been at or behind enemy lines for five months.
The asked Tony how it was on the front line. Tony responded that most of the time it was not too bad, but it did get rough once in a while. In hindsight, that is a pretty accurate description. When tanks see action, they are the high value targets in the field and they are also the source of destruction. Action is not frequent, but when it happens, it can be intense. When not in action, the tank allows for refuge and storage beyond that available to most infantry.
6-2 – Relocation Camp, Day 2
First thing on day 2 at the relocation camp, Tony was ordered to report to the sergeant he met the first day.
From the desk, this time the sergeant stared at Tony for a few seconds, and then spoke. “This has never happened before.” “You have orders to report back to your squad.” “Get your stuff.” “The jeep is waiting.”
When Tony went to the barracks and mentioned he received his assignment, one of the men looked at him and spoke. “How can this be?” “I have been here for days without assignment, and you just arrived yesterday?”
6-3 – Return to the Battalion
The jeep took Tony to Battalion headquarters, where Tony checked in. The clerk informed Tony of the location of his squad, and Tony proceeded to squad.
When Tony arrived, the men were at the tanks ready to head out. Tony approached Walson’s tank. Walson spotted Tony. Turned to the replacement gunner beside him and promptly informed the replacement that he was relieved of duty. Walson then told Tony to get his ass back on tank. The Squad applauded!
6-1 – Reassignment Policies and Impact on the War Effort
Different accountings emerge as to policies in WWII for returning one’s original battalions. It is clear that policies changed as the war progressed. And based on Tony’s personal experience, the policy for tank crews was that men did not return to their original squad after recovery from injuries.
German command knew they did not have the resources to fight a battle of attrition against the allies on the Western Europe theater. The objective of the Battle of the Bulge was to break the desire of the American soldiers to fight. Instead, what emerged were ally victories and soldiers eager to fight. On occasion, men like Tony emerged who were not eager to fight, but going to do everything in their power to protect their brothers in arms and make the war end as soon as possible. German command began to see this, and in addition to realizing that they had lost the war, they realized that had lost the war to a superior and very worthy force.
After several days in the hospital, Tony was approved for duty and transferred to the reassignment camp. Upon checking in, Tony informed the sergeant that he was ready to return to his squad. From his desk, the sergeant looked up in surprise, the laughed. He told Tony that his position in the squad had been replaced, and that when a position was open, he would be notified. The policy was to not return personnel to their original tank battalion.
When Tony went to the barracks, there was a lot of interest in him. There were several men waiting for assignment, and none had seen action. Tony, had been at or behind enemy lines for five months.
The asked Tony how it was on the front line. Tony responded that most of the time it was not too bad, but it did get rough once in a while. In hindsight, that is a pretty accurate description. When tanks see action, they are the high value targets in the field and they are also the source of destruction. Action is not frequent, but when it happens, it can be intense. When not in action, the tank allows for refuge and storage beyond that available to most infantry.
6-2 – Relocation Camp, Day 2
First thing on day 2 at the relocation camp, Tony was ordered to report to the sergeant he met the first day.
From the desk, this time the sergeant stared at Tony for a few seconds, and then spoke. “This has never happened before.” “You have orders to report back to your squad.” “Get your stuff.” “The jeep is waiting.”
When Tony went to the barracks and mentioned he received his assignment, one of the men looked at him and spoke. “How can this be?” “I have been here for days without assignment, and you just arrived yesterday?”
6-3 – Return to the Battalion
The jeep took Tony to Battalion headquarters, where Tony checked in. The clerk informed Tony of the location of his squad, and Tony proceeded to squad.
When Tony arrived, the men were at the tanks ready to head out. Tony approached Walson’s tank. Walson spotted Tony. Turned to the replacement gunner beside him and promptly informed the replacement that he was relieved of duty. Walson then told Tony to get his ass back on tank. The Squad applauded!
6-1 – Reassignment Policies and Impact on the War Effort
Different accountings emerge as to policies in WWII for returning one’s original battalions. It is clear that policies changed as the war progressed. And based on Tony’s personal experience, the policy for tank crews was that men did not return to their original squad after recovery from injuries.
German command knew they did not have the resources to fight a battle of attrition against the allies on the Western Europe theater. The objective of the Battle of the Bulge was to break the desire of the American soldiers to fight. Instead, what emerged were ally victories and soldiers eager to fight. On occasion, men like Tony emerged who were not eager to fight, but going to do everything in their power to protect their brothers in arms and make the war end as soon as possible. German command began to see this, and in addition to realizing that they had lost the war, they realized that had lost the war to a superior and very worthy force.