Preparation for War

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  The regimental cantonment at Harmony Chruch, Fort Benning, in March 1940 was mostly a tent camp with roads scraped into the sand.

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  H Company encampment area at Harmony Church, Fort Benning, GA, 1940.

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  The Medical Detachment Dispensary in the field at Fort Benning, GA, 1940.

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  Pvt Howard “Buck” Shute at Fort Benning. Shute was a medic with the Medical Detachment.

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  “Junk on the Bunk” inspection at Fort Benning.

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  At Fort Devens, gone were the comfortable brick barracks of Fort Jay. This wooden barracks block housed some of the companies of the regiment.

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  This was home to the 16th Infantry Medical Detachment at Fort Devens, MA in 1941.

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  The Med Det dispensary at Fort Devens.

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  The 16th Infantry post exchange at Fort Devens, spring 1941.

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  Troops of the 16th at “Rest” in the company street at Fort Devens.

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  Troops of the 16th Infantry on a road march at Fort Devens, spring 1941.

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  Though wartime training drastically increased at Fort Devens, regimental leaders still made time for a few parades. Here the regiment passes in review.

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  The USAT Chateau Thierry transported parts of the 16th Infantry to Culebra Island near Puerto Rico for amphibious training during December 1940 to February 1941.

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  While stationed at Fort Devens, the regiment rotated battalions to conduct amphibious operations in the cold waters of Buzzard’s Bay, MA. Here 16th Infantry troops land in heavy overcoats about February or March 1941.

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  The USAT Kent loads troops, vehicles, and equipment of the 16th Infantry in preparation for amphibious training at Buzzard’s Bay, MA, on 4 June 1941.

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  Troops of the 16th Infantry descend into waiting Higgins boats at Buzzard’s Bay, 4 June 1941.

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  Higgins boats of the USAT Kent preparing to run to shore at Buzzard’s Bay.

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  The USS Wakefield transported the regiment from Brooklyn Army Base to New River, NC, for amphibious training. in July-August 1941.

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  The USS Wakefield tied up at the Brooklyn Army Base waiting for the regiment to embark.

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  Troops of the 16th Infantry on the fantail of the USS Wakefield just before she sails off for the New River exercises.

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  Physical exercise was an almost daily routine for the soldiers of the regiment en route to and return from the New River amphibious exercises in 1941.

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  The exercises at New River included many Higgins boats. These were an early version of the famous WWII LCVP but lacked armament and the front ramp of later versions.

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  Over the side on the USS Wakefield.

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  With the earlier training conducted at Edgewood Arsenal and Buzzard’s Bay, troops of the 16th Infantry were becoming fairly proficient in negotiating cargo nets by this time.

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  Men of the 16th make their way down cargo nets to a waiting Higgins boat.

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  Troops of the 16th Infantry clamber down cargo nets on the USS Wakefield. By this time, amphibious training had become a staple for the future 1st Division assault regiment.

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  Many lessons were learned from these exercises that ensured the regiment was exceedingly proficient when the real thing transpired in North Africa, Sicily, and especially Omaha Beach.

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  Heading for the beach.

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  The crew of the Wakefield deftly hoist regimental vehicles over the side to the waiting lighters below.

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  Loading a jeep and 37mm AT gun on a LCT lighter.

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  The New River exercise included a significant amount of vehicular transfer operations as well. Here a early version of an LCT lighter heads for shore with an M2 light tank.

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  The landings at New River demonstrated that US military amphibious operations were improving, but were not yet perfected. Here the landing boats form in groups to wait for the movement in, but are not yet using the circling pattern used in later operations.

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  An LCT disgorges its cargo at New River.

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  The Higgins boats, lacking the bow ramp, were more difficult to exit than the later LCVP. Here troops struggle to hold the boat in the surf while others begin to unload it.

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  The New River exercises, while valuable training events, still lacked the efficiency and organization that would be achieved in later amphibious operations by the 16th Infantry.

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  Supplies, equipment, and men begin to pile up on the beach at New River.

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  The regimental signal detachment sets up an antenna on the beach at New River, NC. Note the lack of security and the number of soldiers without helmets.

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  A squad of 16th Infantrymen stroll off the beach to move inland to the attack at New River. As the regiment’s draftees evolved into soldiers casual scenes like this became nonexistant in training events.

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  Glad to get back home, troops of the 16th Infantry arrive at Brooklyn on the USS Wakefield.

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  The 1st Division was sent to train at Camp Blanding, FL, during February through May 1942. This was the cantonment area where the regiment was billeted.

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  Another view of the camp.

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  A company formation at Camp Blanding.

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  A column of troops from the 16th Infantry crosses a pontoon bridge on an exercise.

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  Field Marshal Sir John Dill talks with a 16th Infantryman during his visit to Camp Blanding, 1 May 1942.

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  Dill visited the 1st Division to assess its readiness for deployment.

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  General George C. Marshall accompanied Dill on his visit to the 1st Division. Here Maj. Tegtmyer, regimental surgeon, explains the regiment’s medical evacuation system to the generals.

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  The 16th Infantry, along with the rest of the 1st Infantry Division, sailed to England on the H.M.S. Queen Mary in August 1942.