Army Ground Forces, Study No. 1

NOTES

CHAPTER XI

1. Par 4, memo (S) WPD 4558 for CofS USA, 30 Aug 41, sub: Functions responsibilities and Authority of GHQ. 320.21 (S).

2. Par 1, memo (S) of Lt Col G. P. Hays, GHQ representative for CofS GHQ, 23 Aug 41, sub: Functions and Responsibilities of GHQ. 320.2/1 (S). See also par 1-2, memo (S) of Gen McNair for Gen Bryden, DCofS WD, 21 Oct 41, sub: Functions Responsibilities and Authority of GHQ. 320.2/1 (S). The authority for the statement that only one member of the Board opposed reorganization is par 6, memo (S) of CofAAF for ACofS WD, 24 Oct 41, sub as above. AGO Records, WPD 4558 (S).

3. WPD memo (S) for CofS USA, _Aug 41, sub: Orgn of the Army High Comd. 320.2/1 (S).

4. (1) Memo (S) WPD 4558 for CofS USA, _ Aug 41, sub: Functions, Responsibilities and Authority of GHQ. Ibid. This copy proposed to withdraw all bases from the control of GHQ; a copy dated 30 Aug 41 in AGO Records, WPD 4558 (S), left Iceland under its control. The principle observed was that GHQ was to control bases and theaters only when they became active. (2) The second attempt was embodied in memo (S) WPD 3209-10 for CofS USA, Nov 41, sub: GHQ Directive. AGO Records, WPD 3209-10 (S).

5. The comments and nonconcurrences of GHQ (2 Sep), of G-1 WD (15 Sep), of G-2 WD (18 Sep), of G-4 WD, and of CofAAF (24 Oct) on the memo of 30 Aug are in AGO Records, WPD 4558 (S). The substitute study was WD memo for CofS USA,          _Nov 41, sub: GHQ Directive. The memo and nonconcurrences of G-3 WD (8 Nov), of G-4 WD (8 Nov), of TAG (10 Nov), of G-2 WD (12 Nov), of G-1 WD (13 Nov), and of CofAAF (14 Nov) are in AGO Records, WPD 3209-10 (S). In spite of the nonconcurrences, this memo was submitted to the Chief of Staff for approval. On 29 November it was “still on General Marshall’s desk—not approved yet.” Penciled note on memo (S) of Brig Gen H. F. Loomis for Ben Bryden, 22 Nov 41, sub: GHQ Directive. Ibid.

6. Par 3, memo (S) of Gen McNair for CofS WD, 25 Jul 41, sub: Defense Comds. 320.2/32. (Gen Str)(S).

7. Quotations from various memos (S) of Col Hays for CofS GHQ, Aug 41. 320.2/1 (S).

8. Memo (S) of Col Hays for CofS GHQ, 29 Aug 41, sub not given (evidently a comment on the first draft of memo (S) WPD 4558 for CofS USA, 30 Aug 41, sub: Functions, Responsibilities and Authority of GHQ.) Ibid.

9. Memo of DCofS GHQ for CofS GHQ, 5 Dec 41, sub: GHQ Reorgn. 320.2/3/108.

10. Par 1-4, Sec I, memo (S) WPD 3209-10 for CofS USA, Jun 41, sub: Enlargement of the Functions of GHQ. 320.2/1 (S).

11. See above, p 75.

12. “Conference on GHQ functions is off on a new track and boils down to WD not wanting to give up any authority.” Min (S) of Staff Conferences, GHQ, 22 Aug 41, G-3 speaking. 337 (S).

13. GHQ memo (S) for CofS USA, 15 Aug 41, sub: Functions, Responsibilities and Authority of GHQ. AGO Records, WPD 4558 (S), Tab 11.

14. Par 12, Sec I, WPD memo (S) for CofS USA, _Aug 41, sub: Functions and Authority of GHQ. Incl to GHQ memo (S) of Gen McNair for DCofS, 11 Aug 41, sub as above. 320.2/(S).

15. Pars 9 and 11, Sec I, memo (S) WPD 4558 for CofS, 30 Aug 41, sub: Functions, Responsibilities and Authority of GHQ.          320.21 (S).

16. Par 7, memo (S) of CofAAF for ACofS WD, 24 Oct 41, sub: Functions, Responsibilities and Authority of GHQ. AGO Records, WPD 4558 (S).

17. (1) “GHQ does not have an organization empowered or prepared to implement a supply plan for military operations.” Par 1 f, memo of Gen Brehon Somervell for CofS USA, 18 Jan 42. AGO Records, G-4/34015. (2) The matter was regulated as desired by G-4 by direction of the Chief of Staff, USA, in memo for CG FF, 24 Jan 42, sub: Coordination between WPD, G-4 WDGS, GHQ and Overseas Theater Commanders. Ibid. (3) The statement regarding the point of view of GHQ is based on interviews of AGF Historical Officer with Maj. Gen. Harry J. Malony and Brig. Gen. Paul McD. Robinett.

18. Par 4, memo (S) of Gen McNair for ACofS WPD, 2 Sep 41, sub: Responsibility and Authority of GHQ. 320.21 (S).

19. Par 4, GHQ memo (S) of Gen McNair for Gen Bryden, DCofS WD, Functions, Responsibilities and Authority of GHQ.          Ibid.

20. Par 1, memo of Gen McNair for the CofS USA, 10 Nov 41, sub: Proposed Revised Draft of AR 95-5. McNair Correspondence with the CofS USA.

21. (1) Memo (S) of CofAAF for ACofS WPD, 24 Oct 41, sub: Functions, Responsibilities and Authority of GHQ: AGO Records, WPD 4558 (S). (2) Memo (S) of CofAAF for CofS USA, Nov 41, sub: Reorgn of the WD. AGO Records, WPD 4614 (S). (3) Memo of Chief of Air Staff for ACofS WPD, 14 Nov 41, sub: GHQ Directive. AGO Records, WPD 3209-10.

22. (1) Notes for record with memo (S) WPD 4614 for CofS USA, 18 Nov 41, sub: Orgn of the Armed Forces for War. (2) Memo (S) OCS 21278-6 for ACofS WPD, 25 Nov 41, sub not given. Both in AGO Records, WPD 4614 (Orgn of Armd Forces for War)(S).

23. Reference to the Air Forces plan will be found in item (2), note 21 above. For the initial WPD study see memo (S) for CofS USA, _Aug 41, sub: Orgn of the Army High Comd. Copies in 320.2/1 (S) and AGO Records, WPD 4618 (S).        The latter copy has probably been erroneously rubber-stamped “Nov 1941,” perhaps when the project was revived.

24. Memo of Gen McNair for Gen McNarney, WPD WD, 6 Feb 42, sub: Reorgn of 320.2/1168. On 16 January a draft initialled “H(arrison)” had gone to the Plans Section, WPD, with a nonconcurrence of G-3 WD.

25. Ltr of Gen McNair to Maj Gen E. F. McGlachlin, 4 Mar 42.  McNair Correspondence.

26. The task was given to the Plans Group, WPD, on 25 November, and on 28 November Maj C. K. Gailey, the Executive of WPD, requested that “one officer each be designated by the CofAAF and the ACofS, G-1, G-3 and G-4 to collaborate with WPD (Lt Col W. K. Harrison).” Memo (S) WPD 4614 for the Sec WDGS, 28 Nov 41. AGO Records, WPD 4614 (S). Par 3 requested the assignment of Lt Col. Sebree, G-1, Lt. Col Shelton, G-3, and Lt. Col. Reichelderfer, G-4, “who are already well acquainted with the subject.”

27. (1) Memo (C) OCS 16600-82 for CofS GHQ, 11 Feb 42, sub not given. 020/1 (C). (2) GHQ memo (C) for Sec WDGS, signed Hyssong, 12 Feb 42, sub: Executive Committee WD Reorganization. Ibid.

28. In 337 (S).

29. On 25 February Gen. Malony was relieved and assigned to the Munitions Assignment Board. WD ltr AG 210.31 (2-24-42) OD-A to CG GHQ, 25 Feb 42, sub: Orders. AGO Records.

30. Cir 59, WD, 2 Mar 42.

31. The phrase used in Par 2, Sec I, WPD memo (S) for CofS USA, _ Aug 41, sub: Orgn of the Army High Comd. 320.2/1 (S).

32. Statement of Secretary of War Stimson to the press, as reported by the New York Times, 5 Mar 42. See also the statement of General McNarney before the Senate Committee on Military Affairs, 6 Mar 42. Hearing on S 2092, 77th Congress, Second Session.

33. (1) The functioning of GHQ as now contemplated “is restrictive of the responsibilities charged to the Army Air Forces with respect to planning for air operations pertaining to theaters of operations and task forces.” Par 5, memo (S) of CofAAF for the CofS USA, 24 Oct 41, sub: Functions, Responsibilities and Authority of GHQ. AGO Records, WPD 4558 (S).      (2) “An air theater of operation should be recognized... Under the present conception, such a theater is controlled by GHQ.” Conflict “could be avoided only by superimposing the GHQ over the War Department.” Par 9 a and b, ibid.

34. See the essay on the “priceless attributes of air power,” par a, memo (S) of CofAAF for CofS USA, __ Nov 41, sub: Reorgn of the WD. AGO Records, WPD 4614 (S).

35. Only two exceptions to this estimate of GHQ are recorded: (1) Brig. Gen. Wade H. Haislip, G-1 WD, believed that the interposition of GHQ between the Chief of Staff and corps area had broken “down the mobilization machinery of the Army. It serves no useful purpose, except to give GHQ a job.” Par 2 a (1), memo (S) G-1/16338-8 for ACofS WPD, 15 Sep 41, sub:          Functions, Responsibilities and Authority of GHQ. AGO Records, WPD 4558 (S). (2) General Sherman Miles, G-2 WD, expressed concern regarding the “general state of intelligence training of all echelons.” He thought improvement of such training was a War Department function and that the training function of GHQ should be withdrawn. Memo of Gen Miles (S) for ACofS WPD, 12 Nov 41, sub: GHQ Dir. AGO Records, WPD 3209-10 (S). The comment of WPD, 22 Nov 41, was that GHQ’s “training responsibilities... have been exercised satisfactorily since activation of that headquarters.”

36. In August 1941, WPD observed: “The duties and responsibilities of GHQ have not been clearly defined. GHQ is developing however as a Commander of Army Ground Forces.” Par 9, Sec I, WPD memo (S) for CofS, _ Aug 41, sub: Functions and Authority of GHQ. Incl to GHQ memo (S) of Gen McNair for DCofS GHQ, 11 Aug 41, sub as above. 320.2/4 (S).


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