Ed & Ray Hersman in WWII - Robert Marks.org

3.4. ARMY TRAINING Ed & Ray Hersman in WWIIJeep 1 had come for me to report back to camp to enter a special school andfor reassignment.I do not know to this day why I was reassigned. It could have been that myturning down the squad leaders job was the key. It could also have been thatI really was “hand picked” for the job as they claimed. The training consistedof the following: ground and motorized reconnaissance, map reading, mapsketching, terrain study, aerial photograph interpretation, recognizance andcombat patrolling, infighting with knives, garrotes, hand to hand etc., settingup and manning observation posts, camouflage, firing and knowing how touse enemy weapons (German) aircraft identification, mine detection, gettingover rough terrain (Ranger courses), radio use (but not Morse code), settingmines, tank identification, calling mortar and artillery fire. The traininglasted for about three months. Weekend leaves were spent in Indianapolis.We had USO to go to, and generally there were shows, dances etc. whichservice men attend. One weekend I saw “Truth Or Consequences” by RalphEdwards. 2 One weekend John Hamilton came down from the Great LakesNaval Training Center, and we ran around for a day or two.I received my first furlough at around this time and went home for twoweeks.3.4.3 Maneuvers in NashvilleIn July 1943 we went on maneuvers near Nashville, Tennessee.The areawere the maneuvers were held was hot, dry and extremely rocky (limestone).The maneuvers consisted of two armies, “red” and “blue”, who ought againsteach other in mock battles. We made many forced marches and were allowed1 See Figure 4.7.2 Truth or Consequences, an American quiz show, was originally hosted on NBC radioby Ralph Edwards (1940-57) and later on television. Contestants had to answer a triviaquestion correctly. The question was usually an off-the-wall question that no one would beable to answer correctly, or a bad joke. If the contestant could not complete the “Truth”portion, there would be “Consequences,” usually a crazy and embarrassing stunt.28