Jump to content
SASS Wire Forum

Recommended Posts

Posted

https://www.marines.mil/Portals/1/Publications/The United States Marines in Iceland, 1941-1942 PCN 19000412300.pdf

 

Quote

A review of the Army's immediate capabilities convinced the President that the Marine Corps would have to furnish theinitial occupation force for Iceland. Since all Marines, bothregular and reserve, were volunteers, there were no geographical restrictions on their use. On 5 June, Roosevelt directedthe Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Ainiral Harold R. Stark, to have a Marine brigade ready to sail in 15 days' time. The organization of this brigade was facilitated by the fact thata reinforced infantry regiment slated for expeditionary duty was at that moment en route from the west coast to the east. At this time the Marine Corps was heavily committed to aprogram of organizing, equipping, and training two divisions,one on each coast. Since infantry regiments of both divisionswere still forming, they were considerably understrength, andit had been necessary to reinforce the east coast's 1st MarineDivision when it was tabbed for a major role in a proposed landing operation. On 24 May, the Commandant drew on the 2ndMarine Division at Camp Elliott, California, for the necessaryregiment, and Colonel Leo D. Hermle's 6th Marines (Reinforced)was selected "for temporary shore duty beyond the seas." (13) The regiment was brought up to full strength by substantial drafts from the 2d and 8th Marines, (14) and on 28 May it joinedits assigned reinforcing artillery, tank, and service elements.Six days after he received his orders, Colonel Hermle had hiscommand combat loaded; the ships, three large transports and four destroyer transports, sailed from San Diego on 31 May. When it had embarked, this regiment had orders to reportto the Commanding General, I Corps (Provisional), FMF, AtlanticFleet. At that time, its most probable mission appeared to beeither the seizure of Martinique or the occupation of the 3 Azores. Momentous events, however, were developing in Europe, and these served to change the whole pattern of the war, as well as the mission of the regiment. Both British and knerican intelligence indicated that Hitler was getting ready to attack Russia, and soon. Such an event would automatically cancel any immediate threat to Gibraltar and render the Azores venture pointless. President Roosevelt, in fact, ordered a suspension of planning for the Azores operation on 7 June, while preparations for the movement to Iceland proceeded apace. While the 6th Marines' convoy was still in the Pacific heading for the Panama Canal, the wheels were set in motion to complete the organization of the projected brigade. One other major unit, the 5th Defense Battalion at Parris Island, was designated for duty in Iceland; its commanding officer, Colonel Lloyd L. Leech, flew to Washington on 7 June for a two-day round of briefing and reports. The battalion.s antiaircraft guns and gunners were what was wanted, so when the order assign..- ing the 5th Defense to I Corps (Provisional) was published on 10 June the 5-inch Artillery Group was shown as being detached. In addition to the 6th Marines (Reinforced) and the 5th Defense Battalion (less 5-inch Artillery Group), the budding brigade received a company of engineers, a chemical platoon, and a platoon of scout cars from the 1st Marine Division at New River. The port for the hurried assembly of ships, materiel, and men was Charleston, S. C. The men of the 5th Defense Battalion had some inkling of their probable area of employment; Colonel Leech's warning order phoned from Washington on the 8th had directed that special attention be paid to provision of warm clothing. On board the 6th Marines' transports, however, speculation was rife that the regiment was heading for the Caribbean, perhaps for Guantanamo Bay, but more popular was the rumored destination of Martinique. When the convoy turned north after clearing the canal, passed the western end of Cuba, and headed for Charleston most of the "scuttlebutt" still held out for a tropical objective. Needless to say, the issue of winter clothing after the regiment arrived at Charleston on 15 June came as a real "shocker." The severely limited time to assemble arid load out the Iceland force made this cold weather gear "the darndest collection of winter clothing ever assembled;" (15) there were bits and pieces of everything. On the day following the arrival of the 6th Marines in Charleston the 1st Marine Brigade (Provisional) was formally organized; its commander was Brigadier General John Marston. The troop list included: Brigade Headquarters Platoon Brigade Band 6th Marines 5th Defense Battalion (less 5-inch Artillery Group) 2d Battalion, 10th Marines 4 Company A, 2d Tank Battalion (less 3d Platoon) Company A, 2d Medical Battalion Company C, 1st Engineer Battalion 1st Platoon, Company A, 2d Service Battalion 3d Platoon, 1st Scout Company Chemical Platoon

 

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.