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When did Divisions become Infantry Divisions?


Brian Keith
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Specifically, I'm wondering when they renamed the 38th Division, the 38th Infantry Division. I know I've read it somewhere.

Thanks,

BKW

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Thanks Much!

My 1941 Camp Shelby 1941 yearbook is called the Thirty-Eight Division. I wasn't sure when it changed.

BKW

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Hi Brian

 

Prior to 1942 the US only had sent "Infantry" known plainly as Divisions (eg: 1st Division) to WWI.

 

At home they had Cavalry Divisions albeit not fully organized for RA and NG up to march 1942.

 

1941/42 was a major reorganization US GHQ structure ( AAF, ASF and AGF) and the implementation of new plans and new Troop basis to formulate new TO&E build up.

 

At one stage there were thoughts of a 300 Division Army , then revised to 187 then to 125 then to 115 and finally a total of 89 Div. sent from the US. 2 were instigated overseas.

 

This resulted in the various new "type" Divisions (Triangulized as opposed to Square) , Infantry,Cavalry, Armored,Airborne, Mountain.

 

From 1942-44 the Army experimented with "experimental" Infantry Division structures ( Based on Theatre requirements) converting some to Light Divisions , Motorized Divisions, Pack Jungle Division, Light Alpine Divisions based on personnel assigned, this came and passed and they fell into the above "Type" Divisions.

 

Amoured were "Heavy" 1st and 2nd. 3rd onwards were regarded as Light based on requirements, incidentally when offered to PTO, MacArthur and the like said no , due to tactics and the amount of storage space it takes up

 

Quite an interesting period in the mobilization of the US military and Industrial might in such a short period of time.

 

I always equate it to the sleeping Giant opened one eye , flared a nostril puffed and went back to sleep , meaning the true full capacity of the US was never tested and that is to this day, irrespective of the other 2 major protagonist.

 

Phill

 

 

 

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Lets see what Mr Stanton has.

 

Ah yes, so barring any sort of typos.

 

For those Regular Army (excepting the a fore mentioned 25th, and it's sister the 24th, and the 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th which were redesignated Motorized) and National Guard Divisions, various dates throughout 1942 starting in February.

 

For those Reactivated Divisions of the Reserve if they were reactivated in 1942, then again various dates (a few were redesignated after they were designated Infantry, to wit, the 76th and 78th redesignated Replacement Pool Division, though here I'm not sure it was their official desingation, 89th redesignated Light, the 90th redesignated Motorized, but like their Regular Army counterparts would in time be Re-redesignated Infantry.

 

The high numbered Reserve Ones reactivated in late 1942-1943 and newly activated Divisions of the Army of the United States or AUS, (excepting the 10th and 71st which were designated Light on activation), then they were activated as Infantry Divisions.

 

A sampling

 

RA

1st Division -1st Infantry Division 15 May 1942

 

9th Division-9th Infantry Division 1 August 1942

 

NG

35th Division-35th Infantry Division 1 March 1942

 

36th Division-36th Infantry Division 1 February 1942

 

OR

77th Division-77th Infantry Division 20 May 1942

 

79th Division-79th Infantry Division 1 August 1942

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Salvage Sailor

An excellent online detailed US Army interwar order of battle reference for the members.....

 

US Army Order of Battle 1919-1941, US Army Combined Arms Center

 

Volume 1. The Arms: Major Commands and Infantry Organizations 1919-1941

http://www.cgsc.edu/carl/download/csipubs/Clay/Ord_Battle_Vol1.pdf

 

Volume 2. The Arms: Cavalry, Field Artillery and Coast Artillery 1919-1941

http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/cgsc/carl/download/csipubs/OrderOfBattle/OrderofBattle2.pdf

 

Volume 3. The Services: Air Service, Engineer, and Special Troops Organizations 1919-1941

http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/cgsc/carl/download/csipubs/OrderOfBattle/OrderofBattle3.pdf

 

Volume 4. Quartermaster, Medical, Military Police, Signal Corps, Chemical Warfare, and Miscellaneous Organizations 1919-1941

http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/cgsc/carl/download/csipubs/OrderOfBattle/OrderofBattle4.pdf

 

 

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