Birth and Death of a
World War II Army
Camp- Camp Van Dorn,
Mississippi- Page 4
World War II Army
Camp- Camp Van Dorn,
Mississippi- Page 4
99th Infantry Division
| WORLD WAR II SERVICE OF THE 99TH AND 63RD INFANTRY DIVISIONS 99th Infantry Division The 99th arrived in England 10 October 1944, then moved to LeHarve, France on 3 November 1944. From there they proceeded to Aubel. Belgium, to prepare for combat. Their first combat action came on 9 November 1944, finally meeting the test during the Battle of The Bulge. I like to think that their hard, tough, rigorous training received in my home at Camp Van Dorn helped to reverse action of the German breakthrough. A recent book- "A time for Trumpets" by Charles McDonald supports my belief. The 99th crossed the Rhine at Remagen on 11 March 1945. Attacked the Ruhr Pocket on 5 April and after fierce resistance the Ruhr Pocket collapsed with the fall of Iserlohn on 16 April 1945. Their last drive began 23 April as the 99th crossed the Ludwig Canal and established a bridgehead over the Altmuhl River on 24 April. The Danube was crossed near Eining on the 27th and the Isar at Landshut on 1 May after Glesenhausen, when VE day came. Campaigns: Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe Casualties according to Army Almanac: 6553 Days in Combat: 151 The 63rd Infantry Division The advance party of the 63rd Infantry Division consisting of the three (3) infantry regiments, left Camp Van Dorn on 6 November 1944 under the command of Brigadier General Frederick M. Harris, enroute to Camp Shanks, New York. Two weeks were necessary for the final shakedown and to arrange the logistics for overseas transportation. At the end of November the GI's were drawn up in platoon and company formation on the dock, served coffee and donuts by American Red Cross girls; the port military band played inspirational music and the gang plank awaited. The principal transport in the convoy was HMS Saturnia, a converted Italian luxury liner captured intact with its crew by the British Navy. After an eleven (11) day crossing the Saturnia passed through the Straits of Gibraltar on the night of 6 December and entered the port of Marseilles, France on 8 December 1944. On 16 December the regiments began the long awaited movement toward the front lines and their several assignments to bolster the veteran divisions already in position. The first units of the 63rd entered combat on 22 December 1944. In action taking place at various locations throughout the Vosges Mountains surrounding the plains, canals and vineyards of the Colmar Pocket, the 254th Infantry Regiment earned a Presidential Unit Citation and a French Croix de Guerre with Palm . Additionally five of its officers were awarded individual Croix de Guerres. During January the last of the components of the 63rd had been transferred to France and on 6 February 1945, the Division entered combat in the vicinity of Sarreguimines. The stage was being set for the most difficult undertaking to date- that of neutralizing the ground in front of the formidable Siegfried Line and breeching the principal barrier to Hitler's 1000 year Reich. Both Seventh Army and Corps had selected the 63rd Division to crack open the West Wall and shake the armor loose for eventual link-up with Patton's Third Army to the North.. H-hour was 0100 on 15 March 1945. The mission was successful and was completed in five days of incredible fighting. The action was only possible because of inumerable instances of individual and small unit heroics. Yes, the excesses in final training at Camp Van Dorn, Mississippi, prepared these "Hot Shots" for this test! The capture of Landsberg on 30 April 1945 completed the 63rd Division's combat career a few days short of the final Axis surrender and after almost continous frontline engagement since 22 December 1944. Campaigns: Rhineland, Ardennes/Alsace and Central Europe Battle and non-battle Casualties: 8019 (Over 10,000 including over 1000 Killed in Action) Days in Combat: 119 Prisoners Taken: 21,542 (Webmasters Note: Updated casualties figures are shown in parenthesis- Additionally, 63rd men were the recipients of two (2) Medals of Honor and nine(9) Distinguished Service Crosses. Units of the 63rd Infantry Division received Seven(7) Presidential Unit Citations and One (1) French Croix de Guerre with palm.) My research has turned up a number of Army Officers that have held high positons in the military--to name a few that have Van Dorn connections: General Earle G Wheeler, Chief of Staff of the 99th and 63rd Infantry Divisions, later became Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. General Frederick J. Krosen recently retired as Commander of all forces in Europe. He arrived at Camp Van Dorn as a new Lietuenant just out of Benning OCS. His first assignment was Company E, 254th Infantry Regiment on 9 August 1944. General Harry Collins, Assistant Division Commander of the 99th , later became the Division Commander of the 42d (Rainbow) Division. He left Camp Van Dorn to take over command of the 42d in Oklahoma. No doubt there are many, army officers and enlisted men that held postions of great responsibility and came to Centreville as young soldiers- and I simply refuse to let Van Dorn and the memory of Van Dorn fade away! CLOSING OF CAMP VAN DORN Non-divisional units gradually departed Van Dorn as the war ended. No other large units (Division size) were stationed here after the 63rd departed in December 1944. Van Dorn was declared surplus 1 October 1945 and certified to the War Assets Administration 18 March 1946. An article from Jackson Daily News dated 20 February 1947 indicates that the almost 42,000 acres will be advertised for sale and processing will begin in the near future. Jackson Daily News, 1 April 1947- "(1) Former owners will be able to re-purchase their lands starting 15 June 1947, estimated completion date 30 November 1947. (2) Two values will be placed upon these lands- the current value and the price paid by the Government, plus improvements and less damages. Former owners will be given the opportunity to buy back their lands at whichever of these two values is the lower. (3) Government will retain no mineral rights. The Government will "quit Claim," everything that was purchased. (4) Federal Land Bank will handle sales, advertising, appraisal and so forth. Government agenceies will be allowed 10 days to make known any lands they wish to retain, former owners will be given 90 days to recover original property. (5) Registered letters will be sent outlining Government plans (6) No information could be given concerning restoration of bridges, roads, churches and schools that were destroyed." REUNIONS Many militrary organizations have Associations, the 99th and 63rd are no exception. Many of you probably belong to such associations. I am an Associate Member of both the 99th and 63rd, also a member and attend reunions of my own WWII Air Force Unit, the 94th Fighter Squadron (Hat-in-the Ring) of the 1st Fighter Group. In July 1981, the 63rd Infantry Division Association decided to return to Mississippi for their 33rd annual reunion- The reunion was actually held in Jackson with one day set aside to return to Camp Van Dorn, their first visit as a group since departure in December 1944. I, being the Van Dorn coordinator, was overwhelmed with the reponse of those returning. A planned program at the site where the camp flag was flown in the vicinity of Division and Camp Headquarters was a highlight- Centreville's own Boy Scout Troop 155 actually actrivated Camp Van Dorn for the day with an impressive flag raising ceremony, then retiring the colors for presentation to the Association in memory of this day. Between these activities a ride through was made in the cantonment area, a picnic was held in Camp and many pictures were made especially at the original main MP gate where the Scouts had erected an exact replica of the MP Gatehouse that everyone remembered. This article concerning Camp Van Dorn, Mississippi and the military units indicated was researched by L. M. Caulfield. (Webmasters Note: Mr. Caulfield is deceased, however his son Ron Caulfield has assumed the role of Camp Van Dorn Historian. If you wish to contact him you can do so at PO Box 9915, Jackson MS. 39286 or by telephone (H) 601-366-6513 or (W) 601-987-1410. Mr Ron Caulfield can also be reached by e-mail at rcaulfield@mdps.state.ms.us I thank Mr Caulfield for his help in obtaining additional photos and materials relating to Camp Van Dorn) Information was secured by Mr. L. M. Caulfield from many sources to include: Microfilm on file of newspapers of the local area, personal contact with many individuals stationed at Camp van Dorn, unit histories, many on-site visits to Camp van Dorn, Maps/drawings/photos, participation with Division association reunions, and personal visits to the Military History Institute at Carlisle Barracks Pennsylvania. Visits to the Centreville town Hall and Centreville Library may also be helpful. 13 March 1986 S/ L. M. Caulfield NOTE: Photos provided by Mr Caulfield are posted on the Photo Tour of Camp Van Dorn Section. You can start at Page 1 of the Tour for all of the Van Dorn pictures or Page 19 to see the photos provided by Mr Caulfield |
17 Oct 13
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