US Army Training Center - Yearbook (Fort Bragg, NC)

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amiifxis With thc installation of the Corps of Military Police Radio System in June, 194l, Fort Bragg became one of the first military posts in the country to have a complete two- way radio communications system. By means of this system permanent contact is maintained at all times with the mobile patrol units operating throughout the reservation, with the State Highway Patrol, and with other police radio stations. The 12,000 messages carried over the system have been largely responsible for the recovery of over 375 stolen vehicles, the identification of 4,000 automobile owners, the apprehension of 600 escaped military prisoners, and more than 1,200 absentees and desertcrs. The Military Police Ranger Section operates three sta- tions along the borders of the reservation. The Rangers patrol the Fort's extensive territory to apprehend tres- passers, to steer the unwary from danger on the artillery ranges, to protect and preserve fish and game, and to re- port fires and other natural hazards. They also check on all troops in bivouacs and control speeding along the reser- vation roads. Post traffic is controlled by three motorcycle units, each composed of eight men. These constantly patrol all thoroughfares, stopping traffic violators, and educating drivers and pedestrians as to safety measures. To them fall the duties of guiding convoys, escorting visiting dignitaries, furnishing information and direction, and the tracing of missing or stolen vehicles. ln order to keep soldiers out of trouble and to insure that credit is reflected upon the Service, the Branch main- tains town patrols in Fayetteville and' surrounding com- munities. These patrols meet trains and busses and visit the more frequented places. Patrolmen call to the soldieris attention discrepencies and curb unseemly conduct. Among other important duties that are discharged by the Security Branch may be included the maintenance of the Main Post Guard House, wherein are confined both garrison and general prisoners, and the prison hospital, which is operated in conjunction with the personnel of the Medical Corps. A training school is conducted for '4rookies , who are instructed in the fundamentals of police work, and for special men and investigators, who are later sent for advianeed training to the Provost Mar- shal General School at Fort Custer, Michigan. This Branch also provides training for War Dogs for guard and special duty, and furnishes military escorts and honor guards for funerals. Military police at work.

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ff AQQXBYRX wx. ' suaiscr 'ro CONFISCATION Q Ir :camo as vow: Possession 07 P455 Xzfsyfc :- AT D E S K Control Station Little understood, and greatly misunderstood, the job of the Military Policeman is one of the biggest on the Post. His duties are so manifold and complex that they are diiii- cult to list completely. He is the Post patrolman, guard, game warden, forest ranger, kennel keeper, license dis- penser, auxiliary to the town policeman, prison keeper, and '6Sherlock Holmesf' Since his work deals mainly with safety and protection, he is a member of the Security Branch of the Security and Intelligence Division. As Provost Mar- shal of the Fort Bragg District, Lieutenant Colonel Hans C. Larsen, Director of the Division and Chief of the Security Branch, assisted by Major F. W. Beams, is charged with the internal security and the maintenance of order not only on the Post but in seven surrounding communities as well. ln addition to these counties, Fort Bragg now has military jurisdiction over the area formerly under the control of Camp Davis, consisting of six counties. A de- SEIIUHITY MILITARY POLICE OFFICERS CoI. Hans C. Larsen. R: Capt. H. C. Morgan, Maj. Capt. C. J. Griswold. George Gebert, Lt. Roy G. C. Holmes, Lt. Norman L. Front Row: Lt. 2nd Row, L to F. W. Reams, 3rd Row: Capt. Byers, Lt. Van Knef. War Dog Training tachment of Military Police from Fort Bragg is now located at Wilmington, working under the supervision of Lieutenant Max C.-Vogt, Provost Marshal at Wilmington. Since Pearl Harbor more than 550,000 temporary and close to 30,000 permanent passes have been issued to civilians entering the Post, by the ldentilication and Regis- tration Section, one of the most interesting departments of the Military Police. Passes are furnished only after these civilians have been properly identilied and qualified. ln addition to the identification and registration of civilian employees, dependents of military personnel, and visitors to the Post, this section has registered approximately 36,000 privately owned automobiles and carriers, and has issued over 2,000 fishing licenses. All cameras authorized by the Commanding General to be kept on the Post must be registered with this oflice, as is the case with personally owned firearms and pets. Complete records are kept by this office of the passes, permits, and registrations issued. The lnvestigation Section is the detective bureau of the Post. This agency is engaged in the investigation of crimes, accidents, and charges of a minor nature. ln this section are found records, files, fingerprints, and a photographic department. Photographers are employed to record scenes of accidents and crimes, to photograph the bodies involved, as well as to use ultra-violet ray equipment for the perma- nent registering of finger prints and other evidence for crime detection. Almost daily contact is maintained with the F. B. I., Secret Service, and Narcotics Bureau, and various state and local law enforcement agencies in the joint con- duct of investigations where concurrent jurisdiction is in- volved. Since January 1943, this section has prepared complete reports on more than 4,000 separate investigations. 46

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ff' I onfto Rah3e C Left to right: Maj. Perry, Maj. Rendell, Capt. Bensinger. ILIT HY TRAINING IIIVISIIJ The present Military Training Division, in operation since January, 1944, is an outgrowth of the former Opera- tions and Training Division. This Division makes the de- tailed plans and programs for mobilization and training on the Post in accordance with the directives of the War De- partment. It also acts as coordinator for all units using the small arms ranges and the artillery ranges for maneuver- ing and firing practice. Exercising absolute control of all ranges on the Post, it allocates their use for all troops, tactical and non-tactical, in training at Fort Bragg, whether it be for firing or for tactical non-firing activities. Periodi- cal iiring memoranda are issued through this ollice, giving schedules and information as to danger areas. Director of the Military Training Division, and Post Training Oflicer, is Major Walter N. Perry, who has worked in the same capacity since April, 1941. Assisting him is Major William E. Rendell, Assistant Director, who has complete charge of schools for the training of Army Service Forces troops stationed on the Post. Captain Alfred Ben- singer acts as Preparation for Overseas Movement co- ordinator, handles the showing of all training films, works with Major Rendell in arranging school schedules, and is Bomb Reconnaissance Officer. Fort Braggis line rolling terrain, light sandy soil, and climate make it almost ideal for tactical maneuvers for all training purposes. The Post is well equipped with training aids that condition troops for all types of combat. Some of the training aids are: Infiltration Courses, Grenade Courts, Anti-tank, Anti-aircraft, Machine-gun and Rocket- launcher Ranges, Close Combat Reaction Course, Open and Turreted Vehicle Range, Carbine Transition Course, Moving Vehicle Range, Sunken Track Range, afNazi Villagew, 'tBooby Trap Houseli and five known-distance Rifle Ranges with 11-30 targets. 7 Z3 Especially unique to Fort Bragg is Combat Range No. 5, large enough to accommodate an entire regiment in com- bat field firing exercises. On this range, which is a transi- tion course between a normal combat range and a divisional field exercise range, are used all the weapons of modern warfare from a carbine to and including the 105 mm. Howitzers. With an enemy outpost line, main line of resistance, enemy regimental line, and with its disap- pearing silhouettes, the range has been designed to test the efficiency of troops, as well as to give them simulated war practice. Also on the reservation are several areas where an entire division may undertake tactical tiring exercises and full- scale maneuvers. Here are employed all types of weapons, including support weapons of heavy artillery. Among the units that have used these areas during their period of training, many of which have already distinguished them- selves on battlefields throughout the world, are, the 9th In- fantry, 2nd Armored, 32nd Airborne, 101st Airborne, 13th Airborne, and the 100th Infantry Divisions, the 13th, 22nd, 34-th FA Brigadesg and various field artillery groups of the 13th, 22nd, and 32nd Corps. Fort Bragg was the first installation at which para- troopers were taught the all-round defense of objectives seized by them, namely bridgeheads, airfields, and strategic points. The system was evolved whereby men could defend the captured points immediately on landing without firing on fellow paratroopers participating in the seizures. Working under the direction of the Training oliicer is a Range Detail, whose job it is to insure proper use and care of existing installations. With their trucks, telephone systems, and other facilities they operate all range activities. Their eliiciency is illustrated not only by the smooth con- trol they have over the ranges, but also by the fact that this detail has sent out a number of cadremen to other posts. Among the important duties of this Division are the periodic inspections of the units in training, and a final in- spection under Preparation for Overseas Replacement and Preparation for Overseas Movement regulations to insure the readiness of these units and personnel for overseas service.