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The Early Days of the 511th |
| By James Lorio |
VOLUME I NUMBER 6 March 15, 1999 CAMP POLK, LA On Jan. 3, 1944, one year since activation at Camp Toccoa, GA, Col. Orin D. Haugen’s 511th PIR moved by rail from Camp Mackall, NC, to Camp Polk in west central Louisiana. It took 22 trains to move the 11th Abn. Div. by Jan. 10th. The new two story barracks were luxurious. Exploring the neighboring camp areas, the Airborne GI’s found inhospitable tankers of MG George Patton’s 8th and 9th Armored Divisions, also a thousand German P.O.W.’s of Field Marshall Erwin Rommel’s defeated African Corps. Their morale was high, believing if not well treated their Fuhrer, Adolph Hitler, would inflict reprisals after conquering the U.S.A. They loudly sang Wehrmacht marching songs and the nostalgic, "Lili Marlene." The 11th Abn. Div. came to Louisiana to be tested and keep the airborne division concept alive. After one week of individual training by Third Army, our 11th Abn. Division was assigned to XXI Corps for the Louisiana Maneuvers, which continued through February. Tactical jumps were perfect. Regimental maneuvers were designed to simulate the four stages of a campaign: First, forced march after landing. Second, attack sequence on the enemy of "flags and umpires." Third, defending the area previously won. Fourth, the "flags" broke through our lines, forcing a withdrawal during the night through the swamp of "gumbo" mud which stuck to men and equipment like glue in wind, rain and sleet. The absolute worst was "digging-in". Tenacious roots did not yield to the dull entrenching shovel. No axes or hatchets. Before leaving a position, orders required the fox holes be filled, so that range cattle in years to follow would not fall into them. "On pass, I tried Shreveport, but they did not seem to like soldiers. Finally, I found it. Lafayette, LA. It was a rural Cajun town, an ideal story book dream. I went there often and left my heart." This narrative is from George F. Doherty, (Hq, Co., 3rd Bn.-511), Anaheim, CA. THE RACE Some of the troopers in Company "D" had wives and sweethearts visiting the camp. As entertainment, we had a Friday night band concert and "The Race" on Saturday. Our trooper, Alex Village Center, "Big Chief," we called him, was probably the best athlete in D-511. True to Indian lore, Alex let his deeds do the talking. But, he wasn’t going to enter due to ingrown toe nails. When D.J. Hyatt and I called him "chicken," he promised to run if only to beat the Sioux from Co. "E." Chief was a Blackfoot. He romped ahead of all and won a case of beer. Later, the Chief was selected as a member of the 511th PIR Honor Guard for General McArthur in Japan. This story is from William R. Walter, (D-511), Palm Beach Garden, FL. LAISSER LES BON TEMPS ROULER In Cajun French, this means "Let the Good Times Roll." Col. Haugen’s three day pass policy was liberal. To me, the 511th Paratroopers going on pass from Camp Polk were in five categories: the fighters, the drinkers, the lovers, the intellectuals and the undecided, who in time would follow one or more of the others on their trips. The fighters and the drinkers favored the nearby Leesville and south to DeRidder with fewer MP’s. Amongst the tankers it was said, "If you get into a fist fight with a paratrooper, you had better bring your lunch. Those guys never quit." The lovers traveled eastward to Lafayette, Opelousas, Ville Platte and other Cajun towns. It was early winter. The weather was cool and clear. With a bounce in their walk and eyes to the sky, they saw large undulating, V-formations of honking Snow Geese and quacking bunches of Mallard Ducks here to winter in the rice fields. Usual hospitality flourished. Thus, "Les soldat" met the young ladies, who would greet the visiting elite paratroopers, "Bon jour mes ami" (Good day my friend). Picnics, home visits and dating ensued. In the night clubs, all "Let the Good Times Roll," as Cajun bands played their guitar, fiddle, accordion, harmonica and base fiddle for dancing and jitter-bug and Cajun two-step. Some romances became post-World War Two marriages.
After the Louisiana Maneuvers, Capt. Jim Lorio, C.O. Company "G", was ordered to Regimental Headquarters on TDY for two weeks to write his "Small Unit Tactics in Jungle Warfare." Upon completion, Col. Haugen advanced Capt. Lorio to Regt. Staff, S-3, Operations and Training Officer. Requesting return to his company, the "Rock" simply replied, "Negative. Not negotiable." That’s the Army. By April, 1944, the 511th Parachute Infantry Regt. was READY for travel to the Port of Embarkation, Camp Stoneman, CA, as a "straight leg" unit, code 1855. For secrecy, all parachute identifications were stowed in duffle bags, including wings, jump boots and the M-42 two piece, poplin Jump Suits and jump knives. New GI fatigues and shoes were issued. All troopers were told never to speak any airborne language, i.e., "Geronimo." We in the 511th never shouted, "Geronimo." In jest, some did shout on the green light, "I don’t wanna GO." Forget C-47s and the yell "47, 48, 49, 50. Some Shit," whatsoever be the mood, time or place from the Camp Polk railhead forward until aboard ship. CAMP STONEMAN, CA May, 1944 The troop train trip from Camp Polk, LA, to Camp Stoneman, CA, was met with mixed emotions among the paratroopers on their final step into the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of War against the Japanese Empire. The coaches were space adequate. The chow was OK. Long delays on side tracks were boring, awaiting passage of priority freight trains. On one stop, platoons jogged around the block experiencing unanticipated shortness of breath due to thin air, over a mile high, crossing the snow covered Rocky Mountains. The 511th paratroopers saw "America the Beautiful." The accommodations at Camp Stoneman Port of Embarkation, near San Francisco, CA were first class. Beer (3.2% alcohol) was available. There were, however, three general orders, the same: "No passes, No passes, No passes," to Frisco to shoot off your mouth or leave your heart. Perhaps in silent rebuke, there appeared in the Post Theater a few platinum blonds for the next three nights, more and more. Some wore ear rings. These blonds were not "local broads" invited into camp, but were 511th rebels who dyed their hair with hydrogen peroxide. Then came orders to cease and desist. Obeyed, for sure. COL. HAUGEN’S 511TH PIR RECORD MARCH
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