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Show Gathering Historical Data In the European Theater 103 Back at division headquarters, the historical officer examined the Letters of Instruction issued to the division by Ninth Army, secured a copy 'Of such field orders as had been issued by the divi sion, and went over intelligence reports, etc., with the purpose of determining which regiment would have the most important mission in the ensuing operation. When possible, he then attached himself to that unit; when his presence was-for any number of reasons-considered inadvisable in a regiment, he remained at division headquarters, where he had access to all incoming and outgoing messages. During the battle, he could occupy himself in any way he He might remain at a forward observer's post if there which overlooked enough of the terrain, 'Or he might, if he were young and foolish (as some occasionally were), advance with an assault wave and engage in the actual fighting. The most suitable place for him, however; was at the unit headquarters, which is the nerve center of every organization. There he could learn as much about the progress of the battle as could the corn saw fit. were one manding officer, and he decisions were made. was always on hand when important After the battle, he interviewed the commanding officer and staff of the key regiment. Then he made the rounds of battalions, companies, platoons, and even patrols, talking with the men who had just been engaged in action while their operations were fresh in mind, and, whenever possible, going over the terrain they had This was often dangerous work, particularly when gone over. fields were mined or the enemy was close and alert; and many officers preferred to wait until a later date before retracing the advance of a unit. The data gathered in. this manner was integrated with field orders, messages, and the numerous reports constantly received at divisions headquarters," so that an exceptionally detailed account of the battle was prepared almost on the spot. The historical officer was then ready for the next battle, and the next, until the particular campaign was over and the division was withdrawn from the line. While the division was inactive, the historical team returned Army headquarters, re-wrote its material, and then submitted it to the headquarters detachment for editing. When the division entered the field again, it was accompanied by the historical team and the process was repeated. Two things should be noted about this method of operation by the 4th I H. In the first place, the activities both of head to quarters detachment and of the field teams were not supervised by anyone in Ninth Army. The Secretary of the General Staff, under whom the Service had been placed for purposes of admin- . |
