The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-05-15
THE MANEUvERS


j :, terrain, flecked by charred tree
s,umps and pine saplings. thousands
OF Negro soldiers in various combat
units were deployed in defensive
positions which were calculated.
according TO the maneuver problem
assigned to them, to stop the adj
vance OF the Blues, an attacking
division Of white soldiers.
On Thursday morning. after tie
fir. nights sleep in open country
and a hearty army breakfast, the
newspspermen were escorted to
the msneuver area to meet Maj,
Gen. Fred w. Miller. commanding
general OF the colored division, and
hij staff. The affable general and
his assistant, Col. HARDWOOD Mar
shall. explained the msneuver prob
lem assigned to their division which
was assigned to the offense. No live
ammunition was used in the war
game.
The Command Post. the generals
headquarters. was situated on
wooded ridge several miles from
TIE front lines and included series
Of csmouflaged tents equipped with
all the facilities OF the modern field
headquarters. The newspapermen
assembled before each tent and
were given detailed descriptions Of
the intricscies OF the Command
Post, the communications system.
the intelligence service. the supply
operations. and Capt w. M. Thomas
OF Leavenworth. Kas.. former vice
r -sident OF the National Medical
Association, explained the functions
OF tn, medical corps while Maj
Charles Blackwood Of Denver. Colo.
described the tasks Of the Special
Service Section which is concerned
with soldier morale Chaplain JOHN
w. Deyeaux of WillLsmsport,s Pa,
WIN has the rank Of major, gave
a brief talk on his duties which on
occasion required holding field SER
vices as often as ten times in one
day.
FIELD LUNCH
Following the Introductory dis
cussions Of the intricat, operations
OF the Command Post by Gen. Mil
lie. a. j his staff. the newspapermen.
who were lined by Prig. Gen.
Davis. Mr.. Gibson and Col. De
Ware, gathered on the slope OF the
ridge for a field luncheon. On i'm
provised wooden benches under a
canvas top. the men ate fried ham.
baked potatoes, fritters, pear salad
and delicious apple strudel from tin
plates in true army style. After the
lunch. William Walker OF the
Cleveland Call-Post. who Is presi-
dent OF the Negro Newspaper Pub
fishers Association, made brief
talk. expressing the thanks OF the
newspapermen TO the host, Gen.
Miller. for TIE gracious reception
which had been given them. Gen.
Miller in response welcomed the
newspapermen and expressed his
appreciation for the interest the
men showed in the division under
his command.
CAPTAIN ROBERT BENNETT
Following the luncheon. Capt.
Robert Bennett, formerly resident
physician Of the Wayne Diagnostie
hospital in Detroit. escorted the
group 70 Peason's Tower, a high
point from which the newspaper
men surveyed miles Of rolling, bar
rem country over which operations
Of the simulated battle were taking
place. In an informal interview al
the Tower, Gen Miller spoke high
ly o, The hghting quality OF his
men. At the request OF tie news
papermen. Capt. Bennett escorted
the party across improvised road
Jways 10 the front lines. Scattered
in fox holes camouflaged With
brush. hundreds OF well-trained
soldiers were awaiting orders while
gun crews stationed in depressed
gun emplacements on the high
ground in many sectors were going
through the motions OF firing al
The attacking forces
MEDICAL UNITS
J ra-,. Bennett and TIE party Wis.