CHAPTER II COMBAT ASSIGNMENT

Christchurch Road at the top of the hill . . . And the ever present cyclists . . .
It was a time for ruffled tempers but everyone was too well trained and too busy for temperament. OI and TAT equipment had to be located in the many ports and depots scattered over England, brought down to Bournemouth and unpacked. Vehicles, weapons and lesser items had to be procured to make up the shortages in T/E equipment in a period when the Rundstedt "Bulge" had reached Belgium and time was very short. The division had brought from the States its special purpose vehicles -- wreckers, bulldozers, half-track personnel carriers and heavy prime movers, but it was short all general purpose vehicles so necessary, not only for training and supply purposes, but for long-haul convoying of the OI and TAT equipment. Finally some success was experienced in drawing one-quarter-ton jeeps and two-and-one-half-ton cargo trucks, and as these were obtained the problem of locating and transporting equipment gradually changed from a terrific to an ordinary headache. Some equipment substitution was necessary due to shortages in the United Kingdom, but the division fared very well generally. Approximately seventy per cent of the vehicles issued were new and most of the "second-hand" vehicles had been processed through 5th echelon shops [Maintenance of equipment by specialist personnel located at fixed installations in rear areas.]. Statistically, when the division left England it had full T/E transportation less seventy-eight one-half-ton personnel carriers and 266 one-quarter-ton trailers. The 76th could boast of being ninety-nine per cent outfitted with all types of Army material and of being the best equipped division in the ETO.
The pass policy was liberal . . . Many men visited London where school books came to life . . .
Years of driving habits in the States brought about a serious transportation problem when the division met up with the "left-hand" right of way in England. All drivers were given extensive instructions with reference to this traffic custom; but no amount of instruction could overcome that certain feeling when a top-heavy bus or a pell-mell cyclist came tearing down the middle of the road and one had to think twice in recollection of the side on which each properly belonged. The driver personnel of the division were "on their toes", and no, repeat no, serious accidents occurred attributable to the British "wrong way" wheeling. An important and notable activity just before leaving England was the completion of a thorough inspection covering personnel as well as equipment, under the immediate supervision of Brig Gen Woolfley. Teams were drawn from officers and NCO's throughout the division, and detailed schedules with exact timing were completed with dispatch. These inspections were a part of the training plan and were designed to emphasize and fix the fundamentals of discipline and training for combat. The reports of these inspections were used as a guide for further training. The observed results gave the men confidence in their leaders and demonstrated that the division was ready -- ready for combat. The 76th Division already enjoyed a behavior reputation among civilians that was built up from Meade to A. P. Hill to McCoy. It lived up to this reputation in England and earned the respect of the British people when as one Technician in the Signal Company put it, "We cleaned up Bournemouth, or anyway darned near all of it." This record for cleanliness was established by well disciplined men who time and again proved their pride in and desire for clean, orderly surroundings. This high standard was certified by inspection teams sent out from Division Headquarters on several occasions and by the following letter:
AG 201.22 OPCG	HEADQUARTERS UNITED KINGDOM BASE COMMUNICATIONS ZONE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS UNITED STATES ARMY Office of Commanding General	26 January 1945
SUBJECT: Commendation. TO: Commanding General, 76th Infantry Division, APO 76.
1. It gives me great pleasure to express my personal gratitude to you for the excellent cooperation rendered the Bournemouth Area Engineer by the officers of the 76th Infantry Division during the occupation by the Division of the accommodations in that area. 2. It has been reported that there was little or no damage to requisitioned buildings and British Barrack Stores and all were left in a highly satisfactory condition 3. Due to the splendid cooperation of the Division's Officer Inspecting Team, these accommodations were left in a remarkably clean condition. This is especially commendable in view of the fact that this movement was made at night.
		H. B. VAUGHN, JR., Major General, USA Commanding
On 3 January 2026 the division was ordered to send a Liaison Party to Paris. Maj Charles R. McCallister [Maj Charles R. McCallister, Asst Div G 1.] and Maj William Y. Gissel [Maj William Y. Gissel, Asst Div Ordnance officer.] left by plane on that day and arrived in Paris late the same evening. Shortly afterwards the process of embarking the division for the Continent began.
Piccadilly Circus, the melting pot of London . . . Where traffic moves in all directions at once . . . Where a theatre is not a movie . . . Where every Englishman tells you not to go . . .