Order of Battle, Volume 3, Part 1: Organization and Activities of the War Department

Front Cover, Order of Battle - The United States Land Forces in the World War, Zone of the Interior: Organization and Activities of the War Department, Volume 3, Part 1, 1937. GGA Image ID # 181f50f05b

U.S. Government Printing Office, Order of Battle of the United States Land Forces in the World War, Volume 3, Part 1, Zone of the Interior: Organization and Activities of the War Department © 1937/1988, Center of Military History, United States Army, U.S. Government Printing Office, Hardcover, 547 Pages.  940.4'12'73. cover of book is dark blue with insignia of the United States but no lettering.  Title on Binding.

Subject: United States, Army -- History -- World War, 1914 - 1918.

Synoposis

Volume 3 Part 1 presents an array of useful information on the zone of the interior and includes the organization and activities of the War Department, the territorial departments, the divisions that did not deploy overseas, and data about posts, camps, and stations.

Scope

• Chapter I, Organization and Activities of the War Department, consists of an introduction and 23 sections representing the main divisions of the Department. The contents of each section have been arranged, as far as practicable, under these general headings: orientation, functions, chiefs, organization and development, personnel, and activities.
• Chapter II, Territorial Departments, has an introduction and nine sections, each of which deals with one territorial department. The contents of each section are generally grouped under extent, command, activities, inactive stations, and strength of troops stationed within the department; active posts, camps, and stations are accounted for in Chapter IV.
• Chapter III Divisions covers the tactical divisions organized in 1918, preceded by an introduction. Each division is described under command, composition, and record of events.
• Chapter IV, Posts, Camps, and Stations, includes an introduction; a departmental index to posts, camps, and stations; and nine sections, each section representing the posts, camps and stations within one territorial department arranged in alphabetical order. All large posts or camps are covered in considerable detail under history, description, command status, camp commanders, strength, and troops. Stations of minor importance are treated less extensively.
• Chapter V, Directory of Troops, contains an introduction and unit index, followed by a succinct account of practically every Army unit that was at any time stationed in the Zone of the Interior in 1917, 1918, and 1919.

Activities

The mission of the Zone of the Interior was carried into effect under the guidance of the President of the United States as Commander-in-Chief.

Throughout the war, the Zone of the Interior was the scene of mobilizing American manpower and resources on an unprecedented scale. These activities, insofar as the War Department was concerned, are dealt with hereinafter in the following order: War Department proper; territorial departments; tactical divisions organized in 1918; posts, camps, and stations; directory of troops.

Use

Before attempting to look up any information, consult the table of contents. Having found the subject matter in a certain chapter, read the introduction to that chapter first and then locate the specific item.

Take advantage of all cross references. In Chapter I, all sections appearing in the table of contents, except those dealing with the War Department proper and the War Department General Staff, which head the list, are arranged in alphabetical order.

In order to obtain any desired information, determine first the department or bureau under which it will most likely be found, next consult the table of contents under the proper section.

In this connection, it should be noted that Section 3, Adjutant General's Department, contains under Activities information regarding Army strength, battle casualties, decorations, chaplains, officers' training camps and schools, recruiting, prisoners of war, and other items of interest.

Chapters II, III, IV, and V are principally devoted to the description of troops serving in the United States and to the facilities placed at their disposal.

In order to determine, for instance, the status of the 71st Inf. during the War, it will be necessary to consult first of all the Directory of Troops, Chapter V. Here, opposite Infantry Regiments, we note page number 1372, the beginning of the detailed description of this category.

Following the numerical order of regiments, the 71st Inf. will be found on p. 1384, where it is recorded that the regiment was organized in Aug. 1918 at Camp Meade, Md., was stationed at this camp until demobilized in Feb. 1919, and was a component of the 21st Inf. Brig.

On p. 1364, we learn that the 21st Inf. Brig. was part of the 11th Division. Consulting Chapter III, p. 645, the composition of the 21st Inf. Brig. as well as that of the 11th Div. may be ascertained; also the names of the division commanders, chiefs of staff, and brigade commanders may be determined.

In addition, the record of events of the 11th Div., appearing on p. 646, will supply general information regarding all the components of the Division.

In order to get acquainted with Camp Meade, Md., the camp occupied by the 71st Inf., consult the Departmental Index of Chapter IV, p. 685, which will disclose that Camp Meade was located in the Eastern Department.

Following the alphabetical order of stations within that Department, we find Camp Meade recorded on pp. 745-747; under Divisional Units, p. 746, the activities of the 11th Div., while at this camp, are briefly recorded, which should be read in connection with the information preceding it.

As an aid to understanding expressions like 11th Div. (less 17th Inf., 63 Inf., 24th F. A. Brig.), the table appearing on p. 680, entitled Composition of Infantry Divisions, should be consulted.

Second example: In order to determine the unit history of the 4th (II) Aer. Sq. during the War, read introduction to Chapter V, where the meaning of the Roman numeral in parentheses is explained.

Next turn to Unit Index, p. 996, for numbered aero squadrons which are shown as beginning on p. 998. The record of the 4th (II) Aer. Sq. will be found on p. 999; accordingly, it was organized in June 1919 at Hazelhurst Field, N. Y., and was transferred to Mitchel Field, N. Y., in Nov. 1919; remaining active throughout that year.

Turning to pp. 734 and 759, respectively, we find the aero squadron recorded under Nondivisional Units at Hazelhurst Field, N. Y., and at Mitchel Field, N.Y. According to information appearing on p. 733, the training of squadrons stationed at the airfields on Long Island, N. Y., was controlled by Headquarters 1st Provisional Wing at Hazelhurst Field.

Third example: The unit history of the 5th Co., C. D. of The Columbia, is to be determined. Turn to Unit Index, p. 996 and note Coast Defense Commands p. 1142.

Beginning on this page, all coast defense commands as constituted during and after July 1917 are recorded in alphabetical order, C. D. of The Columbia and the 5th Co. appearing on p. 1149.

Accordingly, this company was organized from 5th Co. Oreg. C. A. N. G. at Fort Canby, Wash., in Jan. 1918 and demobilized at the same post in Dec. 1918.

In order to ascertain the higher unit, to which the C. D. of The Columbia belonged, we turn to Chapter II, Western Department, p. 616, where it is stated that the C. D. of The Columbia with headquarters at Fort Stevens, Oreg., were part of the North Pacific Coast Artillery District. A description of Fort Canby, Wash., will be found in Chapter IV.

Fort Canby was situated in the Western Department, according to p. 682 of the Departmental Index. The alphabetical order of posts, camps, and stations of the Western Department shows Fort Canby on p. 939, where a brief account of the post is given and four companies, including the 5th Co., of the C. D. of The Columbia are recorded.

Mission of The Zone of The Interior

To exploit and develop the national resources in men and materials required for military purposes and to supply the means required by the commander of the field forces at such times, in such quantities, and such places, and in such manner and form as will assure him the freedom of action necessary for the accomplishment of his task.

Library of Congress Catalog Listing

• LC Control No.: 87600306
• Type of Material: Book (Print, Microform, Electronic, etc.)
• Main Title: Order of battle of the United States land forces in the World War.
• Published/Created: Washington, D.C. : Center of Military History, United States Army, 1988.
• Related Names: Center of Military History.
• Description: 3 v. in 5 : ill., col. maps; 24 cm.
• Contents: v. 3. Zone of the interior. pt. 1. Organization and activities of the War Department.
• Notes: Reprint. Originally published: Washington : U.S. G.P.O., 1931-1949. Includes indexes.
• Subjects: United States. Army --History --World War, 1914-1918.
• LC Classification: D570 .O73 1988
• Dewey Class No.: 940.4/12/73 19
• Government Document No.: D114.2:B32
• Geographic Area Code: n-us---