and soon returned as qualified instructors, which lightened the task considerably. In no time at all
civilians once removed were ready to attempt application of the lessons so diligently studied.
Prior to maneuvers each battalion of the two Armored Regts. moved into the field in the spring
of 1943 for two weeks of “roughing it”. One week was spent at tactical camp where all that the name
implies, and much that it does not, was practiced. Following that the men, minus their vehicles, trekked
to an adjoining camp devoted solely to toughening the body beautiful, and where the men were
separated from the boys. If it did nothing else “Tiger Camp” did prove to the men that their endurance
had reached unexpected limits. Field exercises over furloughs followed and then the men were engaged
in preparing the tanks for rail shipment to Tennessee and maneuvers. At the end of June the division
closed out at Ft. Benning.
If the success of Tennessee Maneuvers as a command exercise was doubtful, the same cannot be
said of their effect on the individual soldiers. Much that never could be learned in garrison came to light
here. In addition the men soon found themselves able to sustain life, and almost enjoy it, while
separated days on end from the comforts of civilization. It was a tired yet a confident group of soldiers
that dismounted from the train which had carried them to Camp Gordon, Georgia early in September.
Upon arrival here the battalion found the Camp rife with rumors of an imminent reorganization which
involved the creation of two separate tank battalions. It is a wonder now what seemed so desirable
about such a status but when on 20 Sept. the battalion stood free and independent the men were proud as
hell of their new name – 712th Tank Battalion.
Very soon after the re-designation the Battalion moved from Camp Gordon to Ft. Jackson, S. C.
Though living facilities were not as fine, everyone was now able to knuckle down to a much greater
extent than would have been possible had Division SOP encumbered every move. November and
December saw intensive efforts to master every feature of tank fighting. Long days were spent on the
range with everyone firing every type of weapon. Christmas came and went and shortly after New
Year's the long awaited news came – the Battalion was alerted for overseas shipment. Now there were a
1000 and 1 things to do, and in between times each tank crew had to complete all the Armored Force
tests. There were day and night problems, command exercises and the inevitable mountain of paper
work. It was a terrific month and there were few regrets when the tanks were turned in and the Battalion
mounted the train for the POE.
It turned out to be BOSTON and after a short stay at the staging area
– Camp Myles Standish –
the Battalion boarded the SS Exchequer on 27 Feb. and by dawn the next morning that noble vessel was
off toward a convoy rendezvous and the open sea. A few days out found a good many unreconstructed
landlubbers. Aside from the well worn path beaten by these unfortunates the trip passed with a
minimum of activity, and although long hours in the never-ending chow line for two meals per day
helped to pass the time, the inevitable Pocketbook Mysteries and card games used up the rest. The strict
blackout made nights long and in the crowded quarters none too comfortable. It was therefore a happy
bunch that welcomed land on 8 March as the Battalion debarked at GOUROCH, Scotland to the skirl of
bagpipes and the cheery welcome of the Scottish Red Cross.
A train carried the tankers through the beautiful hills of Scotland into England, with the main
part of the Battalion pulling in at CHISELDON near SWINDON while A Co. located temporarily at a
small camp in STOW-ON-THE-WOLD, later joining the Battalion. Here training was resumed but not
on such an intensive scale. A liberal pass policy permitted many tankers to visit nearby points of
interest, particularly LONDON. But here the refined intricacies of the aiming circle and indirect firing
were introduced and many classes were held in mines and booby traps, aircraft recognition and
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