"Back at the Gap" BACK AT THE GAP Major General Frank H. Smoker, Jr. (USAF, Retired) Equipment list gives glimpse of soldiers' lives   17th in a series. In researching items regarding the early days of World War II at Indiantown Gap, I came across the list of equipment and paraphernalia dated 1941 that was standard issue to the troops at Indiantown Gap. It's a rather extensive list, but it's an important part of the Gap's history, especially when you compare this equipment to that issued to our soldiers in today's Army. It was estimated then that the cost of outfitting a soldier with clothing alone was approximately $90. The trainee at Indiantown Gap received from the quartermaster two pairs of cotton pants and two pairs of woolen pants -- called breeches if the man was a cavalry man and trousers if he's "unmounted." He also got the following, all of which constituted peacetime equipment: Two web belts; two pairs of boots or shoes; three caps; one woolen overcoat; three hats, work and otherwise; seven pairs of "drawers"; two pairs of gloves; shoe laces; leggings; four neckties; four shirts; seven pairs of socks; denim working suits; four handkerchiefs; a raincoat; two woolen coats; seven undershirts and a pair of Arctics to use in marching through the early spring mud. In addition to this, the soldier was given his paraphernalia, consisting of a barracks bag to hold his "junk," a cartridge belt, two blankets and a comforter, a meat can, a canteen and cup, eating utensils, a haversack, five tent pins to go with his shelter-half when he was on maneuvers, first-aid pouch, ration preserves, cartridge belt suspenders, two identification tags, a complete toilet set, two face towels and two bath towels. Special troops received even more equipment. Mechanics and workers received additional working clothes. Bakers, cooks, etc., received the clothing and equipment necessary for their trades. From the stories I remember in the early 1940s about troops not having enough gear and marching with wooden rifles, it is remarkable to me that so early in the war, in the huge warehouses on the Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, there must have been sufficient funds available to have enough equipment accumulated for these troops for peacetime maneuvers and 10 percent more to cover replacements. For the 28th Division alone, there were, for example, 34,760 woolen coats, enough for two to a man; 74,006 pairs of cotton drawers; 107,280 handkerchiefs; 53,640 pairs of cotton socks; 56,388 woolen blankets; 17,880 toilet sets; 3,328 aprons, white, and 17,780 bath towels. Among the more than 200 separate articles allowed for issue to the 28th Division were such items as 4,000 axes, 18,796 mosquito bars, 700 galvanized cans, 84 briefcases, 110 folding chairs, 190 desks, and shovels, picks, rakes, saws and tool kits by the hundreds that spelled lots of work for the trainees. I also discovered a little pocket-sized booklet "Facts about Indiantown Gap" issued by the Bell Telephone Co. of Pennsylvania for distribution to each trainee. It opens with an introduction with a very short history of IGMR and an explanation of its location and size (after all, many trainees who were sent to the Gap didn't have a clue where they were located). The booklet then provides the following general information that I think presents an extensive picture of the facilities at the Gap that would be useful to the soldiers. Space restricts including all the details from this booklet, so I am including only an abbreviated version to give you the scope of the information available to each soldier. Post Exchanges. There are post exchange buildings located in each barracks area. Post exchanges sell cigarettes, candy, ice cream, soft drinks, beer and a variety of supplies. In the main post exchange (Building T9-54), there is a tailor shop, a shoe-repairing shop and a photography studio. Barber shops and public telephones are available in all PXs. Guest House. The guest house is located next to the Service Club, directly across from the post bus terminal. Rooms are provided for relatives and friends of enlisted men. All visits are limited to three days, and weekend visits may not be consecutive. Meals may be obtained in the Service Club cafeteria. Service Club. A service club, located in the community center of the camp, is open days and evenings for the military personnel, their relatives and friends. It has a cafeteria, library and an auditorium where men may dance and play games. Writing tables, stationery and floor games are available, free of charge. Typewriters are also available. There were also clubs for the colored troops in Areas 3 and 10. Bus Terminal. The bus terminal is located near the service club. It serves three bus companies. Buses of the Pennsylvania Greyhound Co. stop here on their direct New York to Pittsburgh route, connecting with all points in the United States. From here, the Capitol Bus Co. furnishes direct service to Harrisburg and Hershey to the west and to Pottsville, Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre to the east. The terminal also serves the Lebanon Auto Bus Co., furnishing direct service to Lebanon, with connections to Reading and Philadelphia. The bus fare to Harrisburg was 45 cents one way, 80 cents round trip. The fare to Lebanon was 30 cents one way, 50 cents round trip. The fare to Hershey was 35 cents one way, 60 cents round trip. Theaters. Four War De-partment theaters, located in areas 3, 4, 9 and 12, present the latest motion-picture attractions. The charge for admission to motion pictures in War Department theaters was 15 cents for adults, 10 cents for children. Hospital. The hospital, located in Area 14, has 850 beds and full surgical, medical, dental and nursing staffs. Sports Arena. Located in Area 4, the sports arena contains boxing rings, badminton courts, boxing equipment, weight-lifting apparatus and is large enough to hold three basketball games simultaneously. Laundry. The laundry for all officers and men is done in the large post laundry. Post Office. The camp post office is located in the community center of the camp. American Red Cross. There is a Red Cross representative and staff located near the service club in the community center to help enlisted men with family, personal and business problems. Religious Services. There are 10 chapels staffed with chaplains representing various religious denominations. Service Men's Telephone Center. This fully equipped center is located on the corner of Fisher and Stahr avenues for the convenience of the servicemen. USO. Each USO entry included a list of the various recreational facilities available. Therefore, only an abbreviated example of the typical offering of a USO is included in this article: In addition to the hours of operation, offers showers, ping-pong, pool tables, free movies, free food, a night's lodging, reading rooms, free stationery and stamps, and library. Takes and develops pictures of soldiers; makes records of the soldier's voice to be sent home. Dances are held frequently with hostesses in attendance. USO-HARRISBURG: The USO National Catholic Community Service, 223 North St. USO YWCA, Fourth and Walnut streets. USO YMCA, Front and North streets. USO Jewish Welfare Board, 1110 N. Third St. USO-LEBANON The USO operates three clubs in Lebanon, located at 930 Willow St., 8 N. Eighth St. and 228 Cumberland St. Traveler's Aid Society. The Traveler's Aid Society located at the Pennsylvania Railroad station, Harrisburg, and at 930 Willow St., Lebanon, offers information as to the housing of families and friends of soldiers visiting the camp, transportation to Indiantown Gap, the planning of trips and help with personal difficulties. My next article will continue the description of the wartime training and activities Back at the Gap. -30- © 2004 Frank H. Smoker, Jr. All rights reserved. Reproduced by permission of the author. Go "Back at the Gap" Index