"Back at the Gap" BACK AT THE GAP Major General Frank H. Smoker, Jr. (USAF, Retired) Gap site of stunning growth in late 1930s Ninth in a Series By 1934, the construction of facilities and training activities at the Gap intensified. The Department of Military Affairs received a grant from the Public Works Administration for the construction of the twelve concrete mess halls in Area 13 (mentioned in a previous article) which were completed in time for the annual encampment of Guard troops. Three thousand troops of the 28th Division consisting of the 55th Infantry Brigade, 53rd Field Artillery Brigade, 213th Coast Artillery, and 176th Field Artillery, and small detachment trained at the reservation that summer. In February 1935 the Works Progress Administration (WPA) started new projects, consisting of preparation of other camp sites, sewer main, and the grading of the parade grounds. During that year the Department of Military Affairs received additional financial assistance from the National Guard Bureau for construction of a water works system extending from the Jonestown Filter Plant to the artillery area, including two steel storage tanks, and the construction of the rifle pits for a 200 yard range. In addition, telephone lines from Lebanon to the Camp sites were constructed, and the light lines were extended. Training tempo increased in 1935 as 12,000 troops of the entire 28th Division and including 5,000 troops of the 3rd Corps, U.S. Army, used the reservation. Also, the 29th Division consisting of troops from Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, occupied Mt. Gretna Reservation and held joint military training with the troops at Indiantown Gap. In 1936, all work at the Gap was consolidated under the WPA. Mess halls, latrines, and showers were removed from Mt. Gretna and shipped to Indiantown Gap. Sufficient latrines and showers with hot and cold water were constructed for use by all troops. The Division Headquarters was located in the barn building formerly belonging to the Ammon Bomberger family. Today this barn still houses the Garrison headquarters. Other improvements included grading of camp sites, clearing of timber in the artillery firing range and numerous other construction work, including the firing line of the 200 yard range for the use of 100 targets. Over 14,000 troops used Indiantown Gap Military Reservation during 1936. These troops included the U.S. Marine Corps (Basic School); 1st Signal Company and the 1st Medical Regiment of the U. S. Army; Pennsylvania Military College; 99th Division Reserve Officers; 12th Infantry (3rd Battalion) U. S. Army; 10th Marine Artillery Battalion; the entire 28th Division; and the entire 29th Division. By 1937, WPA continued the dismantling of buildings at Mt. Gretna and they were rebuilt on various troop sites at Indiantown Gap. A complete Brigade camp site was constructed with modern latrines and showers. The Medical Regiment area and a Camp Hospital of twenty-four bed capacity were completed in the Area 9, across Fisher Avenue, opposite what is now the Garrison headquarters. The artillery firing range was greatly improved for training purposes. Water, sewer, light and power lines were extended. Roadways into new areas were built. Telephone communications were improved. A rifle range, consisting of twelve targets with firing points at 200 to 1000 yards was completed. Storage buildings within a wire fence enclosure were also under construction. At the direction of Pennsylvania Department of Health, two temporary sewage treatment units were constructed and placed into use during the 1937 camp period. The number of soldiers training at the Gap for that camp period reached a total of 27,289 troops, a record number! These troops were from variety of units including U.S. Marines, Pennsylvania Military College, nine units from the U.S. Army’s Second and Third Corps, and the American Legion Boys’ Camp. Other units included the New Jersey National Guard, Pennsylvania’s entire 28th Division; and the 54th F. A. Brigade (29th Division) with troops from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. It was truly the most impressive training year to date. Continued important improvements were made during 1938, including the construction of several warehouses in the Utility Area, for storage of equipment, material, and supplies being transferred from Mt. Gretna. In a document submitted to the Military Reservation Commission, Brigadier General Edward Martin reported that the WPA forces had increased to a maximum strength of approximately 500 men, and he praised the workers by stating “Their work has been outstanding and we have made rapid progress in the development of the Reservation with their help”. Homes for employees were built, repaired and improved. Among other homes that were moved to the Gap from Mt. Gretna, the three bungalows that are now sited beside the Executive Mansion on Fisher Avenue near the main entrance of the Post were transported from Mt. Gretna. I have never been able to learn how these buildings were moved, but some sources say they were moved through Annville north on Route 934 on huge flatbed trucks. However it happened, it must have been a monumental task. Additional land was purchased in 1937, especially along the mountain side in the rear of the Combat Range Area, at the cost of $14,235. A modern sewage treatment plant was constructed and completed by the General State Authority. Throughout the Reservation, improvements were made to the sanitary conditions by construction of additional washhouses. Grading and road work was started on the proposed site of the 55th Infantry Brigade. A large area of timber as outlined by the Artillery Board was cleared in the Artillery Firing Range, and brought to the Saw Mill in the Utility Area, where the timber was milled into the required sizes and lengths for the construction of new buildings. Rapid progress was also made in the transfer of buildings and equipment from the Mt. Gretna Military Reservation to Indiantown Gap. The Range House, built in 1890, is a notable example of the structures that were moved. It is interesting to note that this 114 year old Range House is now scheduled for another move from Range Road - 67 years later - to Area 8 on the south side of the reservation and placed next to the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum located at Service Road and Wiley Road. This unique, historic structure will be rehabilitated and become part of the Museum’s exhibit. Indiantown Gap was a busy site in 1938 for 16,745 personnel who trained there. In all, between 1933 and 1938, a total of 75,250 soldiers trained “Back at the Gap”, demonstrating the great value of this new military reservation to the National Guard and other military components in the days prior to World War II. My next column will describe the continued build up of Indiantown Gap Military Reservation as an important base for the U. S. Army. -- 30 -- Published 10 March 2004 in the Lebanon Daily News © 2004 Frank H. Smoker, Jr. All rights reserved. Reproduced by permission of the author. Go "Back at the Gap" Index