5th Infantry Division Comes to Town.

On August 25, 1941, portions of the U.S. Army’s 5th Infantry Division, approximately 5,500 soldiers and 700 vehicles, graced the streets of Albion, Indiana.  En route from Camp Custer, Michigan to Pine Bluff, Arkansas for maneuvers, the group bivouacked for one day and one night in and around town.

The Albion New Era described the scene.  “A heavy driving rain Monday forenoon scurried the soldier boys to their tents.  Many were arriving in trucks during the shower.  It was an unusual sight here to see so many of the soldier laddies garbed in khaki and their orderly maneuvers.  They occupied quarters in Black’s field near the school house, Lemmon’s field near the cemetery and the Truelove farm just south of the corporate limits.” (ANE 08/27/41)

Local businesses, including taverns, eateries, soda shops, the post office and the theatre were swamped.  For just the short stay, the unit required 15,000 gallons of water, 3,025 pounds of bread, 4,125 pounds of meat and 5,500 quarts of milk.

All apparently went well.  “Albion citizens are very proud of having been afforded the opportunity of being host, even for a day, to a part of our great national preparedness army.  They, officers and men of the division camping here, are of the finest.  They conducted themselves as patriots and gentlemen.” (NCA 08/28/41)

Less than three years later, the 5th Infantry Division poured onto Normandy’s Utah Beach.  They joined Patton’s Third Army and stormed across France, Germany and into Czechoslovakia before receiving word of war’s end.

Tomorrow, I will post additional photos of the 5th Infantry Division’s visit to Albion.

One Response to “5th Infantry Division Comes to Town”

1. Alanna Coffelt says:

   March 6, 2018 at 8:01 pm

   I really enjoyed this article. I raised my three sons in Albion and know it well. I copied this for my son to read also. Thank you.

   Reply