Camp custer, Michigan
Carl enlisted in the United States Army Reserve on September 5, 1942 at the Fond Du Lac recruiting station. From there he went for reserve enlisted orientation at Camp Custer just outside of Battle Creek, Michigan. After his orientation, he returned to Arkdale and then to Whitewater to attend his last semester. Two months earlier he and his family endured the death of his Mother, Geneva on July 6, 1942.
A Little About Camp Custer, Michigan
On August 17, 1940, Camp Custer was designated Fort Custer and became a permanent military training base. During World War II, the post had an area of 16,005 Acres, and Quarters for 1,279 Officers and 27,553 Enlisted Personnel.[9] More than 300,000 troops trained there, including the 5th Infantry Division (also known as the "Red Diamond Division") which was sent to Iceland in 1942 to protect the North Atlantic convoy routes, and in 1944 landed in France shortly after D-Day. The division saw much combat and sustained heavy casualties, particularly at the Battle of Metz. [10] In 1943, Fort Custer was the activation point for many Army inductees from Chicago, Illinois and other parts of the midwest. New troops received their equipment before being sent by train to Basic Training or other duty assignments. Fort Custer also served as a prisoner of war camp for 5,000 German soldiers until 1945. It was also an Army hospital receiving casualties from Europe. The primary purpose of the camp was to function as a Military Police Replacement Training Center. It was also home to the Provost Marshall General’s 350th Military Police escort guard.
Over the course of WWII, more than 300,000 troops would be trained at Fort Custer. Every man started at the reception center, where he would spend an average of 3-4 days. During that time, candidates took the classification test, which was compiled by the nation’s leading psychologists for the Army. The candidate would give information relating to his education and jobs held. Then each candidate would be personally interviewed by an officer who was specially trained to classify people. The Army went to extreme pains to make sure that only the roundest pegs fit into round holes. The candidate also received his uniform during this time. After the examinations were all over, the candidate would have to wait a day or so while the filing system at the fort designated men of the same trade. Then each would be assigned to an Army command. [11] Carl, as it turns out was assigned to "Patton's Own" 3rd Army.
Taken by surprise, a small coastal town is overrun by an invading army with little resistance. The town is important because it is a port that serves a large coal mine. Colonel Lanser, the head of the invading battalion, along with his staff establishes their HQ in the house of Orden, the democratically elected and popular Mayor.
Full Movie (grab some popcorn)