During the famous Louisiana Maneuvers of 1941, these training maneuvers were broken down to Phase 1 and Phase 2. Phase 1 ran from September 15 to September 19, 1941, and Phase 2 ran from September 24 to September 28, 1941.
During Phase 1 General George S. Patton and his 2nd Armored Division were assigned to the Red Second army commanded by General Ben Lear. Early on the morning of September 15 Patton and his troops attacked across the Red River westward toward Fort Jesup and Many, La. from the area near Winnfield, Montgomery, and Natchitoches. Patton’s armored units had to be stopped. But how could they be stopped and just where would the Blue 3rd Army stop him?
General Patton had been ordered to attack westward and then turn south-southeast in an attempt to push the Blue Army back. The goal of these armored attacks were to hit hard and fast and move in and capture the town of Leesville and Camp Polk, thus winning the maneuver battle for Phase
1. How would Patton advance quickly with his armored units in this attack? Patton had his reconnaissance units scouting ahead of his armored columns and they had noted that if he could advance quickly through Mount Carmel and then get to Peason Ridge, his armored units would be able to spread out and could advance and attack Leesville and Camp Polk before the Blue Army could mount a defense. A very good plan but the best laid plans sometimes fail. And the failure in this plan would be at Mount Carmel.
To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition http://www.etypeservices.com/Sabine%20IndexID378/