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The FReeper Foxhole Profiles The Remount in Italy and the Cavalry's Return - November 21st, 2003
http://www.qmfound.com/remount_in_italy_wwii.htm ^

Posted on 11/21/2003 3:48:23 AM PST by snippy_about_it



Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.



...................................................................................... ...........................................

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Remount in Italy




The Quartermaster Review - March/April 1946

The terrain of Italy made the military deployment of animals necessary. The Germans for many years used the horse successfully in modern warfare. An example of the number used is illustrated by the table of organization for a single German Infantry Division, which calls for 4,000 animals.


Horses were used not necessarily because of a shortage of gasoline and oil, as some mechanized experts would like to have us believe, but because the horse is the logical source of power and means of transportation under certain circumstances unfavorable to motorized equipment. All armies have used the horse for reconnaissance, mounted infantry, cavalry, and horse-drawn artillery, and mules for the packing of food, ammunition, and guns. Of the men and animals connected with the last-mentioned category this narrative is written.



In October 1943 the 5th Army began to recruit men and animals for use in the mountainous campaign of Italy. The first animals, both horses and mules, were procured locally from civilians in that part of the Boot and Sicily already liberated by the Allies. Later the program included procurement from the islands of Sardinia and Corsica; from French North Africa as reimbursement in kind for animals received by the French under lend-lease during the winter of 1943-44; and from the British Near East under reverse lend-lease. Horses to equip the 10th Mountain Division were later procured from the mainland of France and T-E mules for the same unit from the United States. From the beginning of this animal program until VE-day, approximately 15,000 animals were received and processed, and 11,000 issued to using forces by the Quartermaster Remount Service in Italy.


The men selected for Animal Remount Service were chosen from various units and replacement depots on the basis of experience with animals, although, until March 1944, roughly 50 per cent of the personnel were inexperienced and had to be trained on the job by the other qualified 50 per cent.

Lt. Col. Russel V. D. Janzan activated and became Chief of the Remount Service in Italy on October 23,1943. He established his headquarters in Naples, with his main station at Persano. The original organization included two remount stations, which were located at Persano and Santa Maria Capua Vetera. The Persano Station was commanded by Colonel Janzan until the summer of 1944, when he was succeeded by Major Welden Slisher. The station at Santa Maria was commanded by Lt. Col. Kenneth F. Lafayette, who later became Chief of Remount Service, which included the 6742nd and 2610th Quartermaster Remount Depots (Ovhd).



In December 1943 Lt. Col. Sebe J. Houghton, Jr., succeeded Colonel Janzan as Chief of Remount, with headquarters in Naples. He ordered establishment of a third station at Bagnoli, just north of Naples, at a race track called Hippodromo, Agnano.

In June 1944 the Santa Maria Station was moved to Capanello Hippodromo on the southern outskirts of Rome, in an effort to keep up with the advancing 5th Army, and later to Grosseto for the same reason.



Because this site was one of the three large remount establishments of the Italian Government, it was selected as the semi-permanent rear installation of the United States Remount. It is a large farm of approximately 12, 000 acres and has a beautiful setting in a valley dotted with huge shade trees. This station became the largest holding, reconditioning, and recuperating remount station for American animals in Italy. At one time there were approximately 4,000 mules at the Grosseto Station.

The Remount Service in Italy was organized and functioned without the guidance of War Department Tables of Organization and Equipment or established experiences of predecessors. A serious hindrance was the lack of animal equipment. It was May 1944 before the first veterinary and animal equipment, consisting of miscellaneous medicines, nails, shoes, and clipping machines, arrived from the United States. As a result of this delay there was gradually assembled a weird assortment of Italian, French, English, German, and American tack and gear.


In considering exceptional performance of duty under adverse circumstances the Veterinarians assigned to Remount certainly come in for their share of honors. They were confronted with such problems as untrained assistants, lack of special medicines, and lack of instruments. Through their untiring efforts enlisted assistants were supervised and trained to competency, and supplies were procured locally by gleaning and searching all available sources. The fact that not one epidemic ever hit the Remount herds, when the variable sources of the stock is considered, is evidence enough of the great work done by the Veterinarians.



All animals purchased by the Remount Service from local sources were requisitioned. Requisitioning is a very simple process for the Army. It works as follows: a suitable animal, saddle; or any other item needed by the Army is located and the owner notified that the Army desires to buy it. A purchasing and contracting officer or AMG official sets the price and the deal is consummated. The Italian always set a much higher price than he expected to get. On one occasion an Italian brought a Pariani saddle and bridle to the stable one day and offered it for sale at L. 18,000 ($180). The final transaction netted him $100, and he was no former Fascist, either. The Army paid no more than the Italian Government paid for the same articles. Many good stories concerning these purchases went the rounds. One concerns a farmer who presented a slip of paper to an AMG official at Benevento which read: "Pay to the bearer $120 for one horse taken." It was signed "Tom Mix." AMG did not pay.



The purchase of animals was made on a set price scale. The first prices ranged from $80 to $150. Later the top limit was set at $250 for mules and $300 for horses. In the fall and winter of 1943-44 animals were scarce and a mule might be bought even though he could pack only one load of ammunition and then became unserviceable. When animals were no longer of service to the Army they were sold at auction. Later this policy was changed and civilians had to buy from ACC and the Italian Government on an equitable basis. The demand was always great, because if the animal could no longer work, his carcass brought a fortune on the black market.

The procurement of forage in Italy created another difficult problem. Until June 1944 there was no hay at all only tibben, which is chopped straw. After June 1944 prairie hay was usually available in sufficient quantities, but the quality was only mediocre and the price exorbitant. In March 1945 the situation was alleviated by shipments of sixty day forage supply from the United States for mules shipped to Italy for the 10th Mountain Infantry Division.


During the air preparation of the big “push” in Italy by the U.S. Fifth Army, the men, mules, and armor of the 10th Mountain Division and supporting tank units move forward between 8:30 A.M. and 9:10 A.M., 14 April 1945. Bologna, Italy.




The Army has for a long time adhered closely to the rule of not buying white, gray, or other light-colored animals. Here it was necessary to buy all available animals, irrespective of color. These mules were called upon to pack rations to within a few hundred yards of the front and it was suicide to both men and animals to send a light colored animal forward.


The krauts used to derive great pleasure from mortaring our pack trains. The Germans had advanced and retreated over every inch of ground that our troops were traversing for the first time, and Jerry had his mortars trained on trails likely to be used by our pack troops. It was up to the' Remount Service to camouflage the light-colored mules sent up. Some of the famed Yankee ingenuity was mixed with potassium permanganate, and the result was a solution that, when sprayed on a gray mule, produced a "hintaed". An animal so sprayed remained effectively discolored for thirty to sixty days, depending on whether the weather was damp or arid.



The Luftwaffe was still infrequently pounding Naples harbor in the spring of 1944. In March of that year the first shipment of 865 horses and mules came in from North Africa as part of the French repayment. It was important that they they be unloaded with a minimum delay and transshipped from the port area direct to Persano by rail. It was important because no ship captain relished the idea of playing clay-pigeon for Goering's ace skeet-shooters. To speed up the process the stevedores we're unloading two and three mules at one time in each cargo net. Handling the entire operation were about eight officers and men from the Bagnoli Remount Station.

The animals had to be led from ship's side to the railhead about mile away, and the only personnel available for this duty was inexperienced civilian port labor. As might have been expected, before the door of the last box-car closed, twenty-two hours after the operation began, mules were running loose all over the port, disgruntled Italians were deserting their jobs, and, to make the picture complete, just like clock-work the enemy planes made their regular harassing milk run about 2230 hours. Little difference did it make to the port boys that a net of mules was dangling in mid-air between the hold and the dock, because they were safe in the "ricovero".



The most exciting experiences were connected with shipping horses and mules. Remount personnel loaded and unloaded animals into, and of of, trains, trucks, and ships. The absence of horse-vans made necessary to use 6x6 GMC GI trucks for hauling. High board frames did not always prevent the mules from jumping out, and they had to be roped and reloaded. A load for a GI truck consisted of six horses or mules. Quite often it was necessary to lead or drive herds of mules over long distances. This proved hazardous, due to the heavy traffic that is ever-present in the rear of any active theatre of war. It seems the irony of fate when a combat man, coming to the rear, is injured in a motor accident. However there are many instances of this misfortune. Heavy traffic, loose mules, and men riding horses on pavement proved constant headaches to the Army Safety Program.



Remount Station 5L81 was located at Barbarcina, a suburb of Pisa. The station was quartered in a former racing stable, with the men living in a fine brick building which they christened "Albergo Rimonte "-Remount Hotel. The Albergo was a veritable crossroads in Italy for all ex-cavalrymen, veterinarians, and horse-lovers in general. One could always get a hot meal, a bed, and a hot bath at the Albergo Rimonte.

Normally the Remount Service in the field is not concerned with animal breeding. However the Pisa Station was faced with maternity problems subsequent to the capture of a number of German mares by the 10th Mountain Division. The favorite pet of personnel and visitors at Pisa was a beautiful colt belonging to a dappled gray mare, which formerly spent her time pulling a Jerry field piece in a northerly direction prior to capture. The Germans have a benevolent habit of permitting the farmers to care for their animals when they are in semi-permanent bivouac, as they were in the more or less static period of warfare last spring north of the Arno River. Obviously the mare got in mixed company, as she foaled after she was captured.

It was interesting to see the variety of brands used in identifying animals which came from all parts of the world. The Germans used a hoof brand and the mules from the British Middle East had only a crow-foot. The British liked our Preston branding system so that they adopted a similar one for branding their animals on the off side of the neck.



The condition of the horses captured from the Germans was generally fair. Of the first captives, some came in with gaping shrapnel wounds, most were lousy, and some appeared to be suffering from malnutrition. The manes of the captured horses were not roached, and, unlike our Army, the Germans used many stallions for transportation as well as for drawing heavy artillery.

When our forces captured the Po Valley they discovered tens of thousands of riding and draft horses, and a negligible number of mules, running free. The Germans had been unable to get these across the Po River in the haste of chaotic retreat. Among these animals were some of the best German and Austrian stock, along with the best of the Italian breed, which had been procured as they were rolled back from Reggio and Salerno to the Po River. It was no trouble at all to walk into any field and select a perfectly matched team of dappled gray or chestnut draft horses. Also there were well conformed hunting and jumping types.


The main collection point for these animals, was San Martino De Spino, formerly an Italian Cavalry School. It was here that further evidence of Teuton cruelty was brought, to light, for among the animals collected at San Martino were some with their legs and hind quarters burned severely and, others with their faces and necks burned to a similar degree. This meant that the Germans, when they could not get their wagons across the Po, had set them afire without freeing either the animals drawing the vehicles or those tied to the rear and being led. These poor creatures were, of course, put out of their misery with the least delay by the U. S. Army Remount personnel.



Through the AMG, payment of all requisitioned items was settled. When the war was over, the AMG assumed the job of distributing all captured animals to the patriots that had helped to liberate Italy. Remount collected and held these animals and turned them over to AMG as dispositions were made. This proved to be a gigantic task because of the thousands of horses and mules that had been displaced with the German retreat towards the, Po River. In one compound near Bologna approximately two thousand captured animals were held for distribution to Italian farmers.


The Remount Service played a vital part in the success of the Allied armies in Italy. A quick glance at the North Appenines terrain is all that is required to realize the importance of the sure-footed,. long-eared kinsman of the horse in negotiating the treacherous mountain trails that lead to the fox-holes, the dugouts, and the gun emplacements.



The following citation is a fitting tribute to the men who handled the mules that carried C rations and bullets to the men who won the war:

"The 6742nd Quartermaster Remount Depot (Ovhd) is awarded the Meritorious Service Unit Plaque for superior performance of duty under adverse conditions for the period October 1, 1944, to February 15, 1945. During this period it was the function of the Depot to supply 5th Army horse and mule units, both original issues and replacements of a quality capable of performing the burdensome task of packing supplies quickly and regularly. This meant the procuring, processing, and maintenance of a daily average of 1,304 animals for the entire period... Through the untiring and superior efforts of men and officers this mission was accomplished in a superior and efficient manner, irrespective of time, place, weather conditions, irregularities in schedules, mediocrity of original stock secured, and lack of previously trained personnel... The proficiency and professional skill, outstanding organizational abilities, and efficiency with which animals and administration were handled, reflect the highest tradition of the Service."




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TOPICS: VetsCoR
KEYWORDS: 10thmtndiv; 5tharmy; afghanistan; cavalry; freeperfoxhole; horses; italy; marines; mules; quartermaster; remount; rumsfeld; samsdayoff; veterans; wwii
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To: SAMWolf
ROTFLOL!! That scene is what I wake up to every day! And hubby wonders why I hate to crawl out of bed. 8-/

One of these days, I'm gonna make him go through the "routine" - the WHOLE routine - and let him see what it feels like. *giggle* He has yet to do other than watch "feeding frenzy" time.
101 posted on 11/21/2003 6:17:01 PM PST by radu (May God watch over our troops and keep them safe)
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To: Darksheare
I think I'd like to try having a bobcat/domestic mix one time, just to find out what they're like. BUT...I think Ill wait til the current numbers diminish a bit. LOL! Got MORE than enough to deal with now! LOL!

They sound like gorgeous cats. I don't know, though, if they'd settle in well with a "herd" like we have. :-D
102 posted on 11/21/2003 6:30:01 PM PST by radu (May God watch over our troops and keep them safe)
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To: snippy_about_it; SAMWolf; E.G.C.; Victoria Delsoul; colorado tanker; Samwise; Light Speed

~~~

Last Cavalry Horse Is Historic Symbol
The Pentagram News, Washington D.C.
March 24, 1966

CHIEF, the last living cavalry horse still carried on government rolls, was foaled in 1932 and purchased by the Army in 1940 at Ft.Robinson, Neb. In December of 1949 he was placed in semi-retirement and was fully retired at Ft. Riley, Kan., in 1958. In the event of his death Chief will be buried with full military honors adjacent to Old Trooper, the cavalry monument on main post.

Chief the last remaining government owned cavalry horse is currently in retirement at Ft.Riley, Kan. Though the days of the horse cavalry have long since passed, this horse remains on the Army rolls.

Foaled In 1932, the bay entered the Army eight years later, exactly one year and 12 days prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He was purchased at Fort Robinson, Neb., from L. A. Parker of Scottsbluff, Neb., for $183.00.

He arrived at his cavalry post, Ft. Riley, Kan. on April 3, 1941, where he was assigned to the 10th Cavalry and later the 9th Cavalry. In June of 1942, Chief was transferred to the Cavalry School and remained on the post until his retirement.

Perhaps the most amazing thing about the 34-year-old horse is his physical condition. According to the Post Veterinarian. Chief's physical condition is "excellent." He says that except for advanced age, Chief demonstrates no condition to indicate any trouble in the foreseeable future.

About three years ago Chief was thin and lacking in energy. He carried his head low and his ears back. Then his diet was changed from the standard rations be had been receiving and the change has remarkable results.

Every day Chief, now sleek and fat. is let out in a corral at the Ft. Riley Riding Club. After a first burst of running, he lies down and rolls in the sand. Then he springs to his feet, kicks up his heels and prances around the corral. Usually he stops to roll in the sand several more times before retiring to a shady corner to graze.

In recent years, Chief has become somewhat of a historical landmark at Ft. Riley. During the summer months several hundred visitors call at the Riding Stable to look at the animal.

That Chief is the last of thousands is no idle statement. Illustrative of the number just prior to World War II, the Second Cavalry Division was activated at at Ft. Riley and during the early months of that conflict more than 6,000 head of horses were kept on post.

At Ft. Riley is a monument commemorating the operation of the 26th Cavalry Regiment which was totally annihilated by the Japanese during engagements of Luzon and Bataan in the early moments of WW II. This was the last occasion that mounted horse cavalry was used in actual combat by the United States against the enemy.

So the horse cavalry died. but Chief lives on. In 1953 the number of retired mounts at Ft Riley decreased in number from 43 to 30 at the year's end. In 1954, the number declined to 11. In 1955, there were just five mounts left--two of whom were the most famous of cavalry horses--Gambler and Joe Louis. The other three were Flicka, Strollalong and Chief. All were geldings except Flicka, a mare.

Now they are all gone. . . all except Chief. the last of thousands. He was a good cavalry mount, well liked and remembered by a few people who have known him for a long time. Chief is a real live reminder of the days of boots and saddles-- Custer and the 7th Cavalry, the great days of opening the American West. Chief was a Cavalry Horse.

The 3rd Infantry (Old Guard) has 28 government owned horses, but they are ceremonial horses, used primarily for caisson-drawing, as mounts for caisson section leaders, or caparisoned horses for military funerals.

During World War I, the Camp Meade remount station collected over 22,000 horses and mules. 2,000 were sold to the British in August of 1918. The officer in charge of the remount station was Major Peter F. Meade, a nephew of General Meade after whom Camp (later Fort) George G. Meade was named.

Yearlings, Fort Robinson Remount Depot, taken September 20, 1932. RG1517:48-1

In 1919 Fort Robinson gained new life as a quartermaster remount depot. The Quartermaster Corps is the branch of the U.S. Army responsible for supplies, equipment, and animals (horses, mules, and dogs). As a remount depot the post became an animal processing center for the cavalry and artillery. Here horses were received, examined, cared for, and eventually issued to mounted units. Remount stallions from the post were assigned to civilian agents for breeding purposes.

By 1943 the herd of horses at Fort Robinson approached 12,000. RG1517:45-57

Troop I Sixth Cavalry at Fort Robinson, August, 1897. [1517ph:78-8]

Tenth Cavalry practice charge at Fort Robinson. [1517ph:93-12]

Participants in the pack mule race on Quartermaster Day, 1944. [1517ph:45-37]

The United States Olympic Equestrian Team trained at Fort Robinson in the summer of 1935. [1517ph:49-3]

This is publicity photo for "Feudin' Fussin' and a Fightin'. Donald O'Connor and Penny Edwards.

Penny Edwards, who made eight movies with Roy Rogers, was our next door neighbor until her death in 1998. Roy had Trigger mounted, saying, "You can always get another wife, but a horse--"

Old remounts never die, they just surf away. . . .

103 posted on 11/21/2003 6:32:01 PM PST by PhilDragoo (Hitlery: das Butch von Buchenvald)
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To: PhilDragoo
Evening Phil Dragoo.

Old remounts never die, they just surf away. . . .

LOL! greta picture!

Comanche

The battle was over at Custer’s last strand,
and taps were sounding for all the brave man,
while one lone survivor, wounded and weak,
Comanche, the brave horse lay at the general’s feet.

Comanche, you fought hard, Comanche, you tried,
you were a good soldier, so hold your head up high.
For even the greatest sometimes must fall,
Comanche, the brave horse, you gave your all.

Though you are silent, your deeds did speak loud,
if your buddies could see you, I know they’d be proud.
The symbol of bravery at the Little Big Horn,
poor old Comanche, you’re battle-scarred and torn.

Johnny Horton

104 posted on 11/21/2003 6:46:20 PM PST by SAMWolf (100,000 lemmings can't be wrong.)
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To: snippy_about_it; SAMWolf; AntiJen; MistyCA; SpookBrat; PhilDragoo; All
Thanks for the thread, Snippy. Good stuff!


Beach Bums

105 posted on 11/21/2003 6:48:13 PM PST by Victoria Delsoul (I love the smell of winning, the taste of victory, and the joy of each glorious triumph)
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To: PhilDragoo
Sheeeesh! Thats "great" not "greta"


106 posted on 11/21/2003 6:50:02 PM PST by SAMWolf (100,000 lemmings can't be wrong.)
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To: Victoria Delsoul
Good evening Victoria.
107 posted on 11/21/2003 6:51:20 PM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: Victoria Delsoul
Hi Victoria.
108 posted on 11/21/2003 6:54:39 PM PST by SAMWolf (100,000 lemmings can't be wrong.)
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To: snippy_about_it
Hi Snippy!
109 posted on 11/21/2003 6:54:41 PM PST by Victoria Delsoul (I love the smell of winning, the taste of victory, and the joy of each glorious triumph)
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To: SAMWolf
Howdy Sam.
110 posted on 11/21/2003 6:56:21 PM PST by Victoria Delsoul (I love the smell of winning, the taste of victory, and the joy of each glorious triumph)
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To: GailA
Is the second soldier from the right expressing an opinion?
111 posted on 11/21/2003 9:27:26 PM PST by Valin (We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.)
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To: SCDogPapa
For another 28 mins. it is.
112 posted on 11/21/2003 9:32:20 PM PST by Valin (We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.)
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To: snippy_about_it
:-)
I was wondering if anyone would catch that.
113 posted on 11/21/2003 9:36:41 PM PST by Valin (We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.)
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To: PhilDragoo
BTTT!!!!!!
114 posted on 11/22/2003 3:12:35 AM PST by E.G.C.
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To: radu
Depends on whether or not the mix is part of the colony.
But they can tend towards 'lone wolf' behavior.
They do pick one person to like, and get somewhat upset at other kitties for going near said person.
Mimi picked me more or less, and gave the oddest evil glares whenever another cat went near me.

So yes, you probably would want to wait until somehow acquiring such a cat.
Where I used to live in New Jersey it wasn't uncommon for the stray cats to be bobcat domestic mixes, but it was uncommon to catch one as a kitten and raise it.
(Mimi was caught because she had a chicken addiction.)
115 posted on 11/22/2003 5:58:58 AM PST by Darksheare ("I'm not scary, but I play it on TV!")
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