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Chapter II On 1 September 1943, at Camp Forrest, Tenn., the Fifth Ranger Battalion was activated, with 34 Officers and 503 Enlisted Men. Ranger training began at Camp Forrest on 14 September 1943, and continued through 3 November 1943, with emphasis placed on Physical Training and Combat Training. A vigorous program of Wrestling, Boxing, Swimming, Speed Marches, Mass rough and tumble body contact exercises and log drill was planned. While at Camp Forest, every Ranger learned the mechanical functioning of all weapons, fired every weapon and had to qualify in every weapon. An endless pursual of combat exercises, by squad, platoon and company was made, and rapidly brought to perfection peak. “Commando” raid and house to house fighting was learned, and the training was rounded off with Compass Courses, Infiltration Courses and Training Films. With preliminary basic Ranger training completed, the battalion moved to the Amphibious Training Base at Fort Pierce, Florida, on 5 November 1943. At Fort Pierce, the Rangers went into more intensive, further specialized training in practical use and maintainance of rubber boats, Coastal Raids in which actual capture if towns and strongpoints were maneuvered. Tactical study and employment of Combined Naval Operations became an important part of Ranger training, as did the use of all types of amphibious landing craft. This training continued untiringly until 20 November 1943, and during all the training, the sharp eyes of experienced instructors weeded out the officers and men who were not all that was required for a Ranger to be. On 20 November 1943, the Fifth Ranger Battalion moved to Fort Dix, N.J, where it was assigned to ETOUSA and attached to the First U.S. Army. Preparation for movement overseas followed, with further speed marches, tactical five day problems for company and battalion, and more intensive qualification firing of all weapons. This same training was continued when on 20 December 1943, the battalion moved to Camp Kilmer, N.J, Port of Embarkation, -- and even at this late date, officers and men were strictly being eliminated, allowing only the finest type of soldier, physically and mentally, to remain as members of the Fifth Rangers. |
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