Page 1

We of the Eighth Armored Division were lucky in having the most promising General in the Army, General Grimes. He promised us that we were definitely not returning to Camp Polk after maneuvers, he promised us a million and one things, none of which came true, through no fault of his however.

We had heard rumors that the Eighth would go overseas, but finally we lost hope and considered ourselves to be the Louisiana State Guard. Arrangements had been made so that in the event the enemy ever attacked and got as far as Louisiana, they would evacuate us to a place of safety, giving us priority over women and children. Finally we received the astounding news that we were shipping out, and it came from a very reliable source, "The Leesville Bar". It proved to be true, and then we entered into a period of hard and unpleasant work. We had inspection upon inspection, and at one time we found the inspecting officers inspecting each other. The packing and crating detail and the officers in charge were almost on the verge of a nervous breakdown before the detail was finished. Therefore the million and one items of equipment that accompany a Tank Battalion had to be checked, waterproofed and crated.

We left Camp Polk and even though the latest G-2 information from Leesville said that we were on our way to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, we didn't care because we were finally on our way and that is what counted.