Notes on "The Best Substitute" by Nathan A. Marzoli

Author: Nathan A. Marzoli
Source: Army History, No. 113 (Fall 2019), pp. 6-25
Published by: U.S. Army Center of Military History
Stable URL: JSTOR Article
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Focus on U.S. Army Low-Mountain Training in the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains (1943–1944)
Context of training against the backdrop of World War II
Importance of specialized mountain and winter warfare training for the U.S. Army

Pvt. Anthony Silvia's incident reflects the dangers and challenges of mountain combat training.
Importance of such training initiated in November 1943, prior to U.S. engagement in mountain warfare in Sicily.

Before U.S. entry into WWII, the Army began preparing troops for combat in mountainous areas.
Focus shifted from specialized troops to standard infantry units being trained for low-mountain terrain (no timberline/summer snow).
The urgent requirement for mountain training was highlighted by the proposed invasion of Sicily in early 1943.
Initial training conducted in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia, followed by the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia.
Seven standard infantry divisions trained: 28th, 31st, 35th, 36th, 45th, 77th, and 95th.

Accustom troops to independent actions in mountainous terrains–specifically small infantry units supported by artillery.
Train in deliberate operations from one terrain phase line to another; enhance terrain appreciation among commanders.
Superior physical conditioning of troops.
Operate without transport, carrying only essential equipment.
Artillery support training to handle mountainous terrain complexities.
Supply agency training for navigation in canalized lines of communication.
Engineers trained for rapid road extensions and trail improvements in rocky terrain.

Began before U.S. entered WWII spurred by interest in mountain and winter warfare.
Influences included Finnish winter troop successes, Italian troop failures, and German preparations for specialized troops.
Led to the establishment of the 87th Infantry Mountain Regiment in late 1941.
Expanded into the Mountain Training Center after winter training at Camp Hale, Colorado, was initiated.

Conducted in various terrains to prepare units for future operations in Sicily and other campaigns.
Virginia was chosen for its rough terrain similar to Sicily’s topography–heavy undergrowth and limited road networks.
Preliminary training consisted of exercises that assessed adaptability and physical conditioning in rugged locales.

Newly established in Elkins, WV, covering over 2 million acres.
Significant logistical setup with service units delivering essential support.
Thirteen officers from the Mountain Training Center continued as technical advisers for Regimental Combat Teams (RCT).
Five infantry divisions were involved in four phases of mountain warfare exercises focused on both physical and tactical training.

Scenarios involved live exercises, varying from brief tactical drills to extensive simulated combat operations.
Technical advisers noted specific training shortcomings, such as leadership at the squad and platoon levels, poor physical conditioning, and inadequate tactical reconnaissance.
Constant need for troops to carry heavy loads using equipment designed for mountain mobility (e.g., packboards).

Medical units trained specifically to handle casualties evacuating on rugged terrains.
Exercises that evaluated the efficiency of medical evacuation procedures under adverse conditions.
Found that weather and flooding were significant challenges, impacting mobility and efficiency.

Candidates often were ill-prepared, leading to visible frontline lapses.
Specific reports regarding leadership failures and the need for adaptations to evolving combat scenarios.

Despite challenges, the low-mountain training program yielded valuable lessons and insights into mountain warfare for infantry units.
Training made commanders more aware of their men's physical capabilities and environmental navigation.
The program highlighted the necessity for decentralized command in low-mountain operations, further emphasizing preparedness for rugged terrain warfare challenges.
Lasting impacts included the development of field manuals that integrated training principles extracted from the maneuvers conducted in Virginia and West Virginia.
Ultimately the training was deemed invaluable for U.S. Army success in varied combat settings despite the eventual closure of the training area due to manpower shortages and redeployment plans in 1944.