Army Ground Forces

A good many chemical warfare officers were assigned or attached in the zone of interior to the Army Ground Forces, the Army Air Forces, and the Army Service Forces. Chart lo) ... 

Army Ground Forces Army Air Forces Army Service Forces Overseas Commands... 

While the principal mission of the mortar battalions was the dispersion of toxic agents and smoke, the CWS was of the opinion that the battalions could be profitably used to fire high explosives in support of the infantry. Before any such assignment was possible two preliminary steps were necessary. First, the War Department would have to approve a military requirement for a high explosive (HE) shell for the 4.2-inch mortar, and secondly, the Army Ground Forces would have to be convinced that the 4.2-inch mortar could be used to advantage in supplementing the 105-mm. howitzer in close support of the Infantry. 

Although the chemical mortar battalions were activated by the Army Ground Forces and remained under AGF jurisdiction, the Chemical Warfare Service, as indicated above, retained a considerable interest in them. The CWS supplied most of their officers and cadres, procured their mortars and ammunition, and was responsible for the technical aspects of their training. The chemical mortar battalions were accepted in the theaters as stemming from the CWS, even though their early growth was nurtured by the AGF. 

At least one out of every three commissioned oflicers trained at the Chemical Warfare School came from another arm or service. The number of students from naval components was greater than the total sent by either the Army Ground Forces or the Army Air Forces. In the enlisted classes, outside students definitely outnumbered those from the Chemical Warfare Service. 

As a result of several reports from overseas theaters indicating a deficiency in chemical warfare training, the Army Ground Forces were directed to include chemical phases in all maneuvers of divisions and larger units.. .. It is the opinion of this division that chemical warfare training in the Army has not yet reached a satisfactory standard.. . . The division will continue to pay particular attention to the progress of chemical warfare training. ... 

Military Attaches and all War Department Missions and Groups on duty outside con tinental United States May 1944 to November 194 also includes all missions and groups under the jurisdiction of the Commanding Generals, Army Ground Forces, Army Air Forces, or Army Service Forces. 

By the beginning of 1943 there were thus two fairly satisfactory flame throwers, the CWS model and NDRCs "Q. Although theaters of operation had not asked for main armament flame throwers the Army Ground Forces had watched the development of the weapon with approval. In March 1943 CWS arranged a demonstration to allow the AGF to decide which of the two models it preferred. This turned out to be "Q. The Army decided to place the flame thrower in light tanks, these being the only tanks available. ... 

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