Inspection Division, OC CWS

Based on interviews and correspondence by the Chemical Corps Historical Oflice with installation commanders and key personnel of the Inspection Division, OC CWS. 

Inspection manuals were exteremly useful in keeping the inspectors informed on government policies and procedures, but they were not intended to serve as guides for individual inspectors working on specific items. For that purpose the Inspection Division, OC CWS, prepared individual standard inspection procedures. A standard inspection procedure described the item, specified the parts to be inspected and the tools or instruments needed to accomplish the inspection, and finally, indicated where pertinent how the item would be proof tested, inspected for surveillance, and packaged. 

At the start of the war the CWS had compiled very little literature to assist its inspectors in carrying out their day-to-day operations. To fill this need the Inspection Division, OC CWS, inaugurated the practice of writing a Standard Inspection Procedure (SIP) for each CW end item. The SIP described the item and its use, how it was made, and how it functioned. It went on to specify the parts of the item to be inspected, the tools or instruments to be used in carrying out the inspection, and it finally outlined such matters as proof testing, surveillance procedures, and packaging. The bulk of the SIP s on the CW items were prepared and circulated by the summer of 1944. ... 

Annual Report of Inspection Division, OC CWS, for Fiscal Year 1944. 

Reinspection of all CW Materiel in Depots Within Continental United States Compiled by Inspeaion Division, OC CWS, 31 May 44. CWS 314.7 Inspection File. 

Following the activation of a separate Inspection Division in the OC CWS in May 1943, the technical functions of the inspection offices at all CWS installations came under the jurisdiction of the new Inspection Division. The principle of divided jurisdiction was never entirely satisfactory to a number of installation commanders, who felt that since they... 

Analysis of Operations of the Inspection Division, 1942-1945, compiled by Col John H. Sharp, C Insp Div, OC CWS. (2) Ltr, C Insp Div OC CWS to Chiefs, Inspection Offices, all districts and arsenals, 3 May 45, sub Policy of Inspection Division on Manpower Utilization and Other Studies. Both in CWS 314.7 Inspection File. 

Inspection in the CWS improved so markedly after the independent Inspection Division was set up in the chiefs office in May 1S>43, that the action stands out as one of the wisest organizational moves of the wartime period in the CWS. Not only did the quality of inspection improve the attitude of the inspectors took a marked turn for the better. For, once they were removed from the control of those who at OC CWS level were responsible for meeting production schedules, the inspectors carried out their duties in a more effective manner. 

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