Prewar planning

When the United States entered World War II, the prewar plans had to be adapted to a multitheater war and previously unexpected demands for a strongly centralized Army command in Washington. Map r) The GHQ concept was abandoned and a "Washington Com-... 

Mark Skinner Watson, Chief of Staff Prewar Plans and Preparations, UNITED STATES ARMY IN WORLD WAR II (Washington 1950) (hereafter cited as Prewar Plans), Ch II. 

Of the 298 chemical units in existence at the cessation of hostilities (2 September 1945), all but 14 were mobilized after the Pearl Harbor attack. (5ee Table 9.) Taking into account organizations reconstituted and disbanded, a total of 383 chemical units and 31 platoons and detachments were activated while the war was in progress. This unparalleled expansion, unexpected and not provided for in prewar planning, gave rise to a number of problems in connection with unit training. 

The prewar plan of the Chemical Warfare Service for officer candidate training had been written in general terms. If an officer candidate school were to be operated under the Protective Mobilization Plan, it would be "established and conducted by the Chemical Warfare School. Classes of three-month duration would begin at M-30, M-60, and monthly thereafter. Each class would have about 150 candidates. "... 

For color plans see (1) Maurice Matlofif and Edwin M. Snell, Strategic Planning for Coalition Warfare, 1941-1942 (Washington, 1953), p. 6 and (2) Mark Skinner Watson, The Chief of Staff Prewar Plans and Preparations (Washington, 1950), pp. 87-89, both in UNITED STATES ARMY IN WORLD WAR II. 

Memo, ACofS WPD for CofS, 21 Sep 21, sub Determinarion of a Basis for the Further Declaration of Surplus Supplies. AG 318.14, (3.30.22), Ping Div ASF. (2) Watson, The Chief of Staff Prewar Plans and Preparations, pp. 23-31. (3) Marvin A. Kriedberg and Merton G. Henry, History of Military Mobilization in the United States Army, 1775-1945, DA Pamphlet No. 20-212. June 1955, chs. Xll and Xlll. 

Memo, Ex Asst to ASW for ASW, 13 Jun 40, sub National Policy on Munitions Productive Capacity. CWS 381/247-260 (War Plans). Also quoted in Watson, The Chief of Staff Prewar Plans and Preparations, p. 174. 

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