MARK FELTON & THE RAG-TAG CIRCUS

 

Mark Felton is a British military historian who specializes primarily in the European Theater of Operations of World War ll. He also dives into the war in the Pacific as well as World War I, the Cold War, and the Korean War. His short clips (usually 6-9 minutes) on YouTube are superbly produced with excellent narration and film. Even an amateur historian and former history teacher like myself have learned from Mark Felton, including information about the Rag-Tag Circus.

Let me start from the beginning. The 83^rd Infantry Division of the US Army was organized during World War I and then deactivated. With the start of World War ll the 83^rd was reactivated and trained for combat. The division landed in France several weeks following D Day wich occurred on June 6, 1944. The 63ed relieved the 101^st Airborne Division behind the Utah beachhead and then fought the Germans on the Cherbourg Peninsula to capture the city of Cherbourg and its port facilities so vital to the Allied supply efforts.

Then the division turned south to provide cover for General George Patton’s Third US Army on its right flank as Patton moved east and northeast through France. Released from that duty the 83^rd marched northward into Belgium where it fought in the Battle of the Bulge during the winter of 1944- 45. After the Allied victory there, the division wa soon in Germany fighting eastward.

It was during the victory march through Germany that things got “dicey” for the 83^rd. The division was composed of light infantry which meant few vehicles were at its disposal. Then all of its few trucks were reassigned to other units. With supply lines stretching for about 200 miles and with no vehicles of his own, the division commander faced a dilemma. His solution was to order all captured German vehicles to be repainted with US Army stars and then be reused for the 83^rd. American and British fighter pilots had to be careful not to bomb and strafe the odd-looking division convoys composed of German trucks, motorcycles, and even armored vehicles. Although the 83^rd was officially nicknamed the “Thunderbolt” Division it quickly took on the quirky nickname of the Rag-Tag Circus.

The division was so successful in its efforts that General William Simpson planned to use dit in as part of a secret mission to beat the Soviet Red Army to enter Berlin. But that operation was denied. In May 1945 Germany surrendered to the Allies with the 83^rd Infantry Division only 45 miles from Berlin.

So, what can one from the Rag-Tag Circus? First, leaders do matter. When faced with problems and dilemmas, leaders seek solutions and opportunities for success. Second, humor can be a “force multiplier” for a unit on a mission. Quirkiness when used rightly can elevate team morale. Third, it has been said that amateurs discuss strategies while professionals discuss logistics. Keeping soldiers adequately supplied with the “beans and bullets” they need for their jobs is an absolute necessity worthy of a leader’s best efforts.