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The army group commander prepares plans for an operation; allots troops and administrative support to the field armies, and to other directly subordinate elements, if any; assigns their zones of action or sectors, missions, and objectives; and coordinates their movements and efforts. Execution of the tasks is decentralized to subordinate commanders. The battle is influenced, from the army group level, by shifting major units; by reallocating combat and administrative support; by the use of support retained under army group control; and by the employment of army group reserves.

An army group, like a field army, is designated by a spelled-out number. The United States has used army groups only in World War II, when the following were organized:

Sixth Army Group, under Gen. Jacob L. Devers

Twelfth Army Group, under Gen. Omar N. Bradley

Fifteenth Army Group, under Gen. Mark W. Clark

TASK FORCE. This is a generic term for an organization established to perform a specific mission, and "tailormade" to that end. It may be composed of elements of any one Armed Service, any two of them, or all three.

In future wars, operations will be conducted over large areas and will require a rapid concentration of force from widely dispersed positions. Highly mobile task forces, which can deliver either atomic or nonatomic fire, will ideally meet these requirements.

Task Forces in Division Operations. Mobile task forces will often be used in division operations. Such a force may vary in size from a reinforced platoon to an armored division combat command or a reinforced infantry battle group, depending on the mission, the terrain, and our own and the enemy's situation. It must be entirely mobile, self-contained logistically, and equipped for complete voice radio communications. The ratio of firepower to manpower must be the maximum possible.

In the offensive these mobile task forces will execute lightning strikes against the enemy, by means of fire,

maneuver, and shock action, followed by rapid dispersion. Defensive operations will be characterized by mobile task forces operating over extended areas. Elements occupying the forward defensive area will be located to force the enemy into areas favorable to the defender. Units attacked by the enemy I will block while mobile forces from reserve and adjacent positions counterattack, possibly in conjunction with the fires of atomic weapons.

The task force concept is used habitually in organizing the armored division for combat.

In World War II and the Korean War, task forces were widely used. An exexample taken at random is Task Force ELLIS, formed by the 88th Infantry Division after the capture of Rome on 4 June 1945. It consisted of a reconnaissance squadron, a tank battalion, an infantry battalion, an artillery battalion and a tank destroyer company. Its mission was to maintain contact with the withdrawing Germans to prevent the establishment of another defensive line. It accomplished this mission, and continued operations until its zone was pinched out by a juncture with the British Eighth Army about 60 miles north of Rome. At one time the task force continued to attack during the hours of darkness to intersect one of the main routes of enemy withdrawal. A colorful "tank versus tank" action ensued, resulting in a victory for the task force, the destruction of an enemy column, and the capture of many prisoners.

Joint Task Forces. A joint task force is formed under a single command from elements of two or of all three of the Armed Services. Such an organization is normally used for amphibious or airborne operations, because of the absolute need for authoritative direction, close coordination, and cooperation. The commander is designated when the task force is formed; he may be from any one of the Services which provide elements of the force. Joint task forces may be designated on the basis of the mission; for example, a Joint Airborne Task Force for an airborne operation.

4 Its formal definition is: "1. Temporary grouping of units under one commander, formed for the purpose of carrying out a specific operation or mission. 2. Semipermanent organization of units under one commander for the purpose of carrying out a continuing specific task. 3. Major subdivision of a fleet or any independent command organized for the accomplishment of a specific task."

CONTINENTAL COMMANDS AND SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS

In addition to the Department of the Army, the establishments and activities of the Army within the continental United States include the followingThe United States Continental Army Command.

Six Zone of the Interior Armies and the Military District of Washington, with territorial jurisdiction.

A great number of service establishments devoted to the housing, supply, and training of the Army, research and development, etc.

Certain agencies concerned with the defense of the United States against direct attack (such as the United States Army Air Defense Command), and with allied activities.

THE UNITED STATES CONTINENTAL ARMY COMMAND. This Command, often referred to as U. S. CONARC, or CONARC, is the principal field agency of the Department of the Army within the continental United States for accomplishing the Army's mission. It traces its beginning to an organization known as General Headquarters, United States Army, established in 1940, which later became the Army Ground Forces. For the evolution of these agencies, and their functions during and after World War II, see chapter 27.

In 1954 an Advisory Committee on Army Organization (the so-called "Davies Committee") and the Secretary of the Army recommended the establishment of a Continental Army Command to provide for the more effective direction of the Zone of the Interior Armies, to limit the number of commanders reporting directly to the Chief of Staff, and to permit operation of the Zone of the Interior Armies as truly decentralized activities. On 1 February 1955, the Office Chief of Army Field Forces was redesignated Continental Army Command with headquarters at Fort Monroe, (Va.). Its Commanding General was assigned responsibility for the command of the six armies within the continental United States, the Military District of Washington, and certain other units, activities, and installations.

As then established, and for the ensuing two years, USCONARC had only limited control over the men, money, and facilities of these agencies. The chief additional responsibility assigned to it on its creation had been in the field of budgeting and funding. Even

here, however, it was dependent on the Department of the Army for guidance in the suballocation of funds for operation of the Zone of the Interior (ZI). Its command status was therefore largely nominal and it concerned itself primarily with training and tactical operations, functioning principally as an inspector of training.

Early in 1956, plans were initiated looking to a theater-army type command. Under this concept, USCONARC would constitute a single command over the Armies in the Continental United States. It would have responsibilities for the education and training of Army forces, administrative and logistical support of the Army Reserve units and individuals and units of the Army ROTC, supervision and coordination of Combat Development activities, Army-wide, and be charged with planning for the ground defense of the continental United States. Its subordinate units would execute these functions under the Commanding General.

This concept was put into effect on 4 April 1957 by AR 10-7. Thereby the nominal command status of the Commanding General, USCONARC, was changed to that of true command. Figure 1 shows the organization of USCONARC as of 10 March 1958.

Under the formal statement of his mission contained in Army Regulations 10-7, the Commanding General, United States Continental Army Command, commands the six armies within the Continental United States, the Military District of Washington, U. S. Army, and such other units, activities, and installations as may be assigned by the Department of the Army. Within overall Department of the Army policies he directs and controls the personnel, intelligence, operation, training, logistic, comptroller, and administrative activities of all elements of his command, including the Army reserve components. He directs the Army combat development activities under the general guidance and supervision of Department of the Army, and submits recommendations to Department of the Army in connection therewith for final approval.

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Specifically, he has five major fields of responsibility

Training and Readiness of Today's Army. He directs and supervises the largest military training operation in the free world. This includes the training, within the Continental United States, of hundreds of combat and combat-support units, hundreds of thousands of soldiers used in these units and as replacements in oversea units, the Army Reserve, the National Guard, the ROTC, and those individuals trained under the Reserve Forces Act of 1955. Seven major Army training centers produce more than 250,000 trained soldiers each year. In addition, more than 150,000 United States and foreign students are trained annually in some 600 resident courses in 30 Army schools, and over 130,000 other students are enrolled in nonresidence courses. In furtherance of this farreaching training activity, USCONARC annually plans and conducts largescale maneuvers and field exercises.

Development and Training of the Army's Reserve Forces (National Guard, U. S. Army Reserve, and

ROTC). In addition to commanding the Army Reserve, the Commanding General, USCONARC, establishes criteria for, and supervises, the training of approximately 400,000 National Guardsmen and is responsible for the Reserve Officers Training Corps with some 228,000 cadets in more than 700 universities, colleges, and high schools.

Development of the Army of the Future. While charged with improving the Army of today, USCONARC also has a major responsibility for developing the Army of tomorrow. To this end it coordinates the Army-wide plans, studies, field experiments, and tests from which are developed the new operational concepts, organizations, weapons, and equipment needed to keep abreast of changed technological conditions and to insure superiority over all possible enemies.

Planning for and Conduct of the Ground Defense of the Continental United States. Duties in this area include the provision of reinforcements for oversea commands, rendering assistance in disaster relief and other domestic emergencies, and preparation

5 For detailed information on Army training, see chapter 8.

and coordination of mobilization plans and programs.

Broad Management of Logistic Activities in the United States. This covers the planning, direction, and control of logistic activities in support of Active Army and Reserve Forces assigned to the command, including the maintenance of facilities and equipment, operation of laundries and commissaries, provision of medical service, and the furnishing of supplies and equipment.

In 1958 there were, under the ComLt. Gen. Lesley J. McNair

9 July 1940-8 March 1942
9 March 1942-13 July 1944

Lt. Gen. Ben Lear

14 July 1944-20 January 1945 Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell

24 January 1945-22 June 1945

Gen. Jacob L. Devers-

23 July 1945-9 March 1948

10 March 1948-30 September 1949

Gen. Mark W. Clark

1 October 1949-5 May 1952

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Chief of Staff, General Headquarters, US Army
Commanding General, Army Ground Forces
.Commanding General, Army Ground Forces
.Commanding General, Army Ground Forces
Commanding General, Army Ground Forces

Chief of Army Field Forces

Chief of Army Field Forces

Gen. John R. Hodge

8 May 1952-30 June 1953

Gen. John E. Dahlquist

24 August 1953-31 January 1955

Chief of Army Field Forces .Chief of Army Field Forces

1 February 1955-28 February 1956 ...Commanding General, Continental Army Command Gen. Willard G. Wyman—

1 March 1956-31 July 1958 ....Commanding General, Continental Army Command" Gen. Bruce C. Clarke.Commanding General, U.S. Continental Army Command Redesignated United States Continental Army Command effective 1 January 1957.

1 August 1958

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR ARMIES AND ARMY AREAS. For the purposes of overall control of Army activities, the continental United States is divided into six major geographical areas, plus a smaller area known as the Military District of Washington. A Zone of the Interior Army is located in each of these areas except MDW. The armies and areas are as follows

First United States Army, with headquarters at Governors Island, New York City; the States of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey.

Second United States Army, with headquarters at Fort George C. Meade, Maryland; the States of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, less those areas in the latter two States which are included in the Military District of Washington.

Third United States Army, with headquarters at Fort McPherson, Georgia; the States of Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.

Fourth United States Army, with headquarters at Fort Sam Houston, Texas; the States of Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana.

Fifth United States Army, with headquarters at Chicago, Illinois; the States of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming.

Sixth United States Army, with headquarters at the Presidio of San Francisco, California; the States of Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona.

The Military District of Washington, with headquarters in Washington, D.C.; the District of Columbia, the adjacent counties of Arlington, Fairfax, King Georges, Prince William, Stafford and Westmoreland, and the city of Alexandria, in Virginia; and the counties of Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince Georges, and St. Marys in Maryland.

In general the responsibilities of the commanding general of each of these areas include, but are not limited to, the following: command and support

of all assigned or attached units, activities, and installations; logistical and administrative support of other units, activities, or installations as directed or covered by agreement; preparation and execution of plans and programs in accordance with overall Army policies; training, equipping and combat readiness of, and deployment of, assigned combat forces and support elements; conduct of field exercises, troop tests, and training tests, and conduct of local field and command post exercises; command of training centers within his geographical area; conduct of rifle and pistol matches; providing training aids and publications for assigned training; conducting industrial defense surveys; providing domestic transportation of materials and personnel; providing medical care, including physical and mental examinations, of military personnel within his geographical area; providing assistance to civilian agencies in time of disaster; operation of assigned personnel recruiting and processing facilities; operation of communication and pictorial service; conduct of intelligence and industrial security activities; command and supervision of the Army Reserve and ROTC and the support of the National Guard of the United States within his geographical area, including supervision of their training; conducting the sale, salvage, or destruction of surplus or excess military property; operation and maintenance of installations and facilities under his command (Class I installations and activities), and provision of certain support services for installations and activities under the command of heads of Headquarters Department of the Army staff agencies (Class II' installations and activities).

Various special responsibilities have been assigned to certain armies that are not common to all. Chief among these are administrative and other support responsibilities for units or activities outside the Continental United States, and responsibilities assigned to the Military District of Washington, incident to the location of the seat of Federal

and

government within that area. Among the latter are foreign liaison activities, conduct of military ceremonies, exhibits and demonstrations, coordination and provision for military funerals, maintenance and provision of the honor guard for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

With respect to the National Guard and Reserve, the Commanding General of USCONARC has delegated to the Zone of Interior Army commanders the responsibility of supervising the training of individuals and units of the Army National Guard in accordance with policies and criteria established by Headquarters, USCONARC. He has also transferred to the Commanding General, United States Army Air Defense Command, the training supervision responsibility (including inspection and testing) for Army National Guard Task Organization units (assigned continental United States air defense missions) meeting minimum prescribed training criteria, when those units are designated by the Commanding General, USCONARC, to the Army National Guard Antiaircraft Special Security Force. Zone of Interior Army commanders command all Army Reserve units in their respective areas, and are responsible for implementing all USCONARC training directives and policies pertaining thereto. They supervise, inspect, report status of training, program and furnish necessary annual field training sites, and provide active Army support for both reserve duty and annual unit training of both reserve components. They furnish necessary administrative and logistical support of units and individuals of the Army Reserve. They maintain close liaison with the several State adjutants general in matters pertaining to the Army National Guard.

The Commanding Generals of United States Army Corps (Reserve), which were established within each Army area beginning in the fall of 1957, are responsible for the operation, training, ad

A Class I installation is one under the command of the Commanding General of a Zone of Interior Army. A Class I activity is one under the direct command of the Commanding General, US CONARC, or of the Commanding General of a Zone Interior Army.

7 A Class II installation is one under the command of the head of a Headquarters, Department of the Army agency. A Class II activity is one under the command of a Headquarters, Department of the Army agency, or of the Commanding General, United States Army Air Defense Command.

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