Category: History

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WW2 Reenacting Table of Organization and Equipment

Below are some Tables of organization and Equipment that outline the personnel, equipment, and organization of various types of units. For reenacting purposes it’s doubtful you’ll ever have this all (and it’s doubtful in WW2 the units in question ever did) but it’s a general guideline on what to aim for.

Army Regulations AR 30-3000 Price List of Clothing and Equipage July 1943 – This is a price list of all the clothing available. Zip file.

The Oct 1944 version of AR-30-3000 is also available as a link to US WW2 Uniforms.

Army Regulations AR 615-40 Enlisted Men Clothing and Equipage Allowances April 1943 – Link to US WW2 Uniforms that lets you scroll through the regulation.

US Army Table of Equipment No 21 Dated 15 December 1943 – Link to US WW2 Uniforms that lets you scroll through the regulation.

Infantry

TO&E 7-16 Headquarters and Headquarters Company Infantry Battalion Feb 26 1944 – A table of organization and equipment for a Battalion. Outlines who has what equipment in what part of the battalion and how much. Looks to be a clean-up copy of original source material.

TO&E 7-17 Infantry Rifle Company Feb 26th 1944 – A table of organization and equipment for a rifle company. Outlines who has what equipment in what part of the battalion and how much. To download the original source use this link

Infantry Parachute

TO&E 7-37 Infantry Rifle Company Parachute – Aug 1st 1944. A Table of Organization and Equipment for what a rifle company should have in terms of manpower and items. This replaces the 7-37 from Feb 1942.

TO&E 7-37 Infantry Rifle Company Parachute -17 Feb 1942. A Table of Organization and Equipment for what a rifle company should have in terms of manpower and items. This is a cleaned-up copy of original source material.

Engineers

TO&E 5-15 Engineer Combat Battalion March 13th, 1944 | This is a cleaned-up copy of the equipment and personnel the battalion had.

Military Police

TO&E 19-55 MP Battalion 1945 – A Table of Organization and Equipment for what a Military Police Battalion should have in terms of manpower and items.

Signal Corps Units Table of Equipment and Organization

List of TOEs for Signal Corps Units – A list of all the TOE guides for signal corps units. Missing the following:

11-1027 Signal Detachment, Headquarters Ship
11-1050 Film Library Organization
11-1095 Army Signal Battalion, Special
11-1096 Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Army Signal Battalion, Special
11-1097 Wire Operation Company, Army Signal Battalion, Special
11-1098 Signal Construction Company, Army Signal Battalion, Special

TOE 11-7 Signal Company, Infantry Division 12-11-1943 with changes –

TOE 11-15 Signal Battalion 12-10-1943 with changes –

TOE 11-16 Headquarters & Headquarters Company, Signal Battalion 12-10-1943 with changes –

TOE 11-18 Field Operation Company, Signal Battalion 12-10-1943 with changes –

TOE 11-25 Signal Light Construction Battalion 2-25-1944 with changes –

TOE 11-26 Headquarters & Headquarters Detachment-Signal Light Construction Battalion 2-25-1944 with changes –

TOE 11-27 Signal Light Construction Company 12-10-1943 with changes –

TOE 11-37 Signal Photographic Company 2-12-1944 with changes –

TOE 11-57 Armored Signal Company 9-15-1943 with changes –

TOE 11-87S Signal Information and Monitoring Company 5-10-1944 –

TOE 11-96 Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Signal Operation Battalion 19 May 1944 –

TOE 11-97 Sig Operation Company, Sig Operation Battalion 19 May 1944 –

TOE 11-107 Signal Depot Company 2-6-1945 with changes –

TOE 11-147S Joint Assault Signal Company 12-30-1944 – For an after-action report of the 593rd Joint Assault Signal Company which landed at Leyte Island on Oct 20th 1944 as part of the 96th Infantry Division read: 593rd Joint Assault Signal Company. It goes into detail about the problems it faced as well as the nitty-gritty of how the company was supposed to operate.

TOE 11-237 Signal Company, Service Group 3-26-1943 with changes –

TOE 11-500 Signal Service Organization Sept 22nd 1944 with changes –

TOE 11-557T Airborne Signal Company Dec 16th 1944 with changes –

For the signal items related to an Airborne Division see: Principal Items of Signal Equipment, Airborne Division. This is just section 3 of the TO&E. I don’t have the full one.

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WW2 Reenacting Supply and Equipment Catalogs

This lists supply catalogs. Supply catalogs are books filled with descriptions and nomenclature of various items used by different branches.

Signal Corps and Radio and Telephone

The instrument sketch book Weston Electrical Instruments 1941 – A sales book showing various products. Some of these civilian models may have ended up in Signal Corps hands. Also nice to have a reference guide in case you come across an obscure electrical item that you’re not sure about.

Signal Supply Catalog 1945- SubClass 6r M-Z Tools, Pigeons Class 9, Meteorological Class 7 – A partial listing of the whole Signal Corps Supply Catalog. Consisting of the total stock numbers and nomenclature of all items available to the Signal Corps.

Signal Training Pamphlet No 4 Wo Code No 8256 – Construction and Maintenance of Lines Poled Cable and Multi-Airline 1948 – A post-war British Army guide on pole construction

Automatic Electric Telephone Supplies 1950 –Part One and Part Two. A product sales book showing telephone supplies available in 1950. Good for cross-referencing items. Includes hardware, wood, insulators, tools, wire, cable, cords, terminals, power, and misc items.

Medical Department

Medical Supply Catalog Med1 to Med3 March 1944 – This is the medical department’s complete catalog of available products. It lists items available, the associated stock number, as well as the price. It also includes pictures of some of the times. It’s a beefy pdf file that you download from my Google Drive. The Med-dept.com contains a wealth of information that goes into more detail on some of the items in the catalog such as individual first aid packs.

Medical Department Supply Catalog 1942 – This is the medical department’s complete catalog of available products. It lists items available, the associated stock number, as well as the price. It’s a beefy PDF file that you download from my Google Drive. The Med-dept.com contains a wealth of information that goes into more detail on some of the items in the catalog such as individual first aid packs.

Quartermaster Corps

Quartermaster Corps Manuel QMC 14-2: Use and Care of Office Equipment and Supplies – Dated Feb 1945. Written in response to the drastic reduction of office supplies and describes how to use and care for office supplies to make them last longer. Contains nuggets of information like “use both sides of the paper” and “to re-use file folders flip them inside out”. Also mentions to reuse rubber bands as rubber was a wartime ration good. It also has a good section on how to care for typewriters, which if you don’t know where to begin is a good place to start! Print on ivory regular paper, 8.5โ€ณ x 11โ€ณ

Quartermaster Supply Catalog QM 3-1: List of Items for Troop Issue Enlisted Men’s Clothing and Equipment. This catalog was made in May 1946. Lists out all the things available to troops at the end of WW2. Supercedes QM1.

QM 3-2 WACs and Nurses Clothing and Equipment: Circular No 4 Revised Oct 1943 and including Change 1 of April 1944 – First published in Oct 1943 and then updated in April 1944. A list of clothing and equipment items for Nurses and WACs.

Quartermaster Supply for Posts Camps and Stations QM3-3. Lists items that would be available for issue to static places like camps and posts etc. Published on June 15th, 1944.

Quartermaster Supply Catalog for Enlisted Men QM 1. Lists items for issue to enlisted men at the start of WW2. Published in 1943.

Army Air Forces Equipment Catalogs

Airborne Radio Equipment Handbook 1943 – A listing of which planes had what radios and where they were on the plane.

Graphic Survey of Army Air Forces Radio Equipment – Consists of four sections conducted in 1945.

Women’s Uniform Guide

American Women in Uniform 1943 by Mary Steele Ross – A quick overview of different uniformed Women’s organizations, their uniforms, pay, and rank.

Ordnance Catalogs

Ordnance Catalog Standard Nomenclature List A-5 ORGANIZATIONAL SPARE PARTS AND EQUIPMENT FOR GUN MACHINE CAL 30 BROWNING M1917 AND M1917A1 AND MOUNTS June 1943 – Outlines parts and equipment for several different types of machine guns.

Ordnance Catalog Standard Nomenclature List A-33 Mortar and Mount 81mm M1 Parts and Equipment March 1942 – Outlines the parts and equipment for the M1 81mm mortar.

Ordnance Catalog Standard Nomenclature List B3 for M1903 M1903A1 M1903A3 and M1903A4 Sniper Rifles May 1944 – Outlines parts for the M1903 rifle as well as the slings and bayonets.

Ordnance Catalog Standard Nomenclature List A-42 for Hand Carts M3A4 M4A1 and M6A1 June 1945 | Outlines the parts and equipment for the M3A1, M4A1, and M6A1 hand carts.

For an additional detailed review see M3A4 Hand Cart on the Liberator Website.

Ordnance Catalog Obsolete General Supplies of Group A July 1945 – Lists various equipment classified as obsolete including hand carts.

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WW2 Reenacting Pamplets and Bulletins

Easy 39th has a larger list of Pamphlets so if you don’t see what you want here you can head to that page.

https://wartimepress.com

YANK https://www.unz.com/print/Yank

Popular Mechanics https://books.google.com/books?id=rN8DAAAAMBAJ&dq=popular+mechanics+1941&source=gbs_all_issues_r&cad=1

Here is another popular American Magazine. This one was weekly so there are a lot of issues to look through. Like other magazines, this one also captures the products available during the War years.

Collier’s Magazine – Click Here

Editions with Wartime Covers

April 21th, 1945
March 24th, 1945
February 3rd, 1945

November 25th, 1944
September 30th, 1944
June 24th, 1944
May 6th, 1944
March 4th, 1944
February 19th, 1944
February 5th, 1944
January 3rd, 1944

July 31st, 1943
February 20st, 1943

Pamphlets

Pamphlet 21-13 Army Life 1944 | A document which goes over basic military introduction.

If you wish to print it off, the cover is a brown cardstock.

Pamphlet 21-10 Pvt Droop has Missed the War June 5th 1944 | An document that implores soldiers to essentially “don’t do stupid shit with” like driving too fast, hanging out too close to highways, drinking and driving, swimming within 2 hours, and visiting firetraps and cabarets, etc.

Pamphlet 21-23 Don’t Get Killed by Mines or Booby Traps Nov 17th 1944 | A guide that discusses types of German and Japanese and US mines, how they work, how to recognize them, and as well as where one might find them.

Essentially, don’t touch stuff.

Note that the pamphlet contains Nazi symbols and offensive imagery of the Japanese.

Pamphlet 23-2 Hits Count 1959 | A post-war document that discusses how to aim with the M1 Garand rifle. While not WW2-related, the tips are relevant.

Pamphlet 24-2 Radio Telephone Procedure Oct 22nd, 1943 – Part 1 and Part 2 | A short small booklet that explains Radio Telephone Procedure. Print off part 1 on 8.5in b 14in. beige light cardstock, flip it over, and print off part 2. Then cut and fold.

I haven’t tested it but it looks like it’s going to end up being some kind of wallet-sized/index card-size pamphlet. If you want it as an image you can see part 1 and part 2 here.

Pamphlet 27-4 Procedure for Military Executions 1944 | Outlines how to execute by firing squad and hanging convicted military personnel.

It is interesting to note that when the prisoner approaches the firing post or gallows, a band plays “The Death March”, which is Frederic Chopinโ€™s Funeral March. When the prisoner is killed the band plays “..a lively tune”.

For a history of how this song became associated with military executions see: The History of the โ€˜Dead Marchโ€™ played before military executions.

Also of note, when execution by firing squad happens between 1 and 4 rifles out of the 12 used will be loaded with blank ammunition.

Transportation

Ford Truck GPW Instructions for Unpacking and Assembly of Boxed Vehicle – Fully Sheathed Create Form 3679-1 | Describes how to unpack a jeep in a crate and assemble it.

Drivers School Schedule of Classes April to May 1944 – A classroom training schedule for training drivers. Includes topics and relevant field and technical manuals.

Medical

Removal of Wounded from Tanks Information Bulletin No 17 June 5th, 1942 | Discusses ways to remove wounded from tanks such as using slings or pulling them out. Mostly focuses on early war tanks like the Lee and Grant and includes British tanks like the Churchill and Valentine.

Classroom Training Schedules

The Army Nurse

The Army Nurse Vol 2 No 1-8 Jan to Aug 1945 – The Army Nurse is a magazine-type publication for Army Nurses. It contains news and information related to the organization.

Comes from AFHRA Reel B1795.

The Army Nurse Vol 1 No 1-12 Jan to Dec 1945 – The Army Nurse is a magazine-type publication for Army Nurses. It contains news and information related to the organization.

Comes from AFHRA Reel B1795.

Ordinance and Weapons

How to Shoot the US Army Rifle – The Infantry Journal, 1943.

Misc

Jody Calls | A marching song invented by Private Willie Lee Duckworth in 1944 to help keep up morale during long marches.

This Jody Call Information paper explains more about the history.

Camp Crowder Guide and Telephone Use – Looks to be a little handout given to folks arriving at Camp Crowder, MI.

For a look at some of the soldiers training at Camp Crowder See: Camp Crowder Signal Corps Training Center 27th Battalion, Co D as well as A Camera Trip at Camp Crowder. For a humorous take see the Pvt Roberts Comic Strip.

For additional Camp Crowder information see: https://www.ibiblio.org/cizewski/signalcorps/crowder/index.html.

Radio War Guide July 1st, 1942 | A handout that outlines things a civilian radio station can take to help spread factual information about the war and help with general war-related programming.

Alphabetical list of APOs Jan 1942 to Nov 1947 | Lists out all the APOs for postal mailing.

If Captured These Are Your Rights 1944 War Department Pamphlet No 21-7 | A handout that outlines what your rights are if captured.

You should be able to print it out on 8.5in by 11in paper and then cut and trim pages. However, the front page may be cardstock.

Should get two staples along the outside seam.

Get Tough! How to Win Hand-Hand Fighting As taught to British Commandos and US Armed Forces by Capt WE Fairbairn.

The original book was published in 1942. This is a reprint of it. If I ever come across a PDF of the original book I’ll replace it.

Dirty Fighting An Introduction to the Principles of Combat without Weapons by Lt David Morrah Jr AAA School Camp Davis NC | A manual for hand-to-hand fighting.

Men-at-Arms German Combat Equipments 1939-45 – An Osprey publication that outlines what the German Equipment looks like.

Cohesion and Disintegration in the Wehrmacht by Edward Shils and Morris Janowitz Public Opinion Quarterly Vol. 12 No. 2 1948 | Discusses why the German Army was effective and why it collapsed. Essentially, it was effective when there was trust and not when there wasn’t.

Camouflage Simplified 1942 by Eric Sloane | A book describing ways to camouflage buildings from ariel observations through shadowing, pattern blending, painting etc.

Post-WW2

There’s a small amount of post-WW2 manuals and guides I thought I might post here because they’re too cool and interesting not to share.

Combat in Russian Forests and Swamps Center for Military History 104-2, 1982. This replaces PAM 20-231, July 1951.

Germans marching through a russian swamp

FM 31-20 Special Forces Operational Techniques Dec 1965.

FM 31-73 Advisor Handbook for Counterinsurgency April 1965.

150 Questions For A Guerrilla – Alberto Bayo – Paladin Press – 1996. It is an interview conducted with General Bayo before he died. Likely as part of his experience with the Cuban Revolution.

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Rangers and Special Forces in WW2

I typically reenact 5th Rangers, D Co. This post isn’t meant to rehash the history of the 5th Rangers (or Special Forces) but to provide some interesting information about them. I’ve divided the information into a few distinct sections. The images below cover all rangers unless otherwise specified in the image.

The images come from Ross, Robert Todd. US Army Rangers & Special Forces of World War II: Their War in Photographs. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Military History, 2002.

Rangers in the Field

Ranger Toggle Ropes

A close-up of the Ranger toggle ropes used on Dday. Probably taken from a training landing or a few days after.

While this next image isn’t from the book it does describe the location of where folks were in a landing craft. Source unknow.

Darbys Rangers

The images below show a Table of Organization and Equipment for Darby’s Rangers but are instructive in a general sense for what the 5th Rangers ultimately had.

Ranger Helmet

The images show some examples of a Ranger helmet. To learn more about how to paint the diamond see: Painting a Ranger Diamond.

Ranger Patch

The image below shows an example of a ranger patch on HBTs and 4 pocket tunics.

D-Day Embarkation

The images below highlight activity around the Rangers as they prepare for Dday. In one image you can see a few BC1000s radios.

Unique Uniform and Equipment Placement

The images below highlight a few unique placements of field equipment. Such as a meatcan pouch attached to a belt.

Ranger Training

The images below show a few examples of Ranger training for D-day and in general. It also shows an example of “Ranger Training” for other units. As in some soldiers in other units were selected to take a “Ranger course” and be certified.

Ranger Haircuts

1st Ranger Battalion SV Boots

The 1st Ranger Battalion had SV books. With “S” meaning sole and “V” meaning Vibram.

2671st Special Reconnaissance Battalion

The 2671st Special Reconnaissance Battalion was an OSS unit. They spray-painted their M1943 with black stripes to help camouflage it during operations. This doesn’t apply to the 5th Rangers but cool to show.

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The M1 Helment for WW2 Reenacting

This will document some interesting things about the M1 Helmet that might be germane to reenacting. The images below unless otherwise mentioned come from two books –

The M1 Helmet: A History of the US M1 Helmet in World War II. by Mark A. Reynosa, 1996. Schiffer Military History, Atglen, PA. Images from this book are marked MR.

The M1 Helmet of the World War II GI: A Reference based on the M-1helmet.com collection. by Pieter Oosterman, 2010. Schiffer Military History, Atglen, PA. Images from this book are marked PO. To view part of the collection please visit M-1 Helmet.com

M1917a1 Helmet

The M1917a1 helmet is the same m1917 helmet design but with an improved liner.

Steel Helmet Production: The Helmet, Liner, and Straps

M1 Helmet Liner Manufacturing Companies: How to ID

Paratrooper’s Helmet

Helmet Camouflage and Nets

Field Modifications and Field Markings

Identifying your Helmet

GIs would write their name on the liner or chinstrap or etch it into the metal of the helmet itself.

Medic Helmets

Unissued Liners

Below shows how the liners were packed from the maker.

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WW2 Airborne Reenacting Information

This page will catalog some information related to reenacting US airborne divisions during WW2. I have an 82nd Airborne impression that I don’t often use. It’s a secondary impression that I’ll occasionally pull out but I’ve acquired various documents related to the 82nd in crafting the impression.

Geronimo US Airborne Uniforms Insignia and Equipment in World War II. Bill Rentz, 1999. Schiffer Military History. Atglen, PA

The images below are some high-quality pdf scans that came out of the book. Shows the 82nd in North Africa, individual equipment issued prior to a jump, how patches were sewn on, medical harness equipment, Arm Identification flag examples, 82nd patch examples, and stenciled jump jacket among others. For a complete view you can download the pdfs in a zip file here.

82nd Airborne in Normandy: A History in Period Photographs. Francois, Dominique. 2004. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Military History.

The images below are some high-quality scans that come out of the book. Shows aid station images, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment Basketball Team, beer drinking, dropping supply bundles, private photos taken before departing for Normandy, individual equipment, parachuting dogs, The Tennessee Maneuvers, and others.

At the Point of No Return: Pictorial History of the American Paratroopers in the Invasion of Normandy
Michel de Trez, 1994 D-Day Publishing, Belgium

The images below are some high-quality scans that come out of the book. It has examples of rigger-modified medical pouches and kits, platoon demo kits, and individual demo kits, as well as a few pictures of first aid and soldiers taking positions prior to an attack.

Why 1st Aid Kits on 17th Abn Div Helmet Nets by Lt Col David P. Schorr – This is a short document from the School of Combined Arms (Regular Course) 1946-1947. Schorr was the Executive Officer of the 193rd Glider Infantry Regiment. It provides a brief explanation as to why the first aid kits were attached to the front of the helmet. Spoiler: It provides a distinctive outline making “friendlies” easily recognizable in the dark. Now obviously, it only applies to the 17th Airborne Division around Operation Varsity but “attaching stuff to a helmet during a jump” was also something done by the 82nd and 101st on other jumps. It makes it easier to carry more stuff into combat.

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Feathers of Honor: Pigeons in WW1

Feathers of Honor: US Army Signal Corps Pigeon Service in World War 1, 1917-1918. Pdf file. By Frank A. Blazich Jr.
Source: Army History , Fall 2020, No. 117 (Fall 2020), pp. 32-51 Published by: U.S. Army Center of Military History

The article discusses the development of the pigeon service, training of pigeoneers, selection of the pigeons, and tactics used to bring pigeon communication as close as possible to the front lines.

Of course, you cannot mention pigeons in WW1 without a nod to Cher Ami, arguably the most famous pigeon ever. Cher Ami is credited with helping to relieve friendly fire on the Lost Battalion. Cher Ami is currently stuffed and on display at the National Museum of American History in Washington DC.

Identification stamps on a pigeonโ€™s wing
A book with carrying tubes and paper for sending messages
Soldiers from the 42d Division prepare pigeons to carry messages back from the front.
Mobile Lofts for Pigeons
Cher Ami
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World War Two: Diaries, Journals, and Accounts

I’m a sucker for primary sources. This post will be a catalog of sorts that’ll provide links to various diaries, journals, and accounts of World War II.

These will be either hard-to-find accounts or unpublished ones.

The first one is, of course, the diary I helped edit and publish.

Recollections of a World War II Combat Medic -Zip file. By Bernard L. Rice. Indiana Magazine of History , Vol. 93, No. 4 (December 1997), pp. 312-344 (33 pages).

In this account, Bernard was part of the 12th Armored Medical Battalion providing medical assistance to the 12th Armored Tank Division. Bernard participated in the Battle of the Bulge, helped liberate Dachau, fought in the battle of Herrlisheim, crossed the Rhine, and was pushed into Germany by the war’s end. What I like most about the account is the mention of the little things like using oranges to practice sewing up wounds when he was in basic.

Finally, the account ends with mentions of the 12th Armored (I don’t think he was part of it) securing Werner von Braun‘s supersonic wind tunnel…who hilariously complained to the men that his bike was stolen. As well as an account of a few 12th Armored boys from the 23rd Tank Battalion and 4 infantrymen partaking in the Battle of Castle Itter (which is a super interesting story!).

The Odyssey of a Texas Citizen Soldier – ZIp file. By Robert L. Wagner The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Vol. 72, No. 1 (Jul., 1968), pp. 60-87 (28 pages).

This is the account of Oran C Stovall a commander of the 111th Engineer Battalion which was part of the Texas National Guard unit, the 36th Infantry Division. He supported attacks to secure Naples and saw heavy action trying to cross the Rapido River to outflank Monte Cassino. Crossing the Rapido wrecked the Division. It was eventually sent to Anzio to help with the breakout and then to Southern France as part of Operation Dragoon. To help shore up the division they were assigned the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the segregated Japanese-American unit. The unit ended service securing parts of the Dachau.

Medical Testimonies – A link to the Med-Dept.com which contains a wealth of resources for all aspects of WW2 era medical information including numerous accounts of those working in hospitals (both on land and ship), on the front-lines, and in graves registration units.

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12th Army Group Headquarters Movements

This book is Vol .IX of the 12th Army Groups Report of Operations (final after-action report). It describes the actions of the Headquarters Commandant Section and Special Troops.

You can download The Report of Operations: 12th Army Group vol. IX here.

What I find neat about the report is that it describes units typically attached to higher-echelon units and outlines (briefly) what they did. It’s a lot of units you would never think about but would be needed to help make the 1.3 million men in the group function.

For example, the 18th Finance Disbursing Section made between Feb 3rd, 1944 to June 30th, 1945 140,751 payments totaling $7,887,428.59. Also noted…they never had a case of VD or court martial.

And the 114th Signal Radio Intelligence Company which listened for lower-level German Army radio traffic and was able to locate a gas dump that US Army tanks were able to capture and use to gas up.

Of course, they also had the Office of the Chaplain who oversaw religious services for the men. It looks like the Chaplains were mostly Catholic or Protestant but also gave sermons to those of the Hebrew Faith, Mormon, and Christian Science faiths. It’s noted that:

“A listing of all the locations in which services were held would in itself give some insight into the variety which belongs to the experiences of Special Troops Chaplains. Apple orchards, world famous cathedrals and well known
shrines garages, moving picture houses, and stables, historic court churches, day rooms, and mess halls: magnificent private chapels, dingy billets, and in the bombed out ruins of what had once been churches, are just half the story of where our men knelt or stood with their heads bowed. The services were held in times of fair weather and bitter cold, in times of quiet and in times when gunfire could be plainly heard.”

And the 585th Army Postal Unit which was bombed on March 14th and the men worked through the night fixing and salvaging so they could be open for business the next day.

The book also contains a neat map of their movement. You can download it as a pdf here or look at the image below.