EISENHOWER, Dwight D. Typed letter signed ("Dwight D. Eisenhower") as General of the Army, to Maj. Gen. Harris M. Melasky, Commanding General of the 86th Infantry Division, n.p., 22 April 1945. 1½ pages, 4to (10 5/16 x 7 7/8 in.), Headquarters European Theater stationery, on rectos only, stamped "Secret" at head of both pages, paperclip stain and a few mostly marginal pale stains , otherwise fine. "WE... MUST APPLY THE ESTABLISHED POLICIES WITH HUMAN UNDERSTANDING": EISENHOWER DIRECTS THE REDEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS AS THE END OF THE WAR IN EUROPE NEARS Three days before U.S. and Russian troops met on the Elbe in Germany, Eisenhower writes to Melasky, Commander of the Blackhawk Division, expressing his concern about "the human problems which will arise in redeployment." Seeing that the end of the European war was close at hand (Germany would surrender on the 7th of May), Eisenhower looks to the redeployment of American forces: "The fairness and speed with which redeployment is carried out will be reflected in public support of the Pacific Campaign, in the future attitude of the public to the Army, and in the confidence of the returned soldier in Army command. Failure to return all those eligible for discharge to the United States at the earliest possible date will not only result in a loss of confidence by the soldier in the Army, but will also develop an unfavorable public opinion... When the bell rings, we must be prepared to release the high-point men in each combat division who are eligible for discharge, even though it results in an immediate reduction of divisional strength below the authorized figures... It is not a subject to gossip or talk about. It does require thinking ahead... We must not follow blueprint designs rigidly, but must apply the established policies with human understanding. This requires the personal attention of the commander in all command echelons... We must be sure that no combat soldier is sent to the Pacific who has fought in both North Africa and Europe... These men [who do not meet discharge eligibility] should be retained in the European Thearer for the Army of Occupation as they should not be required to fight another campaign. I am forming a small Control Group in my Headquarters to coordinate the efforts of all commands concerned with redeployment... You will have no more difficult command task than you will face in the redeployment of your command. I expect you to give it the same zealous personal attention which you have given to your combat assignments." VE-Day marked the end of the Melasky's 86th Division's responsibilities in Europe. The troops left France and sailed to Pier 86 in New York City. In mid-August, however, Eisenhower's redeployment plans were coming into sharper focus. Documents declassified in the late 1980s reveal that the War Department was planning a massive attack on Japan in which heavy American casualties were expected. The two assaults, dubbed Operation Olympic and Operation Coronet, were scheduled to begin on November 1st, with a massive amphibious assault South of Tokyo Bay. The second invasion was planned for March 1, 1946, involving as many as 28 Divisions, among them the 86th. Eisenhower's wish to face redeployment with "human understanding" stemmed partly from the prospect of enormous American losses; as many as 250,000 troops were expected to die, but these plans ended on 6 August 1945, when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. See James Martin Davis, "An Invasion Not Found in the History Books," Omaha World Herald , November 1987.
EISENHOWER, Dwight D. Typed letter signed ("Dwight D. Eisenhower") as General of the Army, to Maj. Gen. Harris M. Melasky, Commanding General of the 86th Infantry Division, n.p., 22 April 1945. 1½ pages, 4to (10 5/16 x 7 7/8 in.), Headquarters European Theater stationery, on rectos only, stamped "Secret" at head of both pages, paperclip stain and a few mostly marginal pale stains , otherwise fine. "WE... MUST APPLY THE ESTABLISHED POLICIES WITH HUMAN UNDERSTANDING": EISENHOWER DIRECTS THE REDEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS AS THE END OF THE WAR IN EUROPE NEARS Three days before U.S. and Russian troops met on the Elbe in Germany, Eisenhower writes to Melasky, Commander of the Blackhawk Division, expressing his concern about "the human problems which will arise in redeployment." Seeing that the end of the European war was close at hand (Germany would surrender on the 7th of May), Eisenhower looks to the redeployment of American forces: "The fairness and speed with which redeployment is carried out will be reflected in public support of the Pacific Campaign, in the future attitude of the public to the Army, and in the confidence of the returned soldier in Army command. Failure to return all those eligible for discharge to the United States at the earliest possible date will not only result in a loss of confidence by the soldier in the Army, but will also develop an unfavorable public opinion... When the bell rings, we must be prepared to release the high-point men in each combat division who are eligible for discharge, even though it results in an immediate reduction of divisional strength below the authorized figures... It is not a subject to gossip or talk about. It does require thinking ahead... We must not follow blueprint designs rigidly, but must apply the established policies with human understanding. This requires the personal attention of the commander in all command echelons... We must be sure that no combat soldier is sent to the Pacific who has fought in both North Africa and Europe... These men [who do not meet discharge eligibility] should be retained in the European Thearer for the Army of Occupation as they should not be required to fight another campaign. I am forming a small Control Group in my Headquarters to coordinate the efforts of all commands concerned with redeployment... You will have no more difficult command task than you will face in the redeployment of your command. I expect you to give it the same zealous personal attention which you have given to your combat assignments." VE-Day marked the end of the Melasky's 86th Division's responsibilities in Europe. The troops left France and sailed to Pier 86 in New York City. In mid-August, however, Eisenhower's redeployment plans were coming into sharper focus. Documents declassified in the late 1980s reveal that the War Department was planning a massive attack on Japan in which heavy American casualties were expected. The two assaults, dubbed Operation Olympic and Operation Coronet, were scheduled to begin on November 1st, with a massive amphibious assault South of Tokyo Bay. The second invasion was planned for March 1, 1946, involving as many as 28 Divisions, among them the 86th. Eisenhower's wish to face redeployment with "human understanding" stemmed partly from the prospect of enormous American losses; as many as 250,000 troops were expected to die, but these plans ended on 6 August 1945, when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. See James Martin Davis, "An Invasion Not Found in the History Books," Omaha World Herald , November 1987.
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