Rickey Robertson, prime mover for naming the historical Louisiana Maneuvers Highway, stands next to his restored 1953 M37 Dodge Weapons Carrier. Since 1941 throusands of military vehicles have traveled this roadway.
Rickey Robertson, prime mover for naming the historical Louisiana Maneuvers Highway, stands next to his restored 1953 M37 Dodge Weapons Carrier. Since 1941 throusands of military vehicles have traveled this roadway.
LOUISIANA MANEUVERS HIGHWAY NAMED
Dr. Patsy Barber
My friend, Rickey Robertson, initiated the naming of this historical route recently, and he travels this route almost daily from his home in Peason through Mount Carmel to Florien and elsewhere. Rickey has studied the Louisiana Maneuvers, 1940-44, and is the No.1 authority on both military as well as the civilian side. The Maneuvers significance in preparing troops for World War II combat leads us, along with Fred Worthington, to plan a DVD on it. First, here in essence is what Rickey writes about the Louisiana Maneuvers Highway. "Beginning in 1940, the US Army started maneuver training throughout the Sabine area of Louisiana. These early maneuvers brought out great shortages of up to date military equipment, including motor vehicles, along with outdated military tactics in the US Army. Substitutes were often broomsticks for rifles, a sign on a vehicle saying "tank" and other make-do equipment. But the real trial was in 1941. With more men in the military, and military vehicles and equipment coming off assembly lines, Gen. George Marshall organized what became the largest maneuvers ever held by the US Army; mistakes made in the field would not be repeated in combat situations. Troops came from allover the United States, not only to learn battle techniques but fight mosquitoes, chiggers, snakes, and swamps. Watching was a novelty to civilians. By September 1941, over 470,000 men and their equipment were in assembly areas located in west central Louisiana and east Texas. Armored, infantry, cavalry, engineers. Coastal artillery and support units prepared for the upcoming battles Armored units had new light and medium tanks, halftracks, scout cars and peeps (Jeeps). The infantry, engineers, and artillery units had new light and heavy transport trucks, peeps, and M-1 Garand rifles. The cavalry had M-1 Garand rifles, also, new trucks and portee trailers to transport cavalry mounts (horses). Divided into the Red and Blue armies, the goal was to capture Peason Ridge (where Rickey lives and has Peason Military Museum). The army holding these rolling hills and cleared highlands could advance south towards Leesville, DeRidder, Alexandria, and Lake Charles or north to Logansport, Mansfield, Shreveport and Bossier City. The gravel Highway, La. 118, from Kisatchie to Peason, Mount Carmel on to Florien intersected Highway 171 that runs from Shreveport to Lake Charles. After Exercise Sagebrush, the road was hard-surfaced. Military vehicles continue to use this roadway traveling from Fort Polk to Peason Ridge Military Reservation for Joint Readiness Training Center exercises. Rickey pondered the continuing use of this roadway from the famous units that won World War II, along with those who fought in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanstan. "Why not get this roadway named and recognized for its historical significance?" State Senator George Long, from Winnfield, knew that Gen. Ben Lear had his headquarters for the Red Army there in 1941. With Rickey's photographs and information, Sen. Long filed Sen. Bill 143 that would name Highway 118 the official "Louisiana Maneuvers Highway." With the help of Rep. Frank Howard, who lives at Hornbeck and the old Maneuvers area, the bill sailed through committees and legislature with NO opposition. Gov. Bobby Jindal immediately signed the bill into law. After 69 years when the Red and Blue Armies met at Mount Carmel, ending the great "War Games" of 1941, Louisiana Highway 118 is officially Louisiana Maneuvers Highway.  Group One – Photo 1 of 6 Photo2 of 6 Photo 3 of 6 Photo 4 of 6 Phioto 5 of 6
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