Army Service Forces, Organization Manual, M301

Authors

Robert Bolin , depositor, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

1943

Document Type

Article

Comments

This manual was scanned by Dr. Jonathan Clemente, an intelligence researcher, and shared with Professor Bolin.

Abstract

During World War II, the Army in the continental United States was organized into the Army Headquarters and three commands:

• Army Ground Forces which was concerned with the organization and training of ground forces for use in the various theaters of war.
• The Army Air Forces, which were concerned with the organization and training of air forces and with research, development, and production of aviation related equipment.
• The Army Services Forces (ASF), which was concerned with administrative, personnel, supply, and fiscal activities as well as the Army Technical Forces:
  • The Office of the Quartermaster General
  • The Office of the Chief of Ordinance
  • The Office of the Chief of Engineers
  • The Office of the Chief of the Chemical Warfare Service
  • The Office of the Surgeon General
  • The Office of the Chief of Transportation

This manual describes the organization of the ASF in detail as well as the organization of each of the Army Technical Services.

At the end of the War, the ASF was abruptly reorganized out of existence.

The history of the ASF is discussed in an official history:

The Organization and Role of the Army Service Forces by John D Millett (Washington, DC: Office of the Chief of Military History, 1954.)

The creation of the ASF during the reorganization of the Army at the beginning of the war and the discontinuation of the organization at the end of the war are discussed in:

From Root to McNamara by James E. Hewes (Washington, DC: Office of the Chief of Military History, 1975.)