Newton County Pre-War Maneuvers

The decisive phases of the Louisiana Maneuvers ran September 15 to 19 and September 24 to 28, 1941, pitting the Red Second Army against the Blue Third Army, according to a Stephen F. Austin State University account. Sources count between 400,000 and 470,000 men. General George Marshall organized the exercise, and Patton's 2nd Armored Division carried the Blue side to victory. The Sabine formed the western edge of the maneuver area. Twenty-six men died, mostly by drowning in the Sabine or in vehicle accidents, and the exercise led to the creation of Fort Polk.

What the plaque says

Newton County Pre-War Maneuvers By 1941, the U.S. military was painfully aware of its unpreparedness to combat the modern mechanized armies in Europe. To increase its combat effectiveness, the U.S. Army conducted the Louisiana maneuvers, which included 3,400 square miles of Texas. The maneuvers involved nearly half a million men and 19 divisions. Many Newton County citizens allowed the U.S. Army access to their lands for training. Troops, horses, tanks, mechanized vehicles and airplanes (utilized for spotting and 'flour' bombing raids) came from various Texas posts. Newton County residents supported these critical military maneuvers (1941 – 1944), that effectively phased out the horse cavalry and provided valuable lessons as the U.S. Army learned how to fight and win a mechanized war. (2010)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Martin Dies, Jr. State Park — 27 mi
  A 705-acre state park on Steinhagen Reservoir at the meeting of the Neches and Angelina rivers, with about 14 miles of paddling trails through sloughs and more than 200 campsites.

More markers nearby

• Town of Newton — steps away
• William Blewett — steps away
• Newton County — 3.4 mi
• Newton County, C.S.A. — 3.4 mi