1944 — Mar 16, assault boats capsize, training. ex., Lake 2, Lakewood ~Camp Robinson, AR–11
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-11-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
— 11 Gastonia Daily Gazette, NC. “11 Soldiers Drown on Lake Maneuvers.” 3-17-1944, p. 2.
— 11 Gettysburg Times, PA. “11 Soldiers Are Drowned.” 3-18-1944, p. 5.
— 11 Huntingdon Daily News, PA. “Probe Capsizing of Assault Boats.” 3-17-1944, p. 1.
Narrative Information
March 16, Associated Press: Little Rock, Ark., March 16 (AP) – Nine soldiers were drowned and two others are missing in a large lake five miles north of here after an accident during amphibious maneuvers tonight in the second major tragedy to overtake the 66th Division within the past week, the public relations office announced. The drownings occurred in Lake number 2, largest of a chain of seven artificial bodies of water in Lakewood, a sparsely settled residential development east of the Camp Robinson reservation. The public relations office said the accidents happened about 5 p. m. after completion of assault boat training.” (Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD. “Soldiers Drowned in Arkansas Lake.” 3-17-1944, p. 1.)
March 17, Associated Press: “Little Rock, Ark., March 17. – (AP) – Eleven Camp Robinson soldiers were drowned last night in an accident involving two assault boats during amphibious maneuvers on a large artificial lake near here. All bodies were recovered. The camp public relations office said the accident followed completion of assault boat training and river crossing maneuvers while the men were being taken to the opposite side of the stream for supper. Nature of the accident was not disclosed. The victims were attached to the 65th Division and most were members of Company M, 26th Infantry.” (Gastonia Gazette NC. “11 Soldiers Drown…Lake Maneuvers.” 3-17-1944, p. 2)
March 17: “Camp Robinson, Ark., Mar 17–A board of inquiry began investigations today to determine why two assault boats capsized at Lakewood, Ark., yesterday drowning 11 enlisted men on a practice maneuver. The two boats, lashed together for the operation, capsized 50 yards from the east shore of the lake.” (Huntingdon News PA. “Probe Capsizing of Assault Boats.” 3-17-1944, p. 1)
March 18, Associated Press: “Little Rock, Ark., March 18 (AP) – Eleven Camp Robinson soldiers were drowned Thursday night in an accident involving two assault boats during amphibious maneuvers near here. The camp public relations office said the accident followed completion of assault boat training and river crossing maneuvers while the men were being taken to the opposite side of the stream for supper….The victims were attached to the 66th Division. ‘The maneuvers had been rehearsed several times,’ the camp announcement said. ‘The men were riding in two assault boats and were being taken to the opposite side of the river for food. The men were wearing light combat packs. Many men swam ashore and other boats were detailed to rescue work. This was the last unit of the 66th to complete this phase of training.’ Last Monday a surface mine exploded at the camp, killing 12 soldiers and injuring 16 others.” (Gettysburg Times, PA. “11 Soldiers Are Drowned.” 3-18-1944, p. 5.)
Sources
Gastonia Daily Gazette, NC. “11 Soldiers Drown on Lake Maneuvers.” 3-17-1944, 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=65013681
Gettysburg Times, PA. “11 Soldiers Are Drowned.” 3-18-1944, p. 5. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=3889814
Huntingdon Daily News, PA. “Probe Capsizing of Assault Boats.” 3-17-1944, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=102189060
Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD. “Soldiers Drowned in Arkansas Lake.” 3-17-1944, 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=111964828