1944 — March 13, Anti-Personnel Surface Mine Explosion, Camp Robinson, Ark.     —  12

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-12-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

—  12  Gettysburg Times, PA. “11 Soldiers Are Drowned.” 3-18-1944, p. 5.

—  12  Marion Star, OH. “12 Soldiers Killed in Mine Explosion.” 3-14-1944.

—  12  TankDestroyer.net. “652^nd Tank Destroyer Battalion.” Sep 2, 2011 update.

Narrative Information

TankDestroyer.net: “On March 13, 1944, the 652nd suffered severe casualties when its troops were engaged in combat training at Camp Robinson in Arkansas. An anti-personnel mine accidentally exploded during a training session involving the laying and removal of various types of mines, killing 12 soldiers and injuring 14.”  (TankDestroyer.net  “652^nd Tank Destroyer Battalion.” Sep 2, 2011 update.)

Newspaper

March 14: “Camp Robinson, Ark., March 14 — (AP) — An accidental explosion during a surface mine demonstration took the lives of 12 Army enlisted men here yesterday, public relations announced, and sent 14 others to the base hospital.  Ten soldiers died instantly, two others several hours later. Four of the injured were said to be in a critical condition. The soldiers, members of the 652nd tank destroyer battalion, were engaged in practice installation and removal of anti-personnel, anti-tank and booby-trap mines, the public relations office said.  Cause of the explosion was not determined.  The blast occurred at 3:30 p.m., two hours after the soldiers had commenced the demonstration.  The dead included [list of 6 OH and 6 IN fatalities]…”  (Marion Star, OH. “12 Soldiers Killed in Mine Explosion.” 3-14-1944.)

Sources

Gettysburg Times, PA. “11 Soldiers Are Drowned.” 3-18-1944, p. 5. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=3889814

Marion Star, OH. “12 Soldiers Killed in Mine Explosion.” 3-14-1944.  Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=4023525

TankDestroyer.net. “652^nd Tank Destroyer Battalion.” 9-2-2011 update. Accessed 11-10-2011 at: http://www.tankdestroyer.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=240:652nd-tank-destroyer-battalion&catid=43:battalions600s&Itemid=101