Le-- _:

The Crasock Proj ect

The most secret training project undertaken by the Armored Force was the training <. .- '-
of units in the use of CDL
3 2
equipment for which the codeword 'Cassock' was pre- 62
scribed.
3
The basic CDL equipment is ,the M3 Medium Tank modified to provide a light
capable of illuminating the ground at night to a range of 800 yards sufficiently well
for individual enemy movements to be detected. The source of the illumination is ade-
quately protected by ,,aU fire and shell fragments and will produce
in the eyes of the enemy a dazzling effect hfoh serves to create temporary blindness. AI,
Also provided was a 'screen of light giving effective concealment for accompanying .
tanks from aimed fire of antitank guns and, in addition, offered partial concealment
for infantry. The modification did not involve the removal of the 75mm gun. The code-
word 'Leaflets' was prescribed for these tanks.
3 4
CDL equipment was developed by the
British and demonstrated to a select group of U. S. officers at Lowther Castle, near
Carlisle, England, in the fall of 1942. Among the Pmerican officers present were
Generals Eisenhower, Clark and Major General G. M. Barnes. The project, having been
further investigated by -staff officers from Headquarters, European Theater of Opera-
tions General Eisenhower recommended to the War Department that a -similar project be v :
considered
for our Army.
-
A board of officers consisting of General Devers, Major General Barnes, Colonel
Frederick M. Thompson, and Captain John Savage met in Detroit on 19 February 1943 to
make recommendations to the Chief of Staff as to whether CDL equipment should be pro-
duced in the U. S. and, if so, in what quantities. The manufacture of 825 Leaflets and
the designation of ten tank battalions to receive Cassock training was recommended.'36
On 9 March 1943 thb Army Ground Forces directed that the Chief of the Armored
Force.establish a training center at Fort Knox, Kentucky, "for the purporse of con-
ducting mechanical, theoretical, and small unit (platoon) tactical training with Cas-
sock equipment.
3 7
The Special Training Group, Armored Force, was organized for this
purpose. To provide unit training of battalion size, an additional training area was
established in a remote -section of the California-Arizona Maneuver Area. Eventually,
two tank groups, sii tank battalions, one armored infantry battalion and two ordnance
heavy maintenance companies underwent extensive training in this area.
Extraordinary security measures were taken in England to safeguard this equipment
and it was agreed that the sane degree of security would be taken in this country. In
order to achieve strategical sucess it was agreed that the weapon would not be uti-
lized for the first time except by mutual agreement between the two powers. The
security measres adopted in this country resulted in the individuals connected with I -..
the training being almost completely isolated. They were required to execute an oath
of secrecy and could only go on pass in pairs. If anyone was hospitalized, a buddy
went along to "keep him company" and discharge from the service for any reason was not '...
permitted unt'il secrecy was no longer essential. These who became incapacitated for
full military duty were utilized in housekeeping duties at one of the two areas where LK
training was conducted, and those who became totally disabled were held in designated
hospitals. Closed liai-son was maintained with the CDL 'School in England and two ,
British officers were placed on duty at the Special Training Group, Armored Force. ., .-
On 10 August 1944, the Supreme Allied Commander directed that CDL equipment could _"_ , "
not be used In action nor taken within twenty miles of forward positions without prior ,
approval of Supreme Headquarters.
39
While the American CDL units were never in the
combat Vole for which tratned, they were used to provide light for the bridges over
the RhiAhe River in the sectors of the First, Third and Ninth Armies. The light thus
provided resulted in the detection of swimmers -sent down the river by the enemy to
d.-.troy the bridges. Although Cassock units were often fired upon, they suffered no
casualties in men or equipment. The CDL equipment was stored and the tank battalions ,'"'
-55-'1 ,
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