Ground Force Replacement System -- xx

Whether or not Chaplain Van ever longed to visit Paris, he was sent there soon after holing up for a while far behind the line of fire. He didn't get there quickly, however. On August 28th, once more he pays a visit to a town in shambles, St. Lo. 

I visited St. Lo this afternoon. the entire city is in rubble. Terrific fighting took place in St. Lo. The city changed possession five times during the battle. Civilians are beginning to come back to their homes, which have been destroyed. 

Whether it was the images of a town totally ruined by war or the wounded he likely saw and visited, or simply seeing the endless armaments of battle, Chaplain Van once again opens his heart to his diary. Once again, we see not only what he sees, but also how he feels about what he sees. Such asides don't happen often.

When ministers are ordained, the ordination vows are read and when the candidates for the ministry is asked, "Will you keep these vows," he answers, "Yes, with all my heart." The implications are tremendous. It means that a minister is willing to suffer any hardship for the sake of Christ. Chaplains experience the practical reality of these vows in the Army during war time.

Here's how the argument operates:

Pastors promise (vow) to "suffer any hardship for the sake of Christ."

War tests one's commitments to the ministry and to God.

I'm a preacher suffering the "practical reality" of that (sacred) commitment.

It's one of those moments when he lets his guard down just a tiny bit.

Meanwhile, Patton, he says, was "on a rampage." which is accurate.  In just two weeks, Patton’s Third Army had advanced over 300 miles, liberated thousands of square miles of occupied French territory, and captured tens of thousands of German troops. Patton's agility and aggression reshaped the Allied campaign, forcing German commanders into chaotic retreat.

Ever since jolly old England, Chaplain Van has operated without orders really. He's been doing good chaplain work, visiting the makeshift hospitals where the wounded were held until they were healthy enough to return to the front--or sent home, but he'd been operating without orders. 

September, 1944

I received my new assignment. the orders read as follows: Chaplain C. VanSchouwen atchd unasgd, Ground Force Replacement System (67 Det. 215 Repl. Co.) is placed on detached service Hq. Communication Zone (FWD) WP o/a 2 September 1944 to his proper sta and orgn, PAC AD reporting upon arrival to the CG thereat. Upon completion of this Detached Service that O will return to his proper sta and orgn. PAC AD. No 1901106 VOC G. Ground Force Replacement system. Communication Zone, Govt T will be utilized S O no 105 1 Sept.

Here's what AI says this bureaucratic jargon means:

Chaplain C. VanSchouwen atchd unasgd, Ground Force Replacement System (67 Det. 215 Repl. Co.)

→ Chaplain VanSchouwen was attached but unassigned to the Ground Force Replacement System, specifically the 67th Detachment of the 215th Replacement Company. This system processed and reassigned incoming troops in the European Theater.

is placed on detached service Hq. Communication Zone (FWD)

→ He was temporarily assigned to Headquarters, Forward Communication Zone, which managed logistics, supply, and personnel flow behind the front lines.

WP o/a 2 September 1944 to his proper sta and orgn

→ “WP” means will proceed on or about 2 September 1944 to his proper station and organization—likely his final assigned unit or chaplaincy post.

PAC AD reporting upon arrival to the CG thereat

→ Upon arrival, he was to report to the Commanding General (CG) of that location. “PAC AD” likely refers to Personnel Administrative Command, Active Duty—the office handling his orders.

In summary, this, according to AI, is what he likely understood when he opened up his new orders in early September, 1944:

• The Ground Force Replacement System was essential after D-Day, as thousands of troops were wounded, killed, or rotated. Chaplains were often reassigned to support new units or fill gaps.

• The Communication Zone (ComZ) was a vast logistical network stretching from Normandy to Paris and beyond. It handled everything from fuel and food to personnel and mail.

• Detached service meant Chaplain Van wasn’t permanently reassigned—he was temporarily sent to help where needed, likely ministering to troops in staging areas or hospitals.