35th Infantry Division
During World War I
and the early years of World War II
WORLD WAR ONE SERVICE: The 35th Division served in France during the "Great War".  World War-I was a time when America was coming into it's own as a democratic political power and the empires of the "Old World" were going into decline.  The U.S. Army first landed in France in the Spring of 1917 under General John "Blackjack" Pershing as the American Expeditionary Force (A.E.F.).  Over 500,000 American soldiers eventually would serve both on the Western Front, in Italy, and later in Russia from 1917 to 1919.  The "WAR to END ALL WARS" was fought until the ARMISTICE which occurred on November 11, 1918.  The FIRST WORLD WAR lasted from August 1914 to November 1918.  Initially, the United States stayed out of the conflict which began when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia in 1914.  Russia vowed to protect Serbia from the Austro-Hungarian influence.  Germany who had mutual aid agreements with Austria-Hungary then declared war on Russia.  France who had mutual aid agreements with Russia got into the war, and finally Great Britain came and sided with France when Germany violated the neutrality by attacking France through neighboring Belgium.  So the CENTRAL POWERS: Germany, Austria-Hungary fought against the TRIPLE ENTENTE: France, Russia, and Great Britain.  This deadly war was fought with machine guns, gas warfare, and a new weapons the airplane and the tank!  Thousands of Europeans died in a stalemate of TRENCH WARFARE.  After two and half years of war, the United States entered the conflict on the side of the ALLIES bringing fresh men and material to help France and Britain who had lost millions in bloody battles of World War One!  This fresh influx of men, turned the tide resulting in a victory for the Allies in a major offensive along the lines with the 35th Division earning their battle credit in the Argonne Forest.

After the First World War, American soldiers and National Guard troops returned home to enjoy a short time of peace that was fractured by the outlawing of Alcohol (Prohibition), Labor Strikes, and the Great Depression.  The U.S. Army was quickly downsized and equipment became antiquated and there was little improvement in regards to warfare tactics, tank research, promotional advancement, and a soldier's pay.  It was in this state of disrepair the U.S. Army found itself in throughout the "INTER-WAR YEARS" between 1920 and 1939.  The equipment and most of the uniforms the soldiers wore at the beginning of World War Two were leftovers from the First World War.  And in Europe, the war-drums again began to beat loudly.  Adolph Hitler and the NAZI Party rose to power taking over a weak democratic republic in Germany.  With Germany's annexation of Austria, and the total invasion of Czechloslovakia in 1938, pointed Europe closer to another "World War".  War in Europe finally came on September 1st, 1939 when Germany invaded Poland from the west while two weeks later, Russia invaded and occupied Poland from the East.  Within days, France and Great Britain declared war on Germany to defend the rights of Poland.

WORLD WAR TWO SERVICE on the West Coast :
On December 23rd, 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt mobilized the National Guard for one year due to the "National Emergency" (i.e. The Fall of France & the German air campaign over Great Britain).  Essentially, America anticipating eventual involvement in the hostilities in Europe, was completely unprepared for war.  The 35th "Santa Fe" Division trained and participated in the "The Tennessee & Louisiana Manuevers during the Spring & Summer of 1941 where the Division proved to be ably trained and led.  The National Guard troops were scheduled to "de-mobilize" on the 23rd of December, 1941.  The 7th of December 1941 Japanese air attack at Pearl Harbor/Wheeler Army Air Field and in the Philippines on the 8th of December, changed all that.  With the declaration of war with Japan, the National Guard activation was extended for the "duration" of the hostilities.  After Pearl Harbor, the country was in a state of panic and "war hysteria".  In January 1942, the 35th Division was rushed to California to reinforce the troops deployed along the coast for the anticipated landings of Japanese Imperial forces.

The 35th Division - Reenacted, represent the early "panic" years of January to December 1942 where the Division was posted throughout Southern California, from San Diego to San Luis Obispo.  The M-1917  "dishpan" helmet, drab wool & khaki cotton uniforms, and light colored khaki web gear are of the type the Division trained & served with while in California.  It was here in California that the 35th Division underwent re-organization into a 3-regiment "infantry division" with a cavalry/reconnaissance troop.  The Division's prominent positioning on the coast and in the communities of Los Angeles & Ventura counties earned them another nickname, "The California Army".
The photographs below were taken at the February 24th, 2007 Great L.A. Air Raid at Fort MacArthur Museum in San Pedro, California.
REMINDER: Remember to right click "Open in New Tab or Window" on the photo you wish to see
Typical early WORLD WAR TWO look of our troops
READY FOR DUTY;
Santa Fe, All The Way!
A Special Event that our Unit supports at the Fort MacArthur Museum in San Pedro, Calif.
Our Cavalry Scout, Sgt Ritter with Big "A", Ron on duty at the C.P.
Click Here for more info on the Event!
We are looking forward to next year's event in 2011!
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