Middlesex Township near Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Post of Command
Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012
1. Post of Command Marker
Underground rooms called dugouts were used for a variety of purposes from storing supplies, housing troops and communication centers near the front line. Many were built deep underground using heavy timbers and corrugated iron and were often reinforced with steel rail and concrete in order to withstand heavy artillery bombardments.
The Post of Command (PC) served as the advance headquarters for accompany or a platoon on the frontline. Often place in a dugout with sleeping quarters for company staff, the PC served as a front line office and communications center.
My platoon was in the company support position. Slightly to our rear was a large dugout where our company command post was located. It was connected by telephones to all our platoon command posts and to the battalion command post. At several places along out trench there were narrow tunnels leading downward into the earth to our sleeping places. To enter, one had to stoop and descend into a dark, damp, smelly hole. When enough depth had been reached the tunnel was widened and became level. Short cross tunnels led off of it. One could sleep if he was tired enough. The whole place was infested with rats, body lice and bed bugs. At the far end of the tunnel was a shaft and ladder to escape by in case the entrance was cave in by shellfire. Near the entrance of the dugout, and in the opposite direction, a spur trench lead to a trench latrine.
Notes from the History of the Fifth Division, A.E.F.
Erected by U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 40° 12.383′ N, 77° 9.484′ W. Marker was near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County.
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Regionally, this marker was in South-Central Pennsylvania and in Greater Harrisburg. It was also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Machine Gun Post (here, next to this marker); No Man's Land (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Splinter Proof (a few steps from this marker); The Mortar Pit (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Sniper's Nest (a few steps from this marker); The Front (a few steps from this marker); Meet Private Donald D. Kyler (within shouting distance of this marker); Meet Mechanic Donald D. Kyler
Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012
2. Post of Command entrance
Other markers no longer nearby. Splinter Proof (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Sniper's Nest (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named No Man's Land (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Trenches (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named The Front (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. Part of the Meet Pvt. Kyler/World War I Trench System Exhibit.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012
3. Insert - Inside the CP
Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 310 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 5, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
