Middlesex Township near Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Command Post
Underground rooms called dugouts were used for a variety of purposes, including storing supplies, housing troops, and serving as communication centers near the front line. Many were built deep underground, using heavy timbers and corrugated iron and were often reinforced with steel rails and concrete in order to withstand heavy artillery bombardments.
The Command Post (CP), also referred to as Post of Command, served as the advance headquarters for a company or a platoon in the frontline. Often placed in a dugout with sleeping quarters for company staff, the CP served as a front line office and
My Platoon was in the company support position. Slightly to our rear was a large dugout where our company where our company command post was located. It was connected by telephone to all our platoon command posts and to the battalion command post. At several places along our 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 widened and became level. Short cross tunnels led off of it. There, 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 shaftand ladder to escape by in case the entrance was caved in by shellfire. Near the entrance to our dugout, and in the opposite direction, a spur trench led to a trench latrine.
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Mechanic Donald D. Kyler, Company G., 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division
Erected by The United States Army War College; United States Army Heritage and Education Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I.
Location. 40° 12.4′ N, 77° 9.482′ W. Marker is near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It is in Middlesex Township. Marker can be reached from Army Heritage Trail south of Soldiers Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 95 Soldiers Dr, Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Aid Station (here, next to this marker); The Trenches (a few steps from this marker); Splinter Proof (a few steps from this marker); Sniper's Nest (a few steps from this marker); No Man's Land (a few steps from this marker); Machine Gun Post (a few steps from this marker); The Front (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to the World War I Trench System Exhibit (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlisle.
Related marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 70 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 28, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
