Maneuvers.

This is coolbert:

FTX Louisiana 1941! Vaguely only was I aware of any of this. More extensive than I had thought.

From various Internet media to include the Internet web site War on the Rocks.

1. "SIMULATING WAR: THREE ENDURING LESSONS FROM THE LOUISIANA MANEUVERS"

The article by JENNIFER MCARDLE

"On Monday, Sept. 15, 1941, a special kind of war was declared. As a tropical storm sent torrential rains throughout the Gulf of Mexico, swelling rivers and caking the ground in mud, 472,000 troops bivouacked between Shreveport and Lake Charles, Louisiana, for the largest (simulated) force-on-force battle in U.S. history. The opposing “red” force’s mission: invade “blue” territory and destroy the enemy concentrated near Lake Charles . . . At 15:30 on Friday, just as the red force’s eastern flank at Natchitoches started to crumble, the exercise was halted. Blue had seemingly prevailed."

BLUE IS NEVER INTENDED TO LOSE. BLUE MUST ALWAYS WIN! RED IS THE AGGRESSOR AND THE BAD GUY!!

2. “Relax—It’s Only a Maneuver”

From The National Archives the article by Thaddeus Holt.

"The first army-versus-army maneuvers in American history, 'fought' in the fall of 1941, were an elaborate game—but they helped prepare American forces for World War II"

3. "Louisiana Maneuvers (1940-41)"

From Historn.net and the article by Mark Perry.

"The mock battles of what became known as the Louisiana Maneuvers had one purpose: to prepare America’s soldiers for the war that had already begun in Europe and was threatening to spread around the world."

George C. Marshall Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army should undoubtedly be considered one of the most significant persons in American history.

A practitioner of grand strategy perhaps unequaled in history. 

AND that most senior military officer while not a battlefield commander was tough when he needed to be. Especially when dismissing senior flag and field grade officers whose competence was questionable. BEFORE the war and DURING the war both.

Marshall when he needed to be hard was hard and we are all the better for it too.

coolbert.