The Communications Zone (COMZ) American logistics in France, 1944 Waddell, Steve Robert 1961- creator Dawson, Joseph G. degree supervisor. Beaumont, Roger A. degree committee member. Dunning, Chester S. L. degree committee member. Krammer, Arnold P. degree committee member. Smith, Charles L. degree committee member. Texas A & M University degree granting institution. text bibliography Academic theses xx 1992 monographic eng print ix, 338 leaves ; 28 cm The Allied invasion of Northwest Europe in June 1944, Operation OVERLORD, was the largest amphibious undertaking in military history. The logistical effort in support of the operation was similarly impressive. The Services of Supply, later designated the Communications Zone, provided the support services required by the United States Army. Under the leadership of Lieutenant General John C. H. Lee, the COMZ oversaw all American supply activities in Europe and suffered through one crisis after another. First, a two year power struggle between competing staffs and personalities within the European Theater of Operations Headquarters caused confusion and limited the efficiency of the SOS. Second, the logisticians developed an overly complex and inflexible supply plan for Operation OVERLORD, planning which did not survive contact with the enemy. Third, events on the Continent did not allow for the development of the supply system envisioned in the plans. The liberation of ports fell behind schedule, and the engineers failed to put the railroads and pipelines into service as rapidly as anticipated. These delays caused a significant problem involving cargo discharge and distribution, which necessitated emergency measures. Fourth, all of these problems led to the development of serious supply shortages at the front. The nature of the shortages changed over time but the effect remained the same: the shortages reduced the efficiency of the combat units. The soldiers reacted to the shortages as best they could, improvising whenever possible to mitigate the effects of the supply shortfalls. Although the United States fielded the most well-equipped and supplied military force during World War II and emerged from the war victorious, the Communications Zone often functioned at less than peak efficiency and encountered problems which should have been anticipated. The significance of this study lies, first, in its examination of the leadership, organization, planning and operations of the Communications Zone in Northwest Europe in the summer of 1944. Second, it points up the difficulty in planning or evaluating logistical operations without a clear benchmark to define success or failure. Vita. "Major subject: History." Includes bibliographical references. Ph. D. Texas A & M University 1992 e-fr--- World War, 1939-1945 Campaigns France Normandy World War, 1939-1945 Communications World War, 1939-1945 Logistics Operation Overlord Major history World War (1939-1945) Communications, Military Logistics Military campaigns France Normandy Logistik Militär Normandie Invasion (1944) USA 1939-1945 fast http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=746282761&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=746282761&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD TXA 940928 20200904152641.0 in00001198515 eng