ADSEC
Encyclopedia
ADSEC or ADSEC/COMZ represents "The Advance Section, Communications Zone
", European Theater of Operations
, United States Army
, (ETOUSA) which was formally activated at Bristol in February 1944. It is commonly referred to as simply 'ADSEC'. This was a U.S. Army logistical agency, the first on the Continent. Upon its creation ADSEC was attached to the U.S. First Army
, and gradually took over the Communications Zone activities. The agency moved forward with the Armies and provided close support. ADSEC provided detail planning for the invasion of Normandy, D-Day
.
As such, ASDEC did not have a "base" of operations because this support organization was designed to be on the move continuously. For example, major operations always had a designated "D" day or start date for operations. ADSEC units were moved into operating areas on or several days after a particular "D" day. They stayed until about the D+40, at which time FECOMZ
(Forward Echelon, Communications Zone) units would take over. ADSEC units then moved forward to the next "D" location.
After the June 6, 1944 invasion ADSEC was detached from the U.S. First Army
and took control of activities at the port of Cherbourg, with engineering activities that included the beaches and landing zones; taking over command of the areas left behind as the First Army moved forward. Besides bringing in supplies for the advancing armies, ADSEC also rehabilitated railway rolling stock and provided transportation of POL (Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants) using rail and motor operations (see Red Ball Express
).
ADSEC units included field hospital
s that lay near the rear areas of the advancing Armies. ADSEC also operated blood banks to store large quantities under refrigerated condition for use at front line hospitals. This system of location of storage depots were flexible, so that in advance of a major military operation blood would be stored where needed, close to front line actions, but when the engagement was over then blood would be transported back to hospitals and other bases, or wherever it was needed.
ADSEC also included Finance disbursement units. These units were employed to compute payrolls, travel vouchers, etc. and prepare disbursements and collections of monies.
ADSEC coordinated disbursement of ordnance and munitions to keep the front lines supplied.
ADSEC officials were responsible for overseeing Red Ball Express
transportation activities within the ADSEC Transportation Section.
ADSEC units had to anticipate the needs of the advancing armies and provide as close support as possible to the advancing armies as the situations demanded. These units also provided heavy maintenance work for the advancing armies.
Communications Zone
Communications Zone is a US Army and NATO term which describes a part of the theater of war operations.The Communications Zone is the rear part of theater of operations which contains the lines of communications, establishments for supply and evacuation, and other agencies required for the...
", European Theater of Operations
European Theater of Operations
The European Theater of Operations, United States Army was a United States Army formation which directed U.S. Army operations in parts of Europe from 1942 to 1945. It referred to Army Ground Forces, United States Army Air Forces, and Army Service Forces operations north of Italy and the...
, United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, (ETOUSA) which was formally activated at Bristol in February 1944. It is commonly referred to as simply 'ADSEC'. This was a U.S. Army logistical agency, the first on the Continent. Upon its creation ADSEC was attached to the U.S. First Army
U.S. First Army
The First United States Army is a field army of the United States Army. It now serves a mobilization, readiness and training command.- Establishment and World War I :...
, and gradually took over the Communications Zone activities. The agency moved forward with the Armies and provided close support. ADSEC provided detail planning for the invasion of Normandy, D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
.
As such, ASDEC did not have a "base" of operations because this support organization was designed to be on the move continuously. For example, major operations always had a designated "D" day or start date for operations. ADSEC units were moved into operating areas on or several days after a particular "D" day. They stayed until about the D+40, at which time FECOMZ
FECOMZ
FECOMZ is an acronym for "Forward Echelon, Communications Zone". FECOMZ was a headquarters, organized in World War II and authorized by the Allied Supreme Commander, to organize and control Services of Supply for the invasion forces after D-Day....
(Forward Echelon, Communications Zone) units would take over. ADSEC units then moved forward to the next "D" location.
After the June 6, 1944 invasion ADSEC was detached from the U.S. First Army
U.S. First Army
The First United States Army is a field army of the United States Army. It now serves a mobilization, readiness and training command.- Establishment and World War I :...
and took control of activities at the port of Cherbourg, with engineering activities that included the beaches and landing zones; taking over command of the areas left behind as the First Army moved forward. Besides bringing in supplies for the advancing armies, ADSEC also rehabilitated railway rolling stock and provided transportation of POL (Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants) using rail and motor operations (see Red Ball Express
Red Ball Express
The Red Ball Express was an enormous truck convoy system created by Allied forces to supply their forward-area combat units moving through Europe following the breakout from the D-Day beaches in Normandy. The term "Red Ball" was a railroad phrase referring to express shipping...
).
ADSEC units included field hospital
Field hospital
A field hospital is a large mobile medical unit that temporarily takes care of casualties on-site before they can be safely transported to more permanent hospital facilities...
s that lay near the rear areas of the advancing Armies. ADSEC also operated blood banks to store large quantities under refrigerated condition for use at front line hospitals. This system of location of storage depots were flexible, so that in advance of a major military operation blood would be stored where needed, close to front line actions, but when the engagement was over then blood would be transported back to hospitals and other bases, or wherever it was needed.
ADSEC also included Finance disbursement units. These units were employed to compute payrolls, travel vouchers, etc. and prepare disbursements and collections of monies.
ADSEC coordinated disbursement of ordnance and munitions to keep the front lines supplied.
ADSEC officials were responsible for overseeing Red Ball Express
Red Ball Express
The Red Ball Express was an enormous truck convoy system created by Allied forces to supply their forward-area combat units moving through Europe following the breakout from the D-Day beaches in Normandy. The term "Red Ball" was a railroad phrase referring to express shipping...
transportation activities within the ADSEC Transportation Section.
ADSEC units had to anticipate the needs of the advancing armies and provide as close support as possible to the advancing armies as the situations demanded. These units also provided heavy maintenance work for the advancing armies.