1941 

Jan 01,1941 - New Army Camp takes in village built aground old Grist Mill.

Jan 22, 1941 - Tobruk in North Africa falls to the British and Australians.

Jan 29, 1942 - Expect troops to occupy camp before September 1. Construction slated to get under way February 10 and end August 15. May house 45,000 men.

Feb 8, 1941 - Capt Richard Freeman killed in crash of B-17.  Freeman AAF to be eventually named after him.

Feb 11, 1941 - British forces advance into Italian Somaliland in East Africa.

Feb 12, 1941 - Erwin Rommel is made commander of the German Afrika Korps and arrives in Tripoli, North Africa.

Feb 14, 1941 - First units of German 'Afrika Korps' arrive in North Africa.

Feb 16, 1940 - 10.000 Jews deported from Vienna.

Feb 28, 1941 - The German Reichskommandant in Holland, Seyss-Inquart, proclaimed an ordinance concerning the "duty for the performance of services."  This ordinance provided for the forced employment of Dutch citizens in Nazi-Germany and its occupied territories.  By war's end an estimated 10 million slave laborers were involved.

March 1, 1941 - Bulgaria joins the axis powers.

March 7, 1941 - British forces arrive in Greece.

March 11, 1941 - President Roosevelt signs the Lend-Lease Act.

March 24, 1941 - Rommel pushes British out of El Agheila.

March 25, 1941 - Yugoslavia joins the axis powers.

March 27, 1941 - A coup in Yugoslavia overthrows the pro-Axis government.

March 28, 1941 - Area residents are fighting plan to open prisoner work-release center at Camp Atterbury.

April 3, 1941 - Pro-Axis regime set up in Iraq.

April 6, 1941 - Nazis invade Greece and Yugoslavia.

April 11, 1941 - German General Rommel takes Tobruk.

April 13, 1941 - Soviet and Japan sign non-aggression pact.

April 14, 1941 - Rommel attacks Tobruk.

April 17, 1941 - Yugoslavia surrenders to the Nazis.

April 27, 1941 - Greece surrenders to the Nazis.

April 30, 1941 - Consider local site for 46,000 acre Army Camp. Washington reports survey made of western Bartholomew county. Engineers view land. Cantonment depends on increase in Army. Would care for 30,000 men.

May 1, 1941 - German attack on Tobruk is repulsed.  Proposed Army Camp Site on County Border. First mention of new Army camp in Franklin paper.  Project would take three entire townships. Approval far off.

May 8, 1942 - 20 - 25 men to be used on survey for 'Army Camp'. Construction Quartermaster to open temporary office in Armory. Many straws in wind.
But still nothing definite on location of Post in county.

May 10, 1941 - Deputy Führer Rudolph Hess flies to Scotland.

May 10/11, 1941 - Heavy German bombing of London; British bomb Hamburg.

May 12-13, 1941 - Columbus unit of the National Guard to muster tonight.  Major Sublette to Officiate. Company enjoys chicken dinner.

May 14, 1941 - Begin setting up personnel in camp survey. Offices to be established next week. Five groups of surveyors on the job. Two attorneys chosen.   Location of test wells indicates site to be closer to 31.

May 15, 1941 - Operation Brevity begins (the British counter-attack in Egypt).

May 16, 1941 - The Italian forces in east Africa surrenders.

May 20, 1941 - German paratroops land on Crete.

May 21, 1941 - German battleship Bismark photographed in Norway fjord.  Hunt of the Bismark begins.

May 22, 1941 - War Department puts local camp up to congress. Washington Dispatch says $23,000,000 Cantonment here. 150 to work on survey. Hurd to double force next week - Real estate office opens.  Two townships in survey for Army camp site.

May 24, 1941 - Sinking of the British ship Hood by the Bismarck.   Camp boundary lines may be in two counties.  Will be prepared to buy land on hour's notice.  Camp area in County worth quarter million, based upon 1932 valuation.  Average $52 an acre.

May 27, 1941 - Sinking of the German Battleship Bismarck by the British Navy.   Camp Site's boundaries are established - Maybe ?

May 28, 1941 - Army Camp 'Assured' by President's Fireside Chat. Guards at Armory go on 24 hour duty.  Help added on camp project. Civil Service employees at Armory to date are listed.  Help added on camp project. Civil Service employees at Armory to date are listed.  Query county on camp move north. Possibility seen that camp may go north of SR 252.

May 29, 1941 - 130 miles of county roads to disappear if camp is built.

May 30, 1941 - Rumors fly thick and fast on Army Cantonment plans. Move to the north due to water supply problems.

May 31, 1941 - Hurd Report submitted to Congress regarding establishment of CAMP ATTERBURY, Indiana.  British surrender in Crete.

June 3, 1941 - Army camp site not determined.

June 4, 1941 - Pro-Allied government installed in Iraq.

June 5, 1941 - Cantonment here near reality, common belief.

June 6, 1941 - 1,700 graves in camp area.  At least 10 cemeteries may have to be moved.

June 7, 1942 - Camp will not endanger city's water supply. Plenty available for everybody, Cornell expert in field finds. May use river source. Big filter plant would be constructed if necessary.  Three officers of Corps area look over site. SR 252 believed northern limit of camp.

June 8, 1941 - Allies invade Syria and Lebanon. --  Col. Henry E. Tisdale appointed CAMP ATTERBURY Executive Officer.

June 10, 1941 - First report on nine camp sites made on one here.  Army lays plans for gunfire in county cantonment area.

June 11, 1942 - 600 trailers and 100 tents in local area. Three school buses also help house camp workmen and families. Health problems rise. State officials act but there's still room for improvement.

June 12, 1941 - Camp will bring many chances in county life.

June 13, 1941 - Camp will close seven schools in 3 townships.

June 14, 1941 - United States freezes German and Italian assets in America.   Camp to boost taxes in rest of this county.  Army camp to cut swath in county. North boundary comes within 4 miles of Franklin. US Road 31 to be made into super highway.  US 31 to be made into super-highway for defense purposes.  North boundary comes within 4 miles of city. 12,000 ares in Nineveh and Blue River townships to be taken.

June 16, 1941 - As many as 1,700 graves may have to be moved from site of new Army camp.  At Least Ten Cemeteries in County May Have to Be Moved.  Army Camp site opposition in county growing.

June 17, 1941 - Two months before word on Army camp.

June 18, 1941 - Camp project may result in 4-lane road. Highway surveyors working on 31 south of Franklin arouse speculation. Boundaries undecided. Still subject to revisions until survey finished, says officer. 

June 19, 1941 - Land appraisals and title searches begin in proposed Army camp area.  Checkers work on land below S. R. 252.

June 20, 1942 - Camp Evacuees Gather As Tinkey Sells Out. Chant of Auctioneer Again Sounds in Nineveh Twp.-- Attend Sale.  Camp site land valued at more than $1,000,000. $16,246 to be lost in taxes to Johnson County.

June 21, 1941 - Camp objectors start petition at Pisgah meeting. "We're protecting our homes", say leaders.

June 22, 1941 - Germany attacks Soviet Union as Operation Barbarossa begins.  Italy and Romania declare war on Soviet Union.

June 26, 1942 - Lafayette firm wins bid for paving road into CAMP ATTERBURY. Cost to be $43,559

June 28, 1941 - Nazi SS Einsatzgruppen begin mass murder.   Army cantonment may take 25 miles of county roads.

June 28, 1941 - Germans capture Minsk.

June 29, 1942 - 11,000 camp workers now; 100 more miles of roads closed. Street signs being erected. Streets in one direction are given letter names such as "A" and streets in the other direction are numbered.

June 30, 1941 - Camp may cause shift in rural postal routes in county. Four post offices may be affected if area is approved.

July 3, 1941 - Farmers will be well paid for land, Survey Chief says.

July 7, 1942 - WPA worker at Atterbury electrocuted. Negro killed by high tension line while on top of building. Second fatal accident. Wire slips off board being used to keep it clear of moving structure. -- Jeeps on carriers attract big crowd. Three truck loads of "jeeps" passed through Franklin Tuesday morning about 9:30 causing a rather large crowd to gather on Jefferson Street. The Army midget vehicle were enroute to CAMP ATTERBURY. -- Government pays $13,000 for 150 more acres of land, west of Furnas Mills. Cora Tate Brown, Nancy A. Harter, Mabel Fergerson Cobb, Edward Schanke.

July 8, 1942 - NINEVEH ASKS TO BECOME PART BE GERMAN TWP. Less Than 1,000 Acres Remain in Unit Because of Camp. PETITION IS FILED HERE. Remainder of Landowners Make Request of County Commissioners.

July 9, 1941 - Expect word on Camp when Congress is approached.

July 10, 1941 - Germans cross the River Dnieper in the Ukraine.  -- GEN. MILLIKIN AND PART OF HIS STAFF AT CAMP. Commander of 83rd Division Arrives at Atterbury Post.   9,785 STILL AT WORK.  Construction Runs Race With Arriving Groups of Soldiers.  Cantonment all to be in Johnson County, report.

July 11, 1942 - Army Considers Including Strip Along West Side of Road 31 Near Edinburg. WANT MORE RIVER AREA. Parts of German Township and Blue River in Johnson County Included. Speed work on big field house & Guest Houses.

July 12, 1941 - Mutual Assistance agreement between British and Soviets.   Former Governor Townsend gets petition from Camp objectors.

July 14, 1941 - British occupy Syria.

July 16, 1941 - Camp decision expected day by day. Word still lacking.

July 21, 1941 - Germany bombs Moscow.

July 22, 1941 - Seek housing for foreman on Camp work.

July 23, 1942 - Firing ranges at Atterbury to be in use on Monday. Public warned about trespassing from that date on.

July 24, 1941 - Railroad checks Camp site for new switch.

July 26, 1941 - Roosevelt freezes Japanese assets in United States and suspends relations.   Camp site ideal, but may not be used.

July 29, 1941 - Army camp survey involves 55,327 acres - nearly done.

July 31, 1941 - Göring instructs Heydrich to prepare for the Final Solution.

Aug 1, 1941 - United States announces an oil embargo against aggressor states. -- 295 bodies moved from Camp to new cemetery.

Aug 14, 1941 - Roosevelt and Churchill announce the Atlantic Charter.

Aug 20, 1941 - Nazi siege of Leningrad begins.  -- New stickers required for Atterbury autos. On sale Monday to all civvies and khaki-clad.

Aug 26, 1941 - Edinburg gets ready for boom. Rooms for Rent Committee meets.

Aug 27, 1941 - Camp boom may force railroad to expand. May require a new line from Indianapolis.

Sept 1, 1941 - Nazis order Jews to wear yellow stars.  -- EATING PLACE ORDER ISSUED. Post Commandant Tells Men To Watch For Health Card Signs.

Sept 3, 1941 - First experimental use of gas chambers at Auschwitz.

Sept 13, 1941 - Lt. Shrimp returns from Washington. Still no word on camp.

Sept 16, 1941 - Rumors that the 38th Division will move to a new Camp near Franklin were quashed today.  Fate of Army Camp may be settled soon. Two high officials scheduled to meet in Columbus.

Sept 19, 1941 - Nazis take Kiev.

Sept 28, 1941 - The Lend-Lease act is expanded to include the Soviet Union.

Sept 29, 1941 - Nazis murder 33,771 Jews at Kiev.

Oct 2, 1941 - Operation Typhoon begins (German advance on Moscow).  --  $ 1,200,000 PAID FOR LAND TAKEN FOR ATTERBURY. Amounts Due Those Who Refused to Sign Options Not Included. 58 TRANSFERS IN COURT. Government Acquires 25,882 Acres Here, 425 in Brown, 1 0,385 in Johnson.

Oct 13, 1941 - Camp rumors buzzing again. Reports heard that project to go through, but confirmation still lacking

Oct 16, 1941 - Germans take Odessa.

Oct 17, 1941 - General Hideki Tojo made Prime Minister of Japan.  Report says Army Camp to be let in November.

Oct 18, 1941 - Congressman Louis Ludlow writes local camp is long way off. Sees no possibility of it unless Army goes to 2,500,000 men. Confers with Stimson.   Congressman makes investigation at Methodist official's request.

Oct 21, 1941 - Reeves Back From D. C. Thinks Army Camp Out.

Oct 24, 1941 - Germans take Kharkov.   --  Soldier dies in Atterbury camp mishap. Morris Braun killed in accident near division headquarters. To make investigation.
First traffic fatality among soldier personnel at camp.

Oct 30, 1941 - Germans reach Sevastopol.  --  Skulls offer mystery here when dug-up at CAMP ATTERBURY.  Those of a woman and small baby discovered when grading for new road.  Date set for finish of plans for army camp. Specifications slated to be completed here by Nov. 10. Estimates are next.
Job will be at stage where bids could be let if construction ordered.

Nov 6, 1941 - Move 2 bodies from camp area.  Not moved at Army's request.

Nov 7, 1941 - Title reports are completed in camp survey. Columbus Abstract Company turns in first of certificates today. 812 ownerships in area. Job finished 4 weeks ahead of time set by contract.

Nov 13, 1941 - British aircraft carrier Ark Royal is sunk off Gibraltar by a U-boat.

Nov 15, 1941 - Camp staff to shrink again. About 17 to be on hand Monday. Miss Slinkard to go to Panama.

Nov 18, 1941 - News Bureau in Washington sees likelihood in new budget Item for construction. $437,820,000 for new Posts believed enough to include this one.

Nov 19, 1941 - FDR asks for more money for Army camps. Cantonment here may be reality.

Nov 20, 1941 - Germans take Rostov.

Nov 22, 1941 - Hurd Company sends plans and specifications for Army camp to Washington.  (Images of actual report available on CD - See "Shop in the PX")

Nov 27, 1941 - Soviet troops retake Rostov.

Dec 3, 1941 - Camp site here is argued at House hearing. Ludlow raises question of valuable land 'selected' for cantonment. Somervell tells why. Construction Chief says building costs important consideration

Dec 5, 1941 - German attack on Moscow is abandoned.  Expansion of Columbus hospital must wait on camp. PWA Official writes federal help not likely without cantonment. U. S. Health man here. Further data being collected on facilities in nearby cities.

Dec 6, 1941 - Soviet Army launches a major counter-offensive around Moscow.  Camp to come, most believe.

 Dec 7, 1941 - Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor

Dec 8, 1941 - United States and Britain declare war on Japan with Joint Resolution 116.   The US declares war on Italy with Joint Resolution 120.  The first gassing of Jews (in Chelmno, Poland).  Community feel Camp to come as a result of war

Dec 9, 1941 - Egypt, Mexico, Panama, Cuba, Dominican Republic etc declare war on Japan.

Dec 10, 1941 - Japanese sink British HMS Prince of Wales.  Nya Zealand, South Africa, India, Bolivia etc declare war on Japan.

Dec 11, 1941 - Germany declares war on the United States.  Guatemala, Costa Rica and Dominican Republic declare war on Germany.  Bulgaria, Hungary, Croatia, Slovakia and Romania declare war on USA.  --  US declares war on Germany with Joint Resolution 119.

Dec 12, 1941 - Army officer checks power plan for Army camp. Says news will break within week.

Dec 15, 1941 - Army winds up work on Camp at Armory here. Lieut. Gordon Iddles says staff will move out tonight; He will go to Columbus, Ohio. "Break" rumors spread. Real estate department nears finish - Franklin expects announcement soon.

Dec 16, 1941 - Rommel begins a retreat to El Agheila in North Africa.

Dec 18, 1941 - Local bank is informed camp is ordered. First National gets word from Citizens Union at Louisville. Washington is source. Three contractors to build it on fixed fee basis, says letter.

Dec 19, 1941 - Hitler takes complete command of the German Army.  10-Billion dollar bill signed - no mention of camp.

Dec 20, 1941 - Army's lease on Armory to expire in 2 days. Camp real estate department wonders where it will go.  Camp news is lacking but events points to ok.