Student Publications Student Scholarship Spring 2020 Cives Arma Ferant: Reconstructing Infantry Combat and Training in the European Theater of Operations Phil R. Kaspriskie Gettysburg College Follow this and additional works at: https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/student_scholarship Part of the Military History Commons, and the United States History Commons Share feedback about the accessibility of this item. Recommended Citation Kaspriskie, Phil R., "Cives Arma Ferant: Reconstructing Infantry Combat and Training in the European Theater of Operations" (2020). Student Publications. 792. https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/student_scholarship/792 This is the author's version of the work. This publication appears in Gettysburg College's institutional repository by permission of the copyright owner for personal use, not for redistribution. Cupola permanent link: https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/student_scholarship/792 This open access student research paper is brought to you by The Cupola: Scholarship at Gettysburg College. It has been accepted for inclusion by an authorized administrator of The Cupola. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Cives Arma Ferant: Reconstructing Infantry Combat and Training in the European Theater of Operations Abstract A common theme in memoirs, oral histories, and other sources dealing with servicemen in World War II seems to be a focus on the experience of combat. Training, particularly individual training, is rarely discussed beyond a cursory mention, and if it is discussed at all, the overwhelming tendency is to paint a picture of half-trained cannon fodder, at best. This paper’s goal is twofold: First, explore methods of instruction at the individual and unit levels, and explain the reasoning behind the evolution of training as the Army Ground Forces’ understanding of contemporary warfare changed; second, provide a case study at the unit level by examining the combat record of the 28th Infantry Division as well as training experiences from retired soldiers in the infantry branch.