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Another problem faced by these supply centers was the lack of

supply discipline on ~he part of the ~nits.  Because of the

uncertainty as to when a unit might have to provide services,

some medical units hoarded supplies and requisitioned excess

quantities from the supply centers   Hoarding was particularly

prevalent among units that arrived in theater first and resulted

in some of the later-arriving units not being able to obtain

their authorized level of supplies.  For example, hospitals

arriving first were instructed to carry enough supplies to last

15 days, but some units requisitioned additional quantities and

eventually obtained more than 30 days of supplies.  One unit was

f~ with 120 days o~ supplies.


Xov~ent of Supplies Was Difficult

B~c~se Trans~ortation Was Unavailable


The supply centers also had difficulties in transporting

supplies.  An Army-wide shortage of trucks made it difficult for

the centers to obtain the supplies after they arrived in country.

One center commander said that even when supplies arrived in-

theater,  it would take 3 weeks to obtain transportation to move

them to the centers.  This lack of transportation also impeded

the distribution of supplies to the units.


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