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US
Army Industrial Center, Europe
Communications Zone
Looking for more information from military/civilian
personnel assigned to or associated with the U.S. Army
in Germany from 1945 to 1989. If you have any
stories or thoughts on the subject, please contact me .
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ARMIC
History |
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1958
- 19.. |
(Source: Command
Briefing, Hqs ARMIC. The US Army Industrial Center, Europe, Coleman
Barracks, Mannheim-Sandhofen, APO 28.) |
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YEAR
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1947
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7841st
Ordnance Procurement Center establishes European Liaison
Offices. |
1951
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7841st
Ordnance Supply Group organized; commands Mannheim, Pirmasens,
Nancy, Braconne, Fontenet, Germersheim, and Rhine Ordnance Depots. |
1953
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53rd
Ord Gp assumes storage, supply & maintenance mission
of ordnance materiel from 7847th Ord Gp. |
1954
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53rd
Ord Gp assumes command of Mainz, Ober-Ramstadt, Böblingen,
Schw. Gmünd & Karlsfeld Ord Depots. |
1958
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53rd
Ord Gp merged with 7841st Ord Procurement, redesignated ORDIC
with command of Ord Plants Mainz, Ober-Ramstadt, Böblingen,
Schw. Gmünd and Procurement Liaison Officesin Rome, Paris,
London, Madrid and BENELUX. |
1963
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Procurement
activities consolidated with Procurement Center Frankfurt; USAOD-Germersheim
assigned to ORDIC. |
1964
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ARMIC
commands USAMP's Böblingen, Mainz, O.-Ramstadt & Schw.
Gmünd and USAD Germersheim. |
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![](ARMIC%201964%20map%20sm.jpg) |
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ARMIC
INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES |
USAMP
BÖBLINGEN
- MISSION
- Depot
Maintenance Light Combat Vehicles
- FY-64
PROGRAM MAJOR ITEMS
- 181
APC's
- 28,215
Canvas Items
- 105
Tank Retrievers (VTR)
- 143
Missile Support Items
- 871
Power Train Assy's
- 821
Tac Vehicles
- FACILITIES
- SPECIAL
CAPABILITIES
- Vehicle
steam clean, de-rust, sand-blast & paint facilities
- Complete
sheet metal facilities & carpenter shop
- Canvas
fabrication & repair
- 6-light
engine dynamometers
- Vehicle
test track with 30/60 percent slop
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USAMP
MAINZ
- MISSION
- Depot
Maintenance Combat Vehicles
- FY-64
PROGRAM MAJOR ITEMS
- 303
Tanks
- 203
Artillery
- 1355
Fire Control Items
- 2279
Power Train Assy's
- 28
VTR's
- FACILITIES
- SPECIAL
CAPABILITIES
- Metal
plating & metal spraying
- Heavy
vehicle test track with 30/60 percent slope
- 6-heavy
engine dynamometer test cells
- Complete
machine shop incl. crankshaft grinders
- Gun
tube magnaflux
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USAMP
OBER-RAMSTADT
- MISSION
- Tire
Recap & Manufacture of Rubber Items
- FY-64
PROGRAM MAJOR ITEMS
- 103,823
Pneu Tires
- 28,200
Solid Tires
- 65,700
Misc. Rubber Products
- FACILITIES
- SPECIAL
CAPABILITIES
- Mixing
of special rubber compounds
- Manufacture
of specialized extruded & molded rubber dies
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USAMP
SCHW.-GMÜND
- MISSION
- Depot
Maintenance Major Assemblies
- FY-64
PROGRAM MAJOR ITEMS
- 10,300
Vehicle Engines
- 10,240
Power Train Components
- FACILITIES
- SPECIAL
CAPABILITIES
- Tool
& die fabrication, forging, metal plating & metal
spraying
- Induction
heat treating
- Component
magnafluxing
- 33-light
engine dynamometers
- Complete
machine shop incl. milling & boring machines
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- MISSION
- Receives,
Stores, Issues Supplies & Materiel
- FY-64
PROGRAM MAJOR ITEMS
- Received
-- 58,000 Tons
- Stored
-- 44,000 Tons
- Issued
-- 58,000 Tons
- FACILITIES
- SPECIAL
CAPABILITIES
- Vehicle
processing for overseas shipment
- Vehicle
storage capacity of 6,000 tracked or 12,000 wheeled vehicles
- OVM
processin
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![](../ArmyDepots/Germersheim%20Ord%20Depot%201962%20sm.jpg) |
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US
Army Depot, Germersheim, 1962. |
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(Source:
Email from Melvin
Bielawski, ORDIC, 1959-1965)
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I
am a WW II veteran, albeit non-combat. I was born and raised in
Toledo, Ohio. I volunteered for immediate induction into the Army
when I was drafted for my first physical. I spent two years in Germany
from November, 1945, to October, 1947. My first assignment in Germany
was with the 633rd Medical Clearing Company, although I was trained
as an infantry GI. I was placed in charge of the hospital in "P.O.W.
Camp 78, Zuffenhausen, Germany". My
book on that experience, so titled, was published in 2002. (It
can be previewed at www.1stbooks.com.)
After obaining my degree from the University of Toledo, thanks to
the G.I. BIll, and during my employment at Rossford Ordnance Depot,
located just outside of Toledo, I accepted a DAC (Department of
the Army Civilian) job July, 1957, in Bremerhaven, Germany, in Management
Services, Office of Comptroller.
In August, 1959, I accepted a position with ORDIC
in Management Services and remained with ORDIC, eventually as Chief
of Management, until I transferred to the Directorate of Management,
Comptroller of the Army, in April, 1965. I retired from Pentagon
in 1982. Began new careers as consultant, writing books, etc., plus
travel with my Bavarian wife, golf, fish, etc.,etc.
As the web site summarizes, ORDIC was the Headquarters responsible
for the command and control of ALL operations of the four principal
Ordnance Corps army depots in Germany, namely Ober-Ramstadt, Boeblingen,
Mainz, and Schabisch-Gmuend. ORDIC reported to COMZ, located in
Orleans, France. All funding, reporting, etc., followed these lines
of authority.
Mainz, primarily responsible for the Army's tanks overhaul, and
Boeblingen, responsible for light combat vehicles, etc., were GOCO
plants, i.e., Govenment Owned-Contractor Operated.
Mercedes Benz had Boeblingen and Mainz had Luther Works-Jordan (this
contract later change hands). Sch. Gmuend and Ober-Ramstadt were
GOGO plants. Both were Government Owned-Government
Operated.
The ORDIC Headquarters was located in Coleman Barracks, just outside
of Mannheim, Germany. All of the assigned military and DACs lived
in Benjamin Franklin Village, near Kaefertal. The ORDIC Headquarters
was abolished in the summer of 1965. A COMZ team comprised of Army,
DACs, and French LN's (local nationals) recommended this action
in their final management and manpower analysis of ORDIC. The COMZ
team included the recommendation that the FIVE installations report
directly to COMZ. The installations were allocated slight increases
in their staffs to accomodate the new missions.
Germersheim (GOGO) Depot was assigned to ORDIC about 1963. But it
too was assigned to COMZ in 1965. In 1959, Col. Woods was the CO,
followed by Col. Dennis, followed by Col. Katz, followed by Col
Shepard. The organization was typical of an Army Ordnance depot,
i.e., Administration, Depot Maintenance and Supply, Engineering,
Inspection, Procurement, and Comproller Divisions. A Finance and
Accounting (TO&E) unit was assigned to ORDIC. The Heidelberg Post
CPO (Civilian Personnel Office) provided the services for DACS.
A CPO in Mannheim provided ORDIC support services for Local Nationals
(LNs).
I still maintain contact with several military and civilians, American
and Germans, who were assigned to ORDIC during my time with the
organization. Mel Bielawski
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If you have more
information on the history or organization of ARMIC, please contact me . |
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Information
Boolet |
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(Source: US
Army Ordnance Industrial Center, Europe - Information Booklet,
1962; copy submitted by Henry A. Ulrich, Jr.) |
HISTORY
OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY ORDNANCE INDUSTRIAL CENTER, EUROPE
Activated 15 August 1958 at Coleman Barracks, Mannheim, Sandhofen,
Germany and assigned to Headquarters, United States Army Communications
Zone, Europe.
MISSION (UNITED STATES ARMY ORDNANCE INDUSTRIAL
CENTER, EUROPE)
1. Procurement: In accordance with directives received from the Department
of Do faces, Department of the Army, Commending General, USAREUR,
Commanding General, US Army Communications Zone, Europe, elements
of the US Navy and the US Air Force. a. Obtain proposals, negotiate,
execute and administer contracts for procurement of Ordnance Corps
supplies, equipment and services, in Europe, the Middle East and North
Africa. h. Negotiate, execute and administer contracts under the Facilities
Assistance Program. c. Negotiate, execute and administer technical
arrangements, license agreements and memorandums of agreement pertaining
to the missile systems developed and produced in Europe. d. Accomplish
procurement studies as requested.
2. Production (Overhaul): a. Combat and special purpose track laying
vehicles. b. Tactical and commercial type wheeled vehicles, trailers
and semi-trailers. c. Small arms. d. Artillery and fire control equipment..
e. Assemblies, sub-assemblies and components thereof. f. Pneumatic
and solid tires, track shoe pads and miscellaneous rubber items. g.
Tools and equipment.
3. Other Functions: a, Manufacturing items required to support the
overhaul mission is ORDIC plants and supply depot requirements or
urgent stock fund requirements.
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1. Procurement:
In accordance with directives received from the Department of
Defense, Department of the Army, Commanding General, USAREUR,
Commanding General, US Army Communications Zone, Europe, elements
of the US Navy and the US Air Force.
a. Obtain
proposals, negotiate, execute and administer contracts for procurement
of Ordnance Corps supplies, equipment and services, in Europe,
the Middle East and North Africa.
b. Negotiate,
execute and administer contracts under the Facilities Assistance
Program.
c. Negotiate,
execute and administer technical arrangements, license agreements
and memorandums of agreement pertaining to the missile systems
developed and produced in Europe.
d. Accomplish
procurement studies as requested. |
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2. Production
(Overhaul):
a. Combat
and special purpose track laying vehicles.
b. Tactical
and commercial type wheeled vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers.
c. Small arms.
d. Artillery
and fire control equipment.
e. Assemblies,
sub-assemblies and components thereof.
f. Pneumatic
and solid tires, track shoe pads and miscellaneous rubber items.
g. Tools and
equipment. |
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3. Other
Functions:
a. Manufacturing
items required to support the overhaul mission in ORDIC plants
and supply depot requirements or urgent stock fund requirements.
b. Salvage
of uneconomically repairable major items, including demilitarization
and reclamation of economically reclaimable secondary items
required in support of overhaul operations.
c. Modification
of major and secondary items.
d. Testing
Laboratory: Operate the Ordnance Testing Laboratory, encompassing
performance of all tests necessary for the establishment of
physical, chemical, and electrical properties and performance
characteristics of engineering samples, pilot and production
samples of materiel procured by the Ordnance Industrial Center.
Provide laboratory services for the US Air Force European Procurement
Program. Operate the command check analysis laboratory for both
Communications Zone and Seventh Army Ordnance Depots of fuel
and oxidizer for the Corporal Guided Missile Program presently
in the European Command. Perform other laboratory services for
USACOMZEUR installations and depots, US Army troops, other technical
service installations and area commands.
e. Engineering
as necessary to accomplish the procurement and overhaul missions.
f. Ordnance
Drawings and Specifications: Operate the USACOMZEUR repository
and maintain the master file for Ordnance specifications, manufacturing
and inspection drawings, including the furnishing of services
to other theater units as required.
g. Supply
Operations: Incident to mission.
h. Technical
Assistance: Field agencies and MAP recipients.
i. Finance
Services: as directed. |
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4. Exercises
military command, technical direction and administrative and
operational control over the following USA Ordnance Industrial
Center Plants, Liaison Offices and such others as may be established
by Headquarters, USACOMZEUR.
a. USA Ordnance
Plant, Boeblingen.
b. USA Ordnance
Plant, Mainz.
c. USA Ordnance
Plant, Ober-Ramstadt.
d. USA Ordnance
Plant, Schwaebisch-Gmuend.
e. USA Industrial
Liaison Office, London.
f. USA Industrial
Liaison Office, Paris. |
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![](ORDIC%20sites%20sm.jpg) |
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PLANT
LOCATIONS AND MISSIONS
Location: US Army Ordnance Plant, Mainz is located
within the city limits of Mainz, Germany,
Mission: Performs overhaul of combat vehicles,
artillery, fire control, small arms and related secondary items
for Direct Army support, the Army Stock Fund and in support
of the Military Asistance Program.
Location: US Army Ordnance Plant, Ober-Ramstadt,
is located at Ober-Ramstadt, Germany.
Mission: Rebuilds pneumatic and solid tires, track
shoe pads and road wheels for Direct Army support and the Army
Stock Fund. Fabricates a myriad of rubber products for use at
the other plants.
Location: US Army Ordnance Plant, Schwaebisch-Gmuend,
is located at Schwaebisch-Gmuend, Germany
Mission: Performs overhaul of water cooled internal
combustion engines, axles, transmissions, transfer cases and
related components for the Army Stock Fund.
Location: US Army Ordnance Plant, Boeblingen is
located at Boeblingen, Germany.
Mission: Performs overhaul of wheeled tactical
type vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers and certain related secondary
items for Direct Army Support and the Military Assistance Program.
Fabricates canvas items for the Army Stock Fund. |
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![](ORDIC%20org%20chart%20sm.jpg)
ORDICEUR org chart
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LIAISON
OFFICES LOCATIONS AND MISSIONS
Locations: US Army Ordnance Industrial Liaison
Offices are located within the city limits of Paris, France;
and London, England.
Missions: Liaison Offices are assigned the following
missions in the areas of procurement and inspection:
a. Obtain
proposals; negotiate, and administer contracts for Ordnance
material, equipment and services. Includes procurement under
the Military Assistance Program and United States Forces Support
Program.
b. administration
of contracts and technical arrangements under the Facilities
Assistance Program which includes monitoring the development
of Preliminary Surveys and detailed Engineering Project Studies.
c. Provides
advice and assistance in preparation of plans, interpretation
of drawings and specifications.
d. Accomplishes
and performs in process and final inspections of contract end
items on current contracts as well as related proving ground
tests as required. |
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The
Headquarters, United States Army Ordnance Industrial Center,
Europe, occupies Buildings 50-M and 51-M at Wilson D. Coleman
Barracks, Sandhofen, Germany,
COL Lennard C. Sorensen, Commanding |
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Related Links:
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