Clift Andrus

Key Documents

The Clift Andrus collection contains numerous overlays, operational reports, and articles concerning General Andrus’ time spent as commander of the 1st Infantry Division Artillery, as well as when he assumed command of the 1st Infantry Division as a whole. The most important facet of the Clift Andrus collection are the overlays, which concern the E.T.O. and the 1st Infantry Division operational planning. Included in the overlays are movement techniques, visual troop placement, battle planning, and operational write-ups describing exactly what needed to be done via the overlay and ensuing mission. The overlay collection is important because it shows how planning could be very simple and only include a short write-up or a relatively small graphic, as well as how planning could be very time-heavy, extensive, and require much in the way of graphics, write-ups, and written reports from other generals. Included are four such examples: two of these overlays are relatively simple and describe details in a short manner, whereas the other two overlays delve deep into the difficult planning that accompanied each mission in order to show the complications of each maneuver and operation. These two overlays include multiple graphics for the entire operation, extensive operations orders, as well as written reports from General Beck to General Andrus with advice for the ensuing mission at the time.