163 CHAPTER IV, SECTION 1 tion REDWING,all personnel at Elmer were housed in barracks and in the 4-man tent area © (41-50), which had been activated for the convenience of personnel who preferred tents to barracks. As the population increased, empty barracks were activated on an as-needed basis. By 16 July 1955, all barrack-buildings (except for +120) were being used. The first group of the old style 8-man tents (+51 to 75) was activated in September 1955, and by 15 October 1955 the remaining tents (+76-99-H inclusive) were utilized. In October Figure 4-2. Beachhead Galley Pertinent statistics of mess operations are tabulated at end of this SECTION. TABLE 4-1. Provides a ratio of mess personnel used to the number of men served. This ratio was maintained fairly constant for base camps, but it varied considerably at shotisland camps due to the difficulty of phas- ing mess personnel changes with population fluctuations. TABLE 4-2. Provides the total values of the food inventory and the food per man for each month of the operation. It is of interest to note that during the operational phase, when a shortage of storage facilities existed, the food value per man was at a minimum. TABLE 4-3. Provides the direct costs of food and labor for each month of the operation. 1955, a study of billet re- quirements for all Task Groups indicated that additional housing facilities would be required at Elmer. Therefore, the Deputy Director, Test Division, authorized the construction of two 48-man barracks and seventy-two 8-man tents plus five latrines with necessary utility extensions. On 30 November 1955, available billets at Elmer were allocated to the various Task Groups by the Deputy Director, Test Division, in ac- cordance with their anticipated requirements. In January 1956, the Contractor began using double bunks in the barracks allocated to H&N in order to make billet spaces allocated to other Task Force personnel available. By 13 February 1956, this program was completed with the exception of six barracks. Planning contemplated that all space allocated to the various Task Groups would be available by 1 March 1956. This planning was not practicable due to unavoidable delays in the construction of the two 48-man barracks and the seventy-two 8-man tents. However, by 20 March 1956, all spaces were turned over to the respective Task Groups. The table below shows the allocation of berths (as approved by the Deputy Director, Test Division, on 30 November 1955), the nor- mal capacity of housing units available, and the number of berths that eventually had to be provided. TABLE 4-4, Shows allocation of the reefers available at Jobsite. HOUSING. At Elmer, men were housed in aluminum barracks and tents, while at all other camps standard Army tents with outer flies were used. Quarters were provided with aluminum or wooden hot lockers, beds, tables, and chairs. Janitor- ial services were provided daily in all barracks and latrines; linen was changed weekly. When- ever possible, individuals were given a choice of roommates and every effort was made to provide pleasant living conditions. Prior to the start of the build-up for Opera- Figure 4-3. Typical Room in Barrack Page 4-7