Flying above, driving over, and thinking about the massive challenge facing his soldiers, Hoge began getting organized. And even as he and his staff worked to create a plan, his troops in the Southern Sector rushed in to implement it.
An advance party, Company B of the 35th, under Lt. Miletich completed their 5 day–2,000-mile journey to Dawson Creek in the very early morning of March 10. Even as they climbed down from the train, the remainder of the 35th was boarding trains back at Ft. Ord.
Miletich and his officers set up a temporary headquarters in a local Hotel while the enlisted set up camp—much easier said than done. The cold stiffened soldier’s hands and fingers as they tried to pound tent pegs into the frozen ground. Some found trees or other external structures to anchor their tent ropes. They fumbled to unfold cots and blanket them with down sleeping bags, stuffing duffle bags and trunks on the floor beneath the cots.
For Company B the miserable encampment lasted only one night. The following morning, they were up and crossing the frozen 1,800-foot-wide Peace River. Their trucks chugged through the snow about 40 miles north to Fort St. John.
Arriving just a few days behind them, the rest of the regiment moved through Dawson Creek just as quickly.
There is little worse than being bone cold.
It is certainly among the worst.