Military Profile: Major General Edwin "Forrest" Harding of the Army Authority
In the heart of World War II, Major General Edwin "Forrest" Harding rose to prominence as the commander of the 32nd Infantry Division during the critical Battle of Buna in Papua New Guinea.
Born and raised in Franklin, Ohio, Harding's military career began after his graduation from West Point in 1909. He served across various infantry assignments within the Army, earning a reputation for his wide-ranging intellect and clever tactics.
During the interwar period, Harding made significant contributions to the Army. He revitalised the Infantry Journal, the semiofficial magazine of the Infantry and the Army, under the instruction of Major General Edward Croft. Subscriptions to the journal surged to nearly ten thousand within four years under his leadership, making it a must-read for military professionals.
In the Battle of Buna, Harding's division faced formidable challenges. The 114th Engineer Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, and 128th Infantry Regiment were committed piecemeal due to logistical difficulties. Despite these challenges, the battle was marked by difficult conditions, including dysentery, malnutrition, long marches through swamps, poor supply, and Japanese fire.
The battle took a heavy toll on Harding's division. American casualties exceeded those in Guadalcanal, despite its shorter duration and fewer troops involved. Tragically, 8,659 of 14,646 troops in the area succumbed to malaria following the battle.
The battle also saw a significant event in Harding's career. Lt. General Douglas MacArthur sent Lt. General Eichelberger to inspect the situation, and Eichelberger found the division combat ineffective. As a result, Harding was relieved of his command by Eichelberger. The relief of Harding during the Battle of Buna remains a subject of debate among scholars, with some contending that he lacked aggressiveness and others arguing that he was replaced due to receiving insufficient reinforcements and armor.
Despite the events of the Battle of Buna, Harding continued to be a mentor and teacher to many, including George C. Marshall and Omar Bradley. His contributions to the Army, particularly during the interwar period, may not be as well-documented as others, but his role in the Battle of Buna is a testament to his leadership and resilience in the face of adversity.
For those interested in learning more about Major General Edwin "Forrest" Harding, further research could involve checking military archives and historical databases from the interwar period (1918-1939), as well as examining biographical sources or encyclopedias that focus on military leaders from that era.
- Harding's military education at West Point in 1909 prepared him for his subsequent infantry assignments within the Army, where his leadership, intellect, and tactical skills shone brightly.
- During the interwar period, Harding's leadership role in revitalizing the Infantry Journal, a crucial platform for military professionals, significantly boosted its readership to nearly ten thousand.
- In the realm of finance, the Battle of Buna took a heavy toll on Harding's division, with American casualties surpassing those in Guadalcanal, despite the battle's shorter duration and fewer troops involved, as well as the loss of 8,659 troops to malaria following the battle.
- Despite the controversy surrounding his relief during the Battle of Buna, Harding's post-war influence extended to mentoring other military leaders like George C. Marshall and Omar Bradley, highlighting his enduring role in military education and leadership development.
