UDT Hell Week 1952

[david1833]

01 NOVEMBER 2011 | 5:36 PM

UDT Hell Week January 1952 - Underwater Demolition Team Training


70 enlisted men and 5 officers began Hell Week on January 14 1952.
Early morning explosions which woke up citizens from Norfolk’s East Ocean View to Hampton on the 18th were set off by Navy frogmen earning their “burial” pay. “So Solly Day” day began at 4a.m. for 72 volunteers undergoing the selection process to become a naval frogman at the Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base (notice that the number dropped by 3 by this training day).
We’ve dug up some articles and photos which ran in mid- January 1952 that provided Hampton Roads residents with a glimpse of “Hell Week” for the candidates of the Underwater Demolition Team.
According to the articles below, it was with this class of candidates that the infamous “Portage Test” was developed - where trainees must carry their 400 pound seven man rubber boats across swampy rough terrain.
Enjoy!

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It took the men more than an hour to make the 300 yard crawl through the mud.
I’m sure the explosions and the instructors gentle words of encouragement had nothing to do with the candidate’s progress through the obstacle.

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Above is a shot of the candidates as they enter the “death trap”. No man successfully negotiated this obstacle.

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And finally, the results of "Hell Week".

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[zanshin]

interesting read, thanks.

[74ironhead]

My uncle , told me my Grandfather was a frogman,dont know the validity of it though. Still very cool read