Often, reading through the text of a particular battle, I come across a named landmark, which has become a reference point for one or the other sides in a battle Some may well be already known locations, eg Spion Kop, already marked on their maps, but many, possibly less significant in size, but owing to their position on the battlefield, just as important, hadn’t been given a name, or the name wasn’t marked on their map, or even worse, there was no map! For these, names were created. Some given a number, reflecting the height of the hill, eg Hill 70 or Hill 355, the number being the height in metres, as marked on the map. But others were named because of their shape, ie Kidney Ridge, or Pork Chop Hill, given nicknames in reference of places back home, ie Bloody Gulch, or to express the troops feeling towards the landmark, ie Hamburger Hill. And then there was the naming of man-made fortifications, trench systems like Piccadilly Circus in WW1, or defensive areas, like “The Cauldron” in the Western Desert WW2. Who named these features, was it just a staff officer on his own initiative, was it something agreed by a commanding officer? Regards Fatboy Coxy
No idea who named them but presumably it was co-ordinated, no use the artillery calling it one thing and the infantry something else. In the diaries most operations are preceded by divisional orders that contain instructions and objectives for different units and maps of the area in question. Names must surely have been agreed in advance and at a high level.
The desert in particular was featureless and anything to aid navigation was used One major problem faced early on was a lack of accurate maps for Libya in particular. Patrols had to do their own surveys and make their own maps of each route often with features based on wrecks,bodys,graves,oasis or enemy activity (Bomb Alley) Sicily at Primisole Bridge had `Stink Alley` and `Dead Horse Corner ` on its maps. In Normandy there was `Deadmans Cross Roads` (more than one I should imagine) . A Stuart M5A1 of `D` Company, 70th Tank Battalion was knocked out on June 7, 1944 at the crossroad in St-Côme-du-Mont just outside of Carentan. It wasnt possible to remove the tank commander from his tank and he hung from the turret until safe to do so . I believe there is a museum nearby called Dead mans corner museum but not 100% sure on that one. Tank commander was named as Sgt Anthony J. Tomasheski,[?] Kyle
I'm not totally convinced. I believe its likely a mixture of both officers during planning, and also your average boots on the ground soldier naming areas and points of interest based on features, which migrated up the chain and then became universally known. For instance, names like Pt 406, kidney ridge, pork chop hill, the lobster claw etc likely originated from officers looking at maps and aerials, whilst planning etc Whereas places like Smelly Farm & the Flyover at Anzio, Chemical Corner in N.Africa, Telegraph Hill etc i can only see originating from soldiers on the ground. i agree there must have been some co-ordination going on, but doubt it was a fully concerted effort. If you wade through war diaries for units at Salerno for instance, you can find at least half a dozen (and probably a lot more) features simply known as 'the pimple', all with different grid references and all referred to by that name in orders and artillery plans.
Map references give the definitive location. Any names - original or applied are subject to mis-interpretation. Given names are often used at tactical level allowing names to be discussed in 'clear' avoiding enemy listening in. As has been said, this needs all friendly parties to understand and agree. It tends to work from the bottom up - soldier's observation then Coy, Bn. then maybe Brigade. Incidentally - I knew a Korean War veteran who was sceptical about the origin and use of 'Pork Chop Hill' saying it was propaganda for home consumption -"All the hills looked like *#@# Pork Chops on the map!"
