OPERATION IVORY SOAP: SOLDIERS BECOME SEA MECHANICS IN WWII
When people talk about World War II, they often focus on the large-scale battles, powerful leaders, and heroic missions. But, if we look more closely, there are lesser-known stories that are impressive, and sometimes a little strange. One of those stories is Operation Ivory Soap.
While at first it might sound like a top-secret laundry-related operation, it’s actually an idea that contributed to the U.S. winning the war in the Pacific. The Army needed to keep their aircraft flying across remote islands, which meant they would be far away from a repair base.
So, they came up with an idea that was part crazy and part genius. They wanted to turn ships into repair stations and train the Army to become part-time Sailors, and so they did just that.
The Grand Hotel: WWII Training Ground for Mechanics
Today, the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama is an elegant resort with good views and fantastic food, but that wasn't always the case, as back in 1944, the Army had other plans.
During this time, the Grand Hotel was converted into a naval training facility, although the Navy did not operate it.
What was the purpose of the hotel, you ask? It was to turn 5,000 Army men into sea-ready repairmen.
They wanted to train Soldiers to work on ships, and they needed men who could do both, which included fixing planes and surviving at sea.
They had to learn the basics of the Navy — knot-tying, marching, ship identification, drill navigation, signaling, and more. It was important for the mission, so the Soldiers needed to adapt quickly, and that’s what they did, with confusion and laughter included.
Suite 1108 Housed a Special Guest
Suite 1108 wasn't your typical hotel room. Located at the far east wing, the suite provided a snapshot of Point Clear, an live oak, a stretch of grass, and the lapping waters of Mobile Bay. However, it wasn't the scenery that set this room apart, but rather its occupant - Lt. Col. Matthew Thompson.
Lt. Col. Thompson ran a secret military operation out of this room called Operation Ivory Soap. As Allied forces fought their way through the Pacific towards Japan, the used a tactic called "island hopping." The idea was to capture Japanese-held islands that held strategic importance while they skipped.
By taking over the islands and the airfields, Allies could extend their air dominance through the Pacific. However, the island hopping presented a problem. American bombers ad fighter planes returning from long-range missions needed to be repaired, but building repair facilities one ach island would take too much time.
So, Gen. Henry Arnold had the idea to create floating repair facilities, and decided to modify six Liberty repair ships into Aircraft Repair Units. The ships took 6 months to modify, and were known as "floating mechanic shops." If something broke, they could fix it.
Operation Ivory Soap: From Concept to WWII Mission
The task of training the men to fix the ships was given to Col. Matthew Thompson, who was a part of the Army Air Force, and was a former member of the British Royal Navy. Thompson was given two weeks to organize the training program and find a location.
When he heard that the Grand Hotel would be closing, he was intrigued, and was put in touch with Ed Roberts, who owned the hotel. Roberts offered to let the troops use the hotel for free, which surprised Thompson, and they eventually settled on a dollar fee.
After the meeting, a contract was drawn up stating, "It is hereby agreed between Ed Roberts and Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Thompson, representing the United States Government, to lease said premises of the Grand Hotel to the Army Air Corps for the sum of $1 per year for the duration of the war."
The training was complete, and they were ready to board the ship. The soldiers are now called “saildiers” (sail-jers), wearing Army uniforms on land, and Navy uniforms with white hats when boarding the ship.
When Lt. Col. Matthew Thompson was working one night, one “saildier” approached him and said, “I’ve got a name for the mission: Ivory Soap.”
It was an idea he came up with while in the shower. The mission was then called Operation Ivory Soap, which was based on the floating soap brand known for its resistance to sinking in water. The same thing with the aircraft repair units. Thus, on July 10, 1944, Operation Ivory Soap officially began.
Floating Repair Bases: U.S. Navy WWII Innovation
Six massive Liberty ships that are over 400 feet long eventually became aircraft repair stations. They had machine shops, spare parts warehouses, metal workshops, and even their own helicopter landing pads. And each of those Liberty ships carried more than 300 crew members.
There were also 18 smaller ships that worked closer to the islands, carrying about fifty men each.
Inside the repair base, you can find almost everything that you will need to fix an aircraft. What they didn’t have, they made. So if there was an aircraft that came in with a bullet hole, these ships and “saildiers” fixed it right there in the middle of the ocean.
The first ship repair unit was deployed back in October of 1944. And by February, the ships traveled through the Panama Canal to the Pacific Ocean to reach the following destinations:
- Marshall Island
- The Northern Mariana Islands
- Iwo Jima
- Luzon, Philippines
- Guam
- Okinawa, Japan
Crews had to work 24 hours a day to ensure that everything that needed repair received the necessary attention. They ensured that they repaired numerous aircraft, not only that, but also saved thousands of lives.
Historic Cannons: WWII Artifacts in Use Today
Repairs were made in rough water, and they were always done under pressure. Living aboard these ships wasn’t ideal as the spaces were tight, hot, crowded, and always moving. It wasn't always easy for them.
However, Operation Ivory Soap was indeed one of the most creative and effective support missions of World War II. It’s truly part genius, and part crazy. Their ideas and tools played a crucial role in winning the war.
Even the Grand Hotel has a tradition in its operation. Every day at 3:45pm, guests gather to watch a procession across the grounds, and listen to a brief history lesson about the hotel.
The short ceremony concludes with a cannon firing on the edge of Mobile Bay. It’s a way to honor members of the armed services, and serves as a reminder of the tenacity of those involved in Operation Ivory Soap.
So next time you want to pay tribute and remember the crew members, the Grand Hotel is a place you'll surely want to visit.
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BY ALLISON KIRSCHBAUM
Veteran, Military History & Culture Writer at VeteranLife
Navy Veteran
Allison Kirschbaum is a Navy Veteran and an experienced historian. She has seven years of experience creating compelling digital content across diverse industries, including Military, Defense, History, SaaS, MarTech, FinTech, financial services, insurance, and manufacturing. She brings this expertis...
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Allison Kirschbaum is a Navy Veteran and an experienced historian. She has seven years of experience creating compelling digital content across diverse industries, including Military, Defense, History, SaaS, MarTech, FinTech, financial services, insurance, and manufacturing. She brings this expertis...
