Belle Baruch and the Beach Pounders

Mary Tefft White Cultural Center, University Library

Once the United States entered into WW2, a program called the Beach pounders was initiated by the Coast Guard. Coastlines on both the east and west of the United States were guarded by soldiers on horseback. A mounted soldier could see farther out onto the horizon and watch for the German U boats. South Carolinas sea coast is dotted with small islands, bays swamps and difficult underbrush close to the shoreline. Locals were encouraged to augment the Beach Pounders. Belle W. Baruch, accomplished equestrian both in America and Europe, volunteered her time mounted on her Thoroughbreds to assist the Beach Pounders in protecting the coastline of Georgetown, SC and her beloved Hobcaw Barony. The Baroness interrupted a beach invasion from a German U boat and ensured the German soldiers were caught.