What did American MP's do during World War 2?

Answer 1

they would have maintained traffic control both forward (combat area) and to the rear. Guard prisoners. Guard convoys going forward. maintain a 'police' function in occupied areas.............they would have preformed these functions under fire as well..

Answer 2

The US Army's Military Police had several jobs in WW2 as well as today. MP's are trained police officers and maintain security on the military posts as well as do law enforcement. They aslo ran the confinement facility (jail). Another of their tasks is to escort, assist in protection of convoys, to direct traffic and keep it moving. MP's are also trained in basic infantry operations and if need be can assist other soldiers in combat operations if needed. They are also tasked to set up POW compounds to hold enemy soldiers taken in battle. The MP's had a job that made them pretty much detested among the average soldier. The MP's were used to patrol the places where the soldiers spent his Rest and Relaxation(R&R). They not only broke up fights but placed certain places or areas under quarantine from use by soldiers or a group of soldiers. Not only that, they enforced the dress code to a point that the soldier felt it was harassment. Consider the soldier who lived in mud and grime for weeks on end and then had to polish his shoes and shave just to go enjoy a night on the town. Some veterans said they felt like it was punishment for them to be selected to serve as an Military Police. One told me a story of his time as an MP. When he screwed up they thought they would punish him by sending him to the Infantry and to the front line. Instead he was thankful for the transfer.