Keep me posted on what you find and if you need any clarification. 419th CSB Sponsorship; 406th Army Field Support Brigade. An artillery battalion communications net was its lifeline, and monitoring its operation meant constant vigilance. I received orders to return to Camp Chaffee for Artillery training after the normal week off. It is fully mobile and consists of a battalion headquarters, a headquarters and service battery, a firing battery and a medical detachment. Giving NARA another shot. Both he and the gunner corporal were also responsible for keeping the crew away from the tremendous recoil of the barrel, which could kill or maim, especially in the 155mm. So the third day, after I got settled, he showed me Giessen. Once the orders were received, he would spin his wheel to the correct angle. It consists of a firing battery headquarters, four howitzer sections and an ammunition section. I never thought to look for information on him there -- Can you tell me what department or person I would approach for that? Upon arriving at a new hide position the crewmen transfer another rocket onto the launcher, and await the next fire mission. CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on October 26, 2017: Mr. Lagasse, the 15th FAB has a great website with rosters and stories (not sure if you've found it already). Its strength was 3,300 men. stories or thoughts on the subject, please contact me . Keywords: For 13 days B,Battery 11th Field Artillery Battalion[November 12 to 24] was attached to the 52nd FieldArtillery Battalion and to reinforcing the fire ofthe 52nd in their support of the 27th British Brigade[Middlesex] and the 3rd Australian Battalion [Argyle] Entry: 79785. Dad passed a decade ago, so I started this idea too late to ask him. This great weight makes detailed route, and especially bridge, reconnaissance extremely important. (1) 18 Jan 56 to 1 May 56: Gun Platoon Commander, A Battery (2nd Gun Platoon) The 159th batteries were often employed with infantry task forces. Such was the case with many African American artillery battalions. CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on January 07, 2018: Hi Ms. Hamiliton, can I ask what unit you are researching? The groups began forming in 1943. If you didnt go to town the EM club at The Depot was first rank. The people I remember were our CO Capt. 264th Field Artillery Battalion - Army Unit Directory - Together We Served The maximum range for the 105mm was approximately seven miles (12,205 yds). My father was in Battery B 563RD Field Artillery Battalion and he did not talk at all about his service. His discharge papers list 274th Field Artillery Battalion, Battery B Let me explain - His name was Willis L. Henry and was drafted in 9/44 and discharged in 1946, He trained in Fort Sill, OK and arrived as a replacement in a camp in Charleyville, France sometime in late February or early March 1945 and joined his unit shortly after. Ned Burr, Col USA Ret on September 28, 2017: A couple of changes made that helped in Korea( I'm sure there were more but the two important to me as FDC Chief of 64th Field) - one was that we went to 6 gun batteries, 18 gave me a lot more firepower and, second, we increased number of FO's to 3 per battery so I had 9 on the line. stories or thoughts on the subject, please contact me. My father just passed away last week and I've been trying to find out about the actual unit he served in. The Lt. then put it in a classified record for use if hostilities broke out. 1/,2/,3/265th Artillery Regiment . CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on January 20, 2018: Hi Mr. Mercadante, glad to hear about your project. CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on December 14, 2017: Hi Mr. Rodgers, my so called "sources" turned out to be a dud. he left for normandy july 2 1944 could he have been assigned after the masacre ? The 1-151 FA provides combatant commanders with a trained and ready force to destroy, defeat or disrupt the enemy with timely, accurate and integrated fires; additionally, the 1-151 FA is prepared to support the State of Minnesota with troops capable of assisting in a disaster. Red and white aiming posts were laid to the rear of the sight, almost in a straight line. For an instant the Honest John appears to nudge forward hesitatingly on the launcher rail. Whether it is within a division or as part of a Corps artillery group, the battalion was the primary unit structure for the artillery branch in World War II. The battery is 100% mobile. Because we all bought US Savings Bonds, which made the CO look good, we did not have to stand reville. On this version, there were no split trailers. Our uncle, Richard V. Fritts, was a Technical Fourth Grade in the 993rd Field Artillery Battalion, in the Pacific Theater in 1944 and 1945. Field artillery Part 2 army lineage series Compiled by Janice e. McKenney CenTer OF miliTary HisTOry UniTeD sTaTes army WasHingTOn, D.C., 2010 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on May 17, 2020: I might have some contacts for you, when you have a minute, just email me. 42nd FA Msl Bn (Cpl), 559th Note the panoramic scope on the left side of the gun. FA Btry (762-mm Rocket), 85th In many cases, the executive officer ran day-to-day operations and oversaw all firing sequences and missions. objective area. I knew almost all of the original personnel who brought the Battalion to Germany, plus a number of the Officers who joined the Battalion for short periods of time when left behind by their units which rotated to the States before they were eligible to return to the States. -- I also have a mimeographed copy of the Battalion's history during World War II, its reactivationon 7 Jul 52, its acquisition of the 280mm Guns, its deployment to Baumholder in Nov. 1953, and ending with the Battalion's participation in the field exercise "Battle Royal" with Belgian forces of the Northern Army Group. Then by preset programming it pitches toward the target and moves laterally into the radar beam. I rotated home and was discharged October 11, 1956. After the round has been fired, these two plotting boards plot the course of the target flight paths. On 01 October 1940, the three battalions of the 26th Field Artillery were re-designated as Artillery, and the old first battalion then became the 26th Field Artillery Battalion. Jones graduated from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, and commissioned as a Quartermaster Officer in December 2002. As I recall, the 6th of the 9th was in the building on the right (short end of the rectangle) as you went in the gate. The latter part of my stay there, I met a German family whom lived in Allendorf, through Sabine & Greg, the Stockhauses. You can contact their historian (Dave Curry) or visit their website at: Here is a link from the site: https://83rdinfdivdocs.org/units/908th-fa-bn/. My father was with the 662nd FA Battalion in Europe in WWII. Thankfully my sister is older and paid more attention! 105mm ammo crew arming shells during the Battle of the Bulge (591st FAB -106th ID). When the situation was more fluid, as was the case in the summer and fall of 1944, the observation team may stay with a particular infantry unit for an extended time. Many of the other non-firing battery assignments came with a multitude of dangers, and nowhere was that more illustrated than for the men of the wire section of HQ Battery. Go 1141 | PDF | Battalion | Company (Military Unit) - Scribd Forward observation team near Cherbourg, France, June 1944. Maybe a quick bio on your dad (West Point class, hometown, etc.). When we got there a French unit with about a dozen 20mm cannons were shooting at a wooden tower with a bunch of what looked like Generals with BC scopes watching the results. Dastrup, Boyd. the World War II years (1942-45). 'Atomic cannon' crew, 1956 | Stars and Stripes Any information, no matter how little helps, so I would very much appreciate it. I guess we will all be pursuing our parents for the rest of our lives. FA Btry (762-mm Rocket), 531st Seventh Army artillery: 59th, 264th, 265th & 868th FA Gun Bn The "Honest John" rocket batteries that arrived in command during the fiscal year were located at Kitzingen, Ansbach, Schwbisch Gmnd, Darmstadt, Hanau and Leipheim. Yes it was WWII. There were 1,098 battle casualties and 849 non-battle casualties. The following records were acquired from the American Battle Monuments Commission on June 17, 2016. My Mother (Muriel) or we kids got to fire the howitzers (pull the cord). But I'll keep trying. Thx. who had been a college math instructor but drank too much and ended up in the Army. Many others were reserve officers with established professional careers in civilian life. He was in Normandy, northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. 264th Field Artillery Battalion | American Battle Monuments Commission necessary to prepare and fire the round. The Nike utilizes a command guidance type of control. He drove by with a smile and gave us a sweeping Hi and a wink. The assignments were made back in the US and continued upon deployment. Ft. Jackson, 1943. Every time it was moved, it took hours to get it up and running again. At the ammo dumps, these were broken down for shipment by truck to the batteries. Departed Bremerhaven on USNS Gen. Buckner 12 Dec 58 Continuous commands are sent to the missile to correct for evasive action of the target. CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on October 03, 2017: thank you for your service mr burr, you are a true american hero. Thanks. He saw his action on D+1 when they stormed Omaha. The position of aiming posts could vary depending on the unit and terrain. PDF Allied Army, Battle of the Bulge, 1 January 1945 - Alternate Wars Upon command of the chief of section, the weapon is fired sending the 200 lb HE projectile on the way to the target. You would think I would have realized that after reading your site and getting a LOT of education on what they went through. Empty shell casings near gun section, Elsenborn Ridge, 1944. The division then moved to Camp Joseph Robinson near Little Rock, Arkansas for further training. The remainder of the men in the 66th Division who did not have enough points to return home was either sent to Delta Base in southern France or to Germany and Austria to serve as occupation forces. The bits and pieces I have seem to point to him being in the 325th FA 84th Infantry Division Railsplitters. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Appreciate the reminder. They knew that as soon as an American spotter plane appeared over their positions, it would only take minutes before a massive barrage rained down death and destruction. Most every one in the unit had at least two years of college and we were treated a little nicer that we expected. CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on September 16, 2016: Absolutely, Nancy. If you would like to send a photo, that would be great. Controls necessary for premature or delayed detonation of the warheads are incorporated into the system. Thx. The risk of being spotted by enemy observers was ever-present. Each Nike missile battery is divided into three principal areas: The administrative area, the fire control area, and the launching area. After completing basic training his unit went on. The missile's velocity is measured by the doppler radio and assisted by the computer, shuts off the rocket engine when the missile reaches the appropriate speed consistent with the desired range. The 66th Division was part of the Sixth Army Group and participated in the Northern France campaign. Please contact me again the first week of December. 14710 Colleville-sur-Mer, France. Sorry I misunderstood you. At the count of zero a button is pushed on the firing panel box. I am wondering if this could be him? Also, there is a Facebook page for the Division. Here's the links: 1) http://indianhead-roster.com/roster/15th-field-art My uncle Charles David Knight served in WW 2 in Battery B 15th Field Artillery Battalion under the 2nd Infantry Division (Indianheads). The field was another story all together. Born in March 1920 in Flagstaff, Arizona, Mr. Mendoza enlisted into the United Army and joined the 264th Field Artillery Battalion saw action in the European Theater in the following battles and campaigns: Northern France, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), Rhineland, Central Europe and Battle of Hrtgen Forest. Hi Mr. Kelly- I did not have much luck on the 4th Infantry Division Association Page in finding anything on the 20th Field Artillery Batallion- do you have any other page suggestions- any advice is much appreciated! I remember his daughter, Susan (about my age). 9. These components, consisting of the warhead, the rocket motor, and the fins, all of which are rapidly assembled near the firing site. Red Legs of the Bulge FB page. Any information you have would be great - I'm just trying to put together some detailed information for my sons about their grandfather who served in World War 2. We then did a half hour of PT followed by a half hour of DD. I remember comming back from Earl Magathan's house or the Post snack bar many times and the gate out of the motor pool was closed. Prior to firing, the predicted point of intercept and the present position of the target are continuously displayed on the two plotting boards in the battery control trailer. 01.03.1944 = March 1st, 1944], [ 12th Infantry Division - Did not exist This may be what you are seeing. Went to a few bistros, a few gasthauses, the bahnhof. Mention of how important to the success of the artillery was the role of the Liaison aircraft. But there is stuff out there and I will put together a page w/links. Any information about this unit in the interim would be great! We were protected by a battery of antiaircraft guns and a company of light infantry. Shells were usually shipped in pallets, with eight shells per pallet. Just hit "Contact CJ Kelly.". Hoping get something out of that. Artillery Antiaircraft . This is the official web site of the 284th Field Artillery Battalion which had the code name "Helpmate." This unit was part of General Patton's Third Army and supported many infantry units in northern France, Rhine area and invasion of southern Germany. Hi Mr. Oakley, I'm assuming this is WWII? In November 1944 the division arrived at Camp Shanks, New Jersey, its final stop before being shipped overseas. The 808th was part of the 9th Army, XIII Corps. The 762MM Rocket is a short-range weapon designed primarily for targets of opportunity. There was a replacement system, but the exigencies of combat left all units in the combat arms (infantry, armor, engineer or artillery) short of men. On 16 August 1987, HHB, 1st Bn, 333rd FA was reorganized and redesignated as Battery A, 333rd FA and assigned to the 1st Cav Div. Will do. USAREUR Units - Field Artillery - USArmyGermany.com The command element of the groups was structured very similarly to that of a divisional artillery HQ with such features as a fire direction center, H&H battery and service battery. 999th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (155mm) 99th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm) 8219 Artillery Topo Map Service . King of Battle: A Branch History of the U.S. Army's Field Artillery. After graduating from high school in 1951 and registering for the draft, I received a college deferment and went off to the University of Illinois. We were to fire one round from each gun to give the Russians something to think about, blow up the Breech blocks, and race like hell for the Spanish coast. World War II: Then and Now: Canton cannoneer I played on the B battery basketball team, touch football team, and fast pitch softball team. There also was a 155 outfit at Rivers Barracks so there was plenty of competition between the troops. The use of artillery reached its zenith in World War II. We have since been sent some letters from his family that he wrote home but is does not talk about any action or locations due to security and censorship. Thank you so much for this information. PDF U.S. XVIII Airborne Corps Troops December, 1944 Last week we found a Facebook group for the 200th and sent them a mail about if they knew of the book as it might mention my grandad. After seeing you very interesting page I noticed the photo of a destroyed truck and a battalion mess sergeant wrapped in a poncho on the ground in April 1945. Sacrifice: The 333rd Field Artillery at the Battle of the Bulge At that time which will result in the highest kill probability, the computer issues a burst order to the missile. My father was in the 752 field artillery laying cable, in ww 2, trying to get info on his journey. Lock - United States Army My father's executive officer was Major Lightner (?). I have found them with XX Corps in the 204th FA Group from March through the end of war with Germany, but I can't find them from Normandy across France. Within those battalions were some of the most highly skilled personnel that the U.S. Army had throughout the war. During my time there he received his Captains bars. CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on September 15, 2016: Nancy,the 908th was part of the 83rd Infantry Division during WWII. Nor Would . Find out whether your WWI veteran was awarded medals for battlefield heroism or for wounds received in action. No Frozen Chosan for him again. I was very happy not to be with the gun as we crossed. I'm just trying to find out what actual unit my father served in while in the combat zone? The supply and cooks sections rounded out the unit. I remember going for the parade day thing and a change of command ceremony. Did the 274th Field Artillery Battalion have a towed 155 MM Battery attached to it anytime during the war?? Spec4 was my rank. (by Mr. Mitchell Kaidy) I would like to find out my Dad's route of travel in Europe from his arrival in 1942 to his departure in 1945. Three Launching Sections form the firing components of the battery. The two tracking radars feed target and missile. After shut-off the missile follows a ballistic trajectory toward the target and is guided by the radar in azimuth only. Under the pressure of a fire mission, these tasks were hellish in the freezing, wet weather of Northern Europe. No luck so far. Use my Facebook page and I can make my "Red Leg of the Week." I remeber my grandpa and uncle looking thru timelife magazine and my grandpa exclaiming "we werent actually there! I have been trying to find out more information on the service of the 689th FA battalion (155mm). The battery executive officer lays the weapon on the azimuth of fire as aiming posts are placed out. After firing, the breech was opened by the #1, and the shell casing would drop out automatically, where it was picked up by one of the loaders to be tossed aside. Each battalion had three firing batteries (4 guns each), a Headquarters battery (the CO and his staff along with the fire direction personnel, communications center, etc. If you can't attach it on there, send me your email and I can get back to you. One of the primary jobs of the instrument and survey section (also called the detail section) was to scout new positions for the battery, help lead the battery into and out of their firing positions, and lay in the guns. The 264th Field Artillery Battalion, Latz's unit, landed at Utah Beach in Normandy 10 days after D-Day. The 8" howitzer battery is the general support weapon of the field artillery and is normally employed in battalion-sized organizations; however, a battery or either of its two platoons can operate independently in certain tactical situations for limited periods. 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion command sergeant major Command Sgt. The 26th Field Artillery Battalion fired 5000 rounds at Sejnane, Tunisia in one day in 1943! I know that Corps Artillery Units are hard to trace and that units were disbanded and soldiers with low points were transferred to other units. To facilitate handling between the ammunition supply point and the battalion position area, the rocket is divided into three major components. Because he was an officer, there was a lot of paper work that mentioned him, but much of it was repetitious, mostly lists of soldiers in the B Battery as they changed over time. and were ambushed by SS. There were also units called cannon companies that used the M3 105mm, a lightweight, short-barreled version of the gun. The moto-mechanized brigade consisted of head quarters, three tank battalions, a reconnaissance battalion, an infantry battalion, a motorized artillery battalion, a troop transport battalion, special troops, and services. FA Msl Bn (Cpl), 601st I saw a former A 3/6 member, Pfc David Lee Marcum, in the same unit. Any information you have would certainly be appreciated. My dad was with the 268th FA during the Bulge. His name was Gayle W. Huston and he died in 1975. Once situated near Marseille, the 263rd staffed the St. Victoret staging area and the 262nd and 264th staffed the Arles staging area. Thank You for your quick response. In January 2017, the World War I commemorative program expanded when ABMC acquired its 26th cemetery, the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial Cemetery near Paris. The rocket launcher is a highly mobile carrier, thus the emphasis is centered upon speed both in firing and in tactical movement to capitalize on targets of opportunity. Maybe he was using both. COL Mundinger (deceased) was the commander of the Honest John missile battalion (3rd MSL Bn, 79th Arty). This usually creates fear and I was no exception. When the wooden tower turned into toothpicks it took about three minutes for the French Army to disappear. My father taught at Ft. Sill right after the war, and again at various times over the years for shorter stints (summer camp?) Have been researching my Dad's WWII service for past 2 years. Using this information, the computer continuously determines a predicted point of interception and issues those steering orders necessary to guide the missile continuously toward the predicted point of interception. I'm trying to assemble their route to share with family, but of course I'd also like to make a Bucket List trip and follow the route. I remember the big fat missile thing (shown in one of your pictures) which we thought was an ammo depot or air raid shelter. 254th Engineer Combat Battalion 187th FA Group (751st and 997th FA Battalions) 190th FA Group (62nd, 190th, 272nd, and 268th FA Battalions) 406th FA Group (76th, 941st, 953rd, and 987th FA Battalions) 1111th Engineer Combat Group (51st, 202nd, 291st, and 296th Engineer Combat Battalions) The Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 caused such a manpower crisis in infantry units that even some artillery units ended up sending non-essential personnel to the infantry as replacements. Church steeple) and line up the angle on that. FA Bn (280mm Gun), 265th If the command was left 10, the head of the site would then be moved off of the aiming stakes by that many degrees. I meant when you go to the Battle of the Bulge reunion, if you hear of anyone there interested. In August 1940 it was reactivated as part of the Field Artillery of the Ninth Infantry Division, First Army, at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Hi Mr. Walters, do you mean Service Battery? H&HQ as well as A Btry were there in April 1958 and B & C Btry were at Rivers Barracks. The sight had an alcohol bubble which he had to level prior to firing while using the number wheel to traverse the tube left or right. Self-propelled artillery took on a greater role, and of course, missile and rocket technology changed the branch forever. FA Bn (280mm Gun), 1st If any of you guys who served in the late fifties or sixties want to see what your contemporaries looked like check this book out. The multitude of different caliber weapons combined with pre-configured firing tables meant no escape from its power, no matter how deep you tried to dig or how far you tried to run. FA Msl Bn (Cpl), 558th 224th Field Artillery. We had gone to Grafenveer to fire the guns; we couldnt go to Baumhilder because the range was not long enough, and so we drove to the FO cement bunker on the range to observe the firing. I lost the picture, but it was impressive. Published: Jun 17, 2016 Total records: 10,633. The shells had lifting rings attached to their nose during shipment, and they had to be removed to install the fuse. At a roadblock one battery destroyed twelve attacking enemy tanks with direct fire. The 8" howitzer battery may receive a fire mission while on the march or while in a prepared position. The battery is only 25% mobile and is classified as a semi-mobile battery. The tank battalions are now shown as present in the source document, but an armored division isn't much of an armored division without its armored battalions. Amazingly, those incidents were relatively rare considering the near-constant use that most of the weapons received. After the battle he jumped ship, changed his name to Jack England and joined the Somerset Light Infantry in the army and was sent right to Flanders in the front line. When we returned to Bad Kreuznach I was called to the Battery Commanders office. The black telephone cables were constantly shot up, and there were up to several miles of cable laid out between an observation post and the FDC or battery. My father was part of the 147th FA. CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on September 14, 2016: Passion, you are correct. Always a popular feature and in some cases, it has brought old friends together.
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