-- There is a printed history of the Battalion published in 1956 by the Wolf Printing Co., Baumholder, Germany. Please note: My dad volunteered for Vietnam in 1968 and we stayed in Munich, Germany while he was there (Central Highlands, Pleiku, Da Nang, Nah Tran, etc). During this period I also served as Asst S-2, with duties as Custodian of all Special Weapons, Special Weapons transports, and Bn SW classified documents. in Germany from 1945 to 1989. So the third day, after I got settled, he showed me Giessen. As these operations are being accomplished, the rocket specialist is inserting the igniter in the pedestal, sealing the forward end of the rocket motor with the heavy closure plug, and arming the spin rockets. But please send anyway. During the following days, the 26th Field Artillery continued to provide a supporting fire for the 39th Infantry Regiment, as of the 9th of August 1944. The computer compares this information to a standard trajectory and generates commands to keep the missile directed toward the target. Dense woods, thick mud, and snow made repairing the lines physically demanding work. Gardner. My father went to Camp Roberts for replacement field artillery training as a lineman. His service records were burned in the ST Louis fire when I contacted NARA and did get one page which stated he spent 20 months with the 894th Ord HAM Co; however, I don't think that is correct. There was a field behind the gun "parking lot" where there might have been one "kind of museum piece" 175mm SPH. 01.03.1944 = March 1st, 1944], [ 12th Infantry Division - Did not exist The field was another story all together. A driver and assistant driver rounded out the 105mm section, making for a total of nine men. So I can ask around about the unit, etc. Find out whether your WWI veteran was awarded medals for battlefield heroism or for wounds received in action. I'm looking for whatever I can find. The 105mm M3 is seen above in France, 1944. FA Btry (762-mm Rocket), 85th They made great sandboxes for matchbox cars. Sgt Pappy Bryant was another gun chief. Every time it was moved, it took hours to get it up and running again. I will put an ad up and keep you posted. Fine article. Coffee at the snack bar followed by more section training and bug out time. During my time there he received his Captains bars. If the command was left 10, the head of the site would then be moved off of the aiming stakes by that many degrees. This indicated that the break was somewhere between where they were and the location of the last Okay call. The locations are correct for the unit. Im grateful to have found a book entitled Under Cover that in their own words provides a G-rated history of the 406th Field Artillery Group from January 29, 1944 through Ju;y 7, 1945. By the way I used a lot of high angle fire to get defensive fire coverage in close to FEBA, thank you i'll be waiting and thank you for this site i think i may be able to add some pictures i will dig them out and see what i have. In late May1945 the 66th Division moved again, this time to the Marseille area on the southern coast of France to staff the staging areas in Marseille, Arles, and St. Victoret from which troops were being sent to the war in the Pacific. While in the Marseille area the 66th Division constructed a total of eight outdoor motion picture amphitheaters where the GIs were treated to numerous USO shows. Hi Mr. Kelly. It's a mix of WWII, Korea and Vietnam, but their webmasters and historians are good. My father was with the 662nd FA Battalion in Europe in WWII. My duty assignments with the 265th FA Bn (later 3rd Gun Bn, 81st Arty) were as follows: Departed Bremerhaven on USNS Gen. Buckner 12 Dec 58 It is possible he was assigned after the massacre from another unit. That happened to most of the 589th FAB survivors. That raised the total to 6 - my assignment was to "E" Co, 331st Regt. After 1st formation we had about a half hour to do section chores. I rotated home and was discharged October 11, 1956. Looking through the sight once again to determine that he was still lined up with the aiming stakes, his last task would be to level the bubble and shout Ready! This told the Section Chief that the gun was ready to fire; he then held up his right arm as a signal to the gun crew. For those of you who are looking for info. Using the vernacular of today, they could be described as a heavy weapons company on steroids. Fields of Honor; Heroes of the 2nd World War; D-Day Overlord association; Forum of memory 44; Nara - AAD; France Crash 39-45; Goldstarfamilyregistry.com ; Find A Grave; Wwii research and writing center; The rocket itself is free-flight, that is, there are no electronic flight control gear since the accuracy of the weapon depends solely upon an initial azimuth lay. Service or Relationship: Army Veteran. During the relay of firing commands, included were terms such as Up 15 or Down 5, from the zero. 256th Field Artillery Battalion (8", Trac-D) 265th Field Artillery Battalion (240mm How, Trac-D) 26 9th Field Artillery Battalion (240mm How, Trac-D) 281st Field Artillery Battalion (105mm How, Trk-D) 411th Field Artillery Group, HQ/HQ Battery 548th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm gun, Trk-D) 686th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm how, Trac-D) Maybe a quick bio on your dad (West Point class, hometown, etc.). 264th Infantry 66th Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized) 266th Engineer Combat Battalion 366th Medical Battalion 66th Division Artillery 870th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer). I lucked out and was given KP duty, which I didnt like at first. Sorry for the delays. Towards the end of summer 1958 the Army switched to dollars and I remember waking up to hear women screaming along the depot fence. After receiving the on the way and splash we watched the French. The 8" howitzer battery may receive a fire mission while on the march or while in a prepared position. Hope to get it to you by the end of the week. We were moved to New York by train and loaded onto the USS Callan along with a lot of other troops. to have a complete table of organization. But I will pursue Ft. Sill and see what they say--always worth a try! One of the men I feature in my book was in fire control. Batteries were further subdivided into sections. Kidd was a gun chief. The setting sleeves also mirrored those on the 105mm ammo. When target and missile converge, the missile is detonated and the Missile Tracking Radar automatically transfers to the next missile readied for firing. Then went back to duty. My father, LTC Henry Ewell (Hank) Strickland, Jr. (deceased 12/20/2012) was commander of 6th Battalion, 9th Artillery (175 mm Self-Propelled howitzers) which was at Rivers Barracks in Giessen, Germany. Empty shell casings near gun section, Elsenborn Ridge, 1944. CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on September 28, 2017: Hi Mr. Burr. You can email me. CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on September 19, 2016: Thx Greener. That probably was a good thing because the winning team got a trip to the US to participate in the all army tournament. I can send you a description of his duties as an FC Operator. Welcome to the 324th Field Artillery Battalion documents section. I remember the fallout shelter symbols at our school (Giessen American Elementary, I believe) but we had no "duck and cover" drills. My grandmother had a newsletter from the 666th field artillery, which was a non divisional battalion, telling about their travels in Europe so I was thinking he was with this battalion. We then did a half hour of PT followed by a half hour of DD. 324th Field Artillery Batallion. There is an active Div Association. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. The gunner lays the beam on the proper deflection in the same manner as a conventional artillery piece. There are pictures of convoys, survey crew at work, trips to London, Paris and Amsterdam, scenes of Germany during our surveying, and of BK. Another radar, the missile-tracking radar, locks on the missile prior to firing and tracks that missile throughout the entire flight. One or more of the battalions of a group might be attached for direct support to an individual division. Upon command of the chief of section, the weapon is fired sending the 200 lb HE projectile on the way to the target. I remember, in Giessen, we had to have two weeks worth of rations ready at home in case the Russians came in and we (dependents) had to bug out. Hi Mr. Oakley, I'm assuming this is WWII? Thank you, Mr. Kelly. Have been researching my Dad's WWII service for past 2 years. The position area should have good access roads and firm ground as well as good natural cover and concealment. I can share with you his story of stepping on a landmine. A split second later a gust of yellow orange flame bursts from the nozzle end of the rocket. OPERATIONAL CONCEPTS It mentions that in the UK they were stationed in a small town in Devon called Torrington. Each Launching Section consists of four launcher-loaders from which missiles are fired, a missile storage building, and a personnel shelter which protects personnel during firing and houses electronic equipment. Sorry about that, I've been receiving one request per day lately. With wind corrections applied the crewmen take up positions on the perifery of the firing site and wait the final countdown. I will contact the office to see what they have or maybe they can point me in the right direction. Just like the enlisted, the cross-training of commissioned personnel was essential in every battalion. FA Msl Bn (Cpl), 601st Because my Mom didn't want to go back to the States, we lost our PX privleges and had to live "on the economy". The third trailer, the Maintenance and Spare Parts Trailer contains the electronic equipment shop equipment and spare components. The battery is 100% mobile. I would be interested in the 908 FAB if there is one! The collection was originally in the custody of the World War II Records Division (now the Modern Military From there to the ASTP at University of Arizona. Let me know and that can help the search be more specific. Walked everywhere! His closest living relatives are we nephews and nieces so we appear not to be able to obtain his D D-214. So the personnel without enough points were kept with other units until their time came up. We would go to Rivers Barracks every Sunday for mass. He was a heavy machine gunner in the 662nd Service Battalion. This information is transmitted electrically to the Computer for use in guiding the missile to its destination. He also mentioned Regansburg, Germany and ended the war in Austria and did occupation duty there until coming home to train for the invasion of Japan. If you could share a photo that would be great. We generally woke up to Hill Billy Reveille" on AFN radio. I'm not sure that the 196th was part of the 79th. CJK. This website is only in its very early stages, aiming to give a full spectrum of data on World War II fighting units, including details on organization, commanders, and literature. The first of three radars is the Acquisition Radar which is a search radar. The two assistant gunners and three other cannoneers in the section were responsible for packing the shells with powder bags, setting the fuses according to the mission specifics, and loading. Each Nike missile battery is divided into three principal areas: The administrative area, the fire control area, and the launching area. The gunner and one canoneer set the firing deflection and elevation and stand by to apply final low level wind corrections. I am researching the 259th Artillery Battalion. I would love to talk to anyone connected with the 908 FAB B Btry, if there are any descendants who have pictures to share, or stories, if you come across any. There were also a few officers and large numbers of enlisted men who were transferred to the Battalion when the "Pentomic" reorganization took place. Thanks! The Employment of Negro Troops. What I have had difficulty finding is information about the duties in a battery. When I ETS'd & came home, my accent was thick, broken English! 406th Land Field Support Brigade Sponsorship; 192nd Ordnance Battalion (EOD) 192nd Ordnance Battalion Sponsorship; 50th Signal Battalion . In January 2017, the World War I commemorative program expanded when ABMC acquired its 26th cemetery, the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial Cemetery near Paris. We were over here!" WikiZero zgr Ansiklopedi - Wikipedia Okumann En Kolay Yolu . A group was usually assigned from two to six battalions. Then he would use a hand wheel to traverse the gun left. You can use the email provided on my page. Hoping get something out of that. and initiative, [ 39th Infantry Division - Did not exist during WWII ], [ 47th Infantry Division - Did not exist during WWII ], [ 49th Infantry Division - Did not exist during WWII ], [ 51st Infantry Division - Did not exist during WWII ], [ 52nd Infantry Division - Did not exist during WWII ], [ 53rd Infantry Division - Did not exist during WWII ], [ 54th Infantry Division - Did not exist during WWII ], [ 56th Infantry Division - Did not exist during WWII ], [ 57th Infantry Division - Did not exist during WWII ], [ 58th Infantry Division - Did not exist during WWII ], [ 60th Infantry Division - Did not exist during WWII ], [ 61st Infantry Division - Did not exist during WWII ], [ 62nd Infantry Division - Did not exist during WWII ], [ 64th Infantry Division - Did not exist during WWII ], [ 67th Infantry Division - Did not exist during WWII ], [ 68th Infantry Division - Did not exist during WWII ], [ 72nd Infantry Division - Did not exist during WWII ], [ 73rd Infantry Division - Did not exist during WWII ], [ 74th Infantry Division - Did not exist during WWII ], Leo van Bussel (from Holland) & Ron Villegas. 14710 Colleville-sur-Mer, France. My information is at my house in Arizona, and I'm now at our place in Juneau. Keep me posted. Since I had been there such a short time, I didnt know where we went to train. FA Msl Bn (Cpl), 557th I use the word approximately because once combat operations began, it was rare for any unit (Division, Battalion, Regimental, etc.) I already have the 1946 yearbook of the 15th FAB and also the 2nd Infantry Division book that was published. Those howitzers were big, firing "small bombs" that weighed nearly 50 pounds each,. Although this concept was much more limited in the artillery branch than in other branches, in practice each batterys CO had great autonomy on officer assignments. The turret rear doors are opened and the crew prepares the weapon for action. That is what I had when I arrived and a year later what I had when I left. The maximum range for the 105mm was approximately seven miles (12,205 yds). Armored field artillery battalions had the same command structure within their organic divisions as the infantry but contained 18 self-propelled howitzers instead of the usual 12 for the towed variety. frameset, 868th My dad, Eugene F. Southall, was a field lineman (technician 5th grade) with HQ and HQ Battery. Upon receipt of a fire mission, the launcher with a rocket loaded on the rail moves from a concealed position to the firing site. Other times we would go out from Giessen for 10 day periods as part of NATO exercises or just to practice maneuvers. I remember going for the parade day thing and a change of command ceremony. The shells had lifting rings attached to their nose during shipment, and they had to be removed to install the fuse. Looking for more information from military/civilian The 280mm Gun Battalion is composed of a Headquarters, and a Headquarters and Service Battery, which directs, administers and furnishes logistic support, and three firing batteries of two guns each. Time and time again in postwar interviews, German soldiers mentioned the fear that American artillery engendered along the front lines. John Gatens, U.S. Army Ret., Personal interview, October 17, 2011. It referred to Unionists in the State. 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. Later in the war, field commissions for qualified noncoms became commonplace. This great weight makes detailed route, and especially bridge, reconnaissance extremely important. 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. Why his arm did not fall off is amazing, he pitched 6 games in five days. Discover unknown details about your veteran's family: civilian occupations . The gunner places deflection and elevation on the panoramic telescope and traverses the turret electrically to the aiming posts. - Did not exist during WWII ], [ 23rd Infantry Division - Did not exist Church steeple) and line up the angle on that. FA Bn (280mm Gun), 1st NEW ! I believe the 15th FAB has a Facebook page too. artillery regiments, one antiaircraft artillery regi ment, and various services. If you have an email I can send them to you. 286th Field Artillery Battalion. colin hay eye surgery; ss mariposa wwii how did janice nicholls die shawn eckhardt obituary surcheros sauce ingredients ss mariposa wwii shawn eckhardt obituary surcheros sauce ingredients ss mariposa wwii So there must be one out there for the 908. If you have any other questions, please let me know. stories or thoughts on the subject, please contact me . (1)In January 1955, the 259th FA Msl Bn (Corporal)was deployed to Europe with full Type I CORPORAL field equipment. I do know that he landed in England February 26, 1944 and France on June 14, 1944. The surviving descendant of the 20th FA is 2nd BN 20th FA which is now MLRS. Three Launching Sections form the firing components of the battery. As you might expect, a number of these personnel turned out to be considerably less than desirable, and caused no end of problems. Firing positions are prepared in advance and survey completed to a stake which marks the location for the center of the turntable. The unit ended the war near Hitler's Eagles Nest. Alexander Hamilton's New York provincial Co. of Artillery organized in 1776. The size, in itself, does not pose so great a problem because of the high degree of maneuverability. All of these units, regardless of their group or assignment, were considered Corps artillery. CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on June 07, 2019: Hi Mr. Armstrong, can you email me directly? Mostly though we were all E3s or E4s. Try it out. Comments: Ed McCrea was part of the U.S. Army 865 Unit in the Korean War. I'm not certain if that means they are attached to each other or used independently. I've seen so many. Sgt. Can I get your dad's full name and rank? Thanks, CJK, my grandfather also passed before i could talk to him of his service. In a postwar study, the Army noted that the group command structure was one of the keys to success during the war because it permitted the commanders to shift artillery battalions from army to army, corps to corps or even to support individual divisions. I just missed a man who served under my dad, died two weeks before I found him, but I have at least one of his descendants and hope to talk to her. Rich Anderson, 2007. Just gain enough time for the SAC Bombers to get there and be sure we were out of the way. 108th Air Definition Artillery Brigade. My grandfather Sgt. during WWII ], [ 19th Infantry Division - Did not exist That is the most likely reason your dad was moved to the 196th. The 8-inch gun and 240mm howitzer battalions had a total of six guns per battalion. Thanks for the insight. CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on June 27, 2020: Hi Ms. Goetschi, great to hear from you. ORGANIZATION(Feb 1957): (Source: Annual Historical Report 1957-58, HQ USAREUR) Support One of my big thrills occurred while hanging out the back door of my sections 2-ton truck driving on the autobahn. They may have been detached, but these are the assigned battalions. Usually, one or two of the men had a copy years later and sent to the Association. I had always thought that he had 175mm SPHs there. His family found out about it and replied. Thank you. 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade Media; Armed; Dental Health Activity; 419th Contracting Support Regiment. The third area, which is apart from the Administrative and Control Areas, is the Launching Area. The 106th Infantry division (including their artillery units) were composed of nearly 30% ASTP men. The battery executive officer lays the weapon on the azimuth of fire as aiming posts are placed out. Thank you so much for this information. I dont know if he found out about my mother before he left or in fact if he ever did? Thx. A series of lights and a meter show the battery control officer the number of rounds prepared for firing and the progress of the fire unit in accomplishing the steps
264th field artillery battalion