CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on September 16, 2016: Absolutely, Nancy. I have the outfit's schedule from landing at Utah to disbandment in Germany. Giving NARA another shot. or Vilseck at least twice a year and stayed in primitive quarters. My gran lived in the next town called Bideford where they had a relationship. I read the above about the communication, wire and phones. He was a World War II veteran who participated in the Battle of the Buldge, where he was a Staff Sergeant in the 264th Field Artillery Battalion. The galley crew quickly informed me to never miss a meal and to eat all the time. Artillery Antiaircraft . I also have the two small booklets that were published about the 2nd Infantry Division. 264th Pioneer Battalions . On payday they were filled and SPs as well as MPs roamed the town to prevent trouble. The gunner and one canoneer set the firing deflection and elevation and stand by to apply final low level wind corrections. The command for this maneuver is stored on board the missile until it reaches denser atmosphere where its control surfaces are most effective. 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. But there is stuff out there and I will put together a page w/links. A 105mm battalion contained just over 500 men. If you have any 264th Infantry 66th Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized) 266th Engineer Combat Battalion 366th Medical Battalion 66th Division Artillery 870th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer). We generally woke up to Hill Billy Reveille" on AFN radio. the World War II years (1942-45). They were also charged with conducting topographical surveys, which during combat operations were carried out rather infrequently. Figure it would be easier via email. 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. In Europe, having one FO for each infantry battalion was unacceptable since it was the infantry company that was basic to infantry operations and each needed to call directly for artillery support. The 94th division was sent to the Battle of the Bulge. That probably was a good thing because the winning team got a trip to the US to participate in the all army tournament. 264th CSSB CSM :: Fort Bragg - United States Army The history of the 26st Field Artillery Regiment from the early days of the horse soldier to the modern, highly trained, mission ready, assault force of today. 406th Land Field Support Brigade Sponsorship; 192nd Ordnance Battalion (EOD) 192nd Ordnance Battalion Sponsorship; 50th Signal Battalion . 66th Infantry Division (United States) | Military Wiki | Fandom The shift of several large caliber artillery units, particularly segregated African American battalions, to Bastogne during the first 48 hours of the battle helped save the city from capture. If you can't attach it on there, send me your email and I can get back to you. The artillery fire disabled a number of big German guns and sank numerous re-supply boats. CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on September 23, 2019: http://www.84thrailsplitters.com/history.html. One of the pictures on your site (3. I will start checking into the unit ASAP. ss mariposa wwii Each GI was allowed one time to exchange and some people made a lot of money buying script dirt cheap. Those howitzers were big, firing "small bombs" that weighed nearly 50 pounds each,. He apparently has a lot pics, etc. I think he was in the 20th Service Battalion of the 200th Just half an hour ago I purchased a hard copy on ebay from someone in Old Forge Pennsylvania, just 4hr drive from where he lived in Slippery Rocks. US Army Unit Records Index | PDF | Division (Military) | Regiment - Scribd It was a 155mm howitzer battalion and did fight in the Bulge and in '45. 1 gunner on a 105mm (M2). Otherwise, your best bet would be After Action Reports and Unit Histories from the Field Artillery School at Fort Sill or Archives II. We would play cards till lights out. This really made us feel like little soldiers - lol. Let me know and that can help the search be more specific. Arriving in England in February 1944, the 333rd and 969th battalions shipped over to Normandy in July and provided vital artillery support to American forces through months of hard fighting, including at the siege of Brest, France. World War II era item - Christmas 1943 Service Battery 264th Field Artillery Battalion Camp Hood Texas - 4 page program with an ornate cover - good to very good condition with some handling wear and a couple of light stains - Buyer pays $6.00 shipping, US only, no international orders - Email with questions. There were seven different propelling charges, with TNT being the most frequently used. Each firing platoon contains sufficient personnel to check out, assemble, fuel and fire missiles. They made great sandboxes for matchbox cars. (1)In January 1955, the 259th FA Msl Bn (Corporal)was deployed to Europe with full Type I CORPORAL field equipment. I'm heading to the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge reunion next month (here in Seattle). I lived with them mostly from Friday eves to Sunday eves to learn everything about them. I remeber my grandpa and uncle looking thru timelife magazine and my grandpa exclaiming "we werent actually there! What he wanted was all the discards from the C rations which the GIs usually had. CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on May 12, 2020: Hi Mr. Walters, still looking for info on either the Battalion or at least a FA group history. 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/. AP580305A . Thanks! 270th Field Artillery Battalion | WWII Forums 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. The use of artillery reached its zenith in World War II. Up front were tank divisions, then armored infantry, then 105s, then 155s then 8 inch guns and then us. 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. I'm very rarely stymied, but in this case, hard case. I am incredibly proud of my history and thanks for keeping this alive through your work, i appreciate everything you are doing thank you. "Our guns weighed 16 tons, and the tractors that pulled them each weighed 14 tons," noted. during WWII ], [ 15th Infantry Division - Did not exist Our first formation was 7:30 instead of 6. Many times I would climb the fence (8ft with three lines of barbed wire atop it). 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. and velocity is again measured and compared to the standard trajectory. The second radar is the Target Tracking Radar. 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. A CORPORAL Battalion Commander makes the detailed reconnaissance and selection of these positions. I'm not finding information about the 325th FA after that. His name was George Irwin Brown and we have since found out he was a Master Sergeant with the 200th Field Artillery Battalion and was from Slippery Rocks, Pennsylvania. Mr. Burr, I do a "Red Leg of the Week" on my Facebook and I would be honored could send a photo. In Korea I was the Fire Direction Chief as a Major, 64th Field (Lancer 3) - the T&O gave me 3 FO's per firing battery - whether that was a permanent change I have no idea. This happened in March in Germany which can be and was quite cold. Batteries were further subdivided into sections. Red and white aiming posts were laid to the rear of the sight, almost in a straight line. General Lauer commanded the division until its deactivation in November 1945. had an Alfa Romeo and I remember the Getoggio brothers, enlisted (twins). Should have something for you in a few weeks. 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. 264th CSSB Phone: (910) 396-4218 Location: 2420 Quartermaster St., BLDG M-1433 Fort Bragg, North Carolina Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., M-F Closed on weekends, training and federal. This is the best article I have read on the US Army Field Artillery in World War II. On an HE round, the ammunition crews could set it for either point detonating (PD) or time superquick (TSQ). But they were part of the infantry regiment and used at the discretion of the regimental CO. Other stakes are used to mark the direction of fire. The 159th received a Navy Presidential Unit Citation for its . 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade Sponsorship; Garrison; Dental Health Activity; 419th Contracting Support Truppe. From this trailer the Battery Commander directs the acquisition of targets and the firing of the missile. This test culminated in the firing of the first atomic round at Frenchman's Flat firing range in Nevada, by the Officers and men (and one gun) of the 867th FA Bn. Besides the four firing battalions, an infantry divisions artillery complement contained a Division Headquarters component. 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. Driving the jeep for the Lt also created a memorable moment. Their job was to lay, repair, and pick up telephone line. Keep me posted. On this version, there were no split trailers. I lucked out and was given KP duty, which I didnt like at first. Finding rosters is incredibly hard but they might have them or be able to piece together the info. Between the wars, there were important changes to the standard practices of the branch. I was allowed to go into the kitchen anytime 24/7 and get food. He also said that his unit was emplaced for a couple weeks around Kassel, Germany during the Rhineland Campaign as he got strafed by German fighters. CJ. This area is composed of the buildings and items of equipment necessary for assembling, testing, fueling, and firing a NIKE missile. 946. I was drafted and entered the US Army November 1, 1954. 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 guidance platoon contains both the operational personnel necessary to guide the missile and the specialist personnel required to maintain the fire control equipment. Upon receiving the orders from the firing officer, such as Command Left 10 or Right 20, the key task for the gunner was to get the aiming stakes and the gun sight lined up on the vertical crosshair in the scope. I am researching the 259th Artillery Battalion. 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. I dont know why he changed units. Field artillery Part 2 army lineage series Compiled by Janice e. McKenney CenTer OF miliTary HisTOry UniTeD sTaTes army WasHingTOn, D.C., 2010 419th CSB Sponsorship; 406th Army Field Assistance Trupp. John Schafner, U.S. Army Ret., Email interivews. I'll keep looking and get back to you. Junior commanders were expected to use their own initiative. We were paid in "Script." 268th Field Artillery Battalion. Appreciate the reminder. GPS: 49.359205, -0.855093. World War II unit histories I will contact the office to see what they have or maybe they can point me in the right direction. The 66th Division crossed the English Channel on Christmas Eve 1944. After lunch we had an hour of motor stables followed by either more section training or R&R. I used to speak with two different librarians/assistants at the library in Fort Sill (I'm calling the library, it could be the office for Field Artillery Journal mag). Field Artillery Battalion in action in Normandy, France in 1944. 264th Field Artillery Battalion 401st Field Artillery Group 187th Field Artillery Battalion 809th Field Artillery Battalion 7th Armored Division: Brigadier General R.W.Hasbrouck CCA CCB CCR 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion 38th Armored Infantry Battalion 48th Armored Infantry Battalion . FA Bn (280mm Gun), 265th The risk of being spotted by enemy observers was ever-present. 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. Can you tell me where I can find this information? The radar is locked in azimuth on the target line, the computer and doppler are then readied for firing. History of 66th - 66th Division 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. US Army, Europe during WWII ], [ 20th Infantry Division - Did not exist I am trying to write a history of the 147th from November 1940 when his National Guard unit was activated and November 1945 when he was discharged. The SS then opened fire with machine guns and bazookas killing my granddad and PFC Lusk with the other two managing to escape. Lt. Col. Ricardo Jones264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion commander. Thank you for any other sources that I can be directed to. The spade is dropped and the weapon is backed onto the spade. To facilitate handling between the ammunition supply point and the battalion position area, the rocket is divided into three major components. You can email me. Spec4 was my rank. With wind corrections applied the crewmen take up positions on the perifery of the firing site and wait the final countdown. My father was in the 752 field artillery laying cable, in ww 2, trying to get info on his journey. Finding the break in a line required both skill and a little bit of luck. It was an M110 (8" SP) Bn. 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. Lock - United States Army CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on January 30, 2017: John, go to my homepage and contact me via FB or email, etc. My other assignment in the section was to drive the Lts jeep. Mention of how important to the success of the artillery was the role of the Liaison aircraft. A group was usually assigned from two to six battalions. The Force Artillery Commander normally selects primary areas for CORPORAL Battalions under his control. Shells were usually shipped in pallets, with eight shells per pallet. CJK -- how do I send you a photo? . CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on May 15, 2020: Thx, Greener. 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. It could be rotated manually 360 degrees. Eight spin rockets, set ninety degress apart are contained in the forward end of the rocket motor. I think this exercise was a response to Khrushchev banging his shoe at the UN meeting in New York. 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. Shortly after I was there, orders came down to remove the names from the guns, so they were painted over. I use the word approximately because once combat operations began, it was rare for any unit (Division, Battalion, Regimental, etc.) Sorry for the delays. It aids in laying in the guns by taking into account the Y Azimuth distance between true north and magnetic north. Down time was spent playing poker and drinking beer. It is usually in general support of a division. They were inactivated in 1994. If you would like to send a photo, that would be great. From the information provided by the acquisition radar, the target-tracking radar acquires the designated target and tracks it throughout the engagement. I realized why when we hit a storm in the North Atlantic and spent three days at sea anchor during which time we were feeding 85 troops that could still eat. 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. 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. This included self-propelled units such as the 275th Armored Field Artillery, who were positioned just north of the 106th. In Giessen places like the Florida Bar, the Pilshaus, the Pilsner Bar were the EM hangouts. Then during the Civil War, the artillery branch began the practice of having red stripes down the side of their pants to distinguish from the infantry (who still wear blue). I would like very much to find out what happened to a large number of the Officers and EM I served with. Amazingly, those incidents were relatively rare considering the near-constant use that most of the weapons received. Great snackbar and a big ballroom and formal bar upstairs. 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. Me again. The Nike system is designed to operate with three sections per battery and four launches per section, but may use a smaller number. Any help will be appreciated in regards to my questions and my uncle's records. 285th Engineer Combat Battalion. () Gene Bane Stars and StripesBad Kreuznach, West Germany, September, 1956: 264th Field Artillery Battalion soldiers from Battery C's 2nd Gun Platoon, who set a 280mm gun firing record, pose. I have zip skills but can usually figure out how to do that. The 159th Field Artillery Battalion continued to support the 24th Infantry Regiment through heavy fighting in six campaigns. After receiving the on the way and splash we watched the French. Explore regimental histories, soldier rosters, morning reports, and reports of casualties to better understand the combat experiences of your WWI veteran. From 9 to 10:30 we had section training and in FDC that meant running through our computations and cleaning our gear. At the end of the 1956 season we had won enough to get into the 7th Army tournament. No. OPERATIONAL CONCEPTS I believe the 15th FAB has a Facebook page too. The 66th Division was part of the Sixth Army Group and participated in the Northern France campaign. At the count of zero a button is pushed on the firing panel box. So I can ask around about the unit, etc. Battalions were usually headed by a lieutenant colonel with an executive officer who was usually a major. Orders are transmitted by the computer to the missile through the missile tracking radar. CJ Kelly-- We have corresponded before (see way below); my dad was the CO of the 908FAB B Btry, 83rd Inf Div. 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion commander And I didn't really think about how the army wouldn't stop practicing, because my father's section, at least, thought they were going on to Japan. A few years ago I ran across a book entitled Private Presley by Andreas Schroer which documents Elviss years in Germany and I swear it is as good as a high school yearbook for memories. I would be interested in the 908 FAB if there is one! The term Red Leg began in the Civil War, First during the Kansas border wars and then the Army adapted it later. The gun fires a shell weighing 272 kilograms a distance of 27 kilometers. The Field Artillery OCS at Fort Sill (one of three during the war) produced 25,993 second lieutenants during the war years, which included over 3500 ROTC cadets who had completed between six and eight semesters of ROTC. I am doing a blog on the 182 letters he wrote home while at Camp McCoy and then in the European Theater. Turned out I used those bonds to pay for my first 2 years of college when I was discharged. 264th Infantry Regiment Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 66th Infantry Division Artillery 721st Field Artillery Battalion (155 mm) 870th Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm) 871st Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm) 872d Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm) 266th Engineer Combat Battalion 366th Medical Battalion Zaloga, Steven. No way the Seventh Army was going to stop 65 tank divisions located across the Eastern Boarder in the Fulda Gap. That happened to most of the 589th FAB survivors. CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on April 01, 2020: Mr. Ferandes, I'll do the best I can. Find A Battery, 264th Field Artillery Battalion unit information, patches, operation history, veteran photos and more on TogetherWeServed.com. The fire control area consists of three radars, a computer, three van-type trailers and necessary electrical equipment. Their response was which corner. Prewar service The 65th Territorial Rifle Division was formed in May 1931, based in Tyumen, Kamyshlov, and Ishim. The majority of the infantry troops were on board the. A Battery, 264th Field Artillery Battalion - Army Unit Directory The battery control officer, stationed in the battery control trailer, is provided with all of the information and controls necessary to engage targets effectively. This indicated that the break was somewhere between where they were and the location of the last Okay call. The Employment of Negro Troops. Also, using my Red Leg FB page to turn something up. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. Thanks for the insight. (2) 1 May 56 to 7 Jun 56: Executive Officer, A Battery Can I get your dad's full name and rank? PDF U.S. XVIII Airborne Corps Troops December, 1944 108th Air Definition Artillery Brigade. We are planning a trip to Europe to retrace the units movements. He did ship out to Europe the same date as this battalion. Dastrup, Boyd. Comments: Ed McCrea was part of the U.S. Army 865 Unit in the Korean War. The 95-pound shell required separate-loading bagged charges that were loaded with the shell according to the orders given by the firing officer. A truck could carry between 50 and 60 shells per trip. If you can, use the email provided as it will be easier for you to contact me. I am doing a blog about the 100 letters my uncle Charles D Knight wrote home while in Europe in the 15th FAB section B using the 105mm howitzer. Accountable for providing direct support and ensure the XVIII Air borne Corps' are relocated worldwide meeting their operational readiness timeline in 18 hrs and its subordinate units; manages NCO development and enlisted personnel matters; advises Commander of Soldier issues, and maintained organizational and installation property valued at over $3. Arriving at the 264th in Bad Kreuznach I started one of the best experience and times of my life. The majority of the shells expended during fire missions were usually high explosive (HE). The 66th Division was activated on April 15, 1943 at Camp Blanding, Fl. 416th Artillery Battalion . The Battery Control Trailer contains the computer, the acquisition radar scope and its controls, and a switchboard. (He passed 10 years ago, having said little about his service!) A 155mm battalion had approximately 550 enlisted men with 30 officers, with each battery having around 120 men. Published: Jun 17, 2016 Total records: 10,633. Jessie Martinez Obituary (1924 - 2020) - Hobart, IN - The Times 169 Giessen, Germany 264th Field Artillery Battalion Airmail to Detroit, Mich. LEGAL SIZE. 416th Support Units . As the vehicle stops with its sight mount over the surveyed hub, three crewmen lower the side and rear jacks while other crewmen elevate and extend the launching beam to the firing position. The collection is comprised of organizational and operational records and miscellaneous historical material from the files of army units that served in World War II. Note the panoramic scope on the left side of the gun. TACTICAL USAGE Church steeple) and line up the angle on that. The powder charge is inserted with the primer. The 66th Division consisted of the following units: 262nd , 263rd, and 264th Infantry Regiments, Headquarters Battery, 721st, 870th, 871st, and 872nd, Field Artillery Battalions, 266th Engineer Combat Battalion, the 366th Medical Battalion, 66th Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment, 66th Quartermaster Company, 66th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, I am especially interested in his duties, but also how the battery functioned as a whole. The aiming circle was a small scope graduated with 6,400 mils as opposed to the usual 360 degrees (a mil is 1/6400 of a circle). Radar transmits these commands back to the missile. Normally the battalion occupies a position area with a common perimeter, requiring an area of about 1000 by 1500 meters. So now I'm on to more official information. Sgt Pappy Bryant was another gun chief. What I have had difficulty finding is information about the duties in a battery. This was important for the married troops who lived off base because it gave them an extra hour and a half in the AM. Many of the specialists were also grouped into sections and personnel from both the communications section and survey teams often were part of forward observation teams. I spent about month (Oct 53) at combat intelligence school at Oberammergau and when I got back to Baumholder (early Nov), the guns were in Germany. It consists of a firing battery headquarters, four howitzer sections and an ammunition section. in Germany from 1945 to 1989. For an instant the Honest John appears to nudge forward hesitatingly on the launcher rail. 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. My Father was a Pvt with Btry B of the 221st Field Artillery Battalion with the Americals in WWII. I'm looking for pictures of the C Battery 81st Field Artillery.