From what I have gathered he was with 5th Army as part of II Corps and or VI Corps Artillery through North Africa, Italy, then with VI Corps, VII Army through Southern France, and into Germany. I forgot to ask but if you are able to find out any more information on my granddad or the unit it would be very much appreciated. How can one find a unit history? I'm just trying to find out what actual unit my father served in while in the combat zone? No weapon had greater effect on the battlefield than did MLRS. My father was in WWII. M7 Self-propelled 105mm ("The Priest") near La Gleize, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge. Fire plans of British artillery (technically called ‘programme shoots’) where either barrages, concentrations, smoke screens, or a combination (Evans, 2001-5). And one of these self-propelled battalions served in general support of the Division. My father was with the 662nd FA Battalion in Europe in WWII. If you could share a photo that would be great. These thing never turn up! 155mm gun section, Huertgen Forest 1944. The three cannoneers shown here are preparing the gun for firing. Thank you, Mr. Kelly. He may have landed in Scotland. The artist, Ms. Joyce Kreafle, has established a nation-wide reputation for the quality and accuracy she brings to studies of military history. CJ Kelly-- We have corresponded before (see way below); my dad was the CO of the 908FAB B Btry, 83rd Inf Div. Since your dad was assigned in late '43, he probably ended up on Bouganville and then the Philippines. If you copy this link into the web this is the small booklet I mentioned. While the gunner corporal worked his sight, the assistant gunner, positioned on the right side of the breech, operated a hand wheel to set the elevation. I will keep at it. A 105mm battalion contained just over 500 men. Mr. Burr, I do a "Red Leg of the Week" on my Facebook and I would be honored could send a photo. A gun section of the 333rd Field Artillery preparing for action in Normandy. For example, if the setting sleeve was turned parallel to the shell, it was set for superquick. One of the keys to the success of the artillery branch in World War II lay in the structure of the battalion and its personnel. Good luck and I will keep you posted. Then the mechanized cavalry began employing "combat cars" and light tanks. 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. The wide dispersal of an exploding shell, which could be more than 50 yards, gave the gunners room to be off a little bit. ), and a Service battery (ammunition, basic supplies, mechanics, etc.). 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. He apparently has a lot pics, etc. There were 238 separate field artillery battalions operating in the ETO by war’s end, with 36 105mm and 71 155mm battalions. All units in the last year of the war were short men on their roster. 105mm crew preparing the shells during training exercise. The version of the 155mm they're using was modfied the next year. Charles (Mac) Armstrong 283nd. Will keep you posted. One or more of the battalions of a group might be attached for direct support to an individual division. I do mean Service Battery. The 274th was an Armored Field Artillery unit using the "Priest," 105mm on an M7 chassis. Division Artillery, Motorized, Infantry Division. Time and time again in postwar interviews, German soldiers mentioned the fear that American artillery engendered along the front lines. Flag images indicative of country of origin and not necessarily primary operator. There were instance after the Bulge were survivors who were in units wiped in the battle were farmed out to other battalions until their original units were reformed or the war was over. MG (then COL) Edward H. Brooks designed and guided the development of the howitzer pictured in the painting, "Armored Field Artillery." At the beginning of World War II, the U.S. Army’s primary field artillery pieces were the French-designed M1897 75mm gun and M1918 155mm howitzer (above). Beginning in mid-February, MLRS units and cannon battalions conducted a series of cross­border artillery raids to destroy critical targets, fix Iraqi troops and deceive the enemy about the actual point of the pending assault. Giving NARA another shot. I have his IKE Jacket and photos when he married my mother in Lyon France on 9 Oct 1945 before his re-deployment back to the US 0n 19 Nov 45 from Le Havre France aboard the Monticello AP-61 arriving NY 27 Nov 45. The Royal Field Artillery was the largest arm of the artillery. However in practice, they just never seemed to fit into the basic operations of the regiment and in many cases, ended up being used as perimeter defense. From there to the ASTP at University of Arizona. CJ. Like Ms. Southall, my father was in two different FABs, and someone at the 83rd site said that because he, my dad, was regular army (West Point), he would be staying for the Occupation, which he did, for another year, and that's about when the change occurred, I think, from the 908 to the 323. The British found few who could match their prowess in the realm of artillery systems concerning World War 2. Another key feature of American artillery during the war was the role of non-divisional artillery battalions of all calibers. Fire bases were lucrative targets for the Viet Cong. Will do. hey just reminding you it is past the first week in dec thanks. - Did you get to Buchenwald at the end of the war? Can you tell me where I can find this information? Empty shell casings near gun section, Elsenborn Ridge, 1944. I’m especially curious as to why he changed units. The United States Field Artillery traces its origins to 17 November 1775 when the Continental Congress, unanimously elected Henry Knox "Colonel of the Regiment of Artillery". My Dad was in the 745th Field Artillery Battalion in World War II firing the 240 Howitzer over the Rhine River. 01.03.1944 = March 1st, 1944] Army Groups I assumed because of the increase to 6 guns that there were more observers, but I was not sure if the 3 FO was a standard. I did find a guy who runs a blog/website. 8 inch battery histories can be touch to find. Neither of us including my mother new of each other existed. Is there a way to know who survived the war in his Battery B? It was an M110 (8" SP) Bn. As World War II came closer, the artillery tried several ways to keep pace with the maneuver forces. There's also a great shot of the gunner's M12 panoramic scope. William Oakley was a Forward Observer for Battery A. Can I ask one more question? I’m 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. But Fort Sill might be come through for me. That baffled me til someone pointed out that in his situation, points wouldn't matter, and exactly what you said--the regrouping of men. C1: S: 9. Finding the break in a line required both skill and a little bit of luck. You would think I would have realized that after reading your site and getting a LOT of education on what they went through. A truck could carry between 50 and 60 shells per trip. The United States Field Artillery Association is a non-profit 501(c) professional association. The Great War, begun in 1914, had so far taken a horrible toll of lives. Start with the 4th Infantry Division Association page. He was in the Pensacola convoy and then was in Darwin in early 1942. + The 39th 'Delta' Division was formed from the Louisana National Guard after WW2. Access the Field Artillery Journal issues from 1911-current, Receive member 15% discount on all store items, Only members can create user accounts. It is the seventh painting on American Artillery. Some day I would like for me and my brother to travel the same route together. Thanks for the insight. But overall, finding info on this unit post Bulge is very hard. Field Artillery Headquarters Battalion web site. Also, where did the term red leg come from? I'll keep looking and get back to you. '44/'45. Later in the war, field commissions for qualified noncoms became commonplace. In March 1918, it became the Tank Corps by order of the Secretary of War. He was a Artillery Mechanic and recently celebrated his 99th birthday! Just like the enlisted, the cross training of commissioned personnel was an essential element in every battalion. I will contact the office to see what they have or maybe they can point me in the right direction. I will put together the links for you. There are vets with home pages, etc. Hope to get it to you by the end of the week. 8 inch howitzer battery, Philippines, 1944. Vietnam was a fire base war. Keep me posted. Sacrifice: The 333rd Field Artillery at the Battle of the Bulge. I will check the 20th Corps order of battle just to confirm. The position of aiming posts could vary depending on the unit and terrain. Thank you so much for sharing this information. Although part of 1st Support Group of 1st Armoured Division, it deployed as an Army regiment because the armoured division was not ready. Its Division Artillery had only two self-propelled and two towed artillery battalions. So there must be one out there for the 908. 3 ammo crew to the right. Also from my research, I discovered the CIB was only awarded to Infantry men in combat but after the war in 1946, an exception was made for other soldiers who fought in direct combat did earn the CIB and thus awarded the Bronze Star. It's so important these men are not forgotten. 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. Great to hear from you. That is what I had when I arrived and a year later what I had when I left. I have info for you as well as a possible contact in Europe. Most allied commanders were Fort Sill-trained (US Army Field Artillery School), which made the assimilation workable. 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. The shells had lifting rings attached at their nose during shipment, and they had to be removed to install the fuse. He was discharged in NYC on December 26, 1945. These sandbag and timber fortresses often sprouted geometric shapes with guns forming a star-like pattern surrounded by a ring of bunkers. Stay well. Then the fuse had to be set using a special wrench. Thank You for your quick response. You can either email me, friend me on Facebook or my Red Legs page. Stay well. As professional Redlegs, we should be grounded in our branch history and ensure we understand the lessons learned from these artillerymen in training and battle. I don’t know why he changed units. Mr. John J. McMahon commissioned the painting from Ms. Joyce Kreafle. CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on January 07, 2018: Hi Ms. Hamiliton, can I ask what unit you are researching? The fuses were shipped in crates, about 25 per box. Copyright © 2021 - United States Field Artillery Association. Lee, Ulysses. Truly, the King of Battle led the way in sweeping the enemy north of the Yalu River. With a muzzle velocity of 1,150 f/s and a range of 4,500 yards, the gun was suited for the direct support role. There are a total of [ 106 ] WW2 Artillery entries in the Military Factory. One of the loaders disposing of the casing. But overall, no, the guys rarely moved if the unit was intact. In February 1913, General Victoriano Huerta overthrew President Francisco Madero and plunged Mexico into a civil war. Although this concept was much more limited in the artillery branch than in other branches, in practice each battery’s CO had great autonomy on officer assignments. Great close-up of a crewman adding a propellant charge to a 155mm howitzer. There are a total of [ 25 ] WW2 British Artillery entries in the Military Factory. Should a battery stay longer, the fire base took on the appearance of a medieval fortress. The other officers could be assigned to a variety of tasks, which included motor officer, daily maintenance, firing officer or forward observer. Commissioned by Mr. JohnJ. https://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/wwii/usarmy/... http://indianhead-roster.com/roster/15th-field-art... https://83rdinfdivdocs.org/units/908th-fa-bn/. 37mm anti-tank guns were found to be useless against allied medium tanks and due to this AP ammunition was developed for all gun types. Running a spool of black telephone cord from HQ to an observation post could put one under fire from mortars, machine guns, snipers, shelling, both friendly and German, as well as enemy patrols. - Colonel Kent O.W. CJK. I suspect that Sill arrived at the conclusion of WWII that the Btry Exec could manage 2 more guns - certainly from my point of view 18 rounds on the target instead of 12 was going to make a lot more noise. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/arm... CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on May 14, 2020: Mr. Poore, thank you very much. Self-propelled artillery took on a greater role and of course, missile and rocket technology changed the branch forever. CJ Kelly (author) from the PNW on January 04, 2018: Hi Mr. England, with regards to the cook lying dead in the photo, it is not him. We took a trip last fall to the areas where both of my parents were during the war (my mother was a nurse at an evacuation hospital closest to the Battle of the Bulge, outside Liege), and Myra found wonderful information for me on where my father was at various times, places we visited, like a farmhouse command post, and a church where he was observing as it was being shelled. 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). Would such a book exist for all of the FABs? Depicted here is the Mark I gun surrounded by a Marine gun crew wearing the uniforms of the period. 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