Regimental Histories

Follow

• 

  926 Engineer Aviation Regiment: September 6, 1945

  United States Army

  Little mention is made anywhere of the actual work of the men who operated the heavy equipment for long hours, sometimes within artillery or mortar range of the enemy, or of those who moved that equipment over long miles' of bad roads in good and bad weather, with C Rations often their only food for days. On occasion, true, these men found a "home" along the way, finding pleasure and entertainment as well as rest and comfort, but not always.

  No idea is given of the hours spent by clerks, handling routine matters and emergency reports, in cold (or hot) tents, or in buildings, as chance would have it. Nor of the draftsmen who made charts, preliminary drawings, drawings of changes, final drawings.

  Nor yet of the drivers who, with or without patience, carted officers from airfield to airfield, or from site to unsafe site in search of information, or back to Paris over ice and snow to chase supplies or attend a school. Of the cooks who fed their company three meals a day for 27 months, on the move or in permanent stations. Of the thousands of hours spent encoding, decoding, transmitting and receiving signal mes sages, or of the thousands of calls placed to Paris, "Roadbed", "Rowdy" or "Research."

  And yet, it takes all of that to add up to the total mission accomplished.

• 

  A History of the 91st Chemical Mortar Battalion

  United States Army

  From the Introduction:

  "To the men of the 91st Cml Mortar Bn this book is more than a unit history; it is an autobiography -- a rather personal sort of affair. It was written more in deeds than in words by the men who make up this separate battalion, which is, at best, an infinitesimally small part of the present day strength of the United States Armies.

  Since a unit is a collection of individuals, like an individual, it gradually assumes a character and a personality which distinguishes it in particular from other units. The object in compiling thls book is to preserve the character of the Battalion, our Battalion, by recording for future nostalgia some of the memories that the men like most to recall when they engage in a typical "bull session." The body of the text is essentially a condensation of the units's official history together with humorous incidents, anecdotes, and human interest stories, all unexpurgated within bounds and representative of many thousands of war stories that might have been told about Army life in garrison and in combat overseas. The personal episodes are related as nearly as possible in chronological order parallel to the historical data that best provides a comprehensive background for the stories themselves.

  No attempt has been made to describe in detail the geography of that section of Europe over which the Battalion traveled and fought, nor to pass judgement on the character and integrity of the people who live there. The reasons for having placed this limitation on the scope of this work will be obvious to those who have ever come in contact with people who have had their countries and homes turned into battle fields. The political and social reverberations which will undoubtedly be brought about as a result of this latest of World Wars have been left to future historians to record."

• 

  Album: 359th Infantry - 90th Division

  United States Army

  From A Spearhead Regiment (the book's introduction):

  "When the blood, sweat, and dirt of war become memories, who will remember the " little things" that GI Joe did, to make war just "a memory"? We will, of course. The 90th Division through its battles and conquests will go down in the annals of history as one of the finest and bravest Division of World War II.

  After our return to civilian life it will give us great satisfaction to look back at ourselves as were in combat, arid to see ourselves as the heroes of the 359th, one of the great regimental combat teams of the war. We have collected many pictures; all but a few taken by GI Joe himself on the battlefield. Insofar as photography is concerned, some photos could be better, but that doesn't really matter. They show us things as they were, and as they actually happened with no dressing and special poses. They show us as we were at the time we helped make history.

  We have no pictures of D-Day. Men are not in the mood to take pictures while all Hell is breaking loose around them. Storming the "Heinies" well fortified positions was work enough for that day. Landing on Utah Beach amidst the heavy fire of the enemy was a remarkable achievement. There were a few pictures taken by those few men who can do their job plus under any conditions; but the pictures were unable to be located. However, those men who were on the landing need no pictures to remind them of it. Nor will those men of the 2nd Battalion who were on the transport, "Susan B. Anthony", when it struck a mine and sank on June 7th ever forget. The transport stayed afloat just long enough to enable rescue of all the men. These men were loaded swiftly into small boats amidst gun and shell fire. By the night of D plus I, the bulk of the regiment was assembled on the beach. The supporting units were ashore D plus 4. Those of you who remember this incident have a picture that is printed indelibly in your memory."

• 

  Battalion history, 963, 1944-1945

  United States Army

  The 963rd Field Artillery Battalion originated as a component of the Connecticut Militia, which consisted of companies formed in 1639 to protect the original colonies. These companies were in turn organized in the year 1739, into the 3rd and 4th Infantry Regiments of the Connecticut Militia, which remained in colonial service until 1776. In that year they became part of the State Militia of Connecticut and served during the Revolutionary War in such historic campaigns as those around New York, The Danbury Raid, and the Battle of Saratoga.

• 

  Battle history of "A" battery, 391st Armored Field Artillery Battalion; Third Armored (spearhead) Division, first United States Army, 24 June, 1944 to 24 April, 1945

  United States Army

  This book is for and about the men of Battery "A", 391st Armored Field Artillery Battalion. It tries to relate, in detail, what happens while a war is being fought. It tries to tell what men do and think while under the strain of battle and what they do when one battle is over and preparations are being made for the next one. It started to be a history, but histories are cold and lifeless and in a story about a group of one hundred men it is possible to include intimate details of a lot of the things that happened.

• 

  Duffy's tavern : a record of the officers club of the IX Tactical Air Command

  United States Army

  Forward

  "This book is not intended as a History of IX T.A.C., neither is it an evaluation of the Command's contribution to Victory in Europe. Such a story will be written elsewhere. Instead it is being composed because we -- the Officers of IX T.A.C. -- want to keep alive in our minds eye the fond associations and the satisfying memories of life in our Headquarters; to call to mind the genuine companionship and decent fellowship for that day when such values become good to remember. This is Duffy-s Tavern, with a 10 cent top for the best in the house, and genial Bob Straight in charge.

  This book is an unpretentious attempt, sketchy and incomplete though it necessarily be, to capture here and there in this series of photographs something of the associations of this period. Many of the men who did most to create this spirit of good fellowship have passed by us on the road to war. These men we salute.

  One word more; if at casual glance there appears a frivolous note, remember that these were not frivolous days. For there were days here too without mail, days full of the anxiety of separation, monotony and loneliness, and these were the associations which eased the Pressure when a Chaplains punch wouldn't do the trick.

  And to us it has a kind of symbolism. It taught us that no matter where Americans are placed they will make the best of the situation. Deeper than that, it taught us that while fighting a vicious enemy, those powers of darkness who would destroy our way of life, we could at the same time, forge a closer bond of unity between men of good will -- Americans of all ranks, all shades of opinion and all religious faiths. It was, if you will, Democracy in action.

  Here are the scenes touching on a spirit we will never forget. Reminder of the days when, far from home and those we loved, we brought cheer to one another and carried on in the name of Justice and Peace."

• 

  History, 125th Armored Engineer Battalion: Camp Shanks, New York to V-E day inclusive

  United States Army

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to those members of our command who gave their full measure that the cause of humanity might be preserved. May we heap high upon the altar of faith the flaming desire that will envelope ·and destroy all forces tending to incarcerate the freedoms of mankind. Let us, who live, devote our lives to substantiate this faith for which they made the supreme sacrifice. It is with reverence that their names are here listed.

• 

  History of the 376th infantry regiment between the years of 1921-1945

  United States Army

  From the Introduction, written by Colonel Harold B. McClune:

  "The design of this book's compilers is to present a panoramic view of the 376th Infantry from its birth in September 1921 to the capitulation of the Japanese Empire in August 1945; a panorama of battle experiences that have demonstrated our superiority over the enemy that confronted us, and proved the mettle of our civilian Army.

  While this is the story of an infantry regiment, we do not fail to appreciate the contributions modern technical science, designer of our weapons, our armor and aircraft support, and our means of protecting against weapons, has made for the success of our infantry. The weapons and equipment which have proved so deadly in the hands of this war's foot-soldiers are the best that any army ever had.

  In view of these new developments, the infantryman who, until recently did most of his fighting with a rifle, has become a specialist, and his training must be more thorough than that of any other branch of the army. It must begin with knowledge, gleaned first from the books and regulations; but it must stop short of depending on ready-made ideas: Much had to be learned from other battles, and from brothers-in-arms who learned the hard way. These principles are sound. The leaders and the men alike have proved them in the way they adapted themselves and applied the technique learned in the shock of battle when flesh and blood were the price exacted.

  An attempt has here been made to tell the story of how the Regiment fought -- the story of its battles, and the story of its individual acts of courage in the face of the enemy. Much is said of the weather and the land we fought in, but words are inadequate here. Frozen feet, hunger, loss of sleep, constant exposure to enemy fire, and the shock of seeing a buddy killed or wounded cannot be described. They must be lived.

  It is the purpose of this volume to tell that story -- as much of it as can be told in words -- simply, without exaggeration. This history needs no embellishments. It is hoped this work may be of use to future military historians searching for details not to be found in official War Department records. But primarily it is intended for the officers and men who have served, and are serving with the 376th Infantry Regiment. For all of us who wish to keep alive our rich experience with this noble organization, this book will serve to renew our memories and discipline our imaginations."

• 

  History of the 54th Troop Carrier Squadron

  United States Army

  The 54th Transport Squadron predecessor of the present 54th Troop Carrier Squadron was activated at Hamilton Field, California on 1 June 1942. Original unit commander was Captain William G. Harley, 0165088. Staff Sergeant Paul M. Pugh, 6894048, was acting First Sergeant. Private Arthur W. Yess, 33091246, was the third member of the original organization.

• 

  "On target": an informal account of the moonlight-cavalry

  United States Army

  You're probably wondering what we did in the war to rate all of campaign stars, and other decorations we've received. Well read what we did and decide for yourself. To begin with, the old 227th, got its name on 20th January 1943 down at hot and cold Fort Bliss, Texas.

• 

  On the way: a historical narrative of the Two-thirtieth Field Artillery Battalion, Thirtieth Infantry Division, 16 February 1942 to 8 May 1945

  United States Army

  Preface

  This is the history of our record as Artillerymen in the 230th Field Artillery Battalion. In its pages we will march together again as comrades-in-arms, with quiet pride in the job we have done, and with the hope that Saint Barbara, the patron of all artillerymen, will look upon our record and find it worthy of the Field Artillery tradition.

  It would be ideal if each of us were mentioned by name in this history. But this is the story of our Battalion, and we were and are the Battalion. There was a story to tell; and it had to march along without too much regard for the individual and what he had done. You will find yourself in these pages, because you were there, or you had a friend who was there. You know what the situation was -- this may keep your memories fresh.

  We were "CROW"--and our black wings covered a continent. When peace comes, the rustle of wings of a crow will remind us again of what we did.

• 

  Our battalion: 899th tank destroyer battalion history

  United States Army

  Our Battalion, the 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion, was activated on July 1, 1940. In those days, it was known as the 99th Infantry Battalion (Anti Tank). We were stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington; not too far from Tacoma and Olympia, Washington, right on Highway 99.

  Under the command of Lt. Col. Ransom, plus a cadre of old army men from the 15th Infantry Regiment to help train us, we began our not too happy struggle changing ourselves from care free civilians into soldiers.

• 

  Pictorial history of the 69th Infantry Division, 15 May 1943 to 15 May 1945

  United States Army

  Germany, 20 July 1945:

  To the Officers and Men of the fighting 69th Infantry Division:

  Recorded on these pages is a review of the accomplishments of this Division, of its preparation to fight and its fight against Germany. It is not a complete picture -- many small pictures are missing. They are not forgotten, and as you leaf through these pages they will be recalled to your memory. You have smoothly and efficiently carried out every assigned mission from the day this Division entered the line until V-E Day. Your high esprit and your fighting spirit lived up to every expectation. I extend to you, the Officers and enlisted men of the Fighting 69th Infantry Division my most sincere congratulations and praise for the job well done.

  Sincerely, E.F. Reinhardt, Major General U.S. Army, Commanding

• 

  The 106th: The Story of the 106th Infantry Division

  United States Army

  When the history of the Ardennes fighting has been written, it will be recorded as one of the great strategic Allied successes of the war in Europe. Tactically, for the 106th and the other American divisions involved, it was a bitter and costly fight. But it becomes increasingly clear that the Germans expended in that last futile effort those last reserves of men and materiel which they needed so badly a few months later. The losses and sacrifices of the 106th Infantry Division paid great dividends in eventual victory.

  These pages are dedicated to those gallant men who refused to quit in the darkest hour of the Allied invasion, and whose fortitude and heroism turned the tide toward overwhelming victory.

  Donald Armpriester Stroh, Major General, Commanding

• 

  The 7th: 1943-1945

  United States Army

  Foreword

  This is the story of the 7th Convalescent Hospital, United States Army, Medical Department. It is the story of a group of men who were assembled to rehabilitate soldier casualties both physically and mentally: the story of doctors, dentists, farmers, business men, clerks, salesmen, cooks, truck drivers, soda dispensers, students, and laborers who became the professional staff, technicians, clerks, carpenters, cooks, drivers, and electricians. The combined efforts of all these individuals made possible the accomplishment of our mission. It was all in the "T/O and T/E", but no one had ever seen such a unit in operation – there was doubt as to whether this unit could ever become a practical, working part of the forces in the field.

  But the 7th not only accomplished its mission, it can take credit for being an outstanding leader in its field; a unit that was not only a success in the eyes of the army but also – and what is more important -- in the eyes of its patients.

  Success, in large measure, is the result of the efforts that are put into the job. This is where the men of the 7th excelled. When the chips were down, they could pitch in as a team and accomplish miracles. This was amply proven in England, France, and Germany.

  A common statement among soldiers is, "When I get out of the Army, I am going to forget everything about it." In its true light, this remark is merely a reaction to the man's present plight. He is tired of Army life. He wants to get home. Take a peek into the future and you will probably find this same man telling his Army experiences to his co-workers, relatives, and friends. To the story teller, this book can be a restraining influence against exaggeration. But to most of us this book will be a record of all the little things we might forget -- and want to remember-as the years go by; such facts as the names of the men, interesting experiences, and amusing incidents.

  We have traveled through many lands; we have observed destruction and suffering; we have experienced discomfort, fatigue, disillusionment, and uncertainty; we have known friendliness and hatred. Exposed to these constant emotional strains, we have changed during our Army career. How much? Well, we shall discover that when we have returned to civilian life. At that time we may wonder what altered our way of thinking. The probability is that we shall find the answer within the covers of this book.

  This book was conceived and written by a group of your own buddies as a souvenir containing many of the memories of the 7th Convalescent Hospital. An Ernie Pyle could have done a better job of recording these incidents, with a finer touch of human interest; however, the book, you will find, has that quality of warmth which comes naturally from the pen of one who has experienced the happenings he describes. It was written during odd moments, often under hectic and unfavorable conditions, of the stay of the 7th in the European Theater of Operations.

  It is hoped that many hours of pleasant reading and many years of happy reminiscing will result from our efforts. For now and for always -- the good luck of the "Lucky Seventh" is extended to you.

• 

  The Eighty-first chemical mortar battalion

  United States Army

  This booklet is dedicated to the forty-one officers and men of the Eighty-First Chemical Mortar Battalion who made the supreme sacrifice. To give a thorough account of the accomplishments of the Eighty-First Chemical Mortar Battalion would take thousands of pages. To detail the heroic deeds and meritorious service of the gallant officers and men of the Eighty-First would take more thousands of pages. A booklet the size of this could be written about each enlisted man and .each officer. It is be{ieved the history is concise, yet shows the battalion to have lived up to its motto, "Equal To The Task."

  • Jack W. Lipphardt, Lt. Col., C. W.S., Commanding

• 

  The Thirteenth armored division: a history of the Black Cats from Texas to France, Germany and Austria and back to California

  United States Army

  Book is divided into two parts.

  From the introduction:

  "This is the history of the 13th Armored Division, a story of three long years in training and battle -- a story written not in the bone-dry dust of the historian, but rather with the sweat and blood and honest fear of the infantryman, the tanker, and the cannoneer. These men worked together, lived together, and some of them died together -- died in the filth and rubble of the war-ravaged Ruhr or in the rivers and forests of Bavaria. But, most of the men lived -- and fought, and captured towns, liberated prisoners of war, killed Germans -- and helped win the war. This, then, is the story of these men, living and dead.

  The war was young, andnot going at all to our liking, when we descended upon Camp Beale, California in 1942 to begin the long training grind that was to lead us to the battlefields of Germany. And we were young, too, and cocky -- "Get that cap on the left side of your head, soldier. You're in the Armored Force now' we barked. We trained and learned the arts of battle the hard way -- toughening up with basic training, and problems staged with the realism of combat. "California's Own" they called us -- and the Governor of the state christened our tanks. That was in the summer of 1943. For two years we toughened up at Beale and Camp Bowie, Texas, and we were plenty rugged when they put us on that boat for the ETO."

• 

  We the 48th

  United States Army

  Prologue

  There isn't too much difference between a good outfit and usst another one that does its routine job in its own routine way.

  It isn't the draft board, army selection, or luck; it's just a happy circumstance when certain men are chosen as officers and others for enlisted men -- and it's even a happier circumstance when they click into a well geared machine.

  But an outfit isn't a machine either. It's a group of 600 individual personalities who are thinking 600 different ways towards getting the job done.

  It's the 600 different ways of thinking that makes an outfit good. It's the American soldier with his self-initiative, imagination, intelligence and ability. It's the American officer with his leadership and knowledge, and it's the American field commander with his patience and restraint -- that makes a good outfit.

  We, the men of the 48th Engineers, want to tell you the story of our outfit -- the 48th Engineer Combat Battalion.

  Signed,

  The Staff

• 

  100 missions

  United States Army Air Forces

  "Words of mine cannot pay adequate tribute to the skill and courage of the air crews; the unending task of the ground crews, and the loyalty and devotion of all concerned with these missions.

  I view this record with a pride that is shared by all who know of you now, and one that will be subsequently lauded by the entire nation.

  The first hundred have moulded each group into a trim and efficient fighting unit fully capable of the great task remaining before final victory is achieved. It is my sincerest hope that we are still all together, fighting together when that memorable day arrives."

  John K. Gerhart, Brigadier General, U.S.A., Commanding

• 

  14th Combat Bombardment Wing (H)

  United States Army Air Forces

  The 14th Combat Bombardment Wing was activated on 13 September 1943, at AAF Station 115, better known as Shipdham, Norfolk, with Colonel Leon W. Johnson, the former commanding officer of the 44th Bombardment Group, in command.

  The Wing had been in operation as the 202nd Provisional Combat Bomb Wing since 3 September 1943.

  The Wing was formed from personnel of the 44th Bombardment Group, on whose station the Wing was located, and the 392nd Bombardment Group, which was located at Wendling, Norfolk.

• 

  316th Troop Carrier Group

  United States Army Air Forces

  From page 72 of document:

  "The 316th had the hazardous and vital job of flying supplies and equipment into the battle zone for Montgomery's forces. Killing Germans was the one aim of all the coordinated operations. As the fighting progressed, battle casualties began to show up at the 316th's field at Agedabia, So for the return trip to their base at Tobruk, as many litters as could be laid on the floor of the planes were taken aboard and flown back for hospitalization in the rear areas. Major Francis Z. Reinus, of New York City, group surgeon, had charge of this operation. Colonel Washburn said only two men died en route, and they had been wounded critically in a land mine explosion as they were coming to the base on a truck.

  Later, after results of this spur-of-the-moment evacuation had been studied, it became a planned and large-scale operation, resulting in the saving of many lives and in higher morale.

  It was for maintaining supply and evacuation lines in that area that the group was awarded its first Presidential Citation."

• 

  40th Bombardment Group: a pictorial record of events, places, and people in India, China and Tinian from April 1944 through October 1945. Included are a few aerial views of Nippon, Singapore, Formosa and other exotic, far-off places

  United States Army Air Forces

  Foreword:

  The idea for a 40th Group Photograph Album was born several months before the end of the war, but the actual execution of the book had to await the termination of hostilities. Consequently you will find that certain events or activities may not be represented here, either because no photographs were taken at the time or because the photographs that were taken were not available to the editor when the book was finally put together.

  You will notice that we have tried to emphasize representative activities and scenes rather than individuals. Obviously it was impossible to include a picture of every man in the 40th Group. Therefore practically all formal group pictures have been left out. The few that are included were chosen for reasons other than that they portray certain individuals. This also applied to different photographs in which the same persons appear more than once.

  The editor would like to express at this time his appreciation to the members of the 11th Photographic Laboratory, for they are responsible for practically every photograph in the album. Appreciation also is extended to Forrest C. Wood, former Historian of the 40th Group, who has aided invaluably the efforts of the editor in the preparation of the written portions of the album.

  Lawrence B. Eustis, Captain, Air Corps, Group Photographic Officer

• 

  493rd bombardment group: a pictorial review of operations in the ETO

  United States Army Air Forces

  From A Short History of the 493rd Bombardment Group (H):

  The 493rd Bomb Group assembled for its phase training to serve as a combat unit overseas at the McCook Army Air Field in McCook, Nebraska. The Air Echelon of the Group composed of the 860th, 861st, 862nd, and the 863rd Squadrons collected its air and some ground personnel during the month of February, 1944, and began training in earnest through the month of March.

  The usual problems encountered by an outfit in the process of initial organization were dealt with in good stride. The setting up of a briefing and an interrogation technique was ironed out by discussion with the crews as to their likes and dislikes of the procedure while we were on camera bombing missions. Operations began to organize teamwork by stressing on the crews the importance of correct take-off interval, climb, and landing procedure as well as the flying of a correct formation while in the air. Weather found plenty of practice in predicting the frequent snows and changes in weather in that woe-be-gone outpost somewhere in the United States. The bombing section too, played its part by selecting targets for the crews and the crews in turn bombing by camera every conceivable target within operational radius of the base. All departments had their job to do in welding the Group into one smooth operating machine.

• 

  Album: 74th Troop Carrier Squadron

  United States Army Air Forces

  Foreword:

  Any similarity between this book and an official Army Historical Report is coincidental and unintentional. The written portion is merely intended as an outline for your reminiscing. Plenty of space has been left between the lines for your individual reading. The photographs form a more complete story. If anyone's picture does not appear, I apologize for that omission. It has been our intention to picture everyone and at least indications of most of the Seventy-Fourth Squadron's activities. The contribution of pictures and material by Major Edward Kaminski and Mr. Tom Towers made this album possible. I'm sure this Album will help you remember an outfit it would be hard to forget.

  Carl W. Boswell

• 

  Back load: February 1943 - June 1944, 433rd troop carrier group, New Guinea

  United States Army Air Forces

  This is the autobiography of a group of Americans banded by fate to do a job.

  Here is the story of a Troop Carrier Group, the largest in the world -- Lieutenant Colonel Guile's 433rd.

  Troop Carrier is, and has been throughout this war, an integral part of the Army Air Force. When invasions have been made in various theaters of operations and paratroopers and airborne infantry had to be flown in, in advance of the other invasion forces, when reinforcements were imperative, when ammunition or engineering equipment were running low, when wounded had to be evacuated, or when General Patton suddenly needed maps of Germany during his rapid advance, Troop Carrier was called upon -- and came through. In spite of being the youngest organization in the Army Air Forces, Troop Carrier has established an enviable record, which has been acclaimed and commended by all Allied Armed Forces which Troop Carrier has so faithfully served.

  A Troop Carrier Group is not gathered in one fell swoop; it is a continuous process. So to you, past and present members of the group, and to you, our families and friends, we present the 433rd Troop Carrier Group as we were and as we are ....