Pfc Edward K. Kravitz
Pfc Jessie C. Roberts
use (and there was a small matter of 20 mils free play in the sight),
Tec 5 Ralph McKinney
successful and the enemy was driven into his Siegfried
At 0330 the next morning our reconnaissance
Pfc Curtis A. Blackwell
Our observers
Incoming mail on February 12, killed Pvt. Pfc William C. Lemons
interrogation team from division obtained valuable information from the
120mm. Pvt Boyd Simmons
self-propelled and emplaced high velocity guns, were thoroughly raked by
When the advanced elements of the force attempted to cross the bridge, they were fired upon by two self-propelled 88's and called upon the 47th for support and to fire their first rounds in combat. Indications of the character of enemy
Lt. Peter
in less than 12 hours. Immediately all of the 60 caliber
Pfc Donald E. Bailey
Lt. Thomas K. Brown August 21, 1944
Pfc Edward M. Brown
"A" north from Hardt on March 1. 71st Field Artillery Regiment (PA) 12th QM Regt (PS) 12th Sig Regt (PS) . almost continuously during the night and frequently during daylight
conjunction with battalion fire direction center, on the spot and In a
hostile weapons resulting in their destruction. 71st Infantry Division [ 72nd Infantry Division - Did not exist during WWII ] . for movement to a new area and left the same day at 0730. approached to within a few miles of the city of Luxembourg, however, it
were spotted flying low over the battalion position, headed toward a
guns, self-propelled (987th). 109's and 190's
the first bomb hitting five yards from the assistant S-3's halftrack. whereby a concentration would be fired, then the battalion would move on
Despite the reverses the enemy were suffering in other
of Louviers, with the 400th again assigned the
have the works,
inflicted severe damage upon the enemy. Intense artillery and mortar fire raked our
battalion moved to the town of Suderwittingen and was given the
Tec 4 Jerome F. Hausmann
The "big
September 2015 - May 2018, Command Sergeant Major, 4-133d Field Artillery (HIMARS) Battalion, 36th Infantry Division, San Marcos, Texas 13. own lines. Tec 4 Mark T. Berry
shortly after the city had been liberated, receiving a memorable welcome
the time, the fire was virtually continuous. DIV. German ME 262, an extremely fast jet-propelled job. Until dawn these requests kept coming in to us, each mission
Pfc Floyd R. Chisenhall
Due largely to the heroic work of the
S/Sgt Edmund P. Solinski
2nd Lt. James G. Dean Pilot
THE HELL OF HURTGEN
this point was huge. "A" when the boat
Pfc Allen R. Drake
Tec 5 Owen H. Kangas
In that last attack, Lt. Stumbaugh, battalion
costs.
guards until they came to a POW cage or the advancing infantry which
was one for the books. attaining that objective, the battalion in support of CC "A" moved
commander, however, had no control over the officer candidate troops and
Cpl Thomas B. Weatherford
Tec 5 J. C. Sauls
A task force consisting of two M-7's and
"A" with the 71st reinforcing our fires, and we began moving south to
velocity fire from these AA guns converted to ground use. point many miles east of the infantry crossing. large patch of woods that had been the objective of CC "A's" previous
Suddenly withering high
Artillery control, the battalion passed through Vluyn
flatcars that had
and near the town of
Sgt William A. Studdard
Pvt Clare B. Lamos
2nd. disengagement of the 46th's patrol, but silenced the enemy guns that had
infantry and tankers proceeded. Half tracks. 3
from Lt.
Pfc Ernest McCord
Tec 4 Luther T. Salazar
Tec 3 Joseph L. Lenart
Firing positions were selected in several different areas in the event
Brown, Brett and Egan, the 47th's forward observers, In
118th Engineer Battalion, (Combat) Rhode Island National Guard 35th Field Artillery Regiment, (155mm) (Motorized) (Separate) 74th Field Artillery Brigade, (Separate) 128th Field Artillery Regiment, (75mm Tk Drawn) Missouri National Guard 172nd Field Artillery Regiment, (155mm Tk Drawn) New Hampshire National Guard Early
the heaviest casualties it suffered in a single day. Simultaneous
FOREWORD
waited an enemy plentifully supplied with artillery, mortars, and
SPEARHEADING AGAIN
Tec 4 Ernest C. Pavlicek
enemy division was fully revealed. armored and transport vehicles
an SS trooper in a fox hole not five yards. discovered a large military warehouse which was turned over to higher
Pvt Louie Poole
The rear echelon joined the rest of the battalion on February 25, and on
AUGUST 6, 1944 - APRIL 26, 1945
major river-crossing operations were necessary before we
T/Sgt Willis C. Proudfoot
During the rest of
Guns..18
Cpl Exell Nixon
suddenly fell on the battalion as it advanced. hit medical vehicles attempting to evacuate wounded from the
After a few days stay at Raeren,
Maj.. Gen. Lunsford E. Oliver, C. G.
THE S-4's RAT
On many occasions tempers and nerves were at the cracking
arriving there on
particular sector was not a "quiet" one. to another in a different sector, and then return to the first
German rear areas, cutting vital communications and far ahead of the
MEDICAL
In all, the division contained 10,610 officers and enlisted personnel. Working Bibliography of MHI Sources . Artillery Battalion
from the halftrack
been achieved with very light casualties. Cpl Fred L. Schaefer
throughout the night, resulting In the expenditure of
2nd. attack
Just east of the city, however, remnants of the same force encountered
machine gun fire completely razed the structure which turned out to be a
S/Sgt Jim T. McPhall
headed out of the woods and directly toward us. the 47th Armored Field Artillery
the American Ninth Army, had created a pie-shaped wedge west of the Elbe
Pvt Paul R. Hummel
2200, "A" Battery reported to Lt. Brown, forward observer of the 47th
an entire German
Pfc Lewis C. Montague
during the night of April 17 and 18, the battalion went into position in
The regiment was not renumbered during the early 1920s Army reorganization due to being broken up to staff other units from 1917 to 1919, and never received a numerical designation . Pvt Anthony Pasternak
or killed. The struggle now had become one of the most spectacular
Tec 4 John C. McPherson
On instructions from our forward observers with the
point, yet you never wavered and our missions were completed. the battalion
prepared to fire east, north and south.
Pfc Farst B. Wynne
Sgt M. J. Taylor
Duchy of Luxembourg, 20 enemy tanks supported by a
on 6 August 1944 to the final "on the way" 26th of April 1945. Pfc Joseph Roy
our left flank. Tec 5 Dean H. McConahay
Air Obsr., Mtn. Campaigns: Rhineland, Central-Europe Days of combat: 62. an artilleryman's dream. opposition being encountered from the retreating enemy with occasional
pull out and leave the area. map, the first rounds were close enough so that Lt. Brown achieved a
the river.
our fire continuously. elements requested fire on enemy vehicles and aggressively attacking
solution, however. time there were available three
47th. fire liquidated the defenders and made possible the capture and
stated that they wished to surrender the remainder of the forces in the
Russian 152mm. S/Sgt Athel G. Britton
Tec 5 Claude Hitt
Pfc Andrew C. Allen
Pvt John O. Thomas
Brig. displaced persons, and civilians. across which
Tec 5 Carl C. Baugher
Pvt Arnold D. Cherashore
The 71st Infantry Division was a unit of the United States Army in World War II . were necessitated by the tremendous Ninth Army build-up which took up
Reveille early on the morning of the 13th of August was the
vehicles and personnel. was treated to the rare sight of wholesale surrender of groups of the
Between reporting the German rounds "on the
Tec 5 Bernard Thau
success as the enemy positions, many of them dug In
investigate the source of fire. On the morning of
Through Koltze,
having been achieved In this action
on an exploiting mission far in
the 557th F. A. Going Into position outside
Jr.
Moving north to St. Hubert, where the 47th
materiel damaged - total destruction only is here scored. attack that the pilot and observer became aware of their predicament. This
On the 2nd of October, billeting parties of the battalion were alerted
officers enabled them to escape with their lives. his ground OP was
176th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (105MM) 179th Field Artillery Battalion; 17th Field Artillery Battalion (8 Inch) 180th Field Artillery Battalion (155MM) . rounds of 105 ammunition and several hundred rounds of 75, 76, and 90mm. Pfc Lawrence M. Lee
The assignments were made back in the US and continued upon deployment. wounding two others of Battery "A,"
Pfc John W. Shy
Lt. William F. Proncavage Pilot
the 78th Infantry Division. the western
T/Sgt Edmund J. Zaleski
defenses. and some observed missions on the Siegfried Line
instantly killed. Battalion, with Battery "A", 387th Anti-Aircraft
The 23rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron participated in combat from the Isar River to Wasserburg with the 86th Infantry Division. Long marches, night and day, were frequent; one such march from Esnes to
and the "glamor boys" upstairs. TOWARD THE SEINE
The events
Battery
Pfc Robert W. McKay
the 71st's CP. Pfc Alfonso Vasquez
Jr.
the threat and moved many more artillery pieces into position on the
disadvantage. The necessity for
James A. Wright
steaming down a railroad just across the Luxembourg-German border,
us he showed plenty of fight and offered determined opposition to the
S/Sgt George B. Noland
be proud of our many accomplishments. commanding general of the combat command, here employed a surprise
ground action and close cooperation among the artillery, tanks, infantry
The successful completion of the British Second Army's plan and that of
Pfc William M. Reed
some halftracks from Battery "A,"
Tec 5 Doyle M. Garcia
Pfc Samuel Baranik
Shell reports were turned in dally from various
Field Artillery (FA) 153rd FA Battalion: 243rd FA Battalion: 256th FA Battalion: 268th FA Battalion: Upon relief of the Division by the 90th Infantry Division, the 47th on
Both officers had been wounded during the attack, but the
After initial stiff resistance, the doughboy division
and was evacuated after refusing medical treatment for nine hours until
gun captured from the Germans with a stock of ammunition,
Just beyond Ballon on the morning of
and of making a show of strength along a broad front, with
The three 105mm battalions were assigned to one of the three infantry regiments to support, forming a combat team. addition, the division overran several air fields, forcing enemy pilots
These
38th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm) 2d Engineer Battalion 2d Medical Battalion 2d Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized Headquarters, Special Troops, 2d Infantry Division 2d Quartermaster. 1st. almost invariably means that artillery fire is forthcoming. Pvt Floyd H. Tyner
Tec 4 James A. Edwards
Brown's tank fired
battalion was reassembled and brought devastating fire to bear on the
the capacity of executive officer of a German 150 battery that was
The following day, September 11, the Combat Command moved through the
Howard R. Clark, Jr. Adjutant
units reinforced our fires during the operation. Duchy. Passenger Vehicles10
The next day, April 14, the 47th reverted to division control and moved
Tec 5 John C. Peck
Pvt Roy G. McComic
Eure and Seine
others that day, was adjusted by our air observers who provided
Tec 4 Charles B. Lovorn
The 71st Armored Field Artillery Battalion moved to the assembly area of CCB, and closed at 1600. "A" on September 13 In
intelligence reports sent them by the ground forces engaging the enemy
problem in itself. placed fire on these guns, sometimes dropping rounds within 200 yards of
At the same time, our Cubs patrolled as closely as they dared to the
The positions were only 1,600 yards from the Roer River,
road
Pfc Harvey F. Reaves
MASS SURRENDER
The escape roads used by the Germans were.under
When they ran out
offered little resistance in their panicky efforts to escape the
Soon as the advance began again, the S-4 delivered said lavender-hued
February 23, when the battalion joined in with the artillery of the XIII
attack southward or eastward would find important supply lines and
with only one pilot showing any desire or ability to bore through the
columns. Although a light
the
under division control, furnished 24 hour support for the rapidly
at Merle again set up an extremely aggressive defense. single operation on the continent. and R. O. positions, to keep better communications with our forward observers and
O. to the ground temporarily. Pfc Richard D. Lewis
24, 1944
Tec 5 Raymond J. Lovelady
[29]
Pfc John Yeznick. American "panzers," the division progressed rapidly until we reached
targets, but on that day, ideal weather, absence of enemy flak, and
Pvt Stanley M. Sobelman
Pfc Anthony C. Cocola
liquidating the pocket on the west bank near Wesel. four fighter planes (ME 109's and FW 190's) as well as a Heinkel
to Chateau Gontier, the location of a bridge vital to
Pfc Roma Dalpe
field hospital complete with equipment, surrendered to the 47th after
the 47th in direct support of CC "A" would drive eastward through
could read a newspaper by the flashes of the Corps and Army artillery
Pfc Edward F. Boytim
installations practically undefended. and neutralize enemy
Prisoners became such a burden that only the most
was attached to the battalion for rations and work. A
Tec 4 Chester O. Skinner
until the train was
For sometime the air corps had been complaining about the lack of
Pvt Steve P. Holowach
To meet this unexpected and close-in attack, the 47th
Tec 4 John S. Romon
at least 35 tanks (these with assistance from the Air Corps), numerous
short time, drew up a plan of prearranged "ladder" fires by battalion
Tec 5 Edmund M. Sullivan
Tec 5 Harold A. Henry
Cpl James A. Ferraro
Munchen-Gladbach and
Pvt William E. Doyle
our preparation
artillery concentration ever fired." Pvt Ferrell C. Wilson
Hanum the same day, and began to execute what was to
strongly-resisting enemy, especially in the narrow corridor between the
Cavalry squadrons who
one battery of enemy
Details. Late that same afternoon we rejoined Combat Command
S/Sgt William T. Reeves
defenses of the city of Hannover and to cut its
At that time, since the easternmost junction point of the British and
encountered was seen early that morning when Boche
planes were brought down by Battery
Pfc Charles Vyborny
Cpl Harry J. Lewis
Tec 5 Edward T. Carruth
Pfc William J. Isom
Sgt Lorree Elliott
The battalion's first entry into Germany occurred at approximately 1360
Battery "A" of the 387th AAA. Tec 5 Ralph Martin
Armored infantrymen and tanks
With the assistance of the heavier artillery of the
Tec 4 Wallace N. Willoughby
Pfc Cleo C. Layne
casualties resulted. across the Elbe in the vicinity of Arneburg, a few miles north of
"A" to participate
Sgt Riley R. Spears
Cpl Ralph W. Coleman
From then until the 23rd of December, when the battalion moved with CC
At the same time our
As soon as it became dark and the enemy could move without fear of the
At about this same time, "B" and "C"
Throughout the remainder of
The
Tec 4 J. Alexander and
Continuing the northward move, the battalion went into
their families and lessen their grief in the thought of deeds well done. Tec 5 Robert T. Ward
The battalion mission was to support the attack of the 46th Armored
from the 46th Armored Infantry Battalion which had moved to the north to
(Brunswick). Pvt James E. Aldredge
near Rotgen, Germany, on November 2, where it went
Pvt Frank W. Winn
May 2018 - May 2021, Command Sergeant Major, 71st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade, 71st Troop Command, San Antonio, Texas 14.
Tec 5 Waldo P. Smith
The division was assigned to Third United States Army on 17 April 1945, and entered Germany on 19 April 1945 and relieved the 71st Infantry Division at Nrnberg on 28 April 1945. Pvt Keith A. us on the morning of the 7th. climb, firing all their weapons. Capt. Pvt Jack C. Martin
The adage that the "artillery never rests" at this time arose once
who surrendered a recently developed Infra-red ray device for sighting
moved northward toward Argentan. the town to stiffen the
continued to make progress and by that evening, the enemy had been
each one consisting of a married company and our zone of advance was
the battalion's store of Heinie pistols and
infantry. One of the high points in the history of the 47th began at 0245,
out. for almost three hours. While in this position about 2,000 yards from the river, the battalion
M Sgt Cate died of
Pvt March B. Garland
Capt Thacker
Sgt Willard R. Lamb
contain
final clearing of the Hurtgen Forest, and to force
Tec 4 Douglas A.
Cpl Tyrus R. Caldwell
during those three hours. that the enemy was prepared to defend this bridge just as fiercely as he
Box 1 MAJ Headquarters Survey Company 34th Tank Battalion Brown, Robert E. Box 1 1LT 1st Battalion, Survey Company C 81st Tank Battalion Bradshaw, Howard L. Box 1 SSGT 1st Battalion, Survey, Christmas . from thousands upon thousands of cheering, kissing, flag waving
75mm. rat to the battalion commander, and the race was on. Tec 5 Dean H. Pelmann
while adjusting on a target and his observation sergeant wounded. Pvt Jay Wood
during the night. Pvt Lyle E. Baker
From then on he was continually in service until 1947 (71st Armored Field Artillery Battalion, the Tactics Department of the Armored School at Fort Knox, Combat Command B, 8th Armored Division in the Rhineland, Ardennes, Alsace, and Central Europe campaigns, 24th Field Artillery Battalion of the Philippine Scouts). 5th Armored Division Name Location Rank Unit Contents Headquarters and Headquarters Company 10th Tank Battalion Lillard, Mark H., Jr. Green
they passed the
71st Financial Disbursement section 63rd Field Hospital Det A, 127th Station Hospital (Blood Bank) Co C, 2nd European Civil Affairs Regiment . Keener
Lt. Harry G. Rawlins DS., Div. Tec 4 Eugene A. Whipple
MASSING THE FIRES
World War II [ edit] Activated: 15 July 1943 at Camp Carson, Colorado Overseas: 26 January 1945. Roy D. Cate November 3, 1944
had netted the Combat Command the crossing of the canal network north of
Pvt William A. Linville
Pfc Maynard Abeioff
short time the battalion accepted as prisoners 12 officers end 63
German ambulance loaded with 55 troops who fired on our column with burp
Combat Command mission. in our history and the finishing touches were added when the P-47's
In response to a call
Tec 5 Teddy W. Sikorski
It appears as a blue "71" on a white circular. During the night of April 12, division artillery fired
our combat experience wiser, more matured, and, I hope, stronger. The battalion went into position near
contemplated river crossing. town of Merle,
Simmerath and Kesterneck. Pfc Donald J. Duhr
planes still in the immediate vicinity and a veritable storm of AA fire
Pfc William W. Snell
during
Liaison Officer
On the 24th of August, the Fifth Armored Division was assigned to the V
No damage and no casualties were
According to the information from the G-2, there were many enemy AA
Due to his efforts, the reconnaissance parties safely rejoined the
advanced
batteries of the mediums (557th) and one battery of the lights or two
officially were credited the 387th, with Battery
The regiment was not renumbered during the early 1920s Army reorganization due to being broken up to staff other units from 1917-1919, and never received a numerical designation corresponding to . S/Sgt. self-propelled guns and fortified positions. Tec 5 Homer L. Bandy
Peck. area. Pfc Bulord W. Harden
reconnaissance parties that had been sent out earlier. requested of us and of never firing into our own lines despite the
premium on perfect communications and instant response to requests for
Pvt Leonard G. Sanders
Reported activity was in large wooded areas
of Luxembourg
communications to the
The 5th Armored "Victory" Division was activated on 10 October 1941, and reached the United Kingdom in February 1944. forward observer
the town. During the attack, which was
Tec 4 Lloyd C. Nelson
WE MEET THE ENEMY
S/Sgt Donald A. Jones
Pvt Charlene L. Wray, Every day and night rounds landed somewhere in
At that time the Army's preparation fire was termed the "greatest
Provisional Field Artillery Battalion 2nd Provisional Field Artillery Group .