My Dad landed on Utah Beach July 1944 with 795th AA AW BN . He was assigned to 2nd platoon D battery. Does anyone have any information about this Battlion , on can direct my too we’re I might some.
The 795th AAA AW Bn (semi-mobile) landed on 18 July 1944, not D+18. I don't show an attachment for it, so suspect it was probably attached to ADSEC, the Advance Section, Communications Zone, ETOUSA, As a somewhat static unit it was employed defending rear areas and fixed points like airfields, supply depots, bridges, and the like. In mid-August 1944 it was assigned to the 9th Air Defense Command and spent the rest of the war with it. Again, most of the responsibility of the 9th ADC was rear-area security, but it is probably best known for the anti-V1 campaign, defending Antwerp against that threat. Hope that helps! My Dad landed on 14 June on UTAH with Battery A, 537th AAA AW Bn (mobile).
Hi Was hoping to find some information on my father in law.All we know is he landed at Utah on 17th June 44 and was with The 550th AAA Bn. Any information as to where the 550th AAA went would be greatfully received. Many thanks Euan
It's really hard to pin down where a particular AA battalion was at any time, as the normal Army usage of these was to assign batteries to particular locations within larger command areas of responsibility. That is, the AA battalion would be assigned to a corps or army level command and then the units scattered across the command's area of responsibility, often in battery strength. This would result in say, your father-in-law's battery being assigned to say a bridge or crossroads, possibly a headquarters unit, as the air defense for that location. There are after action reports that were done up at the time you can--maybe--get copies of that give these sorts of details. I have one, for example for Third Army that includes maps of where all the AA batteries were placed on particular dates. I'd say that's about as good as you could get.
For NEPTUNE, the 550th AAA (mbl), like my Dad's 537th, was an attachment to the VII Corps, First U.S. Army from Third U.S. Army. It was activated 10 January 1943 at Camp Edwards, Massachusetts; departed the BPOE 21 October 1943; arrived in the UK 2 November 1943; was at Stansted, Essex on 1 June; landed in France on OMAHA Beach 16-18 June 1944; returned to the Z/I 1 November 1945 and inactivated the next day at Camp Myles Standish, Massachusetts. The battalion itinerary may be found at Help! U.S 550th AAA AW BN Battery D
Just posting info on the first inquiry on this thread, about the 795th AAA AW Battalion?? By Kenrodg. His original post was quite some time ago but since I found a little documentation, thought I would post it for him.
