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Searching for information on 431st AAA

Discussion in '☆☆ New Recruits ☆☆' started by ssowers33, Oct 14, 2020.

  1. ssowers33

    ssowers33 New Member

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    Hello,

    I am new to WWII Forums, this is my first forum post. I am trying to find out more information about my grandfather who I believe served in the 431st AAA AW Battalion (M) or possibly 431st Coast Artillery Battalion and was an officer in the unit. Would anyone know the difference between the two battalions and how to determine which he would have served in? I have a pin of his that is the number 431st with two crossing cannons and red circled bullet in the middle which I believe is the insignia for coastal artillery. However in my google search I have found a lot more information regarding the AW Battalion. So I was wondering if perhaps they're the same.

    Also does anyone have any information about these two units? I know there is a unit history of the 431st AAA AW Battalion that I saw on an older forum post but the link no longer worked. I know from some of his letters and personal materials my grandma saved he was in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany but I am trying to find more specific information as to dates, exact locations, and any potential battles. If anyone has a pdf of that book or any more information on either of these battalions it would be greatly appreciated.

    Thank you,
    Steve
     
    ssowers33, Oct 14, 2020
    #1
  2. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    I managed to find part one on my computer. I guess it's better than nothing. Give me your email address on my profile page and I'll try to send it to you. I don't know what happenened to the rest, but I'm guessing that the whole thing didn't transfer when I got a new computer.
     
    LRusso216, Oct 14, 2020
    #2
  3. ssowers33

    ssowers33 New Member

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    That would be great, thank you very much Lou. I will send you my email now.

    Thanks again!
     
    ssowers33, Oct 14, 2020
    #3
  4. belasar

    belasar Court Jester

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    Welcome Aboard!
     
    belasar, Oct 14, 2020
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  5. GRW

    GRW Pillboxologist WW2|ORG Editor

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    Welcome to the forums!
     
    GRW, Oct 14, 2020
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  6. RichTO90

    RichTO90 Well-Known Member

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    Steve,

    All AAA units were designated as Coast Artillery (AA) until 28 May 1943. All AAA personnel were Coast Artillery Branch and wore the Coast Artillery insignia, which was the crossed cannons with the red artillery projectile (technically it isn't a "bullet") in the center oval. Your grandfather, like my Dad, was commissioned in the Coast Artillery. It did not become the AA Branch until postwar and the the Air Defense Branch in the 1960s.
     
    RichTO90, Oct 15, 2020
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  7. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    My father was in the 505th CA from 6/42. Trained in MA then to Indiantown Gap. Shipped to England, then North Africa. Landed in Salerno in Sept. 43. Unit later converted to 900th AAA. In 1945 he was trained as an infantryman in the 473rd Infantry Regiment
     
    LRusso216, Oct 15, 2020
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  8. ssowers33

    ssowers33 New Member

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    Thank you for your replies and for clearing up the difference between CA and AAA. I was also able to get a full copy of the unit history of the 431st AAA AW Battalion book from a library and I will scan and post to the forum for other users.
     
    ssowers33, Oct 21, 2020
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    LRusso216 likes this.
  9. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    Sounds great Steve. I might suggest that you put the scanned material in its own thread with an appropriate title. That way, anyone searching for information on the 431st AAA can find it easily.
     
    LRusso216, Oct 21, 2020
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  10. ssowers33

    ssowers33 New Member

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    Hi Lou, thank you that is a great idea. Where would be the best place to post that for a new thread? Thanks.
     
    ssowers33, Nov 12, 2020
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  11. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    Go to the appropriate area (What grandad did in the war seems right). Choose Post New Thread, give it a title, then put the images in by Uploading a File.
    If you have problems, let me know. Incidentally, Jim, a new member, was also looking for the information on the 431st. I sent him what I had, but he could certainly benefit from what you have.
    Good luck.
     
    LRusso216, Nov 12, 2020
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  12. Robert Sparno

    Robert Sparno New Member

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    i would love to see the 431 AAA book. my father landed on Normandy June 7 with the 431 st and would love to know the routes and towns they traveled
     
    Robert Sparno, May 30, 2021
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  13. clarke187

    clarke187 Member

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    I know they were at bad reichenhall in germany at the end of the war. I believe it is near the Austrian border.
     
    clarke187, Sep 12, 2023
    #13
  14. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Bad Reichenhall is a spa town, and administrative center of the Berchtesgadener Land district in Upper Bavaria, Germany. It is located near Salzburg (~3 km southwest) in a basin encircled by the Chiemgau Alps. Wikipedia
     
    OpanaPointer, Sep 12, 2023
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  15. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    I now have the complete history of the 431st. Thanks to Adam Kengor for finding it and being kind enough to share it with me. I haven't read it, but I'm willing to share it with anyone interested.
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2023
    LRusso216, Sep 12, 2023
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