980th FA Bn / SS soldier photos found

Page 4 (By the way this report is from the Dept of records branch historical records section. I ordered it from the National Archives. It is the official narrative history from the Army.)

Later about dusk, Scotland was sighted. The convoy split entering the Irish Sea, half going to Glasgo and half to Liverpool. At noon on the 8th of Jan 1944, the ship drew alongside the dock at Liverpool. The bn unloaded about 1700 hrs and marched through the blacked out streets of Liverpool to the central station, where they were fed coffee and doughnuts by the American Red Cross and boarded the train for their first blackout train ride. The bn travelled in two troop trains all night, one train arriving at Basingstoke, Hants, just before dawn and the other later in the morning. A billeting party furnished by ETOUSA met the train and introduced the bn to the admin and housekeeping set up in the ETO.

The bn marched in the dark through the clay mud about 1 1/4 miles to Oakridge Farm, where they were installed in a British camp which was formerly brick mushroom houses, and fed a hot meal from the common camp kitchen. The bn was assigned to the First United States Army and attached to the VII Corps as a bn of the 142nd FA Group and two companies of Infantry, the 9th Infantry Div. The officers of the bn were quartered about two miles away at Danes Hill Manor, a large house with a beautiful view and terraced gardens belonging to Mrs. Hoare.

After a weeks indoctrination period, the troops were given short passes to visit the neighboring country side. The bulk of the work consisted of drawing ewuipment and sending personnel to special schools for water proofing, gas, air observers and the like. At this time the bn Commander asked for volunteers to train as Naval Gun Fire Ovservers to drop with the paratroopers on "D" day. 60% of the officers bvolunteered and two, Lts. Couse and Locken, were sent for special training with the 101st AB Div.

On the 12 of Feb 1944, the 142nd FA Gr consisting of this bn and the 981st FA bn moved to Camp Merley, Merley Park, Wimborne, Minster, Dorset. Here the bn spent two periods at the Lark Hill Firing Centher of the Royal Artillery on Salisbury Plains and another at Darmoor. Battery "B" furnished a detail for rifle instruction to the 90th Medical Bn and received a letter of commendation. In addition the bn furnished billeting parties for three units arriving in the vicinity from the USA and exchanged personnel, both officers and enlisted men, with British Artillery Units. Battery "B" was detached on the 21st of April for duty with the 4th Inf Div. The remainder of the bn completed last minute org. for "D" Day. Lt. Philip M. Steen was transferred to the Signal Corps. Lt. Thomas J. Wilson joined the unit and was assigned to "A" Battery. Lt. Albert W. Hennrikus, Jr. Headquarters Battery was hospitalized and later evacuated to US.

On June 1, 1944 the 980th FA bn, less battery "B" (attached to 4th Div) was stationed at Merley Park awaiting a call to the marshalling area. Its morning report strenght was 25 officers, 2 WO and 530 Enlisted men. Lt. Col. Harold O. Welch, 0302124, was commanding.

 

Page 5
At that time the strength of the command was organized into three commands as follows: a. Capt. Kenneth F. Ames commanded Btry "B" which was attached to the 4th Inf div in marshalling areas W-13 and W-7 and was to land on "D" Day. b. Lt. Col. Harold O. Welch commanded the remaining combat stripped elements of the bn who were to land on "D" +3. c. Maj. Burdett E. Haessly. cp,,amded the residual elements of the bn (1 O, 2 WO and 153 EM) whe were to land on "D: +9.

The bn was not completely reunited under the bn commander until the 19th of June 1944 in France.

During this period, June 1st to 19th, Batry "B" which had been attached to the 4th inf div since 21st of April 1944, was loaded on two LST's with a liasion pilot and plane on the 3rd of June 1944 ("D" -3). It stood off the coast of Normandy on "D" Day and landed early on the 7th of June ("D" +1) on Utah Beach. It was the first American heavy artillery to land in Normandy. That same day it went into position near Turqueville and fired its first rounds against the enemy, with its liasion plane in the air. On the 10th they moved to positions near Neuville Au Plains, 1500 meters from the front lines where Lt. Monroe J. Ellingson and S/Sgt Roy E. Kirchner were wounded when the position was bombed by enemy aircraft using anti personnel bombs. Lt. Ellingson was evacuated to England but S.Sgt Kirchner returned to dudy. The btry shifted two guns to fire on other missions while the other two continued to fire the 4th div missions. On the 11th the btry was moved to the vicinity of Bandeinville to fire on Carentan for the VII Corps. On the 13th it was returned to the 4th div at Bandeinville. On the 16th the btry moved to positions north of St. Mere Eglise, where it rejoined the bn.

At the begining of this same period, June 1st to 19th, the remaining combat elements at Camp Mereley , England were awaiting orders. On the morning of the 7th of June they moved to the marshalling area D-8; on the 10th they loaded on three LST's. They arrived on the evening of the 11th off Utah Beach, Normandy and waited in turn to unload. The LST's were beached at high tide and the bn waited until low tide and rolled off on to dry sand. Unloading was completed without causalties on the morning of the 12th. On arriveal at the transit area for de-waterproofing the bn captured its first prisoner who was hiding in a house nearby.

Upon arrival the bn was placed in direct support of the corps. That day the bn went into action with Btry "A" in position, as Btry "B" was still attached to the 4th Inf. Div and btry "C" was still unloading, the position was about 600 meters wet of St Mere Eglise, coor. 3344-1961. It was the first heavy bn of the corps to fire in the Normandy Campaign.

 

Page 6
On the 14th of June three pneumatic rubber dummy guns were attached from the 603rd Engineer Camouflage Co. and Lt Idean M Locken was called for duty as Naval Gun Observer by VII Corps. This left the bn short 5 officers, one having been transferred to the Signal Corps, one evacuated to the US prior to "D" Day, two on duty as Naval gun fire observers. and one officer wounded in action on June 10th. Btry B reverted to the bn on the 16th and diplaced to a position about 300 meters north of St. Mere Eglise and ten to a position about 800 meters west of St Mere Eglise, while in this position Lt Carn and S/Sgt Hiserman established an OP in Pont de L'Abbe. The Bn displaced to new positions near Bonneville, coor. 3252-1951, three and one half miles east of St Sauviur le Viscomte on 17 June 1944. The bn received twenty four EM replacements here although it had sustained no permanent casualties and remained here, until the arrival of the residuals on the 19th of June 1944. In this position btry b fired over 100 rounds in less than ten minutes when the bn was called upon to repel a counter attack.

The residual elements, who were stationed at Merley Park, Wimborne, Dorse, on the first of the month, moved to their concentration area in Bournemouth on June 11th, spending foru days in the Bath Hill Court. From there, traveling both by rail and vehicle, they left for the Marshalling Area, 9-D on the 15th of June. They loaded and left for the beach head on the 17th. The LST's were beached late the 18th on Utah Beach and the residuals joined the bn on the 19th at noon. There were no casualties except one case of appendicitis while disembarking on the beach.

Prior to the reuniting of the bn, the bn commander was almost daily in the front lines and observed the fighting closely. On the 13th he observed enemy fire on Pont'de :'Abbe, from the front lines, in a sector where about 60 slit trenches had been dug. He saw that after the area had been shelled only the occupants of slit trenches that were at least two feet deep, were able to get up and move forward. Those in shallower ones, about 50% were killed. On the 14th he was again observing in the streets of Pont' de L'Abbe where he met Capt. Cambell a commanding officer of a headquarters co of the Airborne Div whose troops were held up by fire from machine guns, the coordinates of which were sent to the fire direction center and the first round, although at the extreme left of the bn sector, was range correct, deflection correct. All eney resistance ceased after five, three gun volleys. (Only three guns could reach the target). This was the first time the bn had been able to check the accuracy of map corrdinate locations.

It was also the first time the SCR 536 (handy talki) was used in adjusting fire. The bn found it excellent. The use of the SCR 536 was found to draw mortar fire at close range when we were on reconnaissance for observation, the Bn commander and Capt McGinty were fired on by trench mortars between Amfreville and Renoug each time the set was used. The second time it drew fire when it was used the bn commander was on reconnaissance for observation with the 82nd Airborne div,500 meters west of Bonneville, when two artillery observers of that div were killed, four infantry men were killed and we saw four that were wounded. Corp Elmer W Burroughs who also transmitted on the set was forced to move his vehicle and the bn commander no longer used his set. No members of this command were wounded. Lt Wood acccompainied the bn commander.

 

Page 7
The third experience of this kind was during the morning of June 24th while the bn commander and Major Haessly were on reconnaissance. Each time a transmission was made on this set we were fired on by trench mortars and each time it was in a new position which in all cases were concealed. Later that day the signal officer of the Ninth Inf div informed the bn commander that it was this set that was drawing fire. We did not use the set near the front lines after we withdrew the OP from that position.

Ont the 19, btry A was attached to the VIII corps on the southern front and left the bn area. The rest of the bn less the rear echelon, displaced by batteries on the 20th to positions east of Biqubec and one mile west of Negreville, coord 317-2063, where they could fire on Cherbourg. They were placed in general support of the VII Corps. The war had not touched this part of Normandy very much, so the civilians had not evacuated. As the trucks passed along the roads. the people came out and threw flowers and kisses to the soldiers.

The bn went into position some 5000 yards in front of the light artillery of the 79th div and fired the first rounds of land artillery into Cherbourg when Btry C registered at about 0930B on the 20th. Earlier in the morning at about 0730B the bn commander, Capt Richard R Watson and the VII corps artillery executive officer, Col Sampson, were strafed as they stood together in the streets of Negreville. That evening "A" Btry of the 453rd AA was given the mission of providing AA security for the bn. The registration on the artillery fire into Cherbourg was done by the Air OP with S/Sgt Max E Young as pilot and Lt Norman J Furth as observer.

About noon of the 21st, btry B was fired on by .50 caliber machine guns. Although they were thought to be fired by remnants of the enemy troops near Valonges, the fire proved, upon investigation by the bn commander, to come from a neighboring AA unit, whose Officer had ordered his men to "spray the hedges as there might be a sniper in them". As btry B did not return the fire, there were no casualties. While proceeding to investigate the firing the bn commander and XO were told by the personnel in a fleeing 3/4 ton command and reconnaissance containing a Lt Col. and Major, that there were snipers 500 yrds ahead. However, upon a personal check, the story proved a rumor.

On the 22nd the bn saw enemy fighters attack and destroy the nearby ammunition dump #702. The attached AA shot down one FW190 and received a category one. The rear echelon was brought forward to L'Etang Bertrand, and the Air OP S/Sgt Young and Lt Furth adjusted on six large coastal guns west of Cherbourg on the waters edge. The guns were not observed to fire again during the campaign. Batry C received several rounds of harrasing fire.

On the 23rd two of the pneumatic dummy guns were sent to the 981st FA Bn. The air OP fired on an enemy AA position which exploded and left a large fire that burned for two days sending smoke 200 feet in the air. Lt Evans was the pilot and Lt Furth the observer.

 

Page 8
On the 24th the bn commander discovered from a personal reconnaisance of the front lines near Sattevoast that the 79th div was effection a break through and sent the bn XO with Lt Carn (observer) and Sgt Hiserman (survey sergeant) to establish an OP in the break through salient where they could observe Cherbourg. That afternoon, the OP was established on top of La Mare a Canards, in front of a burning fortified enemy 105 AA position. Communication was by SCR 536 to a forward SCR610 relay (Tec 5 Jone and Tec 5 Kelso, Btry C) stationed 250 meters from a subordinate headquarters of the 79th div, which was hi by mortars duringthe ensuing action, destroying two vehicles and killing two men and wounding eight. From here, communications were by SCR 610 to the main radio relay, a SCR 608 at the throat of the salient. This relay team at the throat of the salient was about 1000 meters from German lines on La Motterie on one side and 1200 meters form the German held Rau de Trautebec on the other side. It was subject to continual unobserved, "radio-locator" directed fire whenever transmitting. One round burst directly overhead in the trees by their foxholes, and several within 100 yrds. Corporal Chec and Pfc McGuire were the radio operators and Corporal Meyers the driver, all of headquarters btry. When given permission to seek a safer spot to relay, they returned to the same position when they found that the relay would not reach from anywhere else. They were taken under fire twenty minutes after returning to the area. The OP itself was subject to three accurate artillery concentrations each of which fell after about three transmissions on the SCR 536, preparatory to fire missions.

When the bn commander went forward, on the morning of the 25th to visit the OP he captured seven prisoners when he yelled inot a hole by the fortified position area near the OP and they came out. They were turned over to the MP's. Due to the accuracy of enemy radio locators, the OP was withdrawn on the late afternoon of the 25th with the inention of laying wire inot the OP from the relay station further to the rear. However, that evening the bn was disengaged from the battle and the OP was not re-established. The bn had fired about 6,000 rounds on the push from the beaches to Cherbourg.

On the morning of the 26th, the bn reconnaissance parties left and by noon the light vehicles were infiltration through the rain to the new position of the bn at Picauville, coor 3280-1933. Here they were placed under command of the 142nd FA Gr in the VII corps sector, about 6 miles from the positions of btry A.

At 0130B the 27th, the guns of btry C left with an MP escort for Picauville. Btry B delayed by rain soaked secondary roads, did not leave until 0400B, about five minutes before the position area was bombed. The unit saw the AA fire at the approaching planes, but did not witness the bombing which was reported by the commanding general, VII corps artillery to the bn commander later.

At the new area btry A reverted to bn control although it did not join the bn in position until the morning of the 30th. The bn lay quiet until the 30th when it began firing VIII corps missions, although radio silence was in effect.

 

Page 9 (JULY 1944)
On the 2nd of July, 1944, "A"btry of the 453rd AA left because of a new mission and the bn got word that "H" Hour and the lifting of radio silence would be at 0530B the next morning, July 3rd.

At about dark (2330B) the night of July 2nd Major Henry Morrow, the Bn S-# was shot by a sentry of the 1110 Engineer Gr as he left the 91st Evacuation hospital which was adjacent to the 980th FA Bn rear CP. The bn commander was only about five yrds behind him and heard no challenge given. Major Morrow was pronounced dead at 0030B 3 July 1944 at the 91st evacuation hospital and buried at the St Mere Eglise American Cemetary on the 4th of July. Graveside services were held on the 5th which were limited to twenty five members of this bn. (Grave No. 74, "Jayhawk" VII corps Cemetery No. 2)

This accident left the bn short six officers which were requisitioned on the 4th. That same day, a new AA btry, (btryA, 456th AAA (AW) Capt Niland, commanding) was attached for duty and rations to the bn. While in this position the bn had no trouble from enemy aircraft but was subject to extremely close harassing fire daily, however there were no casualties. In the meantime the front lines advance about 7 dilometers and hills "212" and "131" were taken. Bn OP's were established on both hills by Lts Carn and Sherron as soon as they were vacated. Durning the night of the 5th the bn moved its field of fire 400 miles to the left successively by btry to cover the VII corps front on the 6th.

On the 7th the bn less the rear echelon displaced to new positions near coigny, coor 3295-1869 the light vehicles infiltrating forward during daylight, the heavies and the supplemental fire direction center remaining until dark before closing station and displacing.

Both at Picauville and at Coigny, the Medical Detachment was placed in buildings but no other elements of the bn used civilian buildings for shelter. In the new Coigny position, there was no infantry, only a marsh, separating btry A from the German front lines.

On the 8th the bn OP in the Church Steeple at Baupte saw a lone German soldier crossing the marsh. He was captured by btry A, and proved to be a polish deserter. That same day an ME109 was taken under fire by the AA btry protecting the bn. Btry C was connected directly with the 13th FA Observation bn and used for counter-battery on roving guns.

On the 9th while on reconnaissance for observation the bn commander accompanied by corporal Elmer W. Burroughs was taken under enemy small arms and machine gun fire.

On the 10th the bn moved an OP from the church at Saint Jores to the forward slope of the Foret De Mont Castre, which had just been taken by the 90th inf div. This OP was commanded by Lt Sherron. The bn communications officer, Capt Watson and Pvt Rasmussen, his driver had a 105mm shell burst less than 100 yrds in the center of the road in front of them, near Baupte, but there were no casualties.

 

Page 10
On the 11th of July about 0330B, Btry "A" was taken under light counter-battery fire and at 0410B an ME109 was fired on by the AA protecting the bn. That afternoon, Tec 5 Zanto, btry "A" had two fingers blown off when he tried to disassemble a German 20mm shell fuze.

On the 12th, ASP #701 caught fire while an "A" btry ammunition truck was in the dump. The truck could not be removed that day and the dump could be heard exploding for miles around. Ammunition expenditures in the bn were frozen except for enemy counter-btry or "serenade" missions.

About 0126B on the 14th, "B" and "C" btrys received counter-btry fire, tearing a few holes in a trailer, a one quarter ton C&R truck and a rocket launcher, but no casualties were received. On the 15th the OP on the Foret de Mont-Castre brought in a German prisoner and the bn commander came back from reconnaissance of the front lines near Sainteny with a flat tire caused by shell fragments. On the 17th the bn reconnoitered for new positions east of Bois du Hommet, the batteries shifted successively 100 mils to the left and the bn fired a preparation for the VII corps attack at 1845B to straighten the line. In order to get a registration prior to the preparation the bn commander and S/Sgt Young, the liaison pilot, flew through the haze to a position in enemy territory 600 feet above the base point, hovering around it during the registration. Visibility was 2000 to 600 yards depending on the momentary conditions. All the flash and visual OP's were blinded by the haze. This was the only way the registration could have been effected. The base point was about 2000 meters behind the enemy front lines.

On the 17th, Private Styers of Service btry, was wounded by shell fragments in the new position area where he had been sweeping the area, to be occupied, for mines. He died later in the hospital. On the 19th the bn moved into its new position to remain silent until the corps began its new offensive. The light vehicles displaced by daylight infiltration and the heavy column with the MP escort after dark, during a great display of enemy flares (40) and resulting friendly AA fire. There were no casualties from enemy air activities, but one gun of btry "A" was upset on the slippery road leading in to the position area. The gun was only slightly damaged and was back from ordnance shop by 1800B that night.

On the 21st the Fourth div reserves bivouaced in the gun position areas. At about 2000B there was and unconfirmed gas alarm sent in by the Air Officer from the air strip. The next day the bn cancelled the old officer replacement requisition which had not been filled because of a shortage of FA Officer replacements and put in one of three new officers and recommendations that two enlisted men of this unit be given commissions. Late that same night about midnight, another false gas alarm was spread. This was followed by a few harassing rounds of enemy artillery shelling landing in the bn area.

About 0600B the 23rd, some twenty rounds of harassing fire landed just northeast of the bn CP. The batteries prepared their positions so that they could shift their fields of fire 800 mils. to the right, on short notice. That evening there was heavy AA fire at ME109's flying over the area.

 

Page 11 (not in the offical report. On this page "operation cobra" begins, the US take Coutances, we have the "breakout of St. Lo and the US reach Avranches. At one point in the advance the 980th was about 30 miles from the front lines.)

The church where Lt Sherron and Corp Knudtson were observing had about 50 rounds of medium artillery placed on the cross-roads beside it.

"H" hour for the First Army push was first set for 1300B the 24th, but due to weather was delayed until 100B on the 25th. At that time the real attack began with the use of 1500 heavy bombers, 500 medium, and 500 light bombers and 500 escort fighters, of which only three were observed to be hit by enemy flak by the bn.

The bn witnessed the air preparation preceeding the attack and fired its scheduled fires in support of the attack. By the 27th the bn found it necessary to look for new positions to support the VII corps. attack. Before the reconnaissance parties left in the early morning of the 28th, at 0300B, btry "B & C" positions were bombed with "bread basket" type anti-personnel bombs with a total of ten casualties. Corp. Carmen J Tufo, Btry "B" was killed and three men were hopitalized. The remaining six were treated at the bn aid station and then returned to duty with their btrys. The light column left at daylight and the heavy column left at 1050B but due to road conjestion, caused by armored divisions moving south, did not close in the niw position area at Le Messial Amey until 1600B. The rear echelon joined at 2135B the same day.

The bn was given the mission of reinforcing the fires of the 3rd Armored Div and sent the bn S-2, Lt Wood as liasion officer to them on the 29th. On the 30th, the bn light column displaced by infiltration to a new position below Cerisy la Salle. The heavy column could not get road clearance until 0725B the 31st, and it joined the bn at 1130B. The bn remained here in rendezvous, as the bn commander was already forward on reconnaissance for new positions. The attached AA btry took siz prisoners while making a reconnaissance for positions for their AA guns.

The bn was given a new mission of reinforcing the fires of the Fourth Inf Div. Btry "C" and fire direction center were displaced to new positions west of Hambye, coor. VT340445, at 1100B. By 1145B the entire bn was on the move to the new positions and was in position ready to fire at 1800B. Lt Wood was sent to the Fourth Inf Div Artillery CP at 1510B as liaison officer. Btry "B" reported small arms fire falling in their area at 2255B, but there were no casualties.

At 0020B 1 Aug 1944 the bn suffered a bonbing attack with the enemy using cannister-contained anti-personnel bombs. Hq btry received direct bomb hits with some damage to materiel. Communication lines were knowcked out by bomb hits within five yards of the bn switchboard. The areas of btry "A & B" were also bomed with no resulting damage. There were no casualties in the bn, however the 142nd FA Gr, 100 yrds due west of Headquarters btry, suffered four casualties, one of whom was Colonel Jerome F. Thompson, the Group Commander. At 0030 Pfc Marvin W Rinner btry "C", was accidently shot by Tec 5 Joe Ward, with a carbine, and evacuated to the 96th evacuation hospital.

 

Page 12 (August 1944)
The 456th AAA received a new mission and btry "A", 456th AA was replaced by btry "D", 438th AAA as bn AA security at 2315B. At 0900B 2 August 1944 Mador Burdett E Haessely was sent to VII corps artillery and Captain Richard R Watson was assigned adjutant and XO. Lt Ralph J Mouw was assigned btry commander, Headquarters btry while Lt Sherron was sent to btry "C" as XO and Lt Carn was assigned as XO of btry "A". At 1200B orders arrived from First United States Army to discharge T/Sgt Elbin K Polen and Tec 4 George A Long Jr., and commission them as Second Lieutenants, Field Artillery, in Army of the United States. These were the bn first two battlefield commissions. Lt Polen was assigned XO, Headquarters btry and Lt Long was assigned as Assistant Battalion S-2.

At 1300B the bn commander left with his reconnaissance parties to reconnoiter for new positions area in the vicinity of 2 miles north of Villedieu-Les-Poeles, coor. T370360. The light vehicles moved to the new position area by infiltration and the heavy column left at 1731B. The guns arrived at the position areas at 1944B and the bn was ready to fire at 2120B. Btry "A" was detatched and attached to the First Inf div at 2215B. Lt Colonel Welch and Captain Todd left immediately to report to the First Inf Div Artillery CP. They were fired upon by enemy machine guns 1 mile south of the town of Villedieu-Les-Poeles, but were not hit. It was impossible to go through the center of town due to the artillery fire falling in it. Therefore it was necessary to find an alternate route through alleys and side streets in total darkness while the city was entirely deserted. The guns left early the next morning and arrived at their destination without incident. Btry "B" captured three German Officers in their area at 2300B. Sgt Rude was the senior Non-commissioned Officer present at the capture.

At 0052B 3 August 1944 Btry "C" observed two planes going down in flames forward of their position. At 0140B green flares were dropped by enemy aircraft and the adjacent AA units fired on the planes over btry "C" area.

At 2130B one of the bn liaison planes crashed, piloted by S/Sgt Max E Young and Lt Deppen as observer. The crash occured while S/Sgt Young was attempting to take off from the landing strip, which has become rain siaked. Both Lt Deppen and S/Sgt Young received slight lacerations about the head.

At 2150B the bn was instructed to register by the flash section of the attached observation bn as the air strip was becoming too muddy for airplanes to be operated from it.

At noon the next day the bn received close station march order and started to move to its new position at 1345B. The bn closed in its new position at coor T431287, three miles southeast of Villedieu-Les-Poeles at 1447B. At 1730B the Bn had registered and was ready to accept fire missions. Tec 5 Joe Ward, Btry "C" was evacuated to the rear because of battle exhaustion.

Early the next morning 142nd FA Gr reported that a German plane had been shot down and part of its crew had been captured. A part of the crew was still at large and there was also a possibility of paratroopers being dropped. At 1320B, VII corps artillery reported counter-attacks in the vicinity of St Pois and the bn was laid on this point for possible counter attack missions.

 

Page 13 (German counter attack toward Avranches. Aug 6-12 Battle of Mortain)
At 1150B August 6 1944 the bn was given close station march order by 142nd FA Gr. Release time was to be 1900B that evening. The light vehicles infiltrated to the new position area coor VT518123, 4 miles west of Mortain. The heavy column left at 1900B, arriving at the new position at 2220B. At 2355B the bn was ready to fire. Lt Donald A Wood, bn S-2 reconnoitered for an OP near Mortain and returned at dark. The next morning he attempted to occupy the OP was unable to do so because enemy armor had infiltrated during the night and held the roads between the bn and the OP. Enemy armored behicles were apparently massing for a counter attack near Mortain. On the afternoon of the 7th the commanding general of the 30th Inf Div Artillery visited the bn CP for a few minutes. The next morning an air corps radio set and operators were sent to the bn for the purpose of firing Arty/R Missions with high performance aircraft as observers. At 2345B enemy aircraft flew over the area and were fired on by adjacent AA units.

Between 0300B and 0400B the next morning the bn received about 50 rounds of counter-battery fire. Shells landed in the bn CP area and one round penetrated a barn, causing no casualties. Service Btry reported ten rounds of heavy caliber landing within 40 yards of the rear echelon CP. By 0630B all shelling in the bn and adjacent areas had ceased. There were no casualties or damage to materiel, except that several communication lines were cut. At 0830B. the 981st FA bn took over the Arty/R mission and the air corps radio set was sent to them. The airOP's of 142nd FA Gr, 980th FA bn and 981st FA bn were to fly a patrol searching for enemy flak positions for the rest of the day. About noon a TWX communication was received from commanding general, First Army directing that First Sgt George E Carlson and S/Sgt William R Miller be discharged as of 8 August 1944 and commissioned Second Lts, FA in the Army of the United States as of that day, 9 August 1944. This made a total of four battlefield commissions since the bn landing in France. At 2055B Headquarters btry and adjacent areas received a few rounds of harrasing fire. At 2230B Service btry reported enemy shells landing in their area.

At 1200B, 10 August 1944, 142nd FA Gr ordered the bn to take over the Arty/R Mission commencing at 1400B. British Typhoons strafed the bn area with rocket guns but there were no casualties. The same day First Sgt Joe Dial Jr., Service Btry, because of battle exhaustion,was evacuated to the 622nd collection station. At 1300B the Arty/R mission was cancelled by the 142nd FA Gr. At 1450B the missions of the 142nd FA Gr was changed to direct support of the 35th Inf Div The initial attack was to be at 1500B. The mission of the 980th FA Bn was to continue supportof the 30th Inf Div and to furnish fires for the 35th Inf Div from its same position. The bn was given an unlimited ammunition allowance for the support of the 35th Inf Div.

Early on the mornign of the 11th several rounds of harrasing fire fell near the bn CP area. At 0300B btry "C" reported 20 flares dropped north of the btry position and bombing, with location unknown. At 0320B enemy planes bombed near the bn area and btry "B" reported one hit on the road adjacent to the btry area. There was no damage reported. Durning the afternoon the bn commander visited btry "A" which was in position near Mayenne, in supprt of the 1st Inf Div.

 

Page 14
At 1900B the bn received a schedule of fires from the 35th Inf div calling for 19 missions to be fired. At 0035B the next morning the bn area was again bombed; btry "B" received a hit close to its #1 gun position and two bombs fell near the bn CP. A large fire was started to the rear of btry "C" area, one enemy plane was seen falling in flames at 0110B. At 1840 six rounds of artillery fire landed in the CP of btry "B". One man, private Victor Clementoni, 33549008, was killed and four enlisted men injured in btry "B".

Early the next morning at 0715B 13 August 1944 the bn commander and party left on reconnaissance for new position. The bn received close station march order at 1450B from 142nd FA Gr but the heavy column was to remain in the position area until the next morning due to traffic. The light column left and closed in the rendezvous area at 1835B. At 0530B the next morning the bn received orders that the heavy column would not march until 1130B. Heavy column closed in rendezvous at 1450B, at St. Mars-Sur-Culmont, coor VY750800. The bn was to remain here in rendezvous awaiting orders to move forward, rather than to occupy positions.

At 2210B the bn received close station march order and was to leave asap for the First Div Zone of Action. The bn was detached from VII corps artillery and attached to the First Div for tactical control. At 0445B the bn closed in its rendezvous area north of Couterne. Teh bn commander reported to the First Inf Div Artillery CP, First at 0800B and then later in the morning. During his absence two men of the div artillery Headquarters btry were killed by snipers. At 0945B the bn left its rendezvous area for its new position area. Btry "A" which had been attached to the !st Inf Div during this time reverted to bn control effective 1040B, 15 August 1944. Teh bn, less btry "A", closed in position at coor VT965025, approximately one half mile north of St. Michel-Less-Andaines at 1300B. Btry "A" was unable to join the bn until 1700B because of traffic conjestion.

The bn went into position where the 1st Inf Div had a front line patrol only. The entire bn was temporarily in front of the front line. (Grandpa said the commander got chewed out and said if he wanted to be a Lt in the Inf then go ahead of the front lines just one more time. Grandpa said there never was a problem of the FA going in ahead of the infantry after that.) On the afternoon of the 15th the bn OP was occupied by Lt Donald A Wood, Bn S-2. Five round trips were made to the OP by the S-2 and Bn commander and the vehicles drew machine gun fire and small arms fire from both sides of the road each time. The OP was withdrawn for the night and re-established early the next morning, however, visibility was poor for the entire day.

By 0600B 16 Ausust 1944 the bn had fired a total of 16, 505 rounds in action in France. All of the gun tubes were now well worn and tube # 745 in btry "B" was replaced by a new tube. Tube #745 had received an unofficial title of "Whistling Bessie" due to the fact that it threw several rotating bands before being replaced.

At 1800B thirty enemy planes were reported flying towards the bn area, but were never sighted. At 2300B Btry "A" reported small arms fire in woods to their right front but were unable to determine whether it was enemy or friendly.

 

Page 15 (Closing the Falaise Pocket)

The next day Lt Wood was still unable to observe due to the heavy round haze. At 1105B 17 August 1944 the 1st div artillery commander ordered the gun crews to be reduced to skeleton crews and start cleaning their materiel in preparation for a campaign. Orders were received from the commanding general, First United States Army promoting Captain Robert W. Clirehugh to Major and 2nd Lt Norman J. Furth to First Lieutenant.

At 1055B 18 August 1944 the First Inf Div Artillery ordered all radios closed down except the SCR 193. The bn received orders to maintenance vehicles, equipment and personnel over a 48 hour period commencing 1200B 18 August 1944.

At 0825B 19 August 1944 the commanding general, First Inf Div Artillery ordered the guns to march order as the bn's tactical responsibility for the position was over and bn ewnt into its first rest period since landing in France. S/Sgt Max E Young, Air Liaison Pilot was commissioned a Second Lieutenant upon orders of commanding general, First United States Army.

At 1445B 20 August 1944 Mador General Collins, Commanding General, VII corps presented the Air Medal to 1st Lt. Norman J. Furth, btry "B", Air Liaison observer and Second Lieutenant Max E Young, Headquarters btry, air liaison pilot, at a small formation held at HQ's btry area. Later in the afternoon the commanding general VII corps artillery visited the area for 15 minutes at which time the officers of the bn were presented to him. The corps artillery commanding general commented upon the excellent record of the bn.

First Sgt Charles W Barrett was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, FA in the Army of the United States upon orders of the commanding general, First United States Army. This made a total of six battlefield commissions within the bn for the month of August 1944.

The bn, less btry "A" was detached from First Inf Div Art and reverted to VII corps art control as of 1300B 22 August 1944.

The bn remained in rest period until 0900B 25 August 1944 when it was alerted for movement to a rendezvous position, 2 and one half miles east of Courville Sur Eure, the bn crossed the IP at 1000B and arrived at its rendezvous area at 1905B. By 2230B all disabled vehicles had been repaired and were closed in the area. Total distance of the march was 110 miles.

On the 26th August 1944 the bn left the rendezvous area at 1715B and marched to a new rendezvous area one half mile west of Bouray, arriviving at 0035B the 27th. Total distance of march was 65 miles. At 1050B the bn was ordered to attach one officer, ten enlisted men and four vehicles to the 692nd QM Bn to help form a provisional truck company.

On the 28th the bn remained in rendezvous and the officers and men attended a USO Show at 142nd FA Gr area, featuring Dinah Shore.

 

Page 16 (August 1944)
At 0930B 29 August 1944 the bn left for a new rendezvous area and arrived at 1410B at coor VS3933, 1 mile south of Villeneuve le Comte. The bn remainded in rendezvous until 0821B the 31st of August 1944, when it left for a new position. The bn was attached to the First Inf Div Artillery as of 1000B enroute. The bn went into a previously selected rendezvous position at coor. S810820, 8 miles south of Soissons, for 1 and one half hours and then continued its march arriving at its destination at 1837B, Coor. O-026092, 3 and one half miles south of Laon, at 2010B the bn was ready to fire.

History of Battery "A", 980th FA Battalion from 3 August 1944 to 15 August 1944 while attached to the First Inf Div Artillery.

Btry "A", 980th FA bn, commanded by Captain Byron W Todd was attached on August 3, 1944 to the First Infantry Div Artillery as general support artillery for the First Div drive to the southeast of Avaranches. Reconnaissance was made from the battery position one and one half miles north of Villedieu, on the night of 2 August 1944. Because of rapid advance of the 1st Div, the btry moved into bivauac one mile north of Brecey, rather than into a firing position in the same area. Further reconnaissance was made, and the btry, moved into position late in the afternoon, one and one half miles west of the town of Juvigny, which was still in enemy hands.

From this position, the btry rendered general support in the form of harrasing and counter battery fire. One platoon of btry "D", 103rd AAA was attached to the btry 4 August 1944. Considerable aerial activity on the part of the enemy was seen in this area; and while the btry received no aerial attack, it was subjected to some counter-battery fire on the afternoon of 5 August 1944.

On Sunday 6 August 1944 the 1st Div having secured a line running generally southeast through Mortain and Barenton, was relieved by the 30th Inf Div. The 1st Div then marched to the southeast to take position along the Mayenne River in the vicinity of Mayenne. Atry "A" being attached to the 26th Combat Team which was in div reserve, move to a bivouac area one mile northwest of Ouisseau. Enroute, a light enemy air attack occured which caused neither damage nor casualty. The reception given the Americans by the so recently liberated French people was impressive. The btry went from bivouac to firing position in the same area and continued its missions of general support.

Sunday, 13 August 1944 the btry moved to a position one half mile north of Lassay with the mission of delivering fire to the north to protect the 1st Div's advance to the northeast of Mayenne.

Monday the btry again displaced to the northeast, and took up a position tow miles west of Couterne, where it delivered harassing fire to the north.

Tuesday, 15th August 1944 the btry rejoined 980th FA Bn one half mile north of St Michel-le-Andaines.

 

Page 17
Btry "A", 980th FA bn, commanded by Captain Byron W Todd, was attached to 1st Inf Div Artillery at 1300B 22 August 1944. A billeting party was sent to Div Artillery and the btry remained in rendezvous north of St. Michel-le-Andaines until 1650B the 24th. It marched to a rendezvous area at Lepi Beuvis, coor. W098994, arriveing there at 2330B.

On the 25th the btry left its area at 1130B and proceeded to a rendezvous area near Boissy-le-cutte, coor R965004, arriving there at 1800B. The btry stayed in rendezvous the 26th and left at 1745B the 27th for its new rendezvous area, coor. S257270, arriving at 2300B.

On the 28th the btry moved to a new area to corr. S444462, closing in the area at 1815B. On the 29th the btry marched again to an area at coor. S5768662, arriving at 2000B. Time of march 2 hours and 45 minutes.

On the 30th the btry moved to a new position, leaving at 1930B and arriving in position at 2130B, coor S754894.

At 1500B 31 August 1944 the btry left to rejoin the 980th FA Bn at a position three and one half miles south of Laon. The btry joined the bn at 1800B, 31 August 1944.

By this date, 1 September 1944 the bn had fired 16,886 rounds in combat. An OP was established in Laon on top of a water tower at noon of the First, commanded by Lt Carlson. At 1545B the 1st Div Artillery XO visited the CP for 20 minutes and gave orders for the bn's displacement and at 1633B the bn commander and reconnaissance parties left on reconnaissance. At 1840B the bn commander radioed back, march order and returned in a few minutes. Teh bn left at 1920B and closed in the new position at corr. 0143241, one mile east of Pierrepont at 2110B.

Early the next morning several "Flying Bombs" passed over the bn aimed in the general direction of Paris. The Second Platoon, btry "C", 103 CA (AA) who had been attached 31 August 1944 arrived and joined the bn. At 1245B the bn commander left on reconnaissance and the btry commanders and reconnaissance parties feft at 1330B, to meet the bn commander at Fontenelle. The bn received orders to move at 1500B, and the march route, from 1st div artillery at 1310B. The bn left at 1500B and arrived at its new position near Flamengrie, coor 0265633, at 1005B.

At 0212B the next morning, 3 September 1944 a message was received from 1st Inf Div Artillery stating that French troops were to be dropped in Northern France, but none were cited by the unit. At 0920B. the bn received close station, march order, the bn commander and his party left on reconnaissance at 1020B and the bn left at 1130B. At 1455B the bn stopped in a rendezvous position one mile south of Avesnes until 1825B to allow the Infantry to clear the area ahead of the bn, and then the bn continued on to its rendezvous position, 2 miles east of Maubeuge, coor 0289937, arriving at 2040B. (This is near Mons)

 

Page 18 (The month is September 1944 and the bn is about to do battle with the Germans in and around Mons.)
The nest morning the bn drained 200 gallins of gasoline from its vehixles and turned it over to the !st Inf Div quartermaster to help relieve the gasoline shortage. This left the bn enough gasoline for about thirty miles of travel. At 0750B the same morning, the bn commander left for 1st div artillery CP. At 1015B men from headquarters btry and btry "B" under command of Captain Richard R. Watson and Captain Kenneth F ames captured 123 prisoners about 1000 yards norhtwest of the bn CP. These German soldiers would surrender to the American Army but not to the French Forces of the Interior. The prisoners were marched to the 1st Inf div PW cage. At the same time the attached AA unit, 2nd Platoon, btry "C" 103rd AA, under command of Lt Harlan Meyer captured 60 prisoners, in the same vicinity. The bn commander returned to the CP at 1100B.

The bn commander left for 1st div artillery CP again at 1250B and the reconnaissance parties left at 1445B, and accompanied the bn commander on reconnaissance. While making reconnaissance ahead of the btry commanders, Lt Colonel Welch, Captain McGinty and Lt Wood were shot at with enemy machine gun fire but were not hit. The fire came from buildings across the open fields about 400 yards in front of btry "B" position area. The bn left for its new position at 1615B. The head of the bn column crossed the Belgium border at 1750B and closed in position, in Belgium by 1755B, at coor J308086, two and one half miles south of Mons. (4th of September) The Belgium population was extremely happy to see American soldiers and wished the bn to stay for two weeks. The bn sent nine men and thre .50 caliber machine guns to the 3rd Armored Div PW stockade to help guard over 4,000 prisoners of war. Teh stockade was attacked during the night and the men fired over 300 rounds in repelling the attack.

3AD in Belgium 1944 - Haynes W. Dugan

By 1930B, personnel of headquarters and btry "A and B" had taken 18 prisoners. a bn PW was set up by headquarters btry with a special guard, as the prisoners were brought in too fast to evacuate them durning the night. By 0600B the next morning the bn had taken 36 prisoners. At 0600B a machine gun crew under command of corporal Quinlan, headquarters btry halted two german soldiers near the bn fire direction center, who immediately took cover at the roadside. Corporal Quinlan fired a burst from the machine gun and the enemy called out "Damerad". Private Ross moved up on the flank to capture them when one of the enemy opened fire with a machine pistol. Corporal Quinlan returned the fire with his machine gun, killing one and badly wounding the other. It was found that the soldier carrying the german machine pistol was a litter carrier carrying a Geneva Convention Card.

While btry "B" was capturing some prisoners the same day, one of the prisoners pulled the release on an "egg" grenade and rolled it towards his captors after he had surrendered and then immediately put up his hands. Private Zammit picked up and threw it to the flank were it exploded, casuing no damage.

By 0800B the same morning, Lt Long Jr had occupied an OP upin a coal mine dump near bn headquarters but did not observe any hostile activity during the day. By 1400B the bn had taken 197 prisoners in the previous 48 hours.

 

Page 19
At 0830B the next morning, Enlisted Men of Batteries "A & C" captured 2 and 8 prisoners respectively. At 1200B the Bn commander and billeting party left for a new rendezvous area and the bn followed at 1745B. By 2005B the bn had closed in rendezvous at coor J600070, three and one half miles east of Charleroi. Teh bn had received some quarters of beef and a steak fry was enjoyed in this position the first since leaving England. As usual the Belgiums were out in great force looking for something to eat or smoke.

At 1240B, the next day, 7 September 1944, the bn commander and reconnaissance party left to look for a new bivouac position and the bn followed at 1520B. The bn closed in its new area at 2035B, at coor. K217189, 2 miles northwest of Huy. The bn was in bivouac by a mill with the guns parked on hard standing.

The next day while the div XO was visiting the bn to give details for its next move, 2 FW 190's flew over the area at 1345B. The attached AA unit opened fire and caused one of the planes to leave the area trailing black smoke. The bn commander immediately ordered the guns to pull out of the area and disperse along the main road in case the enemy planes returned for an attack. At 1400B the bn commander and reconnaissance party left for reconnaissance of the new area and the bn followed at 1540B. The bn closed in its new area at 1800B, at coor. K329282, 9 miles west of Liege. Here the bn spent a quiet night and the following day.

At 2210B, the next evening, 9 September 1944, Captain Frank Fagin, Btry "A", 557th CA(AA) reported to the bn for orders concerning his btry which was on the march to join the bn. Btry "A", 557th CA(AA) was to replace the 2nd platoon, btry "C", 103th AA as AA security for the bn. The battery's armament consisted of eight 40mm Bufor's and eight .50 caliber M51 mounts on trailers.

At 1315B the next afternoon the bn commander and his reconnaissance party left for a new position area. The bn followed at 1523B and closed in the new position one mile northwest of Herve, coor. K605299, at 1835B. 2nd Lt R. G. Booth reported for duty from the 92nd replacement bn per paragraph 14, SO #56, that organ and was attached to bn headquarters, unassigned.

Captain Paul H. Richards and 10 EM who had been attached to the 692nd Quartermaster Bn as part of a provisional trucking company returned from detached service to the bn at 1900B.

The next morning, 11 September 1944, General Andrus, First Inf Div Artillery Commander assigned the Bn a harrasing mission on a railroad overpass in Germany. Teh mission was fired by the No. 3 Gun Section of btry "A", 980th FA Bn. The method of fire was No. 3, 3 rounds. The gun was located at Coor K8071538695. The gun target range was 24,130 yards. The first round landed at 0829B plus 50 seconds. The btry commander was Captain Byron W. Todd, the section chief was Sgt Robert L. Hayden, and the operations Sgt was Tec 4 Thomas J. Hildago. These three rounds were believed by General Andrus to be the first American artillery shells to land in Germany in World War II.

 

Page 20
At 0825B the same morning, Btry "A", 557th CA(AA) which had been marching to join the bn arrived and replaced, 2nd platoon, btry "C", 103 CA(AA) as bn AA security. Lt. Thomas H. Evans Jr., bn liaison pilot was evacuated to the hospital because of an ear infection and Lt Hennricks, 142nd FA Gr, Liaison Pilot, reported for duty at 2100B.

The bn commander and reconnaissance party left earyl the next morning and the bn left its position at 0830B and marched to its new position 2 miles south of Aubel, coor K673328. arriving at 0940B, without incident. The total distance of march was six miles, over a rather winding road.

At 0640B the next morning, 13 September, 1944, Tl RG Booth left with three 5th section trucks to help form a truck train to haul ammunition for First Inf Div. At 0700B Btry "C" captured 4 prisoners who were walking down a railroad track and walked into the btry area. The prisoners were taken to the First Inf Div PW cage.

At 1030B the bn commander and reconnaissance party left on reconnaissance and at 1315B the bn commander returned and left with the bn at 1650B The bn closed in its new position at 1815 at coor K765328, four miles northwest of Eupen, and was ready to fire at 1844B. At 1105B the next day the bn was given the additional mission of reinforcing the fires of the VII Corps. At 1530B the bn fired 48 rounds on a railroad train, which was moving south of Aachen, with excellent results. Lt Young, Liaison pilot and S/Sgt Kirchner, observer, adjusted the fire on the train.

The next day, 15 September 1944, the bn fired a few missions but nothing unusual. Between the hours of 0020B and 0430B 16 September 1944 enemy artillery fire fell in the area to the rear of the bn. Captian Richards, Bn S-2 investigated the impact area after daylight and found shell fragments which indicated large caliber. The fragments were turned over to the Survey Officer, First Inf Div Artillery, for further study. It is believed the shelling was from an 8 inch gun. Time fire from a smaller caliber weapon was also received during the early morning hours. By 0600B the bn had fired 18,083 rounds in combat. Between 1755 and 1835B the bn witnessed an aerial "dog fight" between P-38's and FW 190's. Three planes were seen to fall, two of which were identified as FW 190's.

The next morning at 0110B the bn was ordered to cease fire on all missions. All watches in the bn were set back to 0200 at 0300B. The new time zone was to be ABLE.

At 1100A the next morning the bn was ordered to relieve Lt Hennricks, Ass't Air Officer, 142nd FA Gr and he returned to his organization. At 1220A the bn received orders that it would revert to VII Corps Artillery and would work directly under Corps Artillery control, upon displacement of the bn.

 

Page 21 (September 18, 1944)

The bn commander and reconnaissance parties left at 1250A and the bn commander returned to the bn CP at 1431A. At 1450A the bn received orders to displace anytime after 1530A, and left position at 1545A. The bn closed in its new position area at coor. K873338. 6 miles south of Aachen, at 1745A. This was the first position occupied by the bn in Germany. At 0231A the next morning, No. 1 gun of btry A was temporarily out of action because of a frozen elevating brake. At 1100A an enemy plane flying low over the area was shot down by nearby AA units. Lt Booth who had been on an ammunition hauling detail returned to the bn at 1500A. He reported a successful trip except for two of the trucks becoming mired in the mud which had to be uplled out by the bn wrecker. At 1633A, an enemy plane flying high over the bn area was fired at by the attached AA and driven away. At 2030A the bn was placed under control of the 142nd FA Group.

(Sept 19, 1944)
At noon the next day the corps artillery commanding general visited the bn for an hour and commented upon the excellent appearance of the men of the bn and the leadership of the officer personnel. The bn calibrated a gun tube no. 725 which it had received some time before and found it to have a muzzle velocity of 53 f/s greater than the rest of the guns of the bn. At 2130A the bn was notified by the attached AA btry that, night-fighter cover would be available and the AA would do no night firing. At 2230A the bn fired approximately 200 rounds in close support of a task force of the 3rd Armored Division, 2 miles east of Stolberg. Paragraph 2, FA Periodic Report No. 93, Headquarters VII Corps Artillery, 20 September 1944 reported the mission as follows: "980th FA Bn (155G) fired several close support missions in support of an isolated task force of the 3rd Armd Div. Fire was brought within 500 yards of friendly troops with results and accuracy reported excellent".

Early the next morning at 0030A 20 September 1944, the bn received a small amount of counterbattery fire. Both time fire and percussion fire was used. One round landed between Btry "A" CP and the Ececutive Officers Post. There were no casualties nor damage of materiel in the bn. At 1130A the commanding officer, 142nd FA Group visited the bn CP for half an hour.

At 0300A 21 September 1944 the bn received a message from the attached AA to be especially on the watch for, and report any large explosions, flying bombs, or any other evidence of new vengeance weapons.

At 1308A the No. 2 gun of btry "B", gun #839, started throwing rotating bands, gun no. 725, also of battery "B" was turned in to ordnance because of a faulty counter recoil mechanism and was replaced the same day by gun #1721. The next afternoon gun #1721 was calibrated and found to have a muzzle velocity of 65 f/s greater than the other guns of the bn. At 1930A btry "A" was designated to work with a direct hoop up with the 13th FA observation bn for counter battery work. A 5th section truck of btry "C" returning from the ASP with ammunition dropped its trailer thru a bridge which had been weakened by the truck passing over it. The trailer was removed, unloaded and left by the roadside. The bn wrecker retreived the trailer the next morning after daylight. The trailer axle was sent to ordnance to be straightened.

 

I live at Mons ... I have some pictures from the Mons Pocket ...

:: La poche de Mons septembre 1944

 

Page 22

At 0010A 23 September 1944 the bn fired 24 rounds on an enemy battery two and one-half miles east of Eschweiler. Par 2 Field Artillery Periodic Report No. 96, Hq VII Corps Arty, 23 Sept 1944 reported the mission as follows: "The 13th FA Obsn bn reported from a flash OP a 4 gun battery active at 0001A. A shelrep from the 9th Div Arty was received at 0005A. The 980th FA Bn (155 G) and 195th FA Bn (8" H) fired 2 volleys each at 0010A TOT. Flash base reported large explosion and 2 fires started; the 9th Div Arty reported the shelling on them had ceased".

At 0600A the No. 4 piece of btry "B", gun #1721 was sent to ordnance to have its carriage changed.

At 0930A the next day the bn fired on an enemy gun position two and one half miles east of Eschweiler. Par 2, FA Periodic Report No. 97, VII Corps Arty, 24 Sept 1944 reported the mission as follows: "Ground observation from 3rd Armd div arty adjusted 980th FA Bn 155 G on a heavy enemy gun. The bn fired 2 volleys for effect with converged sheaf, range 16400 yards, observer reported entire position blown up with explosions continuing for 5 minutes".

At 1130A No. 3 gun btry "C" was taken out of action for three and one half hours in order to have th recoil mechanism checked and repaired. Gun #1721, Btry "B" was returned form ordnance and was ready to fire at 1206A

The Bn fired a concentration on a enemy gun btry, line over VII Corps Arty CP, as the commanding general, VII Corps Arty was being decorated with the Silver Star Medal, at 1515A 25 sept 1944. At 1655A 2nd Lt Vincent W. Linzman reported for duty from 92nd replacement bn, per par. 10, SO #100, 25 sept 1944, same Hq.

By this date No. 2 piece, Gun no. 725, No. 4 piece, gun no 701 of btry "A" and no 4 piece, gun no 737 of btry "C" were throwing rotating bands.

At 1040A the next day, 26 sept 1944 btry "b" reported small arms fire and machine gun fire in front of their position area. At 1555A an Air OP of the First Inf Div Arty adjusted the bn on an enemy battery at Kinzweiler, northeast of Aachen. Par. 2, FA Periodic Report No. 100, VII Corps Arty, 27 sept reported the mission as follows: Par. 2: "980th FA Bn 155 G while adjusting on a enemy btry at a range of 14000 yards, obtained a hit with the second round on some ammunition causing large explosions. Two bn volleys were fired for effect and a direct hit was scored on one gun. The mission was observed by an Air OP of the 1st Div Arty".

At 2010A No. 4 piece of btry "A" was out for 12 hours because of a faulty obturator spindle plug.

The next afternoon the Red Cross Clubmobile "20th Century" served the bn coffee and doughnuts. At 1630A two ME 109's flew over the bn area and were fired on by the attached AA unit. One plane was reported to be trailing black smoke as it left the area.