980th FA Bn / SS soldier photos found

Pg. 40
During the forenoon of January 7th, the bn commander made a reconnaissance for new positions in the vicinity of Odeigne.

During the 24 hour period from 0600 7 January 1945 to 0600 8 January 1945, the bn fired 1097 rounds, the greatest 24 hour expenditure to date. At 0612A, 8 January 1945, the bn fired its 50,000th round in combat while firing a harassing mission of bn 3 volleys on an assembly area one and one half miles north of Laroche. At 0733A the bn received close station march order. The bn marched to it's new position by btry, btry "C" leaving at 0930A, btry "B" at 1015A, and btry A at 1100A. The bn experienced some difficulty on the ice covered roads in braking the guns. It was felt that chains were necessary on the gun wheels to provide better braking surface. The M-4 Tractors with rubber treads could hardly make the trip even with no towed load, due to lack of traction. Prior to the arrival of btry "A: in its new position, Capt. Byron W. Todd, the btry commander, was injured and evacuated to the hospital when his command car struck a Tellermine. The driver was uninjured and the radio operator, Tec/4 Bateman was slightly injured on the leg. He was decorated with the order of the purple heart later at the bn aid station by the bn commander. By 1500A all the guns had arrived in the new position at Odeigne, coor P538862 and were ready to fire. The bn shared its new position area with an Infantry Cannon Company that was in position firing.

At 0200A the next morning 9 January 1945, the bn was ordered to shift 5 guns of the bn to a compass 3800m to provide close support for the 2nd armored div. At 0235A, the bn was ordered to cease firing on all interdiction missions for the night to save ammunition for its scheduled fires in support of the attack. At 0345A the bn was ordered not to fire into its new field of fire until a new minimum elevation could be obtained, which was not obtained until late the next morning due to the heavy snowstorm and resulting lack of visibility. At 1138A, two "88" duds landed between the gun positions of btry "B" and btry "C". T/Sgt Triggs, service btry,(Grandpas buddies) was wounded and evacuated when the bn wrecker ran over a tellermine while attempting to retrieve the command car of btry "A" which had been wrecked the previous day. Tec 4 Winegar, Service btry, was slightly wounded at the same time, and was treated at the bn aid station. He was decorated with the order of the purple heart by the bn commander. Sixteen tellermines had been found and detonated in the immediate area by the engineers and thy had abandoned the area as it was impossible to detect all the mines because of the snow. A 3/4 ton weapons carrier had the left rear wheel and gasoline tank blown off at the rear echelon of btry "C" at Manhay, belgium at 1605A. The vehicle had returned from hauling water and had been parked in the btry area about 20 minutes. The left rear wheel was sitting over a small wooden drain which apparently contained some sort of delayed fused mine. 1st Lt Thomas H. Evans, Jr. was assigned btry commander of btry "A". Lt Ackard was transferred to btry "B" and Lt. Deppen was transferred to btry "A" as executive officer.

 

While waiting for the next part of the 980th history, I went back to a diary from an officer of another Long Tom battalion.

I thought of starting a new thread, but for just a link, this seemed a better place to "drop trails".

It is an excellent document for a mix of unit operations, unit administration, personal activity and weather. Surprising amount of summary courts martial for drunkenness, how far a soldier would go AWOL, and how many prime movers/guns breakdown or, in winter, go in the ditch.

Be warned it contains offensive language and attitudes (n word).

http://561stfieldartillerybattalion.org/Personal Memoirs/WW II Diary of Major A James Gordon.pdf

 

Sorry for the delay. I got side tracked on another whim. Grandpa doesn't say much in his diary or in person about his activities in Germany after the Bulge. I know he had to have seen camps along the way, but he just won't say and I won't ask anymore. My husband says, "He has spent a lifetime trying to forget those images and you keep bringing them back up." So I found a list of all the camps and their sub-camps. Then I got on google earth marked the towns grandpa went through then I changed the size of map. I had to print 2 pages and got most of Germany. Then I marked the towns from my camps list. I'm not finished yet, but need to take a brake from it. It has been a good visual so far. No wonder the GI's drank so much!

Pg. 41
On the morning of the 10th, the bn supported the 2nd Armored Div with scheduled fires. GO#1, VII Corps, dated 10 Jan 1945 was received awarding the Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal to S/Sgt Hiserman, and the Air Medal to 1st Lt Carlson. At 1550A, the Bn shifted the five guns that were laid on an azimuth of 3800m back to an azimuth of 3300m. During the period from 8 Jan to 10 Jan. the Air OP's were unable to operate due to the heaviest snowfall of the season.

(Side Note by 980th. The 2nd Armored had battled with the Germans throughout the month of November. They were in defensive positions along the Roer when they were sent racing back into Belgium to hold Celles. They held against heavy attacks by its numerical counterpart, the crack 2nd Panzer Div. Summary histories View attachment 17883

At 2315a 11 Jan 1945 a TWX was received from 1st US Army stating that the Flash Reducer M-1 would not be used in the guns when firing supercharge, nor would supercharge be fired without first firing two warm-up rounds of normal charge when the temperature was 20 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.

At 1950A the next day, btry A and B's Y Azimuth of center of field of fire was shifted to 2500 m. Gun no 1721 of btry b was back in action at 1435A the 13th, after being out of action for 48 hours. During the afternoon the bn commander and his reconnaissance parties made a reconnaissance for position to the west of Bihain. View attachment 17885 (Bihain, Belgium 11 Jan 1945. Not the 980th)

The bn received close station march order for btry b and c and headquarters btry at 0700A 14 Jan 1945 and the fire direction center was taken over by btry "A" under direction of the bn Asst. S-3, Captain Read. The bn marched by infiltration with the first elements leaving at 0800A. Btry "B" was laid and ready to fire at 1130A. Btry "A" received close station march order at 1215A and left its position area at 1245A. The bn was closed in its new position at Les-Tailles, coor. P58027 at 1505A. Corporal Pen and Pfc Wallace, Headquarters btry were slightly wounded by shell fragments at the kitchen at noon. They were decorated with the order of the purple heart by the bn commander. Lt. Col. Campbell, VII Corps Artillery S-3 visited the bn fire direction center for 10 minutes at 1455A. The no 1 gun of btry "B" and No 3 gun of Btry "C' went out of action at 0115A the next morning with a stuck breech block. General Palmer, Commanding Gen, VII Corps Art. visited the bn during the afternoon for half an hour. The no 3 gun of btry "C" was back in action at 1705A.

The no 1 gun of btry "A" was back in action at 1135A on the 16th. The bn comm made a reconnaissance during the afternoon to the Sout and Wast, but the bn did not occupy the new positions. The bn received verbal authority from the Signal Supply officer, First US Army to retain an extra PE-75. This extra PE-75 was to be on a loan basis.

The village Priest in whose house the bn CP was located, requested the bn comm to have the Armored Unit take their prisoners from out of his church. The bn comm made arrangements to have the prisoners taken out the following morning. Prior to the arrival of the American Forces, the enemy had stabled their horses in the Church.

 

Pg. 42
The bn was detached from 188th FA Gr at 1355A, 19 Jan 1945 and attached directly to VII Corps Art. The bn was attached to the 142nd FA Gr for administration only, except class V Supply.
The no 1 gun of btry b was back in action on the afternoon of the 21st.

At 1145A, 22 Jan 1945 the village Priest noticed two young civilian men walking down the road in front of the bn CP, whom he didn't recognize. He called attention to this fact to the bn comm who notified the bn S-2 to pick the men up. Capt. Mouw and T/Sgt Ferguson placed the men under arrest. They carried no identification papers and were unarmed. They stated they had escaped from Germany and had passed through the lines. The two men were taken to VII Corps CIC where they related they were Frenchmen who had been taken to Germany as forced laborers on July 20, 1944. They had escaped and were on their way to Strasbourg when they were apprehended. VII Corps evacuated them to first US Army for further questioning.

Since the village in which the bn was located, was too small, to have its own civil affairs officials, the bn Comm, Lt. Col. Harold O. Welch contacted VII Corps G-5 for food for the hungry villagers. Twenty-two cases of "C" rations, 4 cases of "C" ration biscuits and 20 blankets were procured which were distributed to the villagers by the priest. At 2031A, the same day, the bn along with 21 other artillery bns, fired bn five volleys at the fivision artillery headquarters of the 2nd SS Panzer Division. The target was located at P776795, four and one half miles southwest of Thommen. At 0255A the next morning, gun no. 1092 of btry B was out of action with the obturator spindle bushing burned out. The bn comm left with billeting parties for each of the btrys at 1050A to make a reconnaissance for bivouac positions at Ciney, Belgium. The bn comm returned at 1835A leaving the billeting parties at ciney.

The bn executed CSM Order at 0900A the 24th and left the position areas at 1200A. This constituted the first complete withdrawal from action on the continent after over seven months of combat and 55,555 rounds had been fired against the enemy. The march no. was J-125 and the route of march was from the position to Manhay, Erezz, Hotton, Marche and then to Pessoux arriving at the release point at 1540A. The bn was closed in its new area at 1645A. Btrys "A" and "B" were located in Chateaux, Btry "C" and Headquarters btry were stationed in the town of Ciney. Service btry was located at Leignon. The bn CP was in Ciney at coor. P123915. Lt. Col. Welch was placed in temporary command of the 142nd FA Gr, while Col. Thompson was in leave to London, England. The bn was to remain in this position until further notice, repairing and maintenancing its equipment and rehabilitating its personnel.

 

Pg. 43
The 25th and 26th of January were spent cleaning and repairing materiel. At 1800A 26 Jan 1945 two road blocks were established to check all military and civilian personnel coming into the corps area. The town of Ciney was placed on limits to the 980th FA Bn with curfew set at 2400A each night. Small arms firing, foot drill and motion pictures were scheduled in addition to the care and maintenance of materiel and rehabilitation of personnel.

A TWX was received from First United States Army dated 25 January 1945 appointing Tec 3 Fred W. Tyree, Medical Department Detachment a Second Lt. in the Medical Administration Corps, AUS. He was sworn in as a 2nd Lt AUS on the morning of 26 January 1945 by the bn commander.

Btry "B" moved to a new location at noon, into a Chateau which the British had vacated. At 1330A General Palmer, VII Corps Art. Comm. decorated members of the bn before a formation composed of a representative btry of enlisted men form the bn and all of the bn officers. At the close of ceremony, he gave a short speech on the excellence of the American Artillery and the excellent record that the 980th FA Bn had established. He stated the bn had never been given a job which they hadn't accomplished in a superior manner. Those being decorated were as follows: Bronxe Star Medal: Tec 4 Chec, Tec 5 McGuire, Tec 5 Meyers and Pfc Burlingame; Third Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal: 1st Lt Max E. Young; First Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal; 1st Lt. Lloyd O. Pruett and S/Sgt Hiserman; Air Medal: 1st Lt Carlson and S/Sgt Hiserman.

Capt. Read, Bn Asst S-3 left on a three day orientation tour with the 9th Tactical Air Force. The bn established its own Provost Guard in the town of Ciney.

On the 28th, Col. O'Meara, Asst. VII Corps Art. Officer visited the bn CP to gain information to help in securing new gun tubes for the bn. The average number of service rounds per tube at this time was 1768 rounds.

On the 28th the drill schedule was cut to four hours with the remainder of the time taken up in shows, recreation and trips to the shower point.

On the 30th the bn CP was moved to an adjacent house, Headquarters btry was moved into other buillets in town. Capt. Read returned from his orientation tour with the 9th Tac. AF. He reported an interesting time and that things in the Air Corps were also rough.

On the 31st Service Btry moved from Leignon to the buildings in Ciney which had been vacated by Headquarters Btry. Two First United States Army Ordnance Officers visited the bn inspecting gun tubes, for the possibility of replacement.

 

That M-36 tank destroyer off the side of the road in post #103 weighs a minimum of 30 tons; don't think anything in the photo is going to pull it out! I've read many reports that mention armor/vehicles sliding off the winter roads, especially in the Ardennes, that photo is a great illustration of the difficulties the troops encountered.

 

I checked out your link this morning. I love it! I've been searching for weather reports for WWII. I shall look no more. Thank you.

 

Pg. 44
At 0001 1 February 1945 the bn was in bivouac in and around Ciney, Belgium, coor. P123915 for the purpose of rehabilitation of personnel and maintenance and repair of equipment. A four hour drill schedule was in use, with the afternoon being taken up with recreation.

At 1730A 2 February 1945 the bn was placed on a 25 hour alert for movement back into action. All the equipment in Ordnance repair shops was to be withdrawn immediately.

At 0100A on the 3rd, the bn was ordered to be ready to leave on two hours notice anytime after 0730A. A three truck reconnaissance party was to be at VII corps. forward CP at 0730A, prepared to stay and not return to the bn at Ciney. Previous arrangements had been made to have ten old tubes exchanged for ten new tubes at the 516th ordnance company at Namur, Belgium starting at 0930A on the 3rd.At 1011A the 3rd, the bn received orders to check with the Asst. Corps Art. officer at 0700A for verification of the exchange of gun tubes. The Bn Comm and reconnaissance parties left the area at 0630A to report to the VII Corps forward CP. At 0745A, a message was received from VII Corps Art. to replace the old tubes as planned. Three guns of btry "C" left the area at 0900A, three of btry "A" at 0930A and the four guns of btry "B" left the area at 1030A for the 516th ordnance co. at Namur, Belgium for the purpose of obtaining new tubes. At 1100A the bn received orders to send the remaining two guns to ordnance as the orders had been changed and the bn was to receive a complete set of new tubes. The two guns left the area at 1130A. A salvage drive was held to recover gasoline beadons in and around the bn area at Ciney. Some 1200 beadons were found and turned in at the gasoline railhead at Barse Station near Modave, Belgium. Major Robert W. Clirehugh left the area at 0900A to report to the information and education school at Paris, France.

The Bn Comm and reconnaissance parties returned to the Bn area at 1900A, with the word that the occupation for position had been postponed for this Bn. At 2300A the bn comm. received orders to make a reconnaissance of three possible position areas in the vicinity of Gressenich. At 2330A, Captain Ralph J. Mouw, Bn S-2 was sent to VII Corps Art. section as Liaison Officer. The Bn Comm. left on reconnaissance with Btry Comm. at 0745A the next morning, and returned to the Bn area at 2005A.

At 0100A, 6 February 1945 the Bn was ordered to move at 0800A with all available guns and the remaining guns at ordnance would go direct to the position area as soon as the guns were ready. At 0710A close station march order was given and the bn crossed the IP north of Ciney at 0817A. The Bn traveled north on Hwy N36, crossing Hwy N4 at 0823A. The bn continued north, passing through Hauvelange at 0905A and arriving at the junction of Hwy N35 and N36 at 0950A. From there the bn continued on to the junction of Hwy N36 and N43 arriving there at 1024A. The bn truned east on Hwy N43 and traveled to Liege, Belgium arriving at 1100A. The bn then marched northeast on Route N3 to Aachen, Germany arriving at 1330A. From there the bn marched to its position area at Gressenich passing through Stolberg at 1415A, Mausbach at 1429A and arriving at the release point at 1435A. The total distance of march was 76 miles. Only three guns of the bn made the march as the other nine were still in ordnance. The bn CP was located in Gressenich, Germany, coor. K999423. The three guns of btry "A" that made the march, were ready to fire at 1728A. Considerable difficulty was experienced in emplacing the guns due to mud conditions. The fourth gun of btry "A" arrived from ordnance and was in position ready to fire at 1930A.

 

Pg. 45
The four guns of btry "C" returned from ordnance and closed in the position area at 0945A, the next morning, 7 February 1945 and the four guns of btry "B" closed in the position area at 1040A. Btry "C" was ready to fire at 1120A. At 1150A no. 3 gun of btry "C" was out of action with traversing trouble. At 1230A Btry "B" was ready to fire. The no. 4 piece of btry "A" was out of action at 1345A. Nitrogen was leaking past the floating piston in the recoil mechanism.

The Bn Comm left on reconnaissance at 0845A the next morning and returned to the bn area at 1205A. The bn went under control of the 18th FA Gr at 1200A. The bn comm made a reconnaissance for positions in the vicinity of Weisweiler and Langerwehe during the afternoon. Service btry xlosed station at 1715A and moved to their new area southeast of Eschweiler. The no. 3 piece of btry "C" was repaired by ordnance and was back in action at 1700A.

The btrys were given March order at 0500A on the 9th and close station at 0600A. The bn was to march by infiltration starting at 0600A and clearing Schevenhutte by 0830A. The route of march was from Gressenich to Schevenhutte to Langerwehe and from there to the position areas in the vicinity of Weisweiler. The bn was attached to the 188th FA Gr at 0500A. The first gun left the area at 0655A and the bn less Btry "C" had been taken over for the CP location of the 104th Inf Div Art. A new position area for btry "C" was obtained and the btry closed in position at 1030A. The bn CP was located in Weisweiler at coor. F002486. Orders were received from the 188th FA Gr to draw from the A.S.P. one unit of fire (600 rounds) over basic load at once. At 1700A the bn was restricted from firing on targets of opportunity until further notice.

During the morning of the 10th the bn comm. made a reconnaissance in the vicinity of Mariaweiler-Hoven for possible future occupation. At 1915A the bn was detached from the 188th FA Gr and was attached to the 142nd FA Gr. The bn was notified by the CIC that one of the five civilians that the bn had stopped at a road block and turned over to the CIC while the bn was at Ciney, Belgium had turned out to be a German counter-espionage agent wanted by both the American and Belgium Governments. This agen had worked his way into the Belgium underground who were aiding Allied fliers to escape after they had been shot down. The agent would notify the Germans, who, when, where and how the escape was to be managed, and armed with this knowledge, they would appear on the scene and shoot all taking part, including the fliers.

 

Pg. 46

Btry "A", 428th AAA which had been providing AA protection for the Bn left the bn at 1300A 11 February 1945. At 1214A, two ME 109's over the area were fired upon by adjacent AA units. One of the AA shells either 37mm or 40mm caliber burst on striking the ground directly in front of the Bn CP. The No. 2 piece of btry "B" was out of action at 0950A 12 February 1945.

Major Robert W. Clirehugh who had been attending an information and education school in Paris, France returned during the morning. General Palmer, Commanding General, VII Corps Art. visited the bn for ten minutes during the afternoon.

The No. 2 piece of btry "B" left the bn and after having been repaired by ordnance was back in action at 1135A on the 13th.

Enemy aircraft were near the bn area, dropping flares and bombs, between 1930A and 2030 A the 14th. Some of the flares were dropped over btry "C" position area but none of the bombs landed in the bn area.

As of 0600A 15 February 1945 the bn had fired 56, 331 rounds in combat.

The First US Army Velocity Calibration Team began calibrating the bn's guns at 1400A on the 16th.

The Bn. Comm. and btry commanders made a reconnaissance for position areas in the vicinity of Mariaweiler-Hoven during the morning of the 17th.

The No. 4 piece of btry "A" came back from ordnance at 1030A the 18th and was ready to fire at 1215A. the Velocity Calibration of the Bn was completed by 1600A.
Pg. 47
On the 21st Lt. Colonel Miles N. Culehan from the VII Corps I.G. officers visited the bn. It was a follow-up visit that he had made previously. He was checking on the morale of the men, whether they had the opportunity for showers or baths, laundry service, mail service and whether or not they were receiving Stars and Stripes regularly. He was very well satisfied with the condition of the men in the Bn. At 2000A enemy aircraft over the area were fired upon by adjacent AA units.

At 0750A 22 February 1945, enemy aircraft over the bn area were fired upon by adjacent jAA units. Pfc Louis Manzi, btry "A" was wounded in both legs by a 37mm or 40mm AA shell which burst on striking the ground near him. He was evacuated to the 102nd evacuation hospital. Two 37mm AA progectiles burst on striking the ground, within 10 yards of Major Clirehugh and Watson, while they were observing German jet-propelled airplanes. Neither officer was injured. One of the enemy aircraft, a JU 88 was observed leaving the area trailing smoke and apparently on fire. At ll05A, an enemy jet-propelled plane dropped two bombs, 200 yards from the bn CP, however there were no casualties among the personnel of the of the bn. Major Gen. Collins, VII Corps commander and Brigadier General Palmer, VII Corps Art. Commander visited the Bn. at 1127A and talked to the Bn Commander, Senior Staff Officers and btry commanders. Those present wer; Lt. Colonel Harold O. Welch View attachment 17894 , Majors Robert W. Clirehugh, and Richard R. Watson, Captains Kenneth F. Ames, John F. McGinty, Paul H. Richards, Donald A. Wood and 1st Lt. Thomas H. Evans. General Collins quoted General Palmer as stating that the 980th FA Bn was the best Corps in the Army. General Collins further stated that the Department of the Bn had been excellent. Also that the Bn always presented an excellent appearance. He stated that one way to judge an outfit was by its appearance; better the appearance the better the outfit.

Enemy jet-propelled aircraft were operation over the Bn areas from 1655A to 1725A.

At 0215A, the next morning, 23 February 1945, a flying bomb passed over the area at an altitude of 500 feet. It was traviling from northeast to southwest. Starting at 0245A the bn fired a preparation in support of the attack of the First and Ninth Armies at 0330A. At noon, enemy aircraft operation over the bn area, were fired upon by adjacent AA units.

Nine privates were transferred from the bn to the 1255th Engineer Combat Bn on the morning of the 24th by order of First US Army. Captain McGinty, Lt Sherron, S/Sgt Peterson, Sgt hargraves, Cpl Williamson and Tec 5 Schumacker were injured at 1400A the 24th in the vicinity of Mariaweiler-Hoven, when the 3/4 ton C&R vehicle in which they were riding struck foru American Anti-Tank Mines. S/Sgt Peterson, Sgt Hargraves and Cpl Williamson were evacuated to the hospital. The other three occupants of the vehicle were treated at eh Bn Aid Station and returned to duty. They were decorated with the Order of the Purple Heart by the Bn Commander.

 

Pg. 48

The bn received close station march order at 1810A and were to leave the area at 2200A. The bn marched to Mariaweiler-Hoven, Germany, coor. WF089471 arriving there, at 2315A with nine guns. One gun was at Weisweiler being repaired by ordnance and two of the gun prime movers stalled with engine trouble, but were repared and closed in the area at 2340A.

All eleven guns of the bn were laid and ready to fire at 0300A the next morning 25 February 1945. The last gun arrived at the position area at 1100A after being repaired by ordnance. An OP was established in a church tower near the CP. Church services were held in the church while observers were firing missions from the tower. Enemy jet-propelled aircraft were operating over the bn area throughout the day.

The Bn Commander made a reconnaissance with the Btry Commanders during the morning of the 26th in the vicinity of Merzench.

The Bn received close station march order at 0430A the next morning and a march time of 0830A. The bn infiltrated with elements of the 3rd Armored Division, 8th Infantry Division and the 104th Infantry Division and arrived at its new position area at 0940A. The Bn CP was located at Merzenich, Germany coor. WF158484. The no.1 piece of btry A, Gun no. 3067 was out of action at 1025A with emulsified oil in its recoil system and left for ordnance at 1550A.

Btry "A" 438th AAA Bn rejoined the Bn at 1000A 28 February 1945 with the mission of providing AA security. At 1300A the Bn Commander and Btry Commanders left on reconnaissance to reconnoiter for positions in the vicinity of Etzweiler. The Bn received close station march order at 1540A and left the area at 1645A. The Bn closed in its new position at Etzweiler, Coor. WF173571, at 1821A. At 1730A, Btry "B" M-4 tractor struck a land mine near Blatzheim as it was attempting to turn around, after having missed a turn in the route because of darkness. The front part of the tractor was burnt but the ammunition in the back end and in two M-10 trailers being towed by the tractor were not damaged. Tex 4 Bland, Pfc's Zammitt, Battistella, Zerkowski and Babb, who were riding in the M-4 tractor were slightly injured and were treated at the Bn Aid Station and returned to duty with their btry.

At 0001A March 1, 1945 the bn was in position at Etzweiler, Germany, Coor. WF173571 supporting the rapid advance of the VII Corps. At 0300A the bn fired preparation fires for the attac of the 104th Infantry Division. At 0920A, an enemy plane strafing in the bn area was shot down by adjacent AA units. At 1205A enemy aircraft were again over the area and drew a barrage of fire from the AA guns.

 

Here is a map I found online that shows the concentration camps in Germany.


View attachment 27895

 

Follow this road march on a period Michelin map (attached).

 

View attachment 17963 I did what you said and marked the path. Thanks

 

Thanks for the map. I am easily distracted and you just gave me another idea.

 

Pg. 49
At 0655A the next morning, 2 March 1945, the bn commander, Lt. Colonel Harold O. Welchleft for a seven day leave to London, England. Major Robert W. Clirehugh took command as acting Bn. Commander. During the afternoon the Acting Bn Commander attempted to make preliminary reconnaissance for position near Huchelhoven but could not because the area was still unter control of the enemy. The No. 4 piece of btry "A" came back from ordnance and was in position ready to fire at 1455A.

Major Rober W. Clirehugh made another reconnaissance for position during the morning of the 3rd but was unable to reach the assigned area as it was still occupied by enemy forces. Gun no. 1700 of btry "B" threw a rotating band at 0922A. By noon, liaison plane, no. 4480345, that had been hit by falling anti aircraft shell fragments at 0400A the 2nd, had been repaired and was ready for operation again. The acting Bn Commander and btry commanders attempted to recon in the vicinity of Huchelhoven during the afternoon but were unable to reach the assighned area. The bn sent an M4 tractor and the RD8 bulldozer to the 635th FA Bn to help the bn emplace its guns. The No. 1 piece of btry "B", gun no. 1079 was sent to ordnance at 1445A to have the recoil repaired or replaced, as nitrogen was leaking past the floating piston. Guns No. 3010 and 3018 of btry "A" each threw a rotating band at approximately 1740A.

The btrys were given march order at 0100A the 4th, and close station was given at 0445A. The acting bn commander and btry commanders left the area at 0530A to make a recon for position in the vicinity of Neideraussem. The bn passed the initial point at Elsdorf at 0600A, arrived at the release point at 0700A and had closed in the area at 0720A. coor of the CP was WF250654. The bn was ready to fire at 0855A.

At 0830A on the 5th, the acting bn commander and btry commanders left to make a recon for position in the vicinity of Stommeln and Sinnersdorf and returned to the area at 1210A. (3rd Arm had cleared these towns on the 2nd) While five men of btry "B" were loading gravel into a 2 1/2 ton truck near Elsdorf, Germany a pile of German explosives detonated, killing corporal Rensink, Pfc. Gardner, Pfc. Whitten, and badly injuring Pfc. Lovvold, who was evacuated to the hospital. The bodies of Rensink and Gardner were not recovered. Pfc. Lovvold stated that all five of the men were present at the time of the explosion but he didn't know the cause of it. Close station march order was given at 1435A to btry "A". Fire direction center was taken over by btry "C" to direct the fires of btry "B" and "C" remaining in position. Btry "A" left the area at 1612A and was in the new area ready to fire at 1815A. The bn fire direction center, Headquarters btry and Service btry also displaced at 1600A. The forward CP was established at Stommeln FW319698 and the rear CP was established at the CP of btry "C". March order was given btrys "B" and "C" at 0400A the next morning, 6 March 1945 and they left the area at 0700A. They made the trip to their new area North of Sinnersdorf in 55 minutes. An OP was established on the west bank of the Rhine River by Lt. Morgan, Headquarters btry.

 

Pg 50
A report was received from the 4th Cavalry Gr the morning of the 7th, that concentrations 842, 844, and 845, fired by this bn in support of the 4th Cav. Gr. was the most accurate firing that they had ever seen in the VII Corps. Orders were received from the French Government at Paris, that the order of the Armee, Croix de Guerre with Palm, had been awarded to Lt. Colonel Harold O. Welch; the order of the Corps d l'Armee, Croix de Guerre with Etoile Vermeil had been awarded to Major Richard R. Watson; and the Order of the Regiment, Croix de Guerre with Etoile de Bronze had been awarded to Corporal Leo M. Carter, Headquarters btry; all for meritorious service in action against the enemy in France. The no. 4 piece of btry "B", gun number 1079 back from ordnance and ready to fire at 1330A. The bn was detached from 142nd FA Gr and attached to 179th FA Gr at 1530A. The bn commander, S-3, Communications Officer, and three gun btry commanders, plus several enlisted men from the 635th FA Bn visited the bn during the afternoon, taking notes on the bn's method of operations.

At noon of the 9th, the basic load of ammunition of the bn was reduced by one third until noon of the 10th. Lt. Col. Harold O. Welch returned from leave at 1300A on the 10th. During the afternoon, the 142nd FA Gr requested 100 rounds of HE ammunition, but the request was not approved by higher headquarters, so the transfer was not made. The First United States Army dated March 10th: The whole allied force is delighted to cheer the First US Army, whose speed and boldness have won the race to establish our first bridgehead over the Rhine. Please tell all ranks how proud I am. Signed, Eisenhower

To the men of the First Army who won this race, I extend my congratulations. I share the pride of the Supreme Commander in you fine achievement. Signed, Courtney H. Hodges, Commanding

The bn commander with his reconnaissance parties left the area at 0710A the 11th to report to the Commanding Officer of the 1st Inf. Div Art. and make a recon for positions in the 1st Inf Div zone of action. The bn was detached from 179th FA Gr and attached to the 1st Inf Div Art. as of 0800A, with the mission of general support. The Bn was given close station, march order at 0730A and left the area at 1000A. The bn marched south arriving at the release point near Brenig, Germany at 1402 and closing in position at 1428A. The bn CP was located at Brenig at coor. WF459395. General Palmer, Commanding General, VII Corps. Art. visited the bn for a few minutes at 1505A. The bn was ready to fire at 1715A. The btrys had a difficult time occupying positions because of the soft, muddy terrain. At 2320A the bn joined with the 32nd FA Bn and the entire 188th FA Gr in a fire mission on a concentration of enemy vehicles in the town of Bevel.

 

I received this from Jerry Hayton who's father was in A btry 980th FA Bn. It is a record of events.
7 june 44 Left Marley Park, Wimborne Minster, England, for Marshalling area 2 mi NW of Weymouth.
10 June 44 Embarked at Weymouth.
12 June 44 Landed on Utah Beach in France, 5 mi E of St. Mere Eglise.
" " Firing position 1 mi W of St. Mere Eglise.
17 June 44 Firing position near Rauville, 1 1/2 mi NW of St. Sauveur le Vicomte. Residual joined btry at this position.
19 June 44 Firing position 1/2 mi N of Hovesville at a point midway between Carentan and St Mere Eglise. Detached to VIII Corps.
30 June 44 Firing position 1 mi SE of Picauville. Rejoined Bn.
8 July 44 Firing position 3/4 mi NW of Baupte.
19 July 44 Firing position 2 mi SE of Tribehou. Witnessed bombing of 26 july 44 from this position.
28 July 44 Firing position near Le Nesnil Amey, 2 mi NE of Marigny and 5 mi W of St Lo.
31 July 44 Firing position 1/2 mi NE of Hambye.
2 Aug 44 Firing position 2 mi N of Villedieu les Poeles.
3 Aug 44 Firing position 1 1/2 mi W of Juvigny, 4 mi NW of Mortain. Detached to 1st Div.
6 Aug 44 Firing position 1 1/2 mi NW of Cuisseau, 5 mi NW of Mayenne.
13 Aug 44 Firing position 1/2 mi N of Lassay
14 Aug 44 Firing position 1/2 mi W of Couterne.
15 Aug 44 Firing position 1 mi N of St Michel les Andaines, 3 mi W of La Ferte Mace. 2 day rest period in this positon.
24 Au 44 Bivouac 7 mi SW of Courville Sur Eure, 11 mi N of Chartres.
25 Aug 44 Bivousc 1 mi W of Beissy le Cutte (App. 30 mi S of Paris)
27 Aug 44 Crossed Seine River to bivouac 3/4 mi SE of Ferrolles Attilly, 3 mi N of Brie-Comte Robert.
28 Aug 44 Bivouac 1 mi S of Neaux.
29 Aug 44 Bivouac at Varinfro.
30 Aug 44 Position of readiness 2 mi S of Soissons.
31 Aug 44 Firing position 2 mi S of Laon. Rejoined Bn.
1 Sept 44 Firing position 3/4 mi SW of Pierre Pont.
8 Sept 44 Position of readiness at Heron, 8 mi W of Liege
10 Sept 44 Firing position 2 mi NW of Herve, Belgium.
12 Sept 44 Firing position 1/2 mi S of Chapelle de Anges and 3 mi W of Henri Chapelle. Fired into Germany from this position.
13 Sept 44 Firing position at Mutzhagen, 2 mi NE of Henri Chapelle, Belgium
17 Sept 44 Firing position in Germany 1/2 mi NE of Rearan.
? Nov 44 Firing position 1/2 mi SE of Breinigerberg, Germany
26 Nov 44 Firing position at "Baby Factory" 1 1/2 mi SE of Mausbach.
22 Dec 44 Arrived at bivouac near Noiseux, Belgium; 7 mi N of Marche after a 100 mi night road march. Went into firing position at 2300 hrs. 1 mi N of Grande Eneille.
1 Jan 45 Firing position at Erezee.
8 Jan 45 Firing position 1/2 mi N of Odeigne.
14 Jan 45 Firing position at Petites Tailles. Last position in the "Bulge".
24 Jan 45 Rest area 1 mi SE of Ciney.
6 Feb 45 Firing position 1/2 mi NW of Schevenhutte, Germany.
9 Feb 45 Firing position 1/4 mi E of Weisweiler.
24 Feb 45 Firing position at Mariaweiler, 1 mi NW of Duren.
27 Feb 45 Crossed Roer River to go into firing position 1 mi NW of Merzenich and also 1 mi E of Arnoldsweiler.
28 Feb 45 Firing position at Etzewiler. Fired into Cologne from this position.
4 Mar 45 Crossed Erft Canal to go into firing position 3/4 mi SE of Niederaussem. Fired across Rhine River from this position.
5 Mar 45 Firing position 1 mi NW of of Sinnersdorf.
11 Mar 45 Firing position 1 mi SW of Brenig, 6 mi W of Bonn.
14 Mar 45 Crossed Rhine River to go into firing position 1/2 mi NW of Bonn.
24 Mar 45 Crossed Rhine River to go into firing position at Ruttscheid, 1 mi S of Oberpleis.
26 Mar 45 Firing position 1/2 mi S of Kircheib.
28 Mar 45 Firing position 1/4 mi E of Altenkirchen.
29 Mar 45 Firing position 2 mi. NE of Lippe and app. 10 mi S of Siegen.
2 Apr 45 After a 100 mi night road march went into firing position 1/2 mi W of Hegensdorf, app. 15 mi SE of Paderborn. Direction of fire to the W for the first time since the drive across the Cherbourg Peninsula
7 apr 45 Firing position 1 mi W of Dalhausen.
8 Apr 45 Firing position 1 mi NE of Deisel and 3 mi SE of Helmarshausen.
10 Apr 45 Crossed Wesser River to rendezvous at Nienover and then take up a position of readiness 1 mi of Vahle.
11 Apr 45 Position of readiness at Holtensen, 2 mi NE of Northerm.
12 Apr 45 Position of readiness then firing position 1 mi SE of Osterode.
16 Apr 45 Firing position 1/2 mi N of St Andreasburg in the Harz Mountains.
19 Apr 45 Firing position at Tanne.
20 Apr 45 Firing position 1 mi SW of Moisgkau, 4 mi SW of Dessau on the Elb River.
26 Apr 45 Firing position at Alten, 1 mi SW of Dessau.
25 Apr 45 Bn taken out of action after 309 days of combat in which 71,143 rounds were fired. Moved to Zorbig.
29 Apr 45 Moved to Langendorf, 1 mi S of Weissenfels to enter upon temporary occupational duties.
8 May 45 Moved to barracks in Weissenfels.
11 May 45 Moved 80 mi W to Sondershausen.