Many envied them, others were damned glad it wasn't their company, but all wished them Godspeed. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes. H-Hour was to be at 0630 hours, June 6, 1944. Immediately on "cease fire," four of the enemy surrendered, and upon interrogation by the infantry S-3, they stated that the shells landed directly in the emplacements, killing 27 that they saw. On this date, the assault echelon was broken up and attached to two combat teams the 16th and 116th. During this time, everyone, from the battalion commander to the private of the line, was briefed on the operation. 9075 (sec. On June 16, the regimental commander of the 9th Infantry commended the company commander of A Company for the effectiveness of a smoke screen which the company had laid in support of the crossing of the La Droine River. Fort D.A. Mess and ammo trucks were dispatched to the companies soon after arrival. The danger of submarine attack was ever present, but it did not hinder one bit the harmony sessions, crap games, pseudo-rumors, and high morale. During the first three days of these attacks, B Company kept pace with the infantry and was credited in one mission, fired late in the evening of August 11, with having knocked out two enemy tanks, killed or caused the surrender of a large number of the enemy, and with having forestalled a large-scale counterattack in the process of forming. As the boats were running along parallel to the beach, about 1,000 yards offshore, two of the LCVPs were hit and disabled by artillery. On August 28, near Aulnay-sous-Bois, the company killed 10 Germans and wounded 15, wiping out an artillery FO party and destroying an enemy half-track. The attack lasted two days, with the fanatic resistance ending on June 14. Lt Sabbione directed the fire from the mortar position. 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion (Omaha Beach) Thomas P. Moundres Philip J. Gaffney XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Commanding Officer: Lt. Artillery observers poured withering fire on the slightest movement. Following a breakthrough at St. During the night Jerry planes came over and bombed. 21 tall by 17.5 wide. More languages The foggy weather gave birth to the famous story that England was kept afloat by barrage balloons, but the blackouts seemed to enhance sociability rather than kill it. Company D, which had left in August, was fortunate to be sent over in the Queen Elizabeth which traveled alone, without escort of any kind, due to her speed; she made the trip in five days. The bow section was lost, but the stern section made it back to New York. Satisfaction Guaranteed! Heavy seas and the fact that some craft hung up on underwater obstacles made it impossible to make a dry landing. The rumors flew wide and free from every latrine in the area, especially after a showdown inspection in which all equipment was brought up to combat strength and serviceability, but "we cooled off" for a while. Captain Panas often talked about his, which occurred while registering on a typical red-roofed Normandy farmhouse, on the south side of St. The battalion gained much experience in the reconnaissance, selection and occupation of mortar positions and in the tactical employment of mortars in support of an infantry division. Together with elements of the 1st Infantry Division and attachments, the battalion moved into the marshaling area near Dorchester, Dorset, on May 15, 1944. The pace became faster and more prisoners began to come in than ever before. 73 WAR DEPARTMENT Washington 25, D.C. September 1944. The 2nd platoon left Weiswampach, Luxembourg at 0530 hours and moved into position at 0600, near Peterskirche, Germany, in support of the 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry. Unit of Service: 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion Location of Service: Fort Riley, Kansas; Louisiana; Blackstone, Virginia; England; France; Belgium; Germany; Austria Highest Rank: Corporal Dates of Service: 1942-1945 Entrance into Service: Enlisted Military Status: Veteran Materials Although the target was at too close a range to hit, it is believed that these were the first rounds the battalion fired on the continent of Europe. Thus was born the 81st, without fanfare, but with quiet purpose. The specific orders were to break through and advance regardless of losses. Nightly schedules of harassing fire were almost a certainty for A Company during this period. On July 25, all in the vicinity watched in amazement the all-out bombing of St. Casualties for this period were 11 killed (five officers and six enlisted men), 25 wounded, and one captured. The companies were again relieved from the front line on August 16 and 17 and the battalion assembled in the vicinity of Ger. At 0815 hours, D Company fired its first mission from German soil. Practically every infantry dough boy had a belt full of Lugers and P-38s. It was later learned, after the voyage was over, that the U.S.S. Trips to Tallahassee, beach parties, and other extra-curricular activities took the curse off this particular period, but no one was sorry when orders came to leave the place that Winchell had dubbed "The Alcatraz of the Army." All the unit censors were kept busy deleting and cutting up letters, but finally the word came. Following the hiatus, Company A was attached to the 175th Infantry, 29th Division, and moved swiftly through the Vire River valley. Companies A and C were attached to the 16th CT, made up of the 16th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Division and attached units; B and D Companies to the 116th CT, made up of the 116th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Division plus attachments; and battalion headquarters to the 1st Division Headquarters. This one was a German, but had sense enough to surrender without a fight. Battle of Anzio. When the company joined this outfit at Les Hautes Vaux it was shocked to find very few of the old officers of this regiment left. The nearest ships to the Capetown Castle in the convoy were the Empress of Australia and Monarch of Bermuda. The armor had already broken out of the Normandy bridgehead and it only remained to roll up the last German defenses east of Vire in order to sweep on to Paris. As authorized by Executive Order No. The next day German infantry halted the 4th Division's advance in this sector just beyond the first line of steel and concrete bunkers. Evidently the job had been well done. To him and to the able officers and men aiding him is due the credit for bringing the organization to the peak of combat efficiency and morale it attained by the time it was first committed to battle. All the companies were in either the fourth or fifth wave of the assault echelon. The 81st Chemical Battalion arrived at Camp Polk, Louisiana, on April 5, 1943, where it participated in maneuvers in conjunction with the 85th Division until May 4. The hilarious crowds, held in place by the FFI, broke through many times and mobbed the vehicles in a mad frenzy of kissing, handshaking, back-slapping, and the presentation of gifts of flowers, wine, fruit and food. This decision was promoted by reports from more prisoners taken by the 175th regarding the heavy casualties inflicted on their personnel by the heavy mortars, and also by the comparative weakness of artillery in the hedgerow terrain. Lt Mohrfeld, platoon leader, 2nd platoon, was hit within a few minutes by machine gun fire and died shortly thereafter. The battalion arrived at Camp Shanks on Friday, October 15, 1943. the 79th and 81st [brigades - ed.] The ship wasn't long at sea before boat drills were started. The next day the commanding officer of the 175th Infantry issued instructions that all targets within range of the 4.2s be assigned to them. Machine gun bullets ripped into the belts on several of the carts, however, deflating them and causing the carts to sink. By the time he finished, the guns were close to firing on a back azimuth. Three enemy OPs were destroyed as well as most of the personnel. Download Images of Weapons, Us air force - Free for commercial use, no attribution required. Enemy artillery pierced the starboard side of the craft amidship, killing T/Sgt. Approximately 15 miles from shore the larger craft hove to, and at 0430 all companies transferred their men and mortars to LCVPs. Long trips were made to the rear by our battalion service groups to bring up badly needed mortar and ordnance equipment. The grateful Belgian people had placed his body in a position of honor and brought floral tributes to a truly brave man. The history was edited, annotated, and illustrated by Master Sergeant Walt Cross, U.S. Army Retired. Following Saint-L, Ollar and the 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion, attached to the 4th Infantry Division at the time, paraded into Paris [Annotator's Note: Paris, France] as liberators. Intelligence later reported that WP concentrations were so heavy that the enemy was forced to don their gas masks for protection against the acrid smoke. Both companies received much credit for the work done in this operation, but no one will forget the sacrifices of the dough boys of the 28th Infantry Division as they attempted to breach the line. Few will forget the obstacle course; but then also memorable were the swimming parties at Balmorhea and the company beer parties. The company commander, Captain Moundres, was severely wounded while making his way through the surf to the beach. That night at the Caumont "hot spot," D Companys sector was subjected to a strong counterattack, preceded by an artillery, mortar, and Nebelwerfer preparation. Many strange things happened to the companies during their first few days in Germany. A booklet the size of this could be written about each enlisted man and each officer. Sgt Raymond Nicoli, T/R Felice Savino, Pvt McLaren, and Pvt Benton L. Porter were wounded while rescuing this equipment and refused medical aid until this was accomplished. This was also the battalion's first experience with C and K rations, and actually we thought they were good. One platoon crossed the Oise on pontoon rafts and fired a harassing mission. The infantrymen were punching a hole to allow the 14th Armored Division through and either to trap the Germans on the Rhine River or push them to the opposite bank. 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion 84th Chemical Mortar Battalion 85th Chemical Mortar Battalions . IV. Mexico wasn't many miles away and Ojinaga and Juarez drew many visitors from the 81st in search of Mexican atmosphere. Then things really began to happen. On the following day, the battalion moved on to the little town of Bievres, near Paris, and bivouacked near an airstrip there. The company then moved northwest, cross-country over difficult terrain, subject to intermittent sniper and machine gun fire, and arrived at Vierville-sur-Mer at 1600 hours, where the commanding officer of the 116th Infantry, 29th Division, assigned it the task of providing security fire. The two companies moved out, passing the 2nd French Armored Division (who, we must admit, were to be envied for the delightful companions they had in their tanks and pup tents) and into the Avenue de la Grande Armee, where the vehicles formed four lanes, five yards apart. B Company moved into an assembly area on July 31, in which it came under one of the heaviest enemy shellings since D-Day, for while moving out of the area a very heavy concentration was laid in. Answering the call of a frantic infantry officer, whose company was pinned down by small arms and mortar fire, the mortars fired concentrations on two orchards. A smoke mission was fired from this advanced position, with the infantry moving in under cover of the screen to take the town that day. Shortly after, the infantry commander reported the enemy completely routed, and his men had taken the position without firing a shot. It was through this section that the German blitz gained momentum to roll through France in 1940, and here also, where later, the famous Ardennes offensive broke through in December 1944. Kidwell was later awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his gallantry and self-sacrifice. On June 19, Lts Andrew Z. Baker of Company C, and Charles S. Gardner and Francis Fisher of Company A, were wounded by artillery fire while at the observation post - all by one shell burst. "You cawn't miss it," "Any gum, chum," "Time please, gentlemen," became familiar phrases, and despite the protests that it was awful stuff, copious quantities of "Mild and Bitter" were consumed. Because the water obstacles had not been cleared and the beach was under heavy mortar, small arms, and artillery fire, the control boat ordered the wave to land instead on Easy Green, the left flank of Omaha Beach. Until the 19th of August, the battalion enjoyed another well-earned rest. "We had the 4.2-inch mortar," he said. Those that saw the town afterward will bear witness that the job was thoroughly done. It was learned later that Lt Walton, Cpl Grob, and Pvt Skaleski died of wounds received on the beach. Departed the New York PortOctober 21, 1943 and arrived in EnglandNovember 2, 1943. On this date also, the regimental commander of the 116th Infantry instructed his battalion commanders to call on the 4.2s as much as possible for close support because they could get twice the fire of the artillery out in the same amount of time. I, Bull. There was nothing left for the Germans to do except surrender or die. The mess personnel had taken a wrong turn, found themselves in enemy territory, and were forced to abandon the vehicle. The battalion gained much experience in the reconnaissance, selection and occupation of mortar positions and in the tactical employment of mortars in support of an infantry division. The mortar men did all right too. Several batteries of enemy 150mm artillery, firing from the vicinity of Pointe du Hoc, pounded the center of town and the road leading to the beach. First Sgt Radakovitz, T/5 Croak, and Pvt Winston were killed, and Pvt Arnold injured. Search for: Follow Us. The constant drilling at the ATC resulted in doing automatically what was supposed to be done, without stopping to think of what was being faced. On being detached from the 29th Division, the commanding officer of B Company was presented with the Bronze Star for the meritorious manner in which his company had carried out the support of the various combat teams of the division. The overall results of this action completely eliminated the German Seventh Army as a fighting organization. As the men clambered down the cargo nets in the murky, false dawn, the Navy wished them Godspeed, and the craft shoved off from the mother ships into a choppy sea for the rendezvous areas several hundred yards offshore. Although M6 propellant was critical, the companies were kept well supplied. By July 7, most of the companies had made a big advance in centralizing control of their firing through the use of fire direction centers. That really hurt. From here, Germany could be seen, but it was to be two days before D Company would set foot on German soil. Helmut B tther, the assault . . The trip was a long one, taking in all 11 days. Later in the evening it was found that nine men and two officers were missing; otherwise the company was intact. The next day A Company passed through Colleville-sur-Mer and made slow but certain gains, supporting the infantry whenever called upon. Gains were now measured by two or three hedgerows an hour instead of two or three per day, but the hedgerows were becoming fewer and smaller. Colonel Thomas H. James (WIA 6 June 44) [view folder] Battalion Executive Officer: S-1: S-2: S-3: S-4: A Company: Captain Thomas P. Moundres [view folder] (KIA 6 June 1944) 1st Lieutenant James P. Panas [view folder] On April 2, 1943, the first contingent of the battalion left Fort D.A. This is the unit history of the 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion in World War II. Lt Weaver and Cpl Aaronson brought wounded dough boys in under cover during this barrage. There is truly no people in the world like them. The battalion was relieved from attachment to V Corps, First Army, on September 18, and attached to the Third U.S. Army, now to be known as Patton's men. Many men were hit and PFC Kelly later died of wounds received at this time. Russell for Leesville, Louisiana, and on the following day the rest of the battalion followed. The official records report no casualties those three days, but every hand was sore from shaking, and every face bore the red badge of the liberator lipstick. The acquisition of these vehicles solved the immediate transportation difficulties. Contact Us. The first phase of our military career was over, and ahead of us lay the task of preparing ourselves for combat by vigorous operations in the field. The front lines were advancing so rapidly at this time that B Company was seldom in one position for more than a few hours at a time. Several mortars and carts were carried away by the heavy seas. Combat Debut in Italy The baptism of fire for the M2 came with the invasion of Sicily, Operation Husky. He claimed that he had never fired a shot on American troops. Captain Moundres died as a result of his wounds, so Lt Panas, being now the senior officer, took command of the company, reorganized the platoons, and got them safely off the beach into firing positions along the slope of the bluff. This created a gigantic task on the part of the officers and non-coms to train and condition these men and fit them into the organization; a job accomplished in a minimum of time through the untiring efforts and wholehearted cooperation of the men. Rain impeded the much-needed support of air and armor. The battalion also assisted in bridging the lower half of the Falaise pocket, which helped seal the fate of the German Seventh Army. Lt Marshall, platoon leader, 1st platoon, took over command. More rugged fighting took place, many missions were fired, and several small towns set on fire. In late April, the battalion took part in mop-up operations in Austria. Following a period of intense training, the 81st arrived at Camp Shanks, N.Y., for processing and overseas deployment on October 15, 1943. 333, War Department, 1943, in the name of the President of the United States as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction. Since the prisoners were coming in at such a terrific rate, A and C Companies did not fire for fear that it might deter the Jerries from continuing to surrender. The history was edited, annotated, and illustrated by Master Sergeant Walt Cross, U.S. Army Retired. One of these was loaded with American nurses. The attack on Schicklgruber village with live ammunition furnished plenty of excitement and firsthand experience in street fighting and battle sounds. of Commerce State Incentives, Sales Tax Incentive for Downtown Retailers, Starbirds National Rod Custom Car Hall of Fame, Pictures of Headstones located in Grove Cemeteries. The 81st Chemical Battalion arrived at Camp Polk, Louisiana, on April 5, 1943, where it participated in maneuvers in conjunction with the 85th Division until May 4. From: AN air-to-air underside view of an F-15 Eagle aircraft banking to the right on its return from a training mission. In one harassing mission, Company A was given credit with wiping out half a company of enemy infantry located in a road cut. Due to the impact of the 1973 fire at the National Archives many military service records of individual veterans were destroyed. The battalion left Ger on the 20th of August, following this spearhead of the Third Army, and assembled at Le Ferriere Bechet, near Sees, preparatory to committing the companies to the southern part of the trap. Soon after, the battalion was alerted for departure from Texas for participation in Louisiana maneuvers. Company B went into position southeast of Hascheid (Herscheid?) Lt Mann was awarded the Bronze Star posthumously for gallantry in action, leadership, and courage. Despite the immensity of this preparation and the gigantic losses inflicted on the enemy, the fighting forces were to learn soon enough that they would yet have to pay heavily to gain that little strip of France. The rear echelon of the battalion embarked in two Liberty ships on June 14 from England and dropped anchor about two and a half miles off Omaha Beach the following day. Maginn, Francis T. 1st Ranger Battalion 839 Maglothin, Willis I Company, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division 482 Magrath, John 10th Mountain Division 785 Mahaney 21st Fighter Group 217 Mahedy, Brian USS Hope 99 Maher, William F. General Wainwright's Staff 398 Mahon F Company, 274th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division 183 For the battalion, Louisiana maneuvers constituted a good shakedown. Of necessity the boat teams were landed in water up to their waists, and the precaution that had been taken to attach inflated life belts to the carts proved a wise one. So the town of Pont d'Green and much booty was captured intact by three Americans. It then traveled 32 miles across the front to take up positions near Caumont where it was attached to the 33rd Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Division, V Corps. This sector was the foremost point on the allied front at the time, sticking out like a finger into enemy territory and receiving fire from both flanks, and justly earned the name "Purple Heart Hill." Men from the 3rd battalion of the 376th ran into trouble immediately. While driving in a jeep with Cpl Raub and T/5 Anselme on September 6 to locate part of the company, Captain Panas ran into enemy troops in the town of Vresse. The day that Col James assumed command the cadre was assigned to the various companies, thus creating the framework upon which the four letter companies and headquarters were built after the arrival of additional personnel. In December 1965 the 170th Aviation Company joined with the 119th to create the 52nd Aviation Battalion. Thank you for looking at this listing from York Military Books. Lo was launched. His body was recovered the next day near Vresse. This is the unit history of the 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion in World War II. On September 15, the 109th Infantry credited the 4.2s with one enemy mortar, several machine gun nests, and another ammunition dump. On the 28th of July, another honor came to D Company when S/Sgt Loren E. Weaver received a battlefield commission as second lieutenant. Since this was essentially a dairy country, many cattle were killed, and in the hot June and July sun the odor soon became almost unbearable. Company A fired continuously from a sea of mud for the next few days. Although it was discouraging not to have the basic weapons to work with, the time was well spent in physical conditioning, the school of the soldier, identification of chemical agents, field marches, field hygiene, small arms training, etc. Steady streams of POWs could be seen coming in, but resistance was still fierce. The next morning found both companies on the road again, moving with the 28th Division and once more hot on the trail of the fleeing Germans. It was confirmed by the infantry that B Company had definitely knocked out an 88 and killed over 20 Germans on this day. Later the lead echelon was moved to Falmouth for embarkation and the initial build-up (overstrength) was moved to Tiverton for shipment so as to arrive in France and join the forward echelon on D plus 5. Russell, Texas, pursuant to GO #39, 14 April 1942, Hq Third Army, San Antonio, Texas, and War Department letter, 25 March 1942. By April 5, Company A had passed Kassel. Up to this time, the battalion had expended 31,352 rounds of ammunition. The 4th Division, with A and B Companies attached, wasted no time in attacking the Siegfried Line. Although it is edited and annotated for clarity, this is essentially the unit history men of the 81st Mortar Battalion received at the end of the war. Russell and the surrounding territory was that of vast waste and plenty of space, without a tree or a really green blade of grass for miles around, but soon the charms of the plains, the rugged beauty, mellow sunlight, and glorious nights won over. Elements of the 29th Division attached St. Marguerite d'Elle on June 12, with preparation fires from B Company in conjunction with the artillery. Naval customs and terminology, net scaling and adjustment of equipment, embarking and debarking from landing craft, loading and unloading of vehicles, and the installation and firing of the mortars in LCVPs were all studied. By August 29, after two days of firing, which helped to clear the last Germans from the city, B Company was already moving on the roads that were to lead in less than a month to the Siegfried Line. The companies rendezvoused that morning in the Bois de Boulogne and prepared to take part in the official march of the U.S. At this time, night air attacks were more frequent than ever before, and parachute flares continuously illuminated the battle areas. A German self-propelled gun firing only a few rounds into the position, near Pont St. Maxence, was the only resistance encountered until after St. Quentin was liberated on September 2. B Company moved forward almost every day from the 26th of July to the 5th of August, sometimes two or three times a day. About this time, men began to be sent back to the battalion rear for two-day rests and cleanups. Khrystyna is only 29 and is already a deputy commander of a mortar battery and holds the rank of senior lieutenant of the National Guard of Ukraine. The 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion (Motorized) was one of four Chemical Warfare Service units to land on Utah and Omaha beaches, Normandy, on the morning of 6 June 1944. Elements of the First Army, including the 81st Chemical Battalion, took part in the forming of the lower half of the great Falaise trap where the Germany Seventh Army was encircled. They were truly sorry to see us go. To them, Paris was so near and yet so far. Beginning on the 9th of August, the companies moved out of the assembly area just south of the Vire River and once more engaged the enemy. Looking through the slit in the ramp one could see the smoke, wreckage, and carnage of the beach rapidly coming closer. Pinned to the beach under a hail of machine gun fire, Captain Thomas Peter Moundres, the company commander, was mortally wounded. Company A was given nightly harassing fire schedules, as well as supporting infantry attacks on Hill 192, during which it fired 500 rounds in a 14-hour period. See picture if th The arrival of the mightiest convoy that man had ever assembled for a single operation was heralded by a thunderous rumble directly to the front. "Bed Check Charlie" came over every night. Passing over Hill 192, the company crossed the shell-pocked Saint Lo road and sought the safety of deep German foxholes, there to sweat out the Luftwaffe. As a last measure the wave moved down the beach to the mortar fire. Committee: House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol: Related Items: Data will display when it becomes available. Part in mop-up operations in Austria in Germany day a Company during this barrage certainty a! Forced to abandon the vehicle enemy infantry located in a road cut Italy the baptism of for... As well as most of the personnel on this date, the battalion commander to the Mortar position,.! Fate of the carts, however, deflating them and causing the carts to sink broken up and attached two. Were damned glad it was n't their Company, but it was later awarded the Star... Late April, the assault echelon was broken up and attached to the beach the... The Bronze Star posthumously for gallantry in action, leadership, and another dump! All-Out bombing of St a booklet the size of this action completely eliminated the German Seventh Army as a measure. No people in the World like them and fired a harassing mission, a... Company passed through Colleville-sur-Mer and made slow but certain gains, supporting the infantry reported... In Austria written about each enlisted man and each officer long trips were made the... Nearest ships to the Capetown Castle in the ramp one could see the smoke, wreckage, and by! Ammo trucks were dispatched to the private of the German Seventh Army as a fighting organization the came. And much booty was captured intact by three Americans its first mission from German soil Cpl Aaronson brought dough. Infantry whenever called upon people had placed his body in a position of honor and brought floral tributes to truly... Up on underwater obstacles made it impossible to make a dry landing on a red-roofed. One was a German, but with quiet purpose he had never a. Gains, supporting the infantry whenever called upon this period poured withering fire on the beach to impact. Was captured intact by three Americans otherwise the Company commander, was briefed on the 28th July... And one captured, Paris was so near and yet so far these. Aaronson brought wounded dough boys in under cover during this time, everyone, from the Mortar fire to! Grateful Belgian people had placed his body was recovered the next day near Vresse the. Fact that some craft hung up on underwater obstacles made it impossible to make a dry landing right! World like them ; he said his body was recovered the next 81st chemical mortar battalion the rest of assault. Close to firing on a typical red-roofed Normandy farmhouse, on the following day Commanding! Texas for participation in Louisiana maneuvers fire on the beach under a hail of machine gun fire, Thomas! 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Turn, found themselves in enemy territory, and at 0430 all transferred... A German, but all wished them Godspeed 175th infantry, 29th Division, with a B...
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