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Unit
History of the
87th Chemical Mortar Battalion
22 May 1943 to 19 June 1944
Abbreviations and their
meanings for casualties:
KIA - Killed In Action
MIA - Missing In Action
DOW - Died Of Wounds
DOI - Died Of Injuries
LWA - Lightly Wounded in Action
LIA - Lightly Injured in Action
SWA - Seriously Wounded in Action
SIA - Seriously Injured in Action
"Wounds" usually meant that they were caused by enemy
action.
"Injuries" usually meant that they were caused by accidents,
premature explosions of our own mortar shells, etc.
"DOW" and "DOI" meant that death occurred on a
date later than the date of the wounds or injuries.
Preparing
for combat
May 1943
June 1943
July 1943
August 1943
September 1943
October 1943
November 1943
December 1943
January 1944
February 1944
March 1944
Across the
ocean
Assault on the
continent
-
Preparing for combat
22 May 1943, Item
1: 87th Sep Cml Bn, Mtz, activated at Cp Rucker, Ala., pursuant to
authority contained in letter, AG 322.095-7, HQ 2nd Army, Memphis,
Tenn., 14 May 1943, subject: Letter Orders No. A-256 (Activation of
the 87th Cml. Bn.), with a strength of 6 officers and 1 enlisted
man, obtained by transfer from other organizations.
June 1943
2 June 1943, Item
10: Strength increased to 157 enlisted men, obtained by transfer.
Road march to Claybank Creek and return. Distance 5 miles.
9 June 1943, Item
16: Strength increased to 167 enlisted men, obtained by transfer.
Road march to New Enterprise Highway and return. Distance 10 miles.
16 June 1943, Item
21: Road march to Lake Tholocco and return. Distance 12 miles.
17 June 1943, Item
22: Strength increased to 210 enlisted men, obtained by transfer.
One enlisted man, S/Sgt Philip Francis, 34142121, died as a result
of sunstroke.
24 June 1943, Item
28: Road march to Lake Tholocco. Distance 6 miles.
July 1943
1 July 1943, Item
30: Road march and cross-country hike to Lake Tholocco. Distance 6
miles.
6 July 1943, Item
33: Road march to Lake Tholocco. Distance 10 miles.
13 July 1943, Item
36: Battalion personnel present subjected to overhead machine gun
fire.
14 July 1943, Item
37: Strength increased to 39 officers and 277 enlisted men, obtained
by transfer. Road march toward New Enterprise Highway. Distance 13
miles.
20 July 1943, Item
41: Road march to Lake Tholocco and return. Distance 15 miles.
24 July 1943, Item
44: Strength increased to 324 enlisted men, obtained by transfer.
Entire battalion present fired Course B for record using Springfield
.30 Cal. Model 1903 Rifles.
1 August 1943,
Item 48: Pre-MTP instituted.
9 August 1943,
Item 52: Strength increased to 562 enlisted men, obtained by
transfer. The 87th Cml. Bn, Mtz. relieved from assignment from 2nd
Army and assigned to III Corps.
16 August 1943,
Item 55: 82 EM fired Course C with M1903 rifles, 252 recruits fired
familiarization course with M1903 rifles.
24 August 1943,
Item 61: Four Chemical Companies made road march to Lake Tholocco.
Distance marched 6 miles.
September 1943
25 September 1943,
Item 84: Strength decreased to 883 enlisted men, obtained by
transfer. Administration records inspected by IGD, III Corps.
Battalion stood Command Inspection by Battalion Commander.October
1943
1 October 1943,
Item 90: Battalion stood Command Inspection, CG, III Corps.
2 October 1943,
Item 91: Battalion witnessed 4.2" Chemical Mortar Shoot,
Artillery Range, Camp Rucker, Alabama.
6 October 1943,
Item 94: Captain Stone, Ass't Chemical Officer, Second Army on tour
of inspection; strength decreased to 879 enlisted men, obtained by
transfer.
11 October 1943,
Item 98: Battalion reorganized under T/O 3-25 dated 7 September
1943. Strength increased to 40 officers, decreased to 874 enlisted
men, obtained by transfer.
12 October 1943,
Item 99: Battalion moved by motor to bivouac 14 miles NW of Camp
Rucker, Alabama at 0700 to conduct MTP in field. Strength increased
to 41 officers, obtained by transfer.
15 October 1943,
Item 102: Battalion moved from bivouac 14 miles NW of Camp Rucker,
Alabama, to Camp Rucker by motor 1500.
20 October 1943,
Item 107: MTP training, Camp Rucker, Alabama, strength increased to
820 enlisted men, obtained by transfer.
21 October 1943,
Item 108: Major Batte promoted to Lt. Colonel effective 18 October
1943. Colonel Bonner, 2nd Army Chemical Officer on tour of
inspection, 21-24 October, inclusive. Strength decreased to 819
enlisted men, obtained by transfer.
24 October 1943,
Item 109: Lt. Colonel Batte from duty to temporary duty, Edgewood
Arsenal, Maryland. Major Slovak assumed command.
29 October 1943,
Item 112: Weapons inspected by 2nd Army Inspection Team.
30 October 1943,
Item 113: Motors inspected by 2nd Army Inspection Team, strength
decreased to 811 enlisted men1 obtained by transfer.
31 October 1943,
Item 114: MTP training, Camp Rucker, Alabama, strength decreased to
810 enlisted men, obtained by transfer.
November 1943
2 November 1943,
Item 116: Lt. Colonel Batte resumed command. Strength decreased to
757 enlisted men, obtained by transfer.
9 November 1943,
Item 122: Battalion moved by motor to bivouac 14 miles NW of Camp
Rucker, Alabama, to conduct MTP training in the field. Strength
increased to 40 officers, obtained by transfer.
10 November 1943,
Item 123: MTP training 1-10 November 1943.
11 November 1943,
Item 124: Battalion moved by motor to bivouac 5 miles NW of Camp
Rucker, Alabama, at 0300. Colonel Wanamaker, III Corps Chemical
Officer and Captain Luedke, Ass't Chemical Officer, on tour of
inspection. Strength decreased to 39 officers, obtained by transfer.
12 November 1943,
Item 125: Battalion moved from bivouac 5 miles NW of Camp Rucker,
Alabama, to camp. Strength increased to 41 officers, obtained by
transfer.
20 November 1943,
Item 130: MTP training, Camp Rucker, Alabama, 11-20 November, 1943.
22 November 1943,
Item 131: Colonel Rankine, Army Ground Forces Chemical Officer, on
tour of inspection. Motors and arms inspection by 2nd Army
inspection team.
24 November 1943,
Item 132: Battalion completed transition firing, rifle caliber .30,
M1903.
27 November 1943,
Item 134: Colonel Bonner, 2nd Army Chemical Officer, inspected and
observed Battalion in training. Strength decreased to 616 enlisted
men, obtained by transfer.
30 November 1943,
Item 137: MTP training, Camp Rucker, Alabama, 21-30 November, 1943.
December 1943
6 December 1943,
Item 140: Colonel St. John, Office Chief Chemical Warfare Service on
tour of inspection and observation of battalion.
9 December 1943,
Item 141: Motors inspected by inspector, 2nd Army. Strength
decreased to 45 officers, obtained by transfer. Increased to 46
officers.
10 December 1943,
Item 142: MTP training, Camp Rucker, Alabama, 1-10 Dec 43. Strength
decreased to 610 enlisted men, obtained by transfer.
13 December 1943,
Item 144: Battalion started on MTP test given by III Corps.
14 December 1943,
Item 145: Battalion completed test given by III Corps.
15 December 1943,
Item 146: Annual inspection by Inspector General started. Strength
decreased to 45 officers, obtained by transfer.
16 December 1943,
Item 147: Annual inspection by Inspector General completed. All
units satisfactory with the exception of Company B which was rated
EXCELLENT.
20 December 1943,
Item 148: MTP training and test, Camp Rucker, Alabama, 10-11 Dec 43;
UTP Camp Rucker, Alabama, 15-20 Dec 43.
31 December 1943,
Item 151: MTP continued, Camp Rucker, Alabama, 21-31 Dec 431.
January 1944
2 January 1944,
Item 2: Colonel Orsonger, III Corps G-4, on tour of inspection.
10 January 1944,
Item 3: Strength increased to 46 officers, obtained by transfer. UTP
continued.
13 January 1944,
Item 6: 87th Chemical Battalion, Mtz, relieved from assignment to
III Corps and assigned to IX Corps. Strength decreased to 43
officers, obtained by transfer.
16 January 1944,
Item 8: Maneuver umpire detail, 2 officers and 49 enlisted men
departed at 0800 for Camp Forrest, Tennessee, by Government Motor
Transportation.
20 January 1944,
Item 10: Battalion moved by motor to a point 15 miles NW of Camp
Rucker, Alabama, to bivouac for platoon combat firing. UTP
continued, Camp Rucker, Alabama. Strength decreased to 601 enlisted
men, obtained by transfer.
21 January 1944,
Item 11: Battalion moved by motor to Camp Rucker, Alabama at 1800.
23 January 1944,
Item 12: Battalion completed infiltration course.
24 January 1944,
Item 13: Major Keuron, IX Corps Chemical Officer, on tour of
inspection.
31 January 1944,
Item 17: Battalion departed from Camp Rucker, Alabama, enroute to
the Tennessee Maneuver Area at 0600. Arrived at Fort McClellan,
Alabama, at 1700. Movement was by motor. 11-30 January 44, UTP
continued. Preparation undergone for movement to Maneuver #5,
Tennessee Maneuver Area.
February 1944
1 February 1944,
Item 18: Departed from Fort McClellan, Alabama at 0700. Arrived
Huntsville Arsenal, Alabama at 1500, movement by motor.
2 February 1944,
Item 19: Departed from Huntsville Arsenal, Alabama at 0700. Arrived
at Camp Forrest, Tennessee at 1430. Strength increased to 603
enlisted men, obtained by transfer.
3 February 1944,
Item 20: Battalion relieved from assignment to IX Corps and assigned
to Second Army; further attached to 11th Detachment, Special Troops,
Second Army, Camp Forrest, Tennessee.
6 February 1944,
Item 22: All personnel of the Battalion fired transition course with
carbine, M1.
10 February 1944,
Item 24: Battalion completed combat firing. Strength decreased to
600 enlisted men, obtained by transfer.
12 February 1944,
Item 26: Battalion completed Air-Ground Liaison Test given by 11th
Detachment, Special Troops. Results-excellent.
13 February 1944,
Item 27: Approximately 450 officers and enlisted men departed on
leave for furlough for eight days.
16 February 1944,
Item 29: Lt. Col. Batte from duty to leave. Major Slovak assumed
command. Strength increased to 634 enlisted men, obtained by
transfer.
20 February 1944,
Item 31: Period 11-20 February 1944, special training continued.
Strength decreased to 632 enlisted men, obtained by transfer.
23 February 1944,
Item 33: Lt. Col. Batte from leave to duty and resumed command.
29 February 1944,
Item 35: Special training continued.
March 1944
7 March 1944, Item
41: Battalion inspected by Second Army Inspector General.
9 March 1944, Item
42: Battalion observed by AGF Inspector, Brigadier General Donavon.
Battalion completed night infiltration course.
10 March 1944,
Item 43: Special training continued at Camp Forrest, Tennessee.
20 March 1944,
Item 47: Special training continued at Camp Forrest, Tennessee.
Battalion restricted to area at approximately 1500 hours prior to
movement to staging area. Strength decreased to 582 enlisted men,
obtained by transfer.
23 March 1944,
Item 48: Battalion departed from Camp Forrest, Tennessee for
permanent change of station, via rail, to Camp Shanks, New York.
Accommodations excellent on train.
25 March 1944,
Item 49: Battalion arrived at Camp Shanks, New York. Medical
Detachment, Company C and Company D arrived at 0630. Headquarters
and Headquarters Detachment, Company A and Company B arrived at
1235.
27 March 1944,
Item 50: Strength increased to 586 enlisted men, obtained by
transfer. Bn cleared at Camp Shanks, and 50% of personnel allowed 12
hour pass to N.Y.
28 March 1944,
Item 51: Battalion restricted to area at approximately 0800 prior to
departing from Camp Shanks, New York for New York P. O. E.
30 March 1944,
Item 52: Medical Detachment, Company C and Company D departed Camp
Shanks, New York via rail for permanent change of station to NYPE at
1500. Embarked upon HMT Queen Elizabeth. Strength decreased to 584
enlisted men obtained by transfer of two AWOL's.
31 March 1944,
Item 53: Headquarters Detachment, Company A and Company B departed
from Camp Shanks, New York for permanent change of station to NYPE
by rail at 0445. Embarked HMT Queen Elizabeth. Vessel left New York
Harbor for European Theater of Operations at approximately 1300.
Accommodations aboard ship proved excellent. Strength decreased to
582 enlisted men, obtained by transfer of two AWOL's.
Across the ocean
April 1944
6 April 1944, Item
54: Vessel sighted land this date. Steamed up Firth of Clyde and
anchored off Geenock, Scotland. Trip had been pleasant, seas calm,
weather clear, morale excellent. Strength decreased to 581 enlisted
men, obtained by transfer.
7 April 1944, Item
55: Headquarters Detachment, Medical Detachment and Company A
debarked from HMT Queen Elizabeth at 0800, enroute to Tiverton in
Devon County, England via rail. Battalion assigned to First United
States Army, attached to VII Corps and further attached to 4th
Infantry Division. Strength decreased to 579 enlisted men, obtained
by transfer.
8 April 1944, Item
56: Headquarters Detachment, Medical Detachment and Company A
arrived at Tiverton, Devon County, England at 0900. Company B,
Company C and Company D debarked HMT Queen Elizabeth 1030 enroute to
Tiverton, Devon. The advance detail of two officers and one enlisted
man which had left the unit 1 March 1944 were rejoined.
9 April 1944, Item
57: Company B, Company C and Company D arrived at Tiverton, Devon
County, England at 1000.
22 April 1944,
Item 58: Company D at reduced strength departed Tiverton, Devon by
motor for combined training in water and land operation.
23 April 1944,
Item 59: Companies A, B and C, at reduced strength departed
Tiverton, Devon for combined operations and training. Arrived at
marshalling area by motor.
24 April 1944,
Item 61: Personnel participating in problem left marshaling area and
boarded troop transports.
27 April 1944,
Item 62: Units left troop transports via small landing craft and
landed on beach at Slapton Sands; with complete equipment, moved to
support of 8th and 22nd Infantry Regiments, 4th Division. Strength
increased to 581 enlisted men, obtained by transfer.
28 April 1944,
Item 63: Battalion moved in support of Infantry and set up mortars
in alternate positions. Moved toward completion of maneuver.
29 April 1944,
Item 64: Company D, at reduced strength returned to Tiverton, Devon.
30 April 1944,
Item 65: Companies A, B and C, at reduced strength returned to
Tiverton, Devon from combined training in water and land operations.
May 1944
1 May 1944, Item
66: Battalion authorized change in equipment per instructions of
First United States Army. Shall receive 90 light cargo carriers,
M-29, in place of a similar amount of 1/4-ton trucks, which are to
be turned in.
2 May 1944, Item
67: Battalion alerted for departure.
9 May 1944, Item
69: Last of cargo carriers received and jeeps turned in.
15 May 1944, Item
71: Companies A, B, C & D, at reduced strength departed from
Tiverton for marshaling areas via motor for combined operations with
other arms.
16 May 1944, Item
72: Battalion Commander plus portion of staff left Tiverton for
marshaling area for combined operations with other arms; strength
decreased to 577 enlisted men, obtained by transfer.
31 May 1944, Item
75: 113th Chemical Processing Company (strength 5 officers, 120
enlisted men) arrived Tiverton on detached service from home
station, Bristol for training purposes.
June 1944
1 June 1944, Item
76: Orders placing 113th Chemical Processing Company on detached
service with 87th Chemical Battalion, Mtz., amended to attach unit
instead. Strength increased to 42 officers, 699 enlisted men.
2-4 June 1944,
Item 77: Assault group of Battalion embarked on board ships prior to
sailing for French coast.
4-5 June 1944,
Item 78: Combined naval and land forces underway across English
Channel for assault on France.
Assault on the continent
D-Day on Utah Beach
After approximately seven
weeks of intensive preparations following arrival in the United
Kingdom, the 87th Chemical Battalion moved to marshalling areas to
begin operation NEPTUNE. 440 officers and men and 67 vehicles
comprised the assault wave. The remainder of the Battalion, known as
the residue, were left in bivouac at Tiverton and were to follow on
D plus 8. After approximately 10 days in the marshaling area, the
assault echelons of Companies A, B and D loaded onto their
respective types of transportation at Torquay; Battalion
Headquarters loaded at Dartmouth; and Company C loaded at Plymouth.
This was the last that the Battalion Commander saw of any of the
companies until after the landing on Utah Beach.
At 1800, 3 June 1944,
the Battalion Commander's party, which was on the same boat with the
Commanding Officer, 8th Infantry Regimental landing team, weighed
anchor and stood out to sea. After the breakwater had been crossed,
Colonel Van Fleet announced that D-Day would be Monday, June 5,
H-Hour 0650. During the night bad weather set in; D-Day and H-Hour
were postponed for 25 hours. The approximately 62 hours spent on
this LCT in the English Channel was a rather miserable,
never-to-be-forgotten experience. Salt spray fell across the craft
at all times and the decks had from one-half to an inch of water
washing about at all times. The majority of the occupants were
seasick and conditions were crowded. In spite of this, spirits were
good and morale excellent in anticipation of the momentous occasion.
The huge invasion fleet was a very inspiring sight.
The coast of France was
approached on the morning of 6 June. there was a great roar
and rumble in the distance and the huge flashes were observed every
few seconds. The Battalion Commander's party transferred to an LCVP
along with the Regimental Landing Team party at about 17,000 yards
from shore and touched down on the coast of France at H plus 50.
Companies A, B, C and D likewise transferred from ships to LCVP's at
approximately 17,000 yards from shore and proceeded to a landing.
The entire battalion had
been attached to the 4th Infantry Division and sub-attached to the
8th Infantry RLT. The following attachments were made within the 8th
Infantry RLT:
-
Company A to the 1st
Battalion
-
Company B to the 2nd
Battalion
-
Company C to the 3rd
Battalion
-
Company D to the 3rd
Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, which was also attached to the
8th Infantry RLT
6
June 1944, Item 79 (D-Day) (H-Hour - 0630): Company A and
Company B landed at H plus 50 and set up on the beach ready to
deliver fire on call from its forward observers who had landed with
the leading infantry waves at H-Hour. Company A fired 20 rounds and
Company B fired 80 rounds. After approximately 40 minutes, both
companies moved inland in order to keep up with the advance of the
battalions which they were supporting.
Companies C and D landed
at H plus 90 and set up on the beach, ready to deliver fire on call
from its forward observers who had landed with the leading waves of
the supported infantry units at H plus 50. Company C fired 10 rounds
and Company D fired 30 rounds before displacing forward with their
supported units. Battalion Headquarters operated with Headquarters
8th Infantry RLT.
It is interesting to note
that the first time this battalion had ever fired over the heads of
its own troops was on the battlefield and against an armed enemy.
This battalion was the sole "artillery" support for the
4th Division for approximately 6 hours. At all times the mortar
companies kept pace with the advance of the supported infantry and
were always in position, ready to fire when called upon by the
forward observers. The infantry was amazed at the rapidity and
accuracy with which our mortars replied. Enemy strong points,
machine gun emplacements, pill boxes, and even concrete emplacements
were brought under fire during the initial hours of the assault.
In the landing, two
mortars and two vehicles were lost as a result of the sinking of
LCVP's. No personnel were lost at sea, however, one man killed and
that by a direct hit into a foxhole, this, despite rather severe
enemy shelling of the beach.
Bn CP moved inland from
Utah Beach via Ste Marie-Du-Mcnt, closing in vicinity of Les Forge,
CR (363932) at 062000 June.
Strength decreased to 41
officers and 695 enlisted men. Casualties:
-
0-1535529, Shouse, Harold
W., 2nd Lt, KIA, Co C
-
33655680, Smith,
Frederick R., PFC, KIA, Co C
-
35644934, Richey, Herman
L., Pvt, SWA, Co A
-
13081250, Montgomery,
James, Cpl, LWA, Co D
-
51549262, Trent, William
T., Cpl, LWA, Co A
Beyond the beach
7 June 1944, Item
80 (D plus 1): Co A, Co B and Co C continued to support the
battalions of the 8th Infantry Regiment in their advance towards
Ste. Mere Eglise. Company D continued to support the 3rd Battalion
of the 22nd Infantry north along the beach towards Quineville.
Approximately 1500 rounds were fired by the battalion during the
24-hour period on strong points and personnel. By this time the
supported infantry had begun to appreciate the terrific firepower
which the mortar companies could deliver. Bn CP closed I mile NE of
Ste. Mere Eglise (351967) at 071900.
First build-up left
Tiverton, Devon at 0700 for marshalling area. Arrived Falmouth,
Cornwall at 1800. Build-up of Co A, Co B and Co C embarked ship. HQ
Det and Co D returned to marshalling area to spend the night.
Strength decreased to 692
enlisted men. Casualties:
-
32277928, Walker, Robert
C., 1st Sgt, KIA, Co D
-
32925289, Plubell,
Francis L., Pvt, IMA, Co D-Med
-
31366954, Stubb, Frank
R., Jr., Cpl, LWA Co D
8 June 1944, Item
81 (D plus 2): Company A was detached from the 8th Infantry Regiment
and attached to the 12th Infantry at 0630 to support the attack of
this regiment north towards Montebourg. This placed at least one
mortar company with each combat team of the 4th Infantry Division.
On two occasions, counterattacks were stopped by intense barrages
delivered by this company and a number of rounds were placed on
enemy positions. Company B and Company C remained attached to the
8th Infantry Regiment and moved north with the 1st and 2nd
Battalions, respectively, towards Montebourg. While displacing
forward to a new position, just north of Ste. Mere Eglise, Company B
came under very heavy shell fire at 1020. This shellfire hit the
road without prior registration. Lieutenant Taylor and four men were
seriously wounded. Two mortars and two M-29 Cargo Carriers were put
out of action. Company B was reorganized by the Battalion Commander
who came upon the scene approximately one hour and a half later,
into one platoon of six mortars and led forward into action.
Ammunition and equipment was salvaged from the shelled vehicles and
fired several hours later by which time this company had worked its
mortars up close to two casemented positions believed to contain
88mm guns, fired upon and silenced them. Company D fired
approximately 800 rounds in support of operations of the 3rd
Battalion, 22nd Regiment in its advance north along the beach.
Well-prepared enemy positions were encountered and both HE and WP
were used with great effect.
Bn CP closed I mile NW of
FRESVILLE (318007) at 082330. Remainder of first build-up embarked
ship at 1300. Second build-up departed from Tiverton, Devon by motor
convoy at 1730 for Plymouth marshaling area.
Strength decreased to 39
officers and 681 enlisted men. Casualties:
-
33698853, St. Clair,
William E. Jr., Cpl, SWA, Co C
34826500, Fowler, Thomas J., Pvt, DOW, HQ Det
31386119, Ventriglia, Pasquale, PFC, SWA, Co C
0-1038499, Taylor, Ray O., 1st Lt, SWA, Co B
31379140, O'Connell, Harold F., T/5, LWA, Co A
36685248, Miller, Adolph, Pvt, LWA, Co B
51567268, Berry, Frederick W., Pvt, LWA, Co B
31556992, Fordell, Edward E., Pvt, LWA, Co B
33246909, Albright, John, Sgt, LWA, Co B
31588273, Bernatowicz, Bonificious J., Cpl, LWA, Co B
0-1555562, Cable, William H., 2nd Lt, LWA, Co A
9 June 1944, Item
82 (D plus 3): At 0600, Company B was detached from 8th Inf, 4th Div
and transferred across the VII Corps front and attached to the 101st
A/B Division to provide supporting fire for the bridging of the
Douve River and the resulting attack on Carentan. Company A fired
approximately 800 rounds in support of operations of the 12th Inf
Regt. Company C continued to support the 8th Inf Regt in the attack
on the ridge line southwest of Montebourg. Two hundred rounds were
fired in two hours. 0n three occasions, barrages were laid down
against enemy counterattacks.
Company D continued to
support the 3rd Battalion of the 22nd Inf Regt and fired
approximately 900 rounds. Progress over this well-defended terrain
was very difficult and slow. During the night an ammunition truck
containing approximately 100 rounds of HE was destroyed by enemy
shellfire while parked in a bivouac position of the 2nd Battalion.
No change in location of
CP. Second build-up arrived Plympton, Devon at 0230.
10 June 1944, Item
83 (D plus 4): Company A attached to the 12th Inf Regt. Company C,
attached to the 8th Inf Regt, and Company D, attached to the 22nd
Inf Regt, continued to support advance of the 4th Inf Div to the
west and east of Monteb0urg. Approximately 1,500 rounds were fired
against enemy counterattacks and enemy positions.
Company B fired approximately 400 rounds of WP to assist the
crossing of the Douve River of the 101st A/B Division. This screen
was highly effective and successful.
At approximately 0130,
Captain Henry S. Williams, Commander of Company D was killed when an
enemy anti-personnel airplane bomb landed approximately one foot
from him while he was going from the 1st platoon to the 2nd platoon
in order to inspect positions.
Bn Cp closed 1.5 miles SW
of Montebourg (308054) 101200. Second build-up departed the
marshalling area at Plymouth at 1700 and boarded the Liberty ship SS
John Henry.
Strength decreased to 38
officers and 678 enlisted men. Casualties:
-
0-1035102, Williams,
Henry S., Captain, KIA, Co D
37666640, McQuiston, Warren K., T/5, KIA, Co D
0-1038499, Taylor, Ray 0., 1st Lt, DOW, Co B
6994339, Atkinson, Walter G. Jr., S/Sgt, SWA, Co D
31579568, Gentile, Alfred Jr., Cpl, LWA, Co D
11 June 1944, Item
84 (D plus 5): Company A continued to fire numerous missions in
support of the advance of the 12th Inf Regt northward in the
vicinity of Ozeville. Company C, because of losses in equipment and
vehicles from enemy action, was reorganized by the Bn Commander into
one platoon of five mortars and at 1100 was detached from the 8th
Inf Regt and attached to the 101st A/B Div.
Company B was attached to
the 101st A/B Div at the same time and these two companies
materially assisted in the rapidity with which the city of Carentan
capitulated. The companies fired both HE and WP. The employment of
WP had a huge psychological effect on the defenders and is
officially credited by the Division G-3 with having been a
contributing factor in the sudden capitulation of the defending
forces. Not until approximately 20 rounds were fired into the city
did the Germans surrender.
Company D was detached
from the 22nd Inf Regt and attached to the 8th Inf Regt and took up
positions just south of Montebourg.
Bn CP closed 1 mile NW of
Fresville (318007) 112300. First build-up landed in France and
remained in vicinity of Utah Beach overnight. Second build-up
departed from Plymouth, England enroute to France.
Strength decreased to 57
officers and 673 enlisted men. Casualties:
-
35698892, Wilkevich,
Joseph R., Cpl, KIA, Co A
56215916, Simon, Leonard E., T/4, SWA, Co C
35751804, Redman, Joseph A., Cpl, SWA, Co A
51367006, Morison, Robert L., T/5, DOW, Co C
56580752, Sobole, Arthur W., Cpl, LWA, Co C
0-1058420, Leah, Lawrence D., 1st Lt, LWA, Co A
12 June 1944, Item
85 (D plus 6): Company A, detached from 12th Inf Regt and attached
to the 22nd Inf Regt, moved to that sector in the morning. Companies
B and C were detached from the 101st A/B and attached to the 12th
and 22nd Inf Regts, respectively of the 4th Inf Div.
Company B was very
effective in providing supporting fire for the 8th Inf Regt in
operations west of Montebourg. On two occasions enemy counter
attacks were stopped cold by the accurate adjustment of mortar fire
upon the advancing forces.
Bn CP closed 5 miles NE
of Ste. Mere Eglise (542013) 120900. Battalion residue began to
arrive during the late afternoon from the United Kingdom, bringing
with them much needed personnel and vehicles. Casualties:
-
6949768, Czerwinski,
John, 1st Sgt, KIA, Co C
31388958, Abdallah, George, T/5, LWA, Co D
31579332, Faber, Harry W. Sgt, LWA, Co A
13 June 1944, Item
86 (D plus 7): Companies A and C fired approximately 800 rounds each
in support of operations of the 22nd Inf Regt. Company B fired
approximately 500 rounds in support of the 12th Inf Regt.
Company D fired
approximately 1400 rounds of WP and HE in 90 minutes on the city of
Montebourg from 2100 to 2230 to support operations of the 8th Inf
Regt. The city was fired and completely gutted with resulting great
damage. Reconnaissance parties the following morning found only
gutted buildings and isolated points of resistance.
No change in location of
Bn CP. Battalion second build-up arrived in France; debarked at Utah
Beach and proceeded to Ste. Mere Eglise to bivouac area.
Strength decreased to 670
enlisted men. Casualties:
36215916, Simon, Leanord
E., T/4, DOW, Co C
33054784, Ermillio, Frank, Pvt, SWA, Co A
31388992, Sheehan, Leonard J., T/5, SWA, Co A
14 June 1944, Item
87 (D plus 8): Companies A and C continued support operations of the
22nd Inf Regt. These companies occupied very favorable positions
from which supporting fires were delivered for the attack of this
regiment on the ridge line west of Quineville, approximately 400
rounds being fired. All during the day interdictory fire was placed
on cross roads in the rear of the enemy positions.
Company B fired
prearranged concentrations on cross roads and likely concentration
areas in support of the 12th Inf Regt. This Company was attached to
the artillery which was supporting the regiment and all such fire
was coordinated thru the so-called "Artillery Groupment".
This type of set-up works rather successfully in a defensive
situation or stationary situation. However, it is not recommended
for offensive situations where a close-in, direct support for the
infantry is needed and usually on a moment's notice.
Company D fired 1640
rounds during the 24-hour period in support of operations of the 8th
Regt on strong points and enemy positions surrounding Montebourg.
Harassing and interdictory fire computed from map was also placed on
positions in the rear of the enemy lines.
No change in location of
Bn CP. Strength increased to 682 enlisted men.
15 June 1944, Item
88 (D plus 9): Companies A and C fired approximately 700 rounds in
support of operations of the 22nd Inf Regt operating on the
Division's left flank. Company C was subjected to heavy counter
battery at 0900. However, there were no casualties. Company B
continued to fire missions on call in support of the 12th Inf Regt.
All requests for fire were cleared thru the artillery group
supporting the regiment.
Company D continued to
support operations of the 8th Inf Regt against Montebourg by firing
5000 rounds on enemy positions to the flank and outskirts of the
city. HE and WP were also placed on the high ground west of the city
which the Germans were using for observation purposes. A new
battalion record of 5,582 rounds was fired in a 24-hour period.
At 2100 the battalion was
detached from the 4th Inf Div. The battalion, less Co B was attached
to the 9th Inf Division at 2100 in order to provide the now much
desired mortar support for this division's attack west from Ste.
Mere Eglise in order to cut the neck of the Cherbourg Peninsula.
Company B was attached to the 82nd A/B Division and moved out at
approximately 1400.
16 June 1944, Item
89 (D plus 10): The Battalion, less Company B, was attached to the
9th Inf Div as of 2100 15 June, and further attached to the 39th Inf
Regt. Positions are five miles southwest of Ste Mere Eglise.
Companies are ready to fire on call.
Company B was attached to
the 82nd Air Borne Division as of 2100 15 June. Position is two
miles east of St Saveur le Vicomte. Personnel are very tired as a
result of ten straight days and nights of almost continuous firing.
Morale, however, is still very high.
At 1640 Company A was
placed in support of the 2nd Battalion, 39th Inf Regt moved from a
bivouac area, approximately six miles to a gun position, established
the necessary liaison, dispatched forward observers, and opened fire
on an enemy mortar emplacement at 1810. Enemy installations were
silenced. The company then proceeded to shell La Calais.
At 1640, Co C and Co D
were attached to the 1st Bn of the 39th Inf Regt, and moved forward
into position ready to place fire on call. The Battalion received a
number of replacements, 3 officers and 97 enlisted men.
Strength increased to 40
officers and 779 enlisted men. Casualties:
33698565, Soltesz, Joseph A., Cpl, LIA, Co C
17 June 1944, Item
90 (D plus 11): The Battalion, less Co B, remained in support of the
39th Inf Regt of the 9th Inf Division and continued the advance to
the north and west from Courbesville. At dawn, approximately 600
rounds were fired on Orglandes, an enemy strong point which had held
up the advance for six or seven hours. The position was completely,
neutralized and all opposition silenced.
At 1400, the Battalion,
less Co B, displaced forward in order to continue to be in position
to provide close support to the forward units. At 2100, Co A fired
five rounds of WP for purposes of adjustment on a suspected enemy
strong-point north of Golleville. Six enemy vehicles and four
automatic weapons were observed to immediately abandon the area. A
short while later, Co A, in support of the 2nd Battalion, fired 100
rounds on an enemy mortar emplacement and on observed hostile
personnel.
Co. B, attached to the
82nd Air Borne Division, fired a concentration of HE and WP on St
Saveur le Vicomte in advance of our troops entrance into the town. A
short while later, Captain Marshall, Commanding Officer of B
Company, obtained a direct hit on a M-6 tank with HE at 3000 yards.
All during the night, harassing and interdictory fire were placed on
the area to the south and west of the town.
General Order #26,
Headquarters, First United States Army, this date, cites the 87th
Chemical Battalion, Mtz. for extraordinary heroism and outstanding
performance of duty in action in the initial assault on the northern
coast of Normandy, France, 6 June 1944.
18 June 1944, Item
91 (D plus 12): In order to effect mortar support to the rapid
advance of the 39th Infantry Regt across the Cherbourg Peninsula,
Co. A was attached directly to the 3rd Battalion in the vicinity of
Blandamour, Co. C was attached directly to the 2nd Battalion in the
vicinity of Valdecie, Co. D was attached directly to the lst
Battalion in the vicinity of St Jacques de Nehan. Battalion
headquarters (forward) remained with the 39th Inf Regt CP near St
Jacques de Nehan. All companies displaced forward well early in the
morning.
Co. B continued to fire
support of the 82nd Air Borne Division. An entire German infantry
company was brought under heavy HE fire and completely routed; 47
were killed.
At 1500, orders were
received from Headquarters VII Corps to the effect that present
attachments to the 9th Infantry Division and 82 Air Borne Division
were terminated, and that Battalion Headquarters was to proceed to
the 313th and 315th Infantry Regiments, respectively, of the 79th
Inf Div, and Companies C and D attached to the 8th and 12th Infantry
Regiments, 4th Inf Div. These companies immediately executed march
order, and were in position with their new attachments, six or seven
miles distant, ready to fire at 2000.
19
June 1944, Item 92 (D plus 13): At approximately 0300,
Company C fired a concentration of HE and WP on targets by map
coordinates in preparation for an attack by the 8th Infantry
Regiment. Excellent results were obtained from this harassing and
interdictory fire. This mission was fired on a very dark night and,
while moving and adjusting base plates in order to fire on the
various prearranged positions, one mortar worked back under a tree
and a round of HE hit an overhanging limb and exploded, seriously
injuring one officer and six enlisted men.
Co A and Co B, operating
with the 79th Division, fired one mission apiece during the rapid
advance of this division northward. Each company displaced forward
from four to five times during the day.
Co D, in support of the
12th Infantry Regt, 4th Infantry Div, displaced forward three times
during the day in order to be in position to provide the necessary
close support for the rapid advance of this Regiment northward to
the high ground east of Valognes.
Co C occupied a position
directly west of Montebourg and fired between four and five hundred
rounds of interdictory and harassing fire on prearranged targets in
support of the 8th Infantry Regt. This fire was noted by the forward
observers to be very effective. At approximately 1300, as the second
platoon was executing march order to displace forward, a terrific
explosion on an ammunition truck, cause unknown and undetermined,
resulted in twelve men being killed and twenty-four wounded. The
explosion was tremendous, and hurled parts of the truck motor and
the machine gun mount ring a distance of 500 yards. The entire
company was within a radius of less than 100 yards of the explosion
and everyone was severely shocked and dazed. The battalion
commander, who was at the 79th Division operating with the two
companies attached to that Division, was notified and arrived upon
the scene approximately at 1630 to find the company sitting in
foxholes at the gun position in a dazed and partially disorganized
condition. Wreckage, mortar shells and bodies were scattered over
the landscape. It is not known what caused the explosion or how many
shells exploded sympathetically. However, it was observed that a
large part of the shell, both HE and WP, remained unexploded even
though some were severely dented and flattened. Meanwhile, the
company commander had proceeded to the rear in an attempt to locate
the Bn commander. After a hasty estimate of the situation, the Bn
commander called the remaining officers and men of the company
together, apprised them of the situation, reoriented them, re-imbued
them with the determined fighting spirit of this Battalion and
instilled in them a desire and determination to remain in action and
go forward, continuing to support the 8th Infantry Regt instead of,
as they first desired, going to the rear to reorganize.
The battalion commander
led the first platoon forward in reconnaissance of a new position,
re-established liaison with the Infantry regimental commander and
saw that this platoon was set up and ready to fire. The men moved
out in high spirits and a grim determination to redeem the loss of
their fellow soldiers. The vicinity of the area from which the
Company moved and the new area selected were subjected to occasional
enemy artillery and sniper fire. As a matter of fact, none of the
gun positions occupied by the four companies have been out of range
of enemy artillery and occasional small arms and sniper fire since
D-Day.
The remaining twelve to
fifteen men of the first platoon were ordered by the battalion
commander to collect their material and vehicles and proceed with
same to the Bn rear echelon. This was promptly executed in good
order. This platoon was reorganized that same evening with new
replacements and will again be in the front lines within twelve
hours. All in all, the officers and men of this Company exhibited
amazing recuperative and come-back ability and it is believed they
are better and more determined soldiers as a result of having as
quickly recovered from the above experience.
At 2100, Co B was
transferred from attachment to the 315th Infantry Regt and attached
to the 314th Inf Regt of the 79th Division and the 315th was falling
back in reserve.
Strength decreased to 40
officers and 767 enlisted men. Casualties:
-
33698906, Edmiston,
William R., Pvt, KIA, Co C
33655657, Grizzle, Raymond O., Pvt, KIA, Co C
36685239, Tomsovic, Charles J., Pvt, KIA, Co C
34625674, Eckhoff, Kenneth A., PFC, KIA, Co C
31278325, Olubowicz, Steven, Tec 4, KIA, Co C
34583070, Gaston, Joseph M. Jr., Pvt, KIA, Co C
33682976, Misinay, Michael, Cpl, KIA, Co C
6964741, Cape, Willie L., Sgt, KIA, Co C
33764991, Cence, William A., Pvt, KIA, Co C
31379193, Mannix, Gordon C., PFC, KIA, Co C
33698936, Martin, George J., Jr., Pvt, KIA, Co C
36762331, Dunn, Ray A., Cpl, SWA, Co C
31003185, Stasinipulos, Charles M., Sgt, SWA, Co C
31336855, Vallera, Robert V., PFC, SWA, Co C
33647127, Vermillion, Jay L., Sgt, SWA, Co C
0-519927, Edwards, Charles V. III, 2nd Lt, SWA, Co C
31588967, Psoinos, James N., Pvt, SWA, Co C
32872689, LaMarca, Fred, Cpl, SWA, Co C
33698919, McCullough, Franklin, Pvt, SWA, Co C
31374033, Maynard, Roland J., PFC, LWA, Co C
33731995, Ellison, Albert L., PFC, LWA, Co C
31366534, Hamond, Stanley W., Pvt, LWA, Co C
38530535, Jones, Pershing A., Pvt, LWA, Co C
35340446, Savage, William J., Sgt, LWA, Co C
31366936, Shepardson, Raymond H., PFC, LWA, Co C
31162055, Simon, Gorham G., Sgt, LWA, Co C
36682094, Girton, Francis J. L., Pvt, LWA, Co C
13154101, Pompei, Romeo F., Sgt, LWA, Co C
31388949, Hildreth, William H., Pvt, LWA, Co C
33266381, Heinricher, Joseph A., S/Sgt, LWA, Co C
13996398, Wootten, Samuel J., Cpl, KIA, HQ Det
33655528, Powers, Hudson 0., Pvt, LWA, Co C
31336871, Burke, Edward W. Jr., Pvt, LWA, Co C
33732064, Byrns, Herbert F. Jr., Pvt, LWA, Co C
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