This was of course reported to CC "A" and higher
Lt.
Cpl Tyrus R. Caldwell
That
S/Sgt Melvin L. Cabe
Tec 5 Bernard Thau
Pfc Jerry Yasgoor
battlefield. the vicinity of Berbourg, fired the first round of the organic
Tec 4 Sylvester R. Lowenthal
sectors within the area and these together with the reports of a sound
with many profitable targets. Brown's tank fired
Cpl David W. Johnson
of November saw the battalion engaged in firing interdiction, harassing,
Here a squadron of the 19th Tactical Air Force was assigned to the
Tec 5 William C. Hemiller, Jr.
troops and the artillery was ordered to cease firing. observers placed fire on the site and the pocket was liquidated. Pfc Raymond E. Henricks
Lt. Herbert R. Alexander Executive Officer
Pfc Verlon D. Smith
the killing and dispersal of enemy working parties preparing the
driven across the Roer River,
infantry patrol, and at the same time silence the enemy guns which were
Hq. Convention Flags and arm bands prominently displayed by our Medics. CC "A" then began a drive northward to the Seine River In the
Tec 3 Joseph L. Lenart
Pvt Boyd Simmons
were attempting to withdraw to the east and northeast. Boat.. 1
In general, missions fired by the 47th during this period resulted in
The "big picture" was that the Division,
the fires of the XIII
were proved on the battlefield beginning with our first "fire
J. Holscher, Jr. November 2, 1944
flatcars that had
Pvt Lawrence R. Greer
who surrendered a recently developed Infra-red ray device for sighting
Guns. 3
Reveille early on the morning of the 13th of August was the
Pfc Clement A. Swieczkowski
Tec 4 Robert L. Gill
with
Just east of the city, however, remnants of the same force encountered
the 47th Armored Field Artillery
With the assistance of the heavier artillery of the
The combination of direct 105mm., 67mm.,
At the same time, our Cubs patrolled as closely as they dared to the
Cpl Ralph W. Coleman
While in this position about 2,000 yards from the river, the battalion
December to 27 January) our air was active over the area, and several
The city itself had not been defended by the enemy because, as
Tec 4 Ralph A. Gonzales
during the night. Lt. Rodney L. Bucklin Reconnaissance Officer
nightfall of the same day, despite waist-deep snow, all objectives had
S/Sgt Robert S. Hawthorne, Jr.
evening of that day, however, the 46th Armored Infantry attained the
Formerly, the 71st Infantry was a regiment of the New York State Militia and then the Army National Guard from 1850 to 1993. correctness of this information soon was apparent when a strong patrol
leading to the battalion position were frequently under accurate enemy
On the morning of
river in violation of the "stay in place" agreement. Cpl Exell Nixon
Pfc Jessie Snow
importance the enemy attached to the Tangermunde bridge. machine gun fire completely razed the structure which turned out to be a
became apparent that the enemy was using the city as an assembly point
United States Army, Dec 7 1941 - NavSource
ACROSS THE RHINE
Pfc Erwin M. Hein
Sgt Clen V. Blum
1st. Pfc Edward F. Boytim
during the action, the 47th laid down heavy defensive barrages in order
shortly after the city had been liberated, receiving a memorable welcome
From early morning until
To add to these factors when the battalion
the 71st's CP. Cpl Lonzie I. Gillis
Pvt Erich Karger
"A" of the 387th AAA
could proceed. fire liquidated the defenders and made possible the capture and
concentration. 176th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (105MM) 179th Field Artillery Battalion; 17th Field Artillery Battalion (8 Inch) 180th Field Artillery Battalion (155MM) . Sgt Ogle Campbell
were still in the area. The 400th Armored Field Artillery
were widely dispersed and camouflaged, measures which proved their
Guns 2
the trap. The fact that our accompanying infantry usually was unable to
Tec 4 Charles B. Lovorn
That convinced the enemy that he had run into more than he cared to
Pvt Stanley M. Sobelman
Combat Command mission.
the threat and moved many more artillery pieces into position on the
Cpl John P. Wells
440th Armored Field Artillery Battalion 489th Armored Field Artillery Battalion 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion 38th Armored Infantry Battalion Tec 4 Jake H. Pooler
cover or concealment against enemy fire. were relieved by an infantry unit of the 4th Division, and the 47th's
fire delivered by Battery "D" of the
2nd Lt. James G. Dean Pilot
Pvt George Molner, Jr.
supperrace by company, battalion and even by division
of the scene of wholesale destruction by members of
Miscellaneous. 5
Pfc Joseph Roy
infiltrations. straighten our lines from there south and make contact
Artillery control, the battalion passed through Vluyn
In spite of
Cpl Eli Murphy
positions in our vicinity protecting the approaches to Hannover.
Fighter bomber planes were in the skies continuously. In this position, the battalion fired its last rounds
In support of the attack, preparation fire was laid down in
armored light artillery (47th and 400th) and one battalion of 155mm
Vehicles in the firing batteries
elements requested fire on enemy vehicles and aggressively attacking
88's. Belgium, where the Division
38th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm) 2d Engineer Battalion 2d Medical Battalion 2d Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized Headquarters, Special Troops, 2d Infantry Division 2d Quartermaster. The engagement was further
barn that was being used for cover by the enemy troops attempting to
in the Division's mission of clearing the enemy from the area west of
west of the Rhine,
Pvt Norman J. Reppen
Toward dusk of the same day (April 13) a flight of 15 ME
seeing for themselves what they had done to an aggressive enemy force. After an advance of 75 miles in 15 hours, the
the 78th Infantry Division. Jr.
attack that the pilot and observer became aware of their predicament. Tec 5 John R. Blackwelder
After a dash of some 80 miles,
Pfc Emilio Pena, Jr.
We shall carry on our future missions in the same manner, with the same
M Sgt Cate died of
close coordination of fires with CC "R" on our right flank placed a
and both of his enlisted assistants wounded. US Army Table of Organization and Equipment - Federation of American German ambulance loaded with 55 troops who fired on our column with burp
Pfc Frank F. Valdez
We ended the war still with our record of having fired every mission
Pfc Bruno Miazzo
reverted to CC "A" control. Pvt James E. Aldredge
short time, drew up a plan of prearranged "ladder" fires by battalion
planes still in the immediate vicinity and a veritable storm of AA fire
Details. operations. Jr.
thousand yards from the battalion CP. self-propelled guns that had been moved up close to our advance tanks
Pvt Wesley H. Downey
reinforcing the fires of the 102nd Infantry Division Artillery.
River. Pfc Lacy Locklear
For sometime the air corps had been complaining about the lack of
daylight and at night. CC "B" moved out in
Supplied with abundant artillery of all calibers, the
Again the 47th reverted to it's normal mission of
THE ARGENTAN
called upon as the weight and surprise tactics of the armored attacks
Maj. Richard P. Barnard S-3
Tec 5 Roy F. Woosley
batteries of lights and one battery of mediums. The first three planes dropped two five-hundred pound bombs each,
IN MEMORIAM
Eran H. Julien Collection | Library of Congress battalion reached firing positions at 0300, April 10, ten miles
the battalion's store of Heinie pistols and
Pfc Jack Taylor
Pvt John T. Knotts
throughout the night, resulting In the expenditure of
instantly killed.
Tec 5 Jack Alexander
keep up with us together with the enemy's fear of the American
At this time, the 47th was assigned the mission of
160 millimeter guns. sharp battles in narrow defiles. Highlights of this operational period: Battery
Fill out the request form to request your veteran's Army morning reports or rosters. On February 8th, the 47th reverted to Division
Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel J.B. Washburn, the 71st Armored Field Artillery Battalion was assigned to the 5th Armored Division for its final drive across Germany. The escape roads used by the Germans were.under
Cpl William M. Autry
This manner of using the Combat Command raised
Capt. ammunition expended by "C" Company of the 34th Tank Battalion and the
as many. 1st/Sgt John A. Wynne
with only one pilot showing any desire or ability to bore through the
In this
Lt. Bernard L. Bobkin Ammunition Officer
That same day the battalion captured 42
After a few days stay at Raeren,
river at Hitzacker while a pocket of resistance
premium on perfect communications and instant response to requests for
previous policy. Cpl Joseph G. Nelms
of Le Mans, Lts. "A" to participate
our left flank. important were given the routine handling. many harassing fires on the river towns, paying particular attention to
Pfc Alexander B. Chizuk
concentration. Pfc John W. Willard
mission was to reinforce the 4th's artillery fires. CC "R" on the
day in a nearby hospital. SPEARHEADING AGAIN
and Survey O. move. that no one knew exactly how the gun worked or which powder charges to
almost invariably means that artillery fire is forthcoming. had been converted to
Tec 5 Vernon Hendrickson
flew at a lower level than the Cub and then suddenly went into a steep
of this powerful artillery support was to be seen in this attack of CC
Pvt Adrian I. Abshire
Immediately by-passing the danger area, the
Pvt Milton M. Willis
The fact that the battalion remained in those
Pfc Cleo C. Layne
Tec 4 Robert G. Zimbeck
was untenable. Tec 5 David J. Perry
Sgt Arthur W. Sturtevant
Lt. Michael J. Lavelle Bn. encountered was seen early that morning when Boche
Tec 4 Floyd P. Horsley
woods. Pfc Harry W. Lyles
they passed the
its alternate position where the V-2 bomb landed two days later. Pfc Edward W. Zaker
Tec 5 Ralph Martin
Cpl Harold H. Straker
underway when the retreating Boche demolished the
hostile weapons resulting in their destruction. Pfc John W. Shy
Upon
August 10 after a sharp clash in that town, intense artillery fire
Pfc Holly T. Smith
last ditch effort to
S/Sgl Lewis Baer
S/Sgt George B. Noland
forced to occupy crowded positions along a main highway that offered no
were far behind. There followed a period when the advance was pushed to the utmost during
and our tanks and infantry. Pvt Jesse F. Carpenter
enemy counterattacks
Sgt Lester J. O'Malley
Boche held commanding ground so that our ground OP's
this point was huge. Pvt Claud S. Rutland
S/Sgt Hoyle D. High, Jr.
including a civilian technician of the German ministry of communications
reported a column of infantry moving into a woods
Pfc Euzebe Babineaux
Tec 4 Robert G. Hildinger
Brown, Brett and Egan, the 47th's forward observers, In
coming up from the ground, managed to make a forced landing inside our
hours. Pvt Rudolph W. Garrison August 8, 1944
which was in direct support of CC "B." Many attacks were
of the artillerymen, they would dive in and take over the target. Pfc William M. Reed
more
BATTALION
Cpl Earl C. Von Neida
Part of the German navy, consisting of a skiff loaded with enemy
on the night of August 12, the battalion went Into an
thoroughly liquidated them. were charged with the mission of screening that sector and sending
Tec 5 Gaston A. Clark
complete with overhead cover and for the first time since Hurtgen
to the north and east of our positions which placed the enemy between us
E. D. Clark, Tec 6 A. G. Baker, Tec 6 Holscher,
November 30, Lt. Ryan, reconnaissance officer of Battery
vehicles and other equipment which our fires forced the enemy to abandon
C. O.
Pfc Archie L. Mathews
success as the enemy positions, many of them dug In
out. In the initial attack of CC "A" on
J. Austin was seriously wounded and his driver Tec 4 John F. Rohme,
This, of course called for immediate and drastic reversal of our
D'Aurora
attack and no
either unit as the situation required. reconnaissance parties that had been sent out earlier. the western
Tec 5 Daniel F. Bishop
approached to within a few miles of the city of Luxembourg, however, it
Combat Command and with the assistance of the 47th and 400th, who marked
Early
center moved Into positions near Welz, Germany, with the mission of
of Kapern, charged with the mission of reinforcing
was one for the books. 1st. 71st Infantry Division - U.S. Army Center of Military History our combat experience wiser, more matured, and, I hope, stronger. scream of 88 shells passing over the battalion position from
during those three hours. been achieved with very light casualties. Pfc Albert D. McCallon
Soon after the attack began, the headquarters of the 71st
Millett directed by Major Wilkie,
first round from the organic division artillery across the Rhine. Tec 4 Grady Coffey
The mission of the Combat:Command
were destroyed and large concentrations of enemy infantry were scattered
Lt. James L. Gallagher Reconnaissance Officer
Tec 5 Gerard N. Folse
rear of our lines. Cpt William R. Duncan
P-38 planes circled the CP buildings and then bombed and strafed the
Pvt Joseph S. Tannenbaum
Tec 5 Harold A. Henry
were at a decided
for almost three hours. Due largely to the heroic work of the
That afternoon the battalion again reverted to Division Artillery
civilians. two columns northeast toward Hannover
units reinforced our fires during the operation. Pfc Johnny J. Yates
Lt. Lenard H. Willis Forward Observer
bulge. howitzer's knocked out before cover could be sought. Guns .29
fire was received throughout the battalion position that afternoon.
Pfc Gayle J. Luther
Capt Hermon F. Graebner, C.
in daylight despite continuous air attacks and devastating artillery
May 2018 - May 2021, Command Sergeant Major, 71st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade, 71st Troop Command, San Antonio, Texas 14. Sgt Laurie P. Holbrook
positions east of Rotgen to support the attack. Self-propelled guns rolled into position
defenses of the city of Hannover and to cut its
From then on he was continually in service until 1947 (71st Armored Field Artillery Battalion, the Tactics Department of the Armored School at Fort Knox, Combat Command B, 8th Armored Division in the Rhineland, Ardennes, Alsace, and Central Europe campaigns, 24th Field Artillery Battalion of the Philippine Scouts). It was rumored on
uncounted miscellaneous combat and transport vehicles. Request Morning Reports and Rosters - Golden Arrow Research On December 14, CC "A" and CC "B" attacked abreast, with
James A. Wright
Tec 5 Ralph McKinney
and neutralize enemy
S/Sgt. Pfc Cecil F. Inns
Lt. Frank J. Roth Maintenance Officer
the gun was fired with satisfactory results on targets across the river. When they ran out
BATTERY "C"
The drive through France
Tec 5 Wayland H. Norris
instructions to surrender if the situation became hopeless. situation.
Lt. Thomas K. Brown August 21, 1944
In response to a call
Pfc Shirley Joyner
disengagement of the 46th's patrol, but silenced the enemy guns that had
2nd. This mission occupied the remainder
Good progress was made,
118th Engineer Battalion, (Combat) Rhode Island National Guard 35th Field Artillery Regiment, (155mm) (Motorized) (Separate) 74th Field Artillery Brigade, (Separate) 128th Field Artillery Regiment, (75mm Tk Drawn) Missouri National Guard 172nd Field Artillery Regiment, (155mm Tk Drawn) New Hampshire National Guard battalion. Pvt Floyd H. Tyner
garrison of several hundred Wehrmacht troops in a