Military History

EUCMH (real live) is Moving !!!!

Snafu — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 08:05:35 PDT

B-17 Bomber Year & Serial (1942)

Snafu — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:19:10 PDT

(working on this) —- Douglas-Long Beach B-17F-1-DL Fortress 42-2964 delivered to Wright Field for test purposes Jan 7 1942, crashed at Frostburg, Maryland Nov 21 1943, crew baled out OK (Caused by poor weather and a shortage of gas) 42-2965 delivered to Wright Field Jul 20 1942, sustained a landing accident at Walla Walla Aug 5 1942, repaired. WO Sep 9 1944 42-2966 assigned to the 303rd BG, 360th BS at Bangor Sep 18 1942 transferred to Molesworth Oct 28 1942 transferred to Combat Crew Replacement Center at Bovington as a trainer Jul 4 1943. Salvaged in the UK after the war, date not in record Douglas-Long Beach B-17F-1-DL Fortress 42-2967 303rd BG, 360th BS, “Shak Hak”) lost Feb 16 1943 MACR 15116 42-2968 delivered to West Palm Beach Dec 1 1942, assigned to 12-AAF, 97th BG, 342nd BS at Tafaraoui on Feb 17 1943, transferred to Biskra Dec 25...

EUCMH’ Emails and Newsletters 2013

Snafu — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 19:48:01 PDT

Please read this important message : Being in the process of securing the website of the European Center of Military History as well avoiding the sending of emails and newsletters to people not involved into the activities of the EUCMH, I have erased all the email addresses registered in the system on April 10 2013. Improving the site and all the different activities related to the site I am asking you to insert your email and add it to the new system (left sidebar under the EUCMH Logo or bellow) if you want to be enlisted to the monthly alert messages sent out to the members on Special Publications, Militaria Items Sales or Special Requests. Thank You EUCMH Mail & Newsletter Center Your Email :

A Soldier called Bill Maudlin, the Father of Willie & Joe

Snafu — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 08:35:39 PDT

Prof. Robert Humphrey, 5013 Mendocino, Com Studies (Internship Coordinator) (PH : 278-7895 – Fax : 916-278-7216) tells us about another American hero : Bill Mauldin Bill Mauldin stamp honors grunt’s hero. The post office gets a lot of criticism. Always has, always will. And with the renewed push to get rid of Saturday mail delivery, expect complaints to intensify. But the United States Postal Service deserves a standing ovation for something that happened last month : Bill Mauldin got his own postage stamp. Mauldin died at age 81 in the early days of 2003. The end of his life had been rugged. He had been scalded in a bathtub, which led to terrible injuries and infections; Alzheimer’s disease was inflicting its cruelties. Unable to care for himself after the scalding, he became a resident of a California nursing home, his health and spirits in rapid decline. He was not forgotten,...

81st Chemical Battalion (Motorized) – ETO – 1944-1945

Snafu — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 06:09:21 PDT

(under work) To give a thorough account of the accomplishments of the Eighty-First Chemical Mortar Battalion (81-CMB) would take thousands of pages. To detail the heroic deeds and meritorious service of the gallant officers and men of the Eighty-First would take more thousands of pages. A booklet the size of this could be written about each enlisted man and each officer. It is believed the history is concise, yet shows the battalion to have lived up to its motto, “Equal To The Task.” Jack W. Lipphardt Lt Col, CWS Commanding I. Activation and Basic Training The story of the 81-CMB does not start back in the trusty annals of early American history. Insofar as antiquity and tradition are concerned, it is conspicuously new, but the few years since its activation have been packed with accomplishment, heroism, and battle experience in keeping with the highest traditions of any unit in the...

1940 : French Armored Equipment & Vehicles (50 Pix)

Snafu — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 04:18:34 PDT

The Council of Four in Versailles, 1919 : David Lloyd George of Britain, Vittorio Emanuele Orlando of Italy, Georges Clemenceau of France and Woodrow Wilson of the United States of America The looming threat of Nazi Germany was confronted at the Munich Conference of 1938. France abandoned its military ally Czechoslovakia, and with Great Britain, appeased the Germans by giving in to their demands. Intensive rearmament programs began in 1936 and were redoubled in 1938, but they would only bear fruit in 1939 and 1940. Historians have debated two themes regarding the unexpected, sudden collapse of France in 1940. The first emphasizes the long run, highlighting failures, internal dissension, and a sense of malaise. The second theme blames the poor military planning by the French High Command. According to the British historian Julian Jackson, the Dyle Plan conceived by French General Maurice Gamelin was destined for failure since it drastically...

B-17 Bomber Year & Serial (1941)

Snafu — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 08:43:38 PDT

B-17G Specifications First flight : July 28, 1935 (prototype) Model number : 299 Classification : Bomber Span : 103 feet 9 inches Length : 74 feet 9 inches Gross weight : 65,000 pounds Top speed : 287 mph Cruising speed : 150 mph Range (max.) : 3,750 miles Ceiling : 35,600 feet Power : Four 1200-horsepower Wright R-1820-97 engines Accommodation : 2 pilots, bombardier, radio-operator, 5 gunners Armament : 11 to 13 machine guns, 9,600-pound bomb load 1941 41-2393 wrecked at Newfoundland APT Jan 9, 1942 in collision with snowbank 41-2394 to RFC at Albuquerque Jun 25, 1945 41-2395 condemned Jan 19, 1942 and surveyed Oct 12, 1942 41-2396 condemned Jul 15, 1944 41-2397 condemned Oct 31, 1944 41-2398 to RFC at Altus Oct 9, 1945 41-2399 to RFC at Stillwater Sep 19, 1945 41-2400 to reclamation at Burbank, CA Mar 20, 1946 41-2401 converted to XB-38-VE with Allison V-1710...

B-17 Bomber Year & Serial (1940)

Snafu — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:56:01 PDT

The B-17 went through several alterations in each of its design stages and variants. Of the 13 YB-17s ordered for service testing, 12 were used by the 2nd Bomb Group of Langley Field, Virginia, to develop heavy bombing techniques, and the 13th was used for flight testing at the Material Division at Wright Field, Ohio. Experiments on this aircraft led to the use of a turbo-supercharger which would become standard on the B-17 line. A 14th aircraft, the YB-17A, originally destined for ground testing only and upgraded with the turbocharger, was re-designated B-17A after testing had finished. As the production line developed, Boeing engineers continued to improve upon the basic design. To enhance performance at slower speeds, the B-17B was altered to include larger rudder and flaps. The B-17C changed from three bulged, oval shaped machine gun blisters to two flush, oval-shaped machine gun window openings and a single “bathtub”...

Books you have to read if you didn’t already

Snafu — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 10:03:10 PDT

Defining Moment at Witzfeld A new book by James Daniel Edwards the son of James Douglas Edwards, a wartime 2nd Infantry Division Military Police Platoon member, which was involved in the Battle at Wirtzfeld (Belgium), a important crossroads which allowed elements of the 2nd Infantry Division, 99th Infantry Division, 9th Infantry Division and stragglers from several other units facing the 12. SS Panzerdivision to withdraw for a couple of kilometers, makes a turn north and create the Ridge at Elsenborn Camp. This action allowed also the Medical Evacuation of the casualties from December 16-17-18 to the rear and saved 100′s of lives. EC. 16, 1944 : All hell broke loose! With lightning speed and savage fury, von Rundstedt’s forces rolled forward on the heels of a pulverizing artillery barrage. Using tanks and infantry in battalion spearheads, the fanatic Wehrmacht hurled its full force against the entire arc of the 99th...

AAF Stations (Mediterranean Theater) May 1945

Snafu — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 18:11:37 PST

Army Air Forces Mediterranean Theater Station List – 1 May 1945 Algiers, Algeria 56 Army Airways Communications System Group – Hq (AAF ATC) Amendola, Italy 2 Bombardment Group (Heavy) – Hq (5 BW) 13 Weather Squadron – Det (AAF MTO) 20 Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) [2 Bomb Gp] (5 BW) 21 Engineer Aviation Regiment – I Co (AAFEC MTO) 49 Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) [2 Bomb Gp] (5 BW) 50 Air Service Squadron [37 Air Service Gp] (XV AFSC) 96 Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) [2 Bomb Gp] (5 BW) 97 Bombardment Group (Heavy) – Hq (5 BW) 339 Air Service Squadron [62 Air Service Gp] (XV AFSC) 340 Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) [97 Bomb Gp] (5 BW) 341 Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) [97 Bomb Gp] (5 BW) 342 Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) [97 Bomb Gp] (5 BW) 414 Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) [97 Bomb Gp] (5 BW) 429 Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) [2 Bomb Gp] (5 BW) 1674...

War Photos Walk – Sicily & Italy Sectors

Snafu — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 04:43:27 PST

Maj Gen Terry de la Mesa Allen (left) commander of the 1st Infantry Division, studies a map with the man who became his nemesis, Lt Gen Omar N. Bradley, commander of the US II Corps. Censors have inked out a landmark between the two to avoid pinpointing their location in Sicily Allied troops boarding assault craft in the North African port of Bizerte, Tunisia, en route to Sicily for Operation Husky in July 1943 Gen Dwight D. Eisenhower (left) and Gen George C. Marshall during a meeting in Algiers (September 1943) Vice Adm H. Kent Hewitt (right), who commanded American Naval Forces during the invasions of Morocco, Sicily, and Salerno, on the deck of his flagship with the war correspondent Quentin Reynolds Brig Gen Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., assistant commander of the 1st Infantry Division during the invasion of Sicily, shown here with his jeep in January 1944. An admirer described...

American Tanks & Armors Photos WW-2

Snafu — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 08:30:34 PST

Knocked-out US Medium Tanks. During the last few days of December 1944 the main effort in Third Army zone was concentrated in the vicinity of Bastogne, while the situation in the rest of the army area remained static. Armored and infantry attacks achieved small gains during which many German counterattacks were made. Echternach was re-entered on 29 December and all enemy forces south of the Sauer River were cleared. The armored divisions continued to advance. One, in repulsing several counterattacks, suffered heavy casualties. On 3 January 1945 the last German attack was made on Bastogne. It was unsuccessful. A crew member of a 90 MM gun motor carriage M-36 throwing paint on the boogie wheels after painting the vehicle. Tanks, vehicles, and guns were camouflaged with white paint. US Light Tanks which were captured by the enemy during the Battle of the Bulge. Some of the more serious US losses...

90-ID, After Action Report, July 1944, Normandy

Snafu — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 21:13:39 PST

At the close of June 1944, VIII Corps occupied a general East-West line across the base of the Cotentin Peninsula, blocking to the south while VII Corps, the main Army effort, completed reduction of the Cherbourg area. The 90-ID, attached to VIII Corps, held the left of the Corps Sector with its positions generally as follows : (a) 359-IR on the right, extended from its contact point with the 82-ABD just short of Prétot (Prétot Ste Suzanne) (b) 358-IR, on the left, extended from its contact point with the 359-IR to Baupte where contact was maintained with the 83-ID (c) 357-IR, having been relieved by the 79-ID on the Corps right (Portbail – St Sauveur le Vicomte), was assembled vicinity Picauville as Division Reserve (d) Division CP was located at Beuzeville la Bastille The Cherbourg Campaign was nearly at an end. Cherbourg itself had fallen and the 4-ID and 9-ID...

90-ID, After Action Report, June 1944 – Normandy

Snafu — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 04:48:47 PST

Headquarters 90th Infantry Division After Action Report Introduction As of June 1 1944, the 90-ID was disposed in marshaling areas as follows : the main body of the Division was stationed in the XXIX District, Western Base Section, located generally north and east of the cities of Cardiff and Newport, Wales. The Division’s residual elements were located at Bournemouth, England while Group A (composed of foot elements of the 1st and 3rd battalions 359-IR and 40 vehicles) was located at Camp Syon Abbey in Devonshire, England, and attached to the 4-ID. The 358-IR was stationed at Camp Llangattock, Wales; the RCT 9 (-) and the 90-Rcn Troop at Camp Court-Y-Gollen, Wales; the RCT 7, 344-FAB, B Co 315-MB, B Co 315-ECB at Camp Chepstow, Wales; and Division Headquarters, Division Artillery Headquarters, 345-FAB, Special Troops at Heath Camp, Cardiff, Wales; and 315-ECB and 315-MB (less 3 Companies) also at Heath Camp....

561st Field Artillery Battalion, Battle of the Bulge

Snafu — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 14:32:28 PST

Combat History – 561st Field Artillery Battalion Dec 17, 1944 : Defying the murky skies, the tiny liaison plane circled low as Lt David E. Runden dropped a note in the battalion area. German tanks are in Setz (BE), heading our way, the message read. The Battle of the Bulge was on ! Marshalling his crack troops for a last, all-out offensive, Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt wheeled his Panzers west in a surprise move that was designed to split open the Allied forces, drive through to Liège (BE) and on to Antwerp (BE). The 561st Field Artillery Battalion was backing up the 106th Infantry Division at the exact spot where von Rundstedt chose to break through the line. C Battery, dug in atop a hill, poured direct fire on German tanks in the valley below. Lower and lower the tubes were depressed. Gun crews were forced to dig away...

10-AD, 419-AFAB, After Action Report, May 1945

Snafu — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 03:36:39 PST

After Action Report, 419th Armd FA Bn 10th Armored Division – Period May 1945 To : Commanding General, 10th Armd Div., APO 260, US Army Personnel a. Total effective strength (1) Beginning of period : 30 Officers, 2 WO, 474 EM (2) End of period : 32 Officers, 2 WO, 484 EM b. Casualties during action (1) Killed : None (2) Wounded : None (3) Missing : None c. Reinforcement received : Four (4) Enlisted Men d. Returnees : Two (2) Officers and Five (5) Enlisted Men Enemy a. Identification of enemy 1-10 May 1945 : Bn in assembly area at Partenkirchen (GER). Not in contact with enemy. b. Summary of enemy activities 1-10 May 1945 : No enemy activity during this period. c. Enemy losses : None Our operations 1-8 May 1945, Bn performed rigorous maintenance, and worked continually toward cleaning up personnel and equipment, 9 May 1945, Bn...

10-AD, 419-AFAB, After Action Report, April 1945

Snafu — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 00:54:28 PST

Headquarters 419th Armored Field Artillery Bn 10th Armored Division After Action Report Period April 1945 Personnel a. Total effective strength (1) Beginning of period: 34 Officers, 2 WO, 472 EM (2) End of period : 30 Officers, 2 WO, 474 EM b. Casualties during action (1) Killed : Six (6) Enlisted Men (2) Wounded : Eighteen (18) Enlisted Men, and Three (3) Officers (3) Missing : One (1) Enlisted Man c. Reinforcement received : Twenty eight (28) Enlisted Men d. Returnees Five (5) Enlisted Men Enemy a. Identification of enemy 1 April 1945 : Bn in Position vicinity Gaiberg. Units in contact, Elements 17. SS-Panzergrenadier Division – 2 April 1945 : 419-AFAB in position at Bargan. No new changes – 3-5 April 1945 : 419-AFAB in position at Biberach. No new identifications – 6 April 1945 : 419 in position at Assamstadt. No new identifications – 7 April 1945 :...

10-AD, 419-AFAB, After Action Report, March 1945

Snafu — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:51:56 PST

After Action Report, 419th Armored Field Artillery Bn 10th Armored Division – Period March 1945 To : Commanding General, 10th Armd Div, APO 260, US Army Personnel a. Total effective strength (1) Beginning of period : 33 Officers, 2 WO, 475 EM (2) End of period : 34 Officers, 2 WO, 472 EM b. Casualties during action (1) Killed : One (1) Enlisted Man (2) Wounded : Three (3) Enlisted Men (3) Missing : None Reinforcement received : One (1) Officer and Eight (8) EM Enemy a. Identification of enemy (1) 1-3 March 1945 : 419-AFAB was in position at Franzenheim (GER). The 419 was in contact with the enemy during this period. Units in contact : 410. Volksartilleriekorps, Volkstrum Trier – 2) 4-9 March 1945 : The 419-AFAB bivouaced at Nans, Germany. Units in contact : 256. Volksgrenadierdivision, 212. Grenadierdivision, Miscellaneous Kampgruppen and Volkstrum of practically negligible strength –...

10-AD, 419-AFAB, After Action Report, February 1945

Snafu — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 05:36:50 PST

After Action Report, 419th Armored Field Artillery Bn 10th Armored Division – Period February 1945 TO : Commanding General, 10th Armd Div., APO 260, US Army Personnel a. Total effective strength (1) Beginning of period : 33 Officers, 2 WO, 488 EM (2) End of period : 33 Officers, 2 WO, 475 EM b. Casualties during action (1) Killed : One (1) Enlisted Man (2) Wounded : One (1) Officers – Ten (10) Enlisted Men (3) Missing : None Reinforcement received : One (1) Officer and One (1) EM Enemy a. Identification of enemy (1) 1-10 Feb 1945, 419-AFAB was at Merlebach (GER). The 419-AFAB was in contact with the enemy during the period in a holding position. Units in contact : 347. Volksgrenadierdivision, Kampfgruppe Wagner, 861. Volksgrenadierregiment, Alarm Co 347. Infanteriebattalion – (2) 10-19 Feb 1945, 419-AFAB was at Metz (FR) as SHAEF Reserve. Not in contact with enemy...

10-AD, 419-AFAB, After Action Report, January 1945

Snafu — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 09:18:39 PST

Subject : After Action Report, 419th Armored Field Artillery Battalion 10th Armored Division, APO 260, US ARMY To : Commanding General, 10th Armd Div., APO 260, US Army Personnel a. Total effective strength (1) Beginning of period : 33 Officers, 2 WO, 485 EM (2) End of period : 33 Officers, 2 WO, 488 EM b. Casualties during action (1) Killed : None (2) Wounded : None (3) Missing : None Replacements received : 7 EM Enemy a. Identification of enemy (1) 1-17 Jan 45 : 419-AFAB was at Metz (FR), in rest camp. Not in contact with the enemy – (2) 17-18 Jan 45 : 419-AFAB bivouacked in Donnelay (FR). Not in contact with enemy units – (3) 18-31 Jan 45 : Elements of the 314. Infanteriedivision (Kampfgruppe Wagner) b. Summary of enemy activities (1) 1-17 Jan 45 : 419-AFAB was at rest camp in Metz (FR). Not in...