After the assault groups had embarked, it was announced that D-Day would be June 5, but later an announcement was flashed that D-Day had been postponed 24 hours due to bad weather off the coast of Normandy. The shield has a field of blue and gold, signifying the colors of the Chemical Warfare Service. II - BATTLE HONORS - 3. The enemy had direct observation on these positions and subjected the company to a severe shelling. [1] Chemical mortar battalions [ This day it traveled 122 miles along the dusty, crowded roads via Moulins, Rambouillet, and Nogent to Limours. An ammunition dump was blown up, scattering small arms ammunition in all directions. Company A supported the Tough Hombres of the 90th Division as they attacked the city from the north. Mexico wasn't many miles away and Ojinaga and Juarez drew many visitors from the 81st in search of Mexican atmosphere. This company left Caumont on July 22 and took up positions at Courmolain, attached to the 50th Field Artillery Battalion, 5th Division, where it fired several missions in the vicinity of La Vacqurie and burned down the town of Bieville, an enemy strong point. WebThis is the unit history of the 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion in World War II. The 19th Field Artillery Battalion, 5th Division, relieved the 33rd Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Division, on July 13 at Caumont, but D Company remained at the hot spot in support of this new unit, which had never been committed. To see the happiness and gratitude in the faces of these people made all the weary weeks of fighting seem suddenly worthwhile. The second round went through the hole in the roof made by the previous shell, and exploded inside! 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. The Silver Star for gallantry in action on D-Day was awarded during this period to the following named officers and enlisted men:Captain W. Johnson, Bn HqLt Christopher H. Costello, D CompanyT/4 Charles R. Dykens, A CompanyCpl Raymond D. Little, A CompanyPFC Hoyt D. Anderson, A CompanyT/5 Kenneth L. White, Med Det. Private. Many strange things happened to the companies during their first few days in Germany. [1] Chemical mortar battalions [ Heavy seas had caused much of the companys equipment to sink to the bottom of the English Channel, though a handful of intrepid soldiers had done what they could to recover some of it. Russell, Texas, pursuant to GO #39, 14 April 1942, Hq Third Army, San Antonio, Texas, and War Department letter, 25 March 1942. Chemical mortars are so named because of their capability of firing not only high explosive, but also chemical, gas, incendiary and smoke marker shells. The following day, PFC Robert Hoerter was seriously wounded and T/5 Leonard Topley and Pvt George Jelush were wounded slightly on Purple Heart Hill. Just 45 minutes from Broadway, and not a thing could be done about it! In clearing the enemy from the beachhead, the companies expended a total of 6,807 rounds of ammunition. From September 13 to 19, D Company remained in position on the Siegfried Line, firing night and day in support of the battered 28th. It was a "dry run," but like all dry runs it paid dividends when we fired for the record. The battalion departed from this station on June 9-10, 1943. After the brief respite, the company resumed its advance, until it reached Chemnitz on April 16. Few will forget the obstacle course; but then also memorable were the swimming parties at Balmorhea and the company beer parties. Counterattacks were heavy, fierce, and numerous in the sectors of all companies between the date of June 14 and July 26. In late April 1944, the 81st was attached to the 1st Infantry Division. The battalion rear echelon rolled through Paris on September 1, northeast towards Soissons, making stops at Longperrier, Ermemonville, and Haramont. worldwartwoveterans@gmail.com. In view of the successful initial penetration, the enemy expected a major breakthrough attempt and so threw many fierce counterattacks, massed many big guns, and threw terrific artillery concentrations at the attacking Americans. The mortars of this battalion pounded the hill and adjacent environs with a total of 4,832 rounds. Near Rossingnel, on September 9, the company fired on an enemy troop column, inflicting many casualties and causing it to take off for the woods. 81st chemical mortar battalion. On August 13, 1943, D Company was detached from the battalion for overseas duty. Its rate of fire was 40 rounds in the first two minutes, 100 rounds in the first 20 minutes and thereafter a sustained rate of 80 rounds per hour. For his leadership and gallantry in action, Lt Panas was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. No support was obtainable from the artillery on this operation because of the nature of the terrain. Lo, just to C Companys right flank. Columns of prisoners miles long, men marching three and four abreast, came in from all directions out of "Death Valley." 40, Headquarters 1st Infantry Division, 17 July 1944, as approved by the Commanding General, United States Army forces in the European Theater of Operations, is confirmed under the provisions of Section IV, Circular No. This was also the battalion's first experience with C and K rations, and actually we thought they were good. Originally published in the October 2006 issue of World War II. Lo road, during July 24. While attached to the 10th Infantry, 5th Division, on July 30, the company silenced a machine gun near Coutu and helped to break up an enemy counterattack, which was severely punishing and driving back our infantry. The mortars were called on more and more as the infantry learned of their accuracy and effectiveness. They arrived at the town of Pont d'Greene and found they were the first Americans there. 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 story of the 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion does not start back in the trusty annals of early American history. Enemy artillery fire was heavy during the day and the infantry suffered heavy casualties. Chemical shells were on standby during World War II, to be used in retaliation should the enemy employ chemical weapons first. Lo, was begun by the 2nd Division on the 11th of July. On May 2, the company crossed the Enns River. It was necessary to wade the creek and hand-carry all equipment. It was here that the phrase, "Who is harassing whom," was born. Panas then moved the company to a firing position on the bluffs above the beach. 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.
The attack lasted two days, with the fanatic resistance ending on June 14. Underwater and beach obstacles were encountered as the landing craft approached the shore and in the advance from the landing craft to the beach. Washington, D.C: Office of the Chief of Military History, United States Army, 1966. the smaller 81mm mortar as standard issue for chemical battalions. On the Fourth of July, at exactly 1200 hours, all companies fired one round from each gun as a part of the great "Independence Day Shoot" along the whole front. On May 6, 1943, the 81st arrived at Camp Gordon Johnston, Carrabelle, Florida, for participation in amphibious commando and physical training. They were armed with 4.2-inch (107 mm) chemical mortars. The great amount of breakage of motor parts did not seriously interfere with the firing, because of the rapidity of repair and replacement of these needed parts by headquarters service personnel. C Company bivouacked in an abandoned race track and many of the men were allowed to spend the evening in the city. Those that saw the town afterward will bear witness that the job was thoroughly done. The attack on Schicklgruber village with live ammunition furnished plenty of excitement and firsthand experience in street fighting and battle sounds. These variations were caused by the stresses and strains on the barrels and the rest of firing mechanisms that were being imposed by different firing conditions.
A concentration of HE completely neutralized the installation. During this short breathing spell, August 5 to 12, a thorough inspection of all equipment was accomplished, repairs made, and replacement parts obtained. III, Bull. Steady streams of POWs could be seen coming in, but resistance was still fierce. Near St. Martin Don, the companies assembled on August 5 and 6 in a battalion assembly area after having been relieved by V Corps.
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Gallantry in action, Lt Panas was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross town utterly destroyed by artillery Mortar. Station on June 17, was a great loss the War James was evacuated to England later day...Part of the battalion had an opportunity to see the havoc of the blitz in Liverpool. The Chemical Warfare Service: Chemicals in Combat. (2) The Frankel, Braswell, Christiansen, and Gibbs groupings (1941 to 1945) of the 81st Chemical Battalion (Motorized) collection, found in the U.S. Army Chemical School historical archives, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, are the sources of this article. Page of 2. By March 16, the attack was moving with regularity again, and the German retreat turned to a rout, causing Company A to move several times a day to keep pace. [1] Chemical mortar battalions [ This was a long high ridge, held by the Germans, which blocked the allied advance along the all-important St. Lo-Bayeux highway. They were armed with 4.2-inch (107 mm) chemical mortars. 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. On this date, the assault echelon was broken up and attached to two combat teams the 16th and 116th.
The night of September 3 was an active one for B Company. At 0350 hours on November 14, Company A crossed the Moselle River and proceeded to Valmestroff, enduring heavy fire and suffering several casualties. At the invitation of the Belgian civilians most of the company spent the night in houses where entertainment was provided in honor of the first American troops to enter the town. 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. The Eighty-first 81st chemical mortar battalion Unit History . One of these movements involved a hand-carry of all equipment across a waist-deep, muddy marsh under fire. Col. James gave what later proved to be his last talk to us, expressing complete confidence in our ability to live up to the words "Equal to the Task.". The glare of the fire was seen miles away in Luxembourg by the company on returning from a trip to the company rear. Crap games started everywhere. The move to this assembly area represented an advance of 60 kilometers. Fuel was brought forward by a 700-mile pipeline, then trucked and flown by C-47s to the forward area. The Vire River was crossed. The Stokes mortar could fire twenty shells per minute and had a range of 1,100 yards (1,006 m) and in this way was capable of overwhelming enemy trenches. A smoke screen was laid for the initial advance, supporting screens furnished throughout the day, and harassing missions fired at enemy OPs and mortar positions. The long hard pulls, and hand-carrying the mortars up those steep mountains, taxed the energy of everybody, but a different method of moving equipment was learned. There was nothing left for the Germans to do except surrender or die.
The long, slow, bloody battle of the hedgerows, which finally brought the infantry to Hill 192 and St. By March 1945, the drive for the Rhine was underway, and Company A moved on the 12th to an area five miles east of Saarburg to support the 80th Division. About this time, the Stars and Stripes announced the units which had been awarded the Presidential (Unit) Citation by reason of their extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty in action. 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. 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. Two days later, however, the company suffered its hardest day. The companies pulled out of the line, feeling a bit guilty about leaving those battered dough boys still in there, and proceeded to the battalion assembly area near Bastogne. At 2200 hours the company moved northwest along a sea wall 800 yards inland through les Moulins to St. Laurent-sur-Mer, arriving at 2400 hours. staging area at Camp Shanks, New York. On D plus 3 the attachment was changed to the 2nd Division. Web81st Chemical Mortar Bn "The 81st Battalion was the chemical unit most adequately prepared for the D-day operation." Many men were hit and PFC Kelly later died of wounds received at this time. The 4th Division, to which A Company was attached, was facing a comparatively weak section of the Siegfried Line only two kilometers in depth. During this period, the company knocked out a machine gun nest and destroyed an enemy OP in a church tower, which an air mission was unable to accomplish. The dry runs were over; this was the record shoot, testing whether a free people could hope to meet and vanquish the regimented power of a brutal dictatorship. The history was edited, annotated, and illustrated by Master Sergeant Walt Cross, U.S. Army Retired. Returned to the United States in September, 1945. via the New York. Washington, D.C: Office of the Chief of Military History, United States Army, 1966. Departed the New York Port October 21, 1943 and arrived in England November 2, 1943. In gasoline alone, allied armies were consuming over one million gallons daily. 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. 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. The 81st Chemical Battalion (Motorized), later designated the 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion, was activated on April 24, 1942, as one of the small specialized groups being raised quickly to fill gaps in the burgeoning U.S. Army. The ship wasn't long at sea before boat drills were started. The wave containing C Company's LCVPs bore in towards the beach on schedule, but since the infantry was still pinned down within a few yards of water, the control boat moved them back to sea where they rendezvoused. It is believed that this was the first American heavy weapons fired in Germany, since the infantry 81s had not been set up yet, and the artillery was across the valley still in Luxembourg. On the 16th of September, Major Jack W. Lipphardt, who had assumed command of the battalion on D-Day when Lt Col Thomas H. James had been seriously wounded and evacuated, received his promotion to Lt Col by orders from First Army. B Company had an unfortunate incident occur while attached to the 38th Infantry, 2nd Division. A more detailed book of this units history is available in electronic form. WebFind 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion unit information, patches, operation history, veteran photos and more on TogetherWeServed.com. WebU. Those were the last rounds fired from Company As 4.2- inch mortars during the war. Between June and October small groups were assigned until October 17 when Mississippi descended on us. The next day, its 4.2-inch mortars joined with those of Company B in shelling the Siegfried Line, as 4th Division GIs made their first assaults on that formidable defensive belt. Print.. Motto: Equal To The Task Pvt Domenic Sanna of D Company was killed on June 18 when two jeeps carrying up the companys first batch of mail and a load of ammunition took a wrong turn and ran into a strong enemy party. 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. At 0430 hours on June 6, all companies of the battalion were off-loaded onto LCVPs 15 miles from their designated landing beaches. It is significant that despite these harassing incidents, the company fired a smoke mission screening the next town. First Army orders were received on June 17 which listed the 81st Chemical Battalion as one of the units eligible for unit citation for extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty in the initial landing on the coast of France. CAMPAIGN PARTICIPATION CREDIT:Normandy (with arrowhead) Northern France Rhineland Ardennes-Alsace Central Europe, DECORATIONS:Distinguished Unit Citation (Unit cited for period 6-18 June 1944 per WD GO 73-1944). Many observers rave about their "dream shots." The 81st Chemical Battalion (Motorized) was activated by GO #22, 25 April 1942, Hq Fort D.A. 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. Company A at this time was in an assembly area near Argentan, and C Company had their mortars set up south of Chambois. The total number of rounds expended while with the First Army was 36,360. Over-enthusiastic celebrants hurled fruit and flowers at the passing column, and many times ripe tomatoes and hard pears and apples left marks on a man. 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. The firing continued unabated. For its ship-to-shore operation the battalion did an excellent job. WebConstituted 12 March 1942 in the Army of the United States as Company C, 81st Chemical Battalion. During this engagement, the popular Lt Mann was killed, Roach and Jones captured, and Harris luckily managed to escape. Then the 2nd French Armored Division, under General Le Clerc, and the 4th U.S. Infantry Division reached Paris on August 25. All the German equipment lay scattered in the fields and roads. 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." Union Cemetery. Today, they are seasoned veterans, proven in battle, equal to any combat soldiers in the Army. Panas then moved the company to a firing position on the bluffs above the beach. Cook of Headquarters Detachment and seriously wounding Col. James. When the infantry broke through later in the day, those positions were moved 500 yards from the beach to a spot near a tank trap, where the men came under a heavy barrage. Many English friends were made, and two men asked for and received permission to marry English girls. Later that day, an open gun emplacement was knocked out, an anti-tank gun silenced, and a troop concentration broken up with many casualties to the enemy. On the 27th of July, A Company entered Saint-Jean-des-Baisants, a town utterly destroyed by artillery and mortar shells. The companies landed in the following order: Companies A & D: H plus 50 minutes Company B: H plus 90 minutes Company C: H plus 9 hours. The advance continued. WWII Commands: 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion, DESIGNATION: Company A, 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion. However, despite the intensive training program carried out by the battalion during this period, all personnel had sufficient time for recreation. The battalion departed from this station on June 9-10, 1943. Other advantages chemical mortars offered compared to full-sized artillery pieces were their maneuverability, along with easy assembly, disassembly and reassembly. Several casualties were suffered when mortar shells landed in A Company's position. Probably the most courageous, and certainly the most decorated individual in the battalion, was Captain James P. Panas, Company A commander. This seemed to afford quite a bit of amusement to the natives. By the time he finished, the guns were close to firing on a back azimuth. The program was vigorous, hazardous and exciting, and several fell by the wayside due to the rapid pace and constant exertion under the hot, tropical Florida sun. worldwartwoveterans@gmail.com. The LCT of the forward battalion command group was heavily shelled as it approached the shore. 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. Food set out ready for a meal and line of mess kits lying on the ground, indicated a hasty departure. The "Fighting First," supported by the 4.2s and other weapons, managed to beat Jerry off, despite the terrible shelling. Captain Panas often talked about his, which occurred while registering on a typical red-roofed Normandy farmhouse, on the south side of St. The constant zigzagging of the course of the ship was difficult to become accustomed to at first, and a few cases of seasickness resulted. They were armed with 4.2-inch (107 mm) chemical mortars. It was good to see the old battlewagon, the Texas, and off on the horizon various cruisers, destroyers, and destroyer escorts. The company passed through towns made important by battles of the last war, but which were taken in just a few days this time. Despite an extremely heavy sea and the continual harassing fire from enemy machine guns and other direct-fire weapons, all personnel and equipment were safely transferred to an empty LCT. C Company alone pumped out 3,195 rounds in 14 hours and Company A fired more than 500 rounds. Contact Us. 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. For this reason they were also called the "Four-deucers". On the afternoon of June 5, one by one the craft slipped out from Weymouth harbor to assemble with similar groups somewhere in the Channel. During this period, the companies had an opportunity to enjoy a few days' rest, the first they had had since D-Day. Col. James was evacuated to England later that day in a hospital ship. Parisian women were strikingly beautiful with their colorful clothing, high hairdos, and gaiety. On the following day, Lt Robert Wuller, forward observer, rescued a wounded infantryman in spite of heavy enemy fire, for which he was later awarded the Silver Star. The party managed to get out of town, firing as they did so, definitely killing one German and wounding several others, but encountered two enemy tanks blocking the road at a sharp curve. In May, approximately 75 men joined the battalion, coming from all over the country, and on June 9 approximately 250 men came from Fort Dix. Lt. Col. Thomas H. James, CWS, was assigned to the battalion as battalion commander. What a decision to rest on the shoulders of one man! 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. On the 28th of July, another honor came to D Company when S/Sgt Loren E. Weaver received a battlefield commission as second lieutenant. 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. All companies participated in the AA firing at Newquay with the .50 cal. Served in the Army of Occupation of Germany fromMay 2 August 14, 1945. On the outskirts of the City of Light, the companies were again split up, and after crossing the Seine, Company A moved on to Germany. Closely coordinating with the artillery, the company furnished very close support to the infantry. Reorganized and redesignated 22 February 1945 as Company C, 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion. 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 United States Army. During that operation, Company A remained in Saarlauten. If you served in 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion, Join TWS for free to reconnect with service friends. Sort By. Shortly thereafter, the entire battalion was transferred to Lt. Gen. George S. Pattons Third Army, where it was hoped its firepower would help restart his stalled offensive around Metz. WebThe 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. We finally had our guns! A huge crowd welcomed them to the city, but as usual the column did not tarry long. C Company began firing at 0540 hours and fired almost continuously throughout the day. To D Company, the name "88 alley" has a particular significance. It was at Camp Pickett that the battalion fired its first rounds of HE and everyone was more than pleased with the wallop it packed. The death of these men, all well liked in the company, was a great loss. Company A crossed the Seine over the Austerlitz Bridge on August 27 on its way to Germany. The following day, it fired onto the shore of the Danube in support of an infantry crossing. Redesignated 28 June 1951 as the 46th Chemical Smoke Generator Company and allotted to the Regular Army. D Company had an opportunity to learn the effect of its firing firsthand on June 17. Company B was attached to combat team "Taylor," which spearheaded the 4th Division drive to the Belgian border. This ended the battalions first 60 days operation against the enemy and comprised the first formal rest period it had enjoyed since D-Day. 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. The great attack on Hill 192, the gateway to St. Page 1. Several casualties were inflicted on the company at this time.