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OPERATION DRAGOON
Southern France - August 1944
In general
The advance screen of the Dragoon Operation was made up of an
airborne division (Rugby Force), which was to drop in the valley of
Argens, near Le Muy and which originally appeared to be ad hoc in
nature. A combined British and US force of some 9732 men, named the 1st
Airborne Task Force, commanded by Major General Robert Frederick, was
made up of elements of the Canadian 1st Special Service Force, the
British 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade with the attached 2nd Mortar
Battalion and the US 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 460th Parachute
Field Artillery Battalion, the anti-tank Company of the 442nd Infantry
Regiment, D Company of the 83rd Mortar Battalion, 551st Parachute
Infantry Battalion, 550th Glider Infantry Battalion, a platoon of the
887th Airborne Engineer Company and Lieutenant Colonel Bill Yarborough’s
battle hardened 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion with the 463rd
Parachute Field Artillery Battalion attached.
The final plan would see the 509th jump at 0415 and land south and
southeast of Le Muy with the objective of capturing the high ground
above the town. The 517th scheduled to jump at 0430 and seize the hills
to the West and North of Le Muy and then block the main roads leading
into Toulon and Draguignan The remained of the force would then land to
block any advance by the German defending forces towards the beachheads.
The landings there were scheduled for 0800.
The second phase required the first echelon of French Groupe Armée B
(Garbo Force) to undertake the reduction of Toulon, followed by
Marseille, after which the 5th US Army Corp would orient toward the
northeast and march on Grenoble in order to cut off a German retreat.
The fall of Toulon was expected on D+20 (4 September) and of Marseille
on D+40. The crossing of the Durance River was forecast for 15th
October, and the final aim, the occupation of the Lyon, Bourg-en-Brese,
Chalon and Vichy areas was envisaged on D+90, or about 15th November
1944.
By 11th July 1944, the various airborne elements had begun to
assemble at various airfields around Rome. Maj. Gen. Frederick had no
staff officers, so the army quickly flew thirty-six officers from the
13th Airborne to join his force at Lido di Roma airfield. In addition
further equipment had to be sourced including cargo chutes, but by 11th
August 1944, preparations were finalized.
General view on the operation ANVIL - DRAGOON
Arrows showing the places where the 463rd PFA landed.
Jump Summary
Date: 15th August 1944
Units: 1st Airborne Task Force Comprising:
517 Parachute Infantry Regiment,
509th Parachute Infantry Battalion,
551st Parachute Infantry Battalion,
460th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion,
463rd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion,
596th Parachute Engineer Company,
550th Glider Infantry Regiment.
Troopers: 5,607
HEADQUARTERS
463rd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion
APO 464
U.S. Army
22 August 1944
SUBJECT: Narrative covering Airborne Operations of this Battalion
TO: Division Artillery Commander, First Airborne Task Force, APO
758, US Army
In the early morning of 15 August 1944 elements of this organization
departed from airdromes in Italy to participate in the lnvasion or
southern France. The elements of this Battalion were divided between the
take-off airdromes, Grosseta and Follonica so that in event of
separation each group could operate as a Battalion in itself.
Consequently, departing from the Grosseta airdrome, comprising a portion
of serial 5 were three (3) plane loads from Headquarters Battery,
Battery 'B" complete, Battery 'C' complete, and two (2) plane loads from
Battery 'D". The Battalion Commander was in command of this group.
Departing from the Follonica airdrome with serial 4 was the remainder of
the Battalion consisting of two (2) plane loads from Headquarters
Battery, Battery "A" complete and four (4) plane loads from Battery 'D'.
The Battalion Executive was in command of this portion of the
organization. The two serials dropped in two different sectors. Serial 5
consisting of twenty-nine (29) plane loads which left from the Grosseta
airdrome was dropped on the peninsula in the vicinity of St. Tropez,
France while serial 4 consisting of twenty (20) plane loads from the
Follonica airdrome dropped remarkably close to the prearranged drop zone
southeast of Le Muy, France. All plane loads of this serial, with only
two exceptions dropped within a radius of 1000 yards of the drop zone,
some of which were only 200 and 300 yards away. Of the two remaining
plane loads one was dropped in the vicinity of St. Raphael, France and
the other in the vicinity of Les Arcs, France. Due to the circumstances
brought out in the above paragraph and in order to give a clear picture
of the operation of the two groups will be described separately.
All twenty-nine (29) plane loads with serial 5 dropping from an
altitude varying from 600 to 1000 feet at 0430 hour on "D-Day" landed in
a rather wide area, the center of which was approximately three (3)
miles south of the town of St. Tropez, France. Due to the fact, that
this area was occupied by several hundred enemy troops, consisting of
two Coastal Batteries, one AA Battery, a garrison located on a
predominate hill in the area, one large outpost garrison located
approximately 500 yards from main garrison on western slope of hill and
numerous smaller outposts consisting of entrenchments and automatic
weapons. There were numerous and separated engagements with the enemy,
however by daylight Major Cooper, (Battalion Commander) though suffering
from a painfully fractured ankle, had, with the assistance of Captain
Moran (S-2), succeeded in assembling the larger part of our troops and
established a CP in a farm house (51.5 -1?) in the area. During the
morning hours this group completed communications within the Battalion
and "B" Battery had three guns in firing positions while "C" Battery
assembled and put into position two guns, and by noon we had
communications with air CP 602 and Navy.
During the morning hours elements of our troops acting as Infantry
attacked the hilltop garrison and Coastal Batteries, inflecting
casualties on the enemy and taking numerous prisoners. Due to the
aggressive action of our troops the enemy was demoralized that the enemy
commander upon contacting our Commanding Officer surrendered the
reminder of his garrison and all material intact. Meanwhile patrols from
"C" and "B" Batteries were attacking the large outpost garrison on slope
of hill. Here the enemy resistance was so determined that our patrols
were forced to call upon Artillery support from "B" Battery. One gun was
pulled up and after five (5) rounds of direct fire, of which three (3)
rounds were direct hits, the enemy ran up the white flag and surrendered
the position intact. Other elements of our troops who had landed nearer
St. Tropez under command of Lt Saunders, (Battery "C"), occupied the
high ground above the town. There, with elements of "B" and "C"
Companies, the 509th Parachute Infantry, they set up a defensive
position. About 0930 hour they contacted a patrol from the 15th Infantry
who agreed to radio a message to Headquarters Airborne Task Force
informing them of our landing on St. Tropez peninsula. Then this group
moved to St. Tropez along with "B" Company, 509th Parachute Infantry.
There they met Major Garrett (Battalion S-3). Here our troops fighting
with Company "B", 509th Parachute Infantry, participated in the capture
of the Citadel and other strong points in town.
Later Major Garrett and this group of our troops reported to our CP
at about 1500 hours. Then Major Garrett and one gun crew from "B"
Battery returned to St. Tropez and from there they proceeded to a
position 1000 yards northwest of the town and brought direct fire upon
an enemy roadblock. This enemy position consisted of two (2) large pill
boxes. This gun, though under extremely heavy machine gun fire succeeded
in obtaining direct hits upon both forts, after which the enemy
surrendered. Another separate actions of our troops is as follows -
During the early morning a patrol from "B" Battery was sent to the beach
in effort to contact amphibious forces. No landing had yet been made and
the patrol started to return to our area. On the way back they contacted
a patrol from "C" Battery and together they attacked a building
containing enemy troops. After killing two of the enemy, the remainder,
approximately ninety (90) surrendered to our patrols.
In the late afternoon of "D-Day" our troops after searching for lost
equipment, sent up outposts and defenses for the night, and by nightfall
we had assembled our prisoners which totaled 240 and marched them into
St. Tropez where they were guarded during the night by our troops
assisted by French Partisan groups.
D+1 at about 1000 hour Major Cooper and our other casualties were
evacuated and Major Garrett assumed command. About 1000 hour our
prisoners guard detail turned over our prisoners to the 3rd Division POW
Collecting Point and the remainder of the day our troops searched for
missing personnel and missing combat and parachute equipment, and having
obtained trucks from VI Corps we moved during the night to rejoin the
remainder of our unit near Le Muy, France.
The remaining portion of the Battalion with serial 4 dropped at 0425
on "D Day" in vicinity of the drop zone southeast of Le Muy, France.
From the standpoint of an Airborne Division the tactical employment of
this group was as previous planned. There was no enemy action
encountered on the drop zone and with the exception of the two scattered
plane loads, the assembly went well. The first radio communications with
outside parties was with Liaison Officer No. 1 at 0800 hours who was
operating with 2d Independent Parachute Brigade. By 0700 hour Battery
"A" had three (3) of their four (4) guns assembled but none were yet
located in the pre-arranged battery position. At 0930 hour the Battalion
CP was established in the vicinity of this position and by 1030 hour the
first gun was moved into position, laid and ready to fire. The second of
these guns came in at 1130 hour and the third which had been employed as
a direct fire weapon up until this time arrived in firing position at
1500 hour. The three (3) guns were registered and two (2) missions fired
in support of the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion at approximately
1730 hour. The fourth gun, parts of which had dropped in a gully of
about seventy-five (75) feet in depth closed into position at 1900
hours.
The assembly of the Headquarters Battery personnel was good and fire
direction was established at approximately 1200 hour. Necessary wire
communications within the Battalion and to the 509th Parachute Infantry
Battalion CP were completed at 1000 hour. Major Seaton, Battalion
Executive made first personal contact with the Commanding Officer of the
509th Parachute Infantry Battalion at approximately 1640 hour.
The assembly of the "D" Battery personnel went off in a good manner and
the men and weapons were tactically placed around the organization for
the necessary local security and anti-aircraft and anti-mechanized
protection.
There was one group of men and Officers which assembled approximately
1000 yards from the drop zone. Lt Whittington (Battery "D") reported in
to the CP from this group and was given instructions to establish a road
block in that vicinity on the road from Le Muy to St. Maxime. This road
block was established immediately.
The Battalion position was maintained throughout the entirety of D +
1, a total of sixty-two (62) rounds was fired, in support of the 509th
Parachute Infantry Battalion for the period of D and D + 1 on the attack
of the town of Le Muy, France and on the morning of D + 2 this group
went into bivouac with the 509th Parachute Infantry in the vicinity of
Le Muy, France.
Taking both groups together in a summary it is to be brought out that by
the end of "D Day" the Battalion had assembled a total of ten (10)
howitzers. Of these ten (10) howitzers four (Battery "A") were used in
direct support of the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion in the carrying
out their mission, and the remaining six (6) were used in scattered
action in the vicinity of St. Tropez. There was a total of five (5)
support missions (excluding registrations) fired and a total of
eighty-two (82) rounds expended.
Throughout the Airborne operation, there was a total of 244 prisoners
captured by this organization of which 240 were captured by elements of
the St. Tropez sector. Only one resupply mission was completed in our
sector and that was dropped on drop zone "C" but when the recovery was
made it was found that it was resupply for the 2d Independent Parachute
Brigade.
It is my belief that this Airborne mission, even though the
organization was divided, was successful due to the fact that the
elements of the Battalion which landed in the vicinity of the drop zone
completed the mission assigned the Battalion and that the remainder of
the organization though not in position to carry out the assigned
mission, successfully harassed the enemy by inflecting numerous
casualties on the enemy capturing 240 prisoners.
There are very few recommendations that I have to offer. From
observation of resupply in the sectors of adjoining units it was
apparent that some loads were dropped from excessive heights. Sufficient
blankets should be dropped by resupply so that each individual will have
at least one.
Operations have further brought out the point that it is absolutely
essential that organic transportation for Airborne units should come in
with the amphibious forces on "D" "Day". In completion it is clearly
obvious that there must still be more coordination on the part of the
Air Corps. Had the remainder of the organization dropped in the same
location as serial 4 the Airborne mission for the 509th Parachute
Battalion Combat Team would have been a complete success in all
respects.
STUART M. SEATON,
Major, F.A.,
Commanding
Note: There is a detailed personal
account on Operation Dragoon on
Mr. Doug Bailey's trooper page.
A personal remark by Doug:
Filip,
I know that B-Battery landed right on the outskirts of St. Tropez, not 3
miles from the town. In fact we could walk into the town in about 3 or 4
minutes.
At one point a German plane dropped a bomb that landed in the town
square and the only one it killed was a little girl...
Doug-
William 'Bill' Tingen looking at a 'Dragoon' display
in the Fayetteville NC Airborne Museum in June 2004,
2 days after his 80th birthday.
Bill's poem bout Dragoon:
Southern France
The year was nineteen forty four
my age was 20 and a little more
we were told to get in good condition
we were to jump on a night mission
they never said where that would be
that was the first and only combat
jump for me
here is something I have told no-one
yet
was I nervous on that you can bet.
Now on the side was a large name
of a lady I jilted in big letters on
that plane
that is one plane I did not want to
jump out.
Because of the thoughts of sparrow
woman no doubt.
It swiftly came to my mind
Bill it is now pay back time
call it superstitious or what u might
that made me nervous that August night
we loaded on the plane and I real got
still
then I took what they say was an air
sickness pill
before long I was fast asleep like in
cozy bed
then the light over the door flashed
red
stand up and hook up get ready to go
when it flashed green then you know
out in the dark man after man
jumping out the door as fast as you
can
as you fall through the night sky
I smelled salt fog and wondered why
then you think is it the sea below
for where they dropped you, you don't
know
then like a flash it comes to my mind
that was stupid to leave the Mae-West
behind
prepared to land but nothing there
but the smell of salt fog everywhere
it felt mighty fine
when I landed in a pine
happy as I could be
that was not water but a tree
I pulled my reserve without a sound
sliding gently to the ground
About daylight it all cut loose
to try contact our troops was no use
they were shelling the beach there
that day
too make a beach landing right away
they made the landing there about
eight
to our boys it was not too late.
The boys gave it a good name
they called it The Champagne
Attachments with this narrative:
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T-O-P S-E-C-R-E-T
BIGOT DRAGOON
HEADQUARTERS
463rd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion
U.S. ARMY
081400 B August 1944.
Artillery Annex : F.O. #7, Headquarters 509th Parachute
Infantry Battalion.
Maps: France 1/25000, GSG5 4411 XXXV, 44 sheets 1 and 2, 5 and 6,
operational overlay and photos.
I. Information
a. Enemy - See Intelligence Annex to F.O. #7.
b. Friendly - See Intelligence Annex to F.O. #7.
II. Mission
-
To fire in direct support of the 509th Parachute
Infantry Battalion.
-
To assist by fire the capture of Le Muy by the 2nd
Independent Parachute Brigade (Br).
-
To prevent by fire the movement of all enemy forces
within allocated sector of responsibility See operations
sketch accompanying field order)
-
To be able to fire on Le Muy - Ste-Maxime Road.
-
To aid by fire the advance of Seaborne Troops.
-
To reinforce on call the fires of the 463 Parachute
Field Artillery Battalion and the 64th Light Battery
(Br.)
III. Tactical Mission for Subordinate Units.
-
Headquarters Battery after landing will secure
equipment, assemble on proper light and move to the
South end of the DZ and install Battalion CP and FDC
vicinity 44.3-35.9. They will then set up Battalion
Communications, mark resupply field vicinity 44.1-36.2
and establish security for CP.
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"A" Battery, after landing, will assemble according
to plan, secure equipment and go into position on South
Side of the DZ vicinity 44.4-35.9. They will establish
battery defense.
-
"B" Battery, after landing, will assemble according
to plan, secure equipment and go into position on South
Side of the DZ vicinity 44.3-35.9. They will send on
Battalion Order, one 75mm Howitzer as an Anti-Tank gun
to go into position vicinity 42.6-36.9, prepared to fire
on enemy armor approaching from North and South on Le
Muy - Ste-Maxime Road.
-
"C" Battery, after landing, will assemble according
to plan, secure equipment and go into position on South
Side of the DZ vicinity 44.1-35.7.
-
"D" Battery, after landing, will assemble according
to plan, secure equipment and go into position on South
Side of the DZ and furnish all round Anti-Aircraft and
Anti-Tank protection. They will pay especial attention
to repelling enemy reconnaissance parties.
I.
(1). Position Areas:
CP
Vicinity 44.3-35.9, "A" Battery vicinity 44.4-35.9, "B"
Battery
vicinity 44.3-35.9, "C" Battery vicinity 44.1-35.7.
(2). Minimum range line - as prescribed by Combat Team
Commander
(3). Maximum Range Line - Prescribed at 2 hour
intervals beginning at
H hours. No firing outside zone of action without
authority of
Force Commander.
(4). Firing Chart - Map, France
1/25000, sheets XXXIV 44, 3 and 4,
7 and 8, XXXV 44, 1 and 2, 5 and 6.
(5). Base Point
- To be selected.
(6). Registration - One battery only
after presence is discovered by
firing of call fire direct support mission.
(7).
Survey - By inspection initially, improved as time permits.
(8). Ammunition - Minimum initial load of 128 rounds per gun
- expen-
ditures minimum with accomplishment of mission.
Concentrations will
be fired at center range and not exceed 3 rounds per
gun.
(9). Liaison - This Battalion will send one Liaison
party to jump
with the 509th Combat Team Commander, and one Liaison
party to
jump with the 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade (Br).
Liaison
with the 460th Parachute Artillery Battalion and
64th Light Battery (Br.) will be by 609 Radio.
(10). Air
Observation - This Battalion will have one L4 over target
area
as soon as practical and an L5 will be available from
Division
Artillery from H to H plus 3 on call.
(11) AA and AT
Protection - as prescribed by Battery Commander Battery "D".
(12) Additional Fire - Through Division Artillery and Naval
SFCP.
(13) In case any group lands in an area other than
the DZ, they will,
under the senior present, proceed to carry out the
mission assigned
and harass and destroy the enemy whatever means
available.
(14) Direction - Batteries will lay on compass
5800.
(15) OP's "A" Battery vicinity 44.7-37.1, "B"
Battery vicinity 43.4-37.1,
"C" Battery vicinity 44.9-36.8.
(16) No ammunition
will be expended unless on actual enemy target as seen.
(17) Unit Journals and War Diaries will be kept.
(18) A
complete field fortification will be installed and
camouflaged.
(19) Battalion Rally Point will be vicinity
44.4-36.0
IV. Administration Matters.
a. See Administration Enclosure to Artillery Annex.
V. Signal Communication.
a. See Signal Enclosure to Artillery Annex and S.O.I.
b.
Command Posts.
Combat Team - 43.1-36.9
Artillery - 44.3-35.9
COOPER
Commanding
OFFICIAL:
VICTOR E. GARRETT
Captain, F.A.,
S-3
Enclosures:
(1) Administrative
(2) Signal
(3) Fire Plan
T-O-P S-E-C-R-E-T
BIGOT DRAGOON |
Presumed locations (as in the report above) of the
463rd PFA
on a contemporary map (courtesy: Multimap.com).
1. South of the Drop Zone (DZ):
HQ + "A" + "B" Batteries, Battalion CP and FDC, Battalion Rally Point.
2. "C" Battery
3. CP Combat Team
4. One
("B" Btry) 75mm Howitzer as an Anti-Tank gun
into position vicinity
42.6-36.9, prepared to fire on enemy
armor
approaching from North and South on Le Muy - Ste-Maxime Road
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T-O-P S-E-C-R-E-T
BIGOT DRAGOON
HEADQUARTERS
463rd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion
APO 464
U.S. ARMY
8 August 1944.
Signal Enclosure to Artillery Annex to F.O. #7, Headquarters 509th
Parachute
Infantry Battalion.
Signal Communications.
I. Situation
-
See Artillery Annex to F.O. #7.
-
CP's: To be Announced.
-
Axis of signal communication: To be announced
II. Plan
a. The 463rd Parachute Field Artillery
Battalion will install,
maintain and operate the signal system as
follows:
(1). Message Center: SOP
a. Upon establishing CP, will send one messenger to the 509th
Parachute Infantry Battalion for service between
that unit
and the 463rd Parachute Field Artillery
Battalion.
(2) Radio
(a) Communication with 45th Division Artillery, 509th
Parachute
Infantry, 460th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion and 64th
Light Battery (Br).
(b) Communication with ABTF Division
Artillery and 602nd Glider
Field Artillery Battalion upon their arrival.
(c)
Battalion "A" channel (304) will be reserved solely for fire
command and related data.
(d) Air OP's will keep their
radios tuned on Army "A" channel
(274), for AA-AT warnings until ready to fire at a target
when
the Battalion "A" channel (304) will be used.
(e) "D" Battery will remain on Army "A" channel (274) for
AA-AT
warnings.
(f) The following radio sets will report into
designated nets upon
establishment of the CP.
SETS
NETS
FREQUENCY
SCR - 284 45th Div.
Arty 4075 Kcs
SCR - 300 509th Prcht. Inf. To be
announced
SCR - 609 Army "A" channel
27.4
SCR - 609 A/B Arty. channel
32.7
SCR - 609 Bn. "A" channel
30.4
(g) There will be strict radio silence on the A/B Arty.
channel
(327) until 0800 D-Day.
(h) There will be one SCR-284 and
SCR-609 for the Naval
Shore Fire Control Party.
(3) Wire
(a) Battalion will lay to battery switchboard in vicinity of
guns.
(b) Batteries will lay one line direct from guns to
Fire Direction
Center.
(c) Battalion will lay two trunk lines to
switchboard of 509th
Parachute Infantry Battalion.
(d) Maintenance of the wire
lines will be a joint responsibility.
(e) Batteries will
establish wire communications with their CP's.
(4) Codes an Cipher
a. Per curren SOI
III. Assembly Signals
a. Battery assembly lights will be as follows:
Headquarters Battery - Blue
"A" Battery - Green
"B"
Battery - Red
"C" Battery - Yellow
b. Battalion assembly signal will be a white
flare fired into the ground.
COOPER
Commanding
OFFICIAL:
VICTOR E. GARRETT
Captain, F.A.,
S-3
T-O-P S-E-C-R-E-T
BIGOT DRAGOON |
Trooper fully equipped...
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HEADQUARTERS
463rd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion
APO 464
U.S. ARMY
9 August 1944.
ANNEX #1.
Basic Clothing and Equipment to be carried
during a drop,
"Where Carried" column can be used as a guide only and load
redistributed on landing.
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ITEM
Tags, Identification, W/Tape
Drawers, Woolen
Undershirt, Woolen
Socks, light wool
Suit, Prcht, padded w/suspenders
Helmet, steel, M-1, Prcht. Compl.
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WHERE CARRIED
Camouflages w/American
flag (Flag sewed on left shoulder sleeve) |
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Equipment in Pockets
Knife, Prcht or P.X.
Notebook, watches, 1 pencil
Toilet paper, 48 sheets
Halizone, tablets, 1 bottle
Grenade, frag. 2
Grenades, colored, smoke (Yellow 6per Btry)
Compass, watch or lensatic
Handkerchief
2 meals "K" ration
2 meals "D" ration
Spoon, M-10
1 meal "K" ration
4 meals "D" ration
Patches, cleaning
Soap and razor w/4 blades
Toothbrush
Pocket book, w/no secret papers
Map
Towel, huck, face
Socks, pair 2
1 can, insect powder
1 bottle mosquito repellant
1 cotton undershirt
1 cotton drawers
Other Equipment
Sulfadiazine packet
Mask, Gas, Light weight w/ointment
and eyeshields
Belt, rifle or pistol w/suspenders
First aid kit, prcht
Suspended from belt
Pouch, dbl. web, mag. pistol
Canteen, filled, complete, w/cup and cover
Tool entrenching
Knife, trench
First aid packet w/pouch
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Coat knife pocket
Left Chest pocket
Left Chest pocket
Left Chest pocket
Right Coat pocket
Left Coat pocket
Watch pocket or belt.
Right hip pocket
Right leg pocket
Insert in bandolier liner
Right leg pocket
Left leg pocket
Insert in bandolier liner
Left leg pocket
Left leg pocket
Left chest pocket
Left hip pocket
Left chest pocket
Left leg pocket
Right hip pocket
Right chest pocket
Left chest pocket
Left coat pocket
Right coat pocket
First aid pouch
On left side
Tied on left from suspenders
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Special Equipment will be
carried by individuals as
authorized by T/E
Cooper
Commanding |
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HEADQUARTERS
463rd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion
APO 464
U.S. ARMY
9 August 1944.
ANNEX #2.
CONTENTS OF "A" BAG
1. The "A" bag of all
members of this organization, regardless
of Echelon, will be packed in strict conformity of
the
following items only. Officers will pack these items in their
bedding rolls and consider it their "A" bag.
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Drawers, cotton, shorts
Cap, garrison, O.D.
Handkerchiefs
Jacket & Trousers, HBT
or coveralls, in lieu thereof
Socks, light, wool
Shirt, wool, O.D.
Trousers, wool, O.D.
Undershirts, cotton
Blanket, wool, O.D.
Towel, bath
Boots, prcht
Can, meet, w/knife, fork, spoon
Pins for tent, shelter half
Poles for tent, shelter half
Raincoat
Bar, insect, field |
3 pr
1 ea
2 ea
3 pr
1 ea
1 ea
3 ea
2 ea
2 ea
1 ea
1 ea
5 ea
1 ea
1 ea
1 ea |
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2. Al clothing in excess of
above will be turned in to
S-4 or packed in "B" bag, to go with the Detachment Rear "B"
Echelon. in case of insufficient space with the Detachment
Rear "B" Echelon, the "B" bags will remain with Detachment
Rear Echelon.
3. "A" bags will be taken to
the take off Airdrome with
the individual and just prior to departure from the Airdrome
these bags will be assembled in individual Battery piles to
be picked up by the Detachment Rear "B" Echelon.
COOPER
Commanding
OFFICIAL:
SEATON
Adjutant
DISTRIBUTION:
1 - CG, Task Force
1 - CO, 509th Prcht Inf Bn
50- Ea Btry
15- Extras |
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HEADQUARTERS
463rd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion
APO 464
U.S. ARMY
9 August 1944.
ANNEX #3.
I. Detachment Rear
1. Personnel.
a. CWO Johnson is the Commanding Officer of the
Detachment
Rear "A" Echelon.
b. The following is a list of personnel comprising
this
Echelon. These men driving the vehicles shown below will
report to the designated organization of section for loading
when notified:
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RANK
CWO
Sgt
Pvt
Pvt
WO(jg)
Tec 4
Pvt
Pvt
Cpl
Pvt
Pfc
Pfc
Pvt
Pvt
Tec 5
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
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NAME
JOHNSON, MARTIN A.
Dobbins, John H.
Johnson, Charles E.
Hodges, Clarence (NMI)
KIRCHNER, JOHN M.
Parker, Joel F.
Adams, Ervin T. Jr.
Althouse, David (NMI)
Altshul, Alex (NMI)
Broom, Norrison G.
Hnida, Andrew (NMI)
Nathan, Manfred (NMI)
Litis, Theofan H.
Peters,Robert R.
Watts, Harry L.
Given, Gilbert L.
Shaeffer, Eugene A.
Linker, David (NMI)
Erskine, Lark A.
Moser, Orlin F.
Silverman, Jack F.
Glodan, Laszlo Jr.
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ASN
W2105462
31016717
20716017
35233987
W2105438
6984872
35664536
39566258
36260626
39199743
20714884
32176492
32261651
20713670
31104799
15077458
32879320
32081361
20912993
39323137
35144358
34236280
|
VEHICLE NO.
HQ 30
HQ 13
HQ 19
HQ 29
HQ 1
HQ 6
HQ 9
HQ 7
Med 1
Med 2
HQ 12
HQ 8
HQ 11
A 1
HQ 2
B 1
HQ 4
C 1
HQ 10
HQ 28
D 1
HQ 27 |
TO REPORT TO
Battalion Supply
Battalion Supply
Battalion Supply
Battalion Supply
Battalion Supply
Battalion Supply
S-2
S-3
Medical
Medical
Hq Btry
Hq Btry
Hq Btry
"A" Btry
"A" Btry
"B" Btry
"B" Btry
"C" Btry
"C" Btry
"D" Btry
"D" Btry
"D" Btry |
c. All vehicles in this Echelon will
carry trailers
corresponding to the towing vehicle.
d. Each vehicle will carry five (5)
gallons of gas and
five (5) quarts of oil. The vehicle will be filled with gasoline
prior to departure.
II. Detachment Rear "B" Echelon.
1. Personnel.
a. 1st Lt Keester is the Detachment Rear
"B" Commander
and 2nd Lt Terry is the Assistant Detachment Rear "B" Commander.
b. The following is a list of personnel
comprising the
Detachment Rear "B" Echelon. These men upon notification driving
the vehicles shown below will report to the organization or
section as designated:
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RANK
2nd Lt
Pfc
Cpl
Pvt
Pfc
Pvt
Pvt
Cpl
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
Pfc
Pvt
Pfc
Pvt
S/Sgt
Pfc
Sgt
Pvt
Pvt
Tec4
Pvt
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NAME
TERRY, JACK S.
Shaban, Edward J.
Scheck, John J.
Rance, Ralph W.
Conely, Dennie M.
Augeson, August P.
Letinski, Joseph
Bishop, James M.
Holt, John W.
George H. Sobbens,
Lineweaver, Robert L.
Lehman, Dean B.
Laich, William F. Jr.
Chumley, Thomas J.
Compston, Robert E.
Hoffman, Guy M.
Cole, James T.
Grezoka, John (NMI)
Ellis, James O.
Harless, Hudie H.
Bongiovanni, Joseph J.
Fuller, Beverly P.
Mancini, Dominico S.
Belcher, Jasper (NMI)
Schreiner, Cyril B.
Butts, Olie
Ludeko, Raymond
Havig, Marlyn
Godfrey, Elwood W. |
ASN
O1167667
31069120
32272144
35386252
37310924
37072304
33604469
14063280
37763555
12091720
33638310
33764047
33791091
37492818
31136132
33492792
34807979
33682244
37379481
35771659
36194006
6270291
31042782
7047220
20745579
35129578
32912809
37674276
37203481 |
VEHICLE NO.
HQ 14
HQ 3
HQ 26
HQ 17
HQ 15
HQ 18
HQ 20
A 2
A 3
A 5
B 2
B 3
B 4
B 5
C 2
C 3
C 4
C 5
D 2
D 3
D 4
D 5
HQ 25
HQ 22
HQ 31
HQ 24
HQ 21
HQ 16
HQ 32 |
TO REPORT TO
None
None
None
Hq Btry
Hq Btry
Hq Btry
Hq Btry
"A" Btry
"A" Btry
"A" Btry
"B" Btry
"B" Btry
"B" Btry
"B" Btry
"C" Btry
"C" Btry
"C" Btry
"C" Btry
"D" Btry
"D" Btry
"D" Btry
"D" Btry
Motor Pool
Motor Pool
Motor Pool
Motor Pool
Lt Keester
Officers Mess
Airstrip |
The following personnel are in
charge of the loading
of the equipment of the organization as indicated. They will be
responsible directly to the Detachment Rear "B" Commander:
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S/Sgt
S/Sgt
S/Sgt
S/Sgt
S/Sgt
S/Sgt |
Dolan R. Deby,
Ellsworth F. Leland,
Stuart Gillmore,
Keith J. Vickers,
Enrique G. Mendoza, Jr.,
Dominico S. Mancini, |
34176696
36150720
20716292
15338552
34054533
31042782 |
Hq Btry
"A" Btry
"B" Btry
"C" Btry
"D" Btry
Motor Pool
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2. Duties of Detachment Rear "B" Commander.
a. At the GROSSETA Airdrome after the take off.
(1) Each of the persons mentioned in sub paragraph
c above are to take care of their individual battery
equipment.
(2) The Detachment Rear
"B" Commander will see that
all equipment at the airdrome is returned to the LIDO DE
ROMA area. This includes such things as communications,
kitchen equipment, tentage, barracks bags ("A") and any
miscellaneous equipment which might have accumulated.
The Detachment Rear "B" Commander will see that the area
occupied by our troops prior to the take off, is policed
and all latrines, sumps and soakage pits are filled in.
3. The Assistant Detachment Rear "B" Commander will be
responsible for the police and return of the motor pool equipment
and personnel to the LIDO DE ROMA area.
4. Vehicles for the handling of Battery and motor pool
equipment will be allocated by the Detachment Rear "B" Commander
as prescribed in sub paragraph b, Par. 1.
5. Upon return to LIDO DE ROMA area the responsible
parties assigned by sub Par. c, Par. 1 will without delay load
their organizational equipment and report to the Detachment Rear
"B" Commander when ready to move.
6. This Echelon must be prepared to depart from LIDO DE
ROMA area on D + 1.
7. The Detachment Rear "B" Commander will leave only on the
order of Commanding General, First Airborne Task Force (Rear).
8. Each vehicle in this Echelon will be filled with gasoline
prior to departure and will carry (5) gallons of gas and
(5) quarts of oil extra.
III. Detachment Rear Echelon.
1. Personnel.
a. 2d Lt Lewis is the Detachment Rear
Echelon Commander
and will be responsible to the Detachment Rear "B" Commander
until the departure of the Detachment Rear "B".
b. The following is a list of personnel
comprising the
Detachment Rear Echelon:
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2d Lt
T/Sgt
Sgt
Sgt
Tec 5
Tec 5
Tec 5
Tec 5
Tec 5
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
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ROBERT E. LEWIS
Robert C. Cogdell,
James M. Barber,
Donn H. Wagner,
Robert V. Cooley,
Leon E. Dahlheimer,
Cornelius M. Dumm,
Charlie O. Starnes,
Vernice H. Whiting,
Edward R. Bell
Calvin H. Moody
.............. ? |
O1302917
7081230
14011711
37072857
34083576
37026020
13022051
7001466
20713751
20713709
33435191
......?? |
c. Pvt Bell is designated driver of and
is responsible
for truck (HQ 23) which will remain in this Echelon.
d. All personnel of this Echelon will
assist in the loading of the Detachment Rear "B" and will be used as
the Detachment Rear "B" Commander sees fit.
COOPER
Commanding
OFFICIAL:
SEATON
Adjutant
DISTRIBUTION:
1 - CG, Task Force
1 - CO, 509th Prcht Inf Bn
1 - Det Rear B CO
1 - Det Rear A CO
1 - Ea Btry
15- for adm. O. & extra
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HEADQUARTERS
463rd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion
APO 464
U.S. ARMY
8 August 1944.
ADMINISTRATIVE ENCLOSURE)
NUMBER
1)
To accompany Artillery Annex to
Field Order #7, Headquarters 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion.
MAPS: France 1:25,000, Sheets XXXV - 44 - 1 & 2 Frejus
XXXV - 44 - 5 & 6 Frejus
1. SUPPLY.
a. Quartermaster.
(1) Rations.
(a) Prior to
mission: Mess section will be set up at the
GROSSETA Airdrome and hot food served until
departure for mission. All personnel at
FOLLONICA departure strip will mess with the
509th Parachute Infantry Battalion.
(b) On mission: Each individual will carry one
(1) "K" ration and two (2) "D" rations on his
person.
(2) Water.
(a) Prior to
mission: Mess section will set up (4) lister
bags on the GROSSETA Airdrome and water will be
supplied by the Battalion S-4. Personnel on the
FOLLONICA Airdrome will receive water from the
509th Parachute Infantry Battalion.
(b) On mission: A full canteen of water will be
carried by each individual on the drop. Halizone
tablets will be carried by each individual to be
used for unpurified water in operating area.
(3) Clothing and Equipment.
(a) On person: As
prescribed in Annex #1.
b. Ordnance.
(1) Individual weapons: As armed.
(2) Crew
served weapons.
(a) 75MM
Howitzers - Four (4) by each Howitzer Battery.
(b) Rocket Launchers - Eight (8) by Headquarters
Battery and fourteen (14) by
"D" Battery.
(c) H.M.G.'s - Two (2) by Headquarters Battery and two
(2) by Howitzers Batteries and eleven (11) by "D" Battery.
c. Engineer.
(1) Sufficient fire control instruments and
plotting and survey equipment will be taken to
insure adequate and efficient operation
d. Signal
(1) Sufficient equipment will be taken to
establish
a normal Field Artillery radio and wire net.
e. Chemical.
(1) Gas masks will be carried. See Annex
#1.
f. Medical.
(1) On person: See Annex "1.
(2) In containers: The Medical Detachment will
drop sufficient equipment to
establish and maintain the Battalion Aid Station
g. Resupply by air.
(1) To be handled by 334th Aerial Resupply
Company.
2. Evacuation.
a. Casualties.
(1) Personnel.
(a) Battalion collecting point will be
located on the DZ or in the vicinity thereof.
Parachutes and blankets will be used for cover
and warmth.
b. Burial.
(1) Battery GRO's will see that burial cases are
centralized at one locality for the Battery. If the
situation permits, each Battery GRO will handle his
burial cases in a centralized Battalion cemetery,
the location of which will selected by the Battalion
GRO.
(2) Isolated.
(a) Any isolated burial will be reported to
the Battalion GRO as soon as practicable.
(3) Quartermaster Form #1 will be used for all
burial cases.
(c) Salvage.
(1) Salvage of parachutes and equipment
containers will not be attempted, except by order of
Battalion Commander.
(d) Captured Material.
(1) To be used against the enemy as far as
possible or destroyed, if subsequent recapture by
the enemy is imminent.
(e) Prisoners of war.
(1) Collecting point or Prisoner of War
Enclosure.
(a) Batteries – as prescribed by the Battery
Commander, in the operating area. Batteries are
responsible for delivery of prisoners to the
Battalion collecting point, the location of
which will be designated by the Battalion
Executive in the operating area.
(b) Battalion – From Battalion collecting
point, prisoners will be taken to 509th
Parachute Infantry Battalion collecting point.
(c) Under no
circumstances will prisoners be mistreated.
(2)
Wounded prisoners.
(a) Will
be treated and evacuated with our wounded
3. Traffic
a. Circulation.
(1) Plane parking diagrams see Annex #1
to F.O. #7 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion.
(2) Traffic priorities. Plane Loading.
(a) In event of insufficient number of planes are assigned for missions the following named officers, are responsible for the placing of the personnel in other planes and the designation of loads to be left behind.
FOLLONICA - Captain SEATON
GROSSETA -
Major COOPER
4. Service Troops and Trains.
a. Bivouac area prior to departure for mission.
(1) FOLLONICA Airdrome.
(a)
Personnel.
(1)
Planes 2 & 3 of Headquarters and Headquarters
Battery.
(2) "A"
Battery
(3)
Battery Headquarters and three (3) Platoons of "D"
Battery.
(2) GROSSETA Airdrome.
(a)
Personnel.
(1)
Planes 1, 4 & 5 of Headquarters and Headquarters
Battery.
(2) "B"
Battery
(3) "C"
Battery
(4) One
(1) Platoon of "D" Battery.
(3) Bivouacs at both areas are "sealed". No
person
will leave bivouac areas except on official business
with permission of the Commanding Officer.
b. Movement of troops.
(1) Combat personnel to
Airdrome - See Annex #9, F.O. #7, 509th Parachute
Infantry Battalion.
(2) Rear
Echelons - See Annex #3 attached.
5. Personnel.
a. Jumping Personnel - as
shown in plane loading lists.
These lists will be kept up to date and final changes
will
be made prior to one hour before take-off time.
b. Personnel not jumping -
under control of the Detachment Rear Echelon Commanding
Officer.
c. Refusals on Jump Mission:
Commanding Officer of the Detachment Rear Echelon, and
one other officer representative will meet returning
planes at each take off Airdrome and place refusals
under arrest and confinement for avoiding hazardous
duty.
d. Baggage
(1) See Annex #2.
e. Mail - Arrangements will
be made by Commanding Officer of Detachment Rear Echelon
to drop mail on Resupply by air.
f. Reports.
(1) Strength - To be submitted daily by 0800
hours to S-1 as of 0001 hours of that day.
(2) Supply needs - To be submitted to S-4 when
needed.
6. Miscellaneous.
a. Detachment Rear Echelon
of Headquarters - Will remain in LIDO DE ROMA until
ordered to move by Commanding General, First Airborne
Task Force. See Annex #3 attached.
b. Assignment of Planes on
Field.
(1) FOLLONICA
Airdrome.
Headquarters and Headquarters
Battery planes 26 to 31 inclusive.
"A"
Battery planes 32 to 45 inclusive.
(2) GROSSETA
Airdrome.
Headquarters Battery planes 17 to
19 inclusive.
"B" Battery planes 20 to 33
inclusive.
"C" Battery planes 34 to 45
inclusive.
COOPER
Commanding
OFFICIAL:
SEATON
Adjutant
DISTRIBUTION:
1 - CG, Task Force
1 - CO, 509th Prcht Inf Bn
1 - ea 463rd Staff Officer
1 - Ea Btry
15- extra |
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