OH Although he was a young man, my father was ancient by Army standards. George Terhanko never wanted to be First Sergeant of F Company. Share a testimony from a relative or a friend, veteran or civilian, resistance member, ally or German, actor or witness of History. SirJames 139 Sergeant Major June 13, 1812, it was designated the 9th Regiment of Artillery. -- We fired 6,974,050 rounds of 1918: 83rd Division HQ, Maj G. Details Last Updated: 06 May 2018 Address : Val-de-Meuse. On the right of the 9th Division, the men of the 83rd felt like standing in their foxholes and cheering when they saw all those bombers. That would soon change. On 11 April 1945 the 83rd Division encountered Langenstein-Zwieberge, a subcamp of the Buchenwald concentration camp. The Green items are German locations or German related information, again, from the various reports. It took the direct fire of the attached 774th tank battalion to accomplish this. Frank Reichmann in the 1st Battalion of the 331st said that a platoon of captured Germans started singing farewell to their commander. German guns in the Siegfried Line east of the Moselle poured salvos into the lines, resulting in 30 casualties, the heaviest losses in over a month. Leon Collins; S/Sgt. On April 11, 1945, the 83rd encountered Langenstein, a subcamp of the Buchenwald concentration camp. The 329th IR is shown being just about 1000 m south of where its 2 Bn. H Company 331st Regiment, 83rd Division Colonel James D. Shonak Commander 331st Anti-Tank Company Boyle, Paul (C) KIA Catrambone, Michael Hq. The regimental after action reports for the 331th Infantry Regiment in PDF format can be found in the following table. Courtesy of The . When the 83rd Infantry arrived in Langenstein, its troops found some 1,100 inmates in very poor physical condition. His letter is the incredible story of a GI's journey through the war. (Incredibly, both Charles Mobley and Sarge were born on Cotton Avenue in Birmingham.) The GIs fought in a house-to-house struggle through artillery, machine gun and small arms fire. Main telephone: 202.488.0400 Nazi propaganda letters were a "Christmas present. 335th Regiment Lineage. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. These documents are provided for by Dave Curry, historian of the 83rd Infantry Division Association. 332nd Infantry Regiment ; 369th Experience ; Americans All! I am looking for general info: Where they were based in US. before leaving for the ETO Their patrols advance beyond the line searching out the foe. The men of the 83rd Division weren't just on the front line. We have recently added a photo of A Company/331st. 3/329 : Lieutenant Colonel Quincy A. Sanders I got a half-dozen packs of cigarettes from Mom the other day and they just got here in time--we didn't get any for a few days, so you can see that we are having the same trouble over here as the people back home. The day before Thanksgiving, Hershell asked for two volunteers to help him cut up turkeys. B Company L Company, 331st Infantry Regiment: Colonel Martin D. Barndollar Jr., killed on 4 July 1944 near Mautis, replaced by Lieutenant Colonel William E. Long, replaced on 7 July 1944 by Colonel John C. Whitcomb, replaced on 9 July 1944 by Colonel James D. Bender, replaced on 11 July 1944 by Colonel Robert T. Foster, replaced on 13 July 1944 by Colonel Robert H. York. Robert A. Turner, A Company, 331st Infantry Regiment lost his right arm to enemy tank fire and became a prisoner of war on 16 July 1944. Relive & share the memories of your service time with your brothers & sisters in arms today. The division was reconstituted in the Organized Reserve on 24 June 1921 and assigned to the state of Ohio. AWON Memorial Web Page, Massacre at Ottre The division went overseas in June 1918, and was designated as the 2nd Depot Division. H Company The troops under Elster's command were not an organised fighting unit. Melvin V. Park, K Company, 329th Infantry, 83rd Division This, combined with coming of age during the great depression, taught him how to make do with what was at hand. F Company The 330th, detached from the 83rd, helped clean out the Harz Mountains, a pocket of resistance that had been bypassed by the fast riding 329th and 331st. A Company 2nd Battalion of the 329th Infantry was attacking west to an "island" in the swamp, finally on the 10th, the 331st captured Sainteny, Nazi propaganda letters were a "Christmas present.". 322nd Field Artillery Battalion (105 Howitzer) His body was not recovered. Another photo taken at Camp Breckenridge, showing M Company/331st, can be seen by clicking here. The unit journal contains in-depth descriptions of the activity of the unit on a daily basis. 324th Field Artillery Battalion (155 Howitzer), Anti-aircraft artillery In the 331st, the 2nd and 3rd battalions jumped off abreast at 0445 hours from the vicinity of Meautis. Well see, if I ever get around to integrating the information from the Unit Journals. It was reformed in March 1944 as part of the 24th Welle (wave) from Schatten-Division Wahn. Pfc. 1st Bn 66th Armd Regt (2nd Armd Div), from June 28th to July 5th, 1944 Elements reduced the garrison at Ile de Czembre, which surrendered, 2 September. William T. Oliver is one of the GIs in the photo at the top of this page. Later groups of enlisted men assigned to the division to replace men transferred to other units came from Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Samuel J. Bifano--B Battery, 324th Field Artillery the 1 st Battalion was attached to the 31 st Infantry and moved to defensive positions on the Bataan Peninsula on the east and . He was not a large man, but my mother said the Army "built him up," and he never looked better. B Company On June 18, 1944, less than two weeks after the Allied D-Day invasion of western Europe, the "Thunderbolt" division landed on Omaha Beach and began advancing into France. They did not know it then, but they would remain in Luxembourg longer than they had in England. [5][a] The movement into Luxembourg was completed on 25 September. 83rd Division "Thunderbolt" Message Board, Larry Dalton (field promotion to 2nd Lt., Silver Star). Photo from "We Saw It Through," A Co, 634th Tank Destroyer Battalion (SP), from July 10th to 13th, 1944 Many soldiers were killed instantly. He was in Company B, 231st Infantry Training Battalion. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. The 83d Infantry Division arrived in England. var sc_project=709359; The distinctive unit insignia was approved for the 322nd Field Artillery Battalion on January 14, 1926. The chances that the six-foot tall, slim medic from Alabama, known as "Mob" or "Moe," was someone other than Charles P. Mobley are almost too remote to consider. (F) Parson, Robert L. Jr. Terhanko, George Waple, George H., III To slow the spread of sickness and death, the 83rd Division ordered the local German mayor to supply the camp with food and water. 3/331 The 331st sped along not far behind on the flank. Company B, 231st Infantry Training Battalion. The shield is red for artillery and the black pile represents part of the 83rd Infantry Division insignia. Popularity; Last added; Last edited; Name; Date of birth; Date of death; Grid List. SOCIAL . On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 106th Cav Rcn Sq, from July 16th to 28th, 1944 On a Red metal shield is a black pile behind a gold Lorraine cross. A Lieutenant of a supply company of the 329th Infantry Regiment/83rd Infantry-Division (Thunderbolt Division) with the company's mascot, goat Willie at Schevenhutte near Aachen/Germany. var sc_partition=5; The division was disbanded in . When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. 331st Infantry Regiment Doesn't seem to be very sanitary but most of the people seem to be healthy as hell, in fact they seem to thrive on it. See It Through! Even so, his ETO Enlisted Man's Identification Card lists his weight at 139 pounds. E Company Welcome to the 331st Infantry Regiment documents sectionOn this page documents related to the 331st Infantry Regiment can be downloaded in the PDF format. Finally, direct hits by 8-in. Col. Shonak recalls those brutal days in a series of letters, which for the first time tell the true horror of warfare in the Normandy hedgerows: "God we lost a lot of men. Damn these eyes, they've seen too much The 83rd Division reported the death rate at the camp had been 500 per month. On June 18, 1944, less than two weeks after the Allied D-Dayinvasion of western Europe, the "Thunderbolt" division landed on Omaha Beach and began advancing into France. The 83rd was held in reserve until after D-Day, and entered France on 21 through 24 June. 56th FA Battalion (8th Div) (105 How), from August 6th to 15th, 1944 A second battalion from the same regiment defended a line further east. "TDC, On 6 December, the 83rd gave positions along the Moselle Valley to the 22nd Infantry of the 4th Division. Deaths, the division's report continued, reached 500 per month. The 331st Infantry Division was an infantry division of the German army during World War II. Unit: 83rd Infantry Division, 331st Infantry Regiment, Company C; Service Number: 35519259; Date of Birth: October 2, 1918; Entered the Military: October 28, 1942; Date of Death: July 26, 1944; . The journey took them through the thick forests of the highland country east of Verdun. Smith; S/Sgt. A last note. Ironically, like many GIs, he also had German ancestry. He was called to active duty on 26 October 1943, and was sent to the active duty reception center in New Cumberland, Pa. From there he went to Camp Blanding in Starke, Florida where he underwent basic training. The headquarters was organized on 27 September 1921. To help orient yourself: Tribehou is still in the lower right corner, but Sainteny is now in the middle of the map. Regimental histories for 1943 and 1944. Cleveland, $3.99 ground shipping enabled for all orders! Then, German attempts to organize tank-supported counterattacks were shattered by the 83rd's field artillery battalions. A Co, 813th Tank Destroyer Battalion (SP), from July 10th to 13th, 1944 On 5 November, the 83rd, as part of Operation UNICORN, took Le Stromberg Hill near Basse Kontz after extended fighting and defeated several counterattacks. At war's end, the "Thunderbolt" division had established a bridgehead on the Elbe River. [13] The division even seized and flew a German Bf 109. On Memorial Day weekend 2000 my family had reunited for my sister's long . 216.368.2000 After high school graduation he attended the Washburn University School of Law and was admitted to the Bar as a practicing attorney. On June 18,1944 the 83rd Division landed at Omaha beach D-Day plus 12. It shows my fathers company, F, and we are approaching the day he was seriously wounded and shipped the the States. The 83rd Infantry Division was recognized as a liberating unit by the US Army's Center of Military History and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1993. My worst nightmares are still in those rows.". Days of house-to-house fighting under thick smoke, artillery fire, and fighter-bomber attacks could not convince the Germans to give up. 1st Platoon: 1st Lieutenant George W. Stahley, killed on July 4, 1944 The insignia was selected during World War I because the division contained mostly Ohio draftees.[3]. Advertising YOU PAY FOR IT WHEM YOU DON'T BUY IT. "When I Joined VetFriends, I read about the email locator service, and sent an email to my old friend. I should be asking you. It was initially made up of enlisted draftees from Ohio and Pennsylvania, with a cadre of Regular Army, Officers Reserve Corps, and National Army officers. These reports are courtesy of Myra Miller, PhD, of Footsteps Researchers. "God we lost a lot of men. My dad became part of F Company/331st Infantry Regiment on 17 July 1944. 250th FA Battalion (105 How), from July 31st, 1944 to August 4th, 1944 Commander 331st Anti-Tank Company, Third Platoon, Company B - 331st They pushed the Germans back through savage counterattacks and finally held the west bank of the Roer River just south of Duren five days after the initial attack from the Hurtgen Forest. 2/331: Lieutenant Colonel James F. Faber, killed on 10 July 1944 at Sainteny. There are numerous entries for each day's events showing the time of occurrence for each. Army Battle Casualties and Nonbattle Deaths, Final Report (Statistical and Accounting Branch, Office of the Adjutant General, 1 June 1953), Learn how and when to remove this template message, United States Army Center of Military History, "83rd U.S. Army Reserve Readiness Training Center welcomes new commander", "83rd INFANTRY DIVISION - Order of Battle of the United States Army - WWII - ETO | U.S. Army Center of Military History", United States Holocaust Memorial Museum recognition of the 83rd as a "liberator" of the camps, Army 83rd Infantry Division - WW II in Europe (video), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=83rd_Infantry_Division_(United_States)&oldid=1111173065, Infantry divisions of the United States Army, United States Army divisions during World War II, Military units and formations established in 1917, Military units and formations disestablished in 1946, United States Army divisions of World War I, Infantry divisions of the United States Army in World War II, Articles needing additional references from July 2012, All articles needing additional references, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the United States Army Center of Military History, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, COL Joseph L. Thomas, Jr. (since June 29, 2021), 308th Train Headquarters and Military Police, 329th, 330th, 331st, and 332nd Ambulance Companies and Field Hospitals, Ordered into active military service: 15 August 1942 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. W. L. Arnold--AT Company, 329th Infantry Regiment After liberation, the death rate continued at approximately 2550 people per day, due to the severe physical debilitation of the prisoners. The 330th Infantry Across Europe 29th Infantry Division: June 6: Omaha: Shonak A Co, 87th Chemical Battalion, from July 5th to 16th, 1944 They spent 244 days in combat and suffered 23,980 casualties, 15,248 of which were combat casualties. On 16 September 1944: in the only surrender of a German Major General to U.S. troops, Botho Henning Elster surrendered with 18,850 men and 754 officers at the Loire bridge of Beaugency. This single overlay for 14 July shows the 330IR pulled back but in a defensive set up to the north-east of Sainteny; very much in line with what we saw with the last two overlays for 13 July. This list was compiled by Kevin Harris from the history of the 331st, "We Saw It Through." As they peeled off and took their positions they relieved elements of the 90th Division, the V Corps, and the 112th Infantry of the 28th Division. "TDC, December 3"Here it is another Christmas away from home--I hope it is the last one like this. -- Our artillery battalions, All Company related information refers to 330 IR Companies; neither the 329th IR nor the 331 IR had map coordinates on the Morning reports for 5 July. If you are having trouble orienting yourself, le Port is toward the lower rightcorner, Sainteny to the left about 1/3 of the way down from the top, Culot is at the top, left, mostly off the map and Hottot toward the top about 2/3 of the way from the left. assigned Squad Leader, Later I was advanced to the rank of S/Sgt. 12th FA Obsn Battalion (-Btrie A), from August 7th to 16th, 1944 1/329 : Major George A. Wishart They fought for each other and died for each other and, as the 331st Infantry motto said, they did "See It Through." C Co, 709th Tk Bn, from August 12th to 16th, 1944, Tank Destroyer units On The Home Front: Life was not easy on the home front, but my mom more than managed--she carried on, and made a new life for us while enduring what many would consider unbearable sorrow. Basic training of the new recruits was conducted at Camp Sherman, northwest of Chillicothe, OH. Clarence W. Brown; Pvt. The following soldiers were reported as missing in action. They had marched as far as the Loire, but with bridges down and American troops patrolling the North bank, there seemed no reasonable prospect of achieving a crossing. E Company: Captain Raymond E. Poore, wounded on July 4, 1944 at Mautis Actually, theres lot on this overlay not making sense to me right now. He said they were "so clean looking, with a full compliment of men in each unit. 83rd Infantry Division Legacy Chapter Email Group They arrived in Liverpool, England on 15 June, and entrained . In December 1944, Sweeney was assigned to Company I, 330th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division. Others were returned to the U.S. for burial. 83rd Infantry Division Documents - Fallen heroes of the 83rd Infantry Division You are here: Burial Listing Listing Navigation Fallen heroes of the 83rd Infantry Division This is an overview of all servicemen and women of units attached to the 83rd Infantry Division who are buried in Europe. To date, 36 divisions, including the 83rd Infantry Division, have been recognized as liberating units. The 83rd Division has special ties to Luxembourg. The 83rd Division would be called on again to answer the call to defend freedom in 1942 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. My dad's Individual Deceased Personnel File indicates cause of death as "Shrap. I, personally, cant make much sense of what is written in the lower left corner, try as I might. Credits. -- We launched 24,507 anti-tank Tanks, tank destroyers and armored infantry aided the attack. They moved by truck to the Hurtgen Forest west of Aachen to relieve the 12th Infantry. The air was choked with dust so thick that they couldn't see, and the concussion so great that their clothing ballooned out. 3/330 Their patrols advance beyond the line It can be seen by clicking here. U.S. Intelligence estimated between 3,000 and 6,000 German troops occupied St. Malo. God takes care of us one way or the other."TDC. His unit had been engaged in battle with German forces. They include information regarding geographic location and troop movement, weather, and combat activity. Intense fighting during the Battle of Saint-Malo reduced enemy strong points and a combined attack against the Citadel Fortress of St. Servan caused its surrender, 17 August. 774th Tank Battalion, from August 28 to December 24th, 1944 Frank Monan, A Company, 331st Infantry Cemeteries & Memorials; Burial Search; About Us; Education; Facebook; Twitter; YouTube; Instagram; ABMC Headquarters 2300 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 500 Arlington, VA 22201 Phone: 703-584-1501. They spent 244 days in combat and suffered 23,980 casualties, 15,248 of which were combat casualties. The second overlay for 12 July 1944 is a 83rd ID situation map for 12:00. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Gen. Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 83rd Infantry Division Artillery, 83rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized), Headquarters, Special Troops, 83rd Infantry Division, Headquarters Company, 83rd Infantry Division, 453rd Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion Detachment, 25 June 1944: Third Army, but attached to the VIII Corps of, 10 September 1944: Ninth Army, 12th Army Group, 21 September 1944: Third Army, 12th Army Group, 11 October 1944: VIII Corps, Ninth Army, 12th Army Group, 22 October 1944: VIII Corps, First Army, 12th Army Group, 8 November 1944: Third Army, 12th Army Group, 11 November 1944: VIII Corps, First Army, 12th Army Group, 20 December 1944: Attached, with the entire First Army, to the, 26 December 1944: VII Corps, First Army (attached to British 21st Army Group), 12th Army Group, 16 February 1945: XIX Corps, Ninth Army, 12th Army Group, This page was last edited on 19 September 2022, at 17:37. It was taken at Camp Breckenridge, KY, after the Tennessee maneuvers. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Infantrymen of the 83rd Infantry Division warm themselves around a fire near Fays, Belgium, on January 3, 1945. The 83rd's position placed them in just the right spot for a front-row view of what was, according to Michael Doubler in his book "Closing With the Enemy," the largest air-ground operation ever attempted by American forces. These histories are courtesy of Myra Miller, PhD, of Footsteps Researchers. Most of them were in tears. B Co, 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion (SP), from August 6th to 16th, 1944 from the right, first row. 2/330 On the first day, the 83rd jumped off along the Carentan-Periers road, with the entire division artillery in support. The assault against the German 17th SS Division and 6th Parachute Regiment was slow and costly. It shows a bit of all three 83rd ID regiments. These are the GIs of the 331st Infantry who made the ultimate sacrifice. Promotion of Leinbach to the 83rd Field Artillery October 10, 1920. small arms ammunition. We have recently added a photo of A Company/331st. D-Day and Battle of Normandy media library: archives photos and videos, Souvenir shop featuring t-shirts, caps, mugs, models or posters inspired by D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, D-Day Overlord - Marc Laurenceau 2003-2023. 44106-7107. Notice thatthe 22nd IR, 4th ID is a good 1000 yards out in front of the 83rd ID. Byron Herde, 331st Infantry As the regimental journal says for this overlay, Defense areas to use in an emergency.. C Co, 86th Chemical Mortar Battalion, from August 1st to 16th, 1944 The 83rd Division established a bridgehead over the river. Written in May 1945, six months after my father was killed in action in Gey, Germany, the letter has a simple honesty that touches the heart. Fays was finally secured, along with Ferme de Menil, on January 15. ",Pvt,C,New York,no date . They were honored with 18 British Awards and 65 French Awards. On the coast near Mont St. Michel, Pontorson, and Dol-de-Bretagne they received orders to capture the port towns of St. Malo and Dinard. After a period of training, elements of the division took Chteauneuf-d'Ille-et-Vilaine, 5 August, and Dinard, 15 August, and approached the heavily fortified area protecting St. Malo. His Scotch-Irish pioneer ancestry also gave him mental toughness and Yankee ingenuity. D-Day and Battle of Normandy Encyclopedia, Commander: Major General Robert C. Macon Heartpounding does not adequately describe the experience of watching all this at close range. Corporal Oldham of the 83rd Infantry Division of the US Army in Cancale France during World War II August 1944, Presenting the 83rd Infantry Division nicknamed the "Ragtag Circus". My dad was killed in action that morning as the GIs slugged their way out of the Hurtgen and advanced to the villages of Strass and Gey. Home | 83rd Thunderbolt Division Family Bringing together veterans, relatives and friends from all over the world Research Helping you learn more about your veteran Family Bringing together veterans, relatives and friends from all over the world Research Helping you learn more about your veteran Legacy Remembering those who served Family Men of the British 22nd Independent Parachute Company, 6th Airborne Division being briefed for the invasion, 4-5 June 1944. . The division crossed the Leine, 8 April, and attacked to the east, pushing over the Harz Mountain region and advancing to the Elbe at Barby. Those that sleep beneath our feet Fays was finally secured, along with Ferme de Menil, on January 15. They not only fought in Normandy and Brittany, but liberated Luxembourg. The people still seemed surprised at the sight of American soldiers in their city. 83rd Infantry Regiment Nickname: Ninth Militia; City Guard; Ninth Infantry National Guard Mustered in: June 8, 1861. Because of its turbulent past as a privateer stronghold, the town was protected by stone walls. They cut the St. Lo-Periers road, and forced their way into Le Mesnil Vigot. His unit had been engaged in battle with German forces near Strass, Germany, in the Hrtgen Forest, when he was reported missing in action on Dec. 16. You can learn more about Sgt. D Company Taking the offensive, the 83d reached the St. Lo-Periers Road, 25 July, and advanced 8 miles against strong opposition as the Normandy campaign ended. searching out the foe. They moved out of the Loire Valley in France, and traveled two days and nights through cities and towns, many of which brought memories of their fathers and WWI. Richard E. Chipps. 453rd AAA AW Battalion (Mbl), from July 1st, 1944 to July 9th, 1945 The division was activated in September 1917 at Camp Sherman, Ohio. slumber in profound repose. Click here to read some of his story and to see photographs of L Company/331st Infantry. That city was taken on 13 April. You will notice, maybe, there are more points than labels; for this map I wanted to only identify what related to the end-of-day situation since that was what bothoverlays were all about The unidentified points refer to either earlier in the day, or have no time information, though I did include a few of these latter if there was room. F Company These newly-acquired vehicles were quickly painted olive-green and fitted with a U.S. star before joining the 83rd. The unit included men from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Michigan, New York, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Maryland, North Carolina, Kansas, Connecticut, Kentucky, Washington, D.C., Tennessee, and even included T/Sgt. The sound of all those bombs exploding at the same time was the most terrible sound that he had ever heard. Army 83rd Infantry Division - WWII In Europe, A GI of the 83rd Division Infantry wounded during the fighting on the east bank of the Elbe Kameritz Germany World War II 16th April 1945. Pvt. These eyes have seen the bloody hedgerows in the rain. "TDC, November 19"I just got my ballot the other day, so threw it away. The 83d Infantry Division arrived in England on 16 April 1944. D Company There were no welcoming home parades for the Thunderbolt Division, but the GIs of the 83rd would carry its memory home with them. -- We consumed 25,006,000 gallons The 83rd Infantry Division on February 27, 1945 This page shows the locations and record of events for today in 1944 or 1945. Then there are those who are quitting their jobs and going to better-paying ones. Infanterie-Division) was a formation of the Imperial German Army in World War I. Several months later, it crossed the Rhine and subsequently captured the German city of Halle on April 6, 1945.