CHAPTER 1

BACKGROUND FOR INVASION

On 25 March 1942, the 343rd Field Artillery Battalion was activated at Camp Barkeley, Texas as a part of the organic artillery of the 90th Infantry Division. At that early date no one suspected the fame and glory that this unit was to achieve in the hard months and years to come. Men from all parts of the United States came to form the 90th Infantry Division and the 343rd. At first, these men wore the T-O, Texas and Oklahoma, shoulder patch with indifference. Later they learned to love it and also its battle-earned meaning of “Tough ‘Ombres”. The “Tough ‘Ombres” Division was loved by all within it and highly respected by all, friend or foe. It took a back seat to none.

The 343rd motto “Semper Paratus” (Always Prepared), dates back to the old Texas Battery A of 1879 from which came some of the original members of the 343rd Field Artillery Regiment. This Regiment was organized at Camp Travis, Texas, in 1917, as a unit of the 90th Division. It served overseas but did not participate in battle.

Under authority of Section 3A, National Defense Act, the 343rd Field Artillery was reconstituted a unit of the 90th Division, Organized Reserves in November 1921, with headquarters at Fort Worth, Texas. The unit remained in this status until 25 March 1942, when it was reorganized as the 343rd Field Artillery Battalion as part of the 90th Division Artillery.

From Fort Sill, Oklahoma came officer fillers, and from the 1st Field Artillery Battalion, 6th Infantry Division, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, came the enlisted cadre. Soon, from induction centers all over the country, came men from all walks of life, to the dusty, wind-blown tent-city at Camp Barkeley Texas.

Early in April the initial phase of basic training began under the able leadership of Lt. Col. Philip H. Enslow. Aptitude tests of all kinds were taken. The men were assigned and reassigned until all sections were built up and tested. Sweat, blisters, dust, wind, rain, hot weather, cold weather, homesickness, adjustment, readjustments, chiggers, hikes, and many other obstacles were taken in stride, and in October the Battalion journeyed to Camp Bowie, Texas for the Army Ground Force tests.

Thus, about six months after starting basic training, the 343rd was to be tested to find the results of its training. The result was the highest score ever attained by a field artillery battalion. The 343rd achieved the first of a long list of honors.

Back to Barkeley and more work, problems in freezing weather, furloughs, CT problems with the 357th Infantry Regiment, inspections; under the leadership of Lt. Col. D. K. Reimers, then Major, our present battalion commander, replacing Lt. Col. Enslow who was transferred for duty elsewhere during the tests at Camp Bowie.

In January 1943, the 90th was sent to Louisiana for maneuvers. The 90th maneuvered against the 77th Infantry Division. The results were highly satisfactory. The 343rd conducted itself honorably on all occasions, notwithstanding the fact that Fire Direction and parts of the firing batteries managed to get captured and make headlines as far away as Chicago. Under combat conditions the outcome may have been different, but under umpire rules, the greater share of the 343rd was captured. The “PW’s” were returned in due time, and undaunted by their setback went to work and made a creditable showing for the remainder of the maneuvers.

Back to Barkeley again and more training and furloughs, more hikes and obstacle courses, small arms firing and again to Camp Bowie for AGF tests. Although the 343rd didn’t make as high a score as was made the first time the tests were highly satisfactory. During all of this time the battalion was sending a very high quota of men to Officer Candidate School thus creating a great replacement problem. In September 1943 the 90th entrained for the Desert Training Center. The division made a new camp, Camp Granite, near the Granite Mountains and Freda, California. More training, hikes, service, practice, and maneuvers, this time against the 93rd Division. The results were again very satisfactory. The 343rd was living up to its record as one of the best.

Christmas of 1943 was observed by the 343rd at Camp Granite, a pause in the arrangements for the move to Fort Dix, New Jersey. The unit arrived at Fort Dix early in January 1944, and final preparations and furloughs were rushed prior to leaving the United States. The forward party left Fort Dix on 18 February and entrucked to Fort Hamilton, New York, from where it sailed, on the Queen Mary, at noon, 1 March. The battalion moved with the division to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, later sailing by combat team from New York POE aboard HMS Dominion Monarch on 23 March. The battalion arrived at Liverpool, England on 4 April and entrained to Coldport where it was met by members of the forward party and taken by truck to Camp Davenport near Worfield in Shropshire.

While in England new equipment was drawn and put into combat readiness. Service practice and battalion firing exercises were held in Wales. Vehicles and equipment were water-proofed and security measures stressed. Inspections were held and equipment checked and rechecked.

On 14 May the battalion moved to Camp Bulwark, near Chepstow, Wales, on the Bristol Channel and final inspections were held. The camp was sealed on 29 May. All contact with the outside world was lost. Officers and men were briefed on our mission. All excess equipment and clothing were turned in. On 3 June the battalion was alerted and moved by train from Chepstow to Newport where Liberty ships were boarded. June 5th, the ships moved out of the Bristol Channel and started around the southern tip of England toward France. Dry runs were history and the real test coming up. Yes, this was it!