Caliber 50
20159
0.33
Rocket AT 2.36"
2009
2.59
Mortar:
60mm Mortar
7292
1.33
81mm Mortar
10257
2.52
57mm:
57mm Gun
138
.06
[Page 2]
Artillery:
Number of Grounds
Percentage U/F
105mm M3 How (all types)
2583
2.39
105mm M2 How (all types)
24172
5.37
155mm M1 How (all types)
5483
6.09
(2) Critical items of ammunition during this period were as follows 105mm How M2; 155
How M1; Grenade, rifle, M17. The supply of ammunition during the early stages was direct from
beach dumps to using units. At times the ammo carried in by the DUKW (ducks) was unloaded
into unit ammunition trucks. As soon as the ASP was established in the beach maintenance area
the ammunition supply operated normally.
II - ORDNANCE MAINTENANCE:
a. Third echelon maintenance of motor vehicles was extremely light which was due
primarily to the very limited use of roads as the area occupied by our troops was relatively close to
the beach at this time. When the tactical situation permitted, vehicles were inspected for
completeness of de-waterproofing.
b. Recovery teams were in daily contact with all units to evacuate all unserviceable
American and captured enemy ordnance equipment.
c. The following items were critical during the period: binoculars; rifle auto Browning
caliber 30, 1918A2; launcher grenade M-7; launcher, rocket, 2.36"; gun MG, 1917A1; Mount,
tripod, caliber 30 1917A1; Gun MG 1919A4; Mount tripod, caliber 30, M2 and; 60mm mortar,
complete; 81mm mortar, complete; watch, wrist.
d. The refitting of a Battalion of Infantry, which landed on the beach without weapons or
equipment created a serious problem. Every possible source was used to re-equip these troops.
Weapons left by the airborne troops were recovered, hospitals were checked several times a day as
were beach dumps. Quantities of small arms were secured from service troops and from the 4th
Division Clearing Station.
e. As a result of the high mortality of BARs and a lack of replacements for these weapons,
it became necessary to substitute light machine guns to keep up the volume of automatic fire
necessary for the successful assault of hedgerows. This weapon as designed was not satisfactory