111th Field Artillery Battalion

The 111th Field Artillery Battalion was an artillery battalion of the United States Army, part of the 29th Infantry Division. The battalion fought in Operation Overlord.

111th Field Artillery Battalion
Country United States of America
BranchArmy
TypeArtillery
EngagementsWorld War II
Commanders
Honorary ColonelThornton L. Mullins

History

Origins

The 111th Field Artillery Battalion was a unit of the United States army, part of the 29th Infantry Division, based in Norfolk, Virginia,[1] and was made up of members of the National Guard.[2]

Operation Overlord

The unit took part in Operation Overlord on 6 June 1944, but its members were not happy with their mission. The plan was for them to bring their 105mm howitzers ashore two hours after the initial landings, to support the 116th infantry unit, which was intended to have secured the beach by then.[3] But the unit's leader, Lt Colonel Mullins, was concerned that the DUKW amphibious vehicles which were their intended transport were not able to bear heavy loads in rough seas.[3] Each DUKW had to carry a howitzer, fourteen men, ammunition, sandbags and other equipment to the beach.[3] Lieutenant Colonel Mullins was killed during the battle.[4]

References
  • Balkowski, Joseph, Beyond the Beachhead, The 29th Infantry Division in Normandy, Stackpole Books (1989), ISBN 0-8117-2682-7

Notes
  1. Balkowski, p.25
  2. Balkowski, p.41
  3. Balkowski, p.140
  4. "29th Infantry Division - D-Day battle order". www.dday-overlord.com. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
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