US Army Training Center - Yearbook (Fort Carson, CO)

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sad, qiefcl 14 'ufilfeaq Battalion Lieutenant Colonel H. P. RIMMER Battalion Commander X 3 QUBERTS X 1!Lt, 2fLt, Captain WILLIAM P, ROBERTS ROBERT 1, HYDE JAMES L, THOMPSON Adjutant s-2 s-3 R P x C-W-fl Mfsgr. Mfsgr. LAWRENCE R. FREGEAU JAMES R, CARROLL JAMES J, NEWMAN 5,4 Sergeant Major Operations Sergeant

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3-Wfa fzfzlllefzy Balfafian just two years after their redesignation and activation in 1940 the 34th Field Artillery Battalion was rolling across Tunisia in pursuit of the German Army, Their destination was Kasserine Pass, where they were to engage in one of the greatest artillery battles in history. The 9th Divarty was preparing to hold desert maneuvers nearly 800 miles away from the main objective in Romme1's rush across Africa-Tebessa, It seemed impossible for the artillery to reach it in time to stop the Nazi war machine, But the column started rolling with the 34th FA leading the way, Through snow, rain, and over treacherous mountain roads the column made its way, sleeping only occasionally and eating on the run, The Nazis struck with everything they had-tanks, infantry, airplanesg but nothing could silence the guns of the 34th, Losses were tremendous, but Marshal Rommel was stopped, It marked the first time in the history of modern warfare that artillery had stopped combined assault of tanks, motorized infantry, dive-bomb- ers-and also dueled with enemy artillery, At Trapini, Sicily, the veteran 155m cannoneers of the 34th teamed with the 82d Airborne Division, and helped win the island. Up through France and Belgium the 34th continued poking holes in the German defenses, Over the Rhine and into the bread- basket of Germany the 34th FA kept up its devastating onslaught,

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60M aielcf fzfillmy Eaifllafian i A Division first was racked up hy the 60th Field Artillery Battalion one day after Operation Torch, the inyasion of North Africa, was under way. This was accom- plished when battalion guns assigned to the 60th RCT's 3rd Battalion dueled with Vichy French artillery and con- sequently became the first 9th Division unit to make a river crossing in YVYV II. Allied Forces had high, hopes of .stopping Rommelfv Afrika Korps at the Kasserine Pass and prevent him from capturing Telzessa, the main Allied supply center in T11- nisia. But, to do this, artillery support was necessary. Nearly 800 miles away the 60th FA and 9th Diyarty received the order to proceed to Tebessa. Despite had weather and rough terrain they arrived in time. The Cer- mans were already infiltrating the pass when they arriyed. WVith hardly enough time to dig in. the tillth FA opened fire. Firing at almost flat trajectory. the artillery completely crushed the German attack. The Afrika liorps was through as an ellecliye fighting unit. In Sicily the 60th FA saved the lst Battalion of the tiflth RCT when they were pinned down near Nlonte Camo- lato. Although they could see nothing ol' the entrenched Germans, the artillery layed down a barrage that prey enled the enemy from moving. Finally, with the air of a spotter in a small plane, the tillth silenced enemy guns. At Ihr' famed hatllr' of Reniagen. the 60111 Fl lIOIllllll'll enemy installations located on ilu' lieiglils ozierloolcing the Llllll'lIll0l'H Ifriflge.