#3rd US Heavy Artillery (Colored)

[mesetacadre]

The Yugoslav volunteers in the International Brigades

Translated from this article, my own comments in [italicized brackets]

The total number of Yugoslavs in Spain differs according to researchers. The French historian, Hervé Lemesle, states that the total exceeds 1900, with the main contingent being Croatian, followed by Slovenes and Serbs. A majority were workers from many sectors and peasants. There were also doctors, engineers, teachers, journalists, and students. Most traveled from Yugoslavia, although there were groups of exileds or migrants from many European countries, as well as the US, Canada or Argentina.

The number of deaths (including MIA) in Spain is close to 800, a very high percentage (40%), although other studies estimate 32%. At any rate, it’s higher than the average losses for the International Brigades (27%). The most notorious victim was Blagoje Parović [Šmit, nom de guerre], part of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia’s Central Committee and political commissar of the XIII International Brigade, who died the first day in the Battle of Brunete. His remains were buried in the Fuencarral cemetery.

There were 16 Yugoslav women in the Health Services. The oldest was 43, while the youngest were only 22 years old. Most of the female volunteers arrived in Spain in 1937, from the Kingdom of Yugoslavia or countries such as Algeria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, France, and Uruguay. Some of those women had been active agents of the worker movement or even members of the CPY before leaving for Spain. Those who lacked medical training attended a preparation course beforehand. They worked in the hospitals of Murcia, Albacete, Benicasim, Denia, Madrigeras, Vic, and other cities. Avgust Lesnik writes: “There were 16 women: doctors Adela Bohunicki, Nada Dimitrijević-Nešković, and Dobrila Mezić-Šiljak, [as well as the nurses] Ana-Marija Basch (Baš), Olga Dragić-Belović (Milić Milica), Elizabeta-Liza Gavrić, Marija-Peči Glavaš, Marija Habulin, Lea Kraus, Tereza Kučera, Lujza Pihler (Demić Borka), Ottilia Reschitz-Zanoni, Ana Seles-Brozović, Kornelija Sende-Popović, Eugenia Simonetti, and Marija Šneeman”.

Borka Demic (right) in the Pasionaria Hospital of Murcia (colored by Tina Paterson)

If I were to be born again, I’d continue fighting for the ideals of my youth. Then, nothing was difficult and I don’t regret anything (Borka Demic)

The Yugoslav volunteers in the various units and arms

After the formation of the International Brigades, the Yugoslav volunteers were distributed throughout different units. For instance, the Edgar André battalion had 36, the Thälmann had 93, Garibaldi had 40, and Chapaiev had 78. The main body of Yugoslavs, however, were first integrated into the Balkan company of the Dombrowski battalion (120), and immediately after, into the Dimitrov battalion. By early 1938 a good portion of the Yugoslavs were integrated into two of the 129th Brigade’s battalions: Dimitrov (191) and Djaković (150). They were also a part of the 45th International Division (108)

There was Yugoslav presence in various arms and services: 4 in aviation; 12 in transport units, 1 in the navy, 33 in the International Brigades’ health service, and 26 in the guerrilla groups (one of the most experienced of which was Ljubomir Ilič). More important than this was their presence (131 members) in the artillery arm, of which there were 21 in the heavy artillery Slav Group, 22 in the 2nd heavy artillery Škoda Group’s Liebknecht Battery, 18 in the 3rd heavy artillery Group, 38 in the 4th anti-tank Group’s Stjepan Radić battery, 6 in the 35 Division’s Ana Pauker artillery Group, 5 in the 45 Division’s Rosa Luxembourg artillery Group, and 21 in the Gottwald battery. Furthermore, 65 Yugoslavs fought in the Spanish units of the Republican Army. (Avgust Lesnik)

They fought in almost every front in Spain, from the defense of Madrid to the very last battles of the retreat into France (Januray-February 1939) being an example of fearlessness and courage, because of which a good part of them received war medals from the Spanish Republican Government.

The Dimitrov battalion until December 1937

As has been explained in another article, the Dimitrov battalion was formed in January 1937 in the instructional base in Mahora. They entered battle the 12th of February in the Jarama battle, which finished the 27th of that same month. Then, until mid June, it stayed covering that from with the other battalions of the XV International Brigade.

After a two week rest in Ambite (Tajuña valley), the XV Brigade travelled to Madrid’s north to take part of the first great republican offensive in Brunete. Combat started during the night of the 5 to the 6th of July. The XV International Brigade was a part of, along the XIII and 16 BM, the XV Division under general Gal’s command [János Gálicz, a Soviet-Hungarian officer who also led the Lincoln Battalion]. The mission was to take the heights of Romanillos (XIII IB) and Mosquito (XV IB). It wasn’t possible because operations were slow and the brigades could not take the important francoist positions. The Dimitrov went as far as taking the Miraval Olive Grove, but in the 18th of July, when the first francoist counter-offensive commences, they lost it. Since that point, the republican positions began to retreat until the 22nd, when they were forced to cross back through the Guadarrama river. The XV IB was relieved the 26th of July and went back to where they began the offensive.

In late July, the Dimitrov returned to Ambite (Tajuña valley) and was able to reorganize: the battalion, that had arrived with 143 combatants, reached 563. In this way, in the 24th of August, it threw itself with renewed force against the Aragonian village of Quinto, which fell 26th. During the taking of the village and the Purburell hill, which defended them to the east, the Dimitrov battalion’s courage stood out. The same was true in the fierce week-long combat to subdue Belchite.

After this battle, the Dimitrov was detached from the XV Brigade and, during the few following months, was a part of, along with the Djuro Djakovic battalion, the 45th International Division’s Reserve Group. It was a period that they dedicated to military education and to the surveillance of the Huesca Front from the second line. In January 1938 they received the order to transfer to the Southern Front. Close to Almadén, in Chillón, the last International Brigade was formed, the 129th; composed of these two battalions plus the newly created Masaryk battalion.

The Djuro Djakovic Battalion

Composed primarily of Yugoslav volunteers, plus a few Czechoslovaks and Bulgarians, adopted their name in memory of that Croat revolutionary and member of the CPY, tortured and executed in 1929 by order of the king and dictator Alexander the First.

It was formed in April 1937 from the Balkan Company of the Dombrowski battalion. This Company had participated, with the Dombrowski, in the Defense of Madrid and in the battles of Boadilla, Jarama, and Guadalajara. Its excellent conduct pushed general Lukács [Béla Frankl, or Máté Zalka, nom de guerre Pál Lukács, a Hungarian veteran of the Russian Civil War, where he fought alongside the Bolsheviks, he died 2 months later in Huesca], leader of the XII IB, to convert the Company into the core from which the new Djure Djakovic battalion would arise. Its first combat happened in April 1937 in Santa Quiteria, in the Aragon Front, along the Rakosi battalion and the Karl Marx Division.

It returned to Carabaña (Madrid) to reorganize under the command of Bulgarian captain Jristov, and marched to Roquetes in June (close to Tortosa) to join the 150th IB (Dombrowski Brigade), formed in May from the Dombrowski, Rakosi, and André Marty battalions. This brigade plus the XII IB formed the 45th division, under the command of General Kléber [Manfred Stern, nom de guerre Emilio Kléber, a Ukranian Jew member of Soviet military intelligence], was sent to Madrid in early July to take part in the Brunete offensive as a reserve unit to the XVIII Army Corps.

The Djakovic battalion did not have any special role in Brunete, but it did in the following offensive towards Zaragoza (24th of August - 7th of September), as was expressed in Wladimir Stopczyk’s final report as Commissar of the XIII IB: “It has been told to me how, when they had been encircled and cut off there was no panic whatsoever, nor any case of disobeying an order. They conducted themselves with an equal parts spirit of sacrifice and discipline, as they continue to do so, as well as the soldiers of our Brigade’s other battalions. I have to specially remark the Djakovic battalion’s attitude who, despite the heavy losses suffered in the last scuttles, with intense fire from fascist artillery and aviation, maintained a dignified and heroic attitude”.

Both in this instance as in the October attack against Fuentes de Ebro, this battalion suffered many losses. Afterwards, the Dimitrov and Djakovic battalions were designated as the 45th Division’s Reserve Group. This division, from October 1937 to January 1938, remained in the Litera region as reinforcement of the first line at the Huesca front.

The 129th International Brigade

In February 1938, these two battalions, with the predominantly Czechoslovak Masaryk battalion, formed the 129th IB, in Chillón, close to Almadén. It was led by the Polish Wacław Komar [born Mendel Kossoj, known in Spain as Wacek Komar, a Jewish survivor of the Holocaust and member of the Polish Communist Party until his retirement in 1967]. In addition to these battalions, the 129th IB had at its disposal an anti-tank battery made up of Yugoslavs, a mortar company and a cavalry squadron. In late March 1938. the 129th IB was transferred to the area around Morella, where it suffered heavy losses. The fascist troops led by general Aranda and the Italian Divisions advanced with numerous human and material resources, and the three battalions suffered severe losses. To this, the errors of the Republican command must be added, despite which the volunteers fought with high valor. Finally, in the 4th of April, the 129th evacuated the fort of Morella and retreated to rebuild its forces in Benassal, northeast of Castellón.

Yugoslav volunteers of the Djakovic battalion during the strategic retreat in Teruel

Once rebuilt and rearmed (the brigade once surpassed 2000 members), it initiated a series of defensive combats in the 17th of April in the province of Teruel in the context of the battle of the Levant. The scarcely-known feat began in Ejulve, in the province of Teruel’s north. For three months, these volunteers had the leading role in a strategic retreat of 225km [139.8 miles], through the mountains of Teruel, which brought them up to the Javalambre front, passing through Mora de Rubielos. In this last front, the 129th IB kept the defense and carried out a few attacks, highlighting the 18th of September attack to take the road from Teruel to Sagunto, the last swan song of a brigade that covered itself in glory during its short 7 month lifespan.

The Yugoslav volunteers at the end of the war in Spain

The international volunteers were disbanded in the 24th of September. In the center-south area it was done 2 weeks after, in early October. Those who remained in the Catalan region were concentrated in Campdevanol, north of Ripoll. A good part of the Yugoslavs, presents in the 129th IB and the artillery units, were concentrated in the Admiral’s headquarters in Valencia. In December, they were transported to Almusafes until they were able to travel to Barcelona by boat the 20th of January.

Days later, before Barcelona’s fall and the coming republican collapse, most of the Yugoslavs offered themselves as volunteers to help in the task of preventing the fascist advance, which they did from the 26th of January until February 6th. This is how Svetsilav Dorevic told it: “The end of our fight has come, the internationals’ last compromise was to help the Spanish fellows to contain the enemy at least a little bit, so the evacuation that had to be done could be done without panic and in order, so it did not fall prey to the enemy, as well as to prevent the capture of people at risk of death”.

After, came the concentration camps in Argeles sur Mer, Saint Cyprien, Collioure, Gurs, and others. Many managed to escape, others were transferred to the French work camps, others to the French resistance, as well as the resistance in other European countries. The metallurgical worker Koturović (“Cot”), of Belgrade, was a legendary hero of the French Resistance Movement, in which Ljubomir Ilič, Vlajko Begović, and Lazar Latinović also played a marked role.

Almost 350 were able to return to Yugoslavia, of which 250 joined the partisan fight beared by Tito [Another international volunteer] and the CPY. Around 150 perished in the national liberation war from 1942 to 1945. Many of those organized insurrections, led guerrilla detachments, or were unit chiefs. Because of their merits in the fight against the fascist invaders, the Popular Hero of Yugoslavia medal was awarded to more than 50 ex-combatants of the International Brigades, amongst which were Franc Rozman, Koča Popović, Kosta Nadj, Vladimir Popović, Peko Dapčević, Iván Rukavina, Danilo Lekić, Dušan Kveder, Veljko Kovačević, Srećko Manola, Vlado Cetković, Vojo Todorović, Otmar Kreačić, and Vicko Antić. All the rest were awarded with high medals.

[greatworldwar2]

• 92nd Infantry Division

The 92nd Infantry Division was a segregated infantry division of the United States Army that served in both World War I and World War II. the American buffalo was selected as the divisional insignia due to the "Buffalo Soldiers" nickname, given to African American cavalrymen in the 19th century.

The 92nd Division was first constituted on paper October 24th, 1917 in the National Army, over six months after the U.S. entry into World War I. The division was commanded throughout most of its existence by Major General Charles C. Ballou and was composed of the 183rd Infantry Brigade with the 365th and 366th Infantry Regiments, and the 184th Infantry Brigade with the 367th and 368th Infantry Regiments, together with supporting artillery, engineer, medical and signal units attached. The division was organized on October 27th, 1917 at Camp Funston, Kansas. A special "negro zone" was to be built at the east end of Camp Funston, with "separate amusement places and exchanges." A.D. Jellison, a banker of Junction City, Kansas, gave a plot of land for a "community house," to be erected by the black men from the seven states which sent African-American trainees. As was the case with the 93rd Division, parts of the 92nd served under and alongside the French Army after both the main American Expeditionary Force, adhering to the racial policies of President Woodrow Wilson, Secretary of War Newton D. Baker, and southern Democrats who promoted the "separate but equal" doctrine, refused to allow African-American soldiers serve in combat with them. The 92nd Division saw combat in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive during November 1918.

The 92nd Infantry Divison was reactivated on October 15th, 1942, and was sent overseas on September 22nd, 1944. The division was reactivated as an infantry division with the "colored" designation, under the command of Major General Edward Almond, ten months after the American entry into World War II, at Fort Huachuca, Arizona and spent almost two years training in the United States. In late July 1944, the 370th Infantry Regiment was sent overseas to Italy and temporarily attached to the 1st Armored Division. The rest of the division would be sent overseas in September of that year, and the division as a whole would see heavy combat during the remainder of the Italian Campaign. During the 92nd Division's participation in the Italian Front, the Buffalo Soldiers made contact with units of many nationalities: beyond the attached 442nd Regimental Combat Team (442nd RCT), they also had contact with the colonial troops of the British and French colonial empires (Moroccans, Algerians, Senegalese, Indians, Gurkhas, Arab and Jewish Palestinians) as well as with exiled Poles, Greeks and Czechs, anti-fascist Italians and the troops of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force (FEB).

The division's commander, Major General Edward Almond, was for a time highly regarded by General George Marshall, the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, who was a fellow Virginia Military Institute (VMI) graduate. This was a major factor in Almond's promotion to major general and subsequent command of the division, a position he held from its formation in October 1942 until August 1945. He led the division in combat throughout the Italian Campaign of 1944–1945. Almond was chosen by General Marshall to command the division because he believed Almond would excel at what was seen as a difficult assignment. However, Almond performed poorly and went on to blame his poor performance on the fact that the division was made up of largely African American troops. He saw his troops as the source of his failure in combat, and went on to advise the army against ever again using African American soldiers as combat troops.

The 370th Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 1st Armored Division, arrived in Naples, Italy, August 1st, 1944 and entered combat on 24th. It participated in the crossing of the Arno River, the occupation of Lucca and the penetration of the Gothic Line. Enemy resistance was negligible in its area. As Task Force 92, elements of the 92nd attacked on the Ligurian coastal flank toward Massa, October 5th. By the 12th, the slight gains achieved were lost to counterattacks. Elements of the 92nd moved to the Serchio sector, November 3rd, 1944, and advanced in the Serchio River Valley against light resistance, but the attempt to capture Castelnuovo di Garfagnana did not succeed. Patrol activities continued until December 26th, when the enemy attacked, forcing units of the 92nd to withdraw. The attack ended on December 28th. The attacking forces were mainly from the Republic of Salò's Fascist Army, the 4th Italian "Monte Rosa" Alpine Division. After continuing poor combat performance including many instances of unauthorized withdrawals upon meeting the enemy, low morale and malingering, the 92nd Infantry Division was considered of inferior quality both by German and U.S. commands and fit for only defensive roles. Things deteriorated to the point that the division was withdrawn from the lines and rebuilt in early 1945 with the removal of the 366th Infantry Regiment (formed into two engineer general service regiments) and the addition of the 473rd and 442nd Infantry Regiments.Many historians have begun to reevaluate the combat record of the 92nd Infantry Division as contemporaneous reports of its honorable performance have continued to surface. Numerous veterans of the division believed that the reports of poor performance were motivated by racist sentiments present within the senior officer ranks. Even as evidence mounts in support of the division's honorable conduct, some still seek to suppress these facts. The famous and highly decorated Nisei 442nd, made up of Japanese Americans, was withdrawn from the fighting in France to bolster the division's combat effectiveness. The 365th and 371st Infantry Regiments became training and security regiments, respectively, and were stationed in rear areas, although still nominally assigned to the division. On April 1st, the 370th RCT and the attached 442nd Regimental Combat Team (Nisei) attacked the Ligurian coastal sector and drove rapidly north against light opposition from the German 148th Infantry Division, which was supported only by Italian coastal units. The 370th took over the Serchio sector and pursued the retreating enemy from April 18th until the collapse of all enemy forces on April 29th, 1945. Elements of the 92nd Infantry Division entered La Spezia and Genoa on 27th and took over selected towns along the Ligurian coast until the enemy surrendered on May 2nd, 1945 when all German forces in Italy surrendered.

The numbers alone tell an impressive story. Of 12,846 Buffalo Soldiers who saw action, 2,848 were killed, captured or wounded. The Buffalo Soldiers did, in fact, break through the Gothic Line. They reached their objective, captured or helped to capture nearly 24,000 prisoners and received more than 12,000 decorations and citations for their gallantry in combat. The soldiers of the 92nd Infantry Division had proved their worth to America once again through months of bitter combat in the Italian Campaign. Two members of the 92nd Infantry Division were medal of honor recipients John R. Fox, and Vernon J. Baker. The Medal of Honor was not awarded to these recipients until 1997. The 92nd Infantry Division was the only African American infantry division to see combat in Europe during World War II, as part of the U.S. Fifth Army, fighting in the Italian Campaign.

[markerhunter]

Summary Statement, 4th Quarter, 1863 – Louisiana

Summary Statement, 4th Quarter, 1863 – Louisiana

In the third quarter of 1863, we discussed a single line entryunder the Louisiana heading, showing no ordnance reported with the 1st Louisiana Heavy Artillery (African Descent). From that I introduced the administrative history of that regiment. As noted in that post, in November 1863 the regiment changed names to the 1st Corps de Afrique Heavy Artillery. Later, in the spring of 1864, the…

[civilwar-soldiers-history]

- Henry Solomon Mohler; Batt C, 3rd PA Heavy Artillery & Co D/B 4th US Colored Troops 🇺🇸💣📯 - Henry S Mohler was born on Dec 7, 1837 to Sarah Snavely & Solomon Mohler in Upper Allen Twp, Cumberland Co, PA. He was the oldest and only son among 4 sisters. Henry can trace his earliest history back to his GGf Johannes Mohler. John, and his 2 brothers, arrived in Lancaster Co, PA sometime in 1720 from Switzerland as part of the religious community of the German Baptist Brethren or better known as the “Dunkards”. A name many of you may recognize belonging to the famed church on the Antietam battlefield. The religion was prominent in Henry’s childhood. Henry’s father, the son of a minister, was a religious man and a strong Whig supporter along with its platform stances, including abolition. His allegiance shifted over to the newly formed Republican Party in 1852. Henry though wasn’t as religious like most of his family, being more independent. Henry grew up on his father’s farm through the 1840s before receiving his education at the local public school. In the late 1850s, he courted a local girl named Eliza Byers. They were wed on February 26, 1861. He was 23 and she was 19. - Henry seemed to be a patriotic man and wanted to fight in the war that was very quickly picking up pace; but, a few obstacle laid in his path: a new wife, being the only son, and his family’s religious views including pacifism. It wasn’t until Sept 20, 1862, three days after Antietam, that Henry finally enlisted. He joined Batt C, 3rd PA Heavy Artillery. He spent his entire service with the 3rd at Ft Monroe in VA. Here he may have fought with Graham’s Naval Brig along the James, Chickahominy, & Nansemond Rivers. On March 23, 1864, Henry received a promotion to 2nd Lt and an appointment from Pres Lincoln to Co D, 4th USCT; a position last held by Charles A Brown who had been discharged. At the time of his promotion, the 4th had just returned to Ft Monroe from 2 expeditions around Petersburg. Henry reported to the 4th on March 30 and was mustered in on April 4. - Continued in comments… (at Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CI1R9UhBtEh/?igshid=moxgvdrsa7od

[thenewleeland]

The Battle of Gettysburg and five high-ranking officers.

EXTENSIVE WARNING FOR INJURIES, DEATH AND ALL That.

So, considering how this day went, my history contribution of the day is decidedly not cheery.

5. Col. Harrison Jeffords, 5th Michigan Volunteers, 2nd Brigade, 1st Divison, V Corps, U.S.A.

A practicing lawyer who rose from Captain to Colonel of his regiment. During the second day of the fighting on July 2, Jeffords was involved in a melee when the colors of his regiment were about to be captured.

He received a gunshot wound to the thigh and was bayonetted by a Confederate soldier in the left abdomen. The latter injury proved fatal and he died in the night, aged 28. He was the highest commissioned officer in the Civil War to die of a bayonet wound.

4. Brig. Gen. Richard Brooke Garnett, Garnett's Brigade, Pickett’s Division, First Corps, C.S.A.

Career soldier. During the Battle of Cedar Mountain, he had his outnumbered brigade retreat when it was surrounded by the enemy. His commanding officer, “Stonewall” Jackson arrested him for “neglect of duty”. His court martial never took place and Jackson died from his wounds he suffered at Chancellorsville. Garnett’s reputation being reinstated was almost impossible now, as the dead Jackson was a hero for the South.

Despite being injured, Garnett participated in the assault of July 3, riding a horse. An easy target for Union artillery and infantry, Garnett was killed during the charge, his body never identified. Reports how he died vary, either he was struck in the head by a bullet or his body was torn asunder by canister shot.

3. Col. George Lamb Willard, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, II Corps, U.S.A.

Willard commanded the so-called “Harper’s Ferry Brigade”. The brigade had surrendered when Confederate troops captured the Federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry without offering much of a fight, though the fault lay with the overall Union commander, Dixon S. Miles. After being paroled, Willard and his men joined the II Corps, but the veterans were cold towards the “Harper’s Ferry cowards.”

On July 2, the chance for redemption arrived when a Mississippi brigade broke through the Union positions. The counter-attack by Willard’s brigade broke the enemy ranks and his men proceeded to pursue the fleeing enemy. At the height of their glory, a shell fragment tore away Willard’s face and part of his head, killing him instantly.

2. Col. Isaac Erwin Avery, Hoke’s Brigade, Early’s Division, Second Corps, C.S.A.

A 34-year old railrod man, his brigade was part of an attack on the late evening of July 2. In the darkness, Avery was separated from his men and hit by a bullet in the neck. Partially paralyzed, he was unable to coordinate his brigade’s unsuccessful attack. Unable to speak and use his right hand due to the wound, Avery scribbled a note with his left, addressed to his friend Major Tate. Avery either died during the night or was found the next morning and succumbed to his injury in a field hospital.

1. Brig. Gen. Gabriel René Paul, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, I Corps, U.S.A.

A career officer, he served in the Mexican-American War and captured a Mexican flag during the storming of Chapultepec. Despite this, Gettysburg was his first real test as a brigade commander.

While defending their lines against numerically superior Confederate troops, Paul was bringing one of his regiments into position when a bullet smashed through his right temple and emerged through his left eye socket. Paul immediately fell into a coma, both eyes torn out.

Paul would live 23 more years, but was plagued by heavy headaches and frequent epilepsy attacks (up to six (!) a day). He died from a severe seizure in 1886.

Further reading (among others): Tagg, Larry: The Generals of Gettysburg. The Leaders of America’s Greatest Battle, Cambridge, 1998

[hudsonespie]

75 Years Ago: U.S. Coast Guard Operations at Okinawa

[By BM1 William A. Bleyer, U.S. Coast Guard]

In late March 1945, nearly 1,300 ships of the Allied forces of America, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada assembled to support the largest amphibious operation of the Pacific War–the invasion of Okinawa and Ryukyu Islands.

Map showing the Ryukyu Islands, including Okinawa and nearby Kerama Retto. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Okinawa is a large island, sixty miles long and nearly ten wide. It lies only 360 miles from Japan and was part of the Japanese colonial empire. Japanese leaders were determined to hold the island, both out of national pride and as a key to their East China Sea defensive perimeter. Although its native inhabitants did not consider themselves Japanese, to Japan’s leaders Okinawa was home territory. Trying to maintain their “island hopping” momentum, Allied planners wanted to get closer to the Home Islands by landing on the “back porch” of Japan at Okinawa.

Allied military strategists codenamed the plan to invade Okinawa Operation “Iceberg.” Attached to the invasion armada was the largest fleet of Coast Guard ships to participate in a World War II naval operation. In all, the Coast Guard operated seven transports, 29 LSTs (Landing Ship, Tank), 12 LCIs (Landing Craft, Infantry), high-endurance cutters Bibb and Taney, buoy tender Woodbine, and submarine chaser PC-469.Many of these vessels and their Coast Guard crews were veterans of amphibious campaigns in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Mediterranean theaters. 

LSTs landing equipment and supplies on the beaches of Okinawa. In the distance can be seen dozens of vessels of the invasion fleet. (U.S. Coast Guard)

For Okinawa’s defense, the Japanese Imperial Army and Imperial Navy assembled hundreds of aircraft, small boats, manned torpedoes and kamikaze (meaning “Divine Wind”) suicide aircraft. The island’s Japanese defenders numbered 120,000 troops. The Allies committed over 500,000 men, including three Marine Corps divisions and four Army infantry divisions with an Army infantry division held in reserve in New Caledonia.

Six days before the main landings, an Allied task force invaded the Kerama Retto islands about 20 miles west of Okinawa. The task force included the cutter Bibb, six Coast Guard-manned LSTs and troops of the U.S. Army’s 77th Infantry Division. Coast Guard-manned LST-829 had the honor of landing the first infantrymen to invade the Japanese-held islands. After capturing Kerama Retto, these troops set-up an advanced fueling depot, repair base and air field to support the invasion forces. 

Allied military planners designated April 1st as “L-Day,” the landing day in which the Okinawa invasion would commence. As in previous campaigns, the Allies curtailed local enemy air and sea operations before initiating the invasion. In addition, the Navy brought up two bombardment fleets and, for over a week before the landings, carrier planes, B-29 heavy bombers and warships softened up enemy positions. 

Burned out mid-section of LST-884 after the deadly kamikaze attack. (U.S. Coast Guard)

In the early morning of Easter Sunday, thousands of ships of the armada arrived off Okinawa. At 8:30 a.m., fire support ships began laying down an intense onshore barrage. Over 500 planes from American aircraft carriers swarmed over the landing areas to knock out enemy positions. Allied strategists had planned the initial assault for the western and southern sides of the island because two enemy airfields lay nearby. During the initial landings, Allied forces put ashore four divisions abreast over an eight-mile front of beaches.          

Coast Guard-manned LSTs performed with their usual efficiency, both during the initial landings and with vital logistical support in the following weeks. These awkward vessels, also known as “Large, Slow Targets,” arrived after about a week at sea overloaded with troops and supplies. They lay close to the beaches and regularly made smoke screens for invasion vessels while their crews dashed to general quarters during countless air raids.

Photo of Coast Guard-manned LST-884 unloading troops and supplies before its catastrophic kamikaze attack at Okinawa. (U.S. Coast Guard)

On L-Day, LST-884 approached with the invasion fleet, steaming at three knots toward the beaches. By 6:00 a.m., under a moonlit sky, general quarters were sounded for the Coast Guard crew and the 300 Marines. Less than 30 minutes later, lookouts spotted three Japanese planes flying about 250 feet above the water bearing down on the invasion fleet. LST-884’s port guns and guns from other ships opened fire. The barrage brought down two of the aircraft. The third burst into flames and crashed into the port side of the LST. The aircraft passed through the shipfitter’s shop and continued into the tank deck where it exploded with a tremendous roar.

Repair parties worked feverishly to put out the fire, but the kamikaze had crashed into stowed mortar ammunition. The intense fire and exploding ammunition made it impossible for the men to fight the fire and heavy smoke began to fill the 884. As the fire burned out of control, the danger of flames reaching the fuel tanks increased. At 5:55 a.m., commanding officer, LT Charles Pearson, ordered the ship abandoned and the surviving men transferred to nearby vessels. After most of the ammunition had exploded, LT Pearson returned to the LST with volunteers and put out the fires. They saved the ship, but 19 Marines and one Coast Guardsman had perished in the inferno.

Troop transport Joseph T. Dickman at anchor in the Pacific unloading supplies to waring LCVPs under a cloudy sky. (U.S. Navy)

Despite the kamikaze attacks, the landings proceeded better than perhaps any other in the Pacific invasion. Coast Guard-manned troop transports entered the fray on the first day. The transport Joseph T. Dickman arrived at the transport area at 5:40 a.m. on L-Day. The Dickman had on board a total of 1,368 troops, 99 vehicles and over 83,000 cubic feet of cargo. Combat loading for an amphibious assault has been compared to a chess game that cannot be won, and the mixed cargo of troops and supplies caused delays in unloading. The Dickman continued to unload as late as April 9th, L-Day plus seven. On March 28th, the Cambria had sailed from Ulithi Atoll arriving off Okinawa just before 5:00 a.m. on April 1st. The transport served as a flagship for one of the transport groups and spent three days unloading troops and cargo. On April 3rd, the Cambria sent ashore a beach party of three officers and 43 men to speed supplies to the front lines. 

Coast Guard beachmasters and their men waged war against an unseen enemy of coral reefs. Beach parties blasted numerous coral heads allowing landing craft access to the landing zones. Due to the need for supplies, beachmasters unloaded as many landing craft as possible for six hours around high tide, piled the supplies on the beach and then moved the material inland at low tide. Unfortunately, this kept the transports at anchor for longer periods endangering the vessels from attacks by the kamikazes, suicide boats and torpedo craft.

Kamikaze photographed just before crashing into an Allied naval vessel. (U.S. Navy)

The Allies applied lessons learned from earlier amphibious assaults. Several hours after the troop transports arrived, control craft deployed for the beaches to establish a line of departure. Each of the control craft displayed a unique colored banner corresponding with the color designating each beach. A guide boat then directed each wave of craft from the line of departure to the beach. These boats also flew a pennant that corresponded to the beach’s color. Additionally, the landing craft on the initial waves had the color of the beach painted on their topsides. As the first wave reached the shore, the landing party erected a colored banner to guide landing craft arriving later. This coloring system simplified movement of boats from the line of departure to the beach and helped beachmasters recognize the boats and direct them to the proper landing areas.

With the exception of a few air attacks, light artillery and mortar fire, the Japanese had not contested the beach landings. On L-Day, Allied naval forces landed 50,000 troops. Within two days, these troops had fought to the east side of the island cutting Japanese forces in two. Resistance in the northern portion of the island fell quickly, but Japanese resistance grew tenacious in the southern end.

Troops coming ashore from an LCVP from the Dickman on the left. (U.S. Navy)

On April 6th, the Japanese began a counterattack against the invasion fleet. To attack Allied ships, the Japanese used manned torpedoes and small speedboats loaded with explosives. The Japanese hid over 250 of these suicide boats around the island, however, Allied forces captured coastal areas before most were deployed. Coast Guard submarine chaser PC-469 encountered three suicide boats sinking two in a close-quarters firefight and drove off a third. PC-469 would also shoot down two enemy aircraft later in the battle.Coast Guard Cutter Bibb configured as an amphibious command ship with added radio antenna and anti-aircraft guns. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Within flying range of the Japanese Home Islands, the Allied fleet was subjected to frequent air attacks, many by kamikazes. These suicide attacks were deadly and included conventional aircraft and rocket-powered flying bombs called Ohkas launched from bomber motherships. Allied fighter aircraft engaged the Japanese attackers while ship-mounted anti-aircraft guns of all calibers frantically fired skyward at the enemy. The kamikazes focused on large ships like aircraft carriers, but attacked any target of opportunity. Coast Guard 327-foot cutters Bibb and Taney, veterans of the Battle of the Atlantic, served as amphibious command ships and found themselves in the thick of the action. Bibb survived 55 air raids and shot down one aircraft. Taney, which began the war on December 7, 1941, firing at Japanese planes attacking Pearl Harbor, set general quarters 119 times, shot down at least four enemy aircraft, and even took fire from a Japanese shore battery.

Coast Guard Cutter Bibb configured as an amphibious command ship with added radio antenna and anti-aircraft guns. (U.S. Coast Guard) Growing desperate to stop the invasion, the Japanese even sortied Yamato, the world’s largest battleship, on a one-way suicide mission to attack the invasion fleet. However, American carrier aircraft sank the enemy behemoth before it reached Okinawa. During the campaign, suicide attacks sank six Allied ships and damaged another 120 vessels.

Okinawa was the last major invasion of the war. Despite their numerical superiority, the Allies took three months to secure the island. The battle claimed over 13,000 American lives and wounded 36,000 more. The Japanese lost 120,000 men, including troops, pilots and naval personnel. Frequently caught in the crossfire or conscripted to fight by the Japanese, nearly half the Okinawan civilian population died in the battle. 

Coast Guardsmen visit Okinawa’s temporary military cemetery to pay respects to a fallen shipmate. (U.S. Coast Guard)

The Okinawa Campaign was one of countless Coast Guard supported operations of World War II. Coast Guard-manned ships would participate in other minor amphibious assaults, and support Allied forces as they occupied Japan after its August 1945 surrender. In 1946, in the ceremony returning the Coast Guard to the Treasury Department, Navy Secretary James Forrestal stated that the Coast Guard had, “Earned the highest respect and deepest appreciation of the Navy and Marine Corps. Its performance of duty has been without exception in keeping with the highest traditions of the naval service.”

Throughout the war, the men and women of the United States Coast Guard demonstrated the Service’s combat readiness and lived up to its motto of Semper Paratus.

This article appears courtesy of Coast Guard Compass and may be found in its original form here. 

from Storage Containers https://maritime-executive.com/article/75-years-ago-u-s-coast-guard-operations-at-okinawa via http://www.rssmix.com/

[ejct1]

Index Astartes: The Gravewalkers, Worshipers of Death Pt. 1

Along with being a fantasy fan, I also have a raging hard-on for Warhammer 40,000. So, in typical 40k fan fashion, I came up with my own idea for a Loyalist Astartes Chapter. Modeled after the old Index Astartes released by GW, I’ve drawn up basic ideas on their origins, culture, quirks, tactics, battle history, etcetera, etcetera. Because there’s a shit ton of stuff I’ve written so far, I’m gonna post it piecemeal as to avoid stupidly long and boring posts. This one will be focused on general info and terminology, and as such is really boring and is more of a reference post for later.

Founding: 21st (Cursed) Founding, occurred 991.M35 Colors: Light Green and Bronze Trim/Accents/Knee and Elbow pads Chapter Symbol: Clenched skeletal fist wreathed in bright green flames Home World: Sarphagein IX, Border of the Veiled Region, Segmentum Pacificus

Combat Doctrine: Widespread use of heavy weapons and Devastator squads alongside artillery and armored vehicles. Prefers siege and attrition warfare (similar to their forebearers).

Organisation: Codex Chapter for combat doctrine, follows own organizational text -Union of Chaplain and Librarian into the position of “Death Priests” -No 10th Scout Company, Scouts distributed throughout all Companies -Apothecary= “Mortician” -Techmarine= “Artificer” -Chief Librarian/Reclusiarch= “Mortem Cantor,” The Death Singer -Chapter Master= “Autarkhos” -Dreadnought= “Revenant” -Elite 1st Company Terminators= “Tomb Guard” -1st Company Captain= “Lord of the Tomb” -2nd Company= Elite Tankers and Vehicle Operators, “The Wailing Host” -2nd Company Captain= “Lord of the Host” -10th Company= Specialist Assault Marines and CQC combatants, “The Murder” -10th Company Captain= “The Carrion Lord” -3rd-9th Company Captains= “Grave Lords”

Beliefs: Loyalty above all; Emperor is a god, the “Domnus Mortis,” or the Lord of Death; revere the dead and death

Gene-seed: Death Guard, Mutation and tampering with the gene seed has caused the upper layers of skin and flesh to mummify, bonus durability and resistance to pain and various toxins, though it comes at the cost of reduced flexibility and often blindness. Astartes of the Grave Walkers heavily rely upon their auto-senses to combat these downsides.

Battle-cry: “In defiance of Fate! In defiance of Death!” Chapter Motto: “We are the last.” Current Autarkhos: Aurel the Unspoken

[treeofstars-blog1]

World Of Warships Cheat Engine

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[bumpposting]

Carson Friday August 27th, 2260 3:27 AM Standard Martian Time      Somewhere along the martian ridges that overlooked the city of Colona, a lone scout car made it’s way through the forested roads. The night was illuminated by thousands of orbital rounds hurling towards the already burning metropolis below. The roads that cut through the mountains were empty save for the piles of wrecked steel with markings of the United Nations - the remains of a defeated army. The lone scout car passed these piles of junk that were hastily moved into the ditches along the sides of the roads in order to clear the road for passing confederate assault guns that were taking their positions in the hills above the city. The scout car came to a clearing where one such battery of guns was deployed. The scout car rolled off the road and onto the the grassy hill that sloped downwards and towards a patch woods. Beyond this patch of woods were the outlying suburbs of the besieged city where the vanguard of confederate troops captured the day before. The scout car came to a stop at a position that put the entire metropolis in view.      Field Marshal Carson got out from the scout car and walked to the clearing where one of the batteries were. They were silenced, waiting for more ammunition. He did not worry, though, because he knew there were thousands of batteries, just like this one, placed on the hills above Colona picking up the slack. He continued moving, until he reached a lush tree. From there he peered outward, overlooking the city, observing the fire that many of the batteries were putting down. He took off his chest rig, sidearm belt, and the top layer of his mop suit so he could feel the cool breeze blowing in from the north. It felt rather refreshing against his face although the smell was ghastly. Missile propellant, gunpowder, even the faint smell of burning flesh. He felt the rising tide of nausea within his stomach. You never really get the smell of burning flesh out of your nose, he thought.      Carson then looked up at the assault frigates hovering above the hills, moving into position to direct their fire into the UNE forces trapped in the metropolis below. At the sight of an orbital round striking a skyscraper Carson began to plead aloud for the madness to end. “Withdraw, goddammit, withdraw” He said aloud. In his thoughts he pleaded that the UNE would leave, we roughed em up enough. He pleaded that they would count their losses and go home. He pleaded that he wouldn’t have to glass the city. It was their planet now and that would be the end of it, the confederates would have their independence.      At that moment, a second scout car pulled up next his. Out came General Burns, the head of Carson’s infantry; Carson’s right hand man. Burns saluted Carson and then took out a cigar, lit it, and then leaned against the tree taking in the sight. For a second, the salty smell of fresh tobacco filled the air around the two men. It provided a reprieve from the smell of the harsh reality of war, almost like a daydream that provides a distraction from reality, but then another gust of wind came from the north and once again the smells of death and destruction filled the air. Burns broke the silence between him and Carson. “We sure whipped em today, eh, Bob”.     “The damn fools had to stay, put up resistance” Carson said with a sense of sharp anger. “I mean I suppose they have the right to put up a fight, after all it was their territory. But now we have the high ground and control the planet, so please just withdraw. Don’t let your ignorance be the end of you”. The skyscraper that suffered a direct hit from an orbital round just moments before began to sag, a sure sign that it’s support columns were failing.      After a few moments of silence, Burns continued to gaze towards the inferno below and seemed to have gone through an epiphone. He began to speak after another orbital round just grazed the damaged skyscraper. “I suppose the first hint comes when you are in orbit” he paused and then continued after a blast erupted from the streets below. “You are looking at the continent you just glassed and the defense platform that’s split in half with humans being sucked out into space. Then you go planetside, get shot at, feel the anticipation of being killed, and seeing what a 105 artillery round does to a living breathing person like you and me. That’s when you realize what they meant. All those stories that men who have been in the shit have been telling you for years, the same message in all of ‘em, that war is the epitome of hell. Right then you get the message. You really gotta see it to believe it. It’s like that saying in the bible, fuckin come and see”. Shortly after Burns finished, the damaged skyscraper finally gave out and collapsed. A whirlwind of dust and smoke arose in it’s place.      At that very moment, Carson began to think of Buford. Carson remembered the days of his service with Buford, the days where they were both stationed on the borderlands on Ganymede where they felt they were really making a difference for the betterment of the people there. On Ganymede it was their duty to protect the innocent settlers from the outlaws and the crime syndicates. In those days, it was clear cut, a defined good and evil. These days, it was much more complex.      “Buford’s probably down there, James, following his orders as a good soldier should.” Carson said.      “Yeah, we probably know a lot of men down there, Bob. It’s easy to remember that we were once friends with those men but not anymore. If those men believe that their duty is to defend the tyranny that the institutions of Earth have placed over us, let them and then it is our duty to defeat them.” Burns turned and looked into the sad eyes of Carson. “Do your duty, Robert. Your home, your family, Mars...we count on you to see your convictions through”.      Meanwhile, on the streets of Colona enduring the bombardment, Gen. George Buford looked at the heavy face of the courier with complete despair. At a loss of words. The message: situation desperate at off world site, no help to send. on your own.      An emphasis on own, Buford thought. He looked at the period as if it were a death sentence. Buford was standing before the culmination of a military embarrassment. The confederate army swept like a mythological wind from the martian north through the continent of Tharsis at a pace no armed force has moved at in 300 years. Every UNE counter offensive would be swallowed up and crushed within days. At D’youville on the Martian plains, General Jackson’s 3rd Corps was guarding the 1st Martian Army’s eastern flank when elements of General Carson’s 5th corps, specifically Gen. Burn’s 6th Infantry Division, caught Jackson with his pants down. With just a division, Burns enveloped the entire 3rd corps and within hours the line was collapsing, fleeing in a mad panic towards Colona. The UNE had been whipped.      Alas, here is Buford standing on a bombed out street in Colona, with literally just a brigade of combat ready soldiers. A wash of walking wounded and contractors that were left behind were now all that stood in the way of the advancing confederates and the helpless evacuation at Ashbury beach. Buford looked up toward the heavens where a UNE assault carrier was in the process of disintegrating. Burning ships colored the sky red as they fell into the sea. Dante in the Inferno. Buford loaded a round into his magnum and looked out toward the beach where the young martian sea met a steel wall of discarded equipment.      He made his way through the droves of walking wounded that wandered Ashbury beach in a daze. The beach was a drunken orgy of desperation. Men played among the material waste like children on a playground, some stood in a daze laughing at the madness around them, many just sat in the open hoping the confederate strafing runs would grant them deliverance. On the boardwalk overlooking the beach, a mixed group of soldiers, contractors, and civilians were simply singing. It was a requiem that echoed through the ruined streets of Colona….The beauty of thy peace.  It was a scene of pure lunacy.      Carson was on the brink of tears but he knew if Burns saw him break down his effectiveness as a commander would have been compromised. He closed his eyes and silently pleaded with God that he didn’t have to glass the city. He pleaded that he wouldn’t be the one that would kill his friends. But then he composed himself. He took another look at the burning city below him. It was at that moment where he accepted the inevitable truth. The Armies of The United Nations of Earth were a stubborn bunch. Carson knew that they would not withdraw and after a barrage of orbital shells, Carson issued the orders to begin moving into the city.      Both men looked out across the vast burning metropolis, counted troop movements and listened to the whirl of 105′s screaming to their targets overhead. Carson thought it could have been good time to recite some Roman general who marched upon his own capital city but decided against it, figuring that Burns would have none of it. The two men, instead, stood stoically and silently, both acknowledging that there was business to be attended to.

[markerhunter]

Summary Statement, 3rd Quarter, 1863 – Missing Batteries

Summary Statement, 3rd Quarter, 1863 – Missing Batteries

With the final entry for Wisconsin, I’ve presented all the sections from the Ordnance Summary Statements for the third quarter of 1863.  Those covered equipment reported from “light” batteries, or any other unit reporting field artillery on hand.  With any such accounting, and in particular during wartime, there will be gaps and missing information.  When I started these summary statement…

[markerhunter]

Summary Statement, 2nd Quarter, 1863 – 1st Tennessee Light Artillery

No surprise to Civil War students that Tennessee contributed troops to the Union cause.  While the infantry and cavalry receive their due, the artillery batteries are seldom mentioned.  And if we work from the summary statements for second quarter of 1863, that contribution was worthy only of a blank line:

1st Battery Tennessee Artillery…. but there were actually two such 1st Batteries in…