DD Tanks

[Carl Schwamberger]

That the two field artillery battalions of the 4th ID were converted to M7 does imply that the desire to do so was there on the part of the Americans, but the lack of equipment and LCT to do so on OMAHA seems to have scuppered the notion of doing so with the 1st or 29th Division FA.

According to some guy, 4th Inf Div only had the M7 because of "a holdover from the 4th Division's brief existence as the Army's sole Motorized Infantry Division."

Presumably, if there'd been any spare M7s to go around they'd have been allocated to 1 or 29 ID, rather than 4, since UTAH was something of an afterthought whereas OMAHA had alwyas been part of the plan?

I always hate to correct some guy but it turns out the 4th Division received their M7 in England, equipping the 42nd and 29th FA before the invasion. It was apparently with the same intent as with the 3rd and 50th British and 3rd Canadian Division. They, along with the 65th AFA made up the assault echelon of VII Corps. Why the corresponding battalions of the 1st and 29th Divisions were not so equipped and instead brought in their M2 105mm on DUKW is something of a mystery, but I expect it comes down to LCT availability. The two AFA of V Corps, the 58th and 62nd were there at least.

For what it may or may not be worth Harrison in the chapter on the 6th June refers to cannon from the 58th Armored artllery battalion mounted on landing craft and firing in the preperatory phase pre H hour onto Omaha Beach. It also says part were swamped & sunk, but no numbers are given, nor any action afterwards.

This site identifies the 58th Armored artillery battalion as credited present in the assualt on 6th June, along with the 62d & 65th Armored Arty Bn. http://www.army.mil/d-day/forces.html

This one has a specific remark about the 58th similar to Harrison
http://books.google.com/books?id=9vIdo5 ... on&f=false

I also noticed this site credits all three as part of the 5th Artillery Group in Op Husky eleven months earlier
http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Operat ... _of_battle

Here is a history of the 5th Arty Grp. http://fifthfield.simmins.org/e.html

[Carl Schwamberger]

Have turrned up some eyewitness descriptions of M7 batterys firing on Omaha beach from boats in the early morning. Also of one or more of them being sunk as they went ashore midmorning. Unfortunatly details like battery ID, exact time, or numbers are missing. No indication these were any more effective than the DD tanks or the many other assualt fire support efforts.

[RichTO90]

Have turrned up some eyewitness descriptions of M7 batterys firing on Omaha beach from boats in the early morning. Also of one or more of them being sunk as they went ashore midmorning. Unfortunatly details like battery ID, exact time, or numbers are missing. No indication these were any more effective than the DD tanks or the many other assualt fire support efforts.

I'll dig it out for you when I get home tonight Carl. But, yes, the fireplan for "beach drenching" during the run in by the embarked SP FA was the same on OMAHA and UTAH as it was for the Commonwealth beaches, but there were fewer pieces to fire because of the organizational differences in the US Army and the endemic lack of LCT, although the two were self-reinforcing.

Cheers!

[RichTO90]

Have turrned up some eyewitness descriptions of M7 batterys firing on Omaha beach from boats in the early morning. Also of one or more of them being sunk as they went ashore midmorning. Unfortunatly details like battery ID, exact time, or numbers are missing. No indication these were any more effective than the DD tanks or the many other assualt fire support efforts.

Okay, the lost M7 were on LCT (5)-197, mined while carrying the 58th AFA. Three M7 and their ammo trailers and one battery halftrack were lost. LCT (5)-332 and 364 were also mined but recovered later. One M7 was jettisoned and lost from one of those and another M7 was swamped and lost trying to get ashore, as were three more halftracks. One halftrack was mined when it got to shore and written off. Personnel losses were 2 officers and 7 men KIA, 3 officers and 14 men WIA, and 1 officer and 9 men MIA. The battalion was part of Assault Group O-2 (TF 124.4) (116th RCT (Rein)). Assault Group O-1 (TF 124.3) (16th RCT (Rein) included the 62nd AFA but none of their LCT were lost.

[Carl Schwamberger]

That confirms a suspicion that the M7 refered to by participants were in the 116th regiments sector. If there were none in the 1st Div sector then I wonder why that decision?

[RichTO90]

That confirms a suspicion that the M7 refered to by participants were in the 116th regiments sector. If there were none in the 1st Div sector then I wonder why that decision?

Sorry Carl, I thought I made that clear. The 62nd AFA was in the 16th RCT sector. The two sectors were near mirror images, just as every regimental/brigade sector landing plan were near mirror images, but with minor adjustments to account for organizational differences, special missions (Commando/Rangers), and craft availability.

Cheers!

[Carl Schwamberger]

How embarassing. I missed the last line of your relevant post

[v60pih]

A nice piece of movie about launching the DD tanks. Location?
https://youtu.be/0fvQnDj4aqw?t=17m9s



See also this piece, I think it's Utah Beach area?
https://youtu.be/0fvQnDj4aqw?t=25m38s

[Richard Anderson]

A nice piece of movie about launching the DD tanks. Location?
https://youtu.be/0fvQnDj4aqw?t=17m9s

During an exercise, probably at the Assault Center. Note the perfectly choreographed advance of the DD and touchdown of the LCVP. Also, the very evident tank tracks on the hillside above the beach.

See also this piece, I think it's Utah Beach area?
https://youtu.be/0fvQnDj4aqw?t=25m38s

No, those are British or Canadian troops. Without looking too closely I think it is SWORD.

[v60pih]

Thanks!