US 3rd Infantry Division - Comment About Night Attacks & Operations - Italy 1943 & 1944

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Richard Stone
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US 3rd Infantry Division - Comment About Night Attacks & Operations - Italy 1943 & 1944

#1

Post by Richard Stone » 18 Jan 2023, 21:05

The attached short comment by a field artillery officer of the 3rd Infantry Division discusses the effectiveness of their night attacks and night operations during the Italian campaign.

The article was printed in the February 1945 edition of the USA professional military reference magazine ‘Military Review’.
Combat Notes - Mil Review Feb 1945 - 3rd Div Night Attacks.png

Richard Stone
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Re: US 3rd Infantry Division - Comment About Night Attacks & Operations - Italy 1943 & 1944

#2

Post by Richard Stone » 08 Jul 2023, 20:40

The attached article discusses the organization and tactics the 3rd Division adopted and used during the Italian and Sicily campaigns in the 1943 and 1944 time period.

The first 2 pages discuss the organization changes, supply and operation procedures the 3rd Division found to be necessary.

The 5th and 6th pages list many of the tactical methods adopted for combat. These include training and use of artillery and tanks, prisoner of war interrogation, and patrolling including the use of horse mounted units.

The article was printed in the June 1944 edition of the USA professional military reference magazine ‘Military Review’.

Combat Notes - Mil Review June 1944 - 3rd Div Italy-1 .png
Combat Notes - Mil Review June 1944 - 3rd Div Italy-2.png
Combat Notes - Mil Review June 1944 - 3rd Div Italy-3.png
Combat Notes - Mil Review June 1944 - 3rd Div Italy-4.png
Combat Notes - Mil Review June 1944 - 3rd Div Italy-5.png


Richard Stone
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Re: US 3rd Infantry Division - Comment About Night Attacks & Operations - Italy 1943 & 1944

#3

Post by Richard Stone » 08 Jul 2023, 20:41

This is the last page.

Combat Notes - Mil Review June 1944 - 3rd Div Italy-6.png

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Sheldrake
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Re: US 3rd Infantry Division - Comment About Night Attacks & Operations - Italy 1943 & 1944

#4

Post by Sheldrake » 27 Sep 2023, 17:15

Richard Stone wrote:
18 Jan 2023, 21:05
The attached short comment by a field artillery officer of the 3rd Infantry Division discusses the effectiveness of their night attacks and night operations during the Italian campaign.

The article was printed in the February 1945 edition of the USA professional military reference magazine ‘Military Review’.

Combat Notes - Mil Review Feb 1945 - 3rd Div Night Attacks.png
Judging by the author and context, he is referring to occupying and surveying a field artillery gun position by night. This is a much practised and prized skill. My first battery used to be very proud of being able to occupy a posiiton with no lights and as near to silence as is possible with motor vehicles. Passing line and survey at night without any lights is harder as the layers do need to be see the directional lights on the aiming posts!

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Re: US 3rd Infantry Division - Comment About Night Attacks & Operations - Italy 1943 & 1944

#5

Post by Carl Schwamberger » 29 Sep 2023, 03:02

Sheldrake wrote:
27 Sep 2023, 17:15
...
Passing line and survey at night without any lights is harder as the layers do need to be see the directional lights on the aiming posts!
Yes they would. We still set aim posts out, but the Collimater war the primary reference. Those had internal lighting & were invisible much beyond 10 meters. White tape helped, if there was star or Moon light, but if there was a overcast then even that was invisible at three meters. Red lenses on the lamps, and or slit shields were one resort. The Aiming Circle (Transit or Theodolite) needs some sort on minimal illumination as well. The gunner has to be able to see through his sight some sort of illuminated dot at the Aiming Circle lens. However dim.

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Re: US 3rd Infantry Division - Comment About Night Attacks & Operations - Italy 1943 & 1944

#6

Post by sarausa » 19 Mar 2024, 08:40

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