The Caissons Go Rolling Along

                                                                              Phillip's Photospage 4


                          Life in the Artillery Overseas

K.P. Challenge and Opportunity:
Mess Sergeant supervises preparation of a special Meal

 

Collage of messhall

James Pesaro, Shirley Horne, Phillip Millspaugh, ?
Sgt. Pesaro, George Grago, J. C. Hunnicutt, Day's Special

Life in the Army at war is said to be drudgery interrupted by periods of shear terror. After the Germans surrendered the 275th Armored Field Artillery was assigned on 22 April 1945 as occupation troops and settled down in the zone south of the Harz Mountains. Therefore, war's end did not mean that the job of the 275th was over.

The battalion still had to support itself and perform its duties. Kitchen Police (KP)  and other routine duties were a necessity to be sure.                                                   

 
Many Duties Remained for the 275th

Crew Weapon Training

Soldier digging next to building

M7 on Range Training

Soldier on Guard Duty

Soldier preforming maintenance on halftrack M3A1

Automatic Weapon
Range Training

Building Maintenance

Gunnery

Guard Duty

Vehicle Maintenance


The needs of local people must be considered since they were now dependent upon the US Occupation Forces for public welfare.


Local Villagers Group of released Allied POWs 
The many Allied POWs that were freed by advancing US troops relied upon  the 275th AFA US Occupation Forces of for many needs until repatriation can be arranged.

On 7 May 1945 the announcement by General of the Army Eisenhower's staff of the unconditional surrender of all German troops. 9 May 1945 was V.E. Day. 12 May 1945 Col. Clay received orders that the 275th had been selected for deployment to the Pacific Theater of Operations. The next thirty days was to be devoted to training under the direction of Ninth US Army. 


Photos courtesy of:

Phillip Millspaugh

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DeLoyd Cooper is the Historian for the 275th Armored Field Artillery Battalion Association. dcooper1924@comcast.net
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2006 DeLoyd Cooper. All rights reserved.
Revised: October 8, 2006