Another period of intensive training ensued and by 1 June 1944, all tests had been satisfactorily completed and the unit was qualified for overseas service. After receiving a satisfactory rating on maneuvers, they returned to Camp Hood on 23 March 1944. They were ordered to the Louisiana Maneuvers area next, arriving 2 March 1944. The battalion continued as school troops until 20 December 1943, when training prior to overseas service was started. Pritchard would remain with the unit throughout their combat time in Europe. On 18 July, the unit was assigned to the Tank Destroyer Center Training Brigade as school troops assisting with training of new troops. The unit began tank destroyer training with the M3 GMC destroyer but was reorganized as a towed battalion, using the 3 inch Gun M5, pulled by the M3 half-track, on 17 July 1943. It completed basic training there and was ordered to Camp Hood, Texas, arriving on 23 March 1943. The battalion was soon ordered to Camp Bowie, Texas, arriving there on 18 December 1942. Additional personnel arrived to bring the enlisted strength to 420 and basic training was started at Camp Carson. The original cadre consisted of 35 officers and 156 enlisted men, with 140 of the enlisted men coming from the 366th Infantry Regiment at Camp Devens, Massachusetts and 16 from the infantry replacement training center at Camp Wolters, Texas. The battalion was activated at Camp Carson, Colorado, on 25 July 1942, under the command of Lt.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |