270th Field Artillery Battalion

More pieces to the puzzle. Thanks to the guys from Ridgway Hall at the AWC for the help on tracking this info down.

Per T/O & E # 6-395 and 6-397 dated 18 Aug ’43 The battalion was manned with 478 pax:

Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB) 110ea pax TOE # 6-56​

Battalion HQ
Bn Commander
Executive Officer
Bn S-3
Asst S-3
S-2
Asst S-2
Liaison Pilot x 2
Battery HQ
Battery CDR (also the Comms Officer)
1SG
Btry Clerk
Orderly
Unassigned Duties x 15
Operations Platoon (Ops/FDC/Instruments/Survey sections)
Ops SGM
Asst Ops NCO
Fire Direction Computer (Senior)
Machine Gunner (Senior)
Agent
Bugler
Clerk
Fire Direction Computer x 2
Truck Driver Light x 4
Machine Gunner x 2
Horizontal Control Operator
Radio Operator x 3
Vertical Control Operator
Survey and Instrument SGT
Survey and Instrument Specialist x 6
Communications Platoon (HQ/Wire/Radio sections)
Asst. Comms Officer
Comms Chief (Enlisted)
Message Center Chief
Message Center
Wire SGT
Wireman
Truck Driver Light
Switchboard Operator x 2
Wire and Telephone Operator x 15
Radio SGT
Radio Operator x 9
Machine Gunner x 2
Radio Repair x 2
Personnel Section
Personnel Warrant Officer
Personnel SGT
Classification Specialist
Typist
Clerk HQ
Maintenance Section
Motor Officer
Mess SGT
Supply SGT
Asst. Motor Sgt
Cook x 3
Cook Helper
Truck Driver Light
Machine Gunner
Mechanic Airplane and Engine x 2
Mechanic Auto

3 Firing Batteries (A,B and C) 111ea pax per Btry. TOE # 6-97​

Battery HQ
Btry Commander
1SG
Btry Clerk
Unassigned Duties x 15
Battery Detail
Reconnaissance Officer
Chief of Detail (SSG)
Agent
Instrument Operator
Machine Gunner (Senior)
Survey (Senior) x 2
Wire
Bugler
Truck Driver Light
Machine Gunner x 2
Radio Operator x 3
Switchboard Operator
Radio Repairman
Survey x 2
Wire and Telephone Operator x 8
Firing Section: ( HQ, 2 Howitzer Sections and 3d Section)
Btry Executive Officer
Chief of Section (SSG)
Chief of Section (SGT) x 2
Ammunition x 2
Gunner x2
Machine Gunner (Senior)
Cannoneer x 32
Truck Driver Heavy x 7
Machine Gunner x 2
Ammunition Handler x 4
Mechanic Artillery
Crane Operator
Maintenance Section
Motor Officer
Mess SGT
Motor SGT
Supply SGT
Cook x 2
Cook Helper
Truck Driver Light
Mechanic Auto

Service Battery 35ea pax. TOE # 6-359​

Battery HQ
Btry Commander,
1SG
Battery Clerk
Bugler
Radio Telephone Operator
Unassigned Duties
Service Platoon: (Battalion Supply Section and Battalion Motor Maintenance Section)
Battalion Motor Officer
Maint. Warrant Officer
Motor SGT
Mess SGT
Supply SGT
Asst. Supply SGT
Clerk x3
Machine Gunner
Mechanic Tractor x3
Mechanic Auto x3
Auto Supply Clerk
Truck Driver Light
Welder
Supply Clerk x2
Battery Maintenance Section
Supply SGT
Asst Motor SGT
Cooks x3
Truck Driver
Machine Gunner
Mechanic Auto
Utility Repair

 

HHB Ops Platoon has a position called “Agent”. Anyone have an idea what their job was?

 

Is there a website to research Cigarette Camps around La Havre France circa 1945? The 270th departed La Havre and I assume they stayed at one of the camps, but can not find anything about which one in the AARs, books and other bits of info I collected.

 

I found this site on Cigarette Camps.
The Cigarette Camps: U. S. Army Camps in the Le Havre Area -- Camp Philip Morris

The Cigarette Camps: U. S. Army Camps in the Le Havre Area -- Introduction

The Cigarette Camps: U. S. Army Camps in the Le Havre Area: Bibliography

 

thank you for the info. Not sure why my Google searching didn't lead me to that site. HMMMMM, anyway thanks again for the info.

Have you ever saw a database or a listing of units that passed thru a particular camp? I found the camp where the 270th was stationed when they first came to Europe, and it would be cool to find the camp which they departed Europe from. I know some fells were reassigned since their points were not high enough to go home, but feel a large percentage left together.

 

An interesting series of photos 1

 

An interesting series of photos 2

 

An interesting series of photos 3

 

An interesting series of photos 4 and final

 

I found this today. Does it sound like the right description?

The battalion usually follows the Bn CO and party in the order: CP section, two firing batteries, Hq Btry, and the third firing battery. Battery agents are used as mobile route markers for either short or long moves. They can overtake the head of the column in their 1⁄4-tons, and soon become very adept at

handling traffic and giving instructions. Maps are and should be furnished each vehicle in the battalion. Communication is by radio, all on "C" channel.

The battalion CO's party consists of Battalion CO in 1⁄4-ton with radio and .50-cal. MG, the CommO in 3⁄4-ton lineman truck, and the Asst S-2 in 3⁄4-ton survey truck. With it are the three firing battery BCs in 3⁄4-ton lineman truck. Mine detectors with mine marking tape, and pioneer tools for enlarging driveways and cutting hedges, are carried in the battery parties.

 

I thought COVID would of helped me gather additional info about the 270th, but I was not correct. I have hit a dry spell. The hunt continues!! LOL.

 

Thank you for all you do. I really appreciate it.

 

No problem. Sharing the Battalion’s history with others was one of the main reasons for my research. I initially started this project so I could show my mom what her father (my grandfather, who never really spoke of his time overseas) did in the war and it kinda grew from there.

 

Can anyone ID the howitzer being loaded? It appears to be a smaller 105, but I am not an Artillery expert.

 

155mm Gun M1.

 

Thanks Rich. The caption didn’t mention the gun, just the guys in the photo. I knew it wasn’t a 240mm, but was curious to what it was.

 

18 Oct 1944 3ea members of the 270th were awarded Purple Hearts but no mention of why in the AARs.
Anyone have another place I can look for the reason why?
Tec 5 Wayne Smith
Tec 5 William Harvey
Tec 4 Wayne Lidgard

Authority was HQ 270 FA, GO #2

Also on 20 Jan 45, 1ea pax was awarded the Purple Heart. unknown reason why as well
PFC Gerhard Steppke

Authority was 34 EVAC Hosp SM, GO #10

Thanks for any assistance

 

Purple Heart.com database has no mention of any of them. Strange that the AARs mentions them receiving the medal, but no mention of why.
The hunt for info continues.

 

www.thepurpleheart.com is not a comprehensive database. According to the website, they rely on submissions by family, friends & recipients.

 

I saw that, but the site was the best source I have been able to find (online in my chair at my computer LOL). Oh well, the hunt continues.