Records for divisions landing in June 1944 ...anywhere else besides NARA?

I'm interested in obtaining after action reports, G-2/S-2, G-3/S-3 reports, casualty reports, company morning reports, combat interviews, and summaries of operations for the following divisions (and their subordinate units):

1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th, 9th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 79th and 90th Infantry Divisions.

Are these records available anywhere else electronically vs. a trip to NARA (College Park)?

 

The Combined Arms Research Library (CARL) at Fort Leavenworth is a good source for primary documents. Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library (CARL) Digital Library
Unfortunately, while they have digitized a considerable amount of material, most of it is for army, corps, and battalions (mostly Separate Tank and TD, with some Cavalry, Field Artillery, and others).

I keep waiting for Fold3 to get on the ball and digitize the microfilmed Adjutant Generals collection of divisional AAR, which should be a relatively easy process. I know that the Air Force Historical Support Division at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in DC has a copy - I accessed it regularly in the 1980s and 1990s - so there is little reason for them to procrastinate. One of the nice things is that collection has not been riffled through by legions of professional and amateur researchers...and thieves...as the paper copies at NARA II have, so they are intact and in the original file order. It may be possible to get a copy of it via NARA, but it would be expensive and would require a microfilm reader unless NARA has digitized the roll (unlikely).

Sadly that would not give you the extensive subordinate unit records filed with their parent divisions found in the paper collection at the Modern Military Branch of NARA II in RG 407 Entry 427. The divisional "AAR" is actually the monthly historical report and frequently was separate from the divisional G-1, G-2, G-3, and G-4 AAR. They also would not contain the S-1, S-2, S-3, and S-4 Regiment and Battalion Journals & Files.

The "Combat Interviews" collections as compiled by the Historical Section, ETOUSA are a separate entry in RG 407 and are not part of the AARs.

Casualty Reports were typically only summarized in the divisional AAR for the month, although some did record daily figures. Those were consolidated in a series of reports by FUSA and then FUSAG, which are in RG 338 (IIRC).

Company Morning Reports are not part of the Adjutant Generals collection at NARA and are only available on microfilm from the National Personnel Records Center at St. Louis.

 

Thank you both for your replies. Right now, one big limitation I have is I'm on the west coast.

As far as Center of Military History, I have done quite a bit of online reading and own a few of the official pubs (Big Green Books, etc.) as well. When I was at Leavenworth, sadly I squandered a lot of opportunity to explore physical holdings. Most of what I've found digitally is good, but not answering the mail as far as what I posted above. I was at Benning years ago, and if I get the chance I'd like to go back and spend a few days in the Donovan library. They have some great monographs and papers written by former students at the Infantry School.

I'm also finding wide disparity in US ETO Infantry Division records online. Some are pretty decent, units with Guard lineage particularly. Yet other units with awesome history and lineage, like the 2nd and 4th ID, the online record availability it poor, with 2 ID almost nonexistent. My guess: being based in Korea for so long has caused neglect of its WWI and II heritage and performance.

I welcome further feedback. It's all helpful. Thank again.

John

 

Hey, I'm in Bremerton, can't be more west coast than that.

The Donovan Library student papers for both the Infantry and the Armor School are digitized and online. The staff is also very helpful with requests.

What exactly are you looking for? I have quite a bit of the 90thID AARs as well as many of the regimental records for a future book.

I suspect that is because the the State AGs probably hold copies of the AARs. The actual extent of the records for a division in the ETO can be pretty massive is the problem with online...you're talking hundreds of pages for just a battalions S-3 journal.

Happy t help if I can.

 

Not electronic, but the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Kansas has a collection of US Army WWII Unit records. The records they have were considered duplicate records by the NARA and were to be destroyed. Fortunately, they were sent to EPL instead. Here is the link where you can download a PDF of the Index for their WWII Unit holdings. Once you find the Box number(s) for the unit, you can look up the box(es) to see what type of documents are in the collection.

For those who have previously bookmarked the EPL Finding Aids, you will need to update your links.

NOTE: Interestingly, EPL has HyperWar on their list of Useful Research Links.

 

Tommy, I recently was able to pull quite a bit out of Eisenhower by hiring a researcher. Great recommendation. thank you.