14th Field Artillery Observation Battalion

Hello,
It was current for a soldier to be assigned to an another unit just prior coming home for discharge. In general this unit was scheduled for return to states rapidly.
The whole second armored division quit the ETO from Marseilles after a brief stay in Calas stagging area.

 

The 78th FA was attached to the 422d FA Group from 17 September to mid-October 1944, but that is probably just a coincidence.

 

Hi A Cline,
Sorry for the delay in replying. I am not sure I can help you. I have no information in my possession that I think will specifically help you. I have found material that has surprised me a little in Fold3 which does not contain unit histories. What I found requires hours sometimes of plowing thru ETO records for the unit references you want, as these records contain a great deal of SOS original reports that might have clues about supplies to units and the distribution of them. I can tell you that because Britain in total size would tuck in side nearly every US state, gunnery ranges are smaller and few than in the US and in 1943-44 US Army fighting units were limited to the west side of England from Liverpool down to the south coast, and the boundary in the middle runs basically Manchester - Leicester -Southampton. Also the US Army had south Wales, plus French tankers near Hull. The Brits and Canadians had the rest of the east side of England. Artillery ranges and therefore US Arty Gps and FAOBs were on Salisbury Plain and Sennybridge plus others on N Somerset coast, possibly Castlemartin, Pembrokeshire, plus others. They're some of the few places you could fire safely, especially 155's/ 240's, which even then had the power to land shells outside all the British ranges. Many units were held back in training in the US before D Day because they couldn't shoot and maneuver in Britain. US Infantry often complained all they did in Britain was 25 mile night marches.

Otherwise, obtain unit histories in books for the parent divisions and follow up on google. Quite a lot is coming out over the years as people like yourself post up what they have found out. I found something recently which appeared and solved an issue after six years of looking. Also try other search engines as google doesn't always work.


Has NARA got your dad's records?

I know this reply may not especially help you but it might help others. Good luck

 

Hi I’m new here to the forum and would like to say first off that my dad Carl Adams was with the 14 FAOB. Baker Company Sound. I am in possession of the book The Fighting 14th. It belonged to my dad and I obtained when he died. I Have not read in entirety but would be able to provide information as it relates to the book entries. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

 

Thank you for the offer.

I am trying to determine if the 14th FAOB was attached to the 422nd Field Artillery Group in 1944 or 1945. My father, Hollis Lanier Cline, was on a Sound Team in Luxembourg in September, October, Novermber, and Decemeber 1944. Dad's records burned in the St. Louis fire in the 1970's. I once came across a bit of information that Dad may have been on an Artillery Sound Team in Luxembourg, with the 14th FAOB. As you get into the book, if you see any references to the 422nd Field Artillery Group or the 174th Field Artillery, or if their is roster, Hollis L Cline (HL Cline), would be greatly appreciative if you could let me know.

Thanks Again

Best,

John Cline

 

Hi John, Wanted to acknowledge that I received your message. As I go through the book more thoroughly I will let you know if I come across anything that may be of help