The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-12-09
Artillery
Continued from Page 49,

duty as an air observer for these
three days.
On August the unit went over
10 the Fourth Armored Division,
doing what was most unusual for
a field artillery battalion; acting
as support for an srmored unit.
with absolutely no protection for
themselves. other than their so
calibre machine guns II was
unit which used the l55s. and il
followed the Fourth Armored
across France, and won the high
est commentator OF Major Cen
eral John S. Wood, chief OF the di-
vision.
Two days before the unit went
on the long jump, II operated from
north OF Periers south through
Coutances. Avranaches and to
Rennes. On the 30th OF July
Able" battery occupied six posi-
tons, moving six times in that one
day On August the unit went
into action al Rennes. between St
James and huge Nszi airfeld
which later was so thoroughly de-
stroyed by the l55s OF this bat
talon. that il was reported as de-
stroyed by heavy bombers. II was
here that able" battery covered
itself with everlasting glory.
In August this battery was fire.
quently surrounded and harrassed
by the enemy. In one position To-
cation il became necessary to
march order hurriedly. and be-
ing harassed by sniper fire. First
Sergeant Joseph Hamilton. OF
Brooklyn. New York. personally
manned a so calibre machine gun
10 silence the sniper while march
order" was completed.
Sergeant Hamilton. who bears
striking resemblance 10 ]. Finley
Wilson, leader OF the Elks in the
States, exposed himself reckleSsly,
found that there were four Jerry
machinegun nests, and cleaned up
all four Of them. Members OF the
battery were tipped of by French
men that there were many Ger
mans In hiding there. captured rs
prisoners. which they actually took
credit for, and many more which
they did not take credit for, but
disarmed and returned to rear
areas
On August %. the battalion was
ordered 10 the general support OF
the crack Second Infantry Divi-
sion, and the same day. gave a
dramatic display Of its versatility.
by doing high performance firing
for aircraft on six enemy ack ack
guns. Two direct hits silenced four
Of these six guns. The Air Force
knocked out the other two. All
this while the battalion was firing
as il moved through the Brittany
Peninsula to help in the assault
on Brest.
Communications have been many
for this battalion. whose person
mel have been mistakenly reported
as being members Of other bat
'slions. Chief Of these commenda-
tons was one on August IA from
the Attn Armored Division, which
said in part: The prompt and ac-
curste fire was greatly responsible
for the advance made"
Able" battery has gained high
praise. A commentator said this:
Battery A OF the field artillery
battalion commanded by Captain
Coddington, was exceptionally re-
sponsible for the advance into Az
ranches, France. and organization
~ the enemy retreat. AS our
forward elements neared the bridge
at Avranches contact was made
with large column OF enemy re-
treating across the bridge Battery
A was placed into position and
ordered TO place cross-hre at the
road junction short OF the bridge.
Even though firing at maximum
range the Are was prompt and
accurate. effectively dsrupting the
enemy retreat and causing a great
many casualties in personnel and
For the Eighth Corps. Major Gen.
eral Middleton said this; The SUI
perior service rendered by the
officers and men OF this field ar
tillery battalion was such as 10
bring credit upon themselves and
their organization"
Since entering service on the
Siegfried Line three men have been
commended for outstanding serv-
ice. They are Corporal Clifford
Rhodes. 324 West l45th street. New
York City; Private Ezekiel Young
General Delivery, Wilson, Louisi.
ana. and Private John w Kelley
Route /. Box l07. Taylor. Miss.