The Field Artillery Journal – June 1944
Friday – 2nd June 19441
Operation Overlord Troop Priority List
List Index Unit In Continuous Priority Personnel Vehicles
2258 B 244th FA Bn 155mm G) (Trk or Trac) 562 115
Dear Folks,
Sort of put off writing for longer than I had intended, but I did send a few cards.
As you can see by the papers – it’s hotter than all – – -. People here even say it’s bad cause it all came at once – they said that it usually gets hot gradually. I got sort of sick from it last week. Too many salt pills, I guess. I couldn’t eat for several days. I had to get a lot of rest and take it easy I’m ok now. The rush and bustle that you must remember from when you were here has started again. We are all excited again – so it goes -.
We have all worked hard the last few weeks and it looks as if all is going to go our way after all.
Was OD at the Post Prison over the weekend and found one of the guards asleep on his post. I’m
going over to his outfit in a minute to prepare charges against him. The case has to be tried this week!!
Jane’s sister has been terribly nice to us – she has been letting us use her car almost every time I go out to see Jane. I’m wondering if you could spare one (1) “C” coupon – she need one perhaps more if you have any to spare. I can’t get any here ‘cause most everyone here has sent their car home or sold it.
Jane said she had written to you – what did she have to say? I sure am crazy about her. Wish I had known herd last year. Also wish I had the chance to give her a ring. Each time I see her I like her more. Everyone here feels the same way.
Got your film – also Jane got four for me. The hospital got their quota in and I got it.
I have got to leave now – will drop you a line on Wednesday or Thursday. Are you going to write Jane again? If you do – would you mind enclosing a couple of (C – Z’s are out).
Much love to all,
Tom.
The Battle of Normandy Begins
June 6, 1944 to July 24, 1944
Mediterranean and European Theaters of Operation4
6th June 1944 – Final Overlord Plan5
6th June 1944 – Omaha Beach6
Captured German photo of Field Marshal General Erwin Romal inspecting Normandy Beach defense prior to invasion
Enlargement of photo above
Captured German photo of Normandy beach defenses. Showing three Tellermine #2, 1942 and three Tellermine #3,1943 each with approximately 12lb of TNT attached to a floating obstacle prior to deployment.
Field Manual
FM 5-31 – Engineers, Land Mines and Booby Traps
Excerpt pages 81.01-a to 81.03-b, Tellermine
Sunday – 7th May 19448
G-2 Map Plan
2. Map Distribution
While a number of series have been published, not all are for operational use. The following list gives the series that Third Army will use:
1/25,000 (Topographic) Special use (by Artillery, Infantry, Engineers, Hq)
GSGS 4347
GSGS 4365
GSGS 4041
8. Geodetic Data.
9. Trig Data Sheets will be issued to Army and Corps Engineers, and to Artillery Observation Battalion. For details see Engineer Annex No. 5.
Dear Mon & Dad,
Just a line before I leave to go into town with Capt. Torres.
We have had a mad day. We had to check all of our clothes again, order new ones and check and change the records. All of this has kept us quite busy. We are selling all of the stuff we can and getting everything in order.
The men have again gone up on a peak of enthusiasm, which is as it should be. By now you got Peg’s birthday package – and have put it in the ice box. It’s nothing fancy – but knowing her sweet tooth and the lack of “Hershey’s” on the outside I thought she might like it.
Am going into see Jane – – – .
I’m in!! Just finished dinner at the Inn and am in Potter’s room. I think I’ll stay in, too.
It just poured down rain an hour ago and looks like a lot more. Eleanor is going to let us have the car again so I guess we’ll go out to the Colonial Club, as we haven’t been there for some time.
I’m the midst of all our rush I’m going to ask for Saturday off. Most of the officers were off last weekend – except me – I was on guard – as you know. Wink and I have a room at the Bon-Air Friday and Saturday. Sunday we’re all due in at midnight – then the real business starts.
Chie Chie is in New Jersey so I guess Wink will see her – if his shanks hold up.
Will write when I get a chanced.
Love to all
Tom.
Saturday – 10th June 19449
Byron G. Roger
We had orders to leave Camp Gordon one Monday. I wanted to go home one more time before leaving the states, so without telling anyone, I went outside the gate on Saturday AM, looking for a ride to Glennville. A young officer came by on his way to Florida. He said I could ride as far as Lyons Georgia if I would drive. We pulled out with me driving, and him sleeping. I woke him up when we got into Lyons. I then caught a ride to Glennville. I stayed overnight with my parents, and my brother Ira and his wife Lucille drove me back to Augusta on Sunday. I was back in plenty of time to ship out with the unit. Had the orders been changed, and they had shipped out sooner, I’d been in serious trouble. I later told my Captain at one of the reunions what I had done. He just frowned.
Dear Mon & Dad,
Just got back from downtown a few minutes ago and thought I’d drop you a line before Jim and Capt. Coyne come in.
Am going up to Jane’s in a few hours – guess we’ll all go out to the Club for our party. Hightower’s wife came down for the last days – so did Galway’s, guess I told you about that though. Most of the gals are leaving Monday – no point in their being around here.
It has been raining off and on for the last day or so, and it’s a relief from the heat cause the temp. drops 6 – 10 degrees.
I am going to send some stuff home in a day or so, I think. I may send it later on in the week. Don’t know which yet.
Gotta hair cut that ends all haircuts – it’s almost down to the bone.
Played a game with you in my last letter – did you catch our next Post? May do it again – it will be obvious – don’t try and read meanings in to all my letters though, cause very often I don’t imply anything.
Peg sure is having a nice vacation for herself – know she’s enjoying it. Have you heard from Don – where is he – etc.
You had better not write me here in Augusta anymore. Wait till you get a A.P.O Card. I won’t be able to tell you where until Col. Daves says so.
Much love to you all – can hardly wait to see the sea.
Tom.
Officer’s Pay Data Card, Front & Back.
17th October 1943 through 12th July 1944
Tuesday – 13th June 194410
The Battalion departed Camp Gordon Georgia by train to Camp Shanks.
Battalion left Camp Gordon Ga.
Wednesday – 14th June 194412
The Battalion arrived Camp Shanks
Wednesday – 14th June 194413
As the train pulled out for the P.O.E. we remembered with regret the rough-house at the Cherokee Ranch – boisterous beer parties at the Julian Smith Casino; the Partridge Inn; the girly show at the Mojeska Theater; steaks at the Oakdale and the Red Lion and the wives, children and girls we were leaving behind
The Julian Smith Casino Augusta Georgia –
Camp Shanks New York
Thursday – 15th June 194414
So, we went on up on the train to the Newark Yards that were under very tight security for sending troops by convoy overseas. We went to a place called Camp Shanks, which was very, very secret and tight security. We were checked out for proper clothing, shots, and processing of all types. Then we went across to the port and got on a ferry trip across the harbor and finally boarded a ship called the S. S. Mormacmoon. We set sail on the second of July to cross the Atlantic in convoy.
Thursday – 15th June 194415
On the 15th of June 1944 we moved through the Newark Yards and up the river to Camp Shanks. (shh: it’s a secret.) There the quick physical, the 6 to 6 passes to New York City with reveille at 7, the new clothes, the big mess halls, through the processing mill and then back on the train and through the Port. The ferry trip across the harbor and finally boarding the S.S. Mormacmoon
Arrived Camp Shanks N.J.
Thursday – 15th June 194417
Byron G. Rogers
On June 15, 1944 we moved through the Newark Yards and up the river to Camp Shanks, New York. There we had more physicals, and received passes to New York City, where we visited Coney Island. For us country boys, that was a sight to remember. I had to wire (telegram) my Daddy to send me some money on two occasions. He sent $50 each time. I’m sure he never thought twice about sending the money, as he wasn’t sure if his son would ever return from the war.
Coney Island – Byron Rogers front seat passenger, and buddies.
Pvt. Norman J. Reeves and Buddy. 24 Hour Pass to Coney Island Brooklyn. Tomorrow England.
L – Unknown. R – Cpl. Kilby H. Hoyle, Battery C. Leave just prior to shipping out, Coney Island Brooklyn N.Y
Restricted no more passes
For comments, questions, corrections, update or to send information, please use –
contact.the.244th@gmail.com
- Third U.S. Army Outline Plan – Operation Overlord, Annex No. 3 – Troop Priority List, Page 14
- By Timothy Foote
- The U.S. Army Center of Military History, William M. Hammond
- Mediterranean And European Theaters Of Operation In World War II, Gene Thorp
- Mediterranean And European Theaters Of Operation In World War II, Gene Thorp
- Mediterranean And European Theaters Of Operation In World War II, Gene Thorp
- United States Army In World War II, The European Theater of Operations, The Supreme Command, Forrest C. Pogue, Page 324, June 6, 1944
- Special Annex A - Third U.S. Army Outline Plan To Operation Overlord Annex No. 8-G-2 Plan Page 64
- Serving In Harm's Way, A Record of My Service In The U.S. Army and WWII, Byron G. Rogers jr., January 2006
- W. U. (Doc) Savage Letter, December 15, 1949
- PFC Harry G. MacDuffee, B Battery, 244th Field Artillery - Battery Record
- W. U. (Doc) Savage Letter, December 15, 1949
- Department of The Army, USH&EC, USAMHI, 202-244th 1945, “History of The 244th Field Artillery Battalion During World War II
- U.S. Army Military History Institute, Archives Branch, Colonel Davis Papers
- Department of The Army, USH&EC, USAMHI, 202-244th 1945, “History of The 244th Field Artillery Battalion During World War II
- PFC Harry G. MacDuffee, B Battery, 244th Field Artillery - Battery Record
- SERVING IN HARM'S WAY, A Record of My Service In The U.S. Army and WWII, Byron G. Rogers jr., January 2006
- PFC Harry G. MacDuffee, B Battery, 244th Field Artillery - Battery Record