This is the story, the history, of a group of men; organized out of all walks of life; from the hills and the mountains; the valleys and the plains; from the farms and the cities; from the rich and the poor organized for war. This is a tale that lives deep in in the hearts of these men; their wives, their mothers, sisters and brothers; their children. Written out of toil and sweat; oils and grease; nuts and bolts--engines, wheels and axles; the things that made modern war possible and hastened its end.

If perchance in the post-war world you encounter a man who says that he fought in Europe with the 745th Tank Battalion, salute him and offer him a drink--for you have encountered one of the best soldiers in the world. You have encountered a man who has contributed a great deal toward ending the conquests of the Nazis and bringing peace to the world. You have encountered a man of whom the entire army is proud.

Greetings To the Military Forces of the State of Maine: It is with a feeling of satisfaction and pride that we present you herewith this history of the military forces of the State of Maine, and in the years to come, whether you are separated from the service or not, it is felt that you may read it from time to time with some degree of satisfaction knowing that you have contributed your part in its preparation and to the accomplishments of the military forces of our State. The men from Maine have always borne a conspicuous and highly honorable part not only in the up-building of the State since early Colonial times but in the various conflicts in which this country has been engaged, and some of the most outstanding leaders in our past wars have been from the State of Maine. The traditions and noble records achieved by our people have been outstanding and it is felt that you will carry on these traditions should you be called upon to face the same conditions as our glorious ancestors have had to contend with.--J.W. Hanson, Brigadier General, The Adjutant General

The American Third Army is the cockiest of all the armies and the fastest-moving. Long on armor, it is led by Lieut. General George S. Patton Jr. and, like him, it is colorful, proud and bold. Its motto is speed and more speed. Its record is the best possible evidence that Marshall and Eisenhower were right when they refused to fire Patton after the face-slapping incident in Sicily.

The story of the Hellbirds is the story of the B-29 Superfort, its debut and development as the most efficient strategic weapon to be employed by any military organization in the world. The chapters of this history tell a story, not only of the lives, the travels and the activities of men drawn from the comfortable surroundings of civilian life into the turmoil of war, but also of the many problems solved by these men and of their untiring efforts to prove the Superfort the most powerful weapon of the American Armed Forces. The B-29 project, launched at a time when a Superfort was still a novelty and gratifying success in two simultaneous accomplishments: the "de-bugging" of the Superfort and the proving of its power and effectiveness as a combat weapon.

To the Officers and Men of the 308th Bombardment Wing and all Tactical Air Units which took part in the Wing's Operations: The long list or 308th Bombardment Wing combat operations, to which this Year Book is eloquent testimony, reflects a degree of loyalty, teamwork, and unselfish devotion to duty or such high order, it is a deep personal satisfaction to me to have been privileged to serve as its commanding officer. During the Wing's operations there were many grim days when our planes were obliged to take the air repeatedly outnumbered by enemy aircraft. The men in the planes and the men on the ground met tests of endurance and fortitude which tried their patience and courage to the breaking point. Yet, they met those tests unfalteringly, refused to be daunted by a numerically superior foe. The fighting spirit and combat know-how which the Wing developed set a standard for operational effectiveness that won the respect and admiration or the entire AAF, a standard that was splendidly maintained throughout the long combat history of the Wing. Air-ground operations were brought to a new high in efficiency. Enemy shipping was smothered and sunk with a speed which exceeded the most optimistic estimates. Japan's extensive network of air bases was progressively rendered impotent. Nip airplanes were driven from the air over every target until their only tactic was the sporadic, ineffectual Kamikaze strike. In the final phase of the war, the intensity of American air power rose to such a terrific pitch the Japanese were pounded beyond human endurance, their capitulation constituting the supreme achievement of AAF men and the planes they flew. Thus, of our gallant airmen who did not come back, we may say, the time they bought with their lives saved thousands of fellow soldiers who would have been lost in the final great invasion of Japan. Because of them and their comrades in the air who carried on, the enemy was forced to surrender before the huge invasion force was launched. Their deeds in speeding the final defeat of the world's last despot nation will never be forgotten, their record will forever remain bright on the historic walls or American Democracy. D.W. Hutchison, Brigadier General, U.S.A., Commanding

While the title "355th AAA Searchlight Battalion" dates back to May of 1942, the actual history of the unit, and the personnel in it, dates back to fifteen months before that--February, 1941. At this time there were four coast artillery regiments in training at Camp Stewart, Georgia. The 207th and 212th were from New York City, the 209th from Western New York State, and the 214th from Georgia. These units had been sent to Camp Stewart for one year of basic training. The A batteries, or searchlight batteries, of these regiments were the units which later formed the First Provisional Searchlight Battalion. Such terms as "DEC," "azimuth," "elevation," "orientation," and "slant range," soon became familiar to the men of these batteries. In addition to their specialized training in searchlights and searchlight tactics, the men received regular basic military training. The study of subjects, such as convoy discipline, first aid, communications, map reading and aircraft recognition, became a part of the daily routine. The men were also given calisthenics, infantry drill and manual of arms to build their bodies.

The Seventy Fourth Field Artillery Battalion, when activated, was the Second Battalion of the Eighteenth Field Artillery Regiment 75 mm. gun horse-drawn. Its parent unit was the Fifth Field Artillery Regiment. Place of activation of this battalion was Fort Bliss, Texas. Date of activation June 1, 1917 and it was first commanded by Colonel A. J. Bowley. Shortly after activation it was ordered to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where it served as school troops for the Field Artillery School until July 1, 1940. As you well remember, 1940 found the world in a very unsettled condition. Italy was on the march, Germany had occupied, by force, the greater part of Europe and Japan was frantically preparing for a war with our country. Uncle Sam decided it was high time to make a few preparations of his own.

Patrol Bombing Squadron One Hundred Nine was reformed on 5 October 1944 at Naval Auxiliary Air Station Camp Kearney, San Diego, California, as a streamlined Patrol Bombing Squadron with fifteen PB4Y-2 planes (Privateers), and a normal complement of eighteen flight crews of twelve men each. On 6 December 1944 command of the squadron was assumed by Lieutenant Commander George L. Hicks, USNR, former Executive Officer of old Bombing Squadron 109, with Lieutenant Commander John F. Bundy, USN, as Executive Officer. The squadron trained initially under Fleet Air Wing Fourteen at Camp Kearney, flying its planes to Naval Air Station, Kaneohe, T. H., in February for an advanced training period under Fleet Air Wing Two. On 10 April 1945 the squadron moved into the combat area, and active operations against the enemy were begun on 20 April 1945 with a special reconnaissance of PAT ANI Roads, Gulf of Siam, flown from Pala Wan, Philippine Islands. The primary mission of the squadron was long range search, patrol, and armed reconnaissance, but special patrols, strikes and assorted duties often engaged all the squadron's attention.

From History of the 28th Regiment, page 22: On July I, 1944, a convoy of four troop ships and twelve motor transports steamed out of Belfast Harbor carrying the 8th Division to the continent of Europe. On July 4, twenty-eight days after D-Day of the Allied invasion of Normandy, the Regiment began debarking at Utah Beach on the Cherbourg peninsula. Next day it had assembled in the vicinity of Montbourg where final preparations for battle were completed. Allied invasion armies at this time held only a few square miles of the territory of France. The city of Cherbourg had recently been taken, and the Germans had been driven from the northern tip of the peninsula to a point just north of La Haye du Puits. From there the enemy line extended through Carentan and St. Lo eastward to Caen and Orne River estuary. German resistance in most sectors was heavy even against already achieved air superiority. On July 6 the Regiment moved to an assembly area near the town of St. Sauveur Le Vicomte, the following morning orders were received to take over a section of the line, one kilometer south of La Haye du Puits. The plan for the Division, was to attack to the south, passing through the 82nd Airborne Division, taking over the center of the Corps front. The main effort of the drive was to be made in this sector.

The 180th Infantry Regiment was organized as the Third Oklahoma Infantry during May, 1918, and was federally recognized as a National Guard unit on September 3, 1918. The unit was redesignated as the 180th Infantry on October 14, 1921. Units of the regiment were called into state service many times since its organization. In civil disturbances, flood disasters, and other emergencies they performed their ordered duty with credit, thus demonstrating the living reality of part of the regiment's motto, "Ready in Peace or War". It is interesting to note that the year 1938 found Hitler taking his first toll from the 180th Infantry of the 45th Division. Up to that time the insignia had been an Indian swastika. This close resemblance to the symbol of Nazi Germany constituted a source of embarrassment on several occasions. The Thunderbird was substituted for the swastika.

Foreword: "This book is a record of the part the 446th Bombardment Group played in World War II--it is a record of the period that witnessed the growth of the Group from a handful of men who left Tucson, Arizona in April 1943, to the force of over three thousand men who helped end the war in Europe on May 8, 1945. During that time we trained for and participated in the softening up and final smashing of Hitler's Fortress Europe.We saw our Group reach the greatest heights in bombing accuracy, morale and air and ground efficiency--the things necessary in winning the war. The pictures and story show the conditions under which the ground and air echelons lived, worked and died. We watched a number of crews fly their missions, complete their tours and return to the states-- some, not so fortunate, are buried in foreign soil. They flew and fought hoping that their efforts would shorten the war, save lives and aid their country's cause. The men on the ground--the men behind the planes--also showed great resourcefulness, loyalty and devotion to duty. For every plane our Group put in the sky over Europe there were the cooks, clerks, photographers and a score of others on the ground working to put it there. These men did not receive any of the honor or glory, but the work they did was essential for the success of the Group. As a member of the 446th from the time of its organization until it was deactivated in Sioux Falls, it is my desire to say that the cooperation and devotion of these men to their tasks was exemplary. My association with the men of my command will always remain an unforgettable highlight in my life. This photographic log of the Group is a book to be treasured always. As we look through it in the years ahead it will help revive memories of our eventful days at Denver, the journey overseas, the first mission to Berlin, D-Day, V-E Day and a host of other memorable events that played so vital a part in our lives." William A. Schmidt, Lt. Col. A.C., Commanding Officer

The 310th Infantry Regiment has fought in more than one war. This history is primarily an account of the present 310th Infantry Regiment in World War II, but there is a story to tell of an earlier 310th Regiment which carried the same Regimental Colors into battle against the German enemy in World War I.

"The Sky Lancers have established an enviable record in combat against the Japanese in the Southwest Pacific Theatre of Operations. We have advanced twenty-five hundred miles since debarking at Cape Sudest, New Guinea; we have delivered destruction to the enemy over every mile of it and part of our great task still lies ahead on the road to Tokyo. Our gains have not been made easily and the price has been paid in both men and equipment. It is to our gallant comrades who made their last flight with our organization that The SKY LANCER is dedicated, for it was they who contributed so greatly to our success and to the ultimate peace we are to gain through their courageous efforts." Milton W. Johnson, Lt. Col., Air Corps, Commanding

"In this book, the author has not attempted to give a complete history of the Military Railway Service. And in a sense, the task of the author has been a painful one. Limitations of space have precluded the inclusion of many episodes, vignettes, descriptions and analyses. Consequently, most of the personnel concerned have had to remain anonymous. War is not only a matter of facts and statistics. It is experience, and no others can quite understand that experience. The author has tried to tell the story of the war as it came to our organization how it looked and felt, and what our activities were during the fighting. The splendid performance of the 708th reflected credit on all of our personnel rather than on any individual or small group of individuals. This book is intended primarily for personnel of our immediate headquarters, and I trust they will understand and forgive me for not including their individual chapters." --Page 60

From the Prologue The Minnie is truly a veteran. Only a very few other fighting ships in Uncle Sam's Navy have more battle stars than the Minneapolis. During one twenty-month cruise in the Pacific she covered a distance equivalent to nearly seven times around the world. She was in port only eight days during this period which netted each crewman 48 hours of leave. The Minneapolis has served with the Third, Fifth and Seventh Fleets and in all types of operations. Many times the crew could not help but believe that the old ship was classed as expendable, as whenever there was a job to do, the Minnie seemed to be assigned to help do it. Censorship kept her name out of the hometown papers because she was always in action. It has been said the ships that get the publicity are the ones that get sunk, but the Nips couldn't sink the Minnie although they tried time after time.

Foreword: "No book this size could ever hope to record completely, day by day, mission by mission, the history of the 445th Bombardment Group. Since various limitations did exist and handicap the publication of our Group History, the only alternative was to select such material as would most emphatically demonstrate how superior our Group really was. The photographs selected for use in the book were chosen because they were the most representative of those available. Every attempt was made to provide at least token representation of the few activities and sections not included; however, the fact that some parts of our Group organization have not been included indicates that these attempts were unsuccessful. Because of many changes in Squadron Staff personnel throughout the life of the Group, it was not thought advisable to list the many persons involved. Instead, it was left to various photographs to tell about these men. I sincerely hope that in the years to come this book will recall dimming memories, and that it will always serve as convincing evidence that ours was one of the best Groups in the Army Air Forces. · Rudolph J. Birsic, July, 1947

The "Battle of the Ruhr Pocket" actually took place during the period from April 1 (when the pocket was closed by the junction of the First and Ninth Armies), until about April 19, 1945, when the last resistance took place near the Ruhr River. During this period over 825,000 men were locked in deadly combat. When it was all over some 325,000 Germans were in the Prisoner of War stockades. The author, in order to give the reader more of the background and preparation for the battle, actually takes the reader back to the seizure of the Remagan Bridge, and traces each division as it crosses the Rhine and encountered the enemy in what later turned into the greatest pincer movement the world has ever known. Many books have been published on World War II, but probably none touch on a battle or campaign which was so different from the others than does this book. As you read this volume the publisher hopes you are able to secure a better knowledge of the "Battle of the Ruhr Pocket" as it unfolds before you in the peace and contentment of your home and office. The author of this book remembers the Ruhr well. He served as a combat infantryman throughout the entire engagement and when asked today what he remembers most about the Ruhr replies; "Three thing--88's', 88's, and more 88's.

Foreword: This booklet will confine itself to describing the work done by those American Red Cross men and women who are giving direct, personal services to the members of the armed forces on the military front or to their families on the home front. To isolate this cross section of Red Cross activity from the body of all Red Cross war work is to sacrifice the complete story of the Red Cross war jobs for the Army and Navy. That is a story of many themes--to name only a few: jobs as essential as collecting blood for plasma; or supplying surgical dressings, comfort articles, garments for the hospitalized; or recruiting nurses; or training nurse's aides. Nevertheless, the American families of some 11,300,000 servicemen want to know the answers to particular, personal questions: What is the American Red Cross doing for the serviceman himself? What are its representatives doing for him when he is homesick and worried, bored, restless, sick or wounded? What are they doing for him in the field, the leave area, the hospital? What are they doing when he returns home, discharged, and has problems resulting from his service? The trained men and women who are, we are told, "at his side"--who are they, what facilities do they have to work with, and exactly how do they work? Finally, how do the Red Cross chapters here at home help him and his family? This booklet tries to answer these questions for the millions of deeply interested families and neighbors of men and women in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. In so doing it must stick closely to them and to those personal Red Cross services which are theirs wherever they go, whatever their jobs.

Everyone knows of the infantry and the air corps, the tankers and the engineers, the quartermaster and ordnance. And they "know" all about Chemical Warfare: they picture us playing with test tubes in white laboratories, a thousand miles behind the lines, discovering new war gases and atomic bombs. Some within the Chemical Warfare Service do bring new methods of warfare from their labs, but most of us are ordinary soldiers--very like the infantry and all other troops who fight on the ground, for keeps. Originally, our mortar was designed for firing chemical shells. Then one day someone discovered that you could fire a TNT-filled shell from the same muzzle--and that day you said goodbye forever to clean labs and pretty colored chemicals, and became a soldier. So we toted a 4.2" mortar from the beaches of France to the heart of fortress Germany. We went where the infantry had to go, a few times arriving before they did. Our ways of life were alike: same wariness by day. same fear by night, same boredom and despair. And some died in the fight-just as the infantrymen. Neither for the glory nor the medals, the press releases nor the newsreels--but with a vague consciousness we sensed that we had to be part of this mighty juggernaut that was crushing the Nazis. Beneath our blusters and disdain of flighty words we were proud of being soldiers. We originated a favorite maxim that we used as a "wisecrack" all over Europe--"Don't fool with the fighting troops!" Yet there are few--soldiers and civilians alike--who know what a 4.2" chemical mortar is and what it can do. Here is the answer, and it has nothing to do with chemicals or chemists except in a very abstract way. This is the historical account of a fighting odyssey, the simple facts of where and with whom we fought. Everyone knows of the infantry and the engineers. This is about mortar men, who also fought a war.

This will be the record of the 68th Tank Battalion's participation in successive campaigns from the historic breakthrough in Normandy to "VE" Day in the heart of Germany. Before beginning this narrative, however, there are some remarks we must make. Firstly, this history was made possible by the heroically spent blood and sweat of American men, who gave their best for their country. They did well, these men, and though some of them are no longer with us, their deeds will never be forgotten.

Foreword In these pages will be found the story of our own 533d in the greatest of all the wars of the world. It is a story of toil and hardship and danger mixed with happy interludes and comradeships made the dearer thereby, a story of great deeds in the face of great obstacles, of reverses and disappointments but of pride and glory in the end. This book is not written to impress others with our deeds. In the many commendations of high commanders is found the testimony to our success in an unusual and most important role in many landings on enemy-held shores. In our own minds and hearts are the priceless memories of our great adventure and the pride that comes from the knowledge of a job well done. May these pages help to keep them fresh through the years to come. W.S. Moore, Colonel, Corps of Engineers

This is the story of the 16th Major Port: its birth and growing pains and the accomplishment of its mission. It has been impossible in the relatively narrow compass of a short history to give full credit to the Navy, to Army Engineers, to the Coast Guard, to British Minesweepers and to others who took part in the gigantic task at Le Havre, but this is by no means meant to detract from the credit due these organizations. The story of the 16th Port is part of the story of the Army Transportation Corps. It is the story of how in the face of overwhelming obstacles, men worked hard together that the combat troops might be fed, that reinforcements might move forward quickly and efficiently, that the multifarious items of supply might flow smoothly to the front, that the guns might fire . "Written by Cpl. Alex Bower, illustrated by Si Mezerow ... and edited by Lt. E.N. Brandt."

Excerpt from the introductory "Why the Red Cross Serves the Armed Forces": During the past 10 years, the Red Cross has expended well over half a billion dollars in service to the armed forces and to veterans--dollars that were voluntarily contributed for that purpose by the people of this country. But even more significant are the millions of hours of volunteer effort that have likewise been freely contributed to that service through the Red Cross--hours that, if paid for at going wage rates, would have multiplied Red Cross expenditures many fold. This volunteer service, symbolic of all that is warm and human and neighborly in American life, is the truest measure of what the Red Cross stands for in its relations with the military establishment. The American Red Cross continues to exist and to carry on its service to the armed forces of this country because there is a vital job to be done and because the American people have accepted the Red Cross as their medium of action in this department. of community responsibility. There can be no doubt that, if the Red Cross did not already exist, the people of this country would see to it that a similar organization, of equal extent and capacity, was promptly established.