Active 1942–1945 Branch United States Army | Country United States Type Field artillery | |
Engagements World War II
North African Campaign
Invasion of Sicily
Operation Neptune
Battle of Elsenborn Ridge | ||
The 62nd Armored Field Artillery Battalion was formed in 1942 at Fort Bliss, Texas. The 62nd served in the campaigns in North Africa, Sicily, and Europe. They received a unit citation for their activities on D-Day at Omaha Beach. Elements of the unit were transported ashore by USS LCT-209. On 17 December 1944 the 62nd Armored Field Artillery Battalion destroyed a column of roughly 40 German tanks and support vehicles at the Battle of Elsenborn Ridge.
The Column of 40 tanks and support vehicles were destroyed by Army 240's. I was the pilot in an L-4 on the 17th of Dec and my observer was Lt Rolfs. We were from the 62nd Armored FA Bn. Rolfs called in the target and our S-3gave us the Army 240's to fire on the target. Rolfs first disabled the lead vehicle and then the rear vehicle, then had them fire for effect in between those two points. They threw in a few White phosphorus shells to catch anyone trying to escape from the vehicles. I am now 93 yrs old. Maj. Paul W. Harrington, US Army, Ret.