coupled with battery and battalion tests, kept our Schneiders busy. Each man learned to fire his carbine
accurately and with confidence. We spent long and arduous hours in physical development; pushups,
burpees, and obstacle courses were daily routine. Much of the work was repetitious of previous training,
but each day prepared us better for the coming maneuvers in the California desert.
In September 1943, the 345th bade farewell to Camp Barkeley, and we moved to the desert
where we set up a livable camp at Granite Mountain. During the next four months, we became desert
soldiers, learning to breathe dust instead of air, and to eat “C” rations instead of the fresh foods we were
used to. However, we learned much more than how to endure discomfort. For instance, the experience
gained in making long, rapid movements was invaluable to us when we met similar situations in
Germany and France. At Christmas time, just as we completed our desert training, we received the long
awaited orders to proceed to Fort Dix, N. J.
Those orders meant only one thing – overseas service. Our period of maneuvers and training
was drawing to a close: soon we would be playing the game for keeps. After a transcontinental train
ride, we passed through Fort Dix and Camp Kilmer in a cloud of paper work. We had so many show-
down inspections that even the tent pegs snapped to at the command, “Attention”; but we were certainly
P.O.M. qualified when we boarded His Majesty’s transport, Athlone Castle, on the 23rd of March 1944.
Each of us remembers the food on the Castle, but we expected no picnic. Some of us remember
seasickness – ask Sgt. Hughes, Sgt. Parsons or Lt. Stanley. However, the trip across was without serious
incident; we landed at Liverpool on April 5. Going straight to camp Davenport, near Wolverhampton,
we received twelve brand new M1 howitzers, tractors, and complete new section equipment throughout
the battalion. Here we completed our final training with particular emphasis on gunnery and physical
conditioning for all men. Our last stop before Utah Beach was made at Camp Heath, where our
equipment was waterproofed and loaded. Here, too, we were briefed on our part of the coming
operations. Each of us was a more thoughtful man when we heard that we would hit the beach on D
plus 2. Captain Hanna expressed our sentiments when he laughingly said, “Here I always heard that
only supermen would be picked for the Invasion of France. What in hell are we doing in it?” We were
not a cocky bunch, for too much of the unknown lay ahead of us; but we did have complete confidence
in our training, in our arms, and in ourselves. Future events were to prove that our confidence was
justified.
 |
 |
 |