HISTORY OF 149TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALIOn


 The 149th Field Artillery Battalion stems from two in-addition to deck loaded vehicles. Sleeping, feeding and
sources and has reason to be proud of both. It was or- sanitary facilities were quite a problem, but the men en-
ganized and Federally recognized originally as the 2nd dured the hardships cheerfully and the ships dropped
Battalion of the 116th Field Artillery on August 23, 1923. anchor at AITAPE, DUTCH NEW GUINEA on the night
When inducted into Federal service on November 25, 1940 of July 4, 1945. The remainder of the Battalion loaded
under command of Lieutenant Colonel George E. Baya it on LCI's at CAPE SUDEST, ORO BAY on July 3 and ar-
had Batteries at the following home stations in Florida. rived at AITAPE on July 6.
Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, Bartow; Bat- Elements of the Japanese 18th Army composed of the
tery D, Lakeland; Battery E, Plant City; and Battery F 20th, 41st and 51st Divisions had been threatening the
at Winter Haven. Batteries remained in training at their AITAPE area for some time. The bulk of the US 32nd
home stations until December 19th when the 31st Di- Infantry Division reinforced by the 112 Cavalry were
vision took up its station at Camp Blanding, Florida. holding at the DRINIUMOR RIVER about 12 miles east
 The battalion participated as part of the 116th Field of the main installations, while service troops were meaning
Artillery regiment until the Division was reorganized as the inner perimeter. From captured documents and state-
a triangular division at Camp Bowie, Texas. ments of prisoners it was anticipated the Japs would
 On February 26, 1942 the battalion was honored with attack with a large force between July 1-10, but at the
the name of the 149th Field Artillery which had served time of arrival of the combat team this attack had not
with honor and distinction in France in World War I. developed.
Redesignated as the 149th Field Artillery Battalion un- Originally it was planned the 124th Infantry with the
der command of Lieutenant Colonel W. Eugene Jones it 149th FA attached would make an amphibious landing
remained as an organic part of the Division. using LCT's and LCM's for transport, at NYAPARAKE on
 Training continued as outlined in the section devoted the coast to seize and expand a beachhead east of the
to 31st Infantry Division Artillery throughout 1942 and DRINIUMOR RIVER and make contact with a force from
1943. the 32nd Division which was to push across the river to
 MOVEMENT OVERSEAS the east. This landing was to take place on July 13 and
 At 0630, January 29, 1944 the battalion departed from was to be supported with naval and air forces. .However
Camp Pickett, Virginia and arrived in Camp Patrick Henry on the night of July 10 the Japs attacked with consider-
in the afternoon. On February 9 after 10 days of final able force at the DRINIUMOR RIVER and succeeded in
preparation for overseas movement it moved by train to penetrating the center of the line. This break through
the Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation. On the morning caused a complete change of plans. On the morning of
of departure the ground was heavily covered with snow, the 12th the 124th Infantry was ordered to forward as-
slush and mud, and a cold rain was falling intermittently. sembly area just short of ANAMO to attack on the 13th
At Norfolk the troops debarked from the train and trans- and restore the river line.
ferred to the Ferry MOHAWK for the crossing of Nor- The 149th FA attached to the 32nd Infantry Division
folk Bay. As each man boarded the S S CAPE HEN- Artillery and in direct support of the 124th Infantry be-
LOPEN,' he removed and turned in his overcoat. gan its movement at noon of the 12th and by 1600 all except
 The HENLOPEN sailed on the morning of February 10, A Battery had arrived in position on a narrow sand split
1944 in convoy with other ships of the Division and ar- about 100 yards wide just west of the mouth of AKANAI
rived at CRISTOBAL, Canal Zone February 16. Troops CREEK. Light vehicles were able to cross the bridge
debarked for exercise on the pier. Arrangements were over the NIGIA river and proceed east on the beach to
made to have ice cream delivered to the pier, which proved the position area but the howitzers and tractors had to
to be the last for many months to come. be ferried by LCT.
 The passage through the Canal by daylight on the 17th Large bodies of Japs were known to be just south of
was thoroughly enjoyed by all aboard. At 1600 on Febru- the position area with no infantry in between. With only
ary 18 the Canal was left behind and the long trip across three hours of daylight remaining, feverish haste was
the Pacific was begun. No land was sighted during the made in digging in the howitzers, constructing pill boxes
entire trip and March 15 the HENLOPEN reached MILNE and fox holes and preparing the battalion's first perimeter
BAY where she anchored to await orders. Anchor was. in contact with the enemy.
weighed at 1600 on March 16 and next dropped at ORO The first round of artillery fired in actual combat by
BAY, BRITISH, NEW GUINEA at 0740, March 17, 1944. the battalion and also by any artillery unit of the 31st
 Unloading of troops and cargo was begun immediately Division was fired at 0752 on July 13, 1944, by the Second
and camp was established in the vicinity of DOBODURA. Section of B Battery. The lanyard was pulled by Sergeant
Acclimation to the tropics was started. Many hours of David Ballard, the oldest enlisted man, from point of serv-
instruction in living in the jungle, malaria control, jungle ice in B Battery.
diseases and relations with the natives were given. Trips Prior to the jump-off of the 124th Infantry the battalion
were made to the Battlefield and Cemetery at BUNA fired a 20 minute preparation of approximately 500 rounds.
and at GONA, and construction and improvement of the Approximately 1300 rounds were expended during the
camp was continued, day. Continuous support in front of the infantry was
 AITAPE highly instrumental in their rapid advance and the
 On June 23, 1945 the battalion was alerted for move- DRINIUMOR RIVER line was restored late in the after-
ment to a combat area as a part of the 124th Regimental noon of the 13th. Forward observer parties and Liaison
Combat Team. About half of the battalion with all of officer parties accompanied the infantry at all time and
the equipment loaded aboard the Liberty Ships S S adjusted fire in conjunction with air observers. In the af-
GOODHUE and S S BARNES on June 29. The ships were ternoon of the 13th a battalion wire laying party was
greatly overcrowded carrying approximately 1200 troops fired on by enemy mortars between the infantry lines and

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