US Airborne Units in the Mediterranean Theater 1942–44

100 Pages·2006·35.22 MB·English

by  Gordon L. Rottman

US Airborne Units in the
Mediterranean Theater
1942-44
IstSpecialServiceForce,FebruaryI0,I943-DecemberS,
-cXJ''''
I
I
GORDONLROTTMAN
enteredtheUSArmyin1967,
volunteeredforSpecialForces
andcompletedtrainingasa
weaponsspecialist.Heserved
inthe5thSpecialForces
GroupinVietnamin1969-70
andsubsequentlyinairborne
infantry,long-rangepatroland
intelligenceassignmentsuntil
retiringafter26years.Hewas
aspecialoperationsforces
scenariowriterattheJoint
ReadinessTrainingCenter
for12yearsandisnowa
freelancewriter,livingin
Texas,USA.
Battle Orders • 22
US Airborne Units in the
Mediterranean Theater
1942-44
Gordon L Rottman
Consultant editor Dr Duncan Anderson • Series editors Marcus Cowperand Nikolai Bogdanovic
FirstpublishedinGreatBritainin2006byOspreyPublishing, Image credits
MidlandHouse,WestWay,Botley,OxfordOX2OPH,UnitedKingdom
443ParkAvenueSouth,NewYork,NY 10016,USA
The photographicimagesthatappearinthisworkwereobtained
from the NationalArchivesand RecordsAdministration.
Email:[email protected]
©2006OspreyPublishingLtd. Author's note
Allrightsreserved.Apartfromanyfairdealingforthepurposeofprivatestudy, Theauthoris indebtedtoStuartKohn,Donald Boose (COL,Ret),
research,criticismorreview,aspermittedundertheCopyright,DesignsandPatents
andAllen Schoppe (MSG,Ret)fortheirinvaluableassistance.
Act,1988,nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,
Followingthestyles used bydifferentnations,inthe unit
ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,electrical,chemical,mechanical,
designations inthis bookUS unitsare labeled,forexample,
optical,photocopying,recordingorotherwise,withoutthepriorwrittenpermission
ofthecopyrightowner.EnquiriesshouldbeaddressedtothePublishers. 463d Parachute FieldArtillery Battalion,whereas Britishand
Canadian unitsare labeled,for example,2nd Independent
ISBN-IO:I841769207 Parachute BrigadeGroup.
ISBN-13:978 I841769202 Inthetreediagramsand maps inthisvolume,the unitsand
movementsofnationalforces aredepicted inthefollowingcolors:
PagelayoutbyBounford.com,Cambridge,UK
MapsbyBounford.com,Cambridge,UK
USArmyunits Olivedrab
TypesetinMonotypeGillSansandITCStoneSerif
Italian units Skyblue
IndexbyAlanThatcher
GermanArmyunits Grey
OriginatedbyUnitedGraphicsPteLtd,Singapore
PrintedandboundinChinabyBookbuilders BritishArmyunits Brown
French commandos Darkblue
06 07 08 09 10 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
Fora keytothesymbols used inthisvolume,seebelow.
ACIPcatalogrecordforthisbookisavailablefromtheBritishLibrary.
Measurements and weapon calibers
ForacatalogofallbookspublishedbyOspreyMilitaryandAviationpleasecontact:
OspreyDirectUSA,c/oRandomHouseDistributionCenter,400HahnRd, Distances,ranges,and dimensionsare mostlygiven inthe
Westminster,MD21157USA contemporaryUSsystem ofinches,feet,yards,and statutemiles.
E-mail:[email protected] Asimpleconversiontable is provided below.
OspreyDirectUK,P.O.Box140,Wellingborough,Northants,NN82FA,UK feetto meters: multiplyfeet by0.3048
E-mail:[email protected]
yardsto meters multiplyyards by0.9114
milesto kilometers multiplymiles by 1.6093
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centimetersto inches multiplycentimetersby0.3937
Keyto militarysymbols
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Army Corps Division Brigade Regiment Battalion Company/ Platoon Section
battery
8 [Q] C8J 0 W 0 [E]
Squad Infantry Artillery Armor Parachute MilitaryPolice Parachutefield Anti-aircraft Gliderinfantry
infantry artillery
8
Engineer Maintenance Supply Antitank Gliderfield Signal Recon Service Machinegun
artillery
[X] Ilrol B ~ EJEJ
IstSpecial Quartermaster Aviation HQand Glider Headquarters Keytounitidentification
ServiceForce HQCo ~
Unit Parent
EE @] 0 [ill ITJ identifier~unit
Commander
(+)withaddedelements (-)lesselements
Medical Ordnance Self-propelled Ammunition Mortar
Contents
Introduction 4
Combat mission 6
Unit status 8
82dAirborne Division • IstSpecialService Force • IstAirborneTask Force
517th Parachute Regimental CombatTeam
Training ; 18
Doctrine 24
Unit organization 28
Unitdesignation practices •Airborne division organization • IstSpecialService Force
Tactics 44
Airborneassault•Ground combat
Weapons and equipment 52
Infantryweapons •Crew-servedweapons •Vehicles •Theairlift
Command, control, communications, and intelligence 59
Commandand control •Communications• Intelligence
Combat operations 63
NorthAfrica•Sicily•The Italian mainland •Southern France
Lessons learned 89
Chronology 91
Bibliography 92
Abbreviations 94
Index 95
3
Introduction
The various multi-division airborne operations conducted in the European
Theater of Operations (ETO), Normandy, the Netherlands, and the Rhine
crossing, are better known than the operations conducted in the
Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO). The MTO's nine early airborne
assaults, ofvaryingsuccess,wereconductedinAlgeria,Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, and
southernFrance.Atotalof16,000USparatroopers jumpedintheseoperations,
but they were no less important than the sizable European operations and
contributed a great deal to the development of airborne tactics, organization,
equipment, and the success ofthe largeroperations.
N
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SPAIN
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MEDITERRANEAN SEA
Cherchel Biz•erte
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MOROCCO } FRENCH ALGERIA
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...
Legend
1. Tafaroui,Algeria 2/509thPIR(-) Nov2,1942
2. Youks-Ies-Bains,Algeria 2/509thPIR(-) Nov15,1942 Tripoli
3. EIDjem,Tunisia Detachment,2/509thPIR Dec24,1942
4. Gela,Sicily 505thPIR,3/504thPIR Ju19,1943
5. Gela,Sicily 504thPIR Ju111,1943
6. Salerno,Italy 504thPIR(-) Sep13,1943 LIBYA
7. Salerno,Italy 505thPIR Sep14,1943
8. Avellino,Italy 2/509thPIR Sep14,1943
9. Anzio,ltaly1 509thPIB,504thPIR Jan21,1944
10.liesd'Hyeres,France1 1stSpecialServiceForce Aug15,1944 ---l2~0 I
11. LeMuy,France 1stAirborneTaskForce Aug15,1944 00"-1__----r__ mi
1Amphibiousassault. I 200km .
4 usairborneoperations inthe MTO,includingamphibiousassaults byairborne units.
Paratrooper'sindividualequipment
1942-43
Thisexampleofaparachutistrifleman's M2 pocketknife,pocketcompass,whistle
equipmentwassubjecttoagreatdeal of (NCOs) (leftchestpocket)
variation.Additionalammunitionforsquad Handgrenades (x2) (rightand leftwaist
weapons,demolition materials,and antitank pockets)
mines mightbeassigned.Some80-100lb. AS-cal.M191IAIpistol,threeseven-round
ofequipmentcould easilybecarried. magazines (rightlegpocket;ifcarried)
Handkerchief(rightlegpocket)
MIsteel helmet,liner,parachutist'schin 20ft.loweringrope (leftlegpocket)
strap D-ration bar(leftlegpocket)
T-Stroop parachuteassembly,main and .30-cal.MIriflewith sling
reserve M1928cartridge beltwith 80clipped
B-7inflatablelifevest(worn under roundsof.30-cal.ammunition
parachuteharness ifflyingoverwater) M1910 Iqtcanteen,cup,carrier
Wristwatch M1910firstaid pouch,field dressing,sulfa
Parachutist'stwo-piecesuit powderpacket
Parachutist'sboots (Cochrans) M1936musette bagwith extrasocks,toilet
Leathergloves kit,three K-rations (varied),water A DouglasC-47ASkytraintugtakes
Undershirt,underdrawers,socks, purificationtablets,matches in offtowingaWacoCG-4Acargo
identificationtags waterproofcontainer,poncho glider.These planeswerethe
Map,message book,pencil (rightchest workhorses oftheairborneforces.
pocket)
The organization and employment of airborne units in World War II was
extremelycontroversial. From the outset, some sawtheir potential, but others MembersoftheS04th PIR,82d
considered the "airborne effort" to be only of marginal use and a drain of AbnDivdescend from a"V"of
manpowerfor conventionalunits. As with anytactical innovation, there were C-47AtransportsatFtBragg,
NC, 1942.The"V"formation was
problem areas and developmental difficulties that required attention and
standardfor dropping paratroopers
improvement. While the technology ofthe era made some of these problems
ortowinggliders.Three"V's" in
insurmountable, nevertheless the airborne forces contributed significantly to trail (a"VofVs") was known as
thewareffortin the MediterraneanTheater. a"serial."
5
• •
Combat mission
In May 1942, before any airborne exercises above
battalion level had been conducted, the US Army
issued guidelines for the potential missions of
parachute troops. Paratroopers were specially trained,
equipped, and organized to execute missions in areas
not immediately accessible to other troops; most of
these missions were executedbyUS airborne forces in
World War II with varying degrees of success. More
often than not, units conducted acombinationofthe
below:
1. Seizing and holding terrain suitable for the
landing oftroop-carryingairplanes and gliders.
2. Seizing and holding river and canal crossings,
and defiles.
':'';''10-
3. Seizing and holding key terrain in the rear of
organized beach defenses in conjunction with
ground or naval operations.
4. Establishingbridgeheads.
C-47Atransportsand CG-4A S. Attacking a defended position in the rear or flank, or landing within
gliders marshaled onan airfield in and attackingthe interior ofa highlyorganized perimeter defense.
Sicily, 1943.Thetransportswould 6. Seizing or destroying vital enemy supply and communication
taxi ontothe runway,thetowropes
installations.
would beconnectedtothegliders,
7. Assisting ground offensives by means of vertical envelopment and
andthe pairsofaircraftwould
takeoff. subsequent seizure of important terrain and vital enemy
establishments.
8. Operating in conjunction with armored forces by consolidating and
holding gains made by those units until the arrival of other friendly
forces.
9. Seizingandholdinglandingfields for the operationoffriendlyaircraft
orto denytheiruse to enemyaircraft.
10. Creatingconfusion and actingas adiversionto the operations ofthe
main force.
Parachute troops were considered the spearhead of a vertical envelopment by
other air-landing troops (glider troops and air-landing troops in transports) or
other ground forces. Doctrine specified that they "must seek decisive action
immediatelyuponlanding."Thisaggressivenesswouldcharacterizetheircombat
experience, and would become the hallmark of all airborne troops. Highly
motivated and self-sufficient officers were sought to lead airborne units at all
echelons.Successdependedontherapidexecutionofmissionsbyallsubordinate
units, as the failure ofone smaller unit to accomplish its mission could lead to
thefailure oftheentireoperation. Leadersalsoneededtobeintelligent, decisive,
and capable ofmotivatingtheirmenunderadverse conditions.
The airborne units deployed in the MTO conducted a number of missions.
Mostofthesewereinsupportofmajoramphibiouslandings, eitherdivisionalor
regimental in size, which mostly occurred (on a limited scale) in North Africa
with larger operations taking place in Sicily, Italy, and southern France. Afew
battalion-size raids were conducted, often as a diversion for other operations.
6 Units also jumped into secured beachheads to reinforce embattled friendly
troops. An unexpected role was that offighting for extended periods as ground
troops once the initial airborne mission had been completed; some airborne
units evenconductedamphibious assaults andreinforcementlandingsfrom the
sea. In Italy, US airborne troops found the mountains particularly challenging,
duetothebrutalterrainandharshweatherconditions.
Airborne troops were more lightly equipped than their conventional
counterparts, were compact, andwere trained to operatein smallgroups often
outofcontactwithhigherheadquartersandadjacentunits.Theyalsooperated
with only limited external fire support. However, they suffered greatly in the
area of logistical support. Designed to operate with minimal service support
and transportation, when committed to lengthy periods ofground combat in
rugged terrain they required augmentation by non-divisional service units.
Thiswasespeciallytrue ofmotortransportation; airborneunits simplydid not
have the necessary means to move supplies and equipment. Even in the
mountains trucktransportwasvital for moving supplies to forward dumps. In
addition, the extremely limited manpower of airborne service support units
meantthattherewerenotenoughtroopstopackammunitionandsuppliesfor
fighting units. Such obstacles were overcome, often by the initiative and
motivation ofthe airborne soldier.
Thedaylight,mass-troop drop of
the IstBattalion,551stPIR near Le
Muy,Southern FranceonAugust 15,
1944.D~yjumps proved to be much
more effectivethan nightonesand
the remainingtwo US combat
jumps in Europewouldtake place
in daylight. 7
Unit status
The American "airborne effort" began onJune 25, 1940 when the Parachute
Test Platoon was formed at Ft Benning, GA. Out of 200 volunteers, 48 men
were selected from the 29th Infantry, the Infantry School's demonstration
regiment. They began experimenting with parachutes, equipment, training
and jumpingtechniques. Two and halfmonths later, onSeptember 16, the 1st
Parachute Battalion was activated using the Test Platoon as the cadre. On
October 1 it was redesignated the 501st Parachute Battalion. The Provisional
Parachute Group was formed on February25, 1941 as an overseeingagencyto
develop tactical doctrine, training literature, and manage manpower, training,
andtheactivationofnewunits. The502dParachuteBattalionwasactivatedon
July 1 by splitting the 501st. Problems regarding the selection and quality of
volunteers, training facilities and techniques, equipment, and obtaining
sufficient aircraft, were graduallyovercome.!
The Army Air Corps began testing gliders in July 1941 and the first unit
trained for their use - the 550th Airborne Infantry Battalion (AlB) - was
activated at Howard Field, Panama Canal Zone onJuly 1; Company C of the
501st was attached. The 550th was an operational unit tasked with helping
defend the Canal and a possible invasion of Vichy France-controlled
Martinique in the Caribbean. Aunit to test gliders, air transport techniques,
and develop organizational, trainingandtacticaldoctrine- the88thAlB- was
activated on October 10at Ft Benning.
The S02d and 504th Parachute Infantry Battalions (PIB) were activated at
FtBenningonAugust22andOctober5;the501stand502ddidnotreceivethe
"infantry" designation. Following the successful, but costly, German airborne
onslaught on Crete from May 20 to June 1, 1941, the activation of airborne
units gained pace and further resources were allocated.
By late 1941 the decision had been taken to activate parachute regiments.
Four regiments were organized onJanuary 30, 1942, less than a month after
Pearl Harbor. On March 21 the Airborne Command was activated from the
Provisional Parachute Group and continued its mission as well as assuming
administrative and trainingcontrol over all parachute and airborne units. The
Airborne Command2 moved to Ft Bragg on April 9, and the Parachute School
was activated at Ft Benning under the Airborne Command on May 6 along
with the 1stParachute Training Regiment. The 456th Parachute FieldArtillery
Battalion (PFAB) was activated at Ft Bragg as the first parachute artillery unit
from the Parachute Test Battery. Eight parachute infantry regiments were
activated in rapid succession in 1942; sixmore wouldfollow in 1943.
Twoseparateparachuteinfantrybattalionswerealsoraised. Thebestknown
was the S09th PIB. On February 24, 1942 the 504th PIB was redesignated 2d
Battalion, 503d PIR at Ft Benning. InJuly the battalion departed for Scotland,
the first airborne unit deployed overseas, where itundertooktrainingwiththe
British 1stAirborne Division (AbnDiv). Itwas redesignated2dBattalion, 509th
PIR on November 2 (a new 2d Battalion was activated for the 503d now in
Australia.) 2/S09th participated in the November 1943 North Africa invasion
makingthefirst three US combat jumps.Theremainderoftheregimentwould
never be raised and 2/509th PIR was redesignated 509th PIB in Italy on
December 10, 1943.
IAdditionalinformationonthedevelopmentofearlyairborneunitscanbefoundinOspreyElite31:USArmyAirborne1940-90.
8 2OnMarch I,1944theAirborneCommandwasredesignatedtheAirborneCenter.