WWII after action reports

Richard,

I have a copy of "Cockney: The Story of the 696th Armored Field Artillery Battalion in WWII" the post war history of the 696th AFAB.  It is very detailed.  Perhaps I can answer the question you have about August 1944.  Was a relative of yours in the unit?  The history also includes rosters for 1943 and 1945 which I can check for your relative.  Best Regards TimeOnTarget

Thanks for the reply. I am doing this for my wife whose relative Corporal William K Heeler was in the 696th. He is listed as being killed on 9 August 1944 near Pont-Scorff in Brittany. We have some of his records from a number of sources but there are still some unanswered questions. We live in England and our US family was only recently discovered. A long story, but we visited Pont-Scorff at their invitation this August and I must say that we were very warmly greeted and looked after. I have looked for a copy of the Cockney but it would appear that none are available on the open market, and currently visiting a library in the US to view one is not possible. I am wondering if there is any direct reference to William in the book and specifically any detail on the casualties from the 696th as part of Combat Command B from 7 to 9 August 1944 in the Pont-Scorff area. If there was a source to buy a copy of the book that would be even better!!!! As an aside, in the last year we have found that another member of the Heeler family was killed in Normandy, this time from the British side of the family, and he was a cousin of William Heeler.

I am very grateful for your response and offer to answer the question. Your ToT name suggests you might have been in the military. I spent 30 years in the RAF and find helping research these subjects rather absorbing. Kind Regards Richard

Hi Richard,

Here is the relevant quotation from “Cockney.”  As is always the case with narrow quotations much of the context is lost.  Hopefully it is enough to answer your question.  

if there is a way to connect privately, I will happily send you a pdf copy of Cockney for your personal use without charge. (If the moderators find this offer unacceptable, please let me know and I will delete it.)

 At 2000 on 9 August the [battalion’s] forward echelon moved from south of Pont-Scorff to a position two kilometers north of Pont-Scorff.  The rear echelon moved to the vicinity of Le Maustair. This forced march of 228 miles was accomplished in 30 hours.  One man was killed (Cpl. William K. Heeler of “B” Battery) and one was severely wounded while the units were displacing.  Another ten men were less severely wounded during this action. (McCormick, Cockney p. 58.)

 Note: At this time the 696th was attached to CCB, 4th Armored Division which was part of Third Army.  Given the number of casualties and the fact that both units had previously been suffering casualties from well-directed enemy artillery fire we can assume they were caused by German artillery.  Armored Force doctrine called for elements of the armored field artillery (usually a battery) to move far forward with Point Force which consisted of the tanks, infantry, tank destroyers, etc. so they could quickly engage enemy forces by direct or indirect fire.  The battalion’s three firing batteries generally took turns being “up on point.”  Regardless of position in the column, firing batteries were at times subjected to enemy small arms fire and counter-battery fire.

 Memorial stone dedicated to the men killed and wounded of the 695^th and 696^th AFA Bns. is on the ground in front of the M7. https://www.flickr.com/photos/sheenachi/173471858/

 Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate an image of the memorial that legibly shows the men’s names.  I plan to ask the New Jersey National Guard Museum for a better image.  If they come through with it, I’ll let you know.  In case you want to contact them directly, here is the link to the website. https://njmilitiamuseum.org/   Staff/ Sgt. Walker is the Museum Curator.  I've found him to be very helpful.

In answer to your question, I have not served in the military.  My area of interest is the US Army in WWII.   I have a special interest in the US Field Artillery which explains my username.  Currently I am writing an article about the 696th AFAB for submission to On Point: The Journal of Army History.  On Point is a publication of the Army Historical Foundation which is closely associated with the National Museum of the US Army.

Please accept my respect for your service in the RAF.  I have a special regard those men and women of Britain, the UK, and the Commonwealth who served in WWII.  They fought bravely in all theaters of the war and deserve far more recognition for their sacrifices than they often receive from us here in the USA.

Best Regard, ToT

Hi Richard,

Here is the relevant quotation from “Cockney.”  As is always the case with narrow quotations much of the context is lost.  Hopefully it is enough to answer your question.  

if there is a way to connect privately, I will happily send you a pdf copy of Cockney for your personal use without charge. (If the moderators find this offer unacceptable, please let me know and I will delete it.)

 At 2000 on 9 August the [battalion’s] forward echelon moved from south of Pont-Scorff to a position two kilometers north of Pont-Scorff.  The rear echelon moved to the vicinity of Le Maustair. This forced march of 228 miles was accomplished in 30 hours.  One man was killed (Cpl. William K. Heeler of “B” Battery) and one was severely wounded while the units were displacing.  Another ten men were less severely wounded during this action. (McCormick, Cockney p. 58.)

 Note: At this time the 696th was attached to CCB, 4th Armored Division which was part of Third Army.  Given the number of casualties and the fact that both units had previously been suffering casualties from well-directed enemy artillery fire we can assume they were caused by German artillery.  Armored Force doctrine called for elements of the armored field artillery (usually a battery) to move far forward with Point Force which consisted of the tanks, infantry, tank destroyers, etc. so they could quickly engage enemy forces by direct or indirect fire.  The battalion’s three firing batteries generally took turns being “up on point.”  Regardless of position in the column, firing batteries were at times subjected to enemy small arms fire and counter-battery fire.

 Memorial stone dedicated to the men killed and wounded of the 695^th and 696^th AFA Bns. is on the ground in front of the M7. https://www.flickr.com/photos/sheenachi/173471858/

 Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate an image of the memorial that legibly shows the men’s names.  I plan to ask the New Jersey National Guard Museum for a better image.  If they come through with it, I’ll let you know.  In case you want to contact them directly, here is the link to the website. https://njmilitiamuseum.org/   Staff/ Sgt. Walker is the Museum Curator.  I've found him to be very helpful.

In answer to your question, I have not served in the military.  My area of interest is the US Army in WWII.   I have a special interest in the US Field Artillery which explains my username.  Currently I am writing an article about the 696th AFAB for submission to On Point: The Journal of Army History.  On Point is a publication of the Army Historical Foundation which is closely associated with the National Museum of the US Army.

Please accept my respect for your service in the RAF.  I have a special regard those men and women of Britain, the UK, and the Commonwealth who served in WWII.  They fought bravely in all theaters of the war and deserve far more recognition for their sacrifices than they often receive from us here in the USA.

Best Regard, ToT

My great uncle was in the 696 and KIA (Charles Smith).  I went to the Trenton Museum and have a photo of the plaque   

My great uncle was Charles Smith.  Here's the plaque from the Trenton museum

Thanks for posting this. I live in England so if there is anything I can help you with regarding their time here before D-Day, just ask. Can you tell me in which museum in Trenton this is displayed. Thanks

Do you have any photographs of your Great Uncle with other members of the 696th? The only one we have of William Heeler was posted above and taken from his college year book. We are obviously keen to identify any photographs that may show him during his military service, bearing in mind that he was KIA in the beginning of August 1944. Thank you. 

Hi ToT!

I am looking for information on Frank T. Malloy, Jr. He enlisted in January 1941 and served with the 696th AFA. I have a 696th AFA stein with his name on it. Any luck? Thanks!

CN

Hi CNovak135,

Sorry for the belated reply.  I have a copy of the unit history which includes the roster.  It can start by checking the roster for his rank and subunit.  Perhaps we can figure out how to get a copy of the unit history to you, if you are interested.  (Note:  I do not charge for these things.  I do it to honor the veteran and help his family.)

That would be fantastic! Please advise if you find anything related to Frank T. Malloy Jr. Much appreciated!

Hi again CNovak135,

Pfc. Frank T. Malloy first appears in the 31 Dec. 1943 unit roster.  He was in C Battery of the 696th AFAB.  He then appears in the June 1945 roster.  The roster is incomplete and does not show ranks.

Let me know if you want the battalion history and we will try to figure out how to get it to you as a printable pdf. Like I said, no charge.

Just so you know, I do not remember seeing a specific mention of Malloy in the text of the book.  However, there are many references to C Battery, including when they were under fire.  They will certainly be of interest to you in understanding what he was enduring.

Hi CNovak135,

I just remembered I donated a clean pdf copy of McCormick's unit history to the NJNA Museum.  Contact Bill Kale (Co-curator) and ask him for a copy.  He can also send you the better-quality photos he scanned from an original copy of the book.  They operate on donations and volunteers so please think about making a donation if you can.  Jim