Forward Observer

Forward Observer PDF Author: Edwin Westrate
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
ISBN: 1839741430
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 204

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Book Description
Forward Observer, first published in 1944, is the account of a U.S. Army artillery observation crew in World War Two. The author based the book on interviews with two surviving members of the crew while they were recuperating from injuries received after their prison ship was sunk in the Mediterranean (the men were being transferred to Italy from Africa, en route to a German prison camp). The account, fast-paced and filled with action, depicts the soldier's lives from training at the Army's Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, a short stay for more training in England, and then the unit's transfer to Tunisia where they occupy the frontlines as forward observers for their artillery battalion. Forward Observer is a moving, personal story of a seldom-told aspect of combat in the Second World War. Included are 3 pages of maps.

Forward Observer

Forward Observer PDF Author: Edwin Westrate
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
ISBN: 1839741430
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 204

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Book Description
Forward Observer, first published in 1944, is the account of a U.S. Army artillery observation crew in World War Two. The author based the book on interviews with two surviving members of the crew while they were recuperating from injuries received after their prison ship was sunk in the Mediterranean (the men were being transferred to Italy from Africa, en route to a German prison camp). The account, fast-paced and filled with action, depicts the soldier's lives from training at the Army's Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, a short stay for more training in England, and then the unit's transfer to Tunisia where they occupy the frontlines as forward observers for their artillery battalion. Forward Observer is a moving, personal story of a seldom-told aspect of combat in the Second World War. Included are 3 pages of maps.

Bracketing the Enemy

Bracketing the Enemy PDF Author: John R. Walker
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
ISBN: 0806150327
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 298

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Book Description
After the end of World War II, General George Patton declared that artillery had won the war. Yet howitzers did not achieve victory on their own. Crucial to the success of these big guns were forward observers, artillerymen on the front lines who directed the artillery fire. Until now, the vital role of forward observers in ground combat has received little scholarly attention. In Bracketing the Enemy, John R. Walker remedies this oversight by offering the first full-length history of forward observer teams during World War II. As early as the U.S. Civil War, artillery fire could reach as far as two miles, but without an “FO” (forward observer) to report where the first shot had landed in relation to the target, and to direct subsequent fire by outlining or “bracketing” the targeted range, many of the advantages of longer-range fire were wasted. During World War II, FOs accompanied infantrymen on the front lines. Now, for the first time, gun crews could bring deadly accurate fire on enemy positions immediately as advancing riflemen encountered these enemy strongpoints. According to Walker, this transition from direct to indirect fire was one of the most important innovations to have occurred in ground combat in centuries. Using the 37th Division in the Pacific Theater and the 87th in Europe as case studies, Walker presents a vivid picture of the dangers involved in FO duty and shows how vitally important forward observers were to the success of ground operations in a variety of scenarios. FO personnel not only performed a vital support function as artillerymen but often transcended their combat role by fighting as infantrymen, sometimes even leading soldiers into battle. And yet, although forward observers lived, fought, and bled with the infantry, they were ineligible to wear the Combat Infantryman’s Badge awarded to the riflemen they supported. Forward observers are thus among the unsung heroes of World War II. Bracketing the Enemy signals a long-overdue recognition of their distinguished service.

Forward Observer (Illustrated)

Forward Observer (Illustrated) PDF Author: Edwin Westrate
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 143

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Book Description
Forward Observer is the account of a U.S. Army artillery observation crew in World War Two. Fast-paced and filled with action, the book depicts the soldiers' lives from training at the Army's Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, a short stay for more training in England, and then the unit's transfer to Tunisia where they occupy the frontlines as forward observers for their artillery battalion. Forward Observer is a moving, personal story of a seldom-told aspect of combat in the Second World War.

Forward Observer

Forward Observer PDF Author: Edwin Westrate
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781008961371
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 140

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Book Description
Forward Observer is the account of a U.S. Army artillery observation crew in World War Two. Fast-paced and filled with action, the book depicts the soldiers' lives from training at the Army's Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, a short stay for more training in England, and then the unit's transfer to Tunisia where they occupy the frontlines as forward observers for their artillery battalion. Forward Observer is a moving, personal story of a seldom-told aspect of combat in the Second World War.

Forward Observer

Forward Observer PDF Author: Edwin V. Westrate
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781973434535
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 215

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Book Description
From the Book: Every combat incident recorded here is authentic but, for military reasons, the real identity of the participants, their outfits and the exact location of their exploits may not be revealed as yet. So the names Kennard, Hallon, Johns, Warren, Byrnes and the rest seemed as good as any. Names of field commanders and of Fort Sill officers mentioned are, of course, their own. I wish to acknowledge especially my great indebtedness to Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Thompson, who was there -- and won the Silver Star for gallantry in action-- and to Major Glenn S. Hubbard of the staff of the Field Artillery School for their invaluable assistance in the preparation of this book. The Author.

Forward Observer

Forward Observer PDF Author: Edwin V Westrate
Publisher: Andesite Press
ISBN: 9781298827968
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 190

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Book Description
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

A Dangerous Assignment: An Artillery Forward Observer In World War 2

A Dangerous Assignment: An Artillery Forward Observer In World War 2 PDF Author: William B. Hanford
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 1678118966
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 240

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Book Description
Merriam Press World War 2 Memoir. Corporal Bill Hanford had one of the US Army's most dangerous jobs in World War II: artillery forward observer (FO). Tasked with calling in heavy fire on the enemy, FOs accompanied infantrymen into combat, crawled into no-man's-land, and ascended observation posts like hills and ridges to find their targets. But beyond the usual perils of ground combat, FOs were specially targeted by the enemy because of their crucial role in directing artillery fire. Hanford spent much of his time fighting in the Vosges Mountains in eastern France and then in Germany in late 1944/early 1945. Rare memoir of a risky job performed by relatively few troops. Honest and observant narrative describes the good, bad, and ugly of the war. Originally published by Stackpole Books in 2008 and discontinued in 2015, this brand new edition from Merriam Press has a completely revised and improved design with additional photos. 23 photos.

Forward Observer

Forward Observer PDF Author: Eugene Maurey
Publisher: Midwest Publishing
ISBN: 9780962690600
Category : Soldiers
Languages : en
Pages : 162

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Book Description


Fire for Effect!

Fire for Effect! PDF Author: Anthony J. Sobieski
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1468525972
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 278

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Book Description
FIRE FOR EFFECT! is more than just a book about the Korean War. It is the untold history of the Korean War Artillery Forward Observer, told by the men themselves. From the earliest days of the war in 1950 through the harrowing battles of 1951 and on into the so-called stalemate period of the hill battles of 1952 and 1953, into the final climactic battles before the cease fire, the Forward Observer, or FO, was there. Korea was and is known as the Artillery War because more rounds were fired in Korea than in all of WWII, and it was the job of the FO to direct these rounds onto their targets. FOs are the eyes of the artillery, and the importance of their job in Korea has been largely overlooked until now. Serving as infantrymen, but not being considered one, Forward Observers lived, ate and slept on the front lines, ever ready to respond to an attack, or defend friendly troops and positions, and sometimes losing their lives doing it. The awesome responsibility and firepower that was placed on a 22 or 23 year-old lieutenant or sergeant was staggering, and after reading these first hand accounts, one can easily imagine what these young men faced on a daily basis. With over 100 interviews of Forward Observers, from all time periods and from all locations and battles of the war, the grittiness and reality of what these servicemen went through in the Forgotten War is brought to life so that their deeds may be remembered for future generations, so the battlefield known as Korea and its veterans will not be forgotten any more.

Patton's Forward Observers

Patton's Forward Observers PDF Author: John K. Rieth
Publisher: Brandylane Publishers Inc
ISBN: 1883911621
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 244

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Book Description
Patton Forward Observers is a story told by a unique collection of highly trained artillery observers who fought every step of the war with Patton's famed Third Army. We remember Patton today only through the service of men like these. This is a soldier's story. Derived from wartime letters and oral histories told by the veterans themselves, we see the classic American Army experience of World War II--the friendships, courage, terror, carnage, humor and ultimate victory that all part of the Patton legend--a legend build by soldiers.