This month in the 270th: January

This month in 270th FA Bn history

January was a very pivotal month for the 270th.  Even tho the battalion was only around from 1943 to 1945, January had some of the most significant events.

25 Jan ’43 - The Bn was constituted into the US Army as a 105mm Howitzer battalion.  (Letter Order# A-169  2 Army File AG322.012-5   GNMBF)   Would be activated in March of that year at Camp Butner NC.

1 Jan ’44 - The Bn converted to a 240mm Howitzer battalion while at Ft Bragg NC and started conducting their Master Training Plan (MTP) all over again.

1 Jan ’45 - LTs Eugene Anspach and LaVerne Emberts were shot down in their L4 observation plane over what is now called Beckingen Germany.   Both were KIA.   WWII Map coordinates: wQ220882 / Modern day LAT/LONG  49.23.20N / 6.39.43E)

13 Jan 45 - C Btry was strafed by “Friendly” Aircraft

14 Jan 45 - PFC Gerhard Steppke WIA, 

Steppke in Normandy July 1944

21 Jan 45 - C Btry displaced to Betting continuing to support 94th Div

** 1Lt LaVerne Emberts attended Field Artillery Plot Course P-34-I [the class was large so it was divided into 2 sections, I and II] at Ft. Sill OK  that began on 14 Jun 1943 and graduated on 24 Jul 1943. Upon graduation, he was awarded the Army Liaison Pilot badge and entitled to draw flight pay ( which was 50% of his base pay). His grade in the last portion of the course- Stage 3- was 72/100. While he was in training he was involved in a "Class C" aircraft accident. I'm not sure of the details of that accident, but it was not serious.