Unit History:  Activated on 6 March 1943 at Camp Bowie, Texas. Converted to a towed battalion in March 1944. Arrived in the United Kingdom by 19 December 1944. Committed to battle near Luneville, France, in February 1945. Began conversion to M18s in early April while near Landstuhl, Germany. Ended war in vicinity of Ingolstadt. Attached to: 36th, 70th, 86th Infantry divisions. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide. Used by permission.

Combat Equipment:  2/45 - Towed 3" Gun.

Commanding Officers:  Major B. R. Farr (3/6/43); Lt. Col. Lilburn H. Stevens; Maj. John J. Murphy (11/5/45)

Code Name/s:  Fin

Campaign Credits:   Rhineland........................Sept. 15, 1944 to Mar. 21, 1945

                                Central Europe.................Mar. 22, to May 11, 1945

Awards:  None

Location August 1945:  Schwabach, Germany

Additional Information/Materials:

1.)  Orientation Map of Forbach and Saarbrucken, Germany - The 648th participated in battles in both these locations.  Courtesy of Gary Payne.

2.)  Unit History Reports from the National Archives at College Park, MD. Provided courtesy of Gary Payne.

           May 1, 1943......................3 Pages

           Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 1944......3 Pages

           1943 - 1945......................2 Pages (Medical Detachment only)

           Jan. 1 - Jun. 30, 1945........4 Pages (includes casualties and awards)

           Jul. 1 to Dec. 3, 1945.........3 Pages

3.)  Unit AARs (After Action Reports) from the National Archives at College Park, MD. Provided courtesy of Gary Payne.

           Apr. 1 - 30, 1945...............5 Pages

           May 1 - 31, 1945...............4 Pages

4.)  Periodic Reports from the National Archives at College Park, MD. Provided courtesy of Gary Payne.

            Feb. 1 - 28, 1945.............3 Pages

            Mar. 1 - 31, 1945.............5 Pages

            Apr. 1 - 30, 1945..............4 Pages

5.)  HQ Staff Journals from the National Archives at College Park, MD. Provided courtesy of Gary Payne.

             Apr. 1 - 30, 1945.............4 Pages (S-2)

             May 1 - 8, 1945...............2 Pages (S-2)

             Apr. 1 - 30, 1945.............3 Pages (S-3)

             May 1 - 7, 1945...............1 Page (S-3)

             Apr. 1 - 30, 1945.............4 Pages (S-4)

6.)  Misc. Orders and Documents from the National Archives at College Park, MD. Provided courtesy of Gary Payne.

              1945..............................8 Pages (Misc.)

              1943-1945....................49 Pages (Orders including 1 award, promotions/demotions and reinforcements)