Unit History: The 99th Antitank Battalion was redesignated as the 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion on 15 December, 1941 (while stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. The unit moved to Hunter Ligget Military Reservation in California for maneuvers and then back to Washington and Oregon for maneuvers. They then went back to Fort Lewis for additional troops and new equipment. From there it was onto Camp Hood, Texas, for training and then Fort Dix, New Jersey for final preparations before shipping out on 13 January 1943, from New York port of embarkation.) Arrived at Casablanca on 26 January, 1943, where they were issued new M10’s. Deployed to Gafsa-El Guettar sector, Tunisia, on 16 March, 1943. Established first American contact with British Eighth Army on 7 April, 1943. Arrived Naples area, Italy, on 10 November, 1943. Almost immediately shifted to United Kingdom. Liaison personnel accompanied second glider lift of 82d Airborne Division during invasion of Normandy. Battalion proper landed at Utah Beach on D-Day. Helped capture Cherbourg late June. Supported Cobra breakout late July, advanced through Mayenne. Entered Belgium 2 September, backed 9th Infantry Division operations in vicinity of Monschau and Hofen, Germany. Fought in Rötgen/Hürtgen Forest region in October. Elements deployed in first days of Battle of the Bulge to stop German advance, others remained in VII Corps area. Supported attack to capture Roer River dams in February, 1945. Largely converted to M36’s that same month. Crossed Roer River 28 February. Advanced to Rhine near Bad Godesberg and first elements crossed into Remagen bridgehead on 8 March. Joined attack on Ruhr Pocket in April, then moved east into Harz Mountains. Moved to Mulde River for link-up with Soviet forces, achieved 27 April. Began occupation duty in Bernburg 3 May, 1945. Attached to: 82d Airborne Division; 1st Armored Division; 1st, 4th, 9th Infantry divisions. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide. Used by permission.
(italics) Information added from unit history
Combat Equipment: 3/43 – M10; 2/45 – M36 & M36B1
Commanding Officers: Lt. Col. Paul L. Ransom (Original CO, 7/1/40); Lt. Col. Herbert J. McChrystal (10/20/41); Lt. Col. Maxwell A. Tincher (3/43)
Code Name/s: Jersey
Campaign Credits: Tunisia………………………Nov. 17, to May 13, 1943
Rome Arno………………….Jan. 22, to Sept. 9, 1944
Normandy…………………..Jun. 6, to Jul. 24, 1944 (Amphib)
Northern France……………Jul. 25, to Sept. 14, 1944
Rhineland……………………Sept. 15, 1944 to Mar. 21, 1945
Ardennes-Alsace…………..Dec. 16, 1944 to Jan 25, 1945
Central Europe……………..Mar. 22, to May 11, 1945
Awards: Distinguished Unit Citation – 11 Jul 44, WD GO 14-45, Co A and C only. 22 Jun-1 Jul 44, WD GO 88-44, 2nd Platoon, Co C only. 8-19 Mar 45, WD GO 65-46, Co C only.
Croix De Guerre (French or Belgium “Cross of War”)
Location August 1945: Venwegen, Germany
Additional Information/Materials:
1.) Wikipedia entry for Herschel F. Briles– Medal of Honor recipient (February 7, 1914 – July 17, 1994)
2.) 899th Our Battalion “Blue Book”- Publisher: Knorr & Hirth of Munich, Germany. Copy provided courtesy of Rusty Coleman whose father, James H. Coleman, served in Company A of the 899th.
Part 1…………………………………….20 Pages
Part 2…………………………………….26 Pages
3.) Operations Report June 2-18, 1944 – Provided courtesy of Rusty Coleman.
4.) Unit History-1943…………………………………11 Pages. Courtesy of the Tank Destroyer Association by L. L. Gill, TDA Historian.
The following documents and information are provided courtesy of Colonel Cecil R. French.
5.) Unit History by Colonel Cecil R. French (Ret) – Colonel French compiled this history on 17 February, 1995, for presentation at the dedication of the Battalion’s Monument, at Fort Knox, KY, on 8 September, 1995. The Monument is located in the Armor Memorial Park at the Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor.
6.) Taking the Remagen Crossing the Rhine – by Cecil R. French
7.) Officer and Enlisted Men Roster – From the book, 899th Our Battalion “Blue Book”.
8.) KIA and MIA Personnel Listing – From the book, 899th Our Battalion “Blue Book”.
9.) Total Material Destroyed – From the book, 899th Our Battalion “Blue Book”.
The following documents are from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas. Also courtesy of the Tank Destroyer Association by L. L. Gill, TDA Historian (*).
10.) After Action/Combat Reports
Mar. 15 – Apr. 11, 1943………11 Pages (Includes casualties)
June 1-30, 1944………………..11 Pages
June 6-28, 1944………………….9 Pages (*)
July 11, 1944…………………….1 Page (*)
Aug. 1-31, 1944…………………2 Pages
Sept. 1-30, 1944……………….10 Pages (Includes casualties & awards)
Oct. 1-31, 1944………………..12 Pages (Includes casualties & awards)
Nov. 1-30, 1944……………….13 Pages (Includes casualties & awards)
Dec. 1-31, 1944……………….11 Pages (Includes casualties & awards)
Jan. 1-31, 1945………………..24 Pages
Feb. 1-28, 1945………………..25 Pages (Includes casualties & awards)
March 1-31, 1945………………26 Pages (Includes casualties & awards)
April 1-30, 1945……………….34 Pages (Includes casualties & awards)
Apr. 15 – 17, 1945……………..7 Pages (Task Force Tincher)
May 1-8, 1945………………….12 Pages (Includes awards, page 6 difficult to read)
11.) Unit Journals
Dec. 1-31, 1944, Pt. 1………..33 Pages
Dec. 1-31, 1944, Pt. 2………..32 Pages
Jan. 1-31, 1945, Pt. 1………..36 Pages
Jan. 1-31, 1945, Pt. 2………..35 Pages
Feb. 1-28, 1945, Pt. 1………..31 Pages
Feb. 1-28, 1945, Pt. 2………..31 Pages
March 1-31, 1945, Pt. 1………42 Pages
March 1-31, 1945, Pt. 2………42 Pages
April 1-30, 1945, Pt. 1………..31 Pages
April 1-30, 1945, Pt. 2………..30 Pages
May 1-9, 1945………………….11 Pages
12.) Miscellaneous Documents
Co. B personnel, Ft. Lewis, WA, no date……..2 Pages
Personnel Roster, July 16, 1942……………….3 Pages
Excerpt of DUC Citation, WD GO 88-44………1 Page
Employment of 90mm AAA Reinforcing TD Battalions – Oct 17, 1944……..5 Pages (*)
Lessons Learned, 1944…………………………..6 Pages (*)
General Principles for TD Employment – March 20, 1945……………………..1 Page (*)
Various Documents, 1941-1943………………42 Pages
13.) Personal Narratives – The following files were primarily written by unit veterans and express their thoughts/observations regarding actions/activities they were involved in.
Gafsa and El Guettar, Tunisia, 1943 – Capt. Thomas W. Hawksworth, Co. A Commanding Officer…………………………………….16 Pages (*)
El Guettar, Tunisia, 1943 – Capt. Clarence W. Heckethorn, Co. C CO……….4 Pages(*)
Actions on July 11, 1944, Normandy – Capt. Clarence W. Heckethorn, Co. C Commanding Officer…………………………………….18 Pages (*)
Initial formation of the 899th – Joe Groeppner, original unit cadre member..1 Page (*)
14.) Photo Gallery
15.) A Brief History of the 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion – Edited by David R. Haugh, copyrighted in 1972 by Recon Publishing of San Jose, CA. Size is 7 x 8.5 with 28 pages. Majority of photos are identified as part of the Clarence A. Heckethorn Collection who was the commanding Officer of Company C.
16.) Headquarters Company Photo – A photo of the unit’s HQ Company taken somewhere in Europe. 1st Lt. Wilfred C. Ford is shown standing, second from left. Photo courtesy of Craig Ford.
17.) Headquarters Company Photo – Another photo of the unit’s HQ Company taken in Germany, 1945. 1st Lt. Wilfred C. Ford is shown kneeling, second from left. Photo courtesy of Craig Ford.