ARMORED FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION
The battalion in direct support furnished close and continuous support to a particular combat group. The primary function of the battalion was to deliver fires to that unit.
Although the calls for fire went principally from the supported unit, the battalion could receive, from higher artillery headquarters, fire missions outside of the zone of action of the supported unit.
Organization
The organization of the battalion was the following.
- Headquarters and Headquarters Battery.
- 3 Batteries.
- Service Battery.
- Medical detachment.
Direct support
The commander of the direct support battalion coordinated the movements of his battalion with the plan of the supported unit commander.
The mission of direct support was an order to:
- Provide forward observers for the frontline companies of the supported unit.
- Establish and maintain liaison with the supported unit commander.
- Observe in its normal zone of fire.
- Be prepared to fire in the zone of action of the supported unit.
- Respond directly to calls of fire from the supported unit.
General support
The battalion assigned to general support missions is prepared to:
- Observe in its normal zone of fire.
- Fire into the zone of action of the entire force or in zones as prescribed by the higher headquarters.
The fire missions and orders to displace came from the next higher headquarters.
HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS BATTERY
The headquarters and headquarters battery was organized to assist the commander in tactical and administrative control. The combined organization was intended to carry out the following functions: command, communication, intelligence, reconnaissance, survey, observation, liaison, fire direction, administration and maintenance.
3x HOWITZER BATTERY
The firing battery consisted of a fire control section, six self-propelled 105mm howitzer sections, and an ammunition section.
The Howitzer Battery was the smallest administrative unite of the field artillery.
It contained the personnel and equipment necessary to conduct and deliver fire, to operate the communication system, and to move the battery.
It could operate as a separate unit.
Basically, there was no difference between the armored artillery battery and other types of batteries.
The armored artillery was designed to give close support to armored action.
It moved and went into position rapidly, and it occupied position closer to enemy than any other type of artillery.
SERVICE BATTERY
The battery headquarters is responsible for the procurement and distribution of all class of supply in constant contact with the battalion command post.
The battalion administration and personnel section accomplished the all correspondence and the keeping of records pertaining to personnel.
The battalion maintenance section was in charge of second echelon motor maintenance and battlefield recovery of the vehicles.
The battalion supply and transportation platoon was in charge of ammunition transportation and handling.
MEDICAL DETACHMENT