Source: National Archives (College Park, Maryland), Rg. 407, 301-INF (16)-0.3, Box 5909, Report of Operations file.
These are 16th Infantry reports for the Historical Record. Unfortunately, the garrison is better suited than a war zone for writing reports. This means that much can be written when there’s nothing much to say while the report for June 1944 breaks off in the middle of that month.
Attached to the June 1944 were two reports on casualties and prisoners of war. Links to these attachments are provided above.
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HEADQUARTERS 16TH INFANTRY
Office of the Regimental Commander
APO # 1, U.S. Army, October 3, 1943
SUBJECT: Historical Records.
TO: The Commanding General, 1st U.S. Infantry Division.
In compliance with letter, Allied Force Headquarters, dated 20 August 1943, “Historical Records and Histories of Organizations”, the attached historical report for the period September 1-30 1943 is submitted.
G.A. TAYLOR
Colonel, 16th Infantry
Commanding.
September 1-7, 1943.
Regiment in bivouac in vicinity of Palma di Montechiaro, Sicily. Usual garrison duties, training, with some range firing.
September 8, 1943.
Regiment alerted in accordance with Division Defensive Plan due to surrender of Italy. Defensive sectors occupied in accordance with attached overlay, dated September 9, 1943, and September 10, 1943 respectively.
September 9, 1943.
Occupation of defensive sectors continued without incident.
September 10, 1943.
Occupation of defensive sectors continued without incident.
September 11, 1943.
All organizations except Company A and Company B returned to bivouac areas, vicinity of Palma di Montechiaro, Sicily. Company A remained at Licata Airport, and Company B moved to Gela Airport, where each organization took up guard duty and defensive sectors.
September 12, 1943.
Disposition unchanged. Units in bivouac continued training.
September 13, 1943.
Disposition unchanged.
September 14, 1943.
Regiment took over defense of portion of sector allotted 16th Infantry from 1st U.S. Infantry Division Defensive Sector, per Training Circular No. 7, 1st U.S. Infantry Division, dated September 7, 1943, with disposition as shown on attached overlay.
September 15, 1943.
Occupation of defensive sector continued without incident.
September 16-20, 1943.
No change.
September 21, 1943.
Command alerted for movement by water to unannounced destination. All units on guard duty returned from designated areas to the bivouac area, vicinity of Palma di Montechiaro, Sicily. Movement order cancelled later in day.
September 22-26, 1943.
Unit training continued in bivouac area near Palma di Montechiaro, Sicily, without incident.
September 27, 1943.
3rd Battalion, Cannon Company, 1/3 of Service Company and Headquarters Company move by practice motor move to vicinity of Palermo, Sicily. Remainder of Regiment in bivouac, vicinity of Palma di Montechiaro, Sicily, continuing unit training.
September 28, 1943.
Passes granted units, vicinity Palermo. Units at Palma di Montechiaro, Sicily continue training.
September 29, 1943.
Units in Palermo return to bivouac area by motor move.
September 30, 1943.
Unit training continued in bivouac area near Palma di Montechiaro, Sicily, without incident.
3 Incls; Overlays.
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HEADQUARTERS 16TH INFANTRY
Office of the Regimental Commander
APO # 1, U.S. Army, December 1, 1943
SUBJECT: Historical Records.
TO: The Commanding General, 1st U.S. Infantry Division.
In compliance with letter, Allied Force Headquarters, subject as above, dated 14 July 1943, the following report is submitted.
OCTOBER 1-11, 1943.
Regiment in bivouac in vicinity of Palma di Montechiaro, Sicily. Usual camp duties, with training schedule followed. Rainy season begins.
OCTOBER 12, 1943.
Regiment attends division demonstration in Battalion in Attack.
OCTOBER 13-14, 1943.
Plans made for movement by water.
OCTOBER 15, 1943.
Advance party (Ship’s staff), leaves for port of Augusta, Sicily to board ships.
OCTOBER 16-20, 1943.
Regiment packs for move.
OCTOBER 21, 1943.
First units move by motor from bivouac area to Augusta by motor convoy and begin boarding HMT Maloja in harbor of Augusta.
OCTOBER 22, 1943.
All units of regiment, plus attached (7th F.A., 1st Med. Bn., and 1st Signal Co.) aboard. Day spent in quartering troops and drawing up orders. Ship still in port.
OCTOBER 23, 1943.
Ship sails at 1210 hours. Training schedule carried out and boat drills held.
OCTOBER 24, 1943.
At sea. Training schedule followed.
OCTOBER 25, 1943.
Ship puts in at Algiers port. No one allowed ashore. All insignia and markings removed for security.
OCTOBER 26, 1943.
Still in port at Algiers. Training schedule followed.
OCTOBER 27, 1943.
Convoy sails at 1600 hours.
OCTOBER 28, 1943.
At sea. No change.
OCTOBER 29, 1943.
Pass Gibralter at 0200 hours. No change, and training schedule followed.
OCTOBER 30-31, 1943.
At sea. No change.
G.A. TAYLOR
Colonel, 16th Infantry
Commanding.
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HEADQUARTERS 16TH INFANTRY
Office of the Regimental Commander
APO # 1, U.S. Army, |December 4, 1943
SUBJECT: Historical Records.
TO: The Commanding General, 1st U.S. Infantry Division.
In compliance with letter, Allied Force Headquarters, subject as above, dated 14 July 1943, the following report is submitted.
November 1st – 4th
At sea aboard HMT MALOJA, trip without incident. Training schedule followed. Daily boat drills.
November 5th
Ship docks and units begin debarking at 2130.
November 6th
All units clear ship by 0615 hours, and move by trains to the following locations:
Headquarters Company – Beaminister
Anti-Tank Company – Beaminister
Cannon Company – Beaminister
Regimental Medical – Beaminister
Service Company – Bridport
2nd Battalion, less Companies E and G – Vicinity of Bridport
Companies E and G – Vicinity of Walditch
1st Battalion – Lyme Regis
Hq. Co. 3rd Bn. and Company I – Litton Cheney
Company K – Abottsbury
Company L- Long Bredy
Company M – Bexington
All of the above locations are in Dorsetshire, England.
November 7th – 13th
Time spent in setting up camp.
November 14th – 30th
Units in camp as stated above. Training schedule followed with Saturday afternoon and Sunday holidays. Furloughs and passes granted.
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HEADQUARTERS 16TH INFANTRY
Office of the Regimental Commander
APO # 1, U.S. Army, 14 January 1944.
SUBJECT: Historical Records.
TO: Commanding General, 1st U.S. Infantry Division.
1. In compliance with letter, Allied Force Headquarters, subject as above, the following report is submitted:
1 – 31 December
Organizations were garrisoned as follows:
Parnham, Beaminister, Dorset, England:
Hq. & Hq. Co., 16th Infantry / Regimental Medical Section, 16th Infantry.
Beaminister, Dorset, England:
Anti-Tank Company, 16th Infantry / Cannon Company, 16th Infantry
Lyme Regis, Dorset, England:
1st Battalion, 16th Infantry / 1st Battalion Medical Section, 16th Infantry
Bridport, Dorset, England:
Service Company, 16th Infantry / Hq. Co. 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry / Company H, 16th Infantry / 2nd Battalion Medical Section, 16th Infantry
Walditch, Dorset, England:
Company G, 16th Infantry / Company E, 16th Infantry
West Bay, Dorset, England:
Company F, 16th Infantry
Litton Cheney, Dorset, England:
Hq. Co. 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry / Company I, 16th Infantry / 3rd Battalion Medical Section, 16th Infantry
Long Bredy, Dorset, England:
Company L, 16th Infantry
Bexington, Dorset, England:
Company M, 16th Infantry
Abbotsbury, Dorset, England:
Company K, 16th Infantry
2. Training during the month included firing of the following weapons: M1, 03, BAR, Carbine, Pistol, 60 MM Mortar, 81 MM Mortar, Rocket Launcher, Hand Grenades, .30 Cal. MG, and .50 Cal. MG. At least one platoon night problem per week, which has produced excellent results as regards control, formation, and aggressiveness. Bayonet training has been emphasized. Gas Mask drill and training in chemical warfare has been conducted weekly. Training films have been utilized. The Anti-Tank Company, and Battalion Anti-Tank platoons have undergone an intensive schedule culminated by four days firing on the range. There has been concentrated training in communications and intelligence. All officers of the regiment have undergone a comprehensive course in Military Justice. Recreation facilities were plentiful and utilized to the utmost. Christmas holidays began Noon, 24 December, to Midnight, 26 December, and the New Year’s holidays began at Noon, 31 December 1943. Morale good, food excellent.
G.A. TAYLOR
Colonel, 16th Infantry
Commanding.
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HEADQUARTERS 16TH INFANTRY
Office of the Regimental Commander
APO # 1, U.S. Army, 7 February 1944.
SUBJECT: Historical Records.
TO: Commanding General, 1st U.S. Infantry Division.
1. In compliance with letter, Allied Force Headquarters, subject as above, the following report is submitted:
1 – 31 January
Organizations were garrisoned as follows:
Parnham, Beaminister, Dorset, England:
Hq. & Hq. Co., 16th Infantry / Regimental Medical Section, 16th Infantry
Beaminister, Dorset, England:
Anti-Tank Company, 16th Infantry / Cannon Company, 16th Infantry
Lyme Regis, Dorset, England:
1st Battalion, 16th Infantry / 1st Battalion Medical Section, 16th Infantry
Bridport, Dorset, England:
Service Company, 16th Infantry / Hq. Co. 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry /Company H, 16th Infantry / 2nd Battalion Medical Section, 16th Infantry
Walditch, Dorset, England:
Company G, 16th Infantry / Company E, 16th Infantry
West Bay, Dorset, England:
Company F, 16th Infantry
Litton Cheney, Dorset, England:
Hq. Co. 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry / Company I, 16th Infantry / 3rd Battalion Medical Section, 16th Infantry
Long Bredy, Dorset, England:
Company L, 16th Infantry
Bexington, Dorset, England:
Company M, 16th Infantry
Abbotsbury, Dorset, England:
Company K, 16th Infantry
2. [Word missing] training consisted of range firing of the following weapons: M1, 03, BAR, Carbine, Pistol, 60 MM Mortar and 81 MM Mortar, rocket launcher, hand grenades, 30 calibre and 50 calibre machine guns. Emphasis was also placed on bayonet training, gas mask drill, and night problems. Platoons practiced assaulting fortified positions and street fighting. Weekly training was carried on in chemical warfare. Training films were utilized extensively. The Cannon Company fired on the artillery range in Wales from January 3 to January 9. Battalion marches and physical exercises were emphasized more than in previous months. Battalion staffs conducted Command Post Exercises, and plans calling for a Regimental Command Post Exercise during the first week of February were completed. Intensive training of all communications and Intelligence personnel was emphasized. Part of Regimental Headquarters Company and the Regimental Medical Detachment worked a night problem January 21, 1944.
General Montgomery addressed the assembled regiment at the Bridport Cricket Grounds, Sunday, January 16, 1944.
G.A. TAYLOR
Colonel, 16th Infantry
Commanding.
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HEADQUARTERS 16TH INFANTRY
Office of the Regimental Commander
APO # 1, U.S. Army, 4 March, 1944.
SUBJECT: Historical Records.
TO: Commanding General, 1st U.S. Infantry Division.
1. In compliance with letter, Allied Force Headquarters, subject as above, the following report is submitted:
1 – 8 and 26 – 29 February
Organizations were garrisoned as follows:
Parnham, Beaminister, Dorset, England:
Hq. & Hq. Co., 16th Infantry / Regimental Medical Section, 16th Infantry.
Beaminister, Dorset, England:
Anti-Tank Company, 16th Infantry / Cannon Company, 16th Infantry
Lyme Regis, Dorset, England:
1st Battalion, 16th Infantry / 1st Battalion Medical Section, 16th Infantry
Bridport, Dorset, England:
Service Company, 16th Infantry / Hq. Co. 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry / Company H, 16th Infantry / 2nd Battalion Medical Section, 16th Infantry
Walditch, Dorset, England:
Company G, 16th Infantry / Company E, 16th Infantry
West Bay, Dorset, England:
Company F, 16th Infantry
Litton Cheney, Dorset, England:
Hq. Co. 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry / Company I, 16th Infantry / 3rd Battalion Medical Section, 16th Infantry
Long Bredy, Dorset, England:
Company L, 16th Infantry
Bexington, Dorset, England:
Company M, 16th Infantry
Abbotsbury, Dorset, England:
Company K, 16th Infantry
2. The training during the first week was similar to that participated in during January, in which emphasis was placed on night problems, attack on fortifications, hikes, lectures and calisthenics. A Regimental Command Post Exercise was conducted the 4th of February in which communications and coordination of Battalion and Regimental Staffs were emphasized.
On February 8th, the entire Combat Team moved to Braunton, County of Devon, where, for the following two weeks, intensive training was undergone in assault of fortified positions and beachhead landings, at the U.S. Assault Training Center. Specialized training consisting of use of flame throwers and demolitions, individual and team assault, minefield technique, hedgehog, and battalion and regimental landings. The entire Combat Team concluded the training on the 24th of February when they participated in a Combat Team landing exercise.
The Regiment returned to its old area February 26th and the remainder of the months training was similar to that conducted previously to Braunton exercise.
G.A. TAYLOR
Colonel, 16th Infantry
Commanding.
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HEADQUARTERS 16TH INFANTRY
Office of the Regimental Commander
APO # 1, U.S. Army, 8 April 1944.
SUBJECT: Historical Records.
TO: Commanding General, 1st U.S. Infantry Division.
1. In compliance with letter, Allied Force Headquarters, subject as above, the following report is submitted:
1 – 6, 7 – 21, and 13 – 31 March
Organizations were garrisoned as follows:
Parnham, Beaminister, Dorset, England:
Hq. & Hq. Co., 16th Infantry / Regimental Medical Section, 16th Infantry.
Beaminister, Dorset, England:
Anti-Tank Company, 16th Infantry / Cannon Company, 16th Infantry
Lyme Regis, Dorset, England:
1st Battalion, 16th Infantry / 1st Battalion Medical Section, 16th Infantry
Bridport, Dorset, England:
Service Company, 16th Infantry / Hq. Co. 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry / Company H, 16th Infantry / 2nd Battalion Medical Section, 16th Infantry
Walditch, Dorset, England:
Company G, 16th Infantry / Company E, 16th Infantry
West Bay, Dorset, England:
Company F, 16th Infantry
Litton Cheney, Dorset, England:
Hq. Co. 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry / Company I, 16th Infantry / 3rd Battalion Medical Section, 16th Infantry
Long Bredy, Dorset, England:
Company L, 16th Infantry
Bexington, Dorset, England:
Company M, 16th Infantry
Abbotsbury, Dorset, England:
Company K, 16th Infantry
2. During period March 1st through 6th the regular training schedule was followed with emphasis placed on hikes, problems, lectures, and calisthenics. Units were allowed no passes or furloughs after the 2nd.
On March 7th, the entire Combat Team made preparation for boat landing maneuvers in the Slapton Sands area. The advance detail moved out at 0400 hours, the remainder of the regiment following at 0630 hours on March 8th. Advance detail boarded the U.S.S. BARNETT in Weymouth harbor at 0930 hours. The balance of the regiment and combat team arrived in Weymouth and boarded the troopships at 1145 hours. During the next two days, March 9th and 10th, troops on board ship were given final instructions pertaining to the landing. Landing assault began at 0830 hours, March 11th with assault units hitting the beach. The problem got well under way with all units landing on schedule and the town of Strete being taken in order. At 1245 hours, Sunday, March 12th the troops were on their final objective and dug in, after which the problem ended. The men then moved to an assembly area where they received a hot meal and boarded trains to move back to old areas.
After returning to our area the regiment followed a training schedule very similar to that conducted previous to the boat landing exercise with the exception that range firing was included. Recreation such as movies, shows, dances, passes, and furloughs were afforded the troops.
G.A. TAYLOR
Colonel, 16th Infantry
Commanding.
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HEADQUARTERS 16TH INFANTRY
Office of the Regimental Commander
APO # 1, U.S. Army, 9 July 1944
SUBJECT: Historical Records.
TO: Commanding General, 1st U.S. Infantry Division.
In compliance with letter, Allied Force Headquarters, subject as above, the following report is submitted.
1-4 June 1944
CT 16 and attachments moved from D area camps in the vicinity of Dorchester, Dorset, England, to load aboard ships at Weymouth and Portland, England, with various small detachments loading at other points.
5 June 1944
Final preparations for sailing completed. The convoy sailed the evening of 5 June for the invasion of France.
6 June 1944
At approximately 0345 hours, the 2nd Bn and 3rd Bn debarked from the USS Henrico and the HMS Empire Anvil, respectively, to assault Beach OMAHA, north of Colleville sur Mer, Normandie, France, at 0630 hours. Heavy seas, numerous underwater obstacles, and intense enemy fire destroyed many craft and caused high casualties even before the assault battalions reached shore. Most supporting weapons, including DD tanks, were swamped. The 2nd Bn., landing from one hundred to one thousand yards from its scheduled points, were pinned down on the beach by extremely heavy fire from concrete fortifications, machine gun emplacements, and sniper nests, which remained intact through severe naval and air bombardment. Casualties were extremely high*1*
The 3rd Bn. landed on the left of Beach OMAHA in the vicinity of Beach Exit E2 and despite heavy fire, fought inland up the E3 draw and destroyed many enemy beach fortifications in its sector. *2*
The 1st Bn. landed on the same beach on which troops of the 2nd Bn. and supporting organizations were pinned down, as the reserve battalion, at approximately 0730 hours*3*
This caused severe intermingling and confusion on the already crowded beach. Reorganization was accomplished under continued heavy fire. Much equipment was lost and casualties mounted. One group had blown a gap in the wire and started moving inland through the minefields to take the ridge line overlooking the beach. *4*
The 1st and 2nd Bns. cleared Colleville sur Mer and by 1100 hours, a general movement inland was underway, meeting stubborn resistance.
By night, the 1st and 2nd Bns. had reached positions about 1500 yards to the West and North of Colleville sur Mer, where they dug in and repulsed enemy counter attacks during the evening and night.
The 3rd Bn. seized le Grand Hamel and moved eastward along the ridges toward Port en Bessin, digging in during the night and consolidating their position.
7 June 1944
The advance continued, with other elements of the Division passing through CT 16, leaving the Regiment to mop up isolated enemy strong points and snipers. Patrols encountered many of these strong points and snipers. Contact was maintained with the British on the left and other elements of the Division to the south and on the right.
8 June 1944
The advance continued with CT 16 in Division reserve. Continuous combat patrolling throughout the day and night cleared out strong points and snipers left or by-passed by the forward units, casualties were light, and some prisoners were taken. Contact was gained and kept with units on both flanks.
9 June 1944
Regiment in support still following other units of the division, cleaning out strong points and snipers by-passed. Patrols cleared town of Mosles and other patrols cleared Vancelles and maintained contact with the British on our left.
10 June 1944
The regiment, in Division reserve, moved to an assembly point as shown on S-3 Periodic Report # 4. An all around defense was established, and contact by patrol was maintained with forward elements of the Division and with British units on our left.
11 June 1944
Regiment still in a defensive position in Division reserve contact by patrol maintained.
12 June 1944
The regiment moved to a forward position, (see S-3 Periodic Report # 6) and prepared, as Division reserve, to support or take over the mission of either of the combat teams of the Division.
13 June 1944
The regiment was placed in a secondary defensive position to repel counter attacks from either flank or the front, or to take over either of the missions of the other combat teams of the Division. The I and R platoon patrolled extensively during the period to the flanks.
14 June 1944
Regiment, still in Division reserve, occupied a defensive position of secondary defense. Co. A., 16th Infantry, was placed under Division control and took a defensive position in the vicinity of the Division CP to prevent possible infiltration from the left flank of the Division.
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NOTES
*1* The 2nd Battalion was companies E, F, G, and H. The 3rd Battalion was companies I, K, L, and M. Of these companies, E, F, and L landed in the first wave. For details regarding the assault plan, see History 16th CT Invasion of France S-3 Report.
*2* Exit E-2 may be a typo as there was no E-2. The 3rd Battalion did not fight” inland up the E3 draw”. Most of the 3rd Battalion landed on Fox Green, reduced a strongpoint at F-1, and fought inland up the exit, heading east. Harrison describes this action:
“The 3d Battalion, 16th Infantry, at the same time [0815] had opened its own path inland at the draw northeast of Colleville. Under covering fire from tanks on the beach and naval guns, 3d Battalion units made a direct attack on the enemy strong point defending this draw and by 0900 had, with surprisingly small losses, succeeded in subduing it.” See Cross-Channel Attack
*3* The 16th’s 1st Battalion was companies A, B, C, and D. They landed on Easy Red and pushed inland to the west of Spalding’s path.
*4* The text refers to Spalding’s section or to G Company.