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384
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(MILITARY—WORLD WAR TWO.)
Battle Reports, letters of commen-
dation of the 969th Field Artillery Battalion an all African American Unit. *
[with] a 4
1
/
2
x 6
1
/
4
inch contemporary photograph of men from the 969th.
Approximately 61 mostly folio pages, typed on rectos only, being the original retained car-
bon copies; even toning to the paper; two large paper clips (rusty) at the top have been left
in place to avoid any damage to the delicate onionskin paper in removal; last leaf separated.
France, 1944-1945
[1,500/2,500]
RARE FIRST HAND REPORTS FROM THIS ALL BLACK BATTALION THAT SAW ACTION
.
A particu-
larly detailed series of reports of the actions of the 969th Field Artillery Battalion. The 969th was an
all black United States Army unit that saw combat in France. The 969th along with survivors of the
333rd Artillery Battalion, gave fire support to the 101st Airborne Division during the siege of
Bastogne. The 969th fortunately did not suffer the high percentage of casualties born by the 333rd;
but was in the thick of it nonetheless. These reports have the benefit of immediacy, being written as
event unfolded. There are detailed daily reports of incoming enemy fire as well as descriptions of the
number of shells fired. Also clipped together with the battle reports are reports of casualties as well as
letters of commendation to the Battalion. Among the Generals and leaders names with documents are
George S. Patton, Hubert Barnes (with signature) and Ward Maris, to cite a few. A fine primary
resource for the study of all black units in World War Two. The 969th was equipped primarily with
the M1 155 mm howitzer, one of the heaviest artillery pieces in common usage by U.S. forces during
World War Two. The gun crews of the 969th were known for singing in cadence as they loaded and
fired their guns and have often been cited and praised for their bravery by veterans of the fighting in
Bastogne. A number of soldiers are cited for bravery and awarded citations, among them: Robert
Steach, Lowell Puyear, Joseph Hamilton, Daniel Jones, Mentzer Anderson, Archie Aaron, Willie
Johnson, William Paulsen, and Einer Erickson to mention just a few.
385
●
(MILITARY—WORLD WAR TWO.)
Group of 13 press photographs of
black in the military during WWII, including Tuskegee Airmen.
Various sizes,
most with attached captions.
CONDITION VARIES
,
SHOULD BE SEEN
.
Vp, circa 1943-45
[600/800]
384