From a recent inquiry I found a number of sources that provide some insight into the operation of the Rifle Battalion's Heavy Weapons Company. The HW Co was equipped with the water-cooled .30 cal Browning MG and 81-mm Mortars. Mobility was provided by jeeps with trailers. Chart: http://niehorster.orbat.com/013_usa/44_org/div-inf/div-inf_inf-heavy.html 1944 Table of Organization was www.militaryresearch.org not currently working when it works http://www.militaryresearch.org/7-18%2026Feb44.pdf I like to learn from those who were there, though detail information is sparse some insights can be gleened. From a Company Commander with the 83d ID (large file) http://www.jpgravelyn.com/WWII.pdf Excerpt PDF page 48 - Normandy From a machine gunner with 103d ID who kept a diary and wrote after the war. http://www.103didww2assn.org/H.%20K.%20Borwn%27s%20WWII%201944%20-%201945%20Diary.pdf Excerpt PDF page 17-18
View attachment DanleyEarl E. CPT.pdf This was a last minute find from the 88th ID in Italy. The write-up was so good that I worked to find a map that would help illustrate the situation. https://www.benning.army.mil/library/content/Virtual/Donovanpapers/wwii/index.htm Sad the original maps were lost. https://www.benning.army.mil/library/content/Virtual/Donovanpapers/maps/index.htm *****EDIT****** Even a good topo map is difficult to read. For these actions in the mountians I like to see the Google Terrain shaded-relief map -- though, it may take some amount of study to convince myself I have the right area, the exact locations, and, that the two maps agree. ****************
I recently trawled an account of M/116 of 29 ID on D-Day It may not be a typical example, but I do like the tale of them watching the defensive fires on OMAHA with professional interest, then working out the fixed lines before moving relatively easily off the beach; at least, I think it was them.