UNIT HISTORY
398 ARMORED FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION
26 October 1944 - 31 May 1944

Preceded by a colored band, the 398th AFA Bn departed from Camp Polk at 26 October, 1944 by rail for the overseas staging area at Camp Kilmer. All personnel consisting of T/O less a small advanced detachment were transported in one train. On the realization that we were headed toward the shooting a long way from home, the qroup was particularly quiet and reflective on this occasion. The trip was enjoyable yet uneventful, with relaxation prevailing in sharp contrast to the last hectic days at Polk. The route took us through Mississippi and Alabama, north, west of the Appalachian Mountains through Lynchburg, Washington and Philadelphia to Camp Kilmer

The battalion arrived at the POE about four hours ahead of schedule at 290400 October 1944, and it was assigned billets immediately, for the staging area schedule commenced the same day. Unserviceable or lost equipment was replaced after final show-down inspections, which were followed by censorship instruction, boat drill, security lectures, gas mask drill, personnel lectures, and miscellaneous instructional movies. The Camp was operated efficiently, and last minute preparations were completed without difficulty. All Personnel were allotted several passes to New York City for a last fling at America.

On 6 November 1944, the Battalion, heavily loaded with equipment, boarded the USAT George W. Goethals at Brooklyn, New York. The ship transported all of Division Artillery, a Signal Company, and the MP Platoon. Leaving the pier at 071125, the Goethals moved out through the Narrows among vessels from many countries. Convoy was formed along a general south-easterly course, and the land faded into the sunset to form a last hazy recollection of America.

Except for two submarine alerts, the 12 day voyage was uneventful. Life on ship was crowded and quite routine. After the novelty of being at sea the first day or two, life quieted down, and heavy weather resulted in considerable seasickness. Since the convoy's course followed the Gulf Stream, weather was mild, and every effort was made to keep the men on deck during the day to alleviate crowded conditions and seasickness, as well as to keep them alert. Recreation included movies, amateur nights, reading and so on, while PX facilities were also available which introduced us to the tax free nickel package of cigarettes. Meals were served twice daily, cafeteria style, and although plentiful, food was not always properly prepared, and the crowded mess below deck did not make pleasant eating surroundings for those who were seasick.

The ship anchored off Plymouth Harbor shortly after daylight 18 November 1944, and the surrounding headlands presented a pleasant view, especially to those who had been seasick. Docking at 1450, the Battalion disembarked about a half hour later and marched through England's famous rains to the train. Most sights were new to all from trucks serving the docks moving along the left hand side of the road to the small European railroad equipment. The harbor section had suffered considerable damage from bombing during the Battle of Britain, providing an introduction to the scars of war.

About 1700 the train departed for Tidworth, the Division's billeting area. It arrived at Lugershall at 2215 where it was met by the advance party which had made arrangements to transport the Battalion by truck to Division Artillery's "Tent City Paradise" at Windmill Hill. A hot meal, prepared by personnel from the 12th Armored Division, which had recently evacuated the area, awaited the Battalion after which guides took the personnel to assigned tents to get acquainted with straw beds and Sibley stoves. Windmill Hill presented a not too pleasant introduction to England. Rain and mud prevailed. A few Neissen huts provided the only "semi-permanent" structures to house Battalion Headquarters, the messes and wash houses, styled 'ablutions' by the British. Utilities were generally poor: one shower house with about sixteen heads was available to all of Division Artillery; latrines serviced by British Contractors were of the "honey bucket" type; lights were few and far between and inefficiently installed. Two mess halls were available for use by the Battalion.