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43rd Infantry Division
Winged Victory Division
Looking for more information from military/civilian
personnel assigned to or associated with the U.S. Army
in Germany from 1945 to 1989. If you have any
stories or thoughts on the subject, please contact me .
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| 102nd Infantry Regiment |
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102nd Infantry Regiment at Sheridan Kaserne, Augsburg, 1953 |
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102nd Infantry Regiment passes in review at Sheridan Kaserne, Augsburg, 1952
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Tank Company, 102nd Inf Regt, Gablingen Kaserne, 1952 (John Tyler) |
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 102nd Infantry Regiment crest |
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| (Source: John Tyler, Tank Co, 102nd Inf) |
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John has compiled a very detailed unit history of Tank Company, 102nd Infantry Regiment, that covers the period from 1946 to 1952.
Also, see Harald Spaeth's TOE 17-37N (1953) schematic |
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| 1952 |
Company Hqs, Co "E," 102nd Inf Regt, Sheridan Kaserne, 1952 |
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1. 1st Platton |
2. 2nd Platoon |
3. 3rd Platoon |
4. Weapons Platoon |
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| 169th Infantry Regiment |
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HHC, 2nd Battalion, 169th Infantry Regiment with Division Band in background |
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43rd Infantry Division Band at Monteith Barracks during a review (Tom Rozman) |
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 169th Infantry Regiment crest |
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(Source: Email from Tom Rozman; three tours in Germany: 1952-54 (dependent), 1961-65 (again as a dependent), and 1983-86 (1st Armored Division as battalion XO and Asst G-3)
I'm the son of then, 1950-54, CPT Robert W. Rozman, now LTC R. W. Rozman (ret).
Upon mobilization, Dad was, I believe, S-2 of 2nd Battalion, 169th Infantry Regiment. We made the move to Blackstone, Virginia from Hartford as the Division deployed to Camp Pickett, Virginia in about October/November '50. Dad disappeared for among other events, Operation Southern Pine.
We lived in a trailor park near the rail yard. We took a TDY trip to Fort Riley, Kansas where Dad attended the Intelligence Officers Course, then back to Camp Pickett. Traveled to Camp A. P. Hill more than a few times.
Division got on busses early morning, dark with moon out about October 1951. Said good by to Dad. Division moved to Newport News, boarded troop ship General Buckner and sailed for Deutschland. My brother my Mom and I returned to Hartford.
About February 1952 sailed from New York on the General Maurice Rose. North Atlantic in winter, even in a 550' ship is an experience. Took train at Bremerhaven and all through the dark night made way to southern Bavaria. Pretty exciting for a little kid, watching Germany go by in the dark -- a mysterious land. Arrived at Kaserne near Munchen where 169th Infantry was garrisoned.
Short stay -- in less than a year redeployed to Furth near Nurnberg, Darby Barracks. Actually, 2nd Battalion was billetted at Monteith Barracks, an old Wermacht airfield and Kaserne. We remained in the Nurnberg area until the Divison was returned to state service. Dad elected to remain in the active Army and the divison in place was redesignated as 9th Infantry Division. The 169th redesignated as the 39th Infantry Regiment. |
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169th Inf Regt color guard passes the reviewing stand during a
ceremony held at Monteith Barracks in 1953 (Tom Rozman) |
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While we were in Germany with the Division, Dad served as 2nd Battalion S-2, than HHC Commander, Company F Commander, S-4 and ultimately 39th Infantry Regiment Assistant S-2.
I have many great memories of Germany at that time, though much was still in ruins. My brother and I had a ball. As children of the regiment it was a good time. My sister was born at the Army hospital in Furth in 1954.
Dad enlisted in October 1939. Rose through the ranks to First Sergeant, Company F by 1944. Received a direct commission while the regiment was operating in the Ippo Dam area north of Manila in May 1945. Initially mustered out of active service in, I believe, March 1946. Was approached to help reorganize 2nd Battalion and rejoined the regiment sometime in 1946 commanding HHC and Company F while in state service. His service 1941-46 was recognized by CIB, Bronze Star, four Purple Hearts and an arrowhead and I believe with four stars on his Asiatic-Pacific Theater campaign medal. Subsequently, he commanded another company at Fort Knox, SVC, Battery, 67th Armd. Art. Battalion, DIVARTY, 3rd A.D. Then S-4 5th Training Regiment, Asst. S-2 Armor Center, MAAG Viet Nam (working with the South Viet Namese Infantry School), Infantry School, Ft. Benning, Reserve Components duty with 26th I.D., Boston, Battle Group staff, 30th Infantry, 3rd I.D., Schweinfurt, Germany, and finally, Commander 112th Service Center Headquarters, Pulaski Barracks, Vogelweh, Germany. He retired from the Army in December 1965.
My memories of the 169th Infantry and the 43rd Division, two of my father's brothers also served in the Division, were of such character that I served in the infantry for 22 1/2 years retiring as a LTC in 1992. My brother is also a retired Army officer who served initially in the infantry. My son is now an active officer who served two tours in Bosnia. Prior to active service he did serve in the 169th Infantry in its last year of existence as a mortarman. We do have a heretic, however, my daughter and her husband are active USAF officers and his Dad's a retired Marine LTC, though in his early career an infantry officer.
At least in this family, the legacy of the 43rd's sojourn in Germany has been a long and willing service through three generations. As I put this together many memories of the Division and Germany in the early 50s come flooding back. For the most part, they are good and happy ones -- like the late Christmas my Dad arranged when we got to Munich in 1952. |
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169th Inf Regt
Monteith Bks, Fürth |
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1. Regimental Color Guard |
2. Review
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3. Review
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4. HHB group photo |
5. HHB group photo
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6. CINCUSAREUR
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7. Trooping the line |
8. Presentation of the USAREUR Golden Rifles Awardo
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9. Award presentation
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1. Request for transportation |
2. Movement Orders |
3. Request for 72-hour pass |
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1. Kindergarten in Munich |
2. 1st Grade, Fürth |
3. 2nd Grade, Fürth |
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4. 3rd Grade, Fürth |
5. Fürth Elementary |
8. The Rozman boys |
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| (Source: Photo Album compiled by SGT John E. Blood, 169th Inf Regt) |
The photos posted below were taken by a John E. Blood who apparently served with the 169th Inf Regt in Munich 1951-1952. I was able to obtain a photo album he had compiled that was being sold at an auction. I assume SGT blood has passed away. If anyone knew Sgt Blood or any of his buddies during this period, please contact me to provide some details about his tour in Munich and to help me identify some of the people in the photos.
Upon arriving in Germany in September 1951, HHC, 169th Inf Regt; and 1st and 2nd Battalions were stationed at Will Kaserne in Munich; 3rd Battalion was located at Flint Kaserne, Bad Tölz.
Higher resolution images for the thumbnails will be added later this weekend.The photos posted below were taken by a John E. Blood who apparently served with the 169th Inf Regt in Munich 1951-1952. I was able to obtain a photo album he had compiled that was being sold at an auction. I assume SGT blood has passed away. If anyone knew Sgt Blood or any of his buddies during this period, please contact me to provide some details about his tour in Munich and to help me identify some of the people in the photos.
Upon arriving in Germany in September 1951, HHC, 169th Inf Regt; and 1st and 2nd Battalions were stationed at Will Kaserne in Munich; 3rd Battalion was located at Flint Kaserne, Bad Tölz. |
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169th Inf Regt
Will Ksn, Munich |
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1. Main gate, Will Ksn |
2. Barracks bldg
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3. Entrance to one of the 169th Inf barracks bldgs
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4. Drill |
5. Heavy weapons
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6. Pistol range
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7. Will Ksn parade ground
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8. In the field |
9. (KB)
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10. Pinder Barracks |
11. (KB)
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12. (KB) |
13. (KB) |
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| 172nd Infantry Regiment |
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 172nd Infantry Regiment crest |
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| (Source: Email from Lou Spruill, 172nd Inf Regt and Div Honor Guard, 1953-54) |
I served with the 43rd Infantry Division during 1953-54, first with the 172nd Inf Batallion at Warner Kaserne and later with the Division Honor Guard at Flak Kaserne in Augsburg. I served as a squad leader in the Honor Guard Platoon.
I note in looking through memorabilia that the 5th Inf. Div replaced 43rd Div in name on 25 May 1954. I assume that the 43rd returned to National Guard status at that time.
The Commanding General at the time was Major General Richard C. Partridge. H e was preceeded by Major General Charles K. Gailey under whose direction (I believe) the Honor Guard was formed. |
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Honor Guard
Flak Ksn, Augsburg |
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1. Retreat ceremony at Flak Ksn, 1954 |
2. Ceremonial cannon
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3. Honor Guard Platoon party
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 4. Guard mount |
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| Division Artillery |
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Organization of the 43rd Division Artillery, 1952 (Walter Elkins) |
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| If you have information, personal recollections and/or photos of the 43rd Division Artillery in Germany 1951-1954, I would be very interested in hearing from you (webmaster). |
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MISCELLANEOUS
HHB, 43rd Division Artillery, Flak Kaserne, Augsburg
103rd FA Bn, Augsburg
192nd FA Bn, Flint Kaserne, Bad Tölz
206th FA Bn, Warner Kaserne, Munich
963rd FA Bn, Augsburg
169th AAA AW Bn, Augsburg |
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105mm howitzer of a light field artillery battalion at Grafenwoehr, 1952 (Walter Elkins)
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| HHB, DivArty |
| (Source: Email from William Bowers, HHB, Divarty, 1952-53; images scanned by Art Crowe) |
Your web site was given to me by my son-in-law. It brought back many memories, most pleasant.
I arrived at Flak Kaserne, Augsburg in August 1952. The duty assignment was HQ BTRY 43 ARTY DIV as a Ballistic Meterologist so most of my work time was out in the field. I left in September 1953 returning state side on the troop ship General Patch which was an advenutre in itself.
Your site has encouraged me to dig out the photo taken during my service in Germany. If I find anything that I think may be of interst to others I shall forward later. |
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HHB, DivArty
Flak Ksn, Augsburg |
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1. Bill Bowers and two other members of HHB |
2. CPL Roe
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3. Sgt Oeschger and unidentifed soldier
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4. Sgt Oeschger holds weather baloon |
5. Ready to release
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6 . Baloon released
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7. Artillery Range, Graf |
8. Towed 155mm howitzer
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9 . Sgt Oeschger and CPL Roe
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10. Bowers behind the theodolight |
11. Sgt Oeschger holds baloon while Bill Bowers helps fill it
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12. Water Tower at Graf, 1952
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13. Parade field under snow |
14. Chow hall
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15. Post Chapel
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| 103rd Field Artillery Battalion |
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C Battery during a fire mission at Grafenwoehr Training Area, 1952 |
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A 155mm howitzer of the 103rd FA Bn (Webmaster's collection) |
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On 5 Sept 1950, the 103rd FA Battalion (a National Guard unit assigned to the 43rd Inf Div) answered the President's call to duty and went into training at Camp Pickett, Virgina to join the Forces in Germany.
The Battalion arrived in Bremerhaven, Germany on 31 Oct 1951. After a staging period at Camp Y-79 (Sandhofen) near Mannheim, Germany, the unit moved to its present home station in Augsburg, Germany. |
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103rd FA Bn
Will Ksn, Munich |
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1. Lt Col Ira H. Fowler, CO |
2. Staff 1
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3. Staff 2
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4. HHB group photo - Roster |
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| (Source: Email from Virgil E. Fenn, 103rd FA Battalion Air Section) |
I was drafted on October 6, 1950 and assigned to the 43rd. Division as a filler to help bring the Division up to strength.
My background was in aviation, as I learned to fly while I was in high school. When I graduated in 1948, I had my Commercial License and Flight Instructor Rating and was employed by Dothan Aviation Corporation as a flight instructor, flying the local newspaper 115 miles every day, deliver papers to the distributors. In the summer months I was an aerial applicator.
As a result of this background, I was assigned to the 103rd F.A. (Bn) Air Section working under Sgt. Francis P. Cook. We had two L-13's assigned to the unit and we maintained these while the unit was at Camp Pickett, Va.
When the Division was sent to Germany, Sgt. Cook had less the 6 Months remaining on his enlistment and did not go overseas with the 103rd. I was promoted to Sgt. and became the Crew Chief on two (2) L-19's that was waiting for us at the Augsburg Military Airstrip. The Augsburg Military Air Strip was at the sight of the old Messerschmitt Factory and I remember it was close to the Augsburg Zoo.
The 43rd. Division was scattered over different towns in Bavaria. The 103rd was assigned to Sheridan Caserne in Augsburg. This all took place before there were Aviation Companies and we had to stay with our home unit away from the Military Airstrip. We were spending most of the working hours traveling to and from the airstrip.
General Ford was the Divarty Commander and as a result of all the lost time going back and forth, he had living quaters and a 48 man mess hall built inside our hangar. This mess hall had German Cook's and KP's.
He brought all the 43rd Div. Air Section Aircraft that were scattered over the area and located all the aircraft in this central location. Everyone still had to go back to his home unit to get paid. As a result of his move, I have heard it said, that he was the father of Army Aviation.
The pilot's assigned to the 103rd. were Lt. Stanley Valacer & Lt. Ted Healy. Maj. George Tillery was the air section commander.
I hope this gives you some insight of Army Aviation before there were Aviation Companies.
I live close to Fort Rucker, Alabama, The Home of Army Aviation.
Virgil E. Fenn |
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| 192nd Field Artillery Battalion |
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The 192nd Field Artillery Battalion, a National Guard 105mm howitzer unit, was recalled to active dutry during the Korean crisis in August 1950.
The battalion, as a part of the 43rd Division, was sent to Germany in November 1951.
The present battalion commander is Maj Arvel C. Stafford.
(The 192nd was originally stationed at Flint Kaserne, Bad Tölz, but later (late 1952 or early 1953) moved to O'Brien Kaserne, Schwabach.)
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192nd FA Bn
O'Brien Bks, Schwabach |
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1. Maj Arvel C. Stafford, CO |
2. Staff 1
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3. Staff 2
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4. Kaserne Activities |
5. Field Training
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| 206th Field Artillery Battalion |
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A 105mm howitzer of the 206th FA Bn in the field (Webmaster's collection) |
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Battalion's home station: Warner Kaserne, Munich (Webmaster's collection) |
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 206th Field Artillery Battalion crest |
206th FA Bn
Warner Ksn, Munich |
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1. Warner Kaserne |
2. Motor pool
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3. Motor park
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4. Entrance to barracks |
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Related Links:
43rd
Infantry Division "Winged Victory" Veterans Association
- The purpose and objective of this association is to perpetuate
the spirit, prestige, and memories of the 43d Infantry Division.
The site's Guestbook has lots of entries by division members from
the "Germany" era.
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