Unit History: 105th Infantry Antitank Battalion redesignated 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion on 15 December, 1941 at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. Arrived Indiantown Gap Military Reservation 2 August. Shipped from New York port, 5 August, arrived in England 18 August. Landed at Algiers 17 January, 1943. Actions included Kasserine Pass and Gafsa. Converted to towed 3-inch gun battalion in October 1943 (first to use them). Debarked in Italy 28 October, 1943 at Bagnoli. Shipped to Anzio beachhead 12 March, 1944. Served largely as artillery even after re-equipped with M18’s in June–August (only M18’s in Mediterranean Theater of Operations). TDs were part of advance guard at capture of Bologna and Brenner Pass. Attached to: 34th, 85th, 91st Infantry divisions. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide. Used by permission. Additional information from unit documentation and WWII Order of Battle by Shelby L. Stanton.
Combat Equipment: 2/43 – M3; 12/43 – Towed 3″ Gun; 6/44 – M18
Commanding Officers: Lt. Col. Allen H. Foreman; Lt. Col. Camden W. McConnell (3-43)
Code Name/s: Serpent
Campaign Credits: Tunisia………………………Nov. 17, to May 13, 1942
Naples/Foggia………………Sept. 9, 1943 to Jan. 21, 1944
Rome Arno………………….Jan. 22, to Sept. 9, 1944
North Apennines…………..Sept. 10, 1944 to Apr. 4, 1945
Po Valley…………………….Apr. 5, 1945 to May 8, 1945
Awards: None
Location August 1945: Camp Hood, TX
Additional Information/Materials:
1.) 805th’s High Scoring Against the Nazis – This article appeared in the Camp Hood Newspaper and was provided courtesy of Bill Oettle, former President of the Tank Destroyer Society, who is shown in the photo.
2.) Last Few Days of WWII for 2nd Platoon, B-Company of the 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion – Short article written by Bill Oettle about his experiences with the unit. Cover page is dated Feb. 4, 1998 while Bill was Vice President of the Tank Destroyer Society.
3.) Daily Operations Journals
July 1-31, 1944………………………………2 Pages
4.) Po Valley Campaign – Link to the 752nd Tank Battalion website, which includes a section on the Po Valley. The campaign included elements of the 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion.
5.) Battalion Diary, Jan. 17 – May 29, 1943…………9 Pages. Courtesy of the Tank Destroyer Association by L. L. Gill, TDA Historian.
6.) Diaries-Recon & HQ Cos.-Feb 4 – May 29, 1943……….10 Pages. Courtesy of the Tank Destroyer Association by L. L. Gill, TDA Historian.
7.) Photo Gallery
8.) Book – The American: The Life, Times, and War of Basil Antonelli, was written by Dan Roberts of the Wilson History and Research Center. The book chronicles Basil Antonelli of the 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion. The book can be ordered directly from the author for $22.00 which includes shipping. Contact him directly at….droberts.whrc@gmail.com.
Jan. 17 to May 29, 1943…15 Pages (Includes casualty list)
May 29 to Oct. 24, 1943…..2 Pages (Pages missing)
Nov. 1-30, 1943…………….3 Pages
Dec. 1-31, 1943…………….4 Pages
Jan. 1-31, 1944…………….6 Pages (Difficult to read)
Feb. 1-29, 1944…………….5 Pages (Some areas difficult, includes casualties)
Mar. 1-31, 1944…………….4 Pages
Apr. 1-30, 1944…………….4 Pages
May 1-31, 1944……………..5 Pages (Some pages very poor)
Jun. 1-30, 1944…………….3 Pages (Very poor)
Aug. 1-31, 1944……………3 Pages (Poor quality, difficult to read)
Oct. 1-31, 1944…………….6 Pages (Some pages very poor)
Nov. 1-30, 1944……………3 Pages (Awards and casualties throughout text)
Dec. 1-31, 1944…………….5 Pages (Some areas difficult to read)
Jan. 1-31, 1945…………….3 Pages
Feb. 1-28, 1945……………4 Pages
Mar. 1-31, 1945……………2 Pages (Very poor)
Mar. 1-31, 1945……………4 Pages (Ops Report, some areas difficilt to read)
Apr. 1-30, 1945………….. 3 Pages (Poor quality)
May 1-31, 1945…………… 4 Pages
10.) Miscellaneous Documents – from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas.
Organization of TD Battalions, Dec. 3, 1941……………………4 Pages
Organization of TD Battalions, Jan. 30, 1942…………………..1 Page
Report of Combat Activity, April 15, 1943………………………5 Pages
Stars & Stripes article………………………………………………..1 Page
11.) Personal Narrative – By E. Lynn Womer who was a member of the 805th. This is his response, written in the 1980’s, to an inquiry from an author writing a book on the tank destroyer forces. Courtesy of the Tank Destroyer Association by L. L. Gill, TDA Historian.
12.) Henderson Twins – Article in the Mormon Times on Ralph and Boyd Henderson celebrating their 90th birthday and remembering their life and times in the 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Written by Jennifer Francis and published Oct. 31, 2008.
13.) Company A Reunion – Photo taken June 25, 1956 at an unknown location. Photo courtesy of Ross Crawford, son of Donald K. Crawford, 692nd TD Bn, who was originally a member of the 805th prior to being assigned to the Army War Show.
14.) Roster of Personnel – What we believe is a complete roster of about 650 men, including all companies, noting their rank, assigned company and home addresses. A date of February 1, 1943, is hand-written on the document, so we cannot be sure but that would have been while the unit was stationed in North Africa. The list comes from the family of Baker D. Newton, courtesy of Lowell Silverman, who visted Baker’s daughter while doing research.
15.) Officer’s Roster – Not dated but certainly done in June 1945, or later, during occupation period. Lt. Col. McConnell has been assigned elsewhere and Maj. Herbert B. Fowler is now the Battalion Commander. Courtesy of the Baker D. Newton family and Lowell Silverman.
16.) M10 & M18 Comparison – A personal response by Cpt. Baker D. Newton to a request by Col. W.F. Millice of the AGF Board for a comparison of the M10 and M18 tank destroyer by a soldier that had experience with both. Baker’s had trained and been in contact with both units totaling 20 months. Courtesy of the Baker D. Newton family and Lowell Silverman.