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PVT Graslie, Arthur

PVT

Headstone Marker by Application
89th Infantry Division (United States)
World War II

Before Organized Reserve infantry divisions were ordered into active military service, they were reorganized on paper as "triangular" divisions under the 1940 tables of organization. The headquarters companies of the two infantry brigades were consolidated into the division's cavalry reconnaissance troop, and one infantry regiment was removed by inactivation. The field artillery brigade headquarters and headquarters battery became the headquarters and headquarters battery of the division artillery. Its three field artillery regiments were reorganized into four battalions; one battalion was taken from each of the two 75 mm gun regiments to form two 105 mm howitzer battalions, the brigade's ammunition train was reorganized as the third 105 mm howitzer battalion, and the 155 mm howitzer battalion was formed from the 155 mm howitzer regiment. The engineer, medical, and quartermaster regiments were reorganized into battalions. In 1942, divisional quartermaster battalions were split into ordnance light maintenance companies and quartermaster companies, and the division's headquarters and military police company, which had previously been a combined unit, was split.[3]

The 89th Infantry Division landed in France at Le Havre, 21 January 1945, and engaged in several weeks of precombat training before moving up to the Sauer River into jump-off positions east of Echternach, 11 March 1945. The next day, the offensive began, and the 89th plunged across the Sauer in a rapid advance to and across the Moselle, 17 March. The offensive rolled on, and the division assaulted across the Rhine River on 26 March 1945 under intense fire in the Wellmich-Oberwesel region. A pontoon bridge was built across the Rhine from St. Goar to St. Goarshausen. In April, the 89th attacked toward Eisenach, taking that town on 6 April. The next objective, Friedrichroda, was secured by 8 April. On 4 April 1945, the 89th overran Ohrdruf, a subcamp of the Buchenwald concentration camp. The division continued to move eastward toward the Mulde River, capturing Zwickau by 17 April. The advance was halted, 23 April, and from then until VE-day, the division saw only limited action, engaging in patrolling and general security. Three towns, Lößnitz, Aue, and Stollberg, were kept under constant pressure, but no attacks were launched.

Order of battle

  • Headquarters, 89th Infantry Division

  • 353rd Infantry Regiment

  • 354th Infantry Regiment

  • 355th Infantry Regiment

  • Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 89th Infantry Division Artillery

    • 340th Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm)

    • 341st Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm)

    • 563rd Field Artillery Battalion (155 mm)

    • 914th Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm)

  • 314th Engineer Combat Battalion

  • 314th Medical Battalion

  • 89th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized)

  • Headquarters, Special Troops, 89th Infantry Division

    • Headquarters Company, 89th Infantry Division

    • 789th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company

    • 89th Quartermaster Company

    • 89th Signal Company

    • Military Police Platoon

    • Band

  • 89th Counterintelligence Corps Detachment

World War II combat record
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