945th Field Artillery Battalion In World War II

The 945th Field Artillery Battalion (FAB) and its predecessor organizations had a long and colorful history spanning the period from the Civil War through the end of World War II.

XII Corps Insignia
XII Corps Insignia

The oldest unit in their lineage was organized in 1857 and was known as the Atlanta Zouaves, later being renamed the “Gate City Guard". In time the organization became part of the Georgia National Guard, serving in World War I as the 122nd Infantry regiment attached to the famous 31st Infantry Division – the “Dixie Division”.

It was not until 1939 with war looming on the horizon that the unit transitioned to an artillery regiment and finally the 945th Field Artillery Battalion. Training at Camp Blanding (FL), Camp Shelby (MS) and Ft. Sill (OK), the 945th landed on Utah Beach on August 12, 1944. Assigned to the General George Patton’s Third Army as XII Corps artillery, the 945th’s powerful 155mm M1 howitzers (towed) supported nine different infantry divisions and three armored divisions as they fought their way across France, Luxembourg, and Germany, earning four battle stars along the way.

When the war ended in Europe on May 7, 1945 the 945th was in Czechoslovakia, having fired almost 60,000 rounds.