Fields of War

Building Combined US / Commonwealth Forces

One of the more interesting outfits of World War II is General Mark Clark’s 5^th US Army in Italy, as it contained not just a range of US units but also the South African 6^th Armoured Division (which itself contained the British 24^th Guards brigade), the Free French CEF (Corps Expéditionaire Français), and the Legnano legion, an Italian unit. It was also heavily supported by the South African Air Force in the Italian Campaign, as well as the US 12th Air Force.

Being South African I am naturally drawn to the exploits of my countrymen, but from a gaming point of view this force allows you an excuse to build an interesting combined US / Commonwealth / French / Italian force, which is great as you can build more variety - sets of US, British, French and Italian units - and then play them together. The CEF were mainly US equipped, the Italians started off in Italian uniforms and equipment but were re-supplied with mainly British equipment over time. The opposing German army is also a mix of German and Italian units which makes it quite interesting as well.

The 6^th South African Armoured Division was part of IV Corps in 1944. IV Corps comprised of:

· 6^th South African Armoured Division

· 85^th (Custers) US Infantry Division – this included the 339^th “Polar Bears” Regiment

· 442^nd Regimental Combat Team ( a unit of Japanese Americans)

Elements of other forces were attached at times over 1944/5, from:

· 91 US Cavalry Recon Squadron 

· 751, 756, 758, 760 US Tank Battalions,

· 679, 791, 894 US Tank Destroyer Battalions

· Lagnano legion (Italian Royal Army)

Another interesting facet is that the British 7^th Paras and US 504^th Parachute were attached at various times, giving an opportunity to field both countries’ paratroops in your scenarios.

US IV Corps 1944 in more Detail

For anyone else interested in building this force, here are the details. The 6^th SA Armoured Division will be organised on British lines using British equipment. The US 85^th (and the 339^th Combat Team 9 I modeled) will use US equipment.

Detailed Forces – 6^th S.A Armoured

In the 1944/45 period the 6^th South African Armoured Division comprised of:

· 11th South African Armoured Brigade
  - Prince Albert's Guards
  - Pretoria Regiment (Princess Alice's Own) (armoured)
  - Special Service Battalion (armoured)
 
· 12th South African Motor Brigade
  - Royal Natal Carbineers
  - First City/Capetown Highlanders
  - Witwatersrand Rifles / De La Rey Regiment
 
· 13th South African Motor Brigade
  - Natal Mounted Rifles, South African Air Force Regiment
  - Royal Durban Light Infantry
  - Imperial Light Horse / Kimberley Regiment
 - 4th Battalion, 13th Frontier Force Rifles (Indian)
 
· 24TH Guards Brigade
- 1st Battalion, The Scots Guards
- 3rd Battalion, The Coldstream Guards
- 5th Battalion, Grenadier Guards
- 23rd (Army) Field Regiment, RA
- attached engineering and medical units
 
· South African Artillery
  - 1st/6th South African Field Regiment (25 pdr)
  - 4th/22nd South African Field Regiment (Self-Propelled)
  - 1st/5th South African Field Regiment (25 pdr)
  - 7th/23rd South African Field Regiment Medium (5.5in)
   - 1st/11th South African Anti-Tank Regiment
  - 1st/12th South African Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
  - Z Survey Troop
  - 42nd Air Observation Flight, South African Air Force
  - 535th Searchlight Battery [1sec]
 
· South African Engineers
  - 5th South African Field Squadron
  - 8th South African Field Squadron
  - 12th South African Field Squadron
  - 17th South African Field Park Squadron

Detailed Forces – 85^th US Infantry

In the 1944/45 period the 85^th comprised of the 337^th, 338^th and 339^th. “Polar Bears” infantry regiments. The 339^th were grouped into Combat Team 9, a really great unit to model for a US force. It comprised of:

- 339^th Infantry Regiment
- 910^th Field Artillery Battalion
- Company C, 310^th Engineers
- Company C, 310^th Medical Battalion

Detailed Forces – 442^nd Regimental Combat Team

The 442nd Regimental Combat Team was a unit larger than an infantry regiment that was made up of Japanese-Americans, or commonly referred to as Nissei.  The 442nd was assigned to 34th Division from June-August 1944 and the 88th Division during the Rome-Arno Campaign. It served in France(Rhineland) with the 36th Division and with the 92nd Division in Italy during the Apennines and Po Valley Campaign.  A separate battalion of Japanese-Americans, the 100^{th, also} became a part of the 442nd RCT, becoming the 1st battalion of the 442RCT, companies A - D. A movie was made of them

The most famous member of this unit is Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii. It consisted of 3 battalions of 4 companies, each and 522 FA & 232 Engr.