This is the follow up history of the 212th Armored Field Artillery Battalion that served
with the 6 Armored Division and the 3rd U.S. Army during World War 2.
When that unit was deactivated after the war, it was later reactivated as a
National Guard Battalion in the State of Massachusetts and redesignated the
212th Field Artillery Battalion
Every unit has its own history and the history of the unit dates back to
March 15, 1638 when Captain William Poole was designated to exercise the
militia of Cohannett
(Later Taunton) Massachusetts.
It had many names after that early beginning such as The Eastward Company
in 1703, The First Foot Company in 1709,Foot Company-3rd Regiment -
2nd Brigade- 5th Division Massachusetts Militia in 1785, Captain Joseph Reeds
Company for the war of 1812,as Company G 4th Infantry Setember 23 1862 and
was engaged at Port Hudson Louisianna, June 14 1863 and at Brashear City
Louisianna, June 23 1863.
During the Spanish American War the unit was mustered into Federal Service
May 9, 1898 as Battery F, 1st Regiment Heavy Artillery, Mass Volunteer Malitia.
On August 5 1917 the company was drafted into Federal Service for the
First World War and became the 24th Company, Boston Coast Defense Command
and later merged with the 5th Company on November 15 1918.
The unit when returning to National Guard Duty became the 212th Field
Artillery with batteries stationed in Brockton, Taunton and New Bedford.
It was activated again for Federal Service at Ft Chaffee Arkansas in 1942
from the 101st Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Battalion. The unit left the
United States as part of the 6th Armored Division on February 10 1944.
After more physicles and new equipment being issued the unit moved to the
coast of France on July 18,1944 and was assigned to the 3rd Army under
General Patton. After WW2 it was again deactivated.
For WW2 history of the 212th AFA Battalion see below;
To The 212th Armored Field Artillery History WW2
6th Armored Div, 3rd U.S. Army
Other Links to the History of the 212th
National Guard Field Artillery Veterans Associates
Honors awarded to Unit since 1638
To Page 2 History of the 212th Field Artillery
To Page 3 The 212th become the 1/211th Arty
To Page 4 The Perils of Training
To Page 5 Active Duty Ft. Bragg, N.C.
To Page 6 More events at Ft. Bragg
The unit becomes SRF
Another call-up for the Battalion
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