About this Unit
B Battery, 1st Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery (B Btry, 1-3 FA), served as a key artillery unit within the 2d Armored Division, "Hell on Wheels." Originally constituted in 1812, the 3rd Field Artillery has a distinguished lineage, with B Battery seeing action in major campaigns during World War II, including the invasion of North Africa, Sicily, and the Normandy landings. During the Cold War, B Battery supported armored operations in Germany, providing fire support and deterrence as part of NATO forces. The unit continued to serve with distinction until the inactivation of the 2d Armored Division in the mid-1990s, leaving a legacy of excellence in artillery operations.
Historical Facts
•
Historic Roots: Battery B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery (B/1-3 FA) traces its lineage to the early 19th century, originally constituted in 1812 as part of the 3rd Regiment of Artillery, making it one of the oldest artillery units in the U.S. Army.
•
World War II Service: As part of the 2nd Armored Division ("Hell on Wheels"), B/1-3 FA landed in North Africa in 1942, fought in Sicily, and played pivotal roles in the Normandy invasion, the breakout from Saint-Lô, and the Battle of the Bulge.
•
Normandy Landings: During Operation Cobra in July 1944, B/1-3 FA provided crucial fire support for armored thrusts, helping to break the German defensive lines and speed the liberation of France.
•
Battle of the Bulge: In December 1944, the 2nd Armored Division, with B/1-3 FA, helped repulse German advances near Celles, Belgium, inflicting heavy losses on enemy armor during the last major Nazi offensive of the war.
•
Cold War Defender: Stationed in Germany during the Cold War, B/1-3 FA was a key deterrent against Warsaw Pact aggression, participating in numerous REFORGER (Return of Forces to Germany) exercises.
•
Desert Storm Deployment: In 1990-91, B/1-3 FA deployed to Southwest Asia with the 2nd Armored Division (Forward), providing fire support during Operation Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait.
•
“Hell on Wheels” Nickname: The 2nd Armored Division, to which B/1-3 FA belonged, was famously nicknamed "Hell on Wheels" by General George S. Patton for its rapid and aggressive armored tactics.
•
Decorations: The unit and division have earned numerous awards, including Presidential Unit Citations and foreign honors such as the French Croix de Guerre, for gallantry and distinguished service in multiple campaigns.
•
Modernization: B/1-3 FA was among the first to field self-propelled howitzers such as the M109 series, adapting to evolving battlefield requirements from WWII to the modern era.
•
Deactivation and Legacy: The 2nd Armored Division was inactivated in 1995, but B/1-3 FA’s proud heritage and traditions continue to influence current U.S. Army field artillery units through its successors.
