US AIRBORNE

The 457th Parachute Field Airborne Battalion was formed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in January 1943 from the 456th PFAB (activated on September 24, 1942). It was moved to Camp Mackall to be attached to the 11th Airborne Division. It was officially activated on February 25, 1943, under the command of Major Douglas P. Quandt.

October 29, 1943, marked the first losses for the 457th. A C-47 carrying the battalion's headquarters made an emergency landing after losing an engine, resulting in the death of 10 people.

In July 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Douglass Quandt moved to General Swing's headquarters as G-3. Major Kuelkhe, who had been the Battalion's Executive Officer, was assigned to the Division Parachute Maintenance Officer role. Captain Nick Stadtherr was promoted to Major and became the commanding officer of the 457th.

In January 1944, the 11th Airborne Division moved to Camp Polk in Louisiana. On April 28, 1944, the division arrived at Camp Stoneman in California in preparation for its redeployment to the Pacific.

Photo of the Senior Officers of the 457th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion.

Photo of the 457th PFAB training in the USA.

The 457th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion (PFAB), part of the 11th Airborne Division, played a crucial role in artillery support operations during World War II. From May 22 to November 6, 1944, the battalion was stationed at Dobodura, New Guinea, where it carried out essential preparations before participating in combat operations in the Pacific. After a long sea journey, the troops of the 457th PFAB landed at Dobodura, a demanding tropical environment where they had to adapt quickly. The soldiers set up tents and established basic infrastructure to support the division's operations. Once settled, members of the battalion engaged in jungle survival training. They learned to navigate the hills and mountains of the Owen Stanley Range, developing bushcraft and hunting skills to cope with the harsh combat conditions. Simultaneously, the battalion conducted artillery exercises to refine its skills and ensure the guns were ready for combat operations. These exercises were vital to ensure that the 457th PFAB would be able to provide effective artillery support to infantry units during field operations. Their primary role was to bombard enemy positions and support the advances of Allied troops. The soldiers of the 457th PFAB worked closely with other units of the 11th Airborne Division, ensuring efficient coordination of operations. Outside of training, the troops participated in various leisure activities to maintain morale. They attended USO shows, engaged in gambling games, and exchanged resources with other units stationed nearby to improve their living conditions. As their stay in Dobodura progressed, the soldiers intensified their preparations for their upcoming deployment. On November 6, 1944, after six months of rigorous training, the 457th PFAB embarked for Leyte, Philippines, 2,100 miles away. The troops were ready to be engaged in intense combat, bolstered by the experience gained during their preparation.

After their training period in Dobodura, New Guinea, the 457th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion (PFAB) was deployed to Leyte, Philippines, on November 6, 1944. This phase of their engagement marked a pivotal turning point, with crucial artillery support operations for the Allied forces involved in the liberation of the island. The battalion landed at Bito Beach, about 40 miles south of Tacloban, and immediately began supporting the operations of the 11th Airborne Division. One of their first missions was to establish artillery positions to provide fire support for advancing infantry units moving inland. These positions were essential for bombing enemy positions and helping repel Japanese counterattacks.

The role of the 457th PFAB was not limited to artillery support; it also involved close coordination with other units of the 11th Airborne Division. The battalion worked in harmony with ground troops and other elements of the division to ensure the smooth execution of operations. This coordination was indispensable to maintain the momentum of Allied forces while ensuring that the Japanese could not regain the initiative. However, the conditions of combat were particularly challenging. The artillerymen had to cope with extreme weather conditions and difficult terrain, which made it even more difficult to provide consistent artillery support. In addition to these natural challenges, the troops faced tropical diseases, which sometimes reduced the battalion’s operational capacity. The artillerymen also encountered considerable logistical challenges, including the difficulty of moving supplies and ammunition through the rugged terrain, complicating their support missions for the infantry.

Despite these obstacles, the efforts of the 457th PFAB made a significant contribution to the liberation of Leyte, allowing the Allied forces to regain control of the island and continue their advance toward other parts of the Philippines. This success was strategically important, as it paved the way for future operations and severely weakened Japanese positions in the archipelago.

After the liberation of Leyte, the battalion prepared for the upcoming operations on the island of Luzon. Continuing to train and reorganize, the 457th PFAB was ready to meet the challenges of future combat. This period in Leyte was crucial for the battalion, demonstrating its expertise, determination, and effectiveness in particularly difficult combat conditions. Their success in Leyte not only helped liberate this key island but also contributed to the reconquest of the entire Philippine archipelago from Japanese forces.

On January 31, 1945, Battery D of the 457th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion (PFAB) landed at Nasugbu to support the 188th Glider Infantry Regiment (GIR). On February 4, the rest of the battalion performed a parachute drop onto the Tagaytay Ridge as part of the 511th Regimental Combat Team (RCT). From there, the 511th RCT moved toward Paranaque and the Pasay region, engaging in combat around Fort McKinley and Alabang until February 19, 1945. After several days of intense fighting, enemy resistance ceased in the areas around Mabato Point, Nichols Field, and Fort McKinley.

On February 23, during the rescue operation at Los Baños, Battery D, under the command of Captain Lou Burris, was ordered to provide artillery support for the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR). Battery D delivered crucial fire support by bombarding enemy machine gun positions at Mayondon Point, maintaining coverage until the completion of the evacuation mission.

In early March, the 11th Airborne Division, as part of the XIV Corps, moved into southern Luzon. The 457th PFAB, reinforced by the 472nd PFAB, supported the 188th GIR in the southwest sector of Manila, around Ternate. They spent a month in a war of attrition, fighting against well-hidden enemy positions in numerous caves, in a particularly challenging terrain. By April, the battalion was involved in fighting around Mount Macolod and Mount Malepunyo, two strategically important areas on Luzon. In the following weeks, the 11th Airborne Division continued to eliminate resistance pockets throughout southern Luzon, relentlessly pushing forward to clear the remaining Japanese strongholds. Throughout these operations, the 457th PFAB played a vital role, providing constant artillery support and thus contributing significantly to the liberation of the island under extremely challenging combat conditions.

This period in Luzon marked a decisive turning point in the Philippine campaign, with ongoing operations to dismantle enemy positions. The artillery battalion distinguished itself through its effective support of ground units while facing major logistical and environmental challenges. The success of these missions allowed the Allied forces to continue their advance toward northern Luzon, bringing them closer to the final victory.

457th PFAB to Luzon.

After the intense fighting on Luzon, the 457th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion (PFAB) was deployed to Okinawa, Japan, on August 11, 1945, marking a new phase for the battalion in the context of the war's end. Although the Battle of Okinawa officially ended on June 22, 1945, the presence of the 457th PFAB on the island played a crucial role in stabilizing the region and preparing for future operations. The landing occurred in an area already scarred by fierce combat, with the mission of securing and stabilizing the island in anticipation of post-war developments. The troops set up in temporary camps and began organizing regular patrols to maintain order and prevent any residual enemy activity. The battalion was tasked with securing strategic areas and overseeing the surrender of remaining Japanese forces, a key role during this transitional period. In preparation for the occupation of Japan, the artillerymen of the 457th PFAB participated in preparatory exercises and reconnaissance missions to assess logistical and security needs. These actions were integral to the stabilization process before the official occupation, ensuring that necessary bases were in place for effective governance of the country after hostilities ended.

On August 15, 1945, Emperor Hirohito announced Japan's surrender, marking the official end of World War II. This announcement changed the nature of the 457th PFAB's mission, shifting from combat preparation to post-war management. By August 30, 1945, the battalion focused on preparations for its role in Japan's occupation, emphasizing reconstruction and stabilization in the areas under Allied control. 

The period in Okinawa was pivotal for the 457th PFAB, as it marked the transition from active warfare to the post-conflict phase of reconstruction and stabilization. The artillerymen played an essential role in securing the island and preparing for occupation operations, thereby contributing to establishing the necessary conditions for Japan's peaceful occupation.

After their mission in Okinawa, the troops of the 457th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion (PFAB) were deployed to Tokyo, where they played a crucial role in the occupation of Japan and the country's reconstruction. On August 30, 1945, the first elements of the battalion arrived in the Japanese capital, marking the beginning of their occupation mission. Once on-site, the soldiers set up temporary headquarters and began organizing patrols to maintain order and ensure security in the city during this post-war transition period.

The 457th PFAB's primary mission was to secure critical infrastructure in Tokyo, oversee the surrender of remaining Japanese forces, and actively participate in the reconstruction of areas devastated by the fighting. These stabilization efforts were vital in preparing the country for a peaceful transition. In addition to these tasks, the battalion's soldiers provided security during the trials of Japanese war criminals, known as the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, which took place from 1946 to 1948, thereby contributing to the establishment of international justice.

Outside their strictly military duties, the troops of the 457th PFAB interacted with the local population, participating in the distribution of food and essential supplies and engaging in community reconstruction projects. This not only helped maintain order but also assisted the Japanese in rebuilding after the massive destruction of the war. The soldiers also took part in leisure activities, which were crucial for maintaining troop morale during this prolonged occupation period.

The period in Tokyo was marked by efforts of reconstruction and stabilization, with the 457th PFAB playing a key role in Japan's transition to peace and rebuilding after the war. Their presence and work helped establish a stable and secure environment, preparing the country for a new era of peace and prosperity following years of conflict.