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History 133rd Infantry
A chronological record of the events the 133rd Infantry Regiment was a part of from 10 Fenruary 1941 through October 1945.
Colonel Walden S. Lewis
13 page pahmphlet printed in Gorizia, Italy
29 September, 1945
A more detailed history of the 133rd is available on the 34th Infantry Division Association's website. |
|
| Feb. 10, 1941 |
The Regiment, an Iowa National Guard unit, was inducted
into Federal Service as part of the 34th Infantry Division. |
|
| March 1, 1941 |
Arrived at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana for intensive
training. |
|
| Aug. 11 - Oct. 1, 1941 |
Participated in Louisiana Maneuvers. |
|
| Dec. 8, 1941 |
Arrived in New Orleans for guard duty. |
|
| Dec. 23, 1941 |
Returned to Camp Claiborne. |
|
| Jan. 4, 1942 |
Arrived at Fort Dix, N. J. |
|
| Jan. 14, 1942 |
1st Bn and Special Cos sailed for Ireland. |
|
| Feb. 18, 1942 |
2nd & 3rd Bns sailed for Ireland. |
|
| May 28, 1942 |
The Regiment assembled in the vicinity of Caledon,
Northern Ireland for intensive training and maneuvers. |
|
| Sept. 17, 1942 |
2nd Bn. left the Regiment for duty with Allied Force
Headquarters in England. |
|
| Nov. 18, 1942 |
The National Guard’s 34th
Infantry “Red Bull” Division, as part of the US North
African invasion force, was credited as having the first American
soldier to step off the boat in support of the war effort on North
African soil. |
|
| Dec. 10, 1942 |
The Regiment moved to England where complete equipment
was issued; and passes were issued for London, Manchester and other
English cities. |
|
| Dec. 22, 1942 |
The Regiment moved to Liverpool and boarded the Empress
of Australia the next day. |
|
| Dec. 25, 1942 |
The Regiment sailed for North Africa. |
|
| Jan. 3, 1943 |
The Regiment landed at Mers El Kabir (Oran) after
a voyage climaxed by the Empress being rammed by another ship of
the convoy, and marched to Assi Ben Okba, ten miles East of Oran.
A period of light training, guard duty, and passes to Oran followed. |
|
| Feb. 1, 1943 |
The Regiment assembled in the vicinity of Lavayssiere. |
|
| Feb. 7, 1943 |
The Regiment moved by truck over the bitter cold Atlas
Mountains to the vicinity of Maktar, preparatory to relieving the
French units in sector south of Fondouk Pass and east of Hadjeb-el-Aioun. |
|
| Feb. 17, 1943 |
The 3rd Battalion made contact with advancing elements
of Romel's [sic] 21st Panzer Division and stopped them. The same
day the 1st Battalion was equally successful in turning back the
enemy at Kef-el-Amar Pass. Ordered to withdraw the next day. |
|
| March 11, 1943 |
1st Battalion recaptured Kef-el-Amar Pass with heavy
losses in Company. |
|
| April 8, 1943 |
Battle for Fondouk Pass began in a bitter
struggle for hill 306, with the 1st Bn. finally storming and clearing
it two days later. |
|
| April 10-25, 1943 |
The Regiment trained intensively around Fondouk, then
Makatar. |
|
| April 29, 1943 |
The Regiment moved to Sidi Nsir in sight of the Mediterranean,
and joined in the bitter three day struggle that ended in the capture
of hill 609. The 1st Bn. made the final and successful attack while
under the command of the 135th Infantry. |
|
| May 2-8, 1943 |
The Regiment participated in the battles for Eddekhila
and Chougui Pass over mountainous terrain where supply was the greatest
problem. |
|
| May 13 - July 30, 1943 |
The Regiment was engaged in police and salvage work,
training and building staging areas for those troops bound for Sicily. |
|
| Aug. 1, 1943 |
The Regiment moved to Arzew near Oran for more training
and a week later to the vicinity of Slissen for mountain training
and the 5th Army Battle School. |
|
| Aug. 26, 1943 |
The Regiment moved to Bou Tlelis where training was
eased up and passes to Oran were available. |
|
| Sept. 9, 1943 |
The 100th Infantry Bn. was assigned as the Regiment's
2nd Bn. and fought as part of the Regiment until March 1944. |
|
| Sept. 19, 1943 |
The Regiment sailed from Oran in readiness for an
assault landing in Italy. |
|
| Sept. 22, 1943 |
The Regiment landed in the Bay of Salerno without
incident and marched to the Division assembly area near Paestum. |
|
| Sept. 25, 1943 |
The Regimental Combat Team, composed of the 133rd
Infantry, 151st Field Artillery, and Company "A" 109th
Medical Bn. moved to the assembly area near Montecorvino-Rovella,
then passed through the 45th Infantry Division to establish contact
with the enemy. |
|
| Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 1943 |
The Combat Team advanced in the general direction
of Benevento against moderate to heavy opposition. |
|
| Oct. 3, 1943 |
The 3rd Bn. made a spectacular advance and secured
Benevento advancing through difficult terrain, drizzling rain and
heavy artillery fire. Company "K" suffered heavy casualties
in the outskirts of Benevento. In the afternoon the 45th Infantry
Division passed through us. |
|
| Oct. 5, 1943 |
The Regiment assembled Northwest of San Giorgio. |
|
| Oct. 12, 1943 |
The Regiment moved to a bivouac area West of Mountsaichio
assembling as Division reserve during the crossing of the Volturno
River. |
|
| Oct. 18, 1943 |
The regiment was given the mission of crossing the
Volturno river and securing Alife. The 1st Bn. secured a bridgehead,
and the following day Alife, with the 3rd and 100th Bns. securing
the flanks. |
|
| Oct. 23, 1943 |
The Regiment advanced against stiff opposition to
secure finally the high ground Northwest of San Angelo D'Alife. During
that day the 100th Bn. beat off a tank attack, accounting for one
enemy tank. |
|
| Oct. 31, 1943 |
The Regiment captured Ciorlano which required capturing
a succession of hills and supplying by hand carry. |
|
| Nov. 4, 1943 |
The third crossing of the Volturno was accomplished
and S. Maria Olivetto taken against heavy enemy fire and over ground
thick with mines and booby traps. |
|
| Nov. 5 - 9, 1943 |
The Regiment repelled numerous enemy counter-attacks
and by the 12th was relieved by the 135th and 179th Infantry Regiments. |
|
| Nov. 15 - 22, 1943 |
The Regiment was in VI Corps reserve. |
|
| Nov. 25, 1943 |
The Regiment relieved the 504th Para. Infantry in
the vicinity of Colli, while the Cannon Company moved to Scapoli. |
|
| Nov. 29, 1943 |
The Regiment continued the attack against bitter opposition
for the next 5 days with the enemy always looking down from the next
hill. Casualties were as high as 15% in the 100th Bn. The weather
was cold and rainy and all supply was brought up by newly acquired
mules. |
|
| Dec. 3 - 10, 1943 |
The Regiment held positions won and was constantly
subjected to heavy artillery fire. |
|
| Dec. 9, 1943 |
The Regiment was relieved by the French. |
|
| Dec. 10, 1943 |
The Regiment moved to the vicinity of Alife to a rest
area where replacements were received and a program of training and
recreation was provided. |
|
| Jan. 1944 |
My grandfather arrived in Caserta, Italy |
|
| Jan. 1 - 5, 1944 |
The Regiment was in II Corps reserve. |
|
| Jan. 8 - 13, 1944 |
The Regiment was teamed up with the 1st Special Service
Force under Task Force B and continued the attack, seizing several
hills, including Mt. Capraro, in the face of stubborn enemy resistance,
mountainous terrain and adverse weather. |
|
| Jan. 13, 1944 |
The Regiment less the 100th Bn. reverted to control
of the 34th Infantry Division and continued the attack Northwest
of Cevaro. The 100th Bn. returned to the Regiment on the 19th of
Jan. |
|
| Jan. 21, 1944 |
The Regiment occupied positions in preparation for
the attack across the Rapido river to Cassino. Cassino was extremely
well fortified, the enemy skillfully employing the terrain features
to best advantage. |
|
| Jan 24 - Feb. 21, 1944 |
The Battle for Cassino. The Regiment played a leading
role in this famous battle which was one of the toughest of the war.
There were many cases of outstanding valor and the fierceness of
the battle can be gauged by the over 50% casualties suffered by the
three Battalions. |
|
| Feb. 22, 1944 |
The Regiment was relieved and withdrew to Alife area
for training. |
|
| March 10, 1944 |
The Regiment moved to San Giorgio, near
Benevento, where replacements were received and a period of intensive
training resulted. |
|
| March 16, 1944 |
The 2nd Bn., which had been on guard duty at AFHQ
in North Africa, rejoined the Regiment. The 100th Bn. was relieved
of assignment to the 133rd Infantry but remained attached up to 31
March. |
|
| March 23, 1944 |
The Regiment began moving to Staging Area No. 1 near
Naples to prepare for movement to the Anzio Beachhead. |
|
| March 25, 1944 |
1st & 3rd Bns. and Special Companies arrived at
Anzio and moved by truck to assembly area a few miles inland. |
|
| March 26, 1944 |
2nd and 100th
Bns. arrived on the Beachhead. The Regiment less the 3rd Bn. relieved
units of the 30th Inf. |
|
| April 11 - 13, 1944 |
The Regiment relieved the 168th Infantry Regiment
along the Mussolini Canal and the Cisterna River. |
|
| May 23, 1944 |
At 0630 hours the Anzio Offensive began. The 1st Special
Service Force passed through the Regiment to cut highway No. 7, but
was driven back by German Tiger Tanks and Infantry. |
|
| May 24, 1944 |
The 1st Bn. finally cut the road after an all day
struggle, after which the 2nd & 3rd Bns. passed through and secured
their objectives early the next morning. |
|
| May 25, 1944 |
The Regiment was pulled back to an assembly area
then shifted several miles to the North. |
|
| May 26, 1944 |
The Regiment attacked toward Lanuvio for three days,
moving rapidly until encountering the main enemy defense line. |
|
| June 3, 1944 |
The Regiment captured Lanuvio after an extremely bitter
and costly five day struggle. |
|
| June 4, 1944 |
The Regiment rested the afternoon and night in Albano,
then marched 15 miles the next day to an assembly area on the edge
of Rome. |
|
| June 7, 1944 |
The Regiment passed through the 168th Infantry Regiment
north of Civitavecchia pushing up route No. 1. Just South of Tarquinia
the Regiment destroyed an enemy bicycle Bn. in a furious one day
engagement. |
|
| June 9, 1944 |
The Regiment was relieved by the 361st Infantry and
went into a rest and training period near Tarquinia. Passes to Rome
were very popular. |
|
| June 26, 1944 |
The Regiment relieved the 143rd Infantry Regiment
East of Piombino and continued the attack along highway No. 1. |
|
| June 27, 1944 |
The 1st Bn. had a brief but sharp engagement at San
Vincenzo and the Regiment continued its advance. |
|
| July 1, 1944 |
Cecina was captured after a hard two day struggle
after which the Regiment had a brief rest period. |
|
| July 5, 1944 |
The 3rd Bn, A.T. and Cannon Companies were reviewed
by Secretary of War Stimson. |
|
| July 8, 1944 |
The Regiment relieved the 168th Infantry in the vicinity
of Riparbella and continued the attak [sic] North over very rough
terrain. |
|
| July 19 - 20, 1944 |
The Regiment was relieved by the 168th Infantry and
had a day rest. |
|
| July 21, 1944 |
The Regiment relieved the 442nd Infantry in the vicinity
of Colle Salvetti. |
|
| July 22, 1944 |
The Regiment continued the attack to reach the Arno
River. |
|
| July 24 - 29, 1944 |
The Regiment was relieved and went into a rest and
training period in the vicinity of Rosignano. |
|
| Aug. 19, 1944 |
The Regiment was inspected by Prime Minister Churchill. |
|
| Aug. 21, 1944 |
The Regiment moved by convoy to training area in the
vicinity of Castelflorentino. |
|
| Sept. 6, 1944 |
The Regiment moved to an assembly area in the north
edge of Florence. |
|
| Sept. 8, 1944 |
The Regiment moved North about ten miles to Cercina. |
|
| Sept. 9, 1944 |
The Regiment moved back around Florence and then Northwest
to Legri to begin the attack on the Gothic Line. Light resistance
was encountered over mountainous terrain. |
|
| Sept. 12, 1944 |
The resistance was stiffening and mine fields were
encountered as we neared the main defense positions. |
|
| Sept. 15, 1944 |
S. Margherita was cleared in the hard struggle then
in progress. |
|
| Sept. 22, 1944 |
Hill 918 was finally captured and later in the day
Montepiano was cleared. |
|
| Sept. 24, 1944 |
The Regiment went into Division reserve in the vicinity
of Montepiano. |
|
| 28-Sep-44 |
The Regiment moved to the vicinity of Montecarelli
on route No. 65. |
|
| Sept. 30, 1944 |
The Regiment moved to Madna de Fornelli to prepare
to continue the attack the following day to capture Mount Venere. |
|
| Oct. 4, 1944 |
Mount Venere was captured after a savage four day
fight. Monzuno was captured late that night by Co. "F".
The following day the attack continued without let up. |
|
| Oct. 11, 1944 |
The Regiment was relieved and went into Division reserve
in the vicinity of Vergiano. |
|
| Oct. 16, 1944 |
The Regiment began the attack for Mt. Belmonte with
the 2nd Bn. making the initial effort, Company "G" suffering
heavy losses. |
|
| Oct. 21, 1944 |
Castel di Zena was captured by 1st Bn. |
|
| Oct. 23, 1944 |
Mt. Belmonte was finally taken by 3rd Bn.
making [sic] the end of the offensive for the year. |
|
| Nov. 11, 1944 |
The Regiment was relieved and went to Montecatini
for rest and training. |
|
| Nov. 21, 1944 |
The Regiment relieved the 361st Infantry in the sector
along Route No. 65 from Livergnano West of La Guarda. |
|
| Dec. 3, 1944 |
The Regiment was relieved of its sector and set up
the C.P. in Loiano; however for the next month at least two Bns.
were on the line under control of either the 168th Infantry or the
135th Infantry. |
|
| Dec. 31, 1944 |
The Regiment was relieved and as a unit again went
to an assembly area in the vicinity of Piancaldoli. |
|
| Jan. 2, 1945 |
| Jan. 11 - 12, 1945 |
The Regiment relieved the 349th Infantry in the sector
4000 yards East of Mt. Belmonte. The Regimental C.P. was located
at Savazza on the Idice river. |
|
| Feb. 5, 1945 |
The 2nd Bn was assigned the mission of capturing hill
feature 363. Company "F" suffered heavy casualties in leading
the unsuccessful attack later known as the "Collina Operation". |
|
| Feb. 12 - 13, 1945 |
The Regiment was relieved by the 363rd Infantry Regiment,
the 3 Bns. going to Montecatini for 5 days rest. The remainder of
the Regiment went direct to Le Croci di Calenzano, the training area
14 miles Northwest of Florence. General Marshall visited the Division,
including the 133rd Infantry. |
|
| March 3, 1945 |
The 1st Bn. went into Army reserve backing up the
10th Mountain Division. The remainder of the Regiment relieved the
349th Infantry on Monzuno sector West of Highway No 65. |
|
| March 11, 1945 |
The 1st Bn. returned to the Regiment in the reserve
area around Trasasso. |
|
| April 3, 1945 |
The Regiment took over the Mt. Belmonte sector, relieving
the 361st Infantry Regiment. |
|
| April 9, 1945 |
The 168th Infantry took over the command of the sector
including the 2nd and 3rd Bns., Cannon and A.T. Companies of our
Regiment, the remainder of the Regiment moved to Sadurano, behind
the escarpment. |
map |
| April 16, 1945 |
0300 hours was the "H" hour for the attack,
with the 168th Infantry passing through the 2nd and 3rd Bns. |
| April 19, 1945 |
The Regiment passed through the 363rd Infantry East
of Highway No. 65 and continued the attack north. |
| April 21, 1945 |
The Regiment entered Bologna with Company "K" in
the lead. |
| April 23, 1945 |
The Regiment started up highway No. 9 with the 1st
Bn. in the lead securing Modena. |
| April 24, 1945 |
The 3rd Bn. secured Reggio after a fight in the Eastern
edge of town. The 2nd Bn. marched 27 miles protecting the left flank. |
| April 26, 1945 |
The 3rd Bn. passed through Parma around the edge of
Fidenza and went Northeast to Busseto, capturing it after a ten hour
fight, the 1st Bn. clearing to the right of the 3rd Bn. and the 2nd
to the left. |
| April 27, 1945 |
The 2nd Bn. at San Pietro in Cerro captured 459 POWs
and much equipment after a sharp fight. The 3rd Bn. advanced as far
as the Po river 3 miles South west of Cremona. |
| April 28, 1945 |
The Regiment assembled in the vicinity of Fidenza. |
| April 29, 1945 |
The Regiment moved by truck to Bergamo 175 miles distant. |
| May 1, 1945 |
The Regiment moved to the vicinity of Busto Garolfo
Northwest of Milan. |
| May 2, 1945 |
The Regiment moved Westhistory along the Autostrada
to Arborio where news was received of the German surrender in Italy. |
|
| May 3, 1945 |
The Regiment moved to Gallarate-Varese area Northwest
of Milano, where we continued to police up prisoners. |
|
| May 15 - 16, 1945 |
The Regiment moved to an area West of Torino where
one Bn. was on duty on the French border and the remainder of the
Regiment carried on a training, education and recreation program. |
|
| May 30, 1945 |
The Regiment held an impressive Memorial Day Service.
Company "I" traveled to Anzio for the service conducted
by 5th Army. |
|
| June 30, 1945 |
The Allies Parade in Susa with the 3rd Bn., representing
the 34th Infantry Division, parading with the French 27th Alpine
Infantry Division. |
|
| July 17-19, 1945 |
The Regiment moved by rail and truck to Northeastern
Italy in the vicinity of Udine where training, education and recreation
programs continued in line with our guard duty assignments in Trieste,
Pola, Gorizia and along the Morgan line. |
|
| October, 1945 |
The Regiment returned with the 34th Division to the
United States. |
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