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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 pamphlet printed in Gorizia, Italy
September 29, 1945
A more detailed history of the 133rd is available
on the 34th
Infantry Division Association's website.
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|
| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| October, 1945 |
The Regiment returned with the 34th Division to the United
States. |
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