The Story of the 115th A.A.A. Gun Battalion

In 1943, the U.S. Army began the formation of a number high-tech mobile antiaircraft artillery (A.A.A.) units. They were not only equipped with the latest high-velocity 90mm guns, but they also would carry into the field such top-secret wonders as radar and electronic fire control computers. The big guns would be directed by remote control. As if that weren't enough, the units would be completely mobile: capable of being landed on a beach and travelling hundreds of miles a day to keep pace with the armored spearheads of a modern army. These mobile 90mm A.A.A. units were among the most technically advanced components of the American Army during World War 2.

The 115th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion (Mobile) was my father's unit. Activated, trained, and shipped to England in 1943, they participated in the Battle of Britain (A.A. defense of London), the landings at Normandy (Omaha Beach) in June 1944 and fought their way across France and into Germany with Patton's Third Army. The battalion was present at the Third Army's crossing of the Rhine in 1945.

This site is dedicated to telling their story, almost entirely in their own words, using unit histories published after the end of hostilities in 1945.

After the end of the war in Europe, while waiting to return home, the battalion prepared and published a history of their service in the Second World War. "The Story of the 115th A.A.A. Gun Battalion" was published in late 1945 (it was printed in Luxembourg) and distributed to all current and former members of the unit. It is a handsome 55-page booklet, well-written and illustrated by members of the Battalion, with a gold foil cover.

At about the same time, B Battery (an artillery battalion is subdivided into batteries) published their own history, "Symphony in B-Flak". Symphony in B-Flak provides a somewhat more personal view of the war and often supplies details that are missing from the Battalion history.

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About This Site

My name is Chip Chapin. My father, 1st Lieutenant Charles A. Chapin, served in the 115th (HQ Battery) and was one of the original contributors to the battalion history. When I found The Story of the 115th A.A.A. Gun Battalion among his effects after he passed away in 1998, I soon discovered that it afforded a wonderful, personal look into the experiences and accomplishments of this particular band of citizen-soldiers. Their motivation and dedication is evident as they are transmuted from civilians and strangers into a well-drilled team. It is clear that they take pride in their skills. And yet there is always the overriding certainty that these men are in the Army to do a job and go home. And while they eagerly anticipate firing their big guns, they harbor no romantic illusions regarding the universal horror of war.

Since April 2001, the full text of The Story of the 115th A.A.A. Gun Battalion, including all illustrations, has been presented here. Full access originally required a membership fee, but since early April 2005 full access is now free to all. Also new in April 2005, I have finally finished adding the text and illustrations of B Battery's own history, Symphony in B-Flak. Several years ago I was able to locate and obtain this volume via the internet from a London bookseller, and began the task of transcription, but only now have finished it. I've heard a rumor that C Battery may also have prepared a unit history. If any readers have more information, on this or other material I'd be grateful to hear about it. This site, therefore, is dedicated to telling the story of the men of the 115th. If you have any interest in the 115th, I invite you to peruse these pages with my complements. And while membership is no longer required to read all the pages of this site, I encourage anyone who's seriously interested to help show their support by registering as a Member.

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War Record

The image below is the back cover of the book, "The Story of the 115th A.A.A. Gun Battalion". It contains a summary of the battalion's war record:

Our Record 2nd of all 3rd Army 90mm AA. 5th of all 3rd Army AA. 7th of all 90mm AA in ETO. Campaign Stars Normandy Invasion Northern France Rhineland Battle of the Bulge Central Europe (B Btry) AA Defense of London Citations Silver Star - 1 Bronze Star - 52 Soldier's Medal - 1 Purple Heart - 29 Croix de Guerre - 2

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