Battery B, 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion

Battery B missions and wartime service

These episodes identify Battery B where the evidence does. They are a selected history, not a complete fire-mission log or proof that every listed soldier took part in every operation.

Italy, 1943: firing missions and forward observation

The Italy collection at 319Gliderman preserves a set of Battery B firing records under a report dated October 16, 1943. An inspected sheet headed “BAKER” contains entries dated September 14–19, recording targets, ammunition expenditure and reported effects. Target categories include enemy artillery, mortar positions, vehicles and troop concentrations. The effects column records the wartime observers’ assessments; it is not independent confirmation of every result. Inspect the firing sheet · Report context and other sheets.

The October historical record transcribed in the same collection describes a Battery B observer adjusting British 25-pounder fire near Arnone on October 6. It records Lieutenant Fitzgerald’s death while overseeing his men’s evacuation during an enemy counterattack. This is a battery-specific connection within a broader battalion operation. Read the October record.

Normandy, June–July 1944: recovery and artillery support

The battalion’s Normandy arrival included the evening glider movement associated with Mission Elmira on June 6. Read the collection’s Elmira account for the wider operation; a roster entry alone does not identify a soldier’s glider.

The June historical record transcribed by 319Gliderman says a 75mm howitzer and eight enlisted men from the 456th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion were attached to Battery B on June 18. It reports shelling in Battery B’s area on June 23 that injured three enlisted men, followed by shelling on June 24 that killed one and slightly wounded two.

The July record follows the movement of the guns: Battery B was ready at a new position at 12:30 a.m. on July 2, after moving forward the previous night. It moved again on July 3, reaching its next position at 10 p.m. These entries show the work of repositioning artillery as the supported infantry advanced. Read the June and July historical records.

The Netherlands, September 1944: Market Garden

An official Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency account identifies Private William D. Hedtke as a member of Battery B. It reports that he died from injuries after a hard glider landing near Groesbeek on September 18, 1944, during Operation Market Garden. He was accounted for on October 17, 2019. This establishes Hedtke’s individual connection to the operation. Read the official Hedtke account.

In a later recollection, Captain John Manning describes directing Battery B’s fire during fighting near Mook, working with section chief DeLoss Richardson. The account illustrates the link between an observer under pressure and the men serving the guns. It is presented as Manning’s recollection, rather than a verified daily mission log. Read Manning’s account.

Belgium, January 1945: changing positions

319Gliderman’s summary of the battalion’s January records places Battery B on high ground on January 22. Its January 31 summary describes A and B Batteries moving forward while Battery C remained to fire. These are specific Battery B references within the battalion’s winter operations; the underlying collection also provides document scans for further study. Explore the Belgium records.

Soldiers and personal stories

Steven “Steve” Zwerko

The existing WorthFighting entry brings together the contributor’s family connection, a reproduced draft card, the dated Battery B list and qualified discussion of the Normandy account. Read the Steve Zwerko entry · Find him in this directory.

William D. Hedtke

Hedtke’s official identification account provides a documented Battery B connection and a personal point of entry into the Market Garden story above. Read DPAA’s account · Find his roster entry.

Further first-person and family-history sources

Explore Elden Smith’s account, Milton Goldfarb’s profile, and John Manning’s recollections. These external collections preserve material for further research. Their biographical claims need to be assessed against the particular records cited; a profile is not an original personnel file.

Sources and family research

The mission sections link directly to their evidence. The directory credits a compiled list; the Normandy and Italy narratives use hosted transcriptions of wartime records; the Italy firing sheet was inspected as an image. Manning’s account is a recollection, the Belgium text is a collection summary, and Hedtke’s identification is an official government announcement. These forms of evidence answer different questions.

To research a relative, collect the exact name, battery, service number and dates from family documents. Compare those details with morning reports and personnel records before assigning a mission, wound, award or rank. The 319th family research guide explains the next steps and links to archives.

Photographs and scans remain with their source collections. Links here do not imply permission to reproduce them. To add a documented correction or a family contribution, use WorthFighting’s contact page, identifying the name, passage and supporting record.

Sources checked October 2, 2026. WorthFighting is an independent publisher; this is not an official military roster.

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