area he did get as far as our circle of protecting guns. On that day some of the anti-personel bombs had their effect in the form of three casualties, one killed and two wounded, all sustained in "A" Battery. That was the day Cpl. Anthony Barcott lost his life. Yes the 28th was a day filled with action for the 440th. Four Batteries were bombed, planes hit, five raids experienced, and three casualties suffered.
For the next few days spasmodic raids were had by all Batteries with no casualties or damage to material.
During the first part of August "A", "C" and "D" were employed along the Vire River and "B" in defense of airstrip No. 11 near Nevilly La Forêt. A few days later "C" Battery joined "B" in the defense of strip No. 11 and "A" and "D" furnishing AA protection for airstrip No. 18 near St Jean De Daye. All this took place in the Normandy sector with the Battalion anxious to follow up the First Army's breakthrough at St. Lo. After four days of sitting on the airstrips the Battalion was reassigned to render AA protection for ASP 106 near the town of St. Pois. We had been in position for a couple days when we received a series of bombing and strafing attacks. One night "Baker" got on the tail of a JU-88 who just plain didn't know when he was well off. He came in low, about 300 feet, strafing, and ''Baker" cut him off short with Fire Unit No. 6 bringing him down. That night the whole Battalion had hundreds of anti-personal bombs dumped on them, several hundred landing in the "B" Battery area alone. The next night Jerry tried again with no more success than they had the night before.
The RED BALL trucking system wasn't in operation yet but the foundation was being laid for it with trucks being drawn from all outfits that were well equipped with transportation of their own. The 440th made up a provisional trucking Battery and operated continuously from the 17th to the 23rd of August. Those drivers did a fine job of it.
In the latter part of August the Battalion was given missions in the Mantes area along the Seine River. We were following close behind the front at the time and had to wait a couple of times while Germans were cleared from in the area which had been assigned to us. During our stay in the Mantes sector we had no opportunities to exercise our guns. Not a single enemy aircraft was engaged. The Battalion was changed to new positions along the River Seine with "Able" at Poissy, "Baker" at St. Germain en Laye, "Charlie" at Muelan, and "Dog" coming to reinforce "Charlie" after their bridge at Mezières was pulled out. The last day of August Col. Stone was called to Group headquarters for an urgent message. We were ordered to motorize the 314 Regt. of the 79th Infantry Division! Fifty-five Battalion vehicles were concentrated and split up to the three Infantry Battalions and five M2-45's were assigned to each Battalion for AA protection while in-route. The Division was to move in two columns halting only when contact was made with the enemy. Excitement ran high within the unit and the general feeling was that the enemy was on the run. How much on the run was to be proved by the merry chase they led us across France and into Belgium. This has been said to be one of the most rapid advances in the history of modern warfare. The Division advanced 185 miles in 36 hours. The fact that the Battalion took part in this operation and did such an outstanding job is a tribute to the efficiency and devotion to duty of our unit. We have a right to be proud of a mission well done.
Upon return to our gun positions back in France we again received orders to move. This time to Belgium. At this stage the Battalion was returned to the command of the 49th AAA Brigade under Brigadier General Timberlake. The "49th" was like a father and mother to us all through the trying times of combat.
Captain William H. Brands and his driver T/5 Harold E. Nason were dispatched to the 109th AAA Group to establish liaison while the Battalion prepared to move to an assembly area. In-route they were ambushed and had to fight their way out. Unfortunately they did not escape unscathed, Nason was killed in the fire fight that ensued, his body was recovered with the aid of some members of the Belgium resistance movement. Tec 5 Nason was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action in this incident.

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