Battle of Tewkesbury

The Battle of Tewkesbury, which took place on 4 May 1471, was one of the decisive battles of the Wars of the Roses in England. The forces loyal to the House of Lancaster were completely defeated by those of the rival House of York under their monarch, King Edward IV. The Lancastrian heir to the throne, Edward, Prince of Wales, and many prominent Lancastrian nobles were killed during the battle or executed. The Lancastrian king, Henry VI of England, who was a prisoner in the Tower of London, died or was murdered shortly after the battle. Tewkesbury restored political stability to England until the death of Edward IV in 1483.
Background.
The term "Wars of the Roses" refers to the informal heraldic badges of the two rival houses of Lancaster and York, which had been contending for power—and ultimately for the throne—since the late 1450s. In 1461 the Yorkist claimant, Edward, Earl of March, was proclaimed King Edward IV and defeated the supporters of the weak, intermittently insane Lancastrian King Henry VI at the Battle of Towton. Lancastrian revolts in the far north of England were defeated in 1464, and the fugitive King Henry was captured and imprisoned the next year. His wife, Margaret of Anjou, and their 13-year-old son Edward of Westminster were exiled and impoverished in France. Edward IV's hold on the throne appeared temporarily to be secure.
Edward owed his victory in large measure to the support of his cousin, the powerful 16th Earl of Warwick. They became estranged when Edward spurned the French diplomatic marriage that Warwick was seeking for him and instead married Elizabeth Woodville, widow of an obscure Lancastrian gentleman, in secret in 1464. When the marriage became public knowledge, Edward placed many of his new queen's family in powerful positions that Warwick had hoped to control. Edward meanwhile reversed Warwick's policy of friendship with France by marrying his sister Margaret to Charles the Bold, the Duke of Burgundy. The embittered Warwick secured the support of Edward IV's brother George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence, for a coup in exchange for Warwick's promise to crown Clarence king. Although Edward was imprisoned briefly, Clarence was unacceptable as monarch to most of the country. Edward was allowed to resume his rule, outwardly reconciled with Warwick and Clarence. Within a year, though, he accused them of fresh treachery and forced them to flee to France.
Readeption of Henry VI.
With no hope of a reconciliation with King Edward, Warwick's best hope of regaining power in England lay in restoring Henry VI to the throne. Louis XI of France feared a hostile alliance of Burgundy under Charles the Bold and England under Edward. He was prepared to support Warwick with men and money, but to give legitimacy to any uprising by Warwick, the acquiescence of Margaret of Anjou was required. Warwick and Margaret were previously sworn enemies, but her attendants (in particular Sir John Fortescue, formerly Chief Justice during Henry VI's reign) and Louis eventually persuaded her to ally the House of Lancaster with Warwick. At Angers Warwick begged her pardon on his knees for all past wrongs done to her, and was forgiven. Prince Edward was betrothed to Warwick's younger daughter Anne (the marriage was eventually solemnised at Amboise on 13 December 1470 but may not have been consummated, as Margaret was seeking a better match for Edward once he was King). Finally they swore loyalty to Henry VI on a fragment of the True Cross in Angers Cathedral. However, Margaret declined to let Prince Edward land in England or to land there herself until Warwick had established a firm government and made the country safe for them.
Warwick landed in the West Country on 13 September 1470, accompanied by Clarence and some unswerving Lancastrian nobles, including the Earl of Oxford and Jasper Tudor, the Earl of Pembroke. As King Edward made his way south to face Warwick, he realised that Warwick's brother John, Marquess of Montagu, who had up until then remained loyal to Edward, had defected at the head of a large army in the north of England. Edward fled to King's Lynn, where he took ship for Flanders, part of Burgundy, accompanied only by his youngest brother Richard of Gloucester and a few faithful adherents.
In London Warwick released King Henry, led him in procession to Saint Paul's cathedral, and installed him in Westminster palace. Warwick's position nevertheless remained precarious. His alliance with Louis of France and his intention to declare war on Burgundy was contrary to the interests of the merchants, as it threatened English trade with Flanders and the Netherlands. Clarence had long been excluded from Warwick's calculations. In November 1470 Parliament declared that Prince Edward and his (putative) descendants were Henry's heirs to the throne; Clarence would become King only if the Lancastrian line of succession failed. Unknown to Warwick, Clarence secretly became reconciled with his brother, King Edward.
Edward's landing and the death of Warwick.
With Warwick in power in England, it was Charles of Burgundy's turn to fear a hostile alliance of England and France. As an obvious counter to Warwick, he supplied King Edward with money (50,000 florins), ships, and several hundred men (including handgunners). Edward set sail from Flushing on 11 March 1471 with 36 ships and 1200 men. He touched briefly on the English coast at Cromer but found that the Duke of Norfolk, who might have supported him, was away from the area and that Warwick controlled that part of the country. Instead, his ships made for Ravenspurn, near the mouth of the River Humber, where Henry Bolingbroke had landed in 1399 on his way to reclaim the Duchy of Lancaster and ultimately depose Richard II.
Edward's landing was inauspicious at first; the ships were scattered by bad weather and his men landed in small detachments over a wide area on 14 March. The port of Kingston-upon-Hull refused to allow Edward to enter, so he made for York, claiming rather like Bolingbroke that he was seeking only the restoration of the Duchy of York. He then began to march south. Near Pontefract Castle he evaded the troops of Warwick's brother Montagu. By the time Edward reached the town of Warwick he had gathered enough supporters to proclaim himself King again. The Earl of Warwick sent urgent requests for Queen Margaret, who was gathering fresh forces in France, to join him in England. He himself was at Coventry, preparing to bar Edward's way to London, while Montagu hastened up behind the King's army.
Edward, however, knew that Clarence was ready to turn his coat once again and betray Warwick, his father-in-law. He marched rapidly west and joined with Clarence's men, who were approaching from Gloucestershire. Clarence appealed to Warwick to surrender, but Warwick refused to even speak to him. Edward's army made rapidly for London, pursued by Warwick and Montagu. London was supposedly defended by the 4th Duke of Somerset, but he was absent and the city readily admitted Edward. The unfortunate and by now feeble Henry VI was sent back to the Tower of London. Edward then turned about to face Warwick's approaching army. On 14 April, they met at the Battle of Barnet. In a confused fight in thick fog, some of Warwick's army attacked each other by mistake and at the cries of "Treachery!" his army disintegrated and was routed. Montagu died in the battle and Warwick was cut down trying to reach his horse to escape.
The Tewkesbury campaign.
Urged on by Louis XI, Margaret finally sailed on 24 March. Storms forced her ships back to France several times, and she and Prince Edward finally landed at Weymouth in Dorsetshire on the same day the Battle of Barnet was fought. While Margaret sheltered at nearby Cerne Abbey, the Duke of Somerset brought news of the disaster at Barnet to her. She briefly wished to return to France, but Prince Edward persuaded her to gamble for victory. Somerset and the Earl of Devon had already raised an army for Lancaster in the West Country. Their best hope was to march northward and join forces with the Lancastrians in Wales, led by Jasper Tudor. Other Lancastrian forces could be relied upon to distract King Edward; in particular, a fleet under Warwick's relation, the Bastard of Fauconberg, was preparing to descend on Kent, where the Nevilles and Warwick in particular had always been popular.
In London King Edward had learned of Margaret's landing only two days after she arrived. Although he had given many of his supporters and troops leave after the victory at Barnet, he was nonetheless able to rapidly muster a substantial force at Windsor, just west of London. It was difficult at first to determine Margaret's intentions, as the Lancastrians had sent out several feints that suggested they might be making directly for London, but Edward's army set out for the West Country within a few days.
On 30 April Margaret's army had reached Bath, on its way towards Wales. She turned aside briefly to secure guns, reinforcements, and money from the city of Bristol. On the same day King Edward reached Cirencester. On hearing that Margaret was at Bristol, he turned south to meet her army. However, the Lancastrians made a feint towards Little Sodbury, about northeast of Bristol. Nearby was Sodbury Hill, an Iron Age hill fort that was an obvious strategic point for the Lancastrians to seize. When Yorkist scouts reached the hill there was a sharp fight in which they suffered heavy casualties. Believing that the Lancastrians were about to offer battle, Edward temporarily halted his army while the stragglers caught up and the remainder could rest after their rapid march from Windsor. However, the Lancastrians instead made a swift move north by night, passing within of Edward's army. By the morning of 2 May they had gained the safety of Berkeley Castle and had a head start of over Edward.
King Edward realized that the Lancastrians were seeking to cross the River Severn into Wales. The nearest crossing point they could use was at the city of Gloucester. He sent urgent messages to the governor, Sir Richard Beauchamp, ordering him to bar the gates to Margaret and man the city's defences. When Margaret arrived on the morning of 3 May, Beauchamp refused her summons to let her army pass, and she realized that there was insufficient time to storm the city before Edward's army arrived. Instead, her army made another forced march of to Tewkesbury, attempting to reach the next bridge at Upton-upon-Severn, further on. Edward meanwhile had marched no less than , passing through Cheltenham (then little more than a village) in the late afternoon. The day was very hot, and both the Lancastrians and Edward's pursuing army were exhausted. The Lancastrians were forced to abandon some of their artillery, which was captured by Yorkist reinforcements following from Gloucester.
At Tewkesbury the tired Lancastrians halted for the night. Most of their army were footmen and unable to continue further without rest, and even the mounted troops were weary. By contrast, King Edward's army was composed mainly of mounted men, who nevertheless dismounted to fight on foot as most English armies did during this period. Hearing from his "prickers" or mounted scouts of Margaret's position, Edward drove his army to make another march of from Cheltenham, finally halting from the Lancastrians. The Lancastrians knew they could retreat no further before Edward attacked their rear, and that they would be forced to give battle.
Battle.
Lancastrian positions.
As day broke on 4 May, the Lancastrians took up a defensive position a mile south of the town of Tewkesbury. To their rear were the River Avon and the Severn. Tewkesbury Abbey was just behind the Lancastrian centre. A farmhouse then known as Gobes Hall marked the centre of the Lancastrian position; nearby was "Margaret's camp", earthworks of uncertain age. Queen Margaret is said to have spent the night at Gobes Hall, before hastily taking refuge on the day of battle in a religious house some distance from the battlefield. The main strength of the Lancastrians' position was provided by the ground in front, which was broken up by hedges, woods, embankments, and "evil lanes". This was especially true on their right.
The Lancastrian army numbered approximately 6,000, likely outnumbering the Yorkists by only a few hundred. As was customary at the time, it was organised into three "battles". The right battle was commanded by the Duke of Somerset. A stream, the Colnbrook, flowed through his position, making some of the ground difficult to traverse. The Lancastrian centre was commanded by Lord Wenlock. Unlike the other principal Lancastrian commanders, Wenlock had deserted the Lancastrian cause after the First Battle of Saint Albans, only to revert to the Lancastrians when he was deprived of the Lieutenancy of Calais. Prince Edward was present with the centre. At 17 Prince Edward was no stranger to battlefields, having been given by his mother the task of condemning to death Yorkist prisoners taken at the Second Battle of St Albans, but he lacked experience of actual command. The left battle was commanded by the Earl of Devon, another devoted Lancastrian. His battle, and part of the centre, occupied a low ridge known locally as the "Gastons". A small river, the Swilgate, protected Devon's left flank, before curving behind the Lancastrian position to join the Avon.
Edward's moves.
The Yorkists numbered around 5,000–6,000 men. Like the Lancastrians, King Edward organised his army into three battles.
Edward's vanguard was commanded by his youngest brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester. Although he was only 18 years old, Richard was already an experienced commander and had led a division at the Battle of Barnet. Edward himself commanded the main battle, in which Clarence was also stationed. Edward was 29 years old and at the height of his prowess as a soldier. His lifelong friend and supporter Lord Hastings commanded the rear. He also was an experienced commander and, like Richard, had accompanied Edward into exile in the Low Countries and had led a battle at Barnet.
Although by tradition the vanguard occupied the right of the line of battle, several authors have conjectured from descriptions in near-contemporary accounts (such as the Historie of the arrivall of Edward IV) that Richard of Gloucester's division actually took position to the left of Edward's battle or that the divisions of Edward's army advanced in line ahead, with Edward's division leading.
Edward made one other important tactical disposition. To the left of his army was a thickly wooded park. Concerned that hidden Lancastrians might attack from this quarter, he ordered 200 mounted spearmen to occupy part of the woods and prevent the Lancastrians making use of them, or act on their own initiative if they were not themselves attacked. He then "displayed his bannars: dyd blowe up the trompets: commytted his caws and qwarell to Almyghty God, to owr most blessyd lady his mother: Vyrgyn Mary, the glorious Seint George, and all the saynts: and advaunced, directly upon his enemyes."
Action.
As they moved towards the Lancastrian position, King Edward's army found that the ground was so broken up by woods, ditches, and embankments that it was difficult to attack in any sort of order. However, the Yorkist archers and artillery showered the Lancastrians with arrows and shot. The Yorkists certainly had more guns than their enemies, and they were apparently better served.
Either to escape the cannonade and volleys of archery or because he saw an opportunity to outflank King Edward's isolated battle, the Duke of Somerset led at least part of his men via some of the "evil lanes" to attack Edward's left flank. Although taken by surprise, Edward's men resisted stoutly, beating back Somerset's attack among the hedges and banks. At the vital moment, the 200 spearmen Edward had earlier posted in the woods far out on the left attacked Somerset from his own right flank and rear, as Gloucester's battle also joined in the fighting.
Somerset's battle was routed, and his surviving troops tried to escape across the Severn. Most were cut down as they fled. The long meadow astride the Colnbrook leading down to the river is known to this day as "Bloody Meadow". Somerset galloped up to Wenlock, commanding the centre, and demanded to know why Wenlock had failed to support him. According to legend (recounted in "Edward Hall's" chronicle, written several years afterwards though from first-hand accounts), he did not wait for an answer but dashed out Wenlock's brains with a battleaxe before seeking sanctuary in the Abbey.
As its morale collapsed, the rest of the Lancastrian army tried to flee, but the Swilgate became a deadly barrier. Many who succeeded in crossing it converged on a mill south of the town of Tewkesbury and a weir in the town itself, where there were crossings over the Avon. Here, too, many drowned or were killed by their pursuers.
Aftermath of the battle.
Among the leading Lancastrians who died on the field were Somerset's younger brother John Beaufort, Marquess of Dorset, and the Earl of Devon. The Prince of Wales was found in a grove by some of Clarence's men. He was summarily executed, despite pleading for his life to Clarence, who had sworn allegiance to him in France barely a year before.
Many of the other Lancastrian nobles and knights sought sanctuary in Tewkesbury Abbey. King Edward attended prayers in the Abbey shortly after the battle. He granted permission for the Prince of Wales and others slain in the battle to be buried within the Abbey or elsewhere in the town without being quartered as traitors as was customary. However, two days after the battle, Somerset and other leaders were dragged out of the Abbey and ordered by Gloucester and the Duke of Norfolk to be put to death after perfunctory trials. Among them were Hugh Courtenay, cousin of the Earls of Devon, and Sir John Langstrother, the prior of the military order of St. John. The Abbey was not officially a sanctuary. It had to be reconsecrated a month after the battle, following the violence done within its precincts.
A few days later Queen Margaret sent word to Edward from her refuge that she was "at his commandment".
Fauconberg's repulse.
Edward was unable to rest after the battle. Lancastrians under Jasper Tudor were still active in Wales, and there was an ineffective rising in the North. Edward went to Coventry in the Midlands to make dispositions against the northern and Welsh Lancastrians, and give his army three days' rest. The most dangerous Lancastrian force however, was that commanded by the Bastard of Fauconberg. As anticipated, he had landed at Sandwich and rapidly recruited a force from among the pro-Neville Kentishmen. Together with exiled Lancastrians and freebooters from several countries, his army may have numbered 16,000 or even 17,000 in total.
On 14 May, he attacked London from the south. His men burned part of the suburb of Southwark, but were beaten back at London Bridge. The next day, they attacked Aldgate and Bishopsgate from the east. The garrison of the Tower of London, led by Earl Rivers, Queen Elizabeth's brother, who had been injured at Barnet, repulsed them. Citizens defending their property undoubtedly played a major role.
Had Fauconberg succeeded in capturing the city, he might also have captured Edward's wife and their children and released King Henry from the Tower. However, on hearing that Edward's army was approaching, he retreated to Sandwich. Like Margaret, he appeared to be dispirited by the news of Tewkesbury and the Prince's death, and later rather tamely surrendered himself and his ships. He was executed five months later after attempting to escape from custody.
The end of the Lancastrian royal family.
On his way to suppress Fauconberg and the Kentish rebels, Edward passed through London in triumph on 21 May, with the captive Queen Margaret beside him in a chariot. King Henry VI died in the Tower of London that night, at the hands of or by the order of Richard of Gloucester according to several near contemporary accounts. However, the most contemporary account only states that Gloucester was there 'along with many others' and the murder was almost certainly on the orders of the new King, Edward IV. The deposed king's death was announced in public that he had died "of pure displeasure and melancholy", but few believed this.
Gloucester later married Anne Neville, the younger daughter of Warwick and the widow of Henry and Margaret's son Edward.
With the deaths of Somerset and his younger brother, the House of Beaufort, who were distant cousins of Henry VI and had a remote claim to succeed him, had been almost exterminated. Only the female line of Somerset's uncle, the 1st Duke of Somerset, remained, represented by Lady Margaret Beaufort and her son Henry Tudor (later King Henry VII). Henry escaped from Wales with Jasper Tudor, his paternal uncle, and remained in exile in Brittany for the remainder of Edward's reign. The year after the Battle of Tewkesbury however, Lady Margaret married Lord Stanley, one of King Edward's supporters, who later turned against Edward's brother Richard of Gloucester when he became King as Richard III, and was instrumental in putting Henry Tudor on the throne.
Re-enactment.
Every year the battle is re-enacted on the second weekend in July at the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival. The event (founded in 1984) is one of the largest events of its kind in Europe, attracting enthusiasts from all over the world.
Monument.
The Tewkesbury Battlefield Society erected a monument to the battle in the form of two sculptures high, of a victorious mounted knight and a defeated horse. Titled "Arrivall" after the contemporary account of the battle, the work was created by Phil Bews out of green oak wood felled in Gloucestershire, and was dedicated on the anniversary of the battle in 2014.


Convoy ON 67

Convoy ON 67 was a trade convoy of merchant ships during the Second World War. It was the 67th of the numbered series of ON convoys Outbound from the British Isles to North America. The ships departed from Liverpool on 14 February 1942 with convoy rescue ship "Toward", and were escorted to the Mid-Ocean Meeting Point by escort group B4.
The escort group.
On 19 February the US naval task unit TU 4.1.5 assumed escort responsibility with s and , s and and the Canadian . "Edison"s commanding officer, Commander Albert C. Murdaugh, USN, was the senior officer of the escort group. The escort group had never operated together before. "Bernadou" had been modified for long range escort work by replacing the fourth boiler and stack with an extra fuel tank. "Nicholson" had the only functional radar, though the merchant ship "Toward" could provide support with its High-frequency direction finding (HF/DF) set. "Lea" carried a British ASV aircraft radar with fixed antennae, but the coaxial cable to the antennae was repeatedly shorted by salt water spray. "Edison" had no depth charge throwers, and was limited to a linear pattern rolled off the stern. The American ships did not have enough binoculars. "Bernadou" had a 7x50 pair for the officer of the deck and a 6x30 pair for the junior officer of the deck but there were none for the lookouts.
The escort was reinforced on 26 February by the cutter .
"U-155".
 found and reported the convoy on 21 February. "Toward" obtained a bearing on the contact report, and "Lea" searched the bearing unsuccessfully at dusk. "U-155" approached the port quarter of the convoy in the pre-dawn hours of 22 February and torpedoed the British tanker "Adellen" and Norwegian freighter . Both ships sank quickly. "Algoma" rescued eleven of "Adellen"s crew of 31 while "Nicholson" and "Toward" found 20 survivors from "Sama"s crew of 50. "U-155" crash-dived to avoid "Bernadou", but the destroyer never saw the U-boat. "U-155" made another emergency dive while shadowing the convoy at 1042 hrs, but "Edison" did not detect the U-boat. , and found the convoy on 23 February.
"U-558".
"U-558" approached the convoy at 2120, but repeatedly turned away to avoid "Bernadou"s patrols until a squall provided cover at midnight. "U-558" torpedoed the Norwegian tanker "Inverarder" at 0045 hrs on 24 February. The tanker sank slowly and "Toward " rescued all 42 of the crew. "U-558" approached again at 0230 hrs and fired a single torpedo at "Edison". The torpedo missed, and "Edison" was unaware it had been fired at. "U-558" torpedoed the Norwegian tanker "Eidanger" at 0255 hrs. "U-558" reloaded and at 0550 hrs torpedoed the British tankers "Anadara" and "Finnanger", and the British freighter "White Crest". All three ships straggled and were sunk. Later that morning, the convoy commodore sent a signal to the escort commander regarding the performance of "U-558": "That chap must be one of their best ones. I do hope you have done him in."
"U-158".
 found the convoy at 0425 hrs on 24 February and torpedoed the British tanker . "Empire Celt" was using the Admiralty Net Defence system, streaming a strong steel net from booms along either side of the ship. One torpedo broke through the net and hit amidships. "Empire Celt" later broke in half, but a tug from Newfoundland rescued 31 from the crew of 37.
As "U-558" was torpedoing ships on the starboard side of the convoy, "U-158" approached the port side and torpedoed British tanker "Diloma" at 0635 hrs. "Diloma" was the only one of the torpedoed ships to successfully reach Halifax. Both "U-158" and "U-558" dived to avoid being seen in the early daylight. "U-558" found and sank the "Eidanger", drifting and abandoned astern of the convoy, with gunfire and a torpedo. All of "Eidanger"s crew had been rescued. "Lea" investigated a DF bearing from "Toward" at 1515 and spotted "U-558" 20 miles astern of the convoy at 1707 hrs. "Lea" dropped eight depth charges at 1746 hrs, and then surprised the U-boat on the surface at 1813 and dropped 14 depth charges at 1847 hrs. "U-558" was undamaged.
"Nicholson" investigated a DF bearing from "Toward" and sighted "U-158" at 1323. "U-158" dived and evaded "Nicholson". "Nicholson" then slowed to listen. "U-158" surfaced at 1550 hrs and was surprised to find "Nicholson" waiting away. "U-158" crashed-dived before "Nicholson" saw the U-boat. "U-158" surfaced again at 1817 and was surprised to find "Edison" away. "U-158" again avoided detection by crash-diving. "Edison" finally spotted "U-158" making another convoy approach at 2008 hrs and dropped 25 depth charges over the following six hours. "U-158" was undamaged, but had been prevented from making further attacks on the convoy.
Admiral Karl Dönitz, the BdU or commander in chief of U-Boats, ordered his U-boats to discontinue the attack on 25 February.
The remainder of the convoy reached Halifax on 1 March 1942.
Ships in convoy.
Allied merchant ships.
A total of 39 cargo vessels (37 merchant, 2 US Navy) joined the convoy, either in Liverpool or later in the voyage.
Convoy escorts.
A task unit of armed military ships, TU 4.1.5, escorted the convoy during its journey, joined later by a United States Coast Guard vessel.


Kneass Boat Works

Kneass Boat Works was a shipbuilding company in San Francisco, California. To support the World War 2 demand for ships, Kneass Boat Works built: US Navy Sub chasers, US Army barges and tugboats. Kneass Boat Works was started by California native George Washington Kneass (1859–1923) in 1868, at 22 Mission Street, San Francisco. George Kneass started as an apprentice to boat builder Martin Vice. The two became partners operating a shipyard at Pier 70 at 671 Illinois Street, San Francisco. Business was good and in 1898 Kneass opened a second shipyard at 718 3rd Street, San Francisco. At its peak, Kneass employed 50 workers.
George Kneass died in 1923 and his two sons, George, Jr. and Webster, took over the shipyard. Kneass built small boats, launches, rowboats, barges, lifeboats), sailboats, and a few wooden cruisers. For World War 2, in 1941 the company built a small emergency shipyard. The shipyard closed in 1970, but the site is now the art studio of Ruth Kneass; she kept the boatyard name for her studio.
Honors.
The United States Government awarded Webster Lincoln Kneass a certificate of Outstanding Service to the Country for both its WWI and WWII efforts in 1945. Kneass Boat Works built over 5000 watercrafts for World War 1 and World War 2. Many of the watercraft were lifeboats and patrol boats. but some 150-foot minesweepers were also built. The U.S. Navy still uses a lifeboat that was designed by George Kneass.
Submarine chaser.
Kneass Boat Works built submarine chasers that were of the design that had a displacement of 94 tons with a length of , a beam of , a draft of , a top speed of . They had a crew of 28. Power was provided by two General Motors, Electro-Motive Division, 16-184A diesel engines, and two propellers. They were armed with one Bofors 40 mm gun, two Browning M2 .50 cal.
machine guns, two depth charge projector "Y guns", and two depth charge tracks.
Notable ships.
Notable ships include:


The Day Will Dawn

The Day Will Dawn, released in the US as The Avengers, is a 1942 war film set in Norway during World War II. It stars Ralph Richardson, Deborah Kerr, Hugh Williams and Griffith Jones, and was directed by Harold French from a script written by Anatole de Grunwald, Patrick Kirwan and Terence Rattigan, based on a story by Frank Owen. The music by Richard Addinsell was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Muir Mathieson.
Plot.
Following the Invasion of Poland in September 1939, the former horse racing-correspondent Colin Metcalfe is placed as a foreign correspondent in neutral Norway. Eight months later he meets a Norwegian fisherman, Captain Alstad, in a sailors' bar, where a scuffle breaks out between British and Norwegian sailors (singing "Rule Britannia", egged on by Metcalfe) and German ones (singing the Nazi Party anthem the "Horst-Wessel-Lied"). Alstad takes him aboard his boat during a sea voyage in Norway's territorial waters, during which they sight the "Altmark" and are fired upon by a German U-boat, despite Norway's neutrality. They then come back to his home port of Langedal, and Metcalfe goes to Oslo to report this to the British embassy there, despite the best efforts of the German Kommandant and the German-sympathising local police chief Ottoman Gunter. There Metcalfe meets Frank Lockwood en route back to England from the Winter War in Finland. It was Lockwood who had got him the foreign correspondent job at the outbreak of war, but he now passes on the news to Metcalfe that he has been fired from it for sailing out with the fisherman rather than staying on dry land where the paper can contact him. Metcalfe informs the embassy, and also warns his paper of signs that a German war on Norway is imminent. Alstad's daughter Kari (who had accompanied them on their voyage) also meets him to tell him of suspicious German merchant ships at Bergen which her father suspects have troops on board.
The pair say goodbye and Metcalfe, getting into what he thinks is a taxi, is kidnapped by the Germans and put on board a ship bound for the German port of Bremen. Meanwhile, Germany invades, Metcalfe is scooped on the news of the invasion, and – back in Britain – Chamberlain's government falls and Churchill becomes prime minister. A British warship intercepts the ship on which Metcalfe is held and liberates him but she is re-routed to Cherbourg to help Operation Ariel, the evacuation of British troops from north-western France, before she can get Metcalfe back to Britain. Amidst the carnage on the docks at Cherbourg, Metcalfe finds Lockwood, dying of wounds.
Back in Britain as the Blitz begins, Metcalfe is persuaded not to join up and instead to start a press campaign for the public to make economies on the Home Front to help win the Battle of the Atlantic. Just about to set out on it, he is called upon by the Admiralty to be parachute-dropped back into Langedal, sabotage a camouflaged U-boat base nearby, and escape across the border into neutral Sweden. On landing, he is spotted and pursued by the Germans, but manages to escape and gain shelter. There he finds that Alstad has been interned by the Germans, and Kari has brought shame on herself by getting engaged to the traitorous Gunter. However, when at a tense "Norwegian-German friendship dance" the Germans arrive to demand Metcalfe's papers, Kari saves him by inciting a riot and hiding him at her house. There she reveals she only took on the engagement to obtain her father's release.
Alstad is released and agrees to help Metcalfe to signal to British bombers with torches to guide them in on their raid on it, and Kari and Metcalfe bid a romantic farewell. The signalling is successful and the base destroyed, but Alstad is killed by a German patrol. Metcalfe returns to tell Kari the news, just as Gunter and the Germans take eight random hostages who will be shot if the British spy they are sheltering is not given up. Metcalfe overhears this, and gives himself up. Gunter returns to Kari to try to save her from the firing squad she too will face for sheltering the spy, but she refuses and is locked up with the hostages, though Gunter shows her the kindness of not separating her from Metcalfe. They prepare to die, and the first party for the firing squad are taken out, but then a British commando raid arrives. In the chaos Gunter is shot by the Kommandant as the latter makes a hasty escape, and the hostages are all freed unharmed. The raiders capture the town and its German garrison and then leave almost immediately, taking Metcalfe, Kari, the hostages and their families to safety in England.
Cast.
Main source is the BFI.
Critical reception.
Two reviews written in the 21st century were generally positive.
David Parkinson gave the film three out of five stars in the "Radio Times", and wrote, "Markedly less restrained than many other British tales of wartime resistance, this well-meaning flag-waver is far more effective than the majority of have-a-go Hollywood movies on the same theme...what sets this apart is a remarkable cast of British stalwarts, not one of whom puts a foot wrong. Special mention should be made, however, of Deborah Kerr, who lends quiet courage to an unrewarding romantic part, and Francis L Sullivan, who makes a most malevolent Nazi".
The reviewer for "The Movie Scene" rated the film similarly, although finding it "incredibly dated," but went on to say that it, "does feature a good storyline which is well knit together. It is still entertaining and you can see how it would have served its purpose of rallying British audiences back in the 1940s."


Eric Lloyd Williams

Eric Lloyd Williams (1915–1988) was a South African-born journalist and war correspondent who covered World War II for the South African Press Association and Reuters.
Lloyd Williams reported on the North African campaign of the British Eighth Army, which included troops from India, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, among others. He covered El Alamein, the pivotal battle in 1942 that turned the tide in favour of the Allies in North Africa.
In 1943, Lloyd Williams entered the Libyan capital, Tripoli, a key Axis base, on 23 January, the day the Eighth Army captured it from the Germans. In May 1943, he entered Tunis six hours after it fell to the Allies, with the surrender of all German and Italian forces in North Africa. Four months later he was with the Eighth Army when it invaded the South of Italy from Sicily.
He earned the nickname "Benghazi" while reporting from North Africa. The Libyan port of Benghazi, a vital supply town, changed hands several times during the course of the fighting in 1941–42.
In 1944 the Argus newspaper in Cape Town called Lloyd Williams "the outstanding South African war correspondent of this war".
In his obituary in 1988, the Herald newspaper in Port Elizabeth described him as "South Africa's most distinguished war correspondent of the Second World War".
Best news story of 1943.
Lloyd Williams won the South African Society of Journalists trophy for the best news story of 1943 for a report on a dash through no man's land that he and two other correspondents made in Italy in September that year. In his war journal he identifies one of the other correspondents as Daniel De Luce of Associated Press but does not name the third.
The three men borrowed an army jeep and drove 160 km from the Eighth Army spearhead at Nicastro to the headquarters of the American Fifth Army in Salerno, to the north. The journey took two days and nights. At the time the Fifth Army was meeting stiff German resistance and struggling to break out of its Salerno beachhead. The Eighth Army had assumed the role of a relief force.
At first the correspondents believed army vehicles were ahead of them. When they realised this was not so, they considered turning back. "But no - curiosity prevails and we decide almost together to push ahead and see around a few corners," Lloyd Williams wrote in his journal.
He described the terrain they travelled through as "wild hill country steep above the sea where there is a great feeling of loneliness". But there were little towns too, including the seaside village of Maratea, where they were welcomed with grapes and wine. They pressed on towards Salerno.
Arrival at Fifth Army headquarters.
Reaching the American perimeter on 15 September, they were greeted with surprise and excitement. The territory they had passed through was thought to be in enemy hands; Italy had surrendered on 3 September but German forces controlled much of the country. One report says the correspondents were initially arrested as suspected enemy spies, although Lloyd Williams does not confirm this in his war journal.
Once their identities had been established, the three correspondents reported to headquarters, providing information that helped the two armies to link up. They met General Harold Alexander, commander of the Allied armies in Italy, who shook their hands and told them, "Gentlemen, you have done something I would not have liked to attempt." That evening Lloyd Williams wrote: "Tonight the news of our arrival is all over the bridgehead area. The effect on the troops is wonderful. Everywhere they are saying, 'Well the Eighth Army's here.'"
The following day, 16 September, advance elements of the Eighth Army made contact with Fifth Army patrols outside Salerno, ending what one historian described as the first great crisis of the Italian campaign.
Reprimand from military authorities.
The Allied Forces Headquarters Public Relations Office responded by reprimanding the three correspondents for going ahead of vanguard combat troops and endangering lives.
"It is undeniable that their recent journey might have resulted in the complete elimination of the whole party," Col. J V McCormack wrote in a letter circulated to war correspondents and army public relations officers, dated 28 September.
"One determined machine gunner could have obliterated them in less time than it takes to dictate this."
He added that "escapades of this nature necessitate constantly leaving the road and taking cars over rough country", placing an unnecessary strain on transport at a time when the chances of getting vehicles replaced were nil. He deplored the actions of the correspondents.
However, the colonel conceded that the three men had gathered valuable information:
"It has been recorded in a memorandum submitted by three correspondents that they carried out a very fine reconnaissance, for which the authorities were extremely grateful. I do not doubt this was the case..."
Response from employers.
Lloyd Williams' employers were more appreciative. Walton Cole of Reuters cabled him: "Best thanks for dispatch...That Reuter correspondent should be one prove personal enterprise still possible war corresponding gives great pride. FYI your dispatch incame London hours ahead others."
The editor of the Cape Times congratulated him not only on the exploit but on his report of the journey, which he said all newspapers had carried prominently.
Early career.
Of Welsh descent, Lloyd Williams was born in Cape Town on 30 August 1915. He was educated at South African College Schools (SACS) in Cape Town, Grey High School in Port Elizabeth and the University of Cape Town. He began his career in journalism in 1938 when he joined the Argus in Cape Town. A year later he joined the Western Mail in Cardiff, Wales. He also had a stint on the Rhodesia Herald in Salisbury before joining the South African Press Association (Sapa) as a parliamentary reporter.
Post-war career.
After the war, Lloyd Williams opened a North American bureau for Sapa in Washington DC, where he worked from 1946 to 1949. In 1949 he became a public relations officer for the South African Chamber of Mines.
In the 1950s, he and fellow journalist John Sutherland produced Africa X-Ray Report, a monthly newsletter that reported on political and other trends in Africa, including the growing tide of African nationalism. The newsletter was described as being "decades ahead of its time".
In 1957, Lloyd Williams joined the Anglo American Corporation as public relations consultant, working initially in Johannesburg. The corporation posted him to Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia in 1961, Lusaka, Zambia in 1964 and finally London in 1966. He retired in 1975 and settled in Romsey, Hampshire, where he died in February 1988 after a long illness.
He and his wife, Peggy, who died in 2001, were married for 46 years. They had three sons.
Excerpts from war journal.
"Dust storm, Libya, 1943".
"3 January:"
A violent dust storm blows all today, carried along in a fierce ice-cold wind from the direction of the German lines west of Buerat...
"4 January:"
The dust storm which started yesterday increases its force today and life is pretty miserable. Dust has penetrated everywhere. It boils around in our tent, filling my bed, getting in my ears, eyes, mouth and down my back, and seeping all over my papers in the dispatch case. Outside it travels in hard hitting gusts, sailing past us to the sea where it hangs on the horizon, depressing and gloomy.
...The front is still quiet but about 1,000 enemy lorries are sighted moving south from the Misurata area and the enemy has strengthened his northern sector by a few more 88mms among the marshes.
"Entering Tripoli with victorious Allied forces, January 1943".
22 January:
We camp the night in a field 30 miles from Tripoli, right next door to Montgomery himself.
"23 January:"
We enter Tripoli today. Our armoured cars got in at first light and we reached it soon after 9.30, coming in from the east and driving at one time along part of the famous grand prix circuit at Mellaha. Along here, too, come Valentine tanks and hordes of lorries. We get a great reception from the Arabs who line the streets on the way into the centre of the town, clapping and saluting.
Tripoli is the usual Italian colonial town with a fine waterfront and dingy back quarters. There is not much bomb damage away from the docks but the bay is filled with wreckage and sunken ships including a hospital steamer, hit by bombs.
Descriptions of fellow war correspondents.
In a national broadcast on South African radio in February 1944, Lloyd Williams described some of the war correspondents he worked alongside in North Africa and Italy.
Richard Dimbleby, BBC: "He got caught up in a stupid army arrangement which insisted that he stayed at headquarters and wrote only what the general staff approved. Richard grumbled and complained. Then he went home…Make no mistake, Richard Dimbleby is a very courageous and a very gifted war reporter…you’ll be hearing him again, on his own terms, before the year is much older."
Philip Jordan, News Chronicle: "One of the world’s great correspondents. He would certainly have been one of King Arthur’s knights if he had lived in those days."
Norman Soong, Central News Agency of China: "He came straight from Chungking to cover the Eighth Army for the Chinese press. He didn’t have much in common with the rest of us except his hatred for any form of Fascism and his determination that the war should end with the defeat of Germany and Japan."
Nestor Solodovnik, TASS News Agency, Moscow: "Today he is a Russian general, and a pretty efficient one at that. But only yesterday, it seems, he was sharing a jeep with me in Tunisia."
John Gunther: American journalist and author: "We used to call him the ‘Kentucky Colonel’ because he looked like the typical Southern colonel as Hollywood presented him…His pockets bulge with slips of paper and thick notebooks, and he is forever recording everything of importance he hears."
Quentin Reynolds, Collier's Weekly: "He wore an American Air Force cap that looked as though it belonged on a New York traffic cop. His face was always red and hearty. His jacket was always open. His belt was always fighting a losing fight to keep his ample stomach under control. He went in with the American Navy at Salerno, and when he came back he said, 'Those guys are terrific. I’m a cynic but they break my heart.'"
Frank Gervasi, Collier's Weekly: "He went round Italy speaking fluent Italian to bootblacks and waiters who abound in southern Italy, asking them about Fascism. (He said:) 'You can keep your Mussolinis and your Grand Fascist Council. These are the guys that have to make a go of things. You’ve got to get down to earth.'"
Robert Dunnett, BBC: "Has red hair, a melancholy face with kindly eyes. He’s rather short. You just can’t help loving the man. His heart is the size of a giant’s and there’s no one in Algiers he hasn’t done a kind turn for at some time or another."
Frank Gillard, BBC: "Works very hard and has no pretensions. He insists on driving his own recording truck about the front, and he stays up all night for the sake of getting an authentic recording of an artillery barrage."
Christopher Buckley, Daily Telegraph: "He tells everyone, even his best friends, that he always wanted to be a bishop because of the peace it would bring him, and also because he fancied himself in gaiters...He’s a great journalist."
John Steinbeck, American author: "Came out to Algiers to write about the ordinary people in the army. He used to come over to the war correspondents, all apologetic, because he said he felt he was a sham as a writer. Honest, sincere John Steinbeck."


2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment

The 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment is a United States Army infantry battalion. Originally formed during World War II, the battalion took part in the Aleutian and Italian campaigns before being deactivated after the war. Later, however, it was reactivated and in recent times has served in the Sinai Peninsula and in Afghanistan.
Unit history.
World War II.
Formation.
The battalion was formed in May 1942, several months after the American entry in World War II the 87th Infantry, Mountain, 2nd Battalion, Reinforced at Fort Lewis, Washington. It along with 1–87 Mountain Infantry composed the 87th Mountain Infantry. The battalion was made up of world-famous skiers, mountaineers, forest rangers, trappers, lumberman, guides, cowboys, muleskinners, horseman, and Regular Army cadre.
As the battalion was conducting maneuvers in Jolon, California in November 1942, the army was preparing a brand new camp to house the 87th on the Continental Divide at Camp Hale, Colorado, at above sea level. 2–87 moved to Camp Hale in late December 1942. During the winter of 1942–43, the battalion conducted extreme cold weather and high altitude training and tested over one hundred types of equipment and vehicles.
Aleutian campaign.
On 11 June 1943, the battalion deployed to Fort Ord, California for amphibious training in preparation of combat operations. Within weeks after this training, the battalion sailed to the Aleutian Island as part of Amphibious Technical Force Nine. The 2–87 Mountain Infantry took part in regimental amphibious assault of Kiska on 1–16 August 1943 and occupied the island until withdrawal to Camp Carson, Colorado in December 1943.
In February 1944, the battalion joined the 10th Light Division (later 10th Mountain Division) and moved again to Camp Hale. In the winter of 1944, the battalion took part in a maneuver in sub-zero weather. In one night alone, over 100 cases of frostbite were evacuated. All men who completed the maneuver were commended.
Italian campaign.
In late June 1944, the battalion moved with the newly designated 87th Infantry Regiment, Light as a part of the 10th Mountain Division to Camp Swift, Texas. On 20 December 1944, 2–87 entrained from Camp Swift to Newport News, Virginia and embarked on the USS "West Point". The battalion sailed for Naples, Italy on 4 January 1945.
The battalion entered combat on the Italian Front 28 January 1945 as part of Lieutenant General Lucian Truscott's U.S. Fifth Army. On the night of 19 February after 17 days of patrolling in the mountains on snowshoes and skis, the battalion was instrumental in the capture on Mount Belvedere and other key mountain peaks in a night attack.
On 4–5 March, 2–87 participated in their second offensive by capturing Mad Na Di Brasa and Castel d'Aiano. Whereas the Battle of Belvedere was a night attack, the Battle of Castel d'Aiano was a deadly struggle in the sunlight, from bunker to bunker, hill to hill, objective to objective.
During the first two weeks of April 1945, the battalion planned and prepared for their part in the final spring offensive of the Fifth Army in Italy. The intent was to break through the northern Apennine, drive the Germans out of the mountains, and secure the wide Po Valley. The battalion fought continuously from 4 April to 2 May over mountainous terrain covering .
The battalion learned of the surrender of all German forces at suppertime on 2 May 1945. The Germans had been impressed by the 10th Mountain Infantry soldiers. Using the words from captured enemy documents, the Germans knew they had been up against mountain troops. They believed them to be a hand-picked elite corps, made up of physically superior soldiers, sports personalities and young men from politically significant American families. It was no accident that Lieutenant General Fridolin von Senger und Etterlin insisted on surrendering in person only to Major General George Price Hays, the Commanding General of what the general called the best American formation in Italy—the 10th Mountain Division.
From May–July 1945, the battalion conducted occupation duties. In July, the battalion was ordered to duty in the Pacific. 2–87 sailed from Italy on 2 August and arrived in the United States on 11 August. On 14 August, the battalion learned that the Japanese had surrendered and that the war was over.
Postwar.
The 2nd Battalion, 87th Mountain Infantry was inactivated in November 1945 at Camp Carson, Colorado. On June 18, 1948, the battalion was designated the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry and again assigned to the 10th Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. In June 1958, the battalion was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division in Germany, and in 1963 reassigned to the 8th Infantry Division. 2–87 Infantry was inactivated in June 1986, only to be reactivated two years later as the sixth battalion of the 10th Mountain Division, Light Infantry, at Fort Drum, New York.
In November 1991, the battalion completed a successful rotation at NTC in conjunction with 3rd Brigade, 24th Mechanized Division and in March 1992 the battalion spent a month at Fort Pickett Virginia conducting MOUT Training. In August 1992 the battalion deployed to Florida as relief for Hurricane Andrew, in support of JTF Operation Hurricane Andrew. They operated from August through October in Homestead Florida, providing food and essential services to local citizens and aiding in cleanup of the city.
In December 1992, 2-87, minus Comanche Company and the Battalion scouts who were detached in support of a JRTC rotation, but with the addition of Alpha Company and scouts from 1-87, deployed to Somalia as part of a Joint Task Force in support of Operation Restore Hope under the command of LTC Jim Sikes. The initial mission was to secure Baledogle airfield and assist Non-government organizations with food distribution. In late December, Apache and Blackhawk Companies conducted an Air Assault to seize Belet Uyene Airfield in order to allow the expansion of the coalition footprint. While Blackhawk Company secured Baledogle airfield, the remainder of the battalion air assaulted into the port of Marka in support of civil agencies' efforts. While in Marka, members of TF 2-87 stood up a local city council, a local police force, distributed food to locals, patrolled the town, manned checkpoints and secured the port. 2-87 was involved in several firefights with local militias and criminal elements. In January 1993 through mid-February, 2-87 was responsible for securing the lower Shabele valley from local militia forces. In late February, the battalion moved to secure the port of Kismayu, and then back to the port of Marka. In April 1993, TF 2-87 was relieved by 1-22 and returned to Fort Drum.
In August 1994 the battalion deployed to Haiti on a four-month rotation in August 1994 as part of Operation Uphold Democracy.
In January 1997, 2–87 deployed with 529 soldiers as a Task Force to Sinai in Egypt for a six-month rotation for the Multinational Force and Observers mission. The Task Force was part of a 14-country peace keeping force sent to the Sinai to enforce the Camp David Peace Accord signed in 1981. During this deployment soldiers from 2-87 participated in the "Force Skills" competition with the team from HHC 2-87 scouts winning "First Place Team" competing against teams from 14 different countries.
In September 1998, elements of the battalion deployed to Central Asia to participate in CENTRAZBAT '98, a multi-national peacekeeping exercise involving soldiers from six former Eastern Bloc nations. During this exercise, 2–87 forged ties with other nations through shared hardships and training, while setting the stage for the multinational operations and peacekeeping missions that would soon follow.
In late August 1999, the soldiers of 2–87 deployed overseas to the nation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the former Yugoslavia. The battalion would serve as one unit in the Multinational Division (North) component of the Stabilization Force 6, in support of Operation Joint Forge. Task Force CATAMOUNT was charged with the northern portion of the MND (N) sector, including the towns of Brcko, Srebenik, and Modirchia. During the Task Force's seven-month deployment, it participated in several missions designed to bring stability to the Balkans and a lasting peace to the People of Bosnia. Most notably, Operation Harvest which resulted in the destruction of over 5,000 weapons, and the implementation of the Brcko Demilitarization process that disbanded and relocated over 5,000 members of the Entity Armed Forces as well as destroyed 9,000 weapons required by the Brcko Arbitration Decision.
Sinai 2001.
From July 2001 to January 2002, 2–87 Infantry was again ordered overseas. This time it was a six-month deployment in support of the Multi-National Force and Observers in the Sinai desert. During those six months, the battalion took part in pre-deployment and sustainment training and certification, 24-hour operation of all remote sites and the battalion tactical operations center, training and deployment of the quick reaction force (QRF) and were responsible for security and force protection of South Camp. The battalion also prepared and participated in Force Skills Competition, operational readiness checks and SNAP inspections, EIB, EFMB, marksmanship and live-fire training and testing, joint and combined training with other contingents, and many other tasks, duties and responsibilities.
Afghanistan 2003.
In August 2003 the battalion deployed with 700 soldiers as a task force to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom IV, for a nine-month rotation. Task Force 2–87 was part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, working as the northern combat task force. In Afghanistan, the Catamounts took part in combat operations to defeat anti-coalition forces operating in Asadabad, Barikowt, Khowst, Nangalam, and Ghazni provinces.
After their return from Afghanistan, 2–87 was swept up in the army's transformation initiative, where it added a weapons company, received in direct support a forward support company, and was assigned to the newly activated 3rd BCT (Spartans) of the 10th Mountain Division at Ft. Drum, NY.
Afghanistan 2006.
During the period 29 January 2006 to 28 May 2007, Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Toner 2d Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment and its subordinate units deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) VII and VIII. With an initial area of operations 200 km in length and 200 km in width, and over 750 km of shared border with Pakistan, the battalion effectively deterred enemy infiltration from Pakistan and isolated the interior population of Paktika Province from terrorist attacks and influence.
Task Force Catamount was active in the region of Khowst as late as May 2007.
A Co. 2-87 "Scalp 'Em All!"
(Apache) was deployed to the Paktika Province of Eastern Afghanistan, only a few kilometers from the Pakistan border, in January 2006. Operating out of FOB Tillman (named for Ranger Pat Tillman who was killed in the area), they spent 16 months conducting mounted, and dismounted, patrols and combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VII and VIII. Under the decisive leadership of two COs (CPT. Chris Nunn and later CPT. Scott Horrigan) and 1SG Mio Franceschi, the men of Apache Company reinforced and largely rebuilt FOB Tillman and the surrounding Observation Posts 1 and 4, while maintaining a constant patrol schedule between the three line platoons and headquarters platoon. As a testament to the outstanding leadership of Apache 2-87 and the bravery of its warriors, the company didn't lose a single soldier in combat during the 16-month tour, though many were injured. Sadly, on April 28, 2007, SGT. Jeremy Greene fell to a friendly-fire incident at FOB Tillman. He is remembered as an outstanding soldier and a brave warrior.
B Co. 2-87 (Featured in "Outlaw Platoon") was deployed throughout RC East with its main body at FOB Bermel, located on the rugged terrain of the Pakistan border. 1st Platoon "Fightin' First" was detached from B Co. and conducted numerous dismounted and air assault operations throughout all of RC East and South from Ghazni to the Korengal.
C Co. 2-87 was based out of FOB Waza Khwa on in the rugged border region of Paktika Province. The company participated in all of the battalions named operation. Most famously the "Comanche" company was selected as the main effort in Operation Medusa. Details of the acts of heroism while being outmanned in the initial clearance of Pajiway can be read in "LIONS of KANDAHAR".
D Co. 2-87 “Destroyer” Company was created in part of the Army's transitioning into Brigade Combat Teams (BCT). The men of Destroyer company were infantry soldiers that had additional Heavy Weapons Platoon training. The men were versed in all light infantry weapon systems and tactics like their rifle company counterparts as well as anti-armor, Javelin and TOW Missile systems and the accompanying tactics of maneuvers. Destroyer company would see its four platoons split amongst the region of RC East with men in Paktika, Ghazni, and Paktia provinces. First Platoon would find themselves in numerous major operations in support of Operation Mountain Fury, Operation Mountain Thrust, and Operation Andar Fury. First Platoon “Bandits” were attached to Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) command. Proving to be highly mobile they were frequently utilized in operations throughout RC East, stretching from FOB Waza Khwa in the south to FOB Salerno in the north.
2nd Platoon fell under command of B Co. located at FOB Bermel between the Afghani and Pakistani border. Along with patrols in the heavily wooded and mountainous terrain, they were also tasked with the creation and manning of the Malakshay Combat Outpost. 3rd Platoon “Third Herd” was tasked with security detail for a Civil Affairs unit high in the mountains of Gardez. Lastly 4th platoon remained with Destroyer company's commander based at FOB Orgun-E, where they patrolled the surrounding landscape and assisted with security in providing travel between FOB Bermel and Orgun-E.
TF Catamount was extended in Afghanistan for an additional four months on 27 January 2007 in support of the United States efforts to increase troop numbers in Afghanistan. Many soldiers who had previously returned to their families stateside were to redeploy and continue normal battlespace operations. The battalion returned to the battlefield and continued to conduct combat operations focusing on the Afghan/Pakistan border region. The increased numbers of soldiers within a smaller geographical locale showed to be devastating against the Taliban insurgency. Eventually, TF Catamount would turn over their Area of Operations (AO) and battlespace to units from the 82nd Airborne Division, and 173rd Airborne Division.
Over the course of 16 months, a total of 86 valor awards were awarded to members of TF Catamount, and 137 Purple Hearts were awarded to soldiers for sustaining wounds in the fierce fighting. The regiment facilitated the disruption of Taliban operations alongside multinational forces to oversee transfer of authority, successfully captured one of the most significant weapons caches in OEF and detained or eradicated several key insurgent commanders.The battalion conducted over 3,300 combat patrols during an extended 16-month deployment. TF Catamount participated in 149 direct-fire engagements, 196 indirect-fire engagements, 167 IED attacks and 11 suicide bomber attacks. The extraordinary acts of heroism in action against an armed enemy that the men displayed throughout their grueling 16 month long tour of duty resulted in the unit earning the Valorous Unit Award (VUA), the Battalions first.
Afghanistan 2009.
In December 2008, under the command of LTC Kimo Gallahue and as part of NATO's International Security Assistance Force, the battalion again deployed to Afghanistan, this time taking control of the embattled Wardak Provence. As part of Task Force Spartan (3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI), Soldiers of the Catamount Battalion took up positions in the Nherk, Maidan Shar, Saydabad, Jalrez, Jaghatu, Chak, and Tangi Valley districts, with the primary missions of securing Afghanistan's primary highway and establishing positive relationships with the people of Wardak Provence in order to drive the insurgency from the area. They returned to Fort Drum in January 2010 where they were awarded the Valorous Unit Citation.
Afghanistan 2011-12.
The 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment—Task Force Catamount—deployed to Zhari District (The Birthplace of the Taliban), Kandahar Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom XI-XII from March 2011 to March 2012. The Battalion, under the command of LTC Gregory K. Anderson and CSM Terry W. Sutton, assumed responsibility for the district from Task Force Talon, 1st Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Apache Company assumed responsibility of the historically prominent village of Senjaray at Combat Outpost (COP) Senjaray. Blackhawk Company assumed responsibility of the rugged, rural village areas of Ashoqueh ("Ash-o-qway") and Makuan ("Maa-Kwan") at COP Ashoqueh and Strongpoint Makuan. Comanche Company assumed responsibility of the complex and urban, rural and desert terrain of the village of Kandalay at COP Kandalay. Destroyer Company assumed responsibility of the urban and mountainous terrain in the villages of Bag-E-Pul, and Now Ruzi at COP Now Ruzi. Headquarters and Fox Support Company operated from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Pasab, with elements also stationed at COP Zhari Dasht (Za-ree-Da'sh-t).
The battalion's counter-insurgency mission was conducted primarily through dismounted, light-infantry patrols; partnered with Afghan National Army soldiers, or Afghan national, or local police. Task Force Catamount executed offensive operations in the Arghandab River Valley, focused in the birthplace of the Taliban. During the year-long deployment, the early spring and summer saw intense combat, centralized in the jungle-like terrain of the "Green Zone," or vegetated portion of the Arghandab River Valley. The battalion conducted over 10 joint air insertion operations, supported a unilateral Afghan Army air assault operation, and deliberate clearance operations of volatile Taliban strongholds throughout the Green Zone. Due to high cover and concealment attributable to the thick vegetation and trench-like grape fields, coupled with multiple Taliban IED cells operating in the area between Ashoqueh and Salim Akah, the Green Zone became one of the most kinetic environments in RC South.
Common Taliban tactics in the area were IED initiated ambushes, followed immediately by suppressive PKM and RPK machine gun fire and 82mm recoil-less rifle volleys. The success of Blackhawk Company progressively clearing each village eastward and confiscation of several 82mm Recoil-less rifles from hidden weapons caches forced the Taliban to adopt new IED placements. These new adaptations were designed to neutralize the successful usage of IED detecting enablers by circumventing the detection capabilities of the devices. Pressure plate IEDs were placed with the plate reinforced under the explosive device instead of above to prevent the detectors from pinpointing the density changes and metal components and wiring in the soil. IEDs were also moved out of the expected kill zone and into the cover and concealment troops would utilize during initial contact.
As the year progressed, successful offensive operations pressured the Taliban to regress south of the Arghandab River, effectively separating them from the local population. This allowed the battalion to train newly recruited Afghan local police, build six new schools and many other new pieces of tactical infrastructure. This facilitated the security of the local population and permitted a new government to take control of their district.
In March 2012, the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division replaced 2-87 Infantry.
Following the return from OEF XI-XII, the Catamounts conducted reset operations and helped prepare 1st and 2nd BCTs 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) prepare for their own deployments. In May 2012, LTC Brian T. Beckno assumed command of the battalion and CSM Brian Hamm assumed responsibility from CSM Sutton.2-87 then began training for another upcoming deployment to include conducting EIB testing, collective training to include team, squad, platoon and company live fires, and finally a JRTC rotation in June 2013. 2-87 was also part of the initial fielding and testing of the Army's newest communication system, Capability Set 13 (CS-13).
Afghanistan 2013-14.
2-87IN arrived at FOB Shank in November 2013 and conducted a Tansition of Authority (TOA) on 19 November 2013, assuming responsibility for Logar Province, a province previously controlled by 4/3IN, a Brigade Combat Team. This marked a significant turning point in the Afghanistan Area of Responsibility as we reduced troop strength throughout the country and the ANSF took on more and more responsibility. Hours after TOA, TF Catamount observed a rocket team firing at FOB Shank and engaged them, killing one insurgent and wounding two others. Upon TOA, Apache Company was responsible for uplift support to Navy Special Operations at District Stability Platform (DSP) Baraki Barak and were partnered with the 4th Kandak, 4th Brigade, 203 Corps, responsible for patrolling Baraki Barak. Blackhawk Company was tasked with conducting patrols west and south of FOB Shank to prevent indirect fire against the FOB and was partnered with the 1st Kandak, 4th Brigade, 203 Corps. Comanche Company was tasked with patrolling within Mohammad Aghah District and was responsible for uplift support to Navy Special Operations at DSP Mohammad Aghah and was partnered with 7th Kandak, 4th Brigade, 203rd Corps. During a reconnaissance patrol with B Co, 6-8 CAV, 1st PLT, Comanche company was conducting a reconnaissance and surveillance patrol within the village of Ahmadzai, Mohammad Aghah District and came under heavy enemy PKM, small arms, RPG, and hand grenade contact. The platoon was able to establish a base of fire and neutralize the enemy team sized element. From this engagement two Comanche Soldiers, received the Army Commendation Medal with V Device for valorous acts during that contact. Fox Company assumed control of sustainment operations on FOB Shank. The Battalion Mortars and Battalion Scouts were co-located at OP English, the last coalition Observation Post in Logar Province. The SECFOR Platoon provided battlefield circulation capability and Guardian Angel support for the SFAAT teams working at Camp Maiwand on FOB Shank and at DSP Pul-e-Alam at the Operational Coordination Center- Provincial (OCC-P).
While the organic elements of 2-87IN were patrolling and assuming force protection responsibilities of OPs and DSPs, the Security Force Advise and Assist Team (SFAAT) began their advisory mission. SFAAT 4 began their advisory efforts at Camp Maiwand, the ANA compound on FOB Shank, as well as at DSP Pul-e-Alam. SFAAT 4 was partnered with the Headquarters of 4th Brigade, 203rd ANA Corps and the OCC-P. Their advising efforts focused on improving the war fighting functions of the ANA with particular emphasis on Mission Command. The SFAAT also provided access to NATO enablers in support of ANSF operations to include air and indirect fire assets.
2-87IN lowered its patrol rate in November and December as it reorganized its troops to tasks. The Infantry companies stopped providing direct advising to their Kandaks as they continued transition to Afghan security primacy. Blackhawk Company assumed control of OP English and made major force protection improvements to the OP. Blackhawk Soldiers emplaced over 500 Hesco barriers around the perimeter and within the ECP, filled and emplaced in excess of 4,000 sandbags, emplaced 2 km of triple strand concertina wire, and rebuilt guard towers, living tents, and the command post. In early January, Comanche Company handed over force protection responsibilities of DSP Mohammad Aghah to elements of Apache and Blackhawk companies and moved back to FOB Shank, with two platoons providing force protection and the third moving to FOB Lighting to provide guardian angel support for the ANA corps advisory team. Once at FOB Shank, Comanche Company emplaced over 10,000 linear feet of Hesco barriers, emplaced over 5,000 meters of obstacles, and searched over 67,000 Local National workers and 25,000 Local National vehicles at the South ECP. 1st Platoon Comanche Company conducted over 1,800 Guardian Angel missions while at FOB Lightning.
February marked the next major task reorganization for 2-87IN. Apache Company turned over DSPs Mohamad Aghah and Baraki Barak to other coalition elements and moved back to FOB Shank. As 1-5 CAV prepared to leave, Comanche Company assumed full responsibility of base defense to include tower guard and both ECPs on FOB Shank while Apache Company assumed responsibility of the Logar Quick Reaction Force and Blackhawk assumed responsibility for the Operational Reaction Force. Apache was given the task of disrupting to the North of FOB Shank, which encompassed the village of PKS. Blackhawk Company retained control of OP English and used it as a platform to patrol nearby areas and was also responsible for the area South of FOB Shank. The Battalion Mortars moved back to FOB Shank and established a new Mortar Firing Point to support ongoing operations. The Battalion Scouts were attached to Apache and Blackhawk elements for patrols of the area around FOB Shank. Fox Company continued their sustainment operations and also provided essential support for retrograde efforts and closing down the north side of FOB Shank.
In late February 2014, TF Catamount conducted Operation Wrecking Ball. This was a combined operation developed by the battalion which included and integrated elements of Apache Company, the BN Scout PLT, Navy Special Operations, ANA, ANCOP, and GIRoA leaders like the Provincial Governor and Provincial Chief of Police in a concerted effort to disrupt the IDF cells operating in PKS whom frequently conducted attacks against FOB Shank. This Operation was unprecedented for its coordination and integration of numerous coalition and ANSF elements and resulted in a marked drop of IDF attacks for a period of 4–5 weeks.
In March 2014, Alpha and Delta companies from 1/504 PIR arrived at FOB Shank and were task organized to Task Force Catamount for Base Defense. 2-87IN prepared for the upcoming Afghan presidential elections by providing support to the ANSF as they conducted security and clearance operations in order to facilitate voting.
Task Force Catamount began April 2014 by aiding the ANSF prior to and during the historic national presidential elections which took place on 5 April 2014. On the day prior to the Afghan national presidential elections enemy forces conducted an attack on OP English in an effort to disrupt the elections. Soldiers from 1st PLT, Blackhawk Company engaged the enemy combatants with direct fire weapons and mortars, killing one enemy and suppressing four more, forcing them to break contact. The following day, enemy combatants again conducted an attack on OP English and a nearby polling site, Blackhawk Company Mortars engaged the enemy team, wounding all three enemy combatants; a later patrol confirmed two of these enemy combatants as KIA. The advisory efforts of the BN's SFAAT team were critical to ensuring the ANSF were capable of properly preparing for the elections and also securing Logar Province, allowing for a historic number of voters being able to cast their votes. After the hard work of the Afghan forces, 68 sites were secured for the duration of the Election Day. The insurgents attempted to disrupt the operation to no avail due to the dedicated ANSF personnel and the assistance from Task Force Catamount. This enabled the GiROA to conduct an election for the next President of Afghanistan, a critical step in maintaining the new government and its constitution.
On April 12, 1 Platoon Apache Company and a scout section were conducting a counter indirect fire patrol North of FOB Shank. After establishing a dismounted observation post, they began receiving small arms and sniper fire. A sniper from the attached scout section, Spc. Kerry M.G. Danyluk aged 27, was mortally wounded. The platoon on the ground immediately began suppressing the enemy element while simultaneously conducting an aerial MEDEVAC. While 1st Platoon, Apache company was maintaining positive identification of the enemy insurgents, 3rd Apache Company, the Quick Reaction Force, was dispatched to link up with 1st Platoon and reinforce them. After air assets came on station, two Apache Attack Helicopters conducted a gun run on enemy insurgents, killing one who were engaging Apache Company. Apache Company 1st Platoon continued to be engaged by enemy insurgents killing one, and two fire missions were conducted against enemy positions in order to disrupt them. 2nd Platoon, Apache company also left FOB Shank and moved to a position South of the elements in contact to provide support. After over two hours of contact, the insurgents broke contact and the Apache elements moved back to FOB Shank.
In mid-April, TF Catamount received the PDSS from 3rd Cavalry regiment and its 2nd Squadron, beginning efforts to prepare for TF Catamount and TF Spartan's relief. Discussions focused on continuing retrograde and how best to secure U.S. forces upon the arrival of 3rd Cavalry Regiment, with its focus on retrograde rather than advising. Key decisions included the formalization of the TF Shank footprint which encompassed shrinking FOB Shank; 2nd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment also decided to retain OP English and continue the advising mission with 4th Brigade, 203rd ANA Corps due to its headquarters being co-located with Sabre Squadron at TB Shank.
On 28 April 2014, 1st Platoon Blackhawk Company was conducting a patrol west of FOB Shank across the Little Logar River when it was ambushed by enemy insurgents approximately 100 meters away in the village of Shehk Khel. Two U.S. soldiers were WIA in the initial burst of enemy fire. The Platoon immediately returned fire and submitted a 9 Line aerial medical evacuation request. While the platoon was breaking contact, air assets came on station, the FOB Shank QRF was dispatched and the Platoon's mounted element began moving towards the river to link up with the dismounts. During the Platoon's movement towards the river, a fire mission was fired South of the Village to disrupt enemy forces. The Platoon successfully linked up with its mounted element and its trucks and then moved back to FOB Shank. One of the two wounded soldiers, Spc. Christian J. Chandler aged 20, died upon reaching the medical treatment facility.
During late April, TF Catamount also received two platoons from Battle Company, 1-32IN to supplement the force protection at FOB Shank. Battle Company was tasked with manning the towers that were emptied by the departure of the Theater Reaction Force, A/1/504 just prior. Battle Company also assumed responsibility for FOB Shank Operational Reaction Force several weeks later. On 30 April 2014, Huron Company conducted a Change of Command. Apache Company also underwent a change of Command on the 15th of May. Operations throughout May continued to focus on the enduring threat from enemy indirect fire attacks.
During June 2014, TF Catamount continued operations with intent on protecting the force, enabling retrograde operations and setting conditions for the reception of 2nd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment. On June 14, TF Catamount again provided support to the National Afghan Election Runoffs, with great success. TF Catamount conducted multiple strikes against enemy positions enabling the ANSF to conduct security operations and ensure the success of elections in Logar. In late June and into July, TF Catamount conducted a successful Relief in Place with Sabre Squadron at FOB Shank and successfully transitioned back to Fort Drum, NY.
Upon its arrival at Fort Drum, 2-87 conducted reintegration training and received fresh leadership. On July 25, 2014, CSM Brian Hamm conducted a change of responsibility with CSM Charles Gilmer Jr. On August 12, 2014, LTC Brian Beckno conducted a change of command with LTC Jonathan Chung.
Afghanistan 2018-19.
2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, under the command of LTC David Preston and CSM Michael Eiermann, deployed from Fort Drum, New York to Contingency Location (CL) Dwyer in Helmand Province, Afghanistan from 20 October 2018 through 17 July 2019. Assigned to US Forces -Afghanistan (USFOR-A) and under the tactical control of Task Force Southwest in Kandahar Province, TF Catamount Secured CL Dwyer in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in order to enable strategic, joint and interagency operations, while providing a power projection platform for Coalition Forces into Central/ Southern Helmand Province. The Catamounts patrolling led to a 66% reduction in rocket attacks against CL Dwyer. Additionally the Catamounts patrolling led to the discovery and neutralization of 18 IEDs. In the process of defeating these threats, the Catamounts received 97 Individual Combat Badges, five Purple Hearts, and 28 Bronze Stars. TF Catamount's efforts directly contributed to the success of the RS mission and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA), by securing CL Dwyer, and disrupting the Taliban’s ability to move MWE throughout the region.
The TF Catamount Headquarters was responsible for synchronizing the six warfighting functions for the Battalion. The MCP synchronized operations and intelligence assets across multiple echelons. The plans cell ensured that there was continuous presence in the GDA, to include over 450 patrols, and coverage from multiple ISR assets sourced from both CL Dwyer and TF Southwest. The Intelligence section’s collaboration and support with TFSW and NSOCC-A targeting over ten operations, resulted in 31 enemy killed in action, four kinetic strikes, 750lbs of HME destroyed and ten structures destroyed. Finally, the TFCT Fires Cell coordinated and conducted the firing of over 2,000 munitions and managed airspace control measures for all U.S. and Afghan indirect fires in and around a 900 square kilometer Ground Defense Area (GDA). The Medical Section supported numerous Coalition Force operations, and treated 18 battle casualties from U.S Forces, and Afghan National Defense Security Forces.
Headquarters Company base operations included the management of all life support operations, base structure maintenance, and contractor liaison duties. Working toward enduring quality of life initiatives, the Mayor Cell directly supervised the expansion of the DFAC, relocating the Tactical Communications Facility (TCF), refurbishment of the local national (LN) compound, rebuilding Life Support Area (LSA) 4, and installation of an incinerator for the processing and elimination of waste build up. The Mayor Cell managed over $28 million in contracts, and executed cuts to excess contracts, reducing spending by $2 million annually on the base. HHC oversaw the battalion mortars, and their establishment of two Mortar Firing Points (MFP) on CL Dwyer, extending their range several kilometers to the east.
Apache Company served as the base defense company at Contingency Location Dwyer. As the Battalion’s decisive operation, Apache Company secured over 700 U.S. military personnel and 500 civilians. Apache Company improved the defensive capability of CL Dwyer by laying over 37km of C-Wire, established thirteen new engagement areas, and restoring two miles of berm with seven foot HESCO barriers. Apache Company also supported the casualty transfer and evacuation of 16 Coalition and ANDSF casualties. The base defense team ensured life-saving care and solidified coalition relations with the 1st BDE 215th ANA Corps. Apache Company deployed new standard operating procedures for base defense. Apache Company and counter UAS systems enabled the deterrence of three UAS incursions.
Comanche Company conducted 235 patrols in the Northern Ground Defense Area, in Garm-Ser District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Comanche Company Soldiers assumed duties within the CL including tower guard, ECP/MCP security, local national escort duties, QRF missions, and Guardian Angel support. While patrolling, Comanche Company Soldiers neutralized seven IEDs and struck three, enabling freedom of maneuver throughout the GDA.
Danger Company provided security for Task Force Catamount, Task Force Legion, Task force Panther, and over 500 civilians working on CL Dwyer, through patrolling of the southern GDA. Danger Company conducted over 250 patrols in a 400 square kilometer area of operations. Danger Company integrated collection assets to assist the Task Force in targeting efforts that resulted in over 750 lbs. of HME removed from the battlefield, and several kinetic strikes. Danger Company successfully neutralized eleven IEDs, and striking four, denying the enemy the ability to conduct significant operations within the GDA throughout the deployment.
Iroquois Company simultaneously executed missions at Kandahar Airfield, MSS (Mission Support Site) Tarin Kowt, MSS Shorab, Camp Bost, Camp Jadeed, and Camp Conde. Iroquois Company cross-trained all personnel at various locations allowing for increased mission support. Iroquois elements conducted over 1,500 forward arming and refueling point (FARP) operations at MSS Tarin Kowt and FOB Eagle; distributing over 400,000 gallons of fuel to various coalition and Afghanistan National Army aircraft, resulting in increased coalition reach. Iroquois Company cooked and served over 175,000 hot meals to a combined 700 personnel daily consisting of both coalition forces and civilian contractors at MSS Tarin Kowt, Camp Jadeed, Camp Bost, and Camp Thompson. Iroquois Company supported Train, Advise, Assist Command – South through multiple unit transitions and reliefs.
For their efforts 2nd Battalion 87th Infantry Regiment Headhunter Company, Apache Company, Commanche Company, and Danger Company were awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation medal.
Lineage.
2d Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment
 Constituted 15 November 1941 in the Army of the United States as Company B, 87th Infantry Mountain Regiment, and activated at Fort Lewis, Washington
 Redesignated 12 May 1942 as Company B, 87th Mountain Infantry
 Reorganized and redesignated 22 February 1944 as Company B, 87th Infantry, an element of the 10th Light Division
 Reorganized and redesignated 6 November 1944 as Company B, 87th Mountain Infantry, an element of the 10th Mountain Division
 Inactivated 21 November 1945 at Camp Carson, Colorado
 Redesignated 18 June 1948 as Company B, 87th Infantry, an element of the 10th Infantry Division
 Allotted 25 June 1948 to the Regular Army
 Activated 1 July 1948 at Fort Riley, Kansas
 Inactivated 1 July 1957 in Germany and relieved from assignment to the 10th Infantry Division; concurrently redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battle Group, 87th Infantry
 Redesignated 25 January 1963 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 87th Infantry, and assigned to the 2d Infantry Division (organic elements concurrently constituted)
 Battalion activated 15 February 1963 at Fort Benning, Georgia
 Relieved 4 September 1963 from assignment to the 2d Infantry Division and assigned to the 8th Infantry Division
 Inactivated 1 May 1966 in Germany
 Activated 31 August 1973 in Germany
 Inactivated 16 June 1986 in Germany and relieved from assignment to the 8th Infantry Division
 Assigned 2 May 1988 to the 10th Mountain Division and activated at Fort Drum, New York
 Relieved 16 September 2004 from assignment to the 10th Mountain Division and assigned to the 3d Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division
 Redesignated 1 October 2005 as the 2d Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment
 Relieved 16 October 2014 from assignment to the 3d Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division and assigned to the 2d Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division
Note: The lineage of the present HHC, 2d Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment goes back to the World War II-era Company B, 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment, which was part of the regiment's 1st Battalion. The lineage of the pre-1957 2d Battalion and the current 2d Battalion are not the same. When infantry battalions and regiments were dissolved in the late 1950s and personnel and equipment were reorganized into battle groups, the lineages of regimental battalions were disbanded and the lineages of the line companies were reorganized as HHCs for battle groups. When the Army reorganized into brigades and battalions in the early 1960s, the battle group HHC lineages were reorganized and redesignated battalion HHCs.
Unit Decorations.
! Ribbon
! Award
! Year
! Notes

Gwyneth Boodoo

Gwyneth M. Boodoo (born Trinidad) is an American psychologist and expert on educational measurement.
Boodoo received her doctorate in educational measurement from the University of Toronto in 1978. She has taught at Texas A&M University, where she was an associate professor in the department of educational psychology.
She has worked for Educational Testing Service, where she directed a research program on Equity in Assessment from 1990–1992 and wrote the "Fairness" chapter of the 2000 revised version of the ETS Standards for Quality and Fairness.
Boodoo has served on the Board of Scientific Affairs for the American Psychological Association (APA). She currently runs educational consultancy GMB Enterprises in Hamilton Township, Mercer County, New Jersey. She has also sat on several working groups for the Joint Committee on Testing Practices, a coalition established in 1985 by the American Educational Research Association (AERA), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME).
In 1995, Boodoo was part of an 11-member APA task force led by Ulric Neisser which published "," a report written in response to "The Bell Curve".


Marc Antoine Baudot

Marc Antoine Baudot (18 March 1765 – 23 March 1837) was a French memoirist and physician.


John Browne (scientist)

John Symonds Lyon Browne (April 13, 1904 – January 21, 1984) was an English-born Canadian physician.
He was born in Wembley, London, the son of a civil engineer, and came to Canada with his family in 1905. In 1912, the family moved to Montreal. Browne was educated at Westmount High School and at McGill University. He went on to work in Germany, Austria and England under a travelling fellowship from the Royal Society of Canada. Browne returned to McGill as a research fellow, later becoming a professor of medicine, Medical Department chairman and director of the Royal Victoria Hospital. He was forced to leave those positions due to failing eyesight but served as chairman of the Department of Investigative Medicine from 1955 until his retirement in 1960.
In 1964, he helped establish the Conseil du recherche medical du Quebec, later known as the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec, and also helped found the Canadian Clinical Investigation Travel Club, later the Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation.
He is credited with contributing to important advances in endocrinology. During his time at McGill, he pressed for the addition of more biochemistry and physiology in the undergraduate curriculum for clinical medicine.
Browne was named to the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in 1994 for his efforts to create co-operation between the English and French-speaking physicians of Quebec.


Jules Germain Cloquet

Jules Germain Cloquet (18 December 1790 – 23 February 1883) was a French physician and surgeon who was born and practiced medicine in Paris. His older brother, Hippolyte Cloquet (1787-1840) and his younger nephew Ernest Cloquet (1818-1855) were also physicians. In 1821 Jules Cloquet became one of the earliest members elected to the Académie Nationale de Médecine in Paris. In 1836, he was elected Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
Cloquet was known for his expertise as a surgeon, especially his work with hernial disorders. He was also the first to describe and identify the remnant of the embryonic hyaloid artery. This vestige was to become known as Cloquet's canal.
Cloquet's name is associated with three anatomical terms regarding the femoral canal:
Cloquet was a skilled artist; in his best-known work, "Anatomie de l'homme", most of the 1300 illustrations were drawn by him. He was the inventor of several surgical instruments, including an arterial forceps. He also had a keen interest in alternative medical practices such as mesmerism and acupuncture.


Globe Life and Accident Insurance Company

Globe Life, based in McKinney, Texas, provides life and health insurance coverage nationwide, and has earned the A (Excellent) Financial Strength Rating as of June 2020. Globe Life and Accident Insurance Company has executive offices in Oklahoma City and McKinney, TX and is a subsidiary of Globe Life.
History.
In 1951, the company was chartered by two longtime friends, Ralph Reece and John Singletary, with $60,000 of borrowed capital. Globe originally sold inexpensive but dependable life insurance protection to rural Oklahoma communities. Since 1951, Globe Life has grown in financial strength and reputation, consistently receiving high industry ratings. Today, Globe Life markets through direct mail, internet, and call center sales. The company's life insurance premium has grown from approximately $221 million in 1998 to approximately $813 million in 2018.
Major Globe Life sponsorships.
On February 5, 2014, Globe Life and Accident Insurance Company purchased the naming rights to Globe Life Park in Arlington, the stadium of the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball Team in Arlington, Texas. The agreement is for ten years starting in 2014 and going through the 2023 baseball season.
Globe Life and Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation partnered on a baseball and softball grant program again in 2015.
In addition to its partnership with the Texas Rangers, Globe Life is also the official insurance company of the Dallas Cowboys and partners with the organization through advertising and corporate events at the Cowboys’ stadium, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and at the Dallas Cowboys’ headquarters and training facility in Frisco, Texas.
President & CEO.
Charles F. Hudson was the Senior Vice President of Globe Life from August 2001 through August 2005. He became President and CEO in August 2005 and retired in November 2014. Bill Leavell was named President of Globe Life in October 2013.
Company reputation.
The company has an A+ Better Business Bureau rating on a scale of A+ to F and has over 376 closed complaints. In a 2002 lawsuit, Globe Life was fined a civil penalty of $5,000 for failing to pay interest on death claims in Oregon.
Employee Service Division.
In 1972, Globe Life formed its Employee Services Division (ESD) to offer supplemental life and health insurance for federal and state employees already covered by Federal Employee Government Life Insurance, or FEGLI.


Kenneth Adie Ferguson

Kenneth Adie Ferguson (6 April 192115 April 2011) was an Australian veterinary scientist.
Family.
Ferguson was born in Wahroonga, the fourth child of Eustace William Ferguson and Jessie Perry. He married Helen McVicar, veterinarian (born 1925 in Manly, NSW) in 1946 and they had five children, Deborah, Maggie Ferguson, Kate, John and Angus. They lived at West Pennant Hills in North-western Sydney, moving to Canberra in 1974 and eventually Newcastle in 2008, where he died in 2011.
Career.
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.
Purification and study of pituitary hormones with Alan Wallace.
Extended collaboration with Professor Leslie Lazarus and Dr Margaret Stuart of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research.
Novel method to protect food protein from breakdown in the rumen with Dr Trevor Scott
Polyunsaturated milk, cheese and meat products
Scientific administration.
Endocrine society of Australia foundation member (1958) and President 1962-74.
Retirement.
Work with Dr Jim Watts, originator of soft rolling skin merino selection process.
Scientific archive.
Unusually, his experimental scientific career is well documented. The extensive records and effects have been bequeathed to the National Library of Australia. The NLA index entry is .


Jeffrey A. Cohen

Jeffrey Alan Cohen (born October 14, 1954) is an American neurologist specializing in multiple sclerosis and Director of Experimental Neurotherapeutics at the Cleveland Clinic Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis.
Education.
B.A. - Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut
M.D. - University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine Chicago, Illinois
Postdoctoral training - Neurology - University of Pennsylvania


Nasal cerebral heterotopia


World Eightball Pool Federation

The World Eightball Pool Federation (WEPF) is an international pool (pocket billiards) governing body overseeing international (principally British, Commonwealth, and continental European) tournaments and rankings in eightball pool (a game similar to eight-ball but played with red and yellow unnumbered balls instead of the stripes and solids numbered balls). WEPF competes for authority and membership with the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA), which produces its own tournaments and slightly different rules under the game name blackball.
Overview.
The WEPF is the governing body of the sport of eightball pool, which is mostly competed across continental Europe and the Commonwealth. It was established in 1992 by founding member countries Australia, England and New Zealand. The governing body runs its own world championships, separate from those held by the WPA.
Each country under the WEPF has their own referee and umpire body and each country has their own qualification structure in place for grading referees. For instance, South Africa has three basic certificates: League Referee, Provincial Referee and National Referee. Australia is also most complimented on their good governance and structure of their referee/umpire body.
The rules of the game are available on the WEPF website with calling procedures and guidance.
World Eightball Pool Championship.
The WEPF World Eightball Pool Championship (sometimes branded the Foster's World Eightball Pool Championship for sponsorship purposes) is held annually, and features open, women's, and juniors' divisions. The tournaments are regularly held at the Imperial Hotel in Blackpool, England. The competition includes players from Europe and from further afield, including Australia and South Africa.
The 2010 men's champion was England's Mick Hill who beat fellow countryman and three-time champion Gareth Potts 11–8 in the Final. In the 2010 ladies' event, Sue Thompson of Scotland defeated Northern Ireland's Emma Cunningham 8–4. Thompson was an eight-time ladies' world champion as of 2008, when first-time finalist Lynette Horsburgh, a BBC writer, beat Thompson in the semi-final, and took first place in that division in an 8–6 final against fellow first-timer Barbara Taylor.


Affinity maturation

In immunology, affinity maturation is the process by which TFH cell-activated B cells produce antibodies with increased affinity for antigen during the course of an immune response. With repeated exposures to the same antigen, a host will produce antibodies of successively greater affinities. A secondary response can elicit antibodies with several fold greater affinity than in a primary response. Affinity maturation primarily occurs on surface immunoglobulin of germinal center B cells and as a direct result of somatic hypermutation (SHM) and selection by TFH cells.
"In vivo".
The process is thought to involve two interrelated processes, occurring in the germinal centers of the secondary lymphoid organs:
"In vitro".
Like the natural prototype, the "in vitro" affinity maturation is based on the principles of mutation and selection. The "in vitro" affinity maturation has successfully been used to optimize antibodies, antibody fragments or other peptide molecules like antibody mimetics. Random mutations inside the CDRs are introduced using radiation, chemical mutagens or error-prone PCR. In addition, the genetic diversity can be increased by chain shuffling. Two or three rounds of mutation and selection using display methods like phage display usually results in antibody fragments with affinities in the low nanomolar range.