G-Tab 333rd FA

• Origins in WWII: The 333rd Field Artillery Battalion (333rd FA) was activated in 1942 and was composed primarily of African American soldiers during a time when the U.S. Army was still segregated. • Service in Normandy: The 333rd FA landed in Normandy, France, in June 1944 and provided crucial artillery support to Allied forces during the breakout from the D-Day beaches. • The Battle of the Bulge: The battalion played a significant role during the Battle of the Bulge, supporting the 106th Infantry Division in Belgium in December 1944. • The Wereth 11 Massacre: Eleven members of the 333rd FA were captured and brutally murdered by the Waffen-SS near the village of Wereth, Belgium, one of WWII's most notorious war crimes against American troops. • Heroism Under Fire: Despite being outflanked and facing overwhelming German attacks during the Battle of the Bulge, many members of the 333rd bravely continued to fight and support their comrades. • Integration Legacy: The service of the 333rd FA, along with other segregated units, helped pave the way for the eventual desegregation of the U.S. Armed Forces in 1948. • Commemoration at Wereth: The site where the Wereth 11 were killed is now a memorial in Belgium, honoring the sacrifice of the 333rd FA and other African American soldiers. • Support to the 106th Infantry: The unit’s artillery barrages were credited with helping to slow German advances, buying time for Allied forces to regroup. • Posthumous Honors: Members of the battalion, including the Wereth 11, have been posthumously recognized for their bravery and sacrifice, with multiple commemorative ceremonies held in their honor. • Documentaries and Books: The story of the 333rd FA and the Wereth 11 has been the subject of documentaries, books, and scholarly articles, ensuring their legacy endures in military history.