Division Artillery History

Preface

For Rememberance

When to the sessions of sweet silent thought
I summon up remembrance of things past,
I sigh the lack of many a thing I sought,
And with old woes new wail my dear times' waste:
Then can I drown an eye, unus'd to flow,
For precious friends hid in death's dateless night,
And, weep afresh love's long-since cancell'd woe,
And moan the expense of many a vanish'd sight.
Then can I grieve at grievances foregone,
And heavily from woe to woe tell o'er
The sad account of fore-bemoaned moan,
Which I new pay as if not paid before.
But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,
All losses are restor'd, and sorrows end.
-- Shakespeare

It is with this thought that the Battle Book was conceived and dedicated to the memories and friendships wrought in the forge of Mars. The Battle Book presents in a graphic form some of those things past which sessions of silent thought would be most likely to summon from the realm of remembrance.

Colonel Lowell M. Riley, the Commanding Officer of Division Artillery, a professional soldier and diplomat, assumed command of the 6th Armored Division Artillery on 22 June 1942 after having served with the 12th, 13th, and 16th Field Artillery Brigades. Prior to that he followed an interestingly varied career as an assistant military attaché in Paris, a military attaché in Austria-Hungary, and as a young officer in World War I. The Colonel has among his awards the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal, and the Purple Heart. Although a world traveler, Colonel Riley keeps a victory garden at 1877 Avondale Circle, Jacksonville, Florida.

To All Members of the
6th Armored Division Artillery:

In this Battle Year Book only a small part -- an infinitesmal part -- can be published of what you lived through in World War II. It will give you a few reminders only of the men you fought with and the times you had. And when I say, "Well done" to every member of this fine command, I am, expressing a small part, indeed, of what I know about the glorious job you, did in the great Battle of Europe.

And so as we break up in fact, but not in spirit, and in memory, may I wish you God speed and Good Luck. My thanks and my comradely thoughts go with you, and, in spite of the fact that our job in Europe is finished, I see you go with deep regret.

Riley Signature

LOWELL M. RILEY
Colonel, F. A.
Comdg.

Schloss Tonndorf 20 May 1945

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Last updated: March 2, 2002