US Army WW2 Pocket Bible belonging to a US Army soldier of the 268th Field Artillery; Holland; - Military equipment - 1941

A nice original US Army New Testament Bible, with a leather-like cover, inscribed for a US Army soldier serving with the HQ company of the 268th Field Artillery, known for their heavy combat in the Netherlands, the Bulge, and more (see info below). The Bible bears his name, address, unit, etc.

This was a gift from his church before he went overseas. A great original piece with an amazing patina. It would be great to do more research; unfortunately, I do not have time to do this.

A very nice 100% original item for your US WW2 collection!

See also our other interesting military books and items that we offer for auction on Catawiki!

History of the unit
The 268th Field Artillery Battalion was a U.S. Army heavy artillery unit that served in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The battalion was activated in the United States in 1943 and trained as a separate (non-divisional) field artillery battalion, equipped with heavy guns intended for long-range fire support rather than direct attachment to a single infantry division. Like many heavy artillery battalions, it operated under corps- and army-level artillery commands, being shifted as needed to support major operations.

After deploying to Europe following the Normandy invasion, the 268th supported U.S. ground forces as they advanced across France and into Germany. Its mission was to deliver long-range, high-caliber fire against enemy troop concentrations, fortifications, road junctions, and counter-battery targets. During late 1944 and early 1945, the battalion participated in the intense fighting in western Germany, including operations associated with the Rhineland campaign and the winter battles that followed the German Ardennes offensive. Heavy artillery units such as the 268th played a crucial role during this period by reinforcing defensive lines, disrupting German attacks, and later supporting the Allied advance toward the Rhine.

The battalion suffered combat casualties during its service, reflecting its frequent proximity to the front despite its rear-area firing positions. As with many separate artillery units, the 268th did not leave behind a widely published, detailed unit history, but available records, photographs, and individual service accounts confirm that it contributed sustained heavy fire support to First U.S. Army formations through the final months of the war in Europe. After Germany’s surrender in May 1945, the battalion remained in Europe for occupation duties before eventually being inactivated.