101st Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion
101st Separate Coast Artillery Battalion, Antiaircraft
U.S. Army (USA), 40th Anti-Aircraft Brigade

Background
During October 1940, the U.S. Army 108th Cavalry Regiment in Louisiana was disbanded and converted into coastal artillery and became the 101st Separate Coast Artillery Battalion, Antiaircraft and moved to Camp Stewart in Georgia. The unit was comprised of HQ Battery, Battery A formed in Savannah, Battery B formed in Hinesville, Battery C from the 108th machine gun troop and Battery D newly created in Bainbridge, GA. The battalion continued to use the 108th Cavalry Regiment's motto was "Come What Will".

Wartime History
On January 16, 1942 activated as the 101st Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion. Also abbreviated 101st Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AW) or 101st AAA (AW).

During February 1942 embarked aboard RMS Queen Mary for the voyage via Rio de Janeiro Pacific, Cape Town and Freemantle and although originally bound for Sumatra but was instead diverted to Sydney. On March 28, 1942 arrives Sydney.

In Australia, the 101st AAA was deployed to Amberley Field and Lowood Airfield. Assigned to the 40th Anti-Aircraft Brigade, the battalion was equipped with forty-eight .50 caliber machine guns for anti-aircraft defense against low flying planes. On April 28, 1942 embarked aboard MV Cremer then departs bound for New Guinea.

On May 3, 1942 at 7:30pm arrives Fairfax Harbor off Port Moresby and unloads overnight. The next day, the battalion is directed to establish machine gun positions to defend airfields from enemy aircraft and begin digging gun pits and trenches. Battery A and Battery C defend 7 Mile Drome. Battery B and Battery D defend 12 Mile Drome.

On May 5, 1942 the 101st AAA experience their first Japanese air raid against Port Moresby.

On May 9, 1942 Battery A and Battery C fire their guns for the first time at during a Japanese air raid by Zeros.

On May 17, 1942 the 101st AAA fire their guns at Zeros strafing 7 Mile Drome and 12 Mile Drome damage two that later crash on their return flights.

During late July 1942, one battery with six .50 caliber machine guns from the 10st AAA was sent to Milne Bay for anti-aircraft defense.

Later, the 101st AAA served on Leyte in the Philippines.

References
Diary of Captain William Smith in New Guinea: January-October 1942
101st Separate Coast Artillery Battalion (AA) Camp Stewart (1941)
On Target: With the American and Australian Anti-Aircraft Brigade in New Guinea (1943)
Coast Artillery Journal "An AA Battalion in SWPA.” Issue 87 Mar-Apr 1944, pages 14-16
Come What Will: A Military History of the 101st AAA Automatic Weapons Battalion 15 October 1940 to VJ Day 1945 (1966) by Lindsey P. Henderson, Jr.
Journal of the Historical Society of the Georgia National Guard "The Georgia Battalion which Helped Stop an Invasion; the Defense of Port Moresby" by Fail Parnelle (1993)
Come What Will (1994) by Richard W. Titus
From My Diary by George W. Canup (member of Battery D between February 18, 1942 until August 14, 1945
101st Coast Artillery Battalion Research & Notes by Edward Rogers – 2007 & 2008
Oz@War - 101st Coastal Artillery (AA Separate) Battalion
Thanks to Dan Titus (son of Richard W. Titus) for additional information

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