The 17th Airborne Division was activated at Camp Mackall, North Carolina on Apr 15 1943 and participated to the Carolina Airborne Troops Carrier Command Maneuvers from Dec 6 to Dec 10 1943. It moved then to the Tennessee Maneuver Area on Feb 6 1944 and took part in the Second Army #5 Maneuvers. The 17th was then transferred to Camp Forrest Tennessee on Mar 24 1944, staged at Camp Myles Standish Mass from Aug 12 1944 until it departed the Boston Port of Embarkation on Aug 20 1944.
The 17th Airborne Division arrived in England 5 days later, Aug 25 1944 and was flown to Reims, France on Dec 24 1944. It crossed then into Belgium, Dec 25 1944 and returned to France after the Battle of the Bulge, on Feb 11 1945. As one major part of Gen Lewis H. Brereton 1st Allied Airborne Army, the Division air assaulted in Wesel Germany on Mar 24 1945 and stayed into Germany till the end of the War. The 17th Golden Talon returned to the Boston POE on Sep 15 1945 and was inactivated at Camp Myles Standish Massachusetts on Sep 16.
The 17th Airborne Division is credited with the Rhineland Campaign, the Ardennes-Alsace Campaign and the Central Europe Campaign.
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Feb
28
2009
Category : Fields Researches
To make sure that the Blog remain in the history topic and don’t start to become a kind of forum I am now posting images (that you can use of course) in the forum for identification purpose.
I have just place a photo from a Piper Cub, US Army Air Force, Serial # 299248, photo done somewhere in Belgium (I beleive this place to be between Béthane and Membach (road Dolhain – Limbourg to Eupen – Ville Basse) during the month of December 1944.
Informations are warmly welcomed.
Feb
27
2009
Category : Shoah & Holocaust
Allied Forces. Supreme Headquarters. G-5
US Group Control Council.
Inspection of German concentration camp for political prisoners located at Buchenwald on the north edge of Weimar, made by :
- Brig Gen Eric F. Wood
- Lt Col Chas H. Ott
- CWO S. M. Dye
on the morning of April 16th 1945. PW & DP Division
US Group Control Council APO 742
Annex No. To Rcn. Report of April 21st 1945
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Feb
27
2009
The 4th Armored Division was activated on Apr 15 1941 at Pille Camp, New York and moved to Camp Forrest, Tennessee Oct 2 1942 for the 1st Corps Tennessee Maneuvers. On Nov 17 1942, the unit arrived at Camp Young, California, where it participated in the Desert Training Center, #1 California Maneuvers. The Division was then transferred to Camp Bowie, Texas Jun 13 1943, staged at Camp Myles Standish, Massachusetts Dec 20 1943 until departed Boston Port of Embarkation 9 days later and arrived in England on Jan 11 1944. The 4th Armored Division landed in France Jul 13 1944, crossed into Luxembourg Feb 9 1945 and entered Germany Mar 9 1945 where it was re-designated 1st Constabulary Brigade on May 1 1946.
4th Armored Division Casualties
KIA : 1143 – WIA : 4551 – DOW : 213
Feb
27
2009
There is something I would like to say about the 106th Infantry Division. In Belgium, as witnesses on what happened during the Battle of the Bulge, we are able to do a parallel between the 2 Inf Regts (422-423/106th Infantry Division) surrounded around the hight grounds in the Schoenberg – Armelscheid – Bleialf area and the 101st Airborne Division surrounded in the vicinity of Bastogne for 6 days. If Commanding General 1st Army would have done it the same way with the 101st A/B as they did with the 106th Inf Div, the US Army would have lost over 14000 men captured and not 6800. The 101st Troopers in Bastogne were all veterans of Normandy and Holland and they knew all the tricks used by the Germans in this perdiod. The had already face SS Troops, SS Panzer, Luftfaffe, Panzer and Wermacht Troops. In comparison, the entire 106th Infantry Division had on December 1944 neither shot a single 30.06 bullet at the Germans nor had faced a combat against the Germans.
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Feb
27
2009
London Daily Mail
An almost lost account from a German army medic who treated Adolf Hitler during World War I may have finally proved the Nazi leader did have just one testicle. Johan Jambor made the revelation to a priest in the 1960s because he felt guilty for saving the future tyrant’s life after he was injured at the Battle of the Somme.
Father Franciszek Pawlar noted down the admission in confidence – but only now has the document been made public 23 years after Mr Jambor died.
The story that Hitler may have been monorchic – the medical term for having one testicle – has been mocked for years in a British song. But until now there was very little proof the dictator had a missing testicle. The claim had been written off by many historians as Allied propaganda despite an alleged Soviet autopsy backing it up.
Records show Hitler, who was twice decorated for bravery as he faced enemy fire on a daily basis in his role as a runner, did suffer a groin injury in the Somme.
Johan’s friend Blassius Hanczuch confirmed the priest’s account of how the medic saved Hitler’s life. He told the Sun :
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Feb
27
2009
Dear Gunter, the press request 99th got had me find this which will be of interest to you and your website. You will get detailed explanation with my letters home of going into Army and joining the 99th Infantry Battalion Separate, the 99th Formation and Training. Followed by full write up the Belgian Ardenne or Battle of the Bulge done with nearly hundreds of quotes from 99ers. What follows is from my November 2007 99th Informations and Newsletter. Below are quotes from many of my Dad’s letters written during the War many and perhaps even most of your readers know of 99er letters written during the War.
Copies you have typed up on your computer or legible photocopies that fill in much more of the 99th’s story and tell your 99er’s story. The following has been written in response to questions from Antoni Pisani the Norwegian who lives in Oslo that is now working on a book about all of the 99th, and not just “C” Company as it first started out, for a Norwegian publishing company.
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Feb
25
2009
Category : 106th-ID, 422nd-IR, 423rd-IR, Battle of the Bulge
Facts
The 106th Infantry Division moved from England to France and closed in its concentration area in the vicinity of Limesey, France to St Vith Belgium, completing the move at 101830A Dec 1944. In compliance with an VII Corps order the 106/ID with attachments, relieved the 2/ID in place. CG 106/ID assumed responsibility for the defense of the sector at 111900A Dec 1944. The major units attached to the division at this time were :
- 14th Cavalry Group
- 820th Tank Destroyer Bn
- 634th AAA-AW Bn
Early Dec 16, the enemy launched a coordinated infantry-tank attack with an estimated two infantry divisions and elements of two Panzer divisions preceded by an extensive artillery preparation. Captured documents taken by the division indicated the scope of the German attack. Operation Grief appeared to be part of this large scale counteroffensive. The German attack increased in fury and continued, generally along the whole sector, during the day.
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Feb
25
2009
Front line infantrymen of the lost battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment relax around a camp fire after being rescued by 442nd RCT in France. October 31, 1944.
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Feb
23
2009
Category : Veterans Taps
It is with a heavy heart and my deepest sympathy that we learn of the passing of one of our Honorary Members and a Distinguished Veteran and a Valued Comrade. Joe Quade received a message informing us that Phillip W. Latimer, Lt Col US Army (Ret), 761st Tank Battalion, passed away on 13 February, 2009.
Prior to World War II Mr. Latimer served in the CCC during the great depression then entered Baylor University where he received a Bachelors Degree. In 1941 he entered the US Army and completed Officers Candidate School. For his first assignment as an Officer he volunteered for the newly formed 761st Tank Battalion, an all black unit.
His selfless act to help lead the first black Battalion in combat paved the way for the removal of the racial barriers in the Military.
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Feb
23
2009
Category : Nazi Papers
Ernst Franz Putzi Hanfstaengl was born in Munich, Germany. He was the son of a wealthy German art publisher, Edgar Hanfstaengl, and an American mother. He spent most of his early years in Germany and later moved to the United States. His mother was Katharine Wilhelmina Heine, daughter of William Heine, a cousin of John Sedgwick. His godfather was Duke Ernst II. He had one sister, Erna. He attended Harvard University and became acquainted with Walter Lippmann and John Reed. A gifted pianist, he composed several songs for Harvard’s football team. He graduated in 1909. He moved to New York City and took over the management of the American branch of his father’s business, the Franz Hanfstaengl Fine Arts Publishing House.
Every morning, he would practice on the piano at the New York Harvard Club, where he became acquainted with both Franklin and Theodore Roosevelt. Among his circle of acquaintances were the newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst, author Djuna Barnes, and actor Charlie Chaplin.
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Feb
22
2009
Category : Archive Stories, Harry Truman 1915
When Harry S. Truman was born, May 8, 1884, his father, John Truman, marked the day by nailing a mule shoe above the doorway and by planting a new pine seedling to grow with his firstborn son. While the gesture to provide good luck lasted in the long run for the 33rd president, his early years were plagued with accidents, poor eyesight, and a nearly paralyzing disease. Harry, however, grew up surrounded by loving, strong-willed, and doting parents, grandparents and other relatives. These strong relationships enabled him to accept himself no matter what external problems he would face. One such relative who greatly influenced his early years was Grandfather Young. Solomon Young was openly taken with his little grandson and frankly bragged about what an amazing little fellow he was. Vivian was Harry’s younger brother by two years. He had long curls, which his mother refused to cut. Evidently, the long curls bothered Grandfather Young to the point he decided to take control of the situation.
One day, he had Harry help him haul Vivian – highchair and all – out onto the south porch where Grandfather Young quickly gave Vivian a short haircut. Harry’s mother was furious, but said nothing out of respect for her father. A few days later, Harry decided to experiment with his own hair and comb it a different way. He pulled a big chair up close to a mirror in order to see the back of his head. He kept leaning in the chair until he fell over backwards, breaking his collarbone – his first, but not his last broken bone. Harry was particularly close to his mother, a college educated and outspoken woman. She valued art, reading, and music and saw to it that Harry had the same interests. She taught Harry to read from the large print Bible before he was five, but she noticed he had a hard time reading newsprint and distinguishing objects coming down the road. Then came the Fourth of July celebration in Grandview where the climax was a series of colorful rockets bursting in the air. Harry jumped at the exploding sounds but could not see the shiny showers of the fireworks.
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Feb
22
2009
The German S-mine (Schrapnellmine), also known as Bouncing Betty, is the best-known version of a class of mines known as bounding mines. When triggered, these mines launch into the air and then detonate at about waist height. The explosion projects a lethal shower of steel balls and steel fragments in all directions.
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Feb
21
2009
After Action Report : 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division for the month of July 1944 in Normandy, France
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Feb
20
2009
Category : Veterans Taps
It is with a heavy heart and my deepest sympathy that we learn of the passing of another of our Distinguished Veterans and a Valued Comrade. Through a message from our good Friend Sid Laufer we learn that Mr John W. Harrawood, 517th Abn Sig Co, passed away on 14 February 2009. Late this afternoon I was able to contact the Family to obtain the information for this message. Mr. Harrawood came ashore as part of the D-Day invasion force and was later assigned to the 17th Airborne Division. He left the US Army as a Captain and earned a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois. He was employed by several Companies that seemed to be purchased by a larger Company. The ABU was the big Company that he worked for. After many years he retired to spend a lot of time with his family and his favorite hobby “Boating”. The Inter Costal Water Way was his favorite. He joined our Association in 1983 and became a Life member in 1992. The cause of death was Natural Causes at the age of 86.
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Feb
20
2009
This is a soundless movie shot in France in 1917 or 1918. It’s an interesting movie for Militaria collectors as you will see Italian Troops, American Troops, French Troops and British Troops.
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Feb
20
2009
Category : Kristallnacht, Shoah & Holocaust
The term Kristallnacht [Night of Broken Glass] refers to the organized anti-Jewish riots in Germany and Austria, on Nov 9 – Nov 10, 1938. These riots marked a major transition in Nazi policy, and were, in many ways, a harbinger of the Final Solution.
Nazi antisemitic policy began with the systematic legal, economic, and social disenfranchisement of the Jews. This was accomplished in various stages (e.g. The Nuremberg Laws of 1935, which, among other things, stripped German Jews of their citizenship). One of these steps involved the deportation of Polish Jews who were residing in Germany (est. 56.500).
On the night of Oct 27, 1938, 18000 Polish Jews were deported, but were initially refused entry into Poland by the Polish authorities. Caught in between, the Jews were forced to camp out in makeshift shelters. Upon hearing that his family was so trapped, 17 year-old Herschel Grynszpan, a student in Paris, shot the third secretary of the German Embassy, Ernst vom Rath, whom he mistook for the ambassador. This assassination served as a welcome pretext for the German initiation of Kristallnacht. Reinhard Heydrich (the head of the Reich Main Security Office which oversaw the Gestapo, police and SD operations) sent a secret telegram at 0120-H, Nov 10, 1938 to all headquarters and stations of the State Police; all districts and sub-districts of the SD. He gave instructions for the immediate coordination of police and political activities in inciting the riots throughout Germany and Austria.
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Feb
19
2009
Category : EUCMH : Donations, Yazumbek
Yep ! it happen sometime ! Last week while placing some found battle field relics on Ebay, I saw that someone in Belgium was wiling to sale an original World War Two US Army Dog Tag. This seems to be a digged up one. Hurry with my little wallet to bring this memorabilia in safe hands. I have just got it and it reads : Leo Yazumbek 38899975 T-44 44B-P
I Have found out that Mr. Yazumbek passed away at age 55 in 1971. That’s all I know. Here are the photos.
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Feb
19
2009
Category : Sourbrodt, Then & Now Photos
As you can read in the top of the sidebar I am doing targeting and localization of World War Two areas, spots, building, places. I am probably one the best in this topic and sometime, when I have time to ride on the Bulge, I am used to shot photos when I get a memory flash. That’s what I did some weeks ago.
Note, if you have places to identify, send me the photos or reproduction of the photos and the maximum informations you have because “this photos was shot in Europa in 1944 doesn’t help a lot”.
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Feb
19
2009
Category : Archive Stories, Colored MOH
I was on the bus to Camp Wolters, and I put my duffel down and went to take a seat and the bus driver said, Get out of that seat, nigger, and get in the back where you belong ! Now, if it had gone to fisticuffs, which it could have, I probably would have gotten killed. They probably would have hanged me — I mean, Texas was pretty bad then.
But I kept my temper in check. It wasn’t easy at the time, but I remember something else my grandfather told me : Don’t hate, because if you hate, hate will destroy you.
After basic I was sent to Fort Huachuca, Ariz., where because I could read, write, spell and operate a typewriter, I was made a company clerk. Then sometime in ‘42, a white officer, I don’t recall his name, told me to sign up for officer candidates’ school, so I did.
I was commissioned a second lieutenant on Jan 11 1943. See, what was happening was, they were organizing an all-black division, the 92/ID. It was the Buffalo Division, and we were Buffalo Soldiers, a name given to black units during the Indian wars because our black skin and nappy hair made them think we were buffaloes.
This is June or July of ‘43 and the division had come together at Fort Huachuca, and on this particular day all the officers were called up to headquarters. At the time when you went to headquarters and you were black, even if you were an officer, you went in the back door. You don’t walk in the front door at division headquarters.
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Feb
19
2009
What is going on today ? I can not hear any artillery shot. No rifle firing. It seems that all my friends are dead and I have a strange feeling like I am the only one still alive. Since 1915 I have heard for the first time a bird singing. I have tried to see it but I can not. There is no place for a bird to rest a little over here. No trees, no hedgerow, nothing. Just the stinky soil of the battlefield. Just the dead, the putrefaction, the flees, the worms, the rats then mud, stinky water, and blackened blood.
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Feb
18
2009
Category : Veterans Taps
It is with a heavy heart and my deepest sympathy that we learn of the passing of another of our Distinguished Veterans and a Valued Comrade. Early on 17 February, 2009, I received a message from Mr. Dennis Sandlin with the sad news that his Father, Mr Willard J Sandlin, Btry A, 680th Glider Field Artillery Regiment, passed away early on Tuesday, 17 February 2009. The Family was very helpful in providing information for this message. Following his service in World War II Mr Sandlin initially worked at the Shoe Factory followed by a 31 year career with the Rozier Mercantile Company in the Men’s Department. Following his retirement Mr Sandlin enjoyed Fishing and Traveling. He joined our Association in 1983 and became a Life Member in 1994. The cause of death was Heart Failure at the age of 84.
He was born July 22, 1924 in Crosstown, the son of the late Elia E. & Christina S. (Bohnert) Sandlin. He was married May 23, 1948 to Elsie E. (Gross) Sandlin, who survives in Jefferson City.
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Feb
18
2009
While sorting several cubical feet papers in boxes I’ve found an envelop containing several documents related to a S/Sgt John … (I can read the Name) and a Girl working / living at the Americus Hotel in Allentown Pennsylvania, called Vivian (Churchill) ?
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Feb
17
2009
We ‘the clowns’ (yes yes) – the clowns, because we are really clowns. When I use paint for some metal it last 3 or 4 years. In 2006, I digged up the M-1 Carbine holder that was fixed on the windshield of the World War Two Jeep. It was in the Dec 1944 battle sector of the 3-493/99-ID. This holder was – after 61 years in the ground – still covered with 90 to 95% original World War Two Paint ! 61 years … imagine. That’s why I am saying that we are just clowns because we do never request what we do really need but buy what they do really want to sell to us …
Anyway …
This is a great movie of America’s most wanted and loved creation : the Bantam, Ford and Willys Jeeps. Created to be used on the battlefield, this little thing is still rolling today. Not the one that were refurbished and repainted but some that were still used since 1945.
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Feb
17
2009
This War Department movie is announcing the end of the Old World. I agree with the Chief of Staff US Army George C. Marshall and President Truman : Atomic Power will save a lot of life on our side !
Unfortunately – and even today – no one is able to say what the costs were to the other side !
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Feb
17
2009
Category : Archives Movies, D-Day H-Hour
There is another movie but it’s not a tribute but a War Department Movie on the Allied Invasion in Normandy, France, on June 6 1944. This Archives footage was presented during World Wat Two in the United News.
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Feb
17
2009
This is a well deserved Tribute made in USA for the Heroes, Past and Actual of the Screaming Eagles : William Lee’s 101st Airborne Division
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Feb
15
2009
This is the wartime story of an American GI. In fact, this is the story of a GI like many other GI’ stories. It’s about friendships, cold, winter, rain, snow, mud, blood, war and dead. But this story has something else. It is the story over one of these GIs who were in Verviers and Liège during the period September 1944 to December 1944. This GI, Orville Iverson – Ivy – had built a strong friendships with the Jacquet Family from Verviers. Especially Claude and Ninette.
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