The following study of German operations against the Allied beachhead at Anzio, from 22-01-44 to 31-05-44, is based on the available journals and records of the German X and XIV Armies. It should be noted that the facts and opinions expressed in the text reflect the German point of view, all statements on Allied troop strength, are German estimates. Records of the German Luftwaffe were not available, therefore the details of air action against the beachhead has not been included. The expressions like Panzer (tanks, armored), Jager (light infantry), and Panzer Grenadier (armored infantry), have been left in the German for purposes of clarification.
The daily reports list German and Allied losses. The Allied losses are limited to prisoners taken in most instances, and to weapons or materials known to have been destroyed. The German losses seem always to be minus at least one division, which means the German loss figures are probably grossly under-reported, for whatever reason. In addition, the German figures almost never reflect any material losses, so they do not show the number of tanks, trucks, airplanes, artillery pieces, etc., lost in the day-to-day fighting.
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Jun
08
2009
Category : Anzio Beach Head, Italy
Apr
04
2009
Category : Veterans Taps
Albert C. Zimmerman
April 7 1919 – March 31, 2009
(Lt. Col., Retired US Army)
Albert Charles Zimmerman was born on April 7, 1919 to Fred W. and Pearl (Kuhnert) Zimmermann on a dairy farm in Easton Township, Marathon County near Wausau, Wisconsin. He was the 7th of 8 children. Albert (Al) is survived by his wife of 66 years, Margaret; two daughters, Margaret Lynn Vinson (H. David) of Albany, GA.; Jane Zimmerman of Killeen, TX., and two sons (LTC. Ret.) Charles (Jody) Zimmerman of Montrose, CO.; Mark A. (Janet) Zimmerman, Black Forest; seven grandchildren including James Ruhland, Killeen, TX.; Jean Ruhland, New York City; The Rev. David Hall, Colorado Springs; Laurel Sitki, Broken Arrow, OK.; Sam Zimmerman, Apache Junction, AZ,; Jacob Zimmerman, Windsor, CO.; and Anne Pierson, Colorado Springs; and ten great-grandchildren, one brother, Fred V. (Phyllis) of Rhinelander, Wisconsin and sister-in-law, Geraldine Zimmermann of Wausau, Wisconsin. Al graduated from Wausau High School in 1937 and worked as a machinist until he was drafted into the Army in March of 1941. He was stationed at Camp Roberts, CA until the Dec 7th attack on Pearl Harbor, after which his 40th Field Artillery Battalion moved to the Los Angeles area to defend the coast.
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Mar
02
2009
Category : OSS & SOE
Special Operations Executive Summary of Operations in Western Europe
This summary refers only to those operations with the fullest material in the files. For reasons of space it does not refer to every operation mentioned in the records. Similarly, the newly released records do not contain evidence on every operation which was mounted by the sections.
Source : Adam Matthew Publications
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Jan
29
2009
Category : Battle of the Bulge, Germany
With the help and the work from my American friend David Gettman, the son of Lt Henry ‘Shorty’ Gettman, Platoon Leader of the 1st Platoon, 99th Reconnaissance Troop, 99th Infantry Division (1-99/99th Inf Div), 1st Army, ETO, WW II, Gerolzhofen, Germany, post VE Day.
In loving memory of Henry ‘Shorty’ Gettman, May 18 1911 – May 24 1983, and dedicated to all those heroes who proudly wore the Golden Caltrop of the 99th Reconnaissance Troop, and the Checkerboard of the 99th Infantry Division, the Battle Babies. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.
Action This Hour !
On No 1, Fire 1 !
On No 2, Open 3 !
Advance !
Kill or be killed !
Geronimo !
Spinner !
Contact !
Pilot to Bombardier !
Open bombay doors !
Bombs away !
Gung Ho !
1000, 2000, 3000, Yank !
Yep, in the movies it sounds dramatic. But ‘breaking in’ at the front with dough boys on patrols through the snow – that’s another story. That is the true story. The story of Reconnaissance on reserve. The story of the battle of the defense of Höfen, Germany, November 9 to December 12 1944.
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