In late August 1944, Allied forces wrapped up arguably the decisive battle of the Normandy campaign and one of the true routes of World War II at the Falaise Pocket, where they destroyed the German 7th Army. The timing and engagement reminded me of another colorful character from the 90th ID. Richard “Doc” Bulger was [...]
In May 1864, General Grant launched his Overland Campaign, a relentless war of attrition aimed at forcing Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia into submission and ending the American Civil War. This Letters From War Wednesday features a note from infantryman Charles Fall, who served in Grant’s army with the 26th Michigan of Hancock’s II Corps. [...]
As most followers of this site know, the History Junkie loves unit reunions. Next week, August 28-31, “Spanglermates” from the USS Spangler DE-696 will be getting together in San Diego. A tour of the USS Midway, a harbor cruise, a silent auction and plenty of great stories are just some of the planned activities. By [...]
Good Monday morning to all. Time for another 90th Infantry Division Pic of the Week, this time, from Silwingen, Germany. Regardless of which side you are on, a war zone is not an easy place to exist.
Fridays mean time for the Weekly History Wrap Up. A new book was released this week, pinning French fashion icon, Coco Chanel, as a Nazi spy. World War II naval aviators, Stewart Bass and Leon Frankel, were reunited at the Fargo Air Show this week after 66 years. The pair flew Avengers together over the [...]
My old friend, World War II infantryman and author of BOOTPRINTS, Hobert Winebrenner, certainly was a colorful character. And I think he valued the same in others. I came across another scrap today, no doubt given to me years ago by HW, and it struck me as more material for another addition of Uncommonly Hobert. [...]
B-24 Bomber Pilot, Bob Gage, possessed a wonderful sense of humor. In this edition of Letters From War Wednesday, we feature a November 1942 note home from San Antonio, Texas, where Gage was continuing his pilot training. “Here I am again with another change of address. I’m in the Pre-Flight school now. This is really [...]
Being from the Fort Wayne, Indiana area, middle August always takes me back to the Fort Dearborn Massacre. It was during the War of 1812, with the British of course. William Wells was a major player in these parts. Quick background–Wells had been taken as a child by the Miami Indians. He was raised as [...]
Monday morning and I trust everyone had a memorable weekend. Time for the 90th Infantry Division Pic of the Week. Truly amazing what our Engineering Corps accomplished in World War II.
Good Friday morning to all. Time for the Weekly History Wrap Up. Sad news this week in World War II history as famed female British agent, Nancy Wake, died in London and Navajo code talker, Joe Morris, passed away in Loma Linda, CA. Two great ones, and more firsthand history, gone forever. Germany and Montenegro [...]