The Battle at Anzio Beach, Italy is, without question, one of the key engagements of World War II. This past summer, the History Junkie had the pleasure of attending a Reunion of Anzio Beach Veterans. Talking with these folks was a truly moving experience, and one I shall never forget. My latest release, EVERYTOWN, USA [...]
Danny Weber was an All-American boy, starring center stage on his high school basketball and baseball teams. He was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1966. In October 1967, Weber turned 20, and set foot in Vietnam. He would serve down south, refueling aircraft, with the 13th Combat Aviation Battalion. “We just got done having [...]
A friend of my wife, who knew of my interest in World War II, actually handed her a copy of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford for me to read. I must admit, at first, I wasn’t real excited. I typically read nonfiction, and it just didn’t look like my [...]
Monday morning, and time for another addition of the 90th Infantry Division Picture of the Week. This shot comes to us from November 1944, near Cattenom, France. Members of the 90th Infantry Division crossed the flooded Moselle River to assault the Germans at Fort Koenigsmacker. Today, Cattenom is probably best known for its sprawling Nuclear [...]
Hey Hey, Friday! Time for the Weekly History Wrap-Up! Let’s start things off at New York’s Dyckman Farm with a Hessian Hut from the Revolutionary War. Documentarian extraordinaire, Ken Burns, is back at it again. And I, for one, can’t wait to see his upcoming offerings. The remains of World War II flyer, Martin Murray [...]
Here we go! Our man, Tristan, on location in France, has again offered us the opportunity to view a World War II setting, through today’s lens. On April 4, just last week, our 90th Infantry Division Picture of the Week featured a shot from Chambois, France, during the Battle for Falaise Gap. Minus the soldiers [...]
This week’s Letters From War Wednesdays comes to us from World War II and Lt. Phil Snyder. Snyder landed at Normandy’s Utah Beach as a platoon leader with the 315th Infantry, 79th Infantry Division. While still fighting on the Cotentin Peninsula, Snyder was wounded on July 3, 1944. He healed and rehabbed in an English [...]
I am continually fascinated by artifacts from wars past, whether it be swords, uniforms, flags … whatever. One of the most interesting pieces I’ve personally come across is a Bible from the Vietnam War. Infantryman Jack Fulk worked the midland jungles as a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. “We [...]
Monday, so soon? Yep! And time for the 90th Infantry Division Picture of the Week. This one is Stateside, in May 1943, about a year before the Normandy Invasion. Forth Worth, Texas wasn’t far from Camp Barkeley, where the 90th ID prepared for war. Any of our Texas friends remember “R.H. Brewer – Poultry, Eggs [...]
Man, this week has seemed to just drag along. Maybe it’s the sleep deprivation. But finally, Friday’s here, and time for the History Junkie’s Weekly History Wrap-Up. Let’s get things started with World War II and Operation Pastorius, the failed Nazi submarine mission to the States in June 1942. There’s a new book on the [...]