Hey, I just realized that we’ve got a Falaise Gap / Chambois, France / World War II theme running this week. Let’s keep it going. This week’s Letters From War Wednesday is courtesy of Supreme Allied Commander, Dwight Eisenhower. In August 1944, with combined American, British and Polish forces closing in on the retreating German [...]
It’s April, and tax time for procrastinators everywhere in the States, including the History Junkie. This past weekend, I was shuffling through stacks of papers, looking for that golden receipt that might save HJ some cash when I came across another random note from my old pal, Hobert. It was a October 1944 newspaper article [...]
Monday morning, and time again for the 90th Infantry Division Picture of the Week. This shot comes to us from Chambois, France where combined American and Polish forces soundly defeated the retreating Germans at the Falaise Gap in August 1944. I love dissecting these old pictures. The vehicle looks to be a Sd.Kfz 251 German [...]
Hard to believe, but it’s almost been two years since BOOTPRINTS author and World War II 90th Infantry Division veteran, Hobert Winebrenner passed away. I still think of him often. He was truly one of a kind. I first met Hobert in 2002. Over the next seven years, I saw him almost every week. No [...]
If you haven’t guessed by now, I’m really interested in the Battle of the Bulge. I love this shot of Bastogne, Belgium shortly after the liberation of the city from the Germans. Looks a little busy, huh?
I had three different NCAA Tournament brackets before the weekend started. Now they’re all wadded up, in the corner where they belong. It’s Monday, and back to business. The 90th Infantry Division Picture of the Week features a shot of Fontoy, France. Interestingly, Hobert Winebrenner, in his book, BOOTPRINTS, tells of his unit, the 3rd [...]
Lt. Robert McHolland, from Hurley, Missouri, landed at Utah Beach with the 90th Infantry Division in early June 1944. His introduction to World War II came quickly, among the infamous hedgerows of Normandy. He first served as a platoon leader with Company M of the 358th Infantry. Later that summer, McHolland would be promoted to [...]
Did you all get enough basketball this weekend? Unfortunately, both my teams lost on Friday night. Irish and Boilers gone. Maybe they’re saving themselves for the big show. But it’s a new week. Monday, and time for the 90th Infantry Division Picture of the Week. Colonel Eustis L. Poland served as the Chief of Staff [...]
Last Thursday, we ran a post regarding a most interesting wayside cross. If you remember the site lies at the intersection of roads D-15 and D-24, just west of Pont l’Abbe in the Normandy region of France. Hobert Winebrenner, author of BOOTPRINTS, and his unit, the 358th Infantry, 90th Infantry Division, helped liberate the area. [...]
In June 1944, the 90th Infantry Division continued to push its way west from Utah Beach. German defenses within the Normandy interior proved stout. American soldiers fought for any and all ground gained, mile by mile, town by town. In BOOTPRINTS, Hobert Winebrenner speaks of the liberation of the villages Picauville and Pont l’Abbe, [...]