When we think of letters from war, we envision notes from a soldier, home to his family. But there are also letters, typically from the U.S. War Department, that bear the most awful news, that of a soldier’s, sailor’s or airman’s death. Notes of a more personal nature, from those who served with the recently [...]
This Monday morning, the 90th Infantry Division Pic of the Week follows the unit to St. Jores, France.
Landing Ship Tanks, better known as LSTs, revolutionized amphibious warfare. Not only could they carry over 2,000 tons of virtually anything needed at the front, they possessed the uncanny ability to wash ashore, drop ramp and deposit this precious cargo onto an unimproved beachhead. No port had to be secured. No dock need be built. [...]
In honor of the 67th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy in World War II, we continue with our D-Day theme of the week. This edition of Letters From War Wednesday features a brief note home from American infantryman, Ed McGinley. McGinley served with the 29th Infantry Division, which suffered staggering losses in their [...]
Commemorating D-Day’s 67th Anniversary this week, we look back at the Allied invasion of Normandy, through a soldier’s eyes. Ed Persons transferred to the 101st Airborne Division’s 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, not liking life with the 327th Gliders. The pressure mounted as D-Day neared. “A day or two before, they moved us all into a [...]
Many thanks to our friend and site follower from France, Tristan, who again, has come through with a modern take on a vintage World War II photograph. The comparable shots are from the town of Bad Lobenstein, Germany, near the Czech border. The top photo dates circa 1980. The bottom pic is from April 1945, [...]
This Monday’s 90th Infantry Division Pic of the Week features a sobering shot from the U.S. Military Cemetery at Foy, Belgium. Row after row of fresh graves follow the Battle of the Bulge. Crosses mark Christian sites, while the Star of David adorns the remains of Jewish soldiers. This Memorial Day, may we be especially [...]
Gooooooood Monday morning to all. It’s time for the 90th Infantry Division Pic of the Week. I love this late April 1945 shot of Lobenstein, Germany. How picturesque is this quaint little burg?
Much has been in the news lately about retired Cleveland auto worker, Jan Demjanjuk, who was last week found guilty of being a guard at Sobibor Prison Camp during World War II. In addition, Jerusalem’s Simon Wiesenthal Center continues its dogged pursuit of Nazi war criminals, and rightfully so. But what of Japanese war criminals? [...]
I’ve still got Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption on my mind, after just finishing the book yesterday. Louis Zamperini began his stint in the Pacific with the 307th Bomb Group. B-24 bomber pilot, Lt. Bob Gage, also served in the 307th BG. Time again for Letters From War Wednesday. This [...]