If you checked in for yesterday’s post, you’re familiar with airman Edward Paul “Pete” DeBrular and the Garveston Twelve. On this edition of Letters From War Wednesday, we’ll take a look at Pete’s last note home, dated June 2, 1944, just two days before his death at Garveston, England. Dear Aunt and Uncle: I just [...]
A few weeks back, I received an email from a member of the Parish Council in the village of Garveston, England. He was looking for survivors of a World War II airman named, Edward DeBrular. Garveston is a quiet community of some 300 residents, located 14 miles west of Norwich. Sounds like my kind of [...]
I trust everyone had a wonderful weekend. Monday morning means time for the 90th Infantry Division Pic of the Week. In late August into early September, the 90th Infantry Division pushed east across France from the Falaise Pocket.
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 [...]
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.
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 [...]
Richard Winebrenner was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps in April 1942. He married his high school sweetheart, Daisy Weber, at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas in November of the same year. Following a stint in South America, Winebrenner served as a top-turret gunner aboard the B-29 bomber, The One You Love in [...]
Hey, it’s August already. Monday morning means time for the 90th Infantry Division Pic of the Week. War is certainly a horrible thing. We, in no way, aim to glorify it. Instead, we hope to educate–open eyes to the realities of war.