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Fortune favored the brave: A history of the 334th infantry, 84th division
Get PDFFrom Page 9, Two Years of Preparation:
The 334th Infantry Regiment was activated 15 October 1942 at Camp Howze, Texas. For a regiment which was later to grind its way through the Siegfried Line, disorganize three of Germany\u27s finest divisions in the Ardennes, and spearhead the Ninth Army\u27s drive across the Roer and into the German heartland, the beginnings were not sensational. In 1942 Selective Service began to look more carefully into the manpower pool, and the Army began to develop a reservoir of Infantry. Many original men of the regiment had been classified 4F by lenient draft boards who subsequently reclassified them when the quotas were made more stringent.
In October 1942 the War was nine months old, and while many men were convinced it should be fought, few were volunteering for the Army, and fewer for the Infantry. The Air Forces were called the Air Corps, a place for gentlemen and adventurers, and the Infantry was coolie labor, a tutored mob. The first men to join the regiment had a raw deal they told themselves around the beer tables in the PX. First, they didn\u27t like the Army; second, they weren\u27t physically fit; third, their talents were not being used. As the men looked around and listened, they invented a satisfying rumor, compensation for their raw deal, a rumor that was going to last until we heard the first sounds of Long Toms and 240\u27s outside Gulpen and Waalwiller, Holland:
We\u27re a replacement outfit. The 334th isn\u27t going anywhere. If it does, we\u27re Army of Occupation. Man, they can\u27t send this outfit into combat!https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1093/thumbnail.jp
Album: 359th Infantry - 90th Division
Get PDFFrom A Spearhead Regiment (the book\u27s introduction):
When the blood, sweat, and dirt of war become memories, who will remember the little things that GI Joe did, to make war just a memory ? We will, of course. The 90th Division through its battles and conquests will go down in the annals of history as one of the finest and bravest Division of World War II.
After our return to civilian life it will give us great satisfaction to look back at ourselves as were in combat, arid to see ourselves as the heroes of the 359th, one of the great regimental combat teams of the war. We have collected many pictures; all but a few taken by GI Joe himself on the battlefield. Insofar as photography is concerned, some photos could be better, but that doesn\u27t really matter. They show us things as they were, and as they actually happened with no dressing and special poses. They show us as we were at the time we helped make history.
We have no pictures of D-Day. Men are not in the mood to take pictures while all Hell is breaking loose around them. Storming the Heinies well fortified positions was work enough for that day. Landing on Utah Beach amidst the heavy fire of the enemy was a remarkable achievement. There were a few pictures taken by those few men who can do their job plus under any conditions; but the pictures were unable to be located. However, those men who were on the landing need no pictures to remind them of it. Nor will those men of the 2nd Battalion who were on the transport, Susan B. Anthony , when it struck a mine and sank on June 7th ever forget. The transport stayed afloat just long enough to enable rescue of all the men. These men were loaded swiftly into small boats amidst gun and shell fire. By the night of D plus I, the bulk of the regiment was assembled on the beach. The supporting units were ashore D plus 4. Those of you who remember this incident have a picture that is printed indelibly in your memory.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1184/thumbnail.jp
Pictorial history of the 69th Infantry Division, 15 May 1943 to 15 May 1945
Get PDFGermany, 20 July 1945:
To the Officers and Men of the fighting 69th Infantry Division:
Recorded on these pages is a review of the accomplishments of this Division, of its preparation to fight and its fight against Germany. It is not a complete picture -- many small pictures are missing. They are not forgotten, and as you leaf through these pages they will be recalled to your memory. You have smoothly and efficiently carried out every assigned mission from the day this Division entered the line until V-E Day. Your high esprit and your fighting spirit lived up to every expectation. I extend to you, the Officers and enlisted men of the Fighting 69th Infantry Division my most sincere congratulations and praise for the job well done.
Sincerely, E.F. Reinhardt, Major General U.S. Army, Commandinghttps://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1193/thumbnail.jp
Bangor Public Library Annual Report 1945
Get PDFhttps://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/bpl_ann_rep/1007/thumbnail.jp
January 17, 1945
Get PDFThree Maine heroes, two of them posthumously, receive honors. These men were: Second LT. Rodney S. Gerrish, of Holden, killed in action in aerial combat; S/SGT Walter C. Rich, a prisoner of war in Germany, of Union; and 1st LT Alfred C. Chamberlain of Ellsworth, who was also killed in action.
We also get a profile of S/SGT Clarence Riley; two full pages detailing the military travels of S/SGT Donald F. Martin, crew chief at Dow Field; and a brief biography on WAAC 2nd LT Florence Foy.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/dowfieldobserver/1038/thumbnail.jp
Annual Report, Bangor, Maine: 1945
Get PDFIntroduction
On August 11, 1945, forty-four months and seven days after it had started on December 7, 1941, the war which had engaged the full productive capacity of this nation for the past four years ground slowly to an end. The successful conclusion of this war, the outcome of which was never in doubt, was assured when the war in Europe ended with the complete capitulation of Germany on May 8, three months before the startling announcement that atomic energy had been employed to hasten the end of the conflict.
Thus, on August 14, 1945, this country had passed through the first stage of its greatest crisis and had emerged with its courage undimmed, its hope for the future still high, and with unbounded faith in its ability to meet the problems of the future and to turn them into golden opportunities.
Your City of Bangor has emerged from this period saddened beyond measure by the loss of 101 of its citizens who gave their lives in its defense, and today stands in full acknowledgement of its debt to them and to the 4,349 others who offered all they had in our behalf and who, in some cases, suffered irreparable physical and mental damage. It is the avowed intention of your city to erect a memorial that will, for a long time yet to come, suitably commemorate the unselfish devotion of these citizens to their fellowman.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/city_ban_report/1032/thumbnail.jp
August 15, 1945
Get PDFVictory! reads the headline. The smaller print proclaims Historic Week Quiet on Base. A parade and gigantic picnic are announced to celebrate the end of the war.
In lesser news, LT. Robert W. Shannon and Captain Thomas M. Slamal are shown with trophies for winning the doubles tennis competition; and a story telling of the return of three buck sergeants, Joseph Johns, John Moore, and Francis Breyne to Dow Field after a 15 month stay at Labrador in the arctic.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/dowfieldobserver/1008/thumbnail.jp
Make Victory Secure -- Buy Victory Bonds
No full texthttps://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/wwII_posters_patriotism/1017/thumbnail.jp
On target : an informal account of the moonlight-cavalry
Get PDFYou\u27re probably wondering what we did in the war to rate all of campaign stars, and other decorations we\u27ve received. Well read what we did and decide for yourself. To begin with, the old 227th, got its name on 20th January 1943 down at hot and cold Fort Bliss, Texas.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1000/thumbnail.jp
The 108th AAA Group invaded Fortress Europe 27 June 1944
Get PDFHeadquarters and Headquarters Battery 1 08th Antiaircraft Artillery Group, a new organization in the annals of United States military history, has had a rich and important part in the successful prosecution of this Second Great War just ended.
Activated 1 March 1942 at Camp Davis, North Carolina, as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery 514th Coast Artillery (Antiaircraft) the Group had had the responsibility for providing demonstration, instruction and maintenance personnel for the Antiaircraft School and Antiaircraft Board until October 1943.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1004/thumbnail.jp