We pick up where we left off with Larry. In this section, he will complete his training and head off to Europe:
September 1943
Departed from Camp Shelby at 16:00, Saturday afternoon by 2 ½ ton trucks and taken to the train station where we boarded a troop train. We started out heading northeast. The first big city was Birmingham, Alabama at about midnight. Reached Atlanta, Georgia about 19:30 on Sunday. Crossed South Carolina, North Carolina to Virginia.
We were taken to Camp Patrick Henry near Newport News, Virginia (Williamsburg). This camp was used for the deployment of troops to the European Theater of Operation.
The one thing I remember well of this camp was the excellent chow. I pulled KP (kitchen police) one day. We only stayed here a couple of days. We had a delicious roasted chicken dinner with all the trimmings. One of the best meals I had in the six months of Army life. Our stay here was short
Our orders were cut to go to Sicily but the swift Allied force had taken over the country with the Germans in fast retreat.
September 14, 1943
We boarded a troop train in Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia, which took us the short distance to the Newport News shipping dock (near Williamsburg) where we boarded a Liberty ship. Not a pleasant experience. One hold was for 500 troops, the rest of the ship was loaded with cargo. The ship was to be part of a large convoy heading for Africa. We did not know of our destination at this time. I became very sea sick during this long trip across the Atlantic Ocean (zig-zagging). Seven days of misery. We had been assigned to bunks in narrow aisles and stacked 24 inches apart and 6 bunks high. Our helmets were hung on the bunk and they would sway with the motion of the ship. This in no way helped my sea sickness. It was very hot and stuffy in the hold. Nothing was given to counteract the sickness.
October 4, 1943
After 20 days, the convoy reached the Straits of Gibraltar and into the Mediterranean Sea. We had barrage balloons attached to several ships (to prevent aircraft from strafing). This was a very large convoy and reassembled in the Mediterranean. Chow was served on the open deck out of very large pots. I was unable to eat for the first seven days. No place to sit except on the steel deck. The latrine was a trough emptying into the sea.
Best days of the voyage, sea was calm and I worked KP. Had a slice of bread and butter before I finished duty. This was not easy to get because of the shortage of food.
There was no privacy in the head (toilets, latrine).
We passed Oran, Algeria this morning but was unable to see the city. We have been following the African coast all day. There are mountains all along the coast. In the afternoon I observed two whales about fifty yards from the ship. This large convoy consists of tankers, Liberty ships, submarines, cruisers, and frigets.
Everything was so peaceful tonight when all of a sudden at 19:00 came 9 planes from the northeast. They were quite high and flew right over the convoy. They were forgotten. Everyone was playing cards, checkers, and we all jumped and saw them to our north. Two of our fighter planes were chasing them. We could see the tracer bullets from our fighters. One of the German planes was hit and came down in smoke.
Our Navy boys also had opened fire on them from our convoy. A ship about 600 yards from us had a near miss by an enemy bomb. That was enough for me. I hit the deck behind cover. The sky looked like a mass of fire with red and yellow tracers. No one was standing on deck except the Marines and sailors who were manning the guns of which we have ten include a 3 inch and a 5 inch. In all the raid lasted a half hour which was long enough for me. Ships to our right were firing right over our heads. The Navy fellows did a very good job. That was the last we could see because it got dark. I was told later that three of the convoy ships had been hit, one sank, and two were damaged.
Everyone stood around talking and waiting for the German planes to return. It got to be 21:30 and no more activity. I got my blanket and steel helmet and slept on deck. The sailors and Marines slept by their anti-aircraft guns when not on watch.
October 5, 1943
Today is our 21st day at sea. I got up at 0600 with all the rest of the fellows because we expected another air raid by the German Luftwaffe. We have about 12 barrage balloons attached to our convoy. We passed Algiers about 08:00 this morning. It appears to be a large city covering the side of a mountain. It looked as if the buildings were all of brick construction. We dropped off some ships at Algiers and picked up some for the convoy. We could hear explosions to the rear of us all day but could not see any action. About 13:00 this afternoon one of our ships shot off one of their guns and you should have seen the troops jump. In fact all day we were uneasy at the least little bang. After chow at 1630 the ships rails were lined with soldiers, sailors, and Marines scanning the sky looking for enemy aircraft. At 1900 it got dark and the Germans had not shown up. Two of the convoys barrage balloons got away tonight. It started to rain at 20:30 so we didn’t have to worry about the German planes returning. You have the feeling that you are a sitting duck out here in the sea.
October 6, 1943
Another day has come which makes it our twenty second day at sea. We expected the enemy planes to return again this morning but they were a no show. It was a very clear day.
October 7, 1943
Pulled into port at Bizerte, Tunisia, Africa, where we disembarked and were then loaded onto 2 ½ ton trucks and taken to a replacement depot on the side of a hill. Stayed in this area three nights. We were sheltered in 2 man pup tents. Each soldier carries a shelter half and the two are snapped together to form the tent. Not much room but serves the purpose. Arabs would prowl around the area at night trying to steal. It gave us an eerie feeling. We were scheduled to go to Sicily but the advance by the fighting troops was so swift and the country was secured earlier than expected and we were not needed.
As a replacement I would be assigned to a fighting Infantry Division. Our assignments did come and I was assigned to Compan L 3rd Battalion 30th Infantry Regiment 3rd Infantry Division.
The invasion of Italy, Gulf of Salerno, south of Naples took place September 9, 1943. Field Marshall Kesselring’s Panzer Division was the tough enemy. The Allies had occupies Naples, Italy.
October 10, 1943
We boarded a British LST (landing ship tank) and sailed the Mediterranean Sea from Bizerte to Naples, Italy. The ship really rolled with its flat bottom. Met by 2 ½ ton trucks as we landed. The 3rd Infantry Division was crossing the Volturno River. We were trucked to the replacement depot and then to the 30th Infantry Regiment.
October 13, 1943
The 3rd Division forged the Volturno River and defeated the savage armore and counter attacks of the Panzer Battle Group of the crack Herman Goering Division.
October 14, 1943
We marched to the 3rd Battalion and onto L Company which was on the front line, as a rifleman. Very mountainous terrain. Artillery shells are falling and I am scared stiff. Dug myself a fox hole for protection. No more bathrooms, hot water, or hot food (D-Ration).
October 19, 1943
My first day of actual combat (small arms fire) fighting for the high ground near the town of Pietravairano. Italian forces had surrendered several weeks before but the German troops continued the battle forcing some Italian soldierst to fight on their side.
October 21, 1943
We were moved into position for the attack in a wooded area during the night. There was a four hour artillery concentration on the German positions to soften them up. At daybreak we attacked across the valley and assaulted Mount San Nicola. we encountered personnel mines, booby traps, and small arms fire. We met close combat conditions. I Was asked to go forward to seek out the German position. I was close enough to have a grenade thrown at me. I was able to duck behind rocks as it exploded. It was a potato masher (concussion type grenade). This really shook me up, thank goodness it wasn’t in a closed area.
The Germans threw Nebeliverfer fire at us, this is a mortar with multiple tubes, large shells with a thick casing. It is a very nerve wracking, screaming shell. The sound makes to tremble all over.
October 27, 1943
Captured the town of Pietravairano. We had been without food and water because supplies could not reach us. The valleys were cold and the roads muddy from all the rain.
Italy is a mountainous country. One hundred miles wide, with mountains reaching 6000 feet. No sooner one mountain or river has been crossed than another bars the way. It was thought that with the modern weapons infantry would be obsolete but with the Italian campaign it was the only way.
November 1, 1943
The Italian campaign had stalled with the rough terrain. The German Winter Line 1943/1944 or Gustav Line lay ahead. Some of the peaks reached one mile high. We advanced toward Mount Rotundo
November 6, 1943
The dog faces (infantry men) were physically exhausted by weeks of continuous fighting in the Apennine Mountains. We had mules and burros carrying supplies, food, ammunition, water, wire, etc. Some fell from the narrow trails to their death below. Very treacherous terrain. Encountered many mine fields, rain, mud, artillery rifle machine gun fire, and mortars. It was cold and damp and heavy mist (foggy) in the high elevation.
November 10, 1943
We captured Mount Rotundo, this was a tough fight. We encountered the German (Nebeliverfer). This is a mortar with a shell about 4 inches in diameter. They were mounted on trailers with banks of 2 to 6. They had whistles on their fins and when fired, usually one after another, they screamed through the air. It sounded like it would land in your hip pocket. Great concussions when they exploded. The weapon had a devastating effect psychologically on you.
With 2 depleted companies (I and L). L Company had 55 men. Lieutenant Maurice Britt was one of the heroes during German counter attacks to regain Mount Rotundo. Lieutenant Britt was treated by the 3rd Battalion (Doc Roy Hanford) for wounds received during the fierce battle. Britt was subsequently awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions.
Note: At a later date, I will be under Dr. Hanford’s command in the 3rd Battalion Aid Station.
November 7-12, 1943
For this period the 3rd Battalion 30th Infantry Regiment received the Distinguished Unit Citation (worn over the right pocket of the uniform). We had no food or water during this battle.
It was during this time I received a wound to the middle finger of my left hand. Nothing serious (November 16th my Mother’s birthday).
The narrow mountain roads are crowded with armored vehicles, supply trucks, artillery, and troops. The roads are damaged, muddy, and also have blown bridges. This is bad to have the artillery tied up lie this and not in firing position. It’s miserable in the rain, no way to get dry.
November 17, 1943
Winter is just around the corner with a few snow flakes in the air. We are relieved by the 36th Infantry Division. We had broken the German Winter Line and forced the first approaches to Mount Cassino to the north.
It was a great relief to be off the line and able to relax. Tension on the line is terrible. We were taken back to a bivouac area to rest in squad tents. Out of the elements for a couple of days. New replacements would be arriving to fill the depleted ranks.
Started receiving hot food from the kitchen unit. While here I found out the 3rd Battalion Aid Station was looking for volunteers (litter bearers) so I turned my name in and became a permanent Combat Medic Aid Man. Transferring from L Company to the 3rd Battalion Aid Station. In exchange for a rifle I carried medical supplies and litters (for removing battle casualties from the field). Had a few snow flakes today.
The kitchen was set up and we were served hot meals (a first for a while). One breakfast item was a scrambled egg (powdered) roll-up with jelly. I ate this, I guess I must have been hungry. We stayed at this site for a week before moving out. Thanksgiving was just another day but with hot meals.
I had tonsillitis for a couple of days. You really miss home when you’re sick.
December 1943
The Division was trucked (2 ½ ton trucks) back to an area just north of Naples in a town named Pozzuoli and set up in squad tents. Located in an olive orchard, fig trees and vineyards.
New Divisions were arriving at the front. Fighting had ground to a virtual halt. Conditions favored the Germans (wet weather, mountainous terrain, etc.). We had a noticeable number of colds and sickness among the troops.
Bill Maudlin (cartoonist) of the 45th Infantry Division started having cartoons in the Stars and Stripes (military paper). We looked forward to them because they portrayed the front line dogface (soldiers). We were tired, bearded, and dirty.
The one nice thing that happened we got a shower. Oil drums over head were filled with water, they had holes punched in the bottom. Stripped off our clothes and went through the line with a bar of soap. Toweled off and were issued new clothes (first in weeks). Our uniforms were stiff with dirt and grime.
The Battalion was brought up to strength with replacements. Our training was basically amphibious in landings, north and south of Naples from LCI (landing craft infantry) and rope ladders from the side of ships into small landing craft. Also from DUKWs (2 ½ ton amphibious trucks). We had exercises hitting the beach in full gear. Really got wet and uncomfortable. We would put anything valuable in our packets in a condom for water protection.
We had a couple of one day passes into Naples to see some of the sites. The city was pretty well preserved. Frank and I had our pictures taken.
December 25, 1943
Christmas was just another day in the life of a soldier. I miss Betty and my family, but we have a job to do. A Christmas dinner was served.
December 28, 1943
The Commanding General Fifth Army (Mark Clark) informed the Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division (Lucian Truscott) that the Division would take part in an amphibious operation to be known as “Shingle” scheduled for about January 20, 1944.
December 31, 1943
1943 has come to the end. What a year of events. This was also Betty Rendell’s 19th birthday. It would have been nice to celebrate with her.
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The American Sixth Corp (British 1s and American 3rd Division) landed at Anzio/Nettuno, 35 miles south of Rome. This was to be the trump. Drawing the Germans from the Cassino front.
We had to go into no man’s land and retrieve the wounded casualties at night. A very scary situation. Very hard at times to locate and remove them. Germans would set off flares that would light up the area. You had to stop and not move for fear of being detected.
