World War II Blogs

On January 20, the 30th Regiment held its usual pre-battle awards ceremony, this time in a blinding snowstorm. Ceremonies usually marked the conclusion of one regimental […]

Phil was called to the regimental CP to meet with Colonels McGarr and Neddersen. They wanted him to go back to his previous command since the […]

Morale was raised another notch with the far-overdue arrival of winter clothes—mountain boots, fur-lined caps, fur-lined jackets, heavy-lined pants—and mountain sleeping bags. The men were finally warm![1]

During January, Phil’s 30th Infantry Regiment instituted what the commanders called “Local Rest Camps,” but what the front-line men called “The Miraculous Tents.”[1]

The tacit understanding which had existed among officers and men of the 3rd Infantry Division that being on the defensive was not our style, well though […]

Occupying a frontline foxhole proved to be fatal to some soldiers on the front line and miserable for all, however. Two men were assigned to each foxhole, […]

A supply truck arrived carrying an issue of shoepacs[1] complete with arctic socks and felt insoles. “Where were you six weeks ago, when we needed you?” […]

Even in the midst of hellacious winter fighting, occasionally the men had a humorous incident to lift their spirits.

Beginning on January 8-9, 1944, Phil’s 30th Infantry staged two attacks, the purpose being to divert the enemy’s attention from the fact that a French division […]

Daily, Phil’s company stayed active with deep patrolling. Phil’s old A&P men worked with Companies K and L to help improve their defensive positions by clearing fields of […]