Dr. Walt’s Latest World War II Blogs

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 […]