Archive for January, 2009

My transfer to MAAF H’Qtrs, July, 44

January 20, 2009 at 5:41 am · Filed under WWII

My papers indicate that I had Malaria, recurrent and a suggestion that I be assigned to light, desk type work.  So, it was necessary to move me out or the 815th Eng. unit and into a headquarters unit,  where most of the upper officials had their offices.  Once again, I am to be separated from established buddies in a unit, due to sickness.  So far, I have been in 5 different units.  This new one was the fifth and turned out to be great. My assignment was Sign Painter (M.O.S.,145)

As pictured in a previous post, which may be below this one, I had a section for my work, which was located in  a woodworking shop, set up in a Nissan hut.  This hut was the length of a city block and contained electrical saws mounted on long tables.  Lumber was available for cutting and used by the Engineer Corp.  It was a busy and noisy place.

My section was small and situated near the end of the structure. It was open and airy. My assignment was to make signs which was necessary to establish an orderly traffic procedure on the airfield and in the living area.  I had two helpers, local residents, with whom I spoke Italian, and would have many visitors, GIs, with whom I became acquainted.

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MAAF H’QTRS in Caserta,July, 1944

January 13, 2009 at 4:31 pm · Filed under WWII ·Tagged , ,

During the period, March through July, I was occupied with field work in the 815th Eng. unit.  We were attached to the MAAF  H’Qtrs constructing barracks, setting up tents for soldiers, etc.  It was during July that I was admitted to the  32nd Station Hospital.  The hospital was not a building, but a group of long tents with cots lined up on both sides and an aisle in between. for visiting doctors and officers.  We engineers helped construct these facilities and now on July 13, I was a patient.
I have no memory of why I was in the hospital, except for the scene which I have, of my walk towards the latrine.  I had on pajamas and wearing a robe, when I entered the latrine and suddenly broke out into a sweat and my body shaking and shivering.  I must have fainted, because my next scene is of me lying in bed and a doctor hovering over me and telling me that I have Malaria and will be moved into an isolation ward. I was too ill to react to the bad news.
From our first landing in No. Africa, we were cautioned to take the Atabrine pills to avoid this deadly disease and to hear such news was devastating.  I was resigned to be a corpse , but as it turned out, it was a mild case and I was released within a few weeks.  I’m not sure how long it was, but when I was released and re-assigned for duty, it was stipulated in my discharge papers that I be assigned to light duties. So, again as when I was in a hospital, in Sicily, I was transferred. This time I was given another MOS (Military Occupational Specialty). Sign Painter (145)  How the officers came up with this job is beyond me.  But I did signs when I worked in my Dad’s grocery store.  So, I was really equipped to do a good job.  And this I did for the Air Force. I  was transferred to the Hqtrs Unit and set up signage of the streets and directions.  I had two assistants, both Italian citizens, who lived near the Air Field. We got along well and I was able to practice my Italian speech.
During this period, in June, the air force was instrumental in making it
possible for our troops to conquer Rome, with the aid of the Italian partisans. (more to follow)

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Irv Signpainter(Van Gogh) July, 1944

January 11, 2009 at 5:10 am · Filed under WWII ·Tagged , ,

Print shop located in Woodworking warhouse of MAAF H'Qtrs

Print shop located in Woodworking warehouse of . MAAF H'Qtrs. July , 1944. Cpl. Irv in charge.

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Caserta, Italy, Palace, 1944

January 6, 2009 at 12:36 pm · Filed under WWII

palace-grounds-caserta-vecchia-1944The palace grounds and buildings are historical and listed as a world  Heritage site.  I was prompted to show this area to you because I received a comment from Linda, whose mother had lived in Caserta and married a GI who met her during WWII.  Linda has  visited this area on several occasions.

Our unit ws busy doing carpentry work for the General’s headquarters unit. We lived in farmland areas, quite a change from living in the city of Naples.   On week-ends, we were free to roam around the surrounding countryside .  I became friendly with a GI, who had the use of a jeep and we covered a lot of  ground, meeting with the locals , talking with them in Italian and snapping photos.  We enjoyed these trips into the small towns.  Everyone was cordial and happy to converse with us.  We often had to refer to our language guides, which the army had presented to us. Here are some more photos.

kings-palace-caserta-near-naples-1944Aerial view of the Palace  and surrounding grounds, Caserta, Italy.

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