May 23, 2009 at 6:47 am
· Filed under WWII
From the moment we landed, we were advised to keep a low profile and set up our lab quickly. We were situated in a farm area, in an Army compound formerly used by the French and the Germans. Our vehicles were parked a distance away after we unloaded. We blacked out all the windows. Our labs were set up in the basement and completely invisible from the outside.
After a long and tedious journey, to get into spacious accommodations and into the final thrust into Germany, we were exhilarated. The lab setup was done quickly and the reconnaissance work was waiting for us. We worked double shifts and mostly at night. Film was brought to us via courier, shot by planes flown by the Fighter Wing outfit of the 7th Army. We would be working on them at night and deliver finished prints in the early morning to the Generals. While we were working through the night, we would hear the engine noise of airplanes circling overhead. “Midnight Charlie, overhead”, our catch phrase to the describe German aircraft.
Our 7th Army was joined with the French in the drive through Southern France and into Germany from the South. It was named “Operation Anvil”. The troops coming from the West and the Russians from the East surrounded The Nazis and crushed them. Germany surrendered totally on May 7th, 1945.
Our unit was overjoyed by being a part of this achievement and also very proud when we received the commendations from Le General d’Armee de Latrede Tassigny sent to our Capitaine A. Wayshak. We also received commemdations from Wade H. Haislip, Lt. General, 7th Army H’qtrs. and from Glenn O. Barcus, Brigagier General, USA, Tactical Air Command.
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May 15, 2009 at 4:10 pm
· Filed under WWII, senior thoughts ·Tagged 2nd photo unit, 7th Army, Hagenau, WWII
During our move from Italy into France and to the Alsace Lorraine border of the Rhine River, we had no communication from our families. These movements were somewhat secretive, at least for us. We sent no letters out and did not receive any from the U.S. Also, add to the fact that our unit had been shifted from the MAAF Hgtrs. into the 7th Army air division created a change of our address. ( We left Italy middle March and arrived in Hagenau, Apr. 10th.)
After settling into our new quarters, I was advised by my Sergeant that our officer in charge wished to see me. He had received a message from an army courier to be delivered to my attention. “What could it be?”, I asked Sgt. Youkilis, a friend. “It’s a family matter”. We rushed to the officer’s office and he advised me that the message dated April 9, 1945 was “Father died, Kidney infection March 17th. Funeral March 18th. No other problems. Family writing”. It’s difficult to describe my reaction. I still have the image in my head. The officer was very sympathetic and asked me “ Do you want a leave of absence? Sgt.Youkilis suggests going to Lyon for prayers at a synagogue. He would go with you”. I was too disturbed by the news to make a decision. I said that I would prefer to stay in my room and sit Shiva for several days. And that’s how I managed to absorb the impact of Pop’s death. Friends came in with food and visits and we would reminisce about family and life before we were drafted. It helped to go through this ritual. But for me there was no closure. I did not see Pop while he was ill and suffering and had no chance to say farewell. I’ve had this nagging feeling for fifty years, plus, until I was given the letter that sister Blanche wrote to me dated March 20, 1945. The letter had been returned to her, undelivered. Her daughter (my niece) discovered it among her writings. Fifty to 55 yrs. later I felt the closure . Amazing. Rest In Peace Pop. Love Irv.
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May 12, 2009 at 5:56 am
· Filed under WWII ·Tagged 2nd photo unit, 7th Army, 902nd, Hagenau, WWII
Ernie Pyle Bridge over Rhine River
Our journey was long and tedious. For transportation we used the 40 & 8 train facilities. When the railway tracks needed repairs, we would move ahead on trucks and connect to the next available railway. Wherever we stopped for rest or to eat, we were greeted by the residents, especially the children who would wave and also reach for the goodies that we offered them.
We finally reached our facility, a former military complex of barracks, brick buildings, where we set up our darkroom and were able to connect to a water supply system. The buildings were initially built by the French Army and then taken over by the Germans . Used during peace- time for housing and training the military. The buildings were in great shape and we were happy to be housed in this warm and secure facility.
Hagenau is a suburb of Strasbourg, the major city in Alsace-Lorraine . It is north of the city and had been damaged by the battles that occurred by planes and tank warfare. The rail station in Hagenau was demolished and the bridges close by, over the Rhine were not usable. We were located near the Rhine River.
Historically, over many years, Alsace-Lorraine was a desired area by the French and the German governments because of its iron-ore and potash mines. This created a language problem for its inhabitants. Switching from French to German and reversing over the years of conflict produced a Germanic language which was very close to the Yiddish that I spoke. I became the official interpreter for our unit.
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April 23, 2009 at 11:32 am
· Filed under Photography, WWII, senior thoughts ·Tagged 7th Army
Our transfer to France was a major move for our special unit. We were about 35-50 personnel plus a fully equipped darkroom with special developing and printing equipment. Packing and loading and moving on to trucks was a task that required aid from Engineers who did the work of packing, and trucking us to the port and then placing it all safely and securely into the ship. We, the personnel were moved by truck onto the port and slept outdoors, while the task of transferring our supplies and equipment was stored safely aboard.
Sailing across the Mediterranian to Marseilles was smooth and uneventful. At this period of time, we were pushing the Germans back into Germany. The 7th Army, which we were joining was locating itself on the Rhine River, in Alsace Lorraine. To join them, it was necessary to travel by rail and truck several thousand miles to reach our destination. (Hindsight affords me the privilege of realizing that the 7th Army was moved into this area for the final push to destroy the German Army. Our unit was joining the Fighter Wing of the 7th to process their aerial photos.)
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April 8, 2009 at 9:49 am
· Filed under Photography, WWII ·Tagged 902nd, Italy, MAAF, WWII
902nd, camps out at port.Leaving So. Italy toward Marseilles, France
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April 4, 2009 at 3:48 am
· Filed under Photography, WWII
902nd, camps out at port.
Orders came in to move the entire 902nd into France and join up with the 7th Army for the final thrust into Germany. We were all excited and ready to go. But going was not that easy. Our unit consisted of 30 to 40 photo experts, plus the equipment for special chemicals, photo enlargers, printers and finishing equipment plus installation removal, required lots of work. And our move over land and sea seemed endless. The logistics was mind boggling. We were going from Southern Italy into France and overland into the Alsace-Lorraine area bordering on the Rhine.
Describing this journey now, almost 65 years ago, I realize how technology has changed the photographic world. Digital photography is so easy now. We could have sent the photographers with digital cameras and have them transmit the images via internet anywhere in the world. )
This journey took about a month. We dismantled our processing plant, packed it all up in crates and loaded it all on trucks.
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March 6, 2009 at 8:40 am
· Filed under Photography, WWII, senior thoughts ·Tagged 902nd photo, MAAF, WWII
After my R&R, my return to MAAF resumed in the sign painting shop. I was busy with signs for the airfields and for orders from Eng. units. I met all types of GI’s, Officers and non-coms. In the month of October, I was promoted to Corporal and I joined the Non-com’s club. I became acquainted with Syd Fields, who had worked for the N.Y. Daily Mirror as a journalist. He was part of the PR staff directed by Tex McCrary, who has been editor of the Mirror and now headed the PR staff for Gen. Ira Eaker.
When Syd learned of my experience in Photography, he asked me if I would be be willing to transfer into the 902nd Photo Unit that served Eaker’s Air force and publicity. “Wow”, I said, “Is it possible?”. And it was done. In November, 1944, I transferred to this fully equipped photo unit.
I cannot forget this memorable scene. When I walked into the new (for me) facility, a fully equipped darkroom, a section of enlargers and an editing department for trimming and correcting prints and especially the smell of chemicals , I felt like I was in heaven. But most of all the image that remains in my mind were the photos that were displayed in the entry room. The walls were covered by 16×20 photos of Jinx Falkenberg, a famous model, who had been on a USO trip in Egypt. I asked Syd, who escorted me into the facility, “What’s this all about”. He replied ” She’s Tex’s girl friend”. Well she was really gorgeous. I can still see the photos now. After the war Tex and Jinx became a famous radio show, reporting on newsy topics.
I need to depart from the WWII story, because the creation of my blog began with the obituary I saw in the N.Y.Times. In July, 2003, her death was recorded at age 92. This notice triggered my memory bank and induced me to follow the obituary column and write the memories that crop up when I read about a person who had been a part of my experience, be it family, work, school or entertainment. I mentioned to my grandson Joey that I started a book, which I titled “In Memoriam”, in 2003 and now it is full. Joey then suggested that I open a blog. So here it is. I hope I can work faster. Time is running out. But I will try to get to family matters, when I return from the war. Love to all my readers.
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March 3, 2009 at 4:10 am
· Filed under WWII ·Tagged Battle of Bulge, ernie pyle, MAAF, WWII
It’s been close to a month, since my last post. I was in a car accident that put me in a hospital for a week and I just could not get into a writing mood after being released. Having not heard from readers of my blog, I can only assume that there are none. Nevertheless, I intend to go on with my family history and hope that it will stimulate responses. I did connect with a son of a WWII veteran and we have had a great relationship. ( Re the accident, I am in good shape, but I may not be permitted to drive)
In my last post, I wrote about being transferred to MAAF Hqtrs and assigned to a Sign Painting Section. This allowed me to recover from my Malaria illness. It also allowed me to request an R&R (rest and rehab), which I put in for, after several weeks on the job. It was in Sept., when I went to Rome, where an R&R Center was set up for the military. My R&R was actually 2 years from the day I reported to Fort Dix. It entitled me to a 1 week vacation.
Rome was a thrilling sight for me. No damage was done to the city and all the ancient ruins were on display. GI’s were all over the city, all tourists, seeing the Coliseum, Pantheon, Vatican, etc.
It was during this period that the Allies cross into West Germany. Also, the Nazis were losing to the Russians and other conquered countries, such as Romania and Poland. Towards the end of the year, in December, Hitler massed an attack in Belgium, the Battle of the Bulge, a horrendous battle, which lasted 2 weeks, in freezing, snowy conditions. Our Gen. Patton was in charge and he achieved fame and recognition for his brilliant defeat of the Nazi attempt to stop the Allies. This was the turning point. The Germans were on the run and the Allies moved forward on all fronts.
The Ernie Pyle bridge constructed by engineers to cross the Rhne River.
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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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January 13, 2009 at 4:31 pm
· Filed under WWII ·Tagged caserta, MAAF, WWII
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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