World War II in the Words of My Uncle: "710 MILES TO THE NEXT BATTLES" (Post #72)

710 MILES TO THE NEXT BATTLES

Before the trip the 2nd Infantry Division still have a few days to relax

From Staff Sargent Maurice Rice Diary
Sept 23, 1944 (Saturday) “Drew clothes and over shoes. We are getting ready to move again. I am going to try and find Vernon May (in the division artillery) tomorrow.”

Sept 24, 1944 (Sunday) “I found Vernon May (my hometown friend) and we talked all day. Had a lot of fun. Came home in a command car. I had 2 letters (from home).”

Sept 25, 1944 (Monday) “Drew more clothes and moved to Landerniew. We think we are going to the German front. (We) left Camp McCoy (Wisconsin in the states) a year ago today.” [He has his dates of leaving Camp McCoy a few days early.]

Sept 26, 1944 (Tuesday) “Stayed all night and drew more clothes. Can’t write any mail. (We) leave tomorrow night.”

Sept. 27, 1944 (Wednesday) “We turned in our duffel bags. We are getting on a train tonight. It is still raining. We drew C and K rations.”

Sept 28, 1944 (Thursday) “We loaded on a train and rode all night and day. It sure is cramped. We had hot coffee.”

Sept 29, 1944 (Friday) “We passed through the outskirts of Paris. (While sleeping on the train) everybody stepped in my face last night. It is a pretty moon.”

Sept 30, 1944 (Saturday) “We rode all morning. Got to Longuyon almost on the Belgian border. We hiked three miles with double blanket rolls mostly uphill. We bivouacked in the field. (We have) no water. We leave tomorrow for a 108 mile trip.”

Glynn Raby Jr shared this week with me his memories of those days.

After BREST fell, we left the City and relocated to near Landerneau where we spent

about a week while we rested, re-equipped, etc. We started on a 4 day trip on

September 27th to nearby St. Vith, Belgium that was near the German border. Part

of the Division traveled on trains in the WWI famous type "forty & eight."

(40 men and 8 horses) freight cars. I think there were less than the 40 men to a car

(and no horses). The rest of us were fortunate to travel in the Division vehicles.

[Those of us lucky enough to ride in the Division vehicles on] our 1st day we went

from Landerneau to St. Albin, next day to Chateauneuf, 3rd day to St. Quentin and

4th day to Schoenberg, Belgium. [Those on trains] spent a lot of time just sitting in

railroad yards. I didn't see any of them the entire 4 days. I was glad to be in a jeep.

From there, we took over the defensive area from the 4th ID.

[I have a feeling Glynn Raby Jr "restful" 710 mile trip will be made up with the coming battles.]

October 1, 1944 (Sunday) “It is raining all day. We rode in trucks and got lost in Luxembourg from the convoy. We stopped in Belgium 2,000 yards from the German border.”

October 2, 1944 (Monday) “We bivouacked in the forest. It is still raining. (1st Battalion HQ says) We can take anything we want to from the Germans (prisoners).” (because they do the same to American prisoners)

October 3, 1944 (Tuesday) “I wrote one letter to Vicky. Everyone is out of cigarettes. It is still raining. I got a bad cold. (We) killed a cow (to eat).”

October 4, 1944 (Wednesday) “We hiked 10 miles (and entered Germany). We went into the Siegfried Line near Prum. Built six man (large fox) holes with fire places. No cigarettes.”