"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.”

Battery B was my uncle's 105mm howitzer group

For those who would like to know more about the "Forty and Eights trains" history, I have given you some information below for your reading.

https://www.skylighters.org/encyclopedia/fortyandeight.html

                                                                                                                

September 22, 1944 "Letter After The Brest Surrender" (Post #71)

THE SURRENDER

The Battle for Festung Brest By Rich Hamilton

Once the Allied forces began moving into the city itself the fighting became brutal and the American infantry had to fight house to house. The Germans had created many strong points throughout the city and anyone venturing into the open was cut down immediately. The only way the Americans could precede was to use explosives to blow out the walls of the buildings. It was in this way that progress through the city was made.

The Allied advance was halted when it reached the fortress wall of the old city. In some places the wall was reported to be thirty feet high and fifteen feet thick.

The assault on Brest

On 10 September Corps Artillery attempted to breach the wall using large caliber guns in direct fire, but this failed. It was decided that a direct assault on the wall would not be attempted because it would be too costly. From this point on the Allies would secure the wall on all sides before proceeding.

Street fighting

The last phase of the encirclement of the fortress wall began on 14 September as the Allies attempted to assault Fort Montbarey. The assault was led by 15 Churchill “Crocodile” flame tanks. The first attack was repulsed, but on the following day the fort fell. With the capture of Fort Montbarey the German positions finally began to collapse. On the night of 15 September US forces began crossing the old fortress wall and by 17 September they were closing in on the last pockets of German resistance. General Ramcke surrendered on 19 September 1944 and 20,000 German soldiers were taken prisoner. (Sources for article at bottom of this post)

GERMANS SURRENDER BREST AND THEMSELVES

FOOT SOLDIER by Fred Felder

September 17, 1944 
On the 17th our division reached the harbor, in the center of the city. German resistance was disintegrating. At the time we were fighting inside the city, living in houses, firing our mortars day and night. This was a kind of fighting we hadn’t been trained for but we liked being in a big city, living in houses.
September 18 
We were overjoyed on the 18th when the German commander, General Herman Ramke, surrendered 38,000 German troops to the three U.S. infantry divisions (Second, 29th and 8th) and part of 6th Armored. This was General Troy Middleton’s VIII Corps, which had been transferred from Hodge’s 1st Army to Patton’s Third and then to General William Simpson’s 9th in this campaign. The Corps had suffered 9,831 killed, missing and wounded in capturing Brest and liberating the Brittany Peninsula. 

Somewhere in France

Sept 22, 1944

Dear Mother
     Since last I wrote you, we have been having some nice weather even thought the nights have been quite cold. One can even realize fall is on it's way for it seems so much like  Good Old Maine in September. Today, as I write, there is a little change for as I lay near the opening of my tent I see the rain is sure coming down. Looks like it might stay for a day or so. Oh well, I'm taking it easy for a few days so let it rain and I'll just stay in my tent and sleep. {He has just gone through the Battle for Brest and just says, "I'm taking it easy for a few days." Doesn't let on about all the fighting he has gone through. Doesn't want to worry his mother.}  No fun eating chow outside in a downpour of rain but the day is coming when things will change. As for now I seem to keep well and on the go which is a big help when living outside in all kind of weather.
      Guess I told you about Dan taking sick just after coming ashore and being sent back to England. He never has come back and guess he never will as his stomach wouldn't stand the chow. He told me his dad had had stomach trouble too. He seemed nervous all the time and you may be sure this is no place for a fellow like that. We had another new fellow from Boston, Massachusetts, come in but he wasn't with us long. If people could only realize how much some have to give that they might have freedom.
     Just came back from chow. We ate twenty five minutes early tonight. It's still raining hard.
     There's another woman at the mill [S.D. Warren] has been writing quite a lot lately, seems she's taken up where Margaret Dinsmore left off. You ask Eugene if he knows Bernice Parker. She sent one letter written on a sheet of mill paper about a foot wide and three or four feet long, gee what a bunch of junk or maybe I shouldn't say that but it's the way she words all the news - and I mean all the news ha ha.
     I received two small cards from Helen Borek [sister] and must send her a few lines. Sure glad it was a boy. What did Sis say about the puff?
     I'd be very careful not to get mixed up in any trouble across the street as I can see it's sure some mess. It would be a good thing if they'd move and if those signs don't mean anything to them maybe they'll find themselves in plenty of hot water. It sure must be the talk of the town or soon will be.
     That invasion poem you sent was wonderful and I saw one fellow read it three times. Kind of made me do some thinking for it was the prayers of many thousand of mothers.
     Here is a good one, I saw Hitler only it was his picture but still in a very appropriate place. As I was walking through some battle ruins I saw a dead horse somewhat swollen from the heat and there beside its a double s was none other then the picture of Adolph's himself. Well, we had a good laugh and you can see some G.I. had taken good care of his picture. It would be too good to shoot him, a rat like that should die by inches. 
     Mother, if some of the people back in the States who are always finding fault or starting trouble could see the refugees of war traveling along the roads with no homes to return to and their few belongings in a bag, case, tied to a bicycle or in a wagon, old men and women walking slowly down the road, I know they'd stop to think and thank God for what they have and the good old U.S.A.
     This envelope is one captured from the Krauts so will send this letter in it. Everything is well so keep up courage. Say hello to all.

                                                              Love Son Charles

THE ENVELOPE FROM A DEAD GERMAN SOLDIER

USED BY UNCLE CHARLIE TO ENCLOSE A LETTER

THE SURRENDER VIDEO

Diary of Staff Sgt. Maurice Rice (before Uncle Charlie's letter)

      Division Took a Brief Rest September 19-26, 1944

Sept 19, 1944 (Tuesday) “Close order drill and training.” 
Sept 20, 1944 (Wednesday) “Close order drill and training. We saw a picture show.”   
Sept 21, 1944 (Thursday) “More training. We ought to get English (relief troops) after awhile.”  
Sept 22, 1944 (Friday) “More training. We get passes for a change.”

MOST OF THE CITY WAS DESTROYED BEFORE THE GERMANS SURRENDERED 

Sources: The Battle for Festung Brest By Rich Hamilton Bradley, Omar, A Soldier’s Story, Henry Holt & Co., New York: 1951. Blumenson, Martin, Liberation: World War II, Time-Life Books, Alexandria, VA: 1978. Personal account: http://home.thirdage.com/military/friends2idww2/07_Whitehead.html “BRITTANY/FORTRESS BREST --THEIR SIEGE AND SURRENDER: The Battle of Brest: Chapter 7” by Alfred Whitehead II General Middleton’s After Action Report: http://pagesperso-orange.fr/alain.liscoet/recitan.htm

Sept. 1944 "Before the Surrender" (Post #70)

BATTLE FOR BREST

He will survive   http://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/caught-in-the-crosshairs/

15th FAB YEARBOOK

-----------------------------------

Diary of Staff Sgt. Maurice Rice

Sept 5, 1944 (Tuesday) “I went to (my 2nd) division and the chow is good. I got all of my equipment.”   

                                                                                         

Sept 6, 1944 (Wednesday) “(I) went back to (my 9th ) regiment and I stayed with the (field) kitchen. My legs are still bothering me a little.”

Sept 7, 1944 (Thursday) “C Company is getting relieved. I joined the company and all the replacements left.”

Sept 8, 1944 (Friday) “The Red Cross truck gave us coffee and doughnuts. I got seven letters (from home). I am (the) platoon guide.”

Sept 9, 1944 (Saturday) “(I) went to a picture show. (We all) took showers. The 23rd and 38th (regiments of the 2nd div) captured 800 prisoners. We are resting. Got paid.”

Sept 10, 1944 (Sunday) “Went to church. I made out a money order for $56.00. I am taking it easy. I am drilling recruits in hedgerow fighting.”

Sept 11, 1944 (Monday) “Moved from rest area to the front. Relieved the 8th Division. Everything is quiet. (Our) artillery has given the Jerries hell.”

Sept 12, 1944 (Tuesday) “(Enemy) ammo dumps are blowing up. It sure is pretty. I got 4 letters (from home).”

Sept 13, 1944 (Wednesday) “We moved to laundry (detail). I slept between sheets on a mattress. I found a lot of jam (jelly). I sent a rain coat home.”

Sept 14, 1944 (Thursday) “It sure is nice here. We have coffee at night. Just like in garrison. Everything is quiet. No casualties.”

Sept 15, 1944 (Friday) No entry

Sept 16, 1944 (Saturday) “148 prisoners came in after breakfast. I got $164.00 and several watches (from them). We move tomorrow. Brest is supposed to fall at 12 pm. (noon). All the prisoners were from a labor battalion. (Our 1st) battalion raised hell (with us) because we looted them. I got 2 letters from home. Everything is pretty quiet.”

Foot Soldier by Fred Felder

September 5 

On September 5th, our artillery began to soften up the city’s inner defense lines with a heavy bombardment while we enjoyed hot baths and hot meals for the first time in many days.

September 8 

The attack on the city was resumed on September 8th- by our sister regiments, the 23rd and 38th. The attackers made progress but German defenders fell back in an orderly fashion. Hitler was urging them to fight to the death and delay our capture of the port, which German demolition teams were now busy destroying.

September 13-16

On September 13th we were moved up to the front lines again, for a new attack on the inner defenses of the city by all three of the division’s regiments. We advanced on the 14th and progress was immediate, though the city’s huge inner walls gave the defenders tactical advantages. On the 15th we reached the great wall itself. The wall was approximately six stories high and in order to get across this wall our artillery pounded one spot for about twelve hours and broke it to bits, so foot soldiers could climb through. Next day the final attack on the city began; all of Company G was now on top of the wall, overlooking the City of Brest and the harbor. 

Thoughts from Glynn Raby Jr. while the 2nd Infantry Division had a short break. 

Hello, Peter. As Charlie (Charles D Knight) said, rain water does get into the fox holes. Makes for miserable sleeping. Thankfully, it did not rain all the time. In early September, we (9th Infantry) got "pinched out" by units on either side, and we were able to get a few days off of the line. We had an opportunity to shower and get clean clothes. The Division had set up showers not far behind the lines. They had located near a small creek, had a pumper taking water and had a flat bed truck and trailer. Down the center of the trailer were about 8 or 10 shower heads mounted on each side of the structure housing the plumbing. That many of us could bathe at the same time. A large area had been enclosed with tarp fence. Near the entrance, we stripped of the dirty clothes – at the other side clean clothes waited. I had never before seen a unit like that and never saw another. I searched Army records for years with no success. Then, a new member of the Group website created by Sgt. Rice's son, Kraig; said he was related to the officer in charge of the Division Quartermaster unit. I asked and he replied that he had heard of it and thought it had been designed and built by his "uncle's men.

A good book on BREST is Americans in Brittany 1944: The Battle for Brest

by Jonathan Gawne

Jonathan's father was an Officer with the 8th Infantry Division. Much information, numerous photos, etc.

Page 135 has a box with the following:

THE AIRCRAFT COLLISION

“There is one incident which seems to have been remembered by most of the men who fought at BREST. On 5 September there was a daylight raid on the city. When such events occurred soldiers on both sides tended to pause in their actions and look up at the show. This explains why so many soldiers were watching when a fighter, thought to be a P-38, suddenly dove out of the clouds and cut a B-17 in half.

The tail sections fluttered to the ground and, as the story goes, German soldiers later claimed they had helped a very shaken, but still alive, tail gunner out of the wreckage. In the 2nd Division sector the bodies of two crewmen fell, penetrating a foot into the soft ground. The rest of the crew was found dead in the wreckage of the bomber, never having had a chance to jump free.”

While showering, I just know someone shouted "look up" at the collision and I saw the B-17 fluttering down at a distance. Perhaps Charlie saw it, too.

Thank you Glynn for sharing this information. It helps us all to understand a little better what the soldiers were doing and seeing. (Peter Lagasse)

September 8-11, 1944

Sept. 1, 1944 Letter "Battle of Brest" 3 (Post #69)

Foot Soldier by Fred Felder

    Printed by Bill Wise Printers, Orangeburg, South Carolina

Fred Felder was a combat mortar crew soldier in the 2nd Battalion of the U.S. 9th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division.

August 29-September 4 The night and day routine of the advance on Brest continued day after day. All survivors were getting tired. On September 4, our infantrymen broke through the city’s outer chain of defenses. We had suffered heavy casualties, especially the 3rd Battalion, around the city’s airfield, where fighting was fierce. Company G was finally relieved and sent to the rear to reorganize and recuperate from the effects of eleven days of continuous fighting. Although we GI’s didn’t know it or care much- we came under the command of 9th Army. 

15TH FAB YEARBOOK
Fourneuf is a village 2 miles outside of Brest

Staff Sergeant Hanford Maurice Rice Diary

Sept 1, 1944 (Friday) “Oxner and Rogers (were) hit. (The) third Platoon joins the second (platoon).”

Sept 2, 1944 (Saturday) “I am still in the hospital. C Company is holding (the) line at Brest.”

Sept 3, 1944 (Sunday) “(I am) still in the hospital. (I am) eating and sleeping. (I have had) no mail. I am leaving (the hospital) tomorrow.”

Sept 4, 1944 (Monday) “I am at the replacement pool. (The) chow is awful. (I am) staying all night.”

Somewhere in France
Sept 1, 1944

Dear Mother
     Here I am still in there trying to do my small part to get this thing over with and sail for home.
[We now know Uncle Charlie has another 8 months of battles ahead of him. This is a time when not knowing what the future holds may be a benefit to us humans. Eight months of fighting for your life, your country, and the nations of the world. Winning against the enemy is a blessing for them too.]
As I have said before "the news looks good but don't plan on any one date then you won't be disappointed." [Wars don't follow our time schedule. We forget this truth so often.] You may be sure of one thing I'll be home as soon as possible. I'm still well so that is the big thing which counts at this time. 
     Gee, I sure must try to write more but it seems something will happen every time I start to write. The other day I started a letter then had to go work on the gun [105mm howitzer] and was it raining. I got soaked and when I crawled back into my hole the letter had got wet, the paper was damp so I gave it up as a poor job - didn't feel much like writing then.
     Yesterday, I built a new home in the ground and this one is a foxhole Deluxe, all lined with straw, under a hedgerow with a built out overhang to keep the rain off. After you build so many of them you kind of feel like a contractor able to build just about any design building (in my case foxhole) a person could ask for. 
     Received the news about sister and sure glad to hear she is doing so well. Glad also to hear it was a boy. Best wishes to all Three. [His sister Helen had Joseph Borek Jr 18 Aug 1944. Her first child.]
     I sure had some mail the other day, all from home - six letters. One stamp had never been postmarked.  That was the first time I ever saw one that way. 
    Well, tell Dad I just sent back all my ballots. As far the way he votes I wouldn't know and mine that's a military secret.
    I wouldn't take it too hard even if Sis did go to Florida this winter, oh yes, I know you'll miss her but maybe it will be for the best. [His sister Helen, and her husband Joe will begin to go to Homestead, Florida, to grow potatoes. It will prove VERY successful.]
     I received a nice card and one of the best letters Helen ever wrote for my birthday. She asked about my watch but I'll let you take care of that now. I've written you all about it. Can't understand her at times but one sure thing I don't intend worrying very much.
     You know it seemed a lot like home here as now that September is here the nights are quite cold with cold fall winds and when you see the sun going down (headed for the U.S.A.) it looks like fall. 
     Telling about Joe going to the Drug Store for some reading here is something, whenever you find pictures, etc. save them and maybe someday I'll be able to tell you about some of the them as I've already seen many of the things happen that have been written about,
     Guess I'll sign off for this time. Say hello to all and don't forget Grammy.
                                                                        Love
                                                                           Son Charles
Please send me a fruit cake if you can.

2nd Infantry Division

foxhole 2 x 2 x 6

Aug. 30,1944 Letter "The Battle for Brest" Part 2 (Post #68)

FLASH BACK ~ BEGINNINGS OF THE BATTLE OF BREST ~ 

Only the US VIII Corps advanced into the Brittany peninsula with the important port city of Brest as the main objective of the advance. 

At first the advance on Brest was a race, with the US 6th Armored Division leading the way. The going was so easy that on 6 August General Patton reported to a skeptical General Omar Bradley that Brest had been captured. General Bradley stated later that he was not surprised to find out the next day that Brest had not been taken as Patton insisted.  
US forces began their final move on Brest on 7 August 1944 and encountered heavy resistance from a very well organized defense.
The commander of VIII Corps, General Middleton, reported that the defense network was the original French works that had been improved upon by the German defenders. The Allies encountered a complex series of fortifications that blocked all the approaches to the city. The German defenders also had a huge store of artillery ammunition for the coastal batteries that had been modified so they could fire inland. (https://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=780)
We need to remember the 2nd Infantry Division did not arrive near Brest until 20 August 1944. Thirteen days after the battle began.  We read from Glynn Raby Jr. some of those first days for the "Indianheads." 

Glynn Raby Jr 2^nd Division 9^th Infantry Regiment

     While the main thrusts were to the east and south, our armored units also went west into BRITTANY, and the German troops withdrew into the larger towns and cities – mostly seaports. In mid-August the 2nd Division moved west and joined with the 8th and 29th Divisions to capture the seaport of BREST. Outside the city, we found hedgerow country similar to NORMANDY. Progress was again slow. I held the rank of Corporal and was assigned to assist our company communications sergeant. We laid telephone lines between our units and operated radios. When not moving forward, we always “dug in” – holes in the ground to get into for some protection from shrapnel. One unforgettable day we were being shelled and were in our holes. A direct hit from a mortar shell landed on Sgt. Thomas, perhaps 15 feet from me. He died, almost instantly.
     A day or two later, I had just completed a radio transmission to our Battalion HQ, when someone called our code name. He had what I thought was a German accent. My first thought was about “triangulation” - locating a radio by using three receivers and plotting on a map beams to the transmitter. Afraid that I might get a mortar shell on me, I quickly turned the radio off, and moved to another spot. I later learned that triangulation was not that effective and that mortars were not that accurate. The caller could have been an American with German ancestors, but I took no chances. 

Somewhere in France
Aug 30, 1944

Dear Mother,
     I'm still o.k. and in good health. I started you a letter a few days ago but never finished it. You see I spent some time digging myself a hole under a bank, mostly through rock, so when I had it completed I went down to a little creek to wash up by that time it was dark and after dark there are no lights not even a match. A couple of day later I intended writing again but been up all day and night and such a headache couldn't see straight. Guess it was from the steady pounding of the guns. Took quite a few aspirin all day but it did no good so along toward night I took five and after a little sleep felt better. 
     It was some time ago but as I remember when writing my last letter I wrote it looked like rain and sure enough it did rain that night. Gee, what a rain - it came down in buckets full. I stood guard and got soaked then when I crawled in my hole the water was running in. I fixed it the best I could then went to sleep - maybe. I don't believe this life will help anyone in years to come. We have had some good weather but now we are having lots of rain.
     For some time we didn't receive any mail but now it's coming again. The news looks good but don't be surprised if this thing lasts longer than you expect. It looks to me as if some people back in the states figure this fight is going so fast it's just a push over but they're far mistaken. If they could see and go through some of the things the boys over here are they'd change their mind. One day you eat and talk with a swell fellow - the next day he's gone. 
     Here's a joke, the other day I got a haircut and the fellow had never cut hair before in his life but who cares ha ha. You see we never stop in any town as we have been in contact with the enemy most of the time, only a few days we haven't been in the fight. Some day I'll tell you just where I was and saw when writing each letter. As I write this letter only ten or fifteen feet from my gun the other boys are firing like mad. I also can hear a few of the Jerries whistle over.
     Received a letter from Waneta and a picture of Jr. [His sister sent a picture of her 8 month old son. My older brother.] Sure like to get mail. 
     If Archie Chambers wants to do any shooting he should be over here. All I can say - Damn fool.
     I'm afraid Claude [local potato farmer in his town just down the hill from his parents] has made a mistake having those Negros around. (Notice how the blast of the gun makes my pen jump.)
     Received the picture of James Allen, his father was the postmaster as I remember. Also read in a clipping that Walter Zinchurch was home after two years overseas. 
     Glad you got the money I sent. If you ever need any just go to Westbrook. I see we don't get paid this month but who wants money. I'm going to save all I can. 
     By this time, I hope sister is alright and now I'm waiting for the news.
     Say hello to Grammy and tell her even though I can't write often I still think of her.
     Guess I'll close for this time. I'm okay so try not to worry. Say hello to all. This mess will be over someday.
                                        Love
                                          Charles

Diary from Staff Sergeant Hanford Maurice Rice 
In Charlie Co. (1st Battalion) of the U.S. 9th Inf. Reg. of the 2nd Inf. Div. 

August 21, 1944 (Monday): “Still raining. We are holding and moving our positions. Rough weather. We are 2 miles from Brest.”

August 22, 1944 (Tuesday): “Our patrol went out. Magnes was killed, Curran was wounded. Then I took a patrol out and made it back okay.”

August 23, 1944 (Wednesday): “We went on line and still holding. Enemy artillery and mortar fire pretty heavy.”

August 25, 1944 (Friday): “We attacked pill boxes all day. We had 20 casualties. 3 of our tanks were knocked out. I took over the platoon.”

August 28, 1944 (Monday): “Pendergrass was killed. There are only 5 men left in the 3rd platoon.”

August 31, 1944 (Thursday): “The third platoon got wiped out.”

  Foot Soldier by Fred Felder (Printed by Bill Wise Printers, Orangeburg, South Carolina)

Fred Felder was a combat mortar crew soldier in the 2nd Battalion of the U.S. 9th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division during World War Two. In chapter 3, "Attacking in Brittany; Capture of Brest" he shares his memories. Heavily edited by me.

August 25th (Replacements for the 2nd Inf. Div.)                                                                "Thirty of us boarded an olive-green Army truck on the morning of August 25th 1944, and were off to the front to join the (9th) division. Our unit turned out to be Company G of the 9th U.S. Infantry Regiment. Our commander was Col. Chester Hirschfelder, to become the most decorated officer in the division. When finally faced the 2nd Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Walter M. Higgins, we were close behind the lines, just twenty miles from the city of Brest. The battalion commander looked us over and asked how many of us had seen combat. No one replied. He then said: "By nightfall all of you will have seen combat. We’re attacking at one o’clock this afternoon." That statement sent a ripple of fear through us all. I was put in a 60mm Mortar Section, carrying a bag of mortar ammunition. Our artillery barrage began at 12:40 and we "jumped off" at 1 pm., advancing slowly but steadily, and heard and saw our first enemy fire. The Germans had machine guns in the earthen walls (hedgerows), which were hard to hit with our own mortar or artillery fire. These machine guns had to be silenced before we could advance and they had been taking a heavy toll of American lives. My adopted foxhole buddy, Melvin Farris, and I, watched and learned that first day. We saw our first dead GI, lying peacefully along a hedgerow, and silently passed him by. That first afternoon our advance came to a standstill when we encountered the main German line. Here the fighting was hard and by nightfall the 9th Infantry had gained only yards.
                                                                                                                                                   
August 26th 
The sergeant ordered "Fellows, the artillery barrage will start at Zero Eight Hundred Hours. We jump off at 8:30." Farris and I stood outside the foxhole and chatted nervously, waiting for our own artillery to start blasting the enemy lines out front. The barrage began on schedule. When it let up at 8:30 our infantrymen would advance along the safest side of the 12 to 15-foot-high hedgerows. We set up our 60 mm mortar time after time when there was a call for fire. It was the most powerful weapon Company G had. Shells which our six-man squad carried were three inches in diameter and 14 inches long. Our range was about two thousand yards. That morning a soldier ahead who yelled over the walkie-talkie: "For God’s sake, put a few rounds on R-2- have you got a map?" On my third round I put a shell dead on target. That day the advance was again slow, and fighting heavy. We suffered more casualties. Just before dark we were told to dig in for the night. We had learned to dig them at the bottom of a hedgerow, on the side away from the enemy. If an artillery shell came your way, it couldn’t hit you. A mortar shell would have to be a direct shot.

August 28th
On the fourth day of our attack we advanced only twenty yards. During that day one of our lieutenants ordered two men to crawl forward to the next hedgerow and silence a German machine gun holding up the battalion. Both were killed. So when it was dark, two GI’s crawled slowly and quietly forward on their bellies. They were armed with lightweight carbines, wore no helmets (only a knit cap), and had faces blackened. (Reached where the Germans were) and actually reached up and pulled the gun out of the hedgerow. That startled the German crew, which surrendered. That cleared the way for a resumption of our advance. 

August 1944 "The Battle for Brest" Part 1 (Post #67)

An intense, extremely difficult, and costly battle
to gain control of the seaport in Brest.

The 2nd Infantry Battalion including the 15th FAB
takes a 220 mile trip to capture Brest.
There were many other battalions involved with this battle. 

15th FAB Yearbook

Howitzer

The Diary of  Staff  Sergeant Hanford Maurice Rice

The Germans had some big cannons they used at Brest

August 21, 1944 (Monday): “Still raining. We are holding and moving our positions. Rough weather. (We are) 2 miles from Brest.”

                                                                          

August 22, 1944 (Tuesday): “(Our) patrol went out. Magnes (was) killed, Curran (was) wounded. (Then) I took a patrol out and made it back okay.”

August 23, 1944 (Wednesday): “We went on line and still holding. (Enemy) artillery and mortar fire pretty heavy.”

August 24, 1944 (Thursday): “K rations are sure getting old. (We have had) no hot coffee for days. (Finally) the sun came out.”

August 25, 1944 (Friday): “(We) attacked pill boxes all day. (We had) 20 casualties. 3 of our tanks were knocked out. I took over the platoon.”

August 26, 1944 (Saturday): “I turned in to the Aid Station. I can’t go anymore. (I have had) no sleep for 3 days. I crawled one half of a mile.”

August 27, 1944 (Sunday): “I am still at the Aid Station. I am sleeping and eating. I saw a picture show. My knees are bothering me.”

August 28, 1944 (Monday): “(I am) still at the aid station. Pendergrass was killed. (There are only) 5 men left in the 3rd platoon. (I) saw another (picture) show.”

August 29, 1944 (Tuesday): “My knees are not any better. I saw the dentist. (I am) getting plenty of sleep.”

August 30, 1944 (Wednesday): “I had my tooth x-ray and my knees (also).”

August 31, 1944 (Thursday): “The third platoon got wiped out. I am still in the hospital.”

[ To be continued with words from both Fred Felder author of Foot Soldier and my dear friend Glynn Raby Jr. The letter from my uncle written August 30, 1944, will be written in due time.]