Just finished watching UNDER HEAVY FIRE, a few minutes ago, and still have tears in my eyes. We rented this from Net Flix and if you can get a copy of it, take the time to watch. Didn't know what to expect. Lee and I were both touched by the story. This movie received reviews on both ends of the spectrum, but as I stated, we thought it was worth watching.
The story is told in flashbacks, by the surviving members of Echo Co, along with their captain, who go back to Vietnam with a documentary crew. Was not expecting the ending...
Here's more info for you:
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From the director of "Boys in Company C" and in the tradition of "Platoon" and "Apocalypse Now" comes a riveting action film about Echo Company, one of the hardest hit American units of the Vietnam War. After one of the War's most brutal battles is waged, Captain Ramsey (Casper Van Dien), the officer in charge of the campaign, is falsely accused of providing incorrect bombing coordinates, causing the senseless deaths of the men under his command. With all the odds against him, Ramsey now faces the battle of his life in this epic story about bravery, loyalty and honor.
Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 09/27/2005 Starring: Casper Van Dien Austin Farwell Run time: 118 minutes Rating: R Director: Sidney J. Furie
From the book "The War North Of Rome : June 1944 - May 1945" by Thomas R. Brooks, pages 157 - 158
Author Farley Mowat wrote in his history of the Hastings & Prince Edwards Regiment, an account of an incident in the battle for the Gothic Line. Mr. Mowat felt that the incident might have qualified for one of the most peculiar encounters of the war.
It was the night of 25 Aug 1944 and Lt. Col. Cameron had set up his Battalion CP in an Italian farm building. He and his officers had sat down to eat a beef stew that had been prepared when they heard a cough behind them. The officers turned around to see who had entered the building and found a six foot tall German paratrooper corporal.
Lt Col Cameron snapped at the man, "You are in the wrong camp. Go away."
The German replied that he was lost. Lt Col Cameron replied, "That's easily rectified" and he gave the German detailed directions so that he could return to the German lines which were located 400 yards away.
The Lt Col then remembered his sense of hospitality and asked the German if he had eaten. The paratrooper related that he had not eaten in the past 24 hours and so the Lt Col invited him to partake of the beef stew with the group. After eating, the paratrooper corporal offered himself as an official prisoner of war. The Lt Col dismissed the notion by exclaiming, "Nonsense." and telling the German that he had freely admitted to wandering into the CP by mistake. Lt Col Cameron continued, "And since we've already taken quite enough prisoners today, one more would simply be an administrative nuisance."
Mr. Mowat's account relates the German as banging on the table and saying, "I am your prisoner." The Lt Col banged on the table himself saying, "You are a soldier absent without leave....You may even be charged with desertion. You go along, and when you get back, tell your C.O. that we're going to beat the hell out of him come dawn." Mr. Mowat relates that the argument might have continued all night had the Lt Col not been called back to duty and finally agreed to accept the German's surrender
A new friend of mine is looking for info on the 116th Engineers. To be honest, I haven't had much time to research right now, but would appreciate any assistance. Am still busy working on my new Engineer Photo Gallery...
Do you have any information on the 116th Eng battalion of WWII?
Harry William Osborn Kinnard, Lieutenant General U.S. Army (retired) at the age of 93 died peacefully at his home in Arlington , Virginia on January 5, 2009. A soldier, leader and statesman, he epitomized the motto of his Alma Mater, West Point , "Duty, Honor, Country". He was born into an Army family on 7 May 1915 in Dallas , Texas . He lived an Army life of service to his country beginning with witnessing the attack on Pearl Harbor and defense of the island, then later parachuting into France on D-Day, commanding airborne soldiers in Holland and directing operations during the Battle of the Bulge with the 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne .
After WWII, he continued to have a distinguished military career. In the early 1960's, he formed and tested a new type of Army division and after 2 ½ years transformed and lead it into combat in Vietnam as the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). This new Division set the standard for future U.S. Army airmobile operations. He ended his Army career as the Commander of Combat Developments Command at Ft. Belvoir , Virginia in 1969. He received many high military honors, including the Distinguished Service Cross, and being knighted by the Queen of Holland for his actions in Holland in 1944. After his retirement he remained very active as a consultant and advisor. He was president of the Army Aviation Association of America and inducted into the Army Aviat ion Hall of Fame. He was president of both the 1st Cavalry Division and 101st Airborne Division Associations. He represented the President of the United States during the 50th Anniversary Commemorative events of WWII in "Market-Garden" ceremonies in the Netherlands .
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Kinnard; three daughters, Susan C. Payson, of Prescott, AZ, Kathleen L. Coursey of Stockton, CA and Cynthia L. Harman of Lexington, SC; two sons, Robert H. Kinnard of Prescott, AZ and Harry W. O. Kinnard III of Gainesville, FL; two stepdaughters, Libby Nicholson of San Clemente, CA and Janmarie Hall of Hamilton, VA and one step-son, COL ® Tom M. Nicholson Jr. of Augusta, GA; sixteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. His son, Bruce Kinnard, preceded him in death.
A viewing and visitation will be on Sunday January 11th 2009 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the DEMAINE FUNERAL HOME, 520 S. Washington Street , Alexandria , Virginia 22314 . Gravesite service and interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on Thursday March 19th at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Calvary United Methodist Church , Memorial Fund, 2315 S. Grant St. Arlington , VA 22202
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Marion's Note: This info kindly sent to me by John McAuliffe, 87th Infantry Div. Let me add my personal condolences. Rest in peace sir!
