I don't know why I haven't posted info on this book, as it is a great read for anyone interested in Engineers.

"German Defences in Italy in World War II" by Neil Short, Osprey Publishing, 2006.

A softbound booklet from their Fortress series. 64 Pages.

Describes the German defences used throughout Italy but focuses mainly on Cassino front and GOTHIC Line. Includes photos of some of the gun emplacements, trenches, and dugouts. Has color map of the many defence lines established during their retreat--approximately 40 named defence lines. Includes diagrams of a typical defence line showing placement of trenches, MG dugouts, A-T guns and mines. Another set of nice drawings of gun emplacements for a 88 gun, a Panther tank turrent and a Nebelwerfer. A cross-sectional view of an underground, 2-story Panther Tank turrent.

Also sketches and views of the 2-man MG Panzernest unit. This was a steel bunker that was rolled out on wheels and flipped over into a hole and buried. Two men occupied it with an MG-34. Then there was the PzKpfw II tank turrent(earliest tanks with MG in turrent) that were used quite extensively.

A handy little book about Italy including how to tour the battlesites.

Retail price $16.95.

Steve

BLOOMBERG NEWS SERVICE

December 29, 2006

Britain will transfer $84 million to the U.S. Treasury today, the final payment on a debt used to finance the defeat of Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany in World War II.

The U.S. extended $4.34 billion in credit in 1945, allowing Britain to stave off bankruptcy after devoting almost all its resources to the war for half a decade. Since 1950, Britain has made payments on the debt at the end of every year except six.

Advertisement At the time it was granted, the loan strained trans-Atlantic relations. British politicians expected a gift in recognition of their contribution to the war effort, especially for the lives lost before the United States entered the war after Pearl Harbor.

“The U.S. didn't seem to realize that Britain was bankrupt,†said Alan Sked, a historian at the London School of Economics. The loan was “denounced in the House of Lords, but in the end, the country had no choice.â€

The loan was double the size of the British economy at the time.

Off to a great start. Yet another family member of a 540th Combat Engineer.

================================

your_name: Dale Tom

address: 60 Norman St.

cityst: Gardner,MA

through: Website

comments: My Grandfather John P. Korab Grade T/5 Army Service Number: 36221704 whom I never met, served with Co. "C" 540th Engineer Regiment in WWII, he was wounded on 8 Nov. 1943 in Italy. Being a veteran myself I am very interested in preserving the military history of my families service and also that of all others that served or are still serving. I have been researching info on my Grandfather for some time now. And it wasn't until recently that I acquired a copy of his full discharge papers giving full information of his enlistment,decorations battles,date wounds recieved and discharge. I do have some newspaper clippings and some pictures of him that I would be willing to share with you. If there is any info I may give to add to your research I would be very honored to contribute.

Sincerely,

Dale A. Tom

This is also posted under the "Shooting the Breeze" section but I thought posting it here more of you might get a kick out of just how stupid the Army was at times!!!

Following VE Day in the ETO,my unit was to go to the Pacific(PTO) and we were sent lock stock and barrel to the Arles Staging Area near Marseilles for a refitting and remanning etc.

This was following(at least in my case) some 281 days of combat and many of the men had done the same or nearly the same thing. Why do I emphasize this?

Some genius in the Command running the Staging Area thought that it would be a good idea, not only to keep the men busy, but (and this is a direct quote) "to refresh their ability to hit a given target and to become familiar with their weapons". Apparently he thought we had been pointing our weapons at the Krauts and yelling "BANG I GOTCHA".

After a few rounds up in the air,,or men turning around and pointing their loaded weapons at the Range Crew while asking such questions as how do I put a shell in this weapon(M-1s), it was decided that this was too dangerous for the Range People so the "exercise" was called off.

We didn't know it but our BN. CO(originally a Capt in HQ Co.) was watching all the time and according to his driver almost split a gut laughing before he cleared the area.

Next day we were back to hanging around the Co. tent area playing touch football.

Sgtleo

19 January, 84th Birthday of Elizabeth Kincer...Keeper of The Kincer Household.