Here's another one I hope you enjoy because it shows what we as 18 year old kids had to put up with instead of chasing G-I-R-L-S !!!!
The City of Rennes,Northern France was taken some time between the 30th of July and the First of August 1944(not positve of actual date) just after the breakout from Coutances but I will never forget this incident. The City had been secured and most of the Krauts were gone but some snipers were still around so it was still necessary to CYA to be polite.
My Plt. was given an area near one of the only bridges in the town to patrol to prevent it's being blown-we were something of a roving patrol in a jeep with a .50cal. mounted on it.
We were riding with what we called "cat eyes" lights(no headlights were allowed) so the visibility was limited. Slowly rolling down a side road near the bridge through a wooded area the guy on the .50cal. kicked my shoulder and pointed to the treed area and when I looked up he had cupped his hand behind his ear and was pointing to the trees.
Rolling to a stop,we then all heard the distinct sound of a Tiger Tank exiting the trees and in his haste to get off the road the driver put us in a ditch on our side the .50cal. pointed at the sky!!! was useless.
We were then left with two M1s a Thompson MG and three .45s so the only thing to do was run like H**l for cover but never saw anybody outrun a bullet!!
Slowly the Tiger approached and the turret with the infamous "88" was pointed in our direction but nothing had been fired at us which was a big mystery to us. When it was practically on top of us,the top hatch opened and a head popped out and we heard "Hey GI's we're FFI and can't use this without gas you wanna buy it-Ha HA-?".
At that point,we didn't know whether to shoot them after they all got out or to kiss them because they were FFI but first a change of clothes was needed by all three of us.
Called the CP and asked for a disposition for the Tiger and the intellegence guy replied "Get rid of it ASAP"
I often wonder if it's still in that river after it was slowly run off the bridge???
Well I've been learning SO much. I guess that is an understatement.
I've recently had to revamp the main site to include the 1108th, which consisted of the 48th and 235th Bns.
I owe much of what I know from Captain Al Kincer of the 48th, whom many of you are already familiar with. After looking over Al's page, etc., I realized that they were indeed part of VI CORPS! Big dummy. Which means that they should have been a part of the site with their own history and photos pages from the beginning. So I am in the midst of making up for my oversight and am adding the pages beginning this week.
As with the 39th Engineers who are featured on the site, the 1108th were part of II Corps and VI Corps. As I said, much to learn and digest!
After the Italian campaign, the 235th was permanently split off from the 48th, when the latter joined VI Corps and the invasion of southern France. In fact, the 48th went into invasion training with my dad's group, the 540th.
So a hearty welcome to the 1108th. Thank you for all your help with the re-creation of your history. I hope I can do it justice.
Had a great time at your reunion and felt so very welcome. Thank you for bringing me into the fold. I am honored to be amongst such esteemed company.
This IS a true story. My girlfriend Karla who works in Oakland County (MI), sent me this. One of the friends she plays golf with, related this incident to Karla regarding her husband. It is truly touching.
This was just sent to me by my golf partner Kathy her husband is an Oakland County Sheriff.
Karla
Most of you have met my husband, one of Oakland County's finest.
I was given permission to share this story which occurred not much more than an hour ago.
He and two fellow officers were at a Chinese restaurant having lunch and a woman walked in with her little boy. John always carries gold sheriff's-star stickers for just these occasions and gave one to the little boy. And he says "look mommy what the police officer gave me" and the woman thanked him and said that it was very kind.
At the end of the meal the waiter placed what they thought was their bill on the table. But when they unfolded the piece of paper it read:
September 11
Thank you for what you risk and what you are.
(no name)
The waiter said that the woman had paid for their lunch bill before she left.
(John opened his fortune cookie which read: An act of kindness will soon be bestowed upon you)
Big dummy. Which means that they should have been a part of the site with their own history and photos pages from the beginning. So I am in the midst of making up for my oversight and am adding the pages beginning this week.
