Just wanted to check in and say hello. My name is Jason and I am one single-minded World War II History researcher. I mainly focus on researching the 60th Infantry Regiment, also known as the Go-Devils. My grandfather was in this unit as they set out from North Carolina in 1942 for North Africa. After Operation Torch finished up they went on to invade Sicily, then France during the D-Day invasion and finished up on the German Eastern border, linking up with the Russian Army. The unit has quite a story. If you are interested in learning more, please stop by my website

60th Infantry Regiment

I would love to hear from you all. This looks like a great forum and I hope I can add to it as much as possible. Just FYI, I am in the USAF, serving as a Captain and stationed currently in Germany. I have found out about so many small stories from WWII here it is just unbelievable. Why just a few blocks away from my home sits a pill box that was once part of the Maginot Line. I feel pretty lucky to be in such a history rich place right now. If anyone needs anything, feel free to ask.

Cheers

Jason

Does anyone has any information on this unit? the only thing I could find (on the internet) is that this was an unit with African American soldiers.

Activated at Camp Swift, Texas. Transferred to Camp Clairborne, Louisiana. Staged at Camp Shanks, New York.

Two of the unit are buried at Margraten, both KIA on 31 March 1945.

Any help would be appreciated.

TIA

Stevin

SomeRelevantQuotations: “Old soldiers dream of old battles because, with the sliding of years, memory of terror fades and what remains is the fond recollection of intensified life, of moments so electric, so bursting that everything after is thin porridge.â€

Lawrence Sanders

“Some men go skimming over the years of existence to sink gently into a placid grave, ignorant of life to the last, without ever having been made to see all it may contain of perfidy, of violence, and of terror. Joseph Conrad

“I answered the call as I heard it" Nelson Bryant

“There is no greater feeling of exhilaration for a young man than to be shot at - to no result.â€

Winston Churchill

“The whole affair has the strong odor of Gallipoli - and we have the same coach on the bench.â€

(About the Anzio Beachhead. Reference is to Winston Churchill)

“There are not enough Huns anywhere to drive us off this beach.â€

Lt. Gen. John Lucas

“It was an introduction to adult life marked by outrunning death every day. It was the most selfless work I ever did. The experience was dreadful, sobering and maturing, but when you survived it, it was elevating.â€

Unknown

“As a result of my wartime experiences, I have always felt that I was living on time which I’d been given. What all of us have come to realize is that that really was the climax of our lives.â€

Unknown

“There is no loneliness to equal that of an Infantry soldier in a foreign country in wartime, separated from his home and loved ones by a continent and an ocean, with no hope of returning soon, if ever.†Russell W.Cloer

Hello everyone.

I am trying to trace surviving US troos that passed thru Merkwiller during December 1944. I have since 1997, been researching the 8th Air Force bombing mssion of this important oil target, it was bombed August 3rd 1944.

Having this part Of the story almost complete, I am interested in hearing from anyne that recalls this Village and the refinery. Curious to learn what the place looked like, wha if any German defences were encountered? How were the residents upon your arrival etc.

As part f my researching so far I have visited Merkwiller and walked over what remains of the refinery. It was rebuilt in 1945-49 to almost same design as it was before it was bombed in '44. I also have a few pictures of US troops oming through, Beleived to be 103d Infantry? Additionally I have other photos taken by French residents immediately after bombing and the post war rebuild.

I'm missing any personal comments from US Troops that passed thru this place, and so if any one can help then I'd be very grateful!!!

What little I have I'm happy to share.

Regards Ian White

305th BGMA England

Bill was the kind of friend every one should have. If you needed any thing he was there. We worked for Friden Calculator and T. R. W. for 40 years, never seen him mad. Here is B-24 tail gunner Bill Duncan. (1923--2005)

Kellogg’s All-Bran and WW2

I have a friend who was WW2 tail gunner in a B-24 in England. He had a hearty breakfast of Kellogg's All-Bran before a mission over Germany. On the mission the All-Bran started to work. He was not going to fill his pants so he left his tailgunner position and went to the bomb bay doors and relieved himself. When they got back to their base he really got chewed out by the pilot. All I can think about is the German soldier looking up and plop! he gets it right in the face and said American secret weapon but it stinks.

No More Milk

This same friend, B-24 tail gunner ,returning from a mission and flying low. He was told to shoot up all hay stacks because German’s hide there tanks under them. He comes up-on a hay stack so he starts shooting at it and just as he started shooting, a cow comes walking around the corner of the hay stack. Bang, bang no more milk, no more cow.

cadetat6 Art