This book takes you on a journey through the colorful life of a young Horse Cavalry-man during WWII, to leading night patrols in front of, and often times behind the German lines. The author relates true accounts of his interesting experiences in over 300 pages..
RECON SCOUT was republished in December 2001 in paperback. Following this, Doubleday’s Military Book Club made it their main selection (in Hardback) in January 2002.
We thoroughly enjoyed hearing Fred tell of his experiences during several visits to his home when we lived in Montana.
The following first person experiences at Sicily are taken from the author’s account in his book (with his written permission).
In the harbor at Bizerte, we boarded LSTs and headed for Sicily. We learned that we were now attached to General Allen’s 1st Infantry Division, a part of the newly formed 7th Army commanded by General George Patton. Less than a year ago, we’d sailed across the Atlantic, our destination a mystery.
While crossing the Mediterranean, we also had time to think and wonder what fate held in store for us. Even though we were now seasoned veterans, on the eve of the coming battle, the same old feelings of tension and anxiety returned. Once again we asked ourselves, “What will tomorrow bring?” If only fate would reveal the pre-determined events that faced us. But then again, maybe it’s best we didn’t know.
On July 10th, 1943, operation “Husky” the invasion of Sicily began. A detachment from Troop A of the 91st Recon landed with the 1st Infantry Division at Gela on the southwest shore of the island. It was the job of the 91st Recon to reconnoiter for the 1st Infantry and to capture the town of Gagliano in central Sicily.
British General Alexander commanded all the Allied forces in the Sicilian campaign. Sir Bernard Montgomery, also a British General, led the Canadian and British troops that made up the 8th Army. General George Patton commanded the newly formed 7th Army. Capturing the port city of Messina, located only two or three miles across the strait from the toe of Italy, became the main military objective.
Rommel’s defeat of the Americans in southern Tunisia during the African campaign left Montgomery with a very low opinion of the fighting ability of his American Allies. The fighting around Kasserine Pass was the “Yanks” first baptism of fire at the hands of the seasoned Afrika Korps. The British came to their rescue and saved the day.
Montgomery’s forces landed in Sicily on the southeastern coast of the island south of Syracuse. With any luck, the British General figured to travel along the coastal road and reach Messina in short order.
The Americans landed on the west side of Sicily. To reach Messina, they had to travel through the mountainous interior. Patton’s role in the campaign was to mop up the western end of the island and secure Montgomery’s left flank. Montgomery, though a brilliant general, meant to gain all the glory for himself. He had no intention of sharing it with the incompetent, inexperienced Americans.
Certain roads were assigned to Patton’s sector of the island. When Montgomery ran into stiff resistance along the coast, without consulting his superior, General Alexander, or Patton, the commander of the 8th Army moved his forces into the American zone and took over some of the roads. Patton became very upset and flew to North Africa to question General Alexander about Montgomery’s inconsiderate tactics. Alexander sided with his fellow countryman.
Although Montgomery had raised the hackles on the back of Patton’s neck, the Commander of the 7th Army caused no further fuss. He decided to take full advantage of the situation Montgomery had promoted. He led the 45th and 3rd Infantry Divisions, along with the 2nd Armored Division, in a wild race to cut the island in half.
The Sicilian campaign turned out to be one continuous road block after another on the narrow mountain roads. It took only a couple of Germans to blow up a bridge and halt a large column of advancing soldier. A well placed machine gun overlooking the rubble made it extremely difficult to proceed.
Nevertheless, in less than two weeks Patton captured Palermo, the capital and largest city in Sicily. This put a feather in his cap, but the aggressive American General wasn’t satisfied; he wanted to show Montgomery that he was wrong about the fighting capabilities of the American soldier. Patton wanted to beat his rival to Messina. The race between two great Generals had begun.
Thus far in the campaign, Patton’s 7th Army surpassed all expectations of the task given them, but that didn’t satisfy his ego. After being rebuffed by Montgomery, he’s set his goal. Patton wanted the 7th Army to be the first Allied army to enter Messina.
Our recon platoon was given instructions to establish an observation post in the mountains north of Torina overlooking the sea, and to spy on the Germans fighting General Patton’s forces along the northern costal road. Patton wanted to know the results of the Allied naval shelling being carried out against the retreating Germans. Patton wanted to continue making amphibious landings along the coast behind the enemy’s lines.
Patton’s forces continued advancing along the coast following the Krauts’ continued fight during their orderly withdrawal along the coastal road. This enabled the bulk of their army to get safely across the Straits of Messina into Italy. Patrols from the 3rd Infantry Division entered the city of Messina only a few hours ahead of General Montgomery’s British troops.