This information comes from research of the German 11^th SS Mountain Infantry Regiment by 
U. S. 45^th Infantry Division member Hugh Foster. It concerns the Regiment’s fight near 
Reipertswiller. I have been in touch with the former commander of the regiment that opposed the 45^th Infantry Division battalion there, retired Colonel Hellmuth Raitel. Although he was killed in an automobile accident, I received a letter from a “Johann Voss” who identified himself as a survivor of the fight. 

   While he was a POW, Herr “Voss” wrote a memoir -- in English. He sent me a copy of the chapter covering Reipertswoller. Herr “Voss” witnessed the gallantry of our own Felix L. Sparks – though he did not know his name or title – when he came forward in a tank to rescue men pinned down under German guns. 

   By the morning of January 18, 1945, much of the 157^th Infantry was surrounded. Regiment ordered all battalions to round up any men that could be found and attack immediately to break through to the trapped companies. In Sparks’ 3^rd Battalion, the ‘any men’ amounted to the Antitank Platoon, commanded by Lt. Charles E LeFebvre. Two armored scout cars from the division’s reconnaissance troop moved down a valley trail, while the antitank men formed a skirmish line in the forest to the right of the cars.  

   Herr “Voss,” then an 18-year-old Sturmann (Corporal) machine gun squad leader, commanded one of he German machine guns covering the Spielbachel Draw.  Even closer to the Americans, his friend, Rottenfuhrer (senior corporal) Zheinrich Schwede manned a second machine gun in place of the gunner, Herbert Heck, who lay dead at his feet.         

   The “attack” progressed only a few hundred yards before gunfire drove the GIs to the ground. The scout cars withdrew when the platoon commander was shot in the head. The antitank men on the extreme right were able to pull back, but Staff Sergeant Bernard F. Fleming’s 3^rd Squad was pinned down in a crater on the edge of the trail. Pfc Emmett L. Neff volunteered to go back to the battalion command post to get help – he was shot through the ankles. Sergeant Fleming darted into the fire and dragged Neff back to cover, Pfc Lawrence S, Mathiason then tried, and was killed. In desperation, Sergeant made a go of it, and managed to get through. At the command post, he informed Sparks of the situation.  

   Sparks commandeered two M-4 “Sherman” medium tanks, climbed into the turret of the lead tank and set off. Under direct and artillery fire, and shooting the tank’s external heavy machine gun all the while, Sparks was able to reach Fleming’s men. He then dismounted in full view of the enemy and helped the antitank men to the shelter of the tanks; then the tanks slowly backed out of the draw. When Sparks dismounted the tank, all German fire suddenly ceased. 

   “Voss’s” account, which appears on the back of this page, contains a few minor differences from American accounts of the action. Nonetheless, it is a most fascinating find for me; for in it he salutes the bravery of (to him) an unidentified foe – Felix Sparks. I know each member of the 157^th Association will find it enthralling too. There can be few higher accolades for a soldier, than recognition and homage from an enemy.    

                 EXTRACT FROM PERSONAL MEMOIRS OF “JOHANN VOSS”          
              FORMER MEMBER, 11^TH SS MOUNTAIN INFANTRY REGIMENT 

   It wasn’t long before the Americans launched their first massive action to rescue their battalion on the hilltops. They started with an artillery cannonade. It was the worst I ever went through. It lasted for at least one hour and a half. Shells kept coming down on us like hail in a thunderstorm. There must have been tens of thousands of shells scattered over our regiment’s positions. 

   When the cannonade ended, the Americans moved two (armored scout cars) in, one of them appeared down the bend of the trail, took up positions and started blasting away, apparently unharmed by our small arms fire farther down. Eventually, under the cover of gunfire the first American infantry men came forward around the end, leapfrogging between trees along the trail. We opened fire on them at a fairly great distance, more or less at random. But they forged ahead until they came under our more precise fire and were stopped not far from the bridge. There they disappeared in a hollow, searching shelter from the fire… 

   Down the ravine the American guns kept firing, and more of their infantry was sent forward. If this didn’t stop, our thin circle would break and the ravine would be open for the rescue of the American battalion. But then, finally, some rounds of our Nebelwerfer came hissing and screaming right over our heads: while the first clearly missed its target, the second and third must have totally knocked out the two (armored scout cars)  and their crew. The attack collapsed soon after, at least as far as we could see. The forward American squad remained invisible somewhere near the bridge, afraid to come out in the open, trapped in their shelter; we figured they had some wounded among them. 

   In the afternoon the Americans made another attempt in our sector to get through to the hilltop. It was only a matter of half an hour, but it told us something about our opponents. This time we saw them dashing up the road with two tanks, their roaring engines announcing their approach long before they appeared round the bend. The gunner of the lead tank continuously banged away with his heavy machine gun. We expected something like that.  If they could pass the bridge unharmed, we, up on the slope, only had a slim chance in a duel with them: our bullets would only scratch their armor while, in turn, they would have us at gunpoint as soon as we started firing. The trail, however, was steep, especially downwards toward towards the bridge, and the ground was frozen.  

   So, as they rumbled up to the bridge, the first tank spun on the ground, slid sideways and offered her right flank to our men in ambush by the bridge. The next moment she was hit in full. Smoke, the turret opened and the crew climbed out, obviously wounded and seeking cover behind the second tank. The second tank was blocked by the lead tank, and so, in turn, were our men with their bazookas. There was a brief moment of hesitation on both sides. Then, suddenly the turret of the second tank opened and out jumped a single man. Watching through my binoculars I thought him to be an officer. Ignoring the danger he was exposing himself to, he hurried over to the hollow where the infantry squad was trapped, helped each of the wounded to reach the tank and loaded them on the deck, one after the other, stunned we watched this extraordinary rescue action without firing a single shot. The officer jumped back into the tank, spun around on its tracks and dashed back to the rear. All of us witnessing the scene, whether near by or more distant, instinctively felt there was no honor to be won by firing upon this death-defying act of comradeship.                 

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

   This same heroism was demonstrated by Fred Bingaman on D-Day, September 9, 1943 when he ran down to the water’s edge and signaled our Navy ships to “raise their fire.” The Germans had control of the beach with their machine guns but held their fire to honor such a display of courage. For that heroic act, the 36^th Infantry Division Major recommended Bingaman for a Silver Star, which he received later. 

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                                                  The Chaplain’s Corner

                                     [Quotes from God’s Word in the Bible]

   “When Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.” (Luke 1:41)

   “Your salvation is not of merit but of grace. A sanctified life is a fruit of faith. In Christ alone is perfect and full salvation, grace and forgiveness.”

   (Editor’s Note: We are pleased that this feature in our newsletter has been received so favorably. As was mentioned before, we encourage you to comment on the material we dare to write about.

PART 10 - DETOURS ON A MISSION OF WAR (Robert V. Autry) 

   IT WAS ABOUT THIS TIME we got our new second-in-command, Ensign R. M. FAIRBANKS. He was a young officer, always in a perpetual state of a dither. He would break into a silly grin for any reason. Actually he was a nice guy, although obviously very uncomfortable with the men, not at all used to his role as commanding officer. 

   SOME OF YOU MAY recall that time we commandeered a DUKW from the engineers and took a trip out to the ships at anchor with some “goodies” (souvenirs and booty) to barter. My friend, J. J. Burns, from Batavia, NY, was with us, and wherever he was, there was always a riot. This young Ensign was with us hooligans. We were in a sad state of nonconformity, wearing uniforms of a dozen different nations (we could have been shot as German spies!), and offering verbal abuse to anyone who would attempt to stop us. 

   WE HEADED OUR DUKW toward one of the ships and as we approached the ladder, there was some obscenities shouted back and forth between the ship’s crew and our motley bunch. We let it be known that we had a lot of “booty” to trade, for such things as unwanted food, wearing apparel, and if there happened to be any extra ship’s alcohol, which was a nice commodity to have (for medicinal purposes, of course!). 

   THE SHIP’S EXECUTIVE OFFICER gave permission for our young officer to come aboard, and come up to the quarterdeck. So up the ladder he went, dying all the way, because of our deportment. As he ascended, the encouragement from us made this young officer’s head turn red as a beet and go down into his collar. Reaching the top of the ladder, he saluted the flag, then the Officer of the Deck. We could see and hear that the Officer of the Deck was giving our Ensign a grand reaming out. 

   AT THAT POINT, J. J. Burns shouted loudly from the rear of the DUKW, “Open your mouth, Mr. Fairbanks. Don’t let him crap on you!” With that outburst, you could see our officer dying on his feet up there. Fortunately, this O.D. wasn’t such a bad guy and realized the embarrassment our officer was suffering. He broke out laughing, and gave some of us permission to come aboard to complete our bartering. However, I don’t think Ensign R. M. Fairbanks ever recovered from that.

There is a photo of him in the Oceanside Beach Battalion book that was issued to us just before we left there. R. M. Fairbanks, that’s the man. God bless him.                                                           

   IN RETROSPECT, you have to look at it that he was just like the rest of us, a young American, torn away from his civilian environment and thrown into this cauldron that was war and no time for niceties.

   WE HAD TO LEARN our skills rapidly, or perish rapidly! Looking back, it was a great experience. The days were full and the memories of a lot of great personalities always flash back before me. If I got anything out of WWII, it was memories of those relationships. Up to that time, we were very conscious of legal differences, practices, food preferences, and manners of speaking. I was a New Englander, and was to learn the various “language-drawls” of people from Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas, the influence of French on those from Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. 

   HOW DIFFERENT were the accents from the Midwest guys, from the Brooklyn accents and those of the Cajon areas. Most had different type names and even different pronunciations. But we learned what they meant. A lot of us never heard of some of the foods they talked about. It was amazing to me to hear some guys talk about some of the Navy food. “What is that? Ain’t you got no grits?” I didn’t know what grits were, nor did I know what “haime.” Someone said “ham.” 

   AFTER THE WAR, I guess we became even more homogenized. Although everything seems to be out of the same pot, it’s lost some of it rich color. I do miss some of the idioms, like that guy, Bill Butter, an electrician’s mate from Florida, who used some expressions like, “shivering like a cat passing a peach pit.” I miss the Texas “twang” or someone’s accent from Idaho. To hear that again, you have to go to the boondocks of their country. 

   DURING THIS PERIOD, many areas of North Africa, Sicily and Southern Italy were ripe with all kinds of diseases that were very dangerous to us Americans and the Allies who weren’t used to them, or had no immunity like a lot of the local people had. Particularly in North Africa, we saw a lot of leprosy, typhus, elephantiasis, and venereal diseases that were unknown to us Westerners. In Sicily cholera often would break out. 

   WITH THE SHORTAGE of water, we drank our water from those Lister bags. It was treated, wasn’t very tasty, but it was safe. We didn’t dare eat any local produce without great risk of contracting something, because everything was fertilized with human excrement. You really had to toe the line, especially as far as eating native food. Coming back to Africa on an LST, I remember another ship coming alongside of us, with some of our buddies at the rail, who were brilliant yellow. They were taking Atabrine, which was intended to protect us from malaria. 

   ONE OF THE GUYS who came down with malaria was a young Mexican-American by the name of Gilbert Mora. He was a real nice, short, jolly guy. With his condition, they shipped him out. “Well, boy, you’ll never see this type of climate again.” However, in the Pacific theatre (possibly a year later), the war was finally over. There I was, laying on my bunk in the Naval hospital on Saipan, recuperating from a leg injury. 

   GETTING ACQUAINTED with my surrounding, I happened to look down the row of patients and there about six bunks away was a familiar yellow face. Sure enough, it was Gilbert Mora. It makes you wonder why medical men don’t get together. Why had he had been shipped out to the Pacific for more exposure to malaria. His was a bad case. However, in spite of our conditions, we managed to have a real nice reunion. It’s a small world, isn’t it?  

   MAY I MAKE A SUGGESTGION? You veterans who went through the war would be well advised to record your experiences. Write your story out before it is told by someone else who never walked in your  boots! It’s easy, once you get started on it. Don’t skip the details. 

My best to all of you.              Robert V. Autry

HEARD FROM

   Bob AUTRY (Rockville MD) is so glad to have been able to attend the wonderful 2003 Reunion here in Wilmington Delaware. He contributed toward reducing the Reunion expenses.

   Jim BAYNE (Stratford NJ) was impressed with the many interesting activities included in this years’ Reunion and the most reasonable cost. He contributed to offset the cost of the reunion.  

   Fred and Carol BINGAMAN (York PA) enjoyed attending the many activities included in the 2003 Reunion. The dinner in the hanger at the Air Force Museum was outstanding.

    Frank and Marie BUCKLEY (Binghamton NY) were so happy to have been able to attend this years’ Reunion and meet so many of their Beach Battalion friends. Enjoyed the Binghamton map!

    James and Marie CONNOLLY (Breezy Point NY) decided at the last minute to attend the 2003 Reunion and are happy that they did. Jim is a retired fire chief and enjoyed meeting my son, Jon.  

   Herb and Jean DAVIS (Denver CO) thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful 2003 Reunion. They look forward to attending the next one, perhaps in Massachusetts with the 7^th Beach Battalion.

    Bill DEMPSEY (Dover DE) came with his family and they all enjoyed themselves, especially the wreath-laying ceremony at the veterans Park. It was quite emotional.

   Dick and Chris DENEEN (Millerton NY) planned to come to the reunion but illness caught up with Chris. Besides, a family reunion (to celebrate Dick’s 80^th birthday) begged their attention.

   Bill and Teri DiVONA (Orange Park FL) write that they weren’t able to attend the reunion

because of illness. However, they sent their warm greetings to everyone who did make it.

   Lamanuel DOAME  (Baltimore MD) especially enjoyed the many interesting activities during he 2003 Reunion. We would like to have visited with him more. Maybe next time.

   Joseph and Velma ELLENDER (Houma LA) called to see how we were doing, They enjoy reading the news in the newsletter. Because of his ill health, he couldn’t make the reunion.

   John and Eileen ENDYKE (Lawrence MA) enjoyed the many interesting activities featured during the 2003 Reunion. Although John’s legs are giving him problems, he enjoyed himself.

     Walt ESCHENBACH (Clearwater FL) says he’s in good health and is sorry he missed the reunion, but feels he just couldn’t make the trip by himself.

    John and Helen FELLOWS (Loveland CO) enjoyed being able to attend this 2003 Reunion here in Wilmington Delaware and look forward to attending another reunion next year.

   Ted and Barbara HANFT (Glendale CA) looked forward to the reunion and to celebrating their 50^th Wedding Anniversary while they were here. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

   Howard and Barbara HASTINGS (E. Providence RI) were happy that they were able to attend the impressive 2003 Reunion and look forward to the next one.

   Tibby LINNELL (Las Vegas NV) supports the newsletter and enjoys reading about the activities of the foxhole buddies of her departed husband, Doug.                                                                     

    Howard and Audry LONG (Wawa PA) are glad they lived so close to Wilmington DE be able to attend this wonderful 2003 Reunion. It was quite impressive.

   E. M. “Chuck” MARLETTE (Charlotte NC) learned from Fred Vossel about the reunion in Wilmington. He hasn’t been receiving his newsletter. However, illness kept him away.

   LaVerne MILLLER (San Diego CA) called to let us know her dear Fred passed away on the 25^th of July. She misses him, wants to continue receiving the newsletter and would like a card..

   Art NEILD (Stratford NJ), who sailed on the USS Augusta, enjoyed his visit with the members of the 2^nd and 4^th Beach Battalion at the banquet. He really enjoys receiving the newsletter.

   Raymond ORR (Blackwood NJ) enjoyed a visit to meet the Townleys (Phyllis and Jim) in their condominium apartment during the show. And we enjoyed our visit with Ray.

   John and Vida PARTIN (Baytown TX) attended the reunion with their niece, Shirley Sorrels. Many thanks for the donation toward the expenses of the many reunion festivities planned.

   Olin and Catherine PLUNKETT (Augusta GA) found the 2003 Reunion more exciting than they had expected and thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie.

   Cecil ROBLIG (Folsom CA) sent some pictures taken over in the Mediterranean area which we used during the reunion. He enjoys receiving the newsletter.

   Archie and Pauline SMITH (Granite Falls NC) couldn’t make the reunion but sent a donation to help with the expenses of the festivities. Thank you, folks. We missed visiting with you.

   Wally and Marie STUARD (Cape May NJ) support THE SAND-WITCH and look forward to receiving it. They did not attend the reunion. “Believe us, you missed a Super Reunion!”

   Brandon E. TRAISTER (Marlton NJ), the college student studying military history, learned much from his visit with members of he 2^nd and 4^th Beach Battalions during the 2003 reunion.

   Fred and Dot VOSSEL (Cookeville TN) were happy they were able to attend this years’ Reunion, and hope their health will permit them to attend the 2004.Reunion.

   Joe and Angela WINTER (Kingston NY) support the newsletter and enjoy reading about the activities of their Beach Battalion veteran friends. We missed you at the reunion. 

                                                  The Chaplain’s Corner

                                     [Quotes from God’s Word in the Bible]

   “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.”

[From Ezekiel 33:11

   “When Jesus mother came to Elizabeth, she said: ‘My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.’”

[From Luke 1:47]

   (Editor’s Note: The mixed reaction we expected from “The Chaplain’s Corner” didn’t take place. Instead there has been acceptance, interest and admiration that we dare address a subject so touchy. We welcome your comments.)

 PART 9 – DETOURS ON A MISSION OF WAR     (Robert V. Autry)  

  THAT AREA AROUND ORAN, North Africa, was quite miserable. Someone wrote, ”The heat, dust, chlorinated drinking water, dysentery and rock-hard ground are still strong memories. Flies got into everything. The pleasurable moments were occasional trips to Oran, Mostaganem and other coastal towns of Algeria. You had to make the best of it!”

   REMEMBER THOSE ITALIAN PRISONERS of war there at Arzeu, North Africa? We may have been accused of mistreating them, but that wasn’t the case. Far from it!   Perhaps a little story about their hardships with us will help you recall how well we treated them, and how most of them would like to have joined the U.S. Navy.  They serenaded us royally and had very good voices. 

   THE MAJORITY OF THEM were Sicilian, rather short and of good humor. We used them at the base in mess hall area. There were about a dozen of them and we played soccer against them (and always lost!).  There was one guy, about my age, who is now telling his grandchildren about his experiences with us.

   BEING ONLY A SEAMAN at that time, it was customary for me to be assigned “mess cooking.”  But mess cooking was ideal, because we had those prisoners helping us, and you were a straw boss. You had to watch them carefully, though, for example,  when it came to preparing potatoes. We didn’t pare them anymore. Perhaps you don’t remember the method we used. There was a drum that was rough on the inside, and as the drum spun around, it would take the skin off the potatoes.

   THESE GUYS WERE ALWAYS SINGING and enjoyed hearing each other sing. Sometimes they would put the potatoes in this drum and begin singing, paying more attention to tone qualities than to the potatoes. The result was that a decent-size potato would too often come out looking like a pea. They sure did ruin quite a few potatoes. I taught them to do the “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and other songs like that.

   WHEN THEY GOT GOING it was like a convention of “Cheeko” marches. It was hilarious. We never had a dull day working with those guys. They were good workers, swabbing the decks and cleaning out the pots. The cooks working in there didn’t have to do much of anything except cook. These guys had no spirit for war and were perfectly happy doing what they were doing. The only thing that would have made them any happier would have been being home with their families.

   PERHAPS YOU HAVE HEARD the story about one of the guys going on liberty with us. Obando was quite a little character. He missed his girls and he missed his wine and told us he would like a lady and some wine. Well, a couple of us, very surreptitiously, with Harry Dackerman aiding and abetting (who was pretty small himself), loaned us one of his uniforms. We cut this little guy’s hair, polished him up, dressed him in Harry Dackerman’s uniform, and coached him, as best we could.

    WE TOLD HIM to keep his mouth shut! Don’t speak any Italian! Well, we got out the gate in flying colors and got on the liberty truck and went to Oran. We took good care of him, arranged to get him wined and dined and a lady. We enjoyed the whole thing and he enjoyed himself to the fullest. Believe me, he was the envy of all his buddies when he told them of his good fortune. Somewhere in Sicily, Obando is telling his grandchildren about his “cappo Abando” It was a ball!

    SEVERAL YEARS AGO, my association with the 4^th Beach Battalion was renewed when I received a roster from Jim Townley and learned that there were quite a few survivors and several from C-9, Freddy Antous, Fred Bingaman and Bud Rose. We had been a close bunch, so I gave it a shot. First I called Fred Bingaman’s number and told him who I was and asked if he remembered me?

    “AREN’T YOU THE GUY who played the drums on the Arcadia when we crossed the Atlantic?” I couldn’t help but laugh, because I had all but forgotten that incident. But it stimulated my memory. I’ll call it jazz on the Arcadia, in spite of the rough crossing, sea sickness and tight quarters. But the trip was made easier with the Chaplain, who was an entertainer on that old tub. .   

   THE CHAPLAIN WAS TALKING about getting some musicians together to play some music to entertain the passengers, and I happened to be in the area. So we gathered around and asked him what kind of instruments he had. He told us he had a upright piano, with a few keys missing, and a fiddle (a bass fiddle) but, “We don’t have a bow for it. We have a trombone, and we may have a trumpet and, I’m not quite sure, but maybe a set of trap drums.”

   SO I PIPED UP and said I would like a shot at percussion. And, just like out of a grade B movie, guys appeared out of the woodwork, who could play the piano, a trombone, and the base fiddle. But there were no takers to play the trumpet. We decided to go ahead anyway. Then the Chaplain asked the 64-dollar question. “Do you chaps read music?” Out of the group, only one did and that was the piano player.

   NEVERTHELESS, WE DISCOVERED one thing. We all had a liking for jazz. and Dixieland. So we sat down and when someone picked up something; it was amazing. We all fell together to our own amazement. It was a quartet made in heaven, even though it sounded as if it came from below! But nobody complained. We were 1^st class entertainers on that old rusting boat, for the ship’s crew, the troops, our 4^th BB guys, and all the passengers. Everybody who could squeeze in that area enjoyed us as if we were a 1^st class philharmonic.

   AS I WAS PLAYING AWAY on the drums, I cracked the head on a bad rib shot of the snare drum and the Chaplain exploded! I realized the rarity of musical instruments in an environment like this, in the middle of the Atlantic, aboard a old rusting tub like the Arcadia, and especially parts to repair a set of snare drums like this.

  THERE I WAS at the very bottom of his list of special people, and I deserved the few choice expletives I received. Under the circumstances, I forgave him. That put a damper on the musical discourse, and a lot of guys were understandably disgruntled. I couldn’t blame them. We had a good thing going, the place was “jumping!”

   FEELING CONTGRITE, I did some hunting, and found some pieces of leather one of the crew-members had, along with some tough glue. I fashioned a patch for the drum, inverted the bottom of the hide for the top, and the drum was repaired.  And this incident is what Fred Bingaman remembered. Maybe others do too.

(More of Detours on a Mission of War in the next issue.) 

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                                                            HEARD FROM

   Bob AUTRY (Rockville MD) called to tell us he’s coming to the reunion and is looking forward to meeting some of his ole buddies.

   Jim BAYNE (Stratford NJ) has written and called several times to let us know how anxious he is to visit with all the Beach Battalion guys.

   Fred & Carol BINGAMAN (York PA) have made arrangements to attend the reunion and are looking forward to visiting with us, and all those who are able to attend. 

   Al & Jeannette BLUE (Kennesaw GA) were the first to make their reservations to attend the reunion. They are looking forward to renewing friendship with the ole gang.

   Willie BOWLES (Crewe VA) called to say he is so anxious to meet us and all his other shipmates who are coming to the reunion.

   Frank and Marie BUCKLEY (Binghamton NY) are looking forward to the interesting festivities planned during the September Reunion.

   Walt & Mary Ellen BRYANT (Indianapolis IN) write that they are unable to attend the reunion but sent a donation from the 2^nd Beach Battalion Reunion Fund to help with the expenses

   John J. CASEY (Vineyard Haven NY) recommends a good book to read, Operation Avalanche, giving all the details about those tough Germans during the Salerno Invasion.

   Robert and Loretta DANKE (Long Island City NY) send their best regards to us. He will miss visiting with his ole shipmates at the reunion. Their best wishes to Ted and Barbara HANFT.

   Herb & Jean DAVIS (Denver CO) are looking forward to visiting with all the Beach Battalion personnel during the reunion. Herb has done a great job rounding up 2^nd Beachers for the reunion.

   Bill DEMPSEY (Dover DE) is planning on attending the reunion and is again bringing several members of his family for the banquet. 

   Dick and Jeanette DOAME (Nottingham MD) don’t indicate in there welcome letter if they plan to attend the reunion. Thanks for the picture of you and that Arab, Dick. 

   John & Eileen ENDYKE (Lawrence MA) have called to say their health is going to permit them to come to the reunion.   

   Walt ESCHENBACH (Clearwater FL) greets us by phone every now and then to check on our heath. We’re looking forward to visiting with you and your son during the reunion.

   John & Helen FELLOWS (Loveland CO) are looking forward to attending the reunion to get together with some of his ole gang.

   Ted and Barbara HANFT (Glendale CA) are looking forward to an especially well planned reunion and also celebrating their 50^th Wedding Anniversary Sept. 5^th.

   Harry and Jean HARTVIGSEN (Port Murray NJ) enjoy the newsletter and send their best wishes for a successful reunion.                                                                  

   Howard & Barbara HASTINGS (E. Providence RI) sent word that they are planning to attend the reunion to renew acquaintance with members of their ole gang.

   Bill & Florence KRAMER (Bonne Terre MO) send greetings to all the attendees and are sorry their health doesn’t permit them to attend themselves.

   Howard & Audrey LONG (Wawa PA) are looking forward to attending the reunion festivities and meeting so many attendees.

   Don & Corinne PALMER (Springfield IL) are flying in to Philadelphia and are eagerly looking forward to another warm renewing of friendships with their ole friends.

   John and Vida PARTIN (Baytown TX) are looking forward to visiting old friends and new ones during the September Reunion. Their niece is coming with them to attend the ceremonies, also.

   Jerry and Marian PEARL (Monarch Beach CA) are sorry they can’t join us at the reunion because they had already planned a trip with friends.

   Olin & Catherine PLUNKETT (Augusta GA) are anxious to meet so many ole friends and the interesting festivities planned for those attending the reunion.

   Wally and Marie STUARD (Cape May NJ) enjoy the newsletter very much. He is undecided about the reunion, but intends to contribute to it’s success. We hope you will attend.

   Fred and Dot VOSSEL (Cookeville TN) are looking forward to attending the reunion and expect it will be a huge success. It will be great to visit with our ole gang again.

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                                                            CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

    Apparently there is a mixed reaction to the religious additions to our newsletter, The few that objected feel that politics and religion are private matters. However, the majority of our readers have indicated that they favor this Bible topic, and some have contributed to this new addition.

   Someone wrote: “The Bible is the true word of God, which is a lamp to our feet and a light on our way.” Most will agree with that statement, we’re sure.

   Will all the volunteers to be our Chaplain please stand up!                               

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                                                    CONTRIBUTIONS AND DUES

   There are two activities that do warrant your attention because of the expenses to maintain them, the newsletter and the Web site. However, we have made it a practice not to solicit funds to cover the publication expenses of the newsletter, and we will continue not to. We are aware that so many of the Beach Battalion personnel are in financial straits and cannot make the scene.

   Therefore, we appreciate those who have made generous contributions. It is through your generosity  that your newsletter continues to exist. Thanks again for your generous support which has kept this newsletter from fading into the sunset.

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   Speaking of “riding off into the sunset,” that’s about it for this issue of THE SANDWITCH. We look forward to visiting with you during the reunion and again with another issue of the newsletter with more of Bob Autry’s interesting story, Detours on a Mission of War. In the meantime, surprise us with correspondence. Our mailbag is waiting.

                  Our warmest regards,                                                Jim and Phyllis

A SAILOR

     I was what others                                                 I have cried, pained and hoped……

        did not want to be.                                                  but most off all, I have lived times

        I went where others feared to go,                           others would say were best

        and did what others failed to do.                            forgotten.

 

     I asked nothing from those who gave               At least someday I will be able to

       nothing, and reluctantly accepted the                   say that I was proud of what I

       the thought of eternal                                           was……a sailor.

       loneliness….should I fail.

                                                                                                            Anonymous

    I have seen the face of terror; felt the

       stinging cold of fear; and enjoyed

      the sweet taste of a moment of love.

                                            ABOUT THIS SEPTEMBER REUNION 

            Don’t feel that you are a stranger. You’ll be among friends. Introductions are not necessary.

Your common heritage, amphibious landings on those unwelcome shores, will serve as the only credentials needed to strike up a conversation with an ole foxhole soldier or sailor. 

            Concerning the “package” of very interesting events scheduled during this reunion, through the generosity of several patrons, the cost of these activities for us has been reduced to about a third. This is their way of paying tribute to us WWII veterans. 

            Again the majority of attendees voted this reunion to be a “no booze” party. If you bring your own, that’s your affair. 

Rand Townley deserves full credit for arranging the special events of this reunion.

                                                  AN IMPORTANT MATTER

   PERHAPS YOU REMEMBER this too, without my mentioning it. You didn’t have to worry

about your goods. There was no need for a lock on your chest or locker. Nobody was stealing your

stuff. It never happened. There may have been trouble in other groups, from what I’ve heard, but

our feeling of camaraderie was strong. We worked together as a unit, and fought together. When it

came down to push and shove, you knew there was someone to back you up. and help you out.You couldn’t get it any better than that.
                                         Robert V. Autry                                                            

                     PART 8 DETOURS ON A MISSION OF WAR (Robert V. Autry) 

   OUR FIRST IMPRESSION OF ROME from the crest of the hill in the Jeep was of a vast city, spread out like a cinematic sweep in the distance and all lit up in the late afternoon sun.The gold cupolas of churches and cathedrals were brilliant, especially St Peter’s, the largest of them all. The scene was like Sangre de Christos. It caught your breath. Listening to that piece of music, “The Pines of Rome” by Ottorino Respighi, I can still see, in my minds eye, the very unforgettable picture of Rome that afternoon.                                                             

   CONTINUING DOWN THE SLOPE, we came to the historic Appian Way, lined with Cypress trees. We kept going and going. There were scarcely any people as we made our way deeper into Rome. We passed the Roman Coliseum on our right. Farther along we passed by the Monument to Emanuel, where we turned right and drove up to the Spanish Steps. Here we crossed a bridge and immediately noticed people in the streets for a change. 

   THIS PART OF TOWN looked “up-scale.” It hadn’t been damaged like some of the other parts we had passed with many sections nothing but piles of brick and rubble. This area looked pretty ritzy. I saw a sign, “Stop off, and see if we can get you some wine.” So we stopped! The place had a beaded doorway going into it. Looking through the glass you could see people in the back. As we walked in, we discovered quite a few people. They were very well dressed, quite upscale for wartime. 

   ONE GENTLEMAN was dressed in a tuxedo with a white a shirt and a black jacket. But we immediately discovered there was a language barrier. These guests were all speaking German! We, apparently, had stumbled into a section that was still in German control. We got the sweats! Here we were, babes in arms, so to speak. So, what should we do? Somebody there directed us to park our Jeep out of sight in the alley out back, and join the festivities. Was that an order? 

   THIS SITUATION WAS UNNERVING, and it didn’t seem that we had much of a choice. So we followed their suggestion with the Jeep and sat down at a table. They served us some bread and wine and some tasty pastry, and I must admit, we did enjoy ourselves. But we sure did smoke a lot of cigarettes. After a while, though, we quietly got our butts in gear and slipped out of there, and hustled back south to our camp. I’ll always remember that place, though, as the “pines of wealth!”       

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

   YOU’D EXPECT we’d have officers like those shown on the recruitment posters, dashing, square-shouldered, like you’d see on a bond drive. One of our officers was a young man of average height, kind of stooped and perhaps a little sallow. He was somewhat uncertain of his position among us scallywags under his command. 

   HIS UNEASINESS WOULD BE REVEALED when his voice would crack as he addressed us and he would often defer to his 1^st class Boatswains Mate, Ray Czuprynski, who was a bit awkward himself. Ray wasn’t the “Popeye, the sailor” type but was a rather low-key, San Francisco guy, an easy going person whom we held in high esteem. 

   ENSIGN STANLEY LINTON was quite a person. Obviously he was out of his element and was acutely aware of it. Most of the guys in our platoon were experienced….street wise. Some were married and had jobs. Some were tradesmen who worked in the world.                                                                

   We guessed that Mr. Linton was the product of a Prep-school, had gone through R.O.T.C., and now this mantle of authority was thrust on him. He was doing his best to cope with it and was getting passing grades. He learned about us and learned from us, and we learned from him. 

   HE ATE THE SAME FOOD and went through the same rigors, the same fire, and experiences we went going through. And he showed courage, which made us look to him for leadership. Even though he maintained his position as an officer and a gentleman, yet he enjoyed a relationship with us as “one of the guys “ 

   SOMEHOW YOU CAN’T HELP but look back and analyze the people you were in contact with….Jews, Catholics, Protestants…from all walks of life. Some people were like me, who dropped out of school to work in a defense plant. Others were in college and left for the service. Still others were married men who were trying to earn a living and got caught in the draft. They had to leave their wives and families and trades to apply their talents to this new task at hand. 

   THERE WAS SOMETHING we all had in common. All of us were young men who had grown up in the 20s and 30s through a depression, which gave us an appreciation for the basic facts of life and for the things that really mattered. This background gave the majority of us a sense of purpose in this war and in life. I do look back and talk to some of the guys still around, and my thought is, “What a great bunch of guys!”   

(To be continued)

Perhaps you history buffs will recall this. Way back in the year 1452 BC, there was a Prophet of no small repute named Balaam who was important enough to be listed with five kings of Midian. His mail came to the city of Pethor on the Euphrates River in Mesopotamia. So when Balak, the king of Moab, decided to destroy God’s chosen people, the Israelites, who were camped on his property, the Moab Plains, he sent a delegation to enlist Balaam’s help.

Following God’s instructions, Balaam at first refused the many appeals from Balak, which included riches and honor. After a time, though, God yielded a bit and allowed Balak to accept Balaam’s invitation to visit, but wouldn’t allow him to curse the Israelites.

However, Balaam began to get second thoughts about the matter and this made God angry. So He sent an angel, armed with a sword, to discourage him and to actually stop him while on the trip to visit Balak. Also, on the way, a preacher, speaking God’s pure word, rebuked Balaam for his disobedience and earned some sharp blows from Balaam for his sermon. (By the way, this was the preacher who was denied salvation)  

            Finally, when Balaam realized that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, that’s what he did. But this displeased King Balak so much, he fired Balaam and sent him bag and baggage home. But not long after this Balaam changed his mind and sided with the Midianites against the Israelites. This lead to his being slain by the Israelites in the ensuing war.

            Ever since God created time, history records that the Mediterranean region takes second to none in “wars and rumors of wars.”

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                                                         HEARD FROM 

   Walter BRYANT  (Indianapolis IN) sent a contribution to help with the reunion expenses but regrets that he and Mary Ellen probably will be unable to attend. [Thank you, Walt.]  

   Roland COBB (Millsboro DE) called from Florida to say how much he enjoys the newsletters.   He continues to hope to make the reunion if his chemo treatments are successful. 

   Louis and Virginia DUMAS (Henderson TX) thank us for the letters of encouragement. How-ever, because of their illness, they will be unable to attend the reunion. They’re sorry. 

   Willie and Velma ELLENDER (Houma LA) called to see how we’re doing. They’re doing okay but admit to feeling the effects of old age. Velma does most of the gardening these days.  

   Walt ESCHENBACH (Clearwater FL) called to see how we’re doing. He doesn’t do much traveling in his middle age, but hopes he can make arrangements to attend this reunion. 

   Ted and Barbara HANFT (Glendale CA) have made reservations at the RAMADA to attend the reunion. They’ll celebrate their 50^th Wedding Anniversary here on the 5^th of Sept. That’s great! 

   Don PALMER (Springfield IL) called to say he’ll be flying into Philadelphia to attend the reunion. He wanted to be sure there wasn’t any danger of the reunion being cancelled again. 

   Archie and Pauline SMITH (Granite Falls NC) called to say they enjoy the newsletter. He says  “HERE” at muster. He’s doing fine in his wheelchair and will be with us in spirit at the reunion 

   Fred and Dot VOSSEL (Cookeville TN) said they are making arrangements to attend the reunion and are glad to hear so many more are planning to attend.

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                                                          IMPROVED FORMAT 

            So many of you have called and written to forbid us from retiring as editors of the news-letter. “You must postpone your retirement until you’re older. We enjoy the current format and insist that you keep up the good work!” In appreciation, we say, “If God allows!” 

            And with that note we’ll say, “So long for now.” We’ll visit during the reunion.