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Plouay, France - By August 14, we were ready to move back and regroup with the other elements of the Sixth Armored Division. An area near Lorient was assigned for this operation, to be carried on while containing the enemy in that sector. The opposition at Lorient was stubborn, similiar [similar] to that at Brest. While elements of our division were fighting at Lorient, Headquarters Company, with two of the letter companies, bivouacked at an area little more than four miles from Plouay, France, where we remained until August 28, 1944. These two weeks at Plouay gave us the chance to catch up on our rest and badly neglected correspondence. We found many things in the nearby villages to fill the social and entertainment angle, and Special Service began to function once more, showing movies for the first time since we had left England. "See Here Private Hargrove" was a good show and these movie-hungry boys enjoyed it as though it had taken place at the "Roxy" in New York. We also enjoyed a fast-moving USO stage show with the first English-speaking girls we had heard for weeks. When we had a little time on our hands, as was the case, the average GI usually sought social life among the civilians. Clifford A. Betters, better known as "Scrumpie," a French-Canadian fellow from our Second Echelon section, of course was a past master of the French lingo, so he really fit in around here. The girls were friendly, more so than at any other area we had run across in France. We begged Betters to teach us one little phrase that would complete our social debut, but he decided that competition was not so good, so we "Non-parlez-vous" boys suffered. However, "J'ai soif" (JAY SWAF) still held good, so we drowned our sorrows and suffered some more from that terrific cider and cognac. It was here that we learned more of the French traditions; what they ate, how they washed their clothes and their quaint daily chores. Their little villages were picturesque and the barefoot town folk were interesting. We were much surprised to learn that the children could speak many words of English, so we took advantage of their talent for the purpose of getting acquainted with the rest of the family, especially big sister. All of the folks seemed to be farmers and it was interesting to note that they usually grouped their houses and barns in one little community to form a town. The buildings must have been centuries old, judged by the worn steps and door sills, the moss covered stone roofs and the time worn floors. These people became real friends during our two-week stay here. It was almost like leaving home when it was time to move on.  The French people were interesting It was at this area that Lt. Newland H. Holmes Jr., our company supply officer and representitive [representative]of the Boston Chamber of Commerce, received an order from Headquarters to claim a large amount of captured ammunition the F. F. I. (French Forces of the Interior) had accumulated from the German prisoners. Robert Brennan, our supply sergeant and Chester Bostain, our company carpenter, were chosen by the lieutenant to assist him in the operation. The party left in a peep and stopped at Trains Headquarters to receive final information and data. The place in question was several miles in unoccupied territory, freshly taken by the F. F. I. They realized it to be a dangerous mission when they had to travel far beyond the advanced outposts of the 86th Recon, our most forward unit. It was evident that the boys were travelling through "No Man's Land" by the absence of civilians while driving through the various towns during the trip. It was rather a nerve-wracking situation and it caused Brennen to use a heavy foot on the accelerator, with which action Lt. Holmes silently agreed. Finally a town loomed up ahead of them -- their destination. It was a relief to see civilians once more, even though the village was garrisoned by the heroic F. F. I. After contacting the proper authorities, the ammunition dump was surveyed, and found to be nothing more than a small pile of German rifle and machine-gun ammunition with a few assorted grenades. It was a pitiful sight for three disgusted men. However, Lt. Holmes received a delicious meal given by the F. F. I. officers, and the boys enjoyed their ration "K"" with a sip of wine. It was late afternoon when they started their return trip to Plouay, and it was obviously done in nothing flat. The Recon outposts were reached without mishap, but the peep party had to undergo much red tape for identification. They were ordered to report to division headquarters where they were promptly "eaten" for leaving five peeploads of Infantry behind -- men who, they were surprised to learn, were to protect them on their mission. Charlie Ahrens, Clifford Betters and Ralph Bender will never forget a peep accident that happened during a road test near this area, where they miraculously escaped injury. The vehicle went out of control and upset while cutting a sharp curve, and pinned all three men under it. Betters managed to crawl out and lift the peep slightly to release Bender. Ahrens was all tangled up beneath the steering wheel, but after prying up the vehicle, he was also able to come out under his own power. All three of the men were amazed to find that they were so lucky with only a few scratches, broken watch crystals and glasses. However, Betters was evacuated. a few days later because of a back injury, due to the accident. |
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Bucy St. Liphard France, - After the garrison at Lorient was well under control, we were ready to move eastward toward the Nazi homeland. This presented a lot of land to cover as our first day's travel revealed to us. In the first two days we ticked off 325 miles through the cities of Rennes, Laval and Le Mans to establish our bivouac August 30, at a wooded area just outside of Bucy St. Liphard, France, which was only five miles northwest of Orleans, the city famous for "Joan d'Arc."  Orleans, the city famous for "Joan d'Arc" We reached this area just a few days after the Germans had left, so we were always on the alert for snipers and disorganized enemy troops. We carried quite a guard roster while bivouacked here and called ourselves the "Junior M. P"s" because our guard mount resembled a formation at retreat. Outposts were well situated and dug-in. It was here that we had the craze for the modern convenience of electricity, mainly brought about because of the newly acquired electric radio sets. Our Battalion Headquarters command post tents and various others were wired under the nimble fingers of T/Sgt. Charles Oliver, our capable communications sergeant and also by M/Sgt. Brady Harrison, an old Army man from away back. The finished product resembled the power and light system of any great metropolis. |
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Lorris, France - Our next move, on September 2, took us through the ancient city of Orleans, which was damaged very little, much to our surprise, and we even had thoughts of returning sometime for a little visit, noting that our bivouac was to be located only 30 miles to the east of the city. A good many of us took that opportunity under the excuse of a depot run or reconnaissance mission. This area was interesting, due to the fact that it was a Government reservation with well kept drives serving as firebreaks and the wooded areas kept free from underbrush. We bivouacked here for nearly three weeks, busily supplying the division and undergoing a general overhaul of vehicles and equipment. Stanley Geller and Frank Ventura were complimented on their effort to keep us posted on the latest news and radio music. As soon as the company arrived in bivouac, these boys would jump out of their truck and set up the radio for action. The entertainment could be heard over most of the area and everyone appreciated this prompt service. The Ration Section, under the competent direction of William "Hook" Maloney, discovered a ware-house filled with German confiscated wine and cognac along with delicious canned foods. Through the efforts and generosity of this section, the company, as well as the whole battalion, enjoyed delicious meals and drink. It wasn't uncommon to have steak for breakfast and we often wrote home about it with a little arrogance. Henry Bucher joined the company while we were located at this area and applied his talents with the Second Echelon mechanics. His dangling sideburns placed him in the same category with Capt. Boyd T. Johns, and because of the marked similarity, he soon became the captain's driver. It was shortly thereafter that "Butch" removed his sideburns. He became very well known later as the company's Number One "chow hound." The Parts Issue Section did splendid work here with L.t. Raleigh "Pop" Hayes in command. The area resembled a miniature Ordnance depot. |
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Martigny Les Gerbonvaux, France - This next move, on September 21, was another big jump of 204 miles to a bivouac in the vicinity of Martigny Les Gerbonvaux, France. We passed through the cities of Montargis, Rens, Troyes and Neufchateau. These towns were liberated a few weeks before our arrival, so there was no opposition except for the possible danger of sniper fire. Our forward elements were fighting in Nancy. This area was also in the woods, and the rainy season finally made it miserable. The rain never seemed to let up. We waded through mud, repaired vehicles in mud, and even slept in mud, but the duties and responsibilities of our company had to be continued regardless of conditions. On one occasion we had to deliver two truckloads of tank track to the Infantry fighting at Nancy. Donald Bliss, Donald Brunette and Marvin Hodges were selected as the drivers with Frank Vereb, Joe Spirer and Arthur "Bootie" Gorgacz, three choice members of the Inspection Section team, accompanying them as guides and escorts. The Infantry was reached through a gauntlet of shell fire. They unloaded quickly in order to make the return trip before nightfall. In the meantime, the peep escort left them after making sure the truck drivers knew their way back. It was already evening and the return road looked familiar until after dark when blackout regulations made it difficult to recognize familiar landmarks. While driving along the lonely roads, artillery flashes appeared from all directions. Their first road sign loomed before them with the inscription, "METZ 3 Km." Metz was not taken, as yet, and this was entirely too close for comfort, so a quick about-face was made. They drove for miles as the night progressed and their gas supply was running low, so something had to be done. They finally arrived at a town and saw moving figures resembling American soldiers. Bliss jumped out, overjoyed at being able to get directions at last. The usual Yank phrase came forth, used by Bliss when addressing a person, "Hey bud," but he was stopped short by a glistening bayonet and a sharp command in French. Bliss's possessive personality was shattered momentarily, but regained its normal status after the brusque soldier was revealed to be one of the ever alert F. F. I., France's under-ground army. However, the differences in language didn't help the situation much as the Headquarters Company men were still lost. They returned to the bivouac the next day after spending the rest of the night parked alongside the road, sweating it out with the three men trying to sleep in the front seat of the truck, freezing under one blanket. We were notified that the city of Nancy, just 32 miles to the east, had surrendered and that we could move in along with several other units. Our billeting party, under Mr. William Fitzsimons, went in immediately to reserve a place at the Nancy airport and, when all was arranged, we moved on the 26th of September to establish our area. |