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I served with
distinction in HQ 1 Communications Platoon as Battalion Message Centre
Chief from March 1943 to August 1945.
Nottingham was an
attractive city. It had ample pubs, nice people and an exciting history.
However, we trained
night and day preparing for combat somewhere in Europe.
In early June 1944,
we moved to an airport and completed preparations for entry into combat.
We spent many hours studying sand tables, mock ups and maps, but no one
told us where we would land in Europe. After we were in our C.47 aircraft,
we were told the objective was Normandy.
After landing, we
fought off German attacks in a place that we called Hells Half Acre. We
later joined up with other 508 troopers.
On 13th
June 1944, I was wounded and evacuated to England. I rejoined HQ 1, in
December 1944 at Sissone, France.
My joyful re-union
with my comrades was brief.
On December 17th
1944, the 508th was alerted to confront a massive German force
moving swiftly through the Ardennes, Belgium, aimed at capturing the
English Channel port of Antwerp.
Early on December
18th 1944, we were loaded into open trucks for a terribly long
cold ride to Werbomont, Belgium.
During an attack on
January 26th 1945 I was wounded again and evacuated. |
