70 Pleasant St. Cohasset, MA.02025 *781 383 0215 * Mail
Call : Ben Barrett Ben517@aol.com
Hello,
I just received Irma's continuation of her
life story during The Battle of The Bulge. I know that every one is
interested in it and therefore I will send Mail Call out
immediately.
We have "TOP SECRET" in History and
Archival Documents on our website but the
print is not very clear. Nolan Powell has retype it to make it much easier to
read.
Ben
Website www.517prct.org
Mail Call 517th Mail Call
Mail Call Archives www.517prct.org/archives
Roster www.517prct.org/roster.pdf
Mail Call 517th Mail Call
Mail Call Archives www.517prct.org/archives
Roster www.517prct.org/roster.pdf
January 22-25, 2006
Bradenton, FL
Copies of Paratroopers' Odyssey can be
purchased for $22.50 from Bob Christie. 390 301 Blvd. W. Unit 10C,
Bradenton, Fl. 34205-7904
From the web site
Thunder from Heaven - a UK-based
living history group dedicated to perpetuating the memory of the U.S. Airborne
Soldier.
Irma's story-Part three.
december 1944 - BATTLE of the
BULGE
...... The german soldier is gone.
They all pray in the cellar, they pray more and more. Hélène says " I think that
the americans retreated to Erria" she seems so sad. My mother says " I must go
to the farm to feed the cows and we need fresh milk, it is a little more quiet
by now". there was a sudden silent and my mother goes out. When she comes back,
she doesn't look afraid, just a little pale. She brings back milk, eggs,
biscuits, water... and when she can see that everybody feel reassured, she says
" the bullets whizzed overhead, I think they comes from Beau-Ru (north/west)"
Youppee, says, Marie-Josée, the americans are coming back ! yes, says my mother,
but it was also whizzing from the south, so, we are just in the middle of the
battle. Silence. René, my oldest brother (6) asks "where is Pierre ? " Pierre is
this boy who came from Brussels one year ago. He was very hungry in Brussels,
when he arrived, he was 14 and he was looking like an 9 years old boy. For a
long time, children from the big cities are living with us. When they are
better, they go back home and others are coming. But with Pierre, things are
different, his is like a brother for us, he tries to help my parents, he likes
very much all the animals, especially, the horse Max and the dog Jacky. Mum,
where is Pierre ? Pierre is in Hierlot with our grand-parents (Hierlot is
located between, Lierneux and Erria. By now, nobody knows that the
Germans took all the men as hostage and they are all in Verleumont as
prisoners and Pierre is with them. Pierre is very thin and small, the Germans
does not pay attention to him, so he escapes and from Verleumont, he comes in
Brux at the farm, takes the dog Jacky and through the lines in the middle of the
battle, he goes to Hierlot to see the families of the hostages, gaves the news,
asks for food and comes back to Verleumont to join the hostages with the
bread and milk. Some stories will never be written in the books but Pierre
shuttled back and forth many times, telling to the families "they are OK, give
me food for them", he was like a ferret. My uncles Léon, Camille and Alfred were
in this group. Later, the Germans liberated them because of the advance of the
american troups, they put the german troups to rout. On december 27th and 28th,
G Cy 508 th beat of the enemy to the Thier del Preux (Jos. KISSANE - 508° cy G)
Thier del Preux, woods, 2 kms from Brux. Hélène is looking through the little
window. "the boots, the boots, there are american boots. Everybody is crying in
the cellar. My mother is taking us in her arms, " we shall go out very soon, we
are still waiting and at least, the beautiful young soldiers are coming
back. The boys who called me "baby" and who gave me chocolates and sugar. Irma
TARGNION-REMACLE
to follow....
N.B. my mother's first name was
Hélène, she was very courageous, generous and devoted but also self-effacing
just like Helen in Savannah. I was in motion to see Helen because she looks like
my mother and to day, I would like to send my love to all of you who liberated
us with a special thought to Helen with thanks for her kindness to us and
her love for everybody. Irma.
Nolan Powell
Hi BEN,
Below is the message that was read
to each man before he jumped in Southern France 15/Aug/1944. I
copied
it in the World War II Archives in Suitland, Maryland
in the 1980's. The copy is not clear enough to scan. I hope my typing will be
the same as the original message.
TOP SECRET
HEADQUARTERS
517TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY CT
APO 758, U. S. ARMY
11 August 1944
1. The following
general considerations should be noted in the operation now being
undertaken.
a. For most of us this is our first combat jump.
Consequently some may be a
little apprehensive.
Remember that the advantage is with the attacker, as the enemy does not
know exactly how or when he is
going to be struck. Particularly in an airborne
operation in which we land in his rear areas where his CP's, lines
of communications, and supply echelons are set up, our activities
will give him grave concern. The enemy consequently will be a
lot more apprehensive than we are. That the enemy will react to our landing by
movement of forces towards our area should be expected within a few
hours. However by that time we expect to be pretty well set for him
and deal out a lot of punishment. It must be remembered also that he will
be engaged at many other points by other airborne units and the large
scale attack by the amphibious landing. There can be no doubt of the success of
this operation if we use our heads and keep our confidence, work quickly but
smoothly and act aggressively using good tactics and security
measures.
2. It will be dark when
we first land. It will be difficult to see what is going on around us.
Therefore, we must not start firing promiscuously at anything that
moves. You must be certain it is the enemy before you fire. After the first unit
lands many of our men will be moving around the area, some already in assembly
or moving to assembly positions and others recovering bundles. Don't fire first
and find it is one of your own men later. Weapons, on landing, should be loaded
and locked, and fired only on orders of an officer or in case of an emergency.
The sound of enemy weapons is known to you and should disclose the location of
enemy forces if present. Enemy flares may be fired around the area to give the
appearance of enemy strength and to cause us to be alarmed. Remember that more
casualties can be caused by some of our own men getting trigger happy than
from enemy fire. It is possible that your stick may land some distance from the
DZ. Your action in this case should be considered. The general idea is to move
to your Battalion assembly area and if the Battalion has already left for its
objective join them there. If this is impossible join up with friendly troops
preferably of this unit and assist them in accomplishing their mission. In
either case do as much damage as possible on the way, for example a staff
car or a truck load of Germans may be driving along the road unaware of your
presence in the area. In case no officers are present with your group the senior
NCO should be prepared to take over. All men will be issued instructions
regarding the terrain, important towns, streams etc. also a map in the escape
kit. Remember that a few men can create a hell of a lot of trouble if they
happen to be in the right place.
3. Due to lack of
transport in landing and the difficulties of supply, don't expect an easy time.
However, I am confident that this outfit can take care of itself in any
situation that may arise. May success reward our efforts, and good hunting to
each and every one of you.
R.D. Graves,
Lt. Col. 517th Prcht Inf
Commanding
TOP SECRET
George Ross
Hi Ben and all!
I'm writing to get some help...my dad..George Ross..F
Company was wondering about Warren Caufield and how he's doing I told him I'd se
if anyone had any news on Warren also if anyone has an address or an Email
address for him I,d appreciate it if they could pass it along?
Mr Frice,always a joy to see your notes on
here.
Take care
George Ross (son)
Bob Barrett
Dad,
I ran across this website selling a new design for 517
shirts:
Here's the logo:
Bob