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Roster www.517prct.org/roster.pdf
Click on National Reunion
July 9-13, 2009
St. Cezaire and Les Arcs today
A Company in Life Magazine 1944
Pvt. Harry A. Hill, B Company - 200 photos and clippings
Pvt. Richard L. Lynam, H Company, KIA
Operation Dragoon After Action Reports
Mail Handling Procedure During the Invasion of Southern France
GILES GUIGNARD
It was composed of thre Parachute battalions:
- The 4th Parachute Bn,
- The 5th (Scottish) Parachute Bn,
- The 6th (Royal Welsh) Parachute bn
The British Brigade flew from airfields near Rome and landed between La Motte and Le Muy.
Their task was to deny this area to enemy forces until relieved by sea-borne reinforcements.
Although 2nd Brigade HQ assembled intact, the 4th, 5th and 6th Parachute Battalions were at half strength or less.
50% of the British paratroopers landed in their
DZ areas but the bulk of the 5th Battalion was dropped in the Fayence area with
3/517.
Despite these difficulties, the Brigade accomplished its initial
tasks by 1015 hours. By nightfall they had secured the three main roads the
enemy required to counter-attack the invasion force.
On 17th August the sea-borne forces linked up and the 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade returned to Italy nine days later to prepare for further airborne operations.
LOU SCARINGI
Ben, Lory Curtis asked about jumping with British paratroopers in our
Southern France invasion. I remember jumping with some British
paratroopers. We were in one stick on the right side of the plane, and
they were in the stick opposite us. It was way before dawn, and we were
well on our way to our drop zone. The British troopers began to have
tea. They passed around a large metal container (about a gallon) with no
lid. Everyone took a swig-even us- as they passed it down our way.
We all enjoyed the tea although I could have used a little more sugar in
mine.
I also remember the brightly colored chutes our British friends
had. I even saw a couple of those chutes being used for a CP. I
never did find out whether those brightly colored chutes were used for equipment
drops or actual jumping. Later on as we were making our way along the edge
of a field near Le Muy or Les Arcs, I noticed a young woman pushing a
wheelbarrow gathering up these chutes. She said she was making clothes
from them. This gave me an idea. So, I cut a couple of sections of
these bright chutes and sometime later during a rest period had these sections
made into a dress for my sister. Years later I learned that my sister
still has that gayly colored dress-compliments of our British
paratroopers.
Lou Scaringi
DON GENTRY
Hi I am Matt Price, grandson of Woodie Kennamer. Who was a member of the 517th. He has been meaning to send you a copy of his discharge papers, verifying the purple heart he received during his service. Which you currently do not have recorded on your website. Attached is a copy of his discharge papers. If you have any questions fill free to email me back at mattprice88@hotmail.com
Thanks,
