From:
Ben517@aol.com
Sent: Friday, June 18, 2004 7:36 PM
To:
undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: MAIL CALL N0. 714 517TH PRCT--JUNE
18, 2004
Hello,
Here are some recent additions to the website.
Ben
John Alicki
A day of remembrance.......June 18, 1944 is the
day the baptism of fire began for the 517th as an attack unit attached to the
36th Infantry Division north of Grosseto, Italy against the German elements of
the 162nd Turcoman Division recruited from Moslem minorities in the Soviet
Union. We suffered 40 to 50 casualties. Casualties were
several times higher for the enemy.
This first combat experience instilled a
greater confidence and lesson that we had the ability to fight and
win.
"Courage consists, not in
blindly overlooking danger, but in seeing and conquering
it."-----Richter
Tom McAvoy
Howard Hensleigh, There has been a request for information from
the
family of Arlto Bearden, KIA in action in Italy , he was a member of
I
company at the time?? He and I were good friends in Regt.
Hdq. Co. while
in Toccoa, I was sent to H Co. and he was sent to I
company?? just before
POE??? Do you recall him or have any information about
him for his
relatives Thanks Tom McAvoy
General Seitz
Gene Brissey's recent mail call entry the 2nd Bn operation La
Roquette.
La Roquitte is a French town on a mountain top over looking the
Var
River. The Var is a wide fast flowing river, not real deep in
some
places. The Germans after withdrawing to the east intended to
take
advantage of this ideal defensive terrain and make a determined
stand.
The 517thwas making good progress to the east when the regiment
came
upon the Var. Colonel Graves determined to keep the momentum
of the
regiment ordered the 2nd bn to cross the Var and seize the
commanding
ground on the east side. since the Germans had observation
over the
entire area the battalion decided on a surprised night crossing of
the
Var. E Company , commanded by Captain Newberry, under the
cover of
darkness and without supporting fire crossed the river. A
difficult task.
After crossing the, E Company stayed quiet and waited
for daylight.
Shortly after daylight E Company attacked the the town from the
rear.
After a brief, but fierce fire fight the company captured the
town. 10
15 Germans were killed and some 77 surrendered. After E
c0mpany captured
the town the remainder of the continued the attack to the
east. This
was one of the finest actions of the 2nd Battalion.
Bob Newberry and
the men of E Company did an outstanding job. Capturing La
Roquette was
important because it had afforded the Germans a good defensive
position
where they had untended to make a determined stand. I have
made this
operation sound simple, but I know that that outstanding
young
trooper, Gene Brissey, who was in E Company can paint a true picture
of
how really difficult the operation was. Dick Seitz
***********
We will add the mail call entries of Dick Seitz and Gene Brissey to
"Recollections" on the website where they will be there for posterity.-Ben
Entry of Jun 16, 2004 at 13:59
[EST]
Name: Harry F. Moore
Unit:
EMail: hmoore@frontieroil-eld.com
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: Would like more information about my "name-sake" Uncle. Harry F.
Moore 460th PFA KIA August 16, 1944
Harry Moore
Ben, Thank You very Much. That
is my Uncle. I will e-mail the French writer to get a copy of the book and
possibly get a photo of that stele in their Honor. My father had told me
that some people had contacted him regarding a book, but the details were
missing. Thanks again for helping me fit this puzzle together. If there
are other stories or friends from training or Italy, I would love to
listen. I am getting to know my Uncle thru these
letters.
Thanks again, Harry F.
Moore
Harry Moore
Knock Lab
Frontier Oil
(316) 321-8333
HMOORE@Frontieroil-eld.com
Hello Harry,
I have some information about Harry Moore on the website. I will
try to copy and paste some of it for you and will make other inquiries to
members of the 460th. Most of this is from Mail Call.
Ben
Entry of Jun 18, 2004 at 01:51 [EST]
Name: Jim Shumate
Unit: 92nd Bomb Wing, SAC
EMail:
zshuz@yahoo.com
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: I'm trying to find out if anyone has any info on my Uncle, Lt.
John Shumate from Bethesda/Chevy Chase, MD, who was a paratrooper with the
517th, serving in Italy and then north towards Germany. Any info would be
appreciated. Thanks, Jim Shumate
Neal McAfee Jr.
Dear Mr. Barrett,
I received some Military records for my Great Uncle (Cleo N
Browning) today.
Duty
Status
"Death"
Date of
Death "February 7,
1945"
Location of Death "European
Area"
Place of
Burial "United States Military
Cemetery in Belgium"
Have you received any information from the 517th
historian?
I believe Cleo N. Browning should be included in the "517th
Honor Roll"
Thank you for all your help,
Neal Mcafee Jr