Hello,

 

Blane Dolges is seeking information about his cousin Jimmy Dipko who was a staff sergeant in E company and was one of the early casualties of the 517 . Blane's guestbook entry is in this Mail Call.

 

Ben

 

---

 

From Breckenridge to Bastogne by Merle McMorrow Follow the real life story of WWII veteran Merle McMorrow in his own words as he goes from Breckenridge, MN to Bastogne, Belgium the site of the "Battle of the Bulge." Order from Rightman's Press

 

Ben, a short note to say that Nancy and I had a great "return" to Europe
on the Don Lassen Tour along with about 300 veterans,dependents
of veterans and families and friends.

We visited Holland, Belgium,Normandy and England in the 12 days so you
can see we were on the go most of the time.

I have many fond memories of the close work
that we (in the 505) had with all the fine officers and men in the 517
especially when we were in
Trois Ponts , Mont St Jacque and the Vielsam
Area.

Many of the towns and cities had meetings
for us---to include both lucheons and dinner
meetings with their veteran groups.
I understand that the celebrations in Normandy
were pretty well covered on US television.

The whole trip was well worth while.

AIRBORNE ! Bob Piper 505 (honorary 517er)

________________________________________________________________

 

There have been a few comments about the battle of La Roquette, which cannot be compared to the difficulty and misery of Manhay, Bergstein and several battles elsewhere but it was unique, unbelievable and different from most encounters in which I was involved. I do not mean to imply that I was involved at Manhay nor many other places. I was involved in a few skirmishes from Italy to Bergstein.

      Below is a very short and sketchy account of the battle for La Roquette. If anyone else, especially, Richard Hammel, who I believe was carrying the mortar plate wishes to add to this account I'm sure it would be interesting.


In late Aug. 1944 we came to high ground overlooking the Var River. The bridges across the Var had been destroyed. We little guys didn't mind. Food other than K rations was brought to us. We ate. Looked forward to sleep. Some of us saved our candy for later. For E. CO the unique part started. We would be led down a steep cliff and sent across the "shallow" river with no food or other unnecessary items. On the other side, high above the Var was a fort like village, La Roquette, stuffed with Germans. Some considered this a suicide mission and wished us well. Most of us ate our candy and other goodies. Didn't want the Germans to get it. We started across the river during darkness. Found deep water. Some troops nearly got washed way. A good trooper burdened by a mortar plate was fighting to get across. It was either him or the mortar plate. He chose himself. Smart trooper. We climbed the dirty black east bank. Dispersed as ordered. Dug in. Local ladies brought us some food. A trooper shot two German officers who cruised by on a motorcycle, and took papers from them. Gave papers to proper persons. I got out of my shallow trench to answer call of nature. Bullets splattered around me. I struggled back to trench with pants down. Bullets kept coming. we got out, got organized and started into town under cover for the most part. My squad leader, Ray Helms, was hit by mortar shell fragments as was rifleman, Cecil Duncan. I became squad leader. My group found cover in a grape arbor and bushes. Saw a few Germans lounging in courtyard on edge of town, then heard a large group of Germans coming on the road below in their hob nail boots. I looked down at them from my cover. They went to the courtyard and sprawled around, unaware of our presence. The company led by Capt. Newberry, SSgt. Craig and others attacked. (Craig was later commissioned.) Cleared the houses and whatever else. Dick Jones started to throw a grenade into a room, peeked in, saw a woman with three kids, did not throw grenade. Four French lives were saved. We killed about 15 Germans and captured 77. I was placed in charge of prisoners, many of whom were very young even compared to my 19 years. Some cried and begged me not to have them killed. No harm considered. Then they shared their hard tack food with us. We had no food so it was good. They were sent to holding area. We spent the night in the grape arbor sharing guard duty. One of our troops tried to wake a dead German to take turn on guard. Mid day the next day a jeep came and took Ray and Cecil for medical attention. Unbelievable part: with all the commotion the Germans evidently did not know that we were there. We had only two casualties. Lucky us. Still can't believe it. Food was yet to arrive, hungry we charged on toward Luceram and places beyond. Very hungry men wanted to eat sugar beets found along the way. They were convinced that sugar beets were not good to eat. Finally K rations were brought to us. A sad scene followed. I was issued about half rations. The squad sat in a circle like little kids awaiting a treat. I nearly cried as I doled out the food. I even broke some items, including pieces of gum, to share with these outstanding men, some older ones. Maybe as old as 23 years.

Gene Brissey

---