From
Gene Frice__

1900 hrs, 28Mar01

Hi,
    Hope this gets to you before you depart.  I contacted several of our
troops here in PSP. One said he had little to offer-the other prepared a
brief (thank goodness) synopsis:

    “I was an infantry company medic. We started with three medics per
company, one per platoon. That did not last long and we ended up with only
one per company for the remainder of our visit (So France).  Evacuation of
wounded was carrying wounded out with one or more persons and by litter, when
available. Our travel took us to Bn for the initial professional care. There
generally they were transported by jeep or ambulance to Regimental medical
aid and to a field hospital.
   
    On the French-Italian border and places like Col-de-Bras, the
Japanese-American 442nd, and their mortar support group provided exceptional
assistance for supplies and evacuation as they had jeeps.  They often exposed
themselves to enemy artillery and mortar fire. They would shuttle medical
supplies to the forward area.

    In many cases, when advancing under enemy fire, we had to place the
wounded in any available shelter or cover (buildings, ditches, etc) and leave
them to be attended by support groups coming up from the rear.

    In situations with heavy casualties, the front line medic was seriously
short of medical supplies, although we carried a pretty good supply of
morphine and very basic bandage supplies.

    It was my personal experience and observation that most of the wounded
were generally not in a great deal of pain with the use of morphine, however
they were generally frightened...with initial shock and then morphine taking
over.

    Bob “Doc” Lecklider, 517th”

=========        ============        =============        ========

Lt Reidy,

    Doc was the only medic I could locate in view of the time problem.  If I
might add the following:  It appear to be the mission of the airborne in
Southern France, was of course, as in any airborne operation was to support
the suborn troops. The overall “strategic” task appeared to be to force the
germans out of the south of france so that they could not support their
operations in northern france. Further, to cut off transport lines from
france back into italy-and to prevent evacuation from italy back into france.

    The task was one long range patrol across the high ground-some 25 to 50 k
from the coast capturing village, town bridge,  after another and ultimately
pushing the german (high ground) back to the italian border-a total distance
over 3 months of some 100k’s. All in the mountains 3-5000’ and rugged
ravines, canyons and rivers.
A long and tough hike-limited supplies, however adequate field rations (no
mess provided).  Limited casualties, however difficult to evacuate. We wore
out our boots and jump suits with no replacement. I ended up with german
field boots. 

    Upon reaching the italian border we ran into the ‘boot’ of the maganot
(sp) line.
Massive forts dating to WWI, built by the french to keep the italians out and
ultimately occupied by the germans. Complete high ground coverage with small
and large caliber weapons covering everything within 5-10k with interlocking
fire. All zeroed in probably in WW!.  Any movement brought in massive fire
with frequent casualties and no forward movement. Air and naval support was
of no effect. We finally were able to bypass and climbed back into the
mountains of italy and to start the process all over again.

    Upon relief and travel to the Bulge became another story.

    For an outstanding information source-highly recommend you contact two
french young american airborne supporters. These two are the curators of the
american-airborne museum in Le Muy (our drop zone). Great guys with fantastic
information + the data in the museum. Tell them hello:

        Musee de la Liberation
        Jean-Michel Soldi
        Eric Renoux
        Conservateurs du Mesee de la Liberation
        Maire de Muy-83 490 Le Muy France
            Tel:  04 94 80 70 02
                     04 94 68 30 64

    Hope this gets to you-wish you had the other resource data and wish I was
with ya. All of our guys here send their regards.  Drop me a line one of
these days- AIRBORNE:  Gene Frice, PO Box 3940, San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-3940
_____________________________________________________________________-
Subj: Re: Mail Call NO.79
Date: 3/28/2001 11:21:06 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: WWyatt4880
To: Ben517
Subj: Re: Mail Call NO.79
Date: 3/28/2001 11:21:06 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: WWyatt4880
To: Ben517

Ben  Christmas 1955  Received excellent copies , ONE BIG THANKS, Let me know
if I can ever do any thing for you again  Thanks  Bud.
You have already Bud.
Ben
______________________________________________________________________
Subj: French Government Certificate
Date: 3/29/2001 10:33:55 AM Eastern Standard Time
From:    jalicki@yahoo.com (John Alicki)
To:    Ben517@aol.com

Ben
Check out <www.info-france-usa.org/fhot2/htm which
concerns all living 517'ers who participated in the
invasion of Southern France.
                                  Boom Boom
____________________________________________________________________--
Subj: Re: Mail Call NO.79
Date: 3/29/2001 11:03:04 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: Wild bill 517
To: Ben517

concerning permanent permanent peunion site-While
Kissimee suits me I think this is a matter for open discussion.
There is at least people willing to work on the committee,
and I believe most of those attending would give a little
time durong the reunion itself. The latter could occur anywhere
that a committee could and would do the preliminary work.
Orlando is accessible easily from most places.
Bill Boyle
___________________________________________________________-
_Subj: 517th web site
Date: 3/29/2001 5:22:50 PM Eastern Standard Time
From:    chrmema@juno.com (Mildred F Christie)
To:    Ben517@aol.com
Ben, Checked out the link to Palm Springs. Gave me an idea. I will send
you web sites linked to Kissimmee Ramada and area for our next mini and
possibly our next biannual. Bob Am using Mildred's email address.
_________________________________________________
_Subj:
Date: 3/29/2001 5:03:02 PM Eastern Standard Time
From:    chrcook@juno.com
To:    Ben517@aol.com

Keep up the good work!! I am contacting new mail callers about receiving
the Thunderbolt. The more the merrier. Keep the Airborne flag flying
oiver the 517th. It is good to see Black Tom involved, he's the greatest
Don't worry about our high class bar. It is a given at our reunions at
Ramada in Kissimmee. Bob
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: Dragoon
Date: 3/30/2001 9:21:46 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: Genesir
To: Ben517
Ben,
   
    Our gathering was excellent and was well attended. At our business
meeting the following was recommended.
        1. Continue to hold annual local area meetings.
        2. Continue with national meetings and possibly at one central
location.
    At the dinner a young fellow named Bristow showed a tape made last year
in Palm Springs. It was interviews of our guys, however he interwound into
each interview actual players playing the role of the speaker (using 101st
actors) you almost thought it was the real action of which we spoke. First
time I have seen that done and the result was outstanding. We invited him to
come to Bismark. He gave me a copy of the tape.
    For our men I posted a copy of our web page and your mail call web page
and asked all to submit their email addresses-so we should pick up a few from
that.
    Drop ya a line later-see in Bismark.    Regards     Gene
______________________________________________________________________

Subj:
(no subject)
Date: 3/29/2001 3:02:07 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: BBoyle3382
To: Ben517
Ben, how about putting me on the 517th Mail Call. I like to keep up with all
that is going on. Bill clues me in everynow and again.
See youin June, God willing
Babbie Boyle
_____________________________________________________________
  Subj: Lost member
Date: 3/30/2001 3:31:55 PM Eastern Standard Time
From:    jhhaltom@peoplepc.com (James Haltom)
To:    Ben517@aol.com
          Just read in the Houston Chronicle that Bob Seale had died on March
26, 2001. Memorial service will be held on March 31.
           Our numbers are shrinking.
 
                                     J. H. Red Haltom
___________________________________________________________________-
  Subj: Items of 517 Interest
Date: 3/30/2001 7:54:24 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Tomx517
To: Ben517

Ben;
    Clark Archer called at 7:30 PM this evening to inform me and to pass on
to you the Patrick O'Donnell's book signing event, for his new book Beyond
Valor, at the Barnes & Noble Book Store in the Springfield, VA Mall, will be
televised by CNN. The book signing is scheduled for 2:30 PM however the event
will more than likely be taped by CNN and shown later the same day.
   The other item of interest is that my conversations with Clark has sparked
a mutual interest to try and furnish you with the name of a 517th PRCT
representative for each unit down to company size who would have sufficient
knowledge and background to help with the numerous inquiries the 517 web site
is getting from relatives and other interested parties. Whether these
individuals have computers or not will have to be determined but even if they
do not we are at least starting a new communication information program of
sorts. How do you feel about it?
Regards., Tom

II think it is a great idea. Note my introduction to this Mail Call. I still
want to see Clark get a computer. He has so much knowledge to contribute  
Ben  
__________________________________________________________________--