I go in convoy, haul ammo from 0471 to 0424. Ball team loses to Medics 4 to 3.
WAR UPDATE: May 11, 1944. Allies attack the Gustav Line. The push to Rome begins.
Friday, May 12, 1944
Truck is out on long trip to Salerno. Big drive starts on front last nite.
Red line represents the "Gustav Line," which was anchored by Monte Cassino, on the outskirts of the village of Cassino. My position is circled in black. On the night of May 11, 1944, the Allies launched a final, devastating blow to the German stronghold in an attempt to push the enemy to the sea. [map courtesy of Stephen Kirrage]
Saturday, May 13, 1944
I start 4:30 a.m. haul ammo Aversa to 0426, back at noon and truck goes out immediately. Air raid at Naples and near here at 3 a.m. next morning.
Sunday, May 14, 1944
Lots of air activity last few days. I haul ammo Aversa to 0424 6 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The Napoli Arch in Aversa, Italy. [courtesy: www.comuni-italiani.it]
Monday, May 15, 1944
I haul asphalt from Naples to Madragone. In evening I see Marlene Dietrich in person. At 10:00 p.m. a big air raid up toward front. Reported that we have gained 25 miles since drive began and are now only 15 miles from beach head.
Marlene Dietrich on USO tour, 1944. [courtesy: www.prato.linux.it]
Wednesday, May 17, 1944
I go to haul gravel near Madragone and spend afternoon trying to find Italian engineers. See movie, "Standing Room Only."
Standing Room Only [courtesy: www.photobucket.com]
WAR UPDATE: May 18, 1944. German troops retreat from Monte Cassino, leading to the fall of Rome.
Thursday, May 18, 1944
1,000 mile check on truck. Other driver goes out in evening and hauls refugees from Pigno. Back at 6 a.m. next day.
Friday, May 19, 1944
Nearly 400 Liberators fly over this morning, heading northwest.
A vintage Liberator. [courtesy: www.richard-seaman.com]
Saturday, May 20, 1944
I go in convoy to Q 548, French ration dump near front. See movie in evening with Brooklyn Dodgers.
Sunday, May 21, 1944
I haul from E 211 to French truck head at Ausonia.
The beautiful village of Ausonia, Italy. [courtesy: www.turislazio.it]
At 9:00 p.m. I make haul to 0420 to 0428, back at 6 a.m. Air raid on front at 4:00 a.m.
Tuesday, May 23, 1944
Haul from rail head at nite to 0429.
Wednesday, May 24, 1944
Work at nite. Rail head to 0429.
1 comment:
Very cool graphics work on the vintage Liberator. So very UN-politically correct... but still cool.
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