"Operation Husky"-Sicily Invasion--505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne
Division--by William T. Dunfee, Sgt.
Sgt. Dunfee describes the mission of his company of the 505th Regiment which was ordered to
jump near Gela and capture the high ground there. Dunfee gives a detailed description of the jump
into Sicily, the problems encountered and the success of their mission. He describes his encounter
with a Panther Tank and his success in this operation. He also comments on the loss of
twenty-three planeloads of paratroopers shot down by the U.S. Navy.
An Armored Artillery Battery Officer in the Italian Campaign--68th Armored FA Bn, 1st Armored
Division--by Barton A. Loomis, Capt.
Loomis begins his description of this campaign about 10 miles from Cassino. The battalion was
now equipped with M-7, 105mm howitzers. Loomis describes action near Cassino, and in the
Anzio area. He describes in detail the construction of dugouts on the beachhead and describes the
advance up the Italian front to the Gothic Line. In December 1944, Loomis' battery was sent to
support British artillery. From February to mid-April 1945, Captain Loomis' unit supported the
newly arrived 10th Mountain Division. In late spring, this unit moved to Como on the Swiss
border.
lst Platoon, Company "D," 85th Regiment, 10th Mountain Division-1945--by M. Leonard
D'Ooge, 2d Lt.
D'Ooge received his basic training in the horse cavalry at Ft. Riley, Kansas, in 1943. In November
1944 he was commissioned a 2d Lt., and in February 1945 became a replacement CO of a heavy
machine gun platoon in the 85th Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division in Italy. His first action
was the attack on Mte Della Spe in support of Company "B." D'Ooge describes in detail the
movement down the slope and up the far side attempting to reach the crest of the mountain.
Counterattacks in this area are described and the action of the Brazilian forces is described.
D'Ooge also describes action in the Po River Valley and the actions of this regiment through May
2d when the Germans in Italy surrendered.
Return to Italy-1994--10th Mountain Division Reunion--Leonard D'Ooge.
Leonard D'Ooge describes the reunion of the 10th Mountain Division held from May 28th to June
23rd, 1994 in Italy. He describes the re-visitation to the battle sites in Italy, the U.S. cemeteries
and the reaction of the Italian citizens to the visit of the former 10th Mountain Division troops. He
also comments that U.S. Senator. Robert Dole participated in this reunion.
A G.I., The Lt. and Long Toms Destroy a Jerry Convoy--85th Mountain Infantry Regiment, 10th
Mountain Division--by Carl V. Cossin, Pvt.
Cossin describes his actions and reactions while he was stationed in a foxhole listening to sounds of
enemy activity. He identified nine German trucks coming up a hill, requested artillery fire and
assumed such fire would be 105 mm howitzers. Instead there was fire from British 155 mm Long
Toms, which demolished the German convoy.
USO Shows During World War II--by Esther Craw
Esther Craw was an accordionist who participated in the USO shows during World War II. She
describes her experience as she traveled overseas, landing first in North Africa. After several
shows, her troupe flew to Naples after waiting for six days for the weather to clear. She gave two
shows a day and traveled up to the front and back every day. She describes her experience during
a German bombing of Naples and Foggia, Italy. Ms. Craw still plays the accordion in shows.
Send e-mail for the World War II Round Table to Desmond Cook at: Cook.12@osu.edu
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