European Theater | Oral History

European Theater

OH 0074

Business executive. His experiences as a combat infantryman in Italy during World War II. Operations around Minturno; liberation of Rome; audience with Pope Pius XII; operations around Arno River; receiving battlefield commission; Po valley Campaign and fall of Verona; German surrender.

OH 1187

Molder. His experiences in the European Theater during World War II. Infantry training in the U. S., 1943-44; troopship to England, 1944; Battle for Saint Lô, July, 1944; combat in the French hedgerow country; frontal assault on Hill 1221; leg wound from shrapnel and evacuation from combat; recuperation in England and assignment to ordnance repair behind the front lines in France.

OH 0107

Salesman. His experiences as a prisoner-of-war after being shot down over Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II. Downing of bomber and capture; hostility of German civilians; interrogation at Oberusel; Stalag Luft 1, Barth; liberation by Russian troops.

OH 1118

His experiences and recollections while serving as radio operator in the 8th Air Force in England during World War II.

OH 1216

Businessman. His experiences as an officer in the European Theater during World War II. Pre-war stateside training; forming and training the 741st Tank Battalion; amphibious training in England prior to the Normandy invasion; assignment as operations officer for the 741st; the fate of the DD tanks on D-Day; assignment as executive officer for the 741st; attachment of the 741st to the 2nd Infantry Division; combat in the hedgerow country of Normandy; comparisons and contrasts between the U. S.

OH 1738

His experiences in World War II as a B-17 co-pilot with the 8th Air Force in the European Theater. Childhood in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Enlistment in the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1943. Preliminary training in Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas. Active service with the 379th Bomb Group (H) in Kimbolton, England from June to November 1944. Combat experience in 35 missions including bombing of St. Lo, July 25, 1944. Return to U.S.