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Bastogne - First Battle of Marvie First Hand Account Jack Sherman

Discussion in 'Honor, Service and Valor' started by Ilhawk, Nov 4, 2015.

  1. Ilhawk

    Ilhawk New Member

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    In this account, I interviewed Jack Sherman. Jack was a runner for Captain Evans Co G. The account battle is a big part of the book Glider Infantryman. The 327 2nd BN never received word the enemy was in the vicinity on December 20th. The Panzer Lehr Division in regimental strength attack unknowingly comes across 2 companies (E and G) of 2nd BN who also didn't know the Americans were there. The Germans did see the 326 Engineers pull out and thought they were waltzing into Bastogne, less than 2 miles away.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VRq6AU4R04

    Schematic of 1st Marvie Battle

    https://www.facebook.com/109600119062869/photos/pb.109600119062869.-2207520000.1446660964./996988813657324/?type=3&theater

    Video of Mark IV tank route that hit Jack's buddies Don Rich and Jim Shaw. Don and Jim were in the white barn/house on the left up the hill. Just down from the church a 5 yo girl and her dad were killed by a SPG coming from the right as the tank route pulls into the Church parking lot.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNePU5vF9Kk
     
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  2. Otto

    Otto Spambot Nemesis Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Great additions. Thank you Ilhawk.
     
  3. Natman

    Natman Member

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    Very interesting. Nice job on the map, it really brings the story to "life". Thanks for posting this.

    Have you ever found out anything about Jim Shaw?
     
  4. Ilhawk

    Ilhawk New Member

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    Jim Shaw, no we haven't. The guys never saw him again after he was turned over to the medics. He did survive, that much we know. Don said he was knocked pretty hard though. I did locate the Gentile twins family about 6 months after Larry died. Dom was KIA near Dodewaard in the apple orchard.
     
  5. Natman

    Natman Member

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    Who are the Gentile twins (is Dom one of them?), and do they fit into the picture at Marvie?
     
  6. Ilhawk

    Ilhawk New Member

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    The Gentile twins were in Co G 2nd Platoon. They were from the Pittsburg area. Domenic was killed as G moved from Dodewaard/Hemen up to the railway station in an orchard just north of the freeway by artillery. Both twins were in the same squad. Larry survived the war. Here is a pic of Larry in the summer of 45.

    https://www.facebook.com/109600119062869/photos/pb.109600119062869.-2207520000.1446684013./548841135138763/?type=3&theater

    Larry fought at Marvie. Dom never made it there. I thought maybe you knew about the book so I mentioned finding their family. Jim Shaw...nothing. I did talk to Louis Simpson's family, but he was too ill.

    Btw, Louis Simpson's Dad (the Carentan O Carentan) was Black. Louis served in the 101. His dad was Jamaican and a British citizen. His mom was Russian/Jewish.

    Louis Simpson https://www.facebook.com/109600119062869/photos/pb.109600119062869.-2207520000.1446684277./478573928832151/?type=3&theater
     

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