Photos I found and scanned at the NARA II, College Park, MD: Seventy years ago, "Christmas Day services near the front, in Italy. Lt. Col. William E. King, of Kansas City, Mo., Chaplain of the 45th Division, speaks to men assembled near their Bivouac Area. Notice the Young dog by the Alter." Venafro area, Italy. 25 December 1943. SC 186784, Credit NARA. Seventy years ago, "during prayer, the flag is lowered at outdoor Christmas Day services conducted by LT Aloysis S. Carney, Jersey City, New Jersey, at Headquarters of 120th Medical Clearing Co." Venafro area, Italy. 25 December 1943. Photo by Lapidus, 163rd Signal Photo Company. SC 186785, Credit NARA. Seventy years ago, "Left to right: PFC Joe M. Phyler, Prescott, Ark., PVT Russell M. Finley, Redding, Calif., PVT Ned C. Anderson, New Castle, PA., of the 1st Bn., 180th Inf. Regt., eating their Christmas dinner on a haystack in Demanio, Italy." 25 December 1943. Photo by Bell, 163rd Signal Photo Company. SC 186786, Credit NARA. Seventy years ago, "1st LT Harvey Floyd Bell, Chaplain of 1st Bn., 180th Inf. Regt., says grace before Christmas dinner is served." Demanio area, Italy. 25 December 1943. Photo by Bell, 163rd Signal Photo Company. SC 186787, Credit NARA. Seventy years ago, "Left to right, PVT John A. Quinn, 163rd Signal Photo Company, Syracuse, N.Y., PFC Bennett Fenberg, Detroit, Mich., of 163rd Signal Photo Company, and CPL Harry Koppelman, Cleveland, Ohio, 3rd Division, Hqs., enjoy their Christmas dinner on the hood of a jeep." San Felice area, Italy. 25 December 1943. Photo by Goebel, 163rd Signal Photo Company. SC 186790, Credit NARA. Fenberg was occasionally assigned to the 45th during the war. Seventy years ago, "loaded mule with cans of hot turkey." Demanio, Italy. 25 December 1943. Photo by Bell, 163rd Signal Photo Company. SC 354531, Credit NARA. Since Bell was photographing the 45th on Christmas Day, 1943, it is probable that these unidentified soldiers were Thunderbirds. Dave
I don't know how I missed this. I'm sure my father spent Christmas 1943 in Italy. Thanks for the pictures and reminder, Dave.
