Thank you, Jack, for writing this for us to read. I live in a world of statistics as I'm a Federal Gov't worker, and I'm one of them who gathers and creates the stats and charts. The battle I always fight with those higher up is that the numbers represent people with individual stories and they have to consider what those stories are in decisions that are being made that will affect their lives.

At the same time, sometimes the stats can tell a story or lead someone to learn more. One of those few things my Dad told me was that only 8 of the men he joined the army with in 1939 survived to go home in 1945. That always stuck in my head to realize how fortunate I was that he did survive, but also how hard it was on him to be one of the few to carry on the memory of those buddies. I've been collecting information about those who served in his regiment and perished, so that I can hopefully find out more about their individual stories.

I am learning so much about the PTO that I could never have learned without you sharing with us. Thanks again.

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Regards, Michelle

Oliver Goldsmith, "I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines."

True, nothing is more valuable than a first hand account. The stats will alway sbe around not the vets even if stats can be useful too. I do not consider them as facts but as a photography of a certain moment.

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I can't describe what I'm feeling right now reading this tale of yours. It's funny in a way but also revolting to learn. It just leads me to think that when men are armed, they certainly are capable of doing all sorts of things.

I understand what you mean, shooting at your own officer is not an ideal situation! But then again, war is not a good situation at all. I'll bet that soldier believed he was saving alot of his friends by putting this incompetent officer in the hospital! I've read of men threatening to do this, but in time it took care of itself.

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Members of the Dutch Resistance with 101st AB, Eindhoven. Operation Market Garden.

Scott

Don't worry too much for the major, he probably got a medal and promoted too. I understand the man who shot him in the butt, he probably saved many lives by doing so and it was much faster than an official request for a new officer which would not have been granted anyway.

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I agree Skipper, sometimes these things are better taken care of by the fighting men and not the red tapers!!

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Members of the Dutch Resistance with 101st AB, Eindhoven. Operation Market Garden.

Scott

Hello,

The story is a true event, and despite the fact I smile thinking about it now, if I had seen the who and how of things first hand, the end result would have been another story. The fellow would have faced immediate arrest, and court martial. This was also at a time when facing a firing squad was a reality, and was not up for debate on the cover of Newsweek or Time magazine.

Discipline can not break down like that in the field, even if it might have been the best thing to happen for all concerned.

I did remember the Major's last name yesterday, but we'll leave that off the pages of written history.

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All the Best
Jack

As I've said, sir, that tale is humorous in its own way.
Since you mentioned firing squads, was one ever staged in your unit?
I have seen one when I was five years old when the late President Marcos imposed martial law in the Philippines. He had a drug lord executed and the execution was aired live on TV. I'll never forget that sight.

You're right not to mention the name Jack, there no need to blame the poor man. He might not have been a warrior he was nontheless fighting for his country and telling his name will not bring anything more to your story. You are a fair and generous person.
How were things with sleeping? You mentionned that you slept whereever you had a chance, but did you have enough sleep at all or were you constantly woken up by battle , bugs and other nuisances that would hinder you from recovering? Or did you actually have a chance to get a rest between two fights?

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I completely agree with your sentiment, Skipper.

Hey Jack!
Before you answer Skippers question I wanted to tell you that I had coffee with my 11th AB friend this morning. I asked him about rations, being discussed in another thread here, and he told me about fishing in the Phillipines. He said they would throw explosives in the water as you described earlier! We had a great conversation talking about the things you have shared here with us, and his personal stories as well!

So thanks again for sharing your stories!

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Members of the Dutch Resistance with 101st AB, Eindhoven. Operation Market Garden.

Scott

Thank you fellas,

Scott, give my best to your friend from the 11th, he would have been around Leyte, or Ormoc bay at one time or another. I think that division got over there the mid part of '44, you could ask him for me if it comes up again, seems the more I think about the little things, the better my memory becomes.

Take Care,

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All the Best
Jack

Hey Jack!
Yes, now that you mention that he did tell me he was in Leyte! I'll have to get some more details on that. I will give him the best wishes for you too!
Thanks Jack!!

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Members of the Dutch Resistance with 101st AB, Eindhoven. Operation Market Garden.

Scott

I read some about the Death March. The Japanese escort trucks would drive by collums of pows and all the sudden cut a throat at random , being in a truck the Japs were at the perfect height to do this by surprise. The exhausted pows who had neither gotten water, food, or sleep were defenseless against these warcrimes. There were mass graves.

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That reminds me Skipper, I met a man at my church a long long time ago who said he was on a rescue mission for those that were at the north end of the island? Anyway, I'll try to meet with him soon.

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Members of the Dutch Resistance with 101st AB, Eindhoven. Operation Market Garden.

Scott

Skipper,

Some 20,000 plus men died on that march during the course of a week, the force that surrendered was close to four times that number. No water or food, no medical attention for the sick or wounded, no rest for 65 miles moving in tropical heat. More died when they reached the over crowded holding areas. The japs made great sport of it, if a man could not stay on his feet he was shot, beaten or bayoneted, and left dead on the trail as others had to walk past or over them. If a Filipino civilian tried to assist any of them they were killed as well.

These stories all made their way to all the men down South in '42, they beheaded airmen and officers, with the heads displayed on poles, some were crucified and left to die in the sun. Surrender was never an option from that point forward.

This was their highly regarded Bushido warriors code.

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All the Best
Jack

You had no choice anyway, and in a way it made you stronger because you had to vanquish or perish. Luckily you made it. I really enjoy this thread. Up to now I was mostly specialized in the Western theatre, but thanks to you I'm learning a lot, it make sme really modest and I'm getting really hooked to the Pacific and names like "Anderson Field", "Hollandia" and others are now getting familiar.

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Me too Skipper! My interest was mstly in the ETO, but this thread has opened a whole new world for me.

Thanks Jack!

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Members of the Dutch Resistance with 101st AB, Eindhoven. Operation Market Garden.

Scott

I concur.

My interest was ETO because of my Dad and Mum. My knowledge of PTO had mostly been Hong Kong or Burma (re the experiences of my parents' Canadian and British cousins) or what I had learned from movies or fiction as in early high school I began reading Leon Uris and Nevil Shute.

Movies and books through the 60s couldn't really tell the full stories. It means so much more hearing facts and real experiences.

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Regards, Michelle

Oliver Goldsmith, "I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines."

Hello everyone,

In 1942 my Mother had her first heart attack at the age of 47 when my brother Jim was listed as missing in action, after his destroyer was torpedoed at Midway. One year later he was officially listed as killed in action. Mid Summer of '43, Western union came to my parents home, when the regret to inform you telegram was delivered she had her second heart attack, due to the fact, the telegram read to say I was missing in action.

After my commission to 2nd Lt., I had become unaccounted for, while I was doing island recon. I was teamed up with a mix of Australians and Americans, then put ashore in small landing parties. The missions were to scout and chart jap positions, troop strength, island defenses, disrupt jap operations and communications, and to resupply or land the coast watchers for what was called at the time the Allied Intelligence Bureau, which was under joint Australian and American command.

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All the Best
Jack