This represents the collection of Mr. Joseph Harrington, 83rd Infantry Division.  

Do you have any issues not shown here ?  If you do, please share them with us.  Send either the original or a very good copy to the webmaster.  Originals can be returned or donated in sender's name to the Camp Atterbury Museum, your choice.

04/23/1943

Camp Atterbury, IN

83rd Men Return Visit of Workers They Guided Here. The 79 non-coms of the 83rd Division may have worried a bit as they boarded the train last Friday night for a visit to the Detroit war plants for last month, they had introduced 250 United Automobile Workers to Ranger training. 
 

The 83rd Division broadcast to the entire nation Sunday when 4 of the non-coms who went to Detroit, appeared on  the "Army Hour" to give their impressions of the great Michigan arsenals Shown are T/Sgt Richard F. Hatfield, Sgt. James Nicodemus, S/Sgt William Hamilton and M/Sgt Ray E. Downing.

83rd Dance Set for Tomorrow.  Men of the 83rd will bid gala welcome to Spring tomorrow evening at a closed Division dance in the Sports Arena at 20000.  Lots of Liberty Belles form Indianapolis, music sweet and hot by the 83rd Cannoneers orchestra, and all the trimmings will make it entertaining.

330th Band to Play Favorites Sunday.  The 330th Infantry Band will present a varied program of musical favorites in the monthly band concert at Service Club No. 1, Sunday at 1500.

04/30/1943

Camp Atterbury, IN

05/21/1943

Camp Atterbury, IN

Ain't It A Grand and Glorious Feeling ? - to know that all your equipment is "right in line" when the inspecting officer comes down the line?  Standing smartly ate attention are members of the 2nd platoon, Co. A, 329th Infantry, 83rd Division, beside their tents and equipment as Lt. John W. Upchurch searches for errors with an "eagle eye"

06/11/1943

Camp Atterbury, IN

08/07/1943

Alert Work Saves Blue Army General From Sure Capture.  Maj. Gen. Paul W. Newgarden, commander of the Blue Army, was saved from capture by Red patrols this week through the quick action of a reconnaissance officer and three men.  Riding toward the enemy lines, Sgt. Bill Myraz, Pfc Parker Black and Pfc Leroy Newlon noticed a glint of steel in the bushes.  They took the Red gun crews by surprise.  Gen. Newgarden was riding in the jeep directly behind the C and R car.  He commended the officer and his men on their alertness.

08/21/1943

01/02/1944

Somewhere in France

Know Your Leaders - Wearer of the Legion of Merit for meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding service with the War Department General Staff as Chief of the European - North African Section, Operations Division, BG Claude B. Ferenbaugh came to the 83rd Inf. Div. in February 1944 as Assistant Division Commander.  He had previously been G-3 of the Second Corps during the African campaign.  A graduate of the US Military Academy, Gen. Ferenbaugh received his commission in November 1918 and served with the 21st Infantry at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii from 1922 to 1925.  He later went to the Philippines with the 57th Infantry and remained there from 1937 to 1939.  In 1936 he graduated from the Command and General Staff School at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas and in 1940 from the Army War College.  Gen. Ferenbaugh has been awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action and is also the wearer of the Bronze Star, both received during the present campaign.  His home is in Penn Yan, NY.

01/14/1944

Camp Breckenridge, Ky

The air corps may be bombing up ahead and the artillery booming away behind, but the battle's last pay-off still belongs to the man with the gun and bayonet.  So it's up and at 'em for the doughboys of the 83rd as they put the finishing touches on the infantry attack.  Left to right, Pfc William Stilwell, Pfc Lester B. Morris and Pvt Stanley Baran of Co. G, 329th Infantry.

When everything else in and out of the books has been thrown at the enemy, the bayonet comes into its bloody own.  Learning the fine points of this deadly in-fighting are Pfc Louis Yordana, left and Cpl Harry Atkins, both of the 331st Inf.

07/06/1944

Printed somewhere in France

US Raid 700 miles from Japan Bags 5 Ships and 25 Planes.

Allies in Italy Only 5 mi. from Arezzo on Florence Road.

10/16/1944

Somewhere in Luxemburg

The War in Brief - Nazis in Aachen given the ultimatum to surrender by morning or face destruction.

Know Your Leaders - Col Edwin B. Crabill, regimental commander of the 329th Infantry, has been in the Army 27 years and is a native of Galax, Va.  Graduating from Virginia Polytechnical Institute in April of 1917, Col. Crabill advanced rapidly through the ranks, serving as company commander with the 13th Infantry, regimental adjutant with the 33rd Infantry, plans and training officer with the 30th Infantry and commanding officer of the troops from the 45th Infantry stationed at Baguio in the Philippines.  In addition to his two and a half years in the Philippines, Col. Crabill served three years in Panama.  He was a ROTC instructor for for years at Western Kentucky State Teachers College and for six years at Michigan State College.  In addition to holding the combat infantryman's badge he also has been awarded the bronze star for his work in France during the present war.

AT Platoon Routes German Patrol - The anti-tank gun crew of Lt. Peter A. Barksdale, Milwaukee, Wis., of the 330th can be credited with the complete route of an enemy patrol.

10/24/1944

Somewhere in Luxemburg

83rd Units Won Honors During WW1 - Elements of Division Served in France.  Not commonly known is the fact that the 83rd Infantry Division came overseas in WW1 and that some elements of the Division won battle honors in the closing months of the war.

The old 83rd was activated in August, 1917, at Camp Sherman, Ohio, as a National Army Division.  

10/31/1944

Somewhere in Luxemburg

The text of Gen. Middleton's commendation reads as follows:  

"The following commendation for Regimental Combat Team 38 was received by this headquarters from Brigadier General James A. Van Fleet, commanding general Task Force B:  For a determined, courageous and skillful advance.  In particular the 3rd battalion did a thoroughly professional job on Hill 154.  Recommend a unit citation for this battalion.  The early capture of Hill 154 and the aggressive attacks on highly organized and defended positions near Le Fresq and Lesquivit broke the enemy's defense of the Daculas Penninsula.

The Corps Commander is pleased to note and transmit this letter and to add appreciation for the outstanding performance of duty which earned this commendation."  By Command of Major General Middleton.

The commendation from General Earnest, who was in charge  of Task Force A during its thrust across Brittany, is as follows:

"At the present time Task Force A is being dissolved and the majority of its component parts have returned to their parent organizations.  Although your battalion was separated from the Task Force several weeks ago, and has since gone on to other splendid accomplishments, it is my desire that each officer and enlisted man in your organization know that you take with you the highest esteem and appreciation of myself and the other members of the Task Force.

Your unit has faced many unusual and difficult situations during our operations and in each instance you discharged your duties in a creditable and efficient manner.  When there was a tough job to do your unit always tackled it with determination and I could depend upon yo to do your utmost.  The efforts of your organization were largely responsible for the success of Task Force A's operations and I wish to extend to you the highest commendation or your services while under my command."

The battalion was attached to Task Force A during the dash across Brittany and to Task Force B during the siege of Brest.

11/14/1944

Somewhere in Luxemburg

83rd Infantrymen Get Sleeping Bags - Normal Rations of Cigarettes Will Be Issued.  6,000 of these sleeping bags have already been issued to the combat men of the Infantry Regiments and as supplies are received, they will be issued to all combat units and finally to all service units.

The War In Brief - With final tabulations still to be received, it became evident that Franklin D. Roosevelt had decisively beaten Dewey and had thus won his fourth term as President.

Yanks continue stiff battle southeast of Aachen.  Yank 3rd Army opens powerful new attack along Moselle Gap.  Patton's drive to outflank Metz and advance toward the Rhine continues with success.

Know Your Leaders - BG Robert M. Montague has been the 83rd Division Artillery Commander since the activation of the Division at Camp Atterbury, Ind.  Born in Portland, Oregon on August 7, 1899, Gen. Montague received his elementary education in that city. He graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point at the close of the last war and was sent on an overseas tour of inspection of battlefronts in France, Belgium and Italy.  In the post war years, Gen. Montague served with artillery units in many parts of the US and in Hawaii.  He is a graduate of both the Basic and Advanced Field Artillery Schools, as well as the Command and General Staff School.  From 1926 to 1932 he served as instructor in the department of mathematics at West Point.  Prior to taking command of the 83rd Field Artillery units he was on duty with G-3 section of the War Department General Staff and Requirements Division, Army Ground Forces, in Washington, D. C.  General Montague was married in Louisville, Ky. in 1921 and has one son, Robert Jr., who is now a student at West Point.  For his outstanding work in connection wit operations against the Germans in France, Gen. Montague has been awarded the bronze star.

This Week's Funny Broadcast - The Japanese Domei Agency, in a wireless dispatch picked up here, reports "a shortage of cigarettes" in the US.  "So acute is the shortage", the dispatch reports, "that many women have taken up pipe smoking."

Battery of 323 FA Commended.  A double commendation has been received by the 323 FA Bn for Battery C which was attached to Task Force A and later Task Force B during the smash across the Brittany Peninsula and later at the siege of Brest.  The 3rd Bn of the 330th received similar letters of commendation.

"Guts" Pays Off" - Determination is sometimes just as valuable as a full magazine, SSgt Robert Lang of Cincinnati, Ohio, a wire chief in the 83rd Division recently discovered.  Lang and his crew were laying wire along a road closely following the attacking troops.  During their progress, they worked their way right into the path of six Jerries.  Lang immediately grabbed his carbine and with determination and "do or die" written plainly on his face, ordered the Nazis to surrender.  Faced by Lang's ferocious expression and his weapon, the Jerries gave up and were sent to the rear.  It was then that Lang looked at his carbine and saw that not only didn't it have a magazine, but there wasn't even a round in the chamber.

12/06/1944

The Newspaper For The Allied Troops

Hospital Ship Sunk in Error - A German Hospital ship, the Tubinen was sunk by mistake in the Gulf of Venice just over three weeks ago, it is announced from Allied Headquarters Mediterranean.  In a statement, the German authorities have been notified and the British Government's regrets expressed to them/  Causalities among the crew were light, and the hospital ship had no wounded on board.

Six Railway Centres Get 7,000 Tons of Bombs - Berlin had a day raid yesterday by more than 550 US Flying Fortresses and Liberators from Britain, whose other targets included marshalling yards at Munster.  They were escorted by more than 800 fighters.

Beyond This Line It's 60 Dollars A Kiss for GI Joe - In Occupied Germany - As he crosses from Belgium into Germany every American soldier sees a big sign: "You are now entering Germany - Keep Alert !!"  For a long time near one of these signs there was another placard - unofficial.  It read: "From now on a kiss costs $60" and it gave the GI Joes a big laugh.  It was a sly dig at the Allies' no fraternization decree which adjures our troops not to make friends with the frauleins.  Now that British troops are in Germany they will have been given all the "do's" and "don'ts" for the Reich and no doubt the wives, sweethearts and families back home will be wondering what sort of life our men will lead ----what is it like living in Germany.

Let me tell you how the GI Joes find life here.  Officially the no-fraternization orders are simple.  Troops must have no contact with enemy civilians beyond the necessity of military duty.  To the best of my knowledge no GI Joe has risked $60 to kiss a fraulein, and I don't think any British soldier is likely to jeopardize 15 pounds on a similar mission.

But there is an official interpretation of "no fraternization" which bans handshakes and it is difficult sometimes to remember that you must not accept an outstretched hand when you are still so near to Belgium, where handshakes are a ritual.

Americans who work alongside Germans in the Military Government offices always try to have a sheet of paper in their fight hand so that if a German forgetfully extends a hand the paper gets in the way.

In the roads and streets, children no longer come rushing out with cries of "cigarette pour papa" or "any gum".  Here in Germany, they stand silent or turn away.  Occasionally you see a wide-eyed blonde, curly-headed kiddy and it's hard to resist giving sweets to someone of such apparent innocence, but it is an offense, nevertheless.

Behind the lines most of us live under cover in houses left by evacuated Germans, and I am certain that when they-re not in the line our troops in Germany will live under roofs, too.

And if they are lucky they'll sleep in real beds.  Often they'll live in houses and there will be a German family living only a door or two away.  Be sure your young man will write home to tell about the German sheep.  They do not have flocks of sheep here.  Nearly every cottage has one sheep, treated like a goat is treated in Britain, tethered by the neck, led around, and more or less, a pet.  The result of having been treated individually and not as a flock these sheep have terrific individuality.  Often they walk up to you in the manner of a highly intelligent dog, as if they had something to tell you.  The German owner walking head down at the other end of the string obviously has nothing to tell you.

Your man is sure to write home to you about the dirt.  There is more mud on the country roads in Germany than anywhere I have ever seen.  I wish every Tommy entering Germany could receive a [air of the wonderful overshoes that are winter issue to the GI's.  They fit over the boots and reach well up the calf of the leg and I can testify that they keep the feet warm and dry in any form of slush.

Do not worry about your man being shot in the back when he gets into Germany.  In the American sector there has not been a single instance of a soldier being attacked behind the lines.

By day Germans will step off the pavement or draw aside to let the Gi pass.  By nightfall they are all at home.  Some of the Americans have their laundry done by German women and odd bits of mending too.  IT is about the only way they can spend their occupation marks.

I think the men who have to deal with the German civilians have the worst time of all - keeping a correct attitude.  Lots of GIs who thought they would enjoy being in the postwar Army of Occupation have changed their minds.  The Germany we have seen so far is a drab, depressing place.

02/03/1945

Somewhere in Belgium

Rifle Company Plays "Jingle Bells" for Benefit of Germans.  Renowned German strategy was outwitted in Belgium during the 83rd's recent offensive.  Co. A of the 329th Infantry was pinned down by fire from a hidden machine gun and forced to grind to a stop and dig in for the night.  Lt. Thomas R. Scales , platoon leader, wanted to locate and silence the gun in order that his unit might continue the advance.  Organizing a six-man patrol, he moved up a short distance only to be stopped by a maze of tightly-strung barbed wire upon which were attached bells, empty cans and other noisemaking devices.  The patrol was compelled to halt.  Then Scales thought of a plan.  The gun was evidently covering the wire entanglement, so why not use a bit of counter-strategy?  A long rope was cautiously tied to the barbed wire and stretched back to the American lines.  Instructing the platoon guide to tug on lustily on the rope in five minutes, he set out in the direction of the concealed weapon with the platoon sergeant.  When a tremendous clanking broke the stillness of the night, the machine gun opened up as expected strafing the wired-up area.  Spotting the gun position, Scales lobbed a grenade into the emplacement and cries of agony filled the air.  The rest of the platoon and company were then able to advance and later found three dead krauts and their demolished gun.

Seven Villages Fall as River Roer is Reached.  Moving from its defensive position the 330th regiment was the first to be committed on he morning of December 8th.  

Division is Commended For Ardennes Operations.  "As the 83rd Infantry Division comes out of the line after three weeks  of continuous offensive operations in the Ardennes, I wish to express to you and the officers and men of your Division my appreciation of the job the 83rd Division has accomplished during this period.

Fighting under most severe conditions yet encountered on the Western Front, with little or no shelter from driving snow and freezing cold, the division advanced almost 20,000 yards in the First United States Army's drive against the north shoulder of the German salient.  In the critical stage of the attack to break across the Langlir-Ronce River and through the heavy woods to the south, the 83rd Division made two consecutive night attacks and fought continuously without let-up for three days in order to open the way for the final drive of the 3rd Armored Division to cut the vital Houffalize-St. Vith Road which spelled disaster for the entire German position north of the Ourthe River.  The officers and men bore the fury of the elements as well at the vicious fire of the enemy's defense and overcame both.  The 83rd Division can well be proud of its record in the Ardennes counter-offensive which may prove to be the decisive battle on the Western Front.  Please convey to your officers and men my hearty congratulations and best wishes for your future success.  J. Lawton Collins, Major General, US Army.

774th Tankers Aided Assault in the Ardennes.  The 774th Tank Bn which supported the 83rd doughboys in their Ardennes counter drive, claimed to have knocked out 17 Mark IV and V tanks and 8 machine gun nests in their 3,000 yard advance.

02/17/1945

Over 60 Commissions Given to 83rd Combat Veterans.  From the OCS of battle have come more than 60 Division line officers whose courage and leadership as EM have won them coveted combat commissions.

Battalion Commander Sharpe is Only 25.  The 83rd boasts the youngest battalion commander in the ETO.  Granville A. Sharpe, recently promoted to Lt. Col. at the age of 25 commands the 2nd Bn, 329th Infnatry.  He was wounded twice as a company commander in Normandy, and upon his return to duty in August, took command of the battalion to lead it on a successful assault on Chateauneuf.

02/24/1945

Hollywood film star is now buck private in Army.  Arriving at the Division Special Service Office after an early morning trip from Corps Headquarters, Rooney ate lunch at the Division rear echelon kitchen.  After lunch he left for the 331st Infantry where he was scheduled for a 1 o'clock show.  The second performance was at three o'clock for the 329th Infantry.  Dining at the 1st Bn Hq Co of the 330th, Rooney was served by Mess Sgt. Joseph C. Walters of Gravois Mills, Mo.  Rooney's final performance was held for the 330th at seven o'clock in a capacity-packed theater.

Cub Planes Zero in Artillery on Nazis.  Mighty midgets of the atmosphere are those ten tiny Piper Cub planes which are an integral part of the 83rd.  They are referred to as "the 83rd's own air force".  Teams of the 323rd FA Bn flew 25 hours in 2 days spotting SS troops for the doughs.  Pilot Lt. Charles Raether and Observer Lt. Charles Hicks of the 980th FA were attacked by an enemy fighter plane in Normandy.  The fuselage of the plane was riddled by machine gun bullets, but both men escaped unharmed.  Some other pilots and observers are: Lts. John Goetke and Phillip Reicher of the 908th FA, John Baker of Hq Div Arty, George Boscoff and John Stewart of the 322nd FA Bn, Capt Kern of Hq, Glenn Behrens, Forrest Norris and Niles Hollingsworth of the 323rd FA, James Godfrey of the 322nd and Dale Hoefer of the 324th, Maj. Jerome Byrd and Lt. Richard Mader of the Div Arty

Found in Most German Houses ---
"Please Treat This Home
As You Would Your Own.

We Have Done You No Harm
Do Not Harm Our Little Home."

At colorful ceremonies at the 331st Infantry last week, Major General Macon awarded Silver and Bronze Stars to 44 officers and men of the regiment.

Cut Off For Three Days, Embattled Battalion Refuses To Yield.  The embattled 3rd Bn of the 330th Infantry was cur off for three days, holding on for all it was worth, near the town of Strass.  They were relieved by the 2nd Bn of the 329th Infantry.

General Decorates 69 Heroes.  At twin ceremonies at Division Headuarters, and the 331st Infantry, Maj. Gen. Robert Macon presented Silver and Bronze Stars to 69 officers and men who had distinguished battler service to their country.

At the same time at Division Headquarters, General Ferenbaugh was pinning a Silver Star on Pfc William H. Rosenberry of the 308th Medics and Bronze Stars on the following men:

03/10/1945

Somewhere in Germany

Showing General Dwight Eisenhower, Supreme Commander, and Lt. General William H. Simpson, Ninth Army Commander, the way yo the Rhine is Major General Robert C. Macon, whose 83rd Division was the first to reach the vital river last week.

330th GIs Committed From First.  Three German villages northwest of Julich were the first to fall to the 83rd within 48 hours after the initial crossing of the Roer River.  

Marching Fire of 331st Snaps Final Nazi Hold.  Confronted with well dug-in gun emplacements and fortified factory buildings, doughboys of E and G Companies closely supported by machine gunners and mortarmen of Co. H, broke through with marching fire to wipe out all resistance and take some 300 prisoners.

03/24/1945

Somewhere in Germany

Last Call for Name Selections.  Black Panther !  Thunderbolt ! Marching Fire !  These and hundreds of other entries are pouring in daily to the SPEARHEAD.  The contest ends tomorrow at midnight.  Capt. Edmund J. McCreary, Lt James J. Kelly and CWO Raymond T. Stovik will settle down to select the best 10 suggestions for General Macon's final choice.  The winner will receive a three-day pass to Paris and the two runners-up two days at an Army Rest Camp.  Results announced in next week's Spearhead.

04/28/1945

East of the Elbe

Here it is - the first on only American bridge over the Elbe, and the first Army project to be dedicated to President Truman.  Built by the 295th Engineers for the 83rd Division, it marks the 4th river crossing by the Thunderbolts in an unbelievable 10-day race from west of the Rhine that saw doughs outstrip armor in a 215-mile dash that added 23,500 more prisoners to the Division's PW score and freed over 75,000 foreign slave workers.

"Thunderbolt" is Division Name Contest Winner.  The 83rd is now officially known as the "Thunderbolt" Division.  Winners of the naming contest are Capt. Andrew W. Brand and Pfc Joseph Nazarene.  Both men will receive the three day pass to Paris.  Included in the tohusand entries submitted were: Black Panthers, Black Lightning, the Go Getters, Whirlwind and many others.

Engineer Saves Division Bridge.  One man and his M-1 saved the Thunderbolt's Elbe River bridge at Breitenhagen from destruction.  Pfc Joseph Noce, engineer with Co. C, 308th Combat Engineer Bn saved the bridge by destroying a German floating mine.  Standing on the bridge, he had missed it with two previous shots.  Missing it a third time would mean the bridge and he would have been blown to pieces.

Take Town, 200 PWs In An Hour Without Casualty.  It took Lt Col Tim O. Cook's 1st Bn, 329th Infantry doughs exactly one hour to take the town of Neuhaus and 200 PWs, without a single casualty

While dough-covered tanks and tank destroyers take a quick ten, officers from the 331st Infantry, 736th Tank Bn and 643rd TD Bn go into conference to plot the next step in the path of the Thunderbolts en route to the Elbe - and over.  

330th Fights Fanatical Hitler Jugend in Harz Mountain Area.  Hitler Youth organizations kids - some only 12 years old - fought with rifles, machine guns and Panzerfausts.  The weapons were often larger than the brats who used them.

329th Institutes "Surrender by Phone" Service.  "As soon as we capture a town, I hot0foot it to the local Burgemeister and tell him that I wanted him to telephone the next town in our path, ask if there were any Germans there, and did they want to give up", said Capt. Francis C. Schommer, of 3rd Bn, 329th Infantry. "If the answer to both questions, they were told to have white flags flying from every house.  The plan worked in almost every town we tried it", he said.

Thunderbolts Free Slave Laborers From Underground Prison Plant.  The I and R Platoon of the 329th Infantry overran a combination concentration camp, underground factory and slave labor camp near the village of Eschershausen during the Division's drive to the Elbe.  

02/10/1945

Somewhere in Belgium

Hitler 70,000 Short - Courtesy of the 83rd.  As badly worried Hitler continued to scrape the bottom of his manpower barrel, statistics were quoted this week which shows the 83rd has accounted for the equivalent of 7 once invincible Nazi divisions.

An official total of 37,736 PWs have been tucked away in 83rd PW cages in Normandy, Brittany, the Loire Valley, Luxembourg, Germany and Belgium.  An additional 1,449 have been treated and cleared through our medical channels.

It has been estimated that an additional 30,000 Germans have been killed or wounded by 83rd doughs.

02/17/1945

02/24/1945

03/03/1945

Somewhere in Germany

General Macon Gets DSM for Campaign in Brittany - Major General Robert C. Macon, commanding general of the 83rd Infantry Division, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by Lt. General George S. Patton, Third Army Commander.  The DSM is second only to the Medal of honor.

General Bradley Visits - During a recent visit to the 83rd CP, Lt. General Omar N. Bradley, 12th Army Group Commander, took time out from councils of high strategy to go into conference with two little Belgium girls bearing flowers.

03/10/1945

05/26/1945

Bad Harzburg, Germany

In the 329th, Memorial Day services will be held in the three battalions under the direction of twice-decorated Regimental Chaplain Alvin R. Halvorsen, assisted by Chaplains Harold Schwartz and Jacob Ott.  Col. Alexander Reid, new CO of the 329th will introduce the speaker of the day, Col. Edwin B. Crabill, newly appointed Assistant Division Commander.

At Division Headquarters in Bad Harzburg memorial services will start at 10 a. m. in front of the C. P. where a public address system will be set up.  The 83rd Division Band will open the program.  Following this the invocation will be read by Chaplain William Harris, Assistant Division Chaplain.  At the conclusion of the invocation Chaplain Harold Pinkney of the 308th Medics will read from the Psalms.

It is expected that the principle address of the day will be delivered by Major General Robert C. Macon, Commanding General of the 83rd Division.  Following the address, the audience will rise to sing "America."  Chaplain Jacob Ott, Chaplain for Special Troops will then offer a prayer in solemn memory of America's soldier dead.

A highlight of the Memorial Day services at Bad Harzburg will be the "Flags and Earth" ceremony.  Two small bags of earth, each containing soil from the 48 States, were recently received from a friend by Gen. Macon.  As the soldiers bow their heads, the soil from these bags will be sprinkled at the base of the pole, from the top of which the Stars and Stripes will wave.  The contents of the other bag will be sprinkled over a cemetery containing the graves of 83rd Division soldiers.  Chaplain Donnelly will then read the benediction, which will be followed by a volley of shots fired by an honor guard.

Then, in hallowed and cherished memory of their fallen comrades, the soldiers will stand at attention as the last echoes of the shots mingle with the sound of taps.

Col. Crabill New Assn't Div. Comdr. - The 83rd received a new assistant division commander this week when Col. Edwin B. Crabill, commander of the 329th Infantry since its formation at Camp Atterbury, took over from Brig. Gen. Claude B. Ferenbaugh, assistant division commander since Breckinridge, who has been called to duties elsewhere.  Replacing Col. Crabill in the 329th is Col. Alexander Reid, formerly of the 106th Infantry Division.

Col. Crabill leaves the 329th with an impressive record.  It was his regiment that captured the Citadel of St. Malo, initiated the surrender of the 20,000 at Beaugency without losing a man, sent the first patrols across the Roer River into Daren, spearheaded much of the 83rd's drive from the Rhine to the Elbe and made the first assault crossing of the Elbe.

Division Men Take Over Military Government of Braunschweig - Almost every fighting man in the Division is now engaged in the task of bringing order out of chaos, of restoring to an approximation of normalcy the daily lives of the 750,000 people in the Province of Braunschweig, which is directly under Division control.

There are 477 towns in the Division's area to administer.  In these towns are thousands upon thousands of foreign workers and former PW's to be processed as soon as possible for repatriation to their home lands.  Since the Division had been administering the Province, 8,500 former slave laborers and 5,000 PWs have been started on their way home.

The search for war criminals continues unabated and as soon as they are discovered they are turned over for prosecution,  Fifty percent of the local leaders were removed as a result of these investigations.

330th Doughs Visit Vast Hermann Goering Plant - Hermann Goering's vast steel-producing plant, the largest in Germany was opened this week for inspection by men of the 83rd Division.  Located near Heerte, the sprawling factory that produced much of the steel used in German heavy munitions required the services of 45,000 workers to keep it in operation.  About 25,000 of these people were Germans.  The remaining 20,000 were "imported" from neighboring countries.

GI Uncovers Bomb Plans - Complete plans and specifications for V-3 and V-4 bombs with a flying range estimated at more than a thousand miles were found recently in an obscure corner of a Polish prison camp in Germany by Pfc. Harold Bush of the 330th Inf.  Bush's company, under the command of Capt. Joe Di Santis of Springfield, Mo.

I-E Distributing 83rd Booklets - The story of the 83rd in combat has been colorfully told in words and pictures in two Division booklets prepared by the I and E and Public Relations offices and distributed this week to every man in the Division.

The "Thunderbolt Across Europe" booklet is a six-color, folder-type affair with text by Capt. John C. Neff, Division I and E Officer, and illustrated by Sgt. Nick Firfires, with the exception of four contributed by Lt. Jean pages, French liaison officer.  The map of the path of the Thunderbolt from Southampton to Zerbst was drawn and illustrated by S/Sgt. Jack B. Slawter from information compiled by Sgt. Wayne R. Howitz, both of the G-3 section.  

20,000 copies of each booklet were printed with distribution according to strength to all 83rd units and attachments through unit I and E officers.  The Gilbert booklet may be mailed home for six cents, the folder for nine.

06/16/1945

Top Tankers TDs To 83rd. Two veteran fighting units, the 737th Tank Bn and the 803rd Tank Destroyer Bn are now assigned to the 83rd.  The 803rd landed in France on June 13 and the 737th landed on Omaha Beach July 12.

Glenn Miller Band to Play for Division - Scheduled for Sports Arena in Passau next weekend.

07/07/1945

Passau, Germany

DSC Award Second For 737th Tank Bn. At ceremonies held in Soldineau Thursday afternnon, Lt. John G. Sinclair, Syracuse NY was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his service performed at Lahr, Belgium on 14 November 1944.  Gen. Macon, CG. 83rd Division made the presentation.

SS Men Foiled in Attempt to Escape GI-Guarded Camp.  The escape of two SS men, their attempts to contact outsiders, and the mass demonstrations at the Pocking PW Camp which is under the supervision of G Company, 331st Inf. has caused a variety of comments among the GIs there.  "The prisoners made good their escape through the sewage drain," explained Lt. William Graffe of Philadelphia, "but once outside they found little sympathy among the townsfolk, who refused to give them food or shelter when they were unable to produce the proper discharge papers.  Therefore they found it to their advantage to return and give themselves up."

Czech Girls Brighten 330th's 4th. - The question is, "Can there be a real Independence Day when women are present?"  Men of Co. F of the 330th Infantry found out that there could be last Wednesday when they brought in a number of Czechoslovakian girls for the 4th of July celebration.  The day was such a success that plans are already being made for another visit of the girls.  And the men aren't going to wait for a special day !

Sgt. Paul "Pop" Spencer of 2nd. Bn, 329th Inf. from Trinity, N. C. jumped into second place in the broad jump at the 2nd Bn. Field bay last Saturday.

08/04/1945

Passau, Germany

Gen. Patton Says 83rd Review Was Best He Has Ever Seen.  In a surprise ceremony, General Patton pins the Legion of Merit on General Macon.  The citation for the medal mentions the exceptionally meritorious conduct of Gen. Macon in the German-Ardennes offensive between Dec. 25, 1944 and Jan 26, 1945.

General Patton's Revue in Pictures
"Sit Down if You Want To", said General Patton as he addressed the troops of the 83rd Division last Monday at the Pocking airport in the 331st area.  He told the men of his belief that preparedness would have saved the world from the present conflict, and also from World War I and America's Civil War.
With Colors Dipped and Eyes Right troops of the 83rd Division pass in review before the stand with Gen. Patton, Maj. Gen. Macon, and other high-ranking officers representing the 83rd Division, XII Corps and the Third Army.  Gen. Patton was high in his praise of the 83rd Division and its men.	The Division Band shoes off its new uniforms for the first time.
Elements of the 324th Field Artillery Battalion pass in review.	General Macon discusses a problem of tactics with General Patton.  On Gen. Macon's left is Gen. Irwin, Commanding General of XII Corps.
General Patton (with field glasses), General Macon and other officers look past a smoke screen to observe an assault wave of infantrymen as they storm their objective.	General Patton, General Macon, General Keating (102 CG), and General Maddox (3rd Army G-3) chat and dine at the Terrace Bar on the 83rd Division's Enlisted Men's Rest Center
Gee Whiz !  18 coats of lacquer.  Pfc Albert R. Horan of 83rd Division Headquarters takes a look at General Patton's helmet liner.	Covering fire from mortars and machine guns manned in the picture above, from left to right, by Cpl Dennis Lamos, Pfc John Grimes, S/Sgt Grady Williams and Cpl Legare Jackson of M Co., 331st Inf.  These men gave "protection" to Infantrymen of K Co., as they advanced over rolling terrain in the problem staged for General Patton last Monday.  Patton said the men showed "dash and enthusiasm".

Legion of Merit Medals To Gen. Macon and Lt. Magill.  Old-timers in the 83rd Division remember the uncertainty that seemed to surround them during the latter part of December.  On the 26th the Division had been ordered to assist in clearing the Ardennes forest where the Germans, under Marshal von Rundstedt, were attempting an offensive.

Maj. Gen. Robert C. Macon was assigned the job of leading the men of the Divisions in the campaigns to dislodge the Germans form the forest; to push them back and make them retreat to the heart of the Reich.

At the time it seemed like an impossible accomplishment to the Thunderbolt soldiers.  But as the campaign progressed and the victories came the men realized that they were being taken into battle by a great leader.  The orders of the day coming down from Gen. Macon were clear and concise.  The men on the line knew the immediacy of their problems.  They were not only fighting strong Nazi troops, but they were also combating the most severe winter Europe had known in many years.  Through the maze of rumors and uncertainties that came up in the highly fluid situation the men quickly came to feel that they were being led by a man who could cope with the many problems that beset them.

Under Gen. Macon the men of the 83rd had won battles to take towns like Ottre, Joubeval, Hebronval, Bihain, Langlie, and Petite Langlier.  The Division had opened the way for the 3rd Armored Division to pass safely through the Ardennes and cut the Vith-Houffalize highway over which the Germans were withdrawing to the east.  Gen. Macon's 83rd Division had made a major contribution toward driving the Germans out of the Ardennes and contributing to the defeat of the enemy.

Last Monday, in recognition of Gen. Macon's leadership. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. pinned the Legion of Merit medal on Gen. Macon.  The citation for the Legion of Merit to Gen. Macon, reads, in part, - "Major General Macon exhibited sound tactical judgment and the highest type of leadership in locking the attack and in the subsequent reduction of the enemy salient, ......."troops of the 83rd Infantry Division under the able leadership of Major General Macon fought skillfully and gained theior assigned objectives.  Through out the entire engagement Major General Macon exhibited untiring energy and high professional ability in the employment of his forces, contributing materially to the crushing defeat of the enemy."

This week, too, another officer of the 83rd Division was awarded a Legion of Merit medal; Lt. Samuel Magill of the I. and R. Platoon of the 329th Infantry.  The incidents leading up to the event for which Lt. Magill has been honored with the Legion of Merit were not dogged with the rugged difficulties that attended those weeks in the Ardennes.  Lt. Magill's exploit was more along the lines of making the best of a fluid situation.  He learned that the commanding general of a large German force had indicated his wiliness to surrender to the Americans.  Surrendering with him would be 20,000 German troops and their vehicles, arms and other equipment.

It was a delicate situation for a lieutenant to be in.  He must arrange for the surrender but he must avoid making any commitments beyond the range of his authority.

Working directly with the enlisted men of the I. and R. Platoon under his command, Lt. Magill established direct liaison with the German commander and arranged for a conference which led to the surrender of the general and the 20,000 troops he commanded.  On September 17, 1944 Gen. Macon accepted the pistol pf the German general signifying surrender, and the 20,000 troops were marched to a PW enclosure.  It was the largest mass surrender of the war.

Lt. Magill has since been transferred to the 99th Division under the Arm's deployment plan.  But the men of the original I. and R. Platoon who are still with the 83rd remember those days of "2,000 at Beaugency."  Cpl. Harry Goodson said, when he was told of Lt. Magill's award, "It;s about time.  Lt. Magill deserves everything he received.  I remember very well those days last September when we first heard the rumor that General Elster would surrender to the 99th Division under the Army's site stic that no one would believe it. "20,000 German troops and their general surrendering at one fell swoop?"  Impossible !  But it's history now that they did surrender.

Gold Star for Unit Plaque Presented to 783rd Ord. - A gold star had been added to the Meritorious Service Unit plaque of 783rd Ordnance Co.  This marks the second time the 783rd has been awarded this emblem for "superior performance in the accomplishment of exceptionally difficult tasks."  

"Burma Road" Bob May Show Here. - Bob Hope and a USO troop consisting of Jerry Colonna, Gale Robbins, Jean Bruner, Ruth Denas, Patty Thomas, Jack Pepper, and Roger Price may appear at the Arena in Passau next Monday.

Tommy Anders New Swim King. - "Long-Tom" Anders the breath-taking breast stroker from the 908th FA Bn of the 83rd Division proved himself to be more than the ETO Champion by not only annexing the crown in his specialty, but by also contributing 20.66 out of the 32 points gained by Third Army in the US Forces Swimming Championships held in Soldier's Pool in Nurmberg, Germany on July 28 and 29.

Infantry Badge in Glass for Men in 330th's Co. B. - Replicas in glass of the Combat Infantryman's Badge will be given to each man in Co. B of the 330th Inf.  The badge will carry an inscription of the man's name, rank and the campaigns he fought through.

08/13/1945

The United States Government awarded one Congressional Medal of Honor to an 83rd man; also one Distinguished Service Cross (posthumous), three Legions of Merit, six Soldier's Medals, 567 Silver Stars, and 5,182 Bronze Stars.

The French Provisional Government honored individuals of the 83rd to the extent of 9 Legions of Honeur and 57 Croix do Grerre (various degrees).

From the British Government, Thunderbolt men received one Distinguished Service Order, one Distinguished Conduct Medal, and three Military Crosses - all of which correspond to an American Distinguished Service Cross.  Four Military Medals ere presented by English authorities to men of the 83rd (a medal equal to our Bronze Star.)

Three years of activation have seen the Thunderbolt Division in 270 days of combat with a total of 82,142 prisoners captured.  A breakdown of that figure shows that for every forty-five days the 83rd engaged in combat, Germany had to muster one completely new division to oppose the rampaging Thunderbolts.  That statement does not consider the countless tho8usands of Germans killed or wounded.

08/15/1945

Cruiser Indianapolis Sunk in Pacific.  All of 1,196 aboard 5th Fleet Flagship killed, missing, hurt.

09/01/1945

Passau, Germany

Sgt. Neppel Receives the Congressional Medal of Honor and a Kiss from his wife at the White House.

Truman Pins CMH on 83rd Sgt. - Sgt. Neppel Presented Nation's Highest Award on White House Lawn.  President Truman awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor to Sgt. Ralph G. Neppel and 27 other soldiers in the largest ceremony of its kind ever held.  The ceremony was held at 10 a. m. on the south lawn of the White House, with close relatives and friends of the honored men looking on.  The Congressional Medal of Honor presented to Sgt. Ralph Neppel was the first of its kind ever awarded to a man in the 83rd Division.  Sgt. Neppel served with M Company of the 329th Infantry while in the Division.  Last December, the 21 year old machine gun squad leader was severely wounded by a German shell when he beat off an attack by two 40-ton German tanks supported by 20 infantry men.  Despite his disabling wounds suffered from the tank shell, Sgt. Neppel dragged himself by his elbows to his machine gun, quickly placing it into position and stopped the oncoming German with its deadly fire.  Without its Infantry protection, the tank turned around and withdrew.  Although he was severely wounded, Sgt. Neppel refused evacuation, insisting that some other wounded men be taken care of first.  Sgt. Neppel was recently released from McClousky General Hospital, Temple, Texas, where his wounds had been treated.

331st Men Receive Awards at Pocking - General Macon pinned 21 medals on the jackets of 331st Infantrymen at Pocking Air Field Thursday morning.  Those decorated were: Col. Robert H. York, Lt. Col. Leniel McDonald, 1st Lt. Charles W. Dupre, 1st Lt. William L. Poulter, Jr., 1st Lt. George F. Orr, 1st Lt. Harry F. Dalton, 1st Lt. Parkman W. Tyner, T-Sgt Julius L. Cannady, T/Sgt John M. Renshaw, T/Sgt James M. Ploor, S/Sgt Glenwood Gingerich, S/Sgt George F. Kohler, Jr., S/Sgt Bpyd D. Sult, S/Sgt Robert C. Trago, T/5 Robert C. Morris, Pfc Henry Decker. Pfc Lavern G. Wolff, Pfc James J. Johnson and Pvt Willie H. Tramell.

Macon Cites 18 Doughs at 329th Review. - Maj. Gen. Robert C. Macon, Commanding General of the 83rd Division, presented Col. Edwin B. Crabill with the Legion of Merit and 17 officers and men of the 329th Infantry with Silver Stars here on Monday afternoon.

The Silver Stars were presented to the following officers and men: Pvt Louis A. Gaybrant, F Co., (also awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster); Capt. Charles F. Hamilton, 3rd Bn Headquarters; Capt. James R. Land, 3rd Bn Headquarters; Pfc George Kirk, 3rd Bn Medics.

1st Lt. Jubert B. Degnan, F Co.; Pfc Michael Passaro, 1st Bn Medics; 1st Lt. Lloyd E. Rubbelke, Anti-Tank Co.; 1st Lt. David E. Springer, T/5 Samuel R. Furst, 2nd Bn Medics; 1st Lt. John T. Garrison, B Bo.

Pfc James McCoy, F Co.; T/Sgt Warren G. Black, F Co.; 1at Lt. Walter P. McGee, H Co.; T/Sgt Camillo R. Lemole, B Co.; S/Sgt Harold S. Miller, B Co.' and T/4 William M. Allen, 3rd Bn Medics.