Chapter 20: Someone's son
In Chapter 20, Art and the 332nd finally cross the English Channel into France.
1. The account of the three days on the ship and the discussion with the young caption who had lost his boot during D-Day are as retold by Warren Babcock of the 332nd.
2. The repeated reminders to check your dog tags as remembered by Warren Babcock.
3. The description of driving the truck off the boat and into the water as told by Art Koski.
4. Art reported a feeling of déjà vu after driving the truck ashore on Utah Beach.
5. Details on Cherbourg harbor and the reconstruction from various sources, including the unit history of the 332nd Engineers.
6. We do not know if Art asked about the bar on the front of the Jeeps, but other men remember that detail.
7. The burial of a German soldier named Richard Bohm based on accounts by other members of the 332nd Engineers.
8. More information on the Mulberry artificial harbors at the British National Archives and many photos from the Owens Archive.
9. Wikipedia information on the invasion of Normandy.
Media and Web links:
1. Figure 20-2 Video: A strong storm the week after D-Day destroyed one of the two artificial harbors and seriously damaged the other.
2. Figure 20-3 Video: In the weeks after D-Day, Utah Beach was constantly busy as men and material were unloaded from sips.
3. Figure 20-4 Video: The capture of Cherbourg played a crucial role in the success of the invasion.
5. Figure 20-7 Web: Learn more about Cherbourg Harbor.
6. Figure 20-8 Video: As German prisoners marched to the rear, American Engineers raced to repair the harbor.
7. Figure 20-10 Video: Continuous truck convoys rushed men, material, and gasoline to the constatnly advancing troops at the front.
Copyright 2007 by Dan Oja