Chapter 39: Maybe they were going to be all right
In Chapter 39, John is assigned to an outfit, the celebrated 10th Mountain Infantry Division.
1. The names at the start of the chapter are names of replacements assigned to outfits with John Koski on February 28th, 1945.
2. The anecdote about the truck drive is fictionalized, but represents the fact that many truck drivers were black and that the predominantely white solders had relatively little interaction with them.
3. The conversations in the truck are fictionalized, but is based on documentation that indicates that many of the replacements were former anti-aircraft gunners who were being transferred to the infantry since the German Air Force was no longer a significant threat.
3. Sergeant Carney's explanation to the men and the conversations between John and the other soldiers are fictionalized. but the units and names are based on recollections, diary's, and the detailed notes on the F-85 morning reports.
4. Some 10th Mountain veterans remember a phonograph playing during their time at Campo Tizzoro. We do not know if Johnny heard it or which record might have been playing.
5. Review detailed notes on the morning reports for F-85 for the last days of February, 1945. This includes the names of the replacements who joined the outfit with John L. Koski on February 28th.
6. James Winterbottom recalls how he got into mortars. .m4v version for iPad and iPhone
7. Tustin Ellison, a Sergeant in the 4th Platoon, talks about James Winterbottom. .m4v version for iPad and iPhone
8. James Winterbottom often jokes about his last name and the inevitability of his ending up in the ski troops. .m4v version for iPad and iPhone
9. Pin of the 85th Regiment.
Media and Web links:
1. Figure 39-1 Video: Watch a clip from the documentary about John Koski.
2. Figure 39-3 Video: Platoon Sergeant James Orwig recalls when John and the other replacements joined F-85.
3. Figure 39-5 Web: Learn more about the soldiers of F-85.
Copyright 2007 by Dan Oja