Chapter 41: What was it like?
In Chapter 41, John and the new recruits try to find their places in F-85.
1. The conversation about Wally Krusell is fictionalized, but is based on actual events.
2. The incident with the two old Italian women as recalled in I Soldiered with America's Elite 10th Mountain Division of WWII, by Carl Cossin, page 35.
3. The conversations about the men killed in action are fictionalized, but the events and people are real.
4. The conversation about Al Wiedorn is fictionalized, but the description of the incident during training at Camp Hale and the description of his actions on Mount Belvedere are based on recollections and documents.
5. The incident about Tom Condon is as recalled by James Messier.
6. The incident with the other soldier looking for Tommie Creel is fictionalized, but Tommie Creel was one of the first soldiers lost from F-85.
7. The conversation between John and Shapley at the donut wagon is fictionalized, but is based on thoughts by various veterans in interviews and documents.
8. The men were treated to the play Blithe Spirit and a magician named BerMer apparently did predict that the war would end on April 15th.
9. James Winterbottom's account of his experiences near Mount Belvedere are based on interviews with him.
Media and Web links:
1. Figure 41-1 Video: Carl Cossin talks about a situation which required the use of the bayonet in combat.
2. Figure 41-2 Video: James Orwig describe his first combat experience.
3. Figure 41-3 Video: James Winterbottom describe his experience on Mount Della Torraccia.
Copyright 2007 by Dan Oja