Chapter 46: This might be hell
In Chapter 46, John and the men of F-85 settle into their positions on Mount Della Castellana.
1. The conversations are fictionalized, but the thoughts about the build-up of artillery shells in supply depots, life in a foxhole, Army rations, and dying in combat are as expressed by numerous soldiers in interviews, letters, and documents.
2. The quotation from James Orwig's diary was obtained from him.
3. The incident with James Winterbottom and the capture of the General is as related by him.
4. The conversation with John and the new recruit is fictionalized.
5. The incident with the German mortar shells and the farmhouse and the incident with the cooks and the foxholes are as told by James Winterbottom.
6. The use of primer cord to fell trees and the incident with the cooks is as told by James Winterbottom. Photo of one of the Mess Sergeants from F-85, although it is not clear if he was involved in this incident.
7. The Army humor about wounds and Purple Hearts is as told by Tustin Ellison.
8. James Messier did catch a copy of the Blizzard that was drifting pass his foxhole and he did read the article about the death of Midge Hall. James Messier reported several other re-occuring dreams, including one dream where he was on a hill with only a pistol surrounded by advancing Germans. However, the dream where he reads about himself in The Blizzard is fictionalized to echo the story about catching the copy of The Blizzard.
9. Read a clipping about Midge Hall, the football star and friend of James Messier who was killed while fighting with the 86th Regiment of the 10th Mountain Infantry Division in Italy.
10. Review the F-85 morning reports for March 8th to March 19th, 1945.
11. Johnny's dream about the hunting camp is fictionalized, but is not unlike other such dreams reported by various members of the Koski family.
Media and Web links:
1. Figure 46-1 Web: Learn more about the 10th Mountain Infantry's specialized winter warfare training.
2. Figure 46-2 Video: Watch a video about K-rations.
3. Figure 46-3 Web: Learn more about mortar positions and tactics.
4. Figure 46-5 Video: Listen to James Winterbottom as he tells the story of the farmouse and the German mortar shells.
5. Figure 46-8 Video: Listen to Tustin Ellison as he talks about the "new regulations" about the Purple Heart.
Copyright 2007 by Dan Oja