Soldier News continued, 1944

Charles Haase in First Ordnance Group to Hit Normandy Beach

Bainbridge News & Republican, September 14, 1944

 

A Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] resident, Sgt. Charles A. Haase, son of the Rev. and Mrs. George Haase, was a member of the first outfit of the Ordnance Department, Army Service Forces, to hit the Normandy Beach on "D-Day," according to a combat memorandum received by Col. Frank J. Atwood, chief of the Rochester Ordnance District.

 



The party, headed by Lieut. James S Logan of Niagara Falls, included Sgt. Harvey R. Ransom, Cazenovia; Sgt. Mario R. Liberatore, Philadelphia, Pa.; Cpl. Charles C. Bodine, Dallas, Texas, and Pfc. Wilfred R. Stiffler, Altoona, Pa.

 

The Ordnance District Chief, in releasing the combat memorandum, said that these men who were followed by thousands of other Ordnance troops helped supply ammunition and maintain battle equipment, much of it produced in upstate New York plants. 

 

"The beach was extremely hot," Lieut. Logan declared.  "Shot and shell were breaking everywhere.  There was a lull for a moment and I jumped into the water from the boat and headed for the beach.

 

"The Germans were 1,000 yards away, and they were shelling all along the beach. We cautiously made our way through mine fields and cut across a swamp where we sank up to our armpits.  I looked back and there was Liberatore (a small man) bobbing along through the weeds which were also well mined.  One of the other men grabbed him and pulled him through until we all reached the beach. 

 

"Shells and mortar fire were being lobbed all around us, but we managed to get to the top of the hill.  Eight Ordnance Ducks (2-1/2 ton amphibian trucks) loaded with ammunition followed us in.  We immediately set up a field camouflage and began the dual job of servicing the troops and storing the ammunition that was coming in on the beach  As soon as additional Ordnance troops came ashore, a sizeable ammunition dump was established.  By the morning of D-Day plus 1, a good many tons were ready for the troops.  For the first few days of hard fighting the only source of ammunition supply was on the beaches. 

 

The day after we landed we had recovery vehicles in operation and were pulling up all sorts of vehicles that had been abandoned, hit by enemy shells, or stuck in the water.  Ordnancemen recovered many vehicles under constant shellfire from the enemy and under the most difficult circumstances, were able to put three-fourths of them back into operation.  Combat Ordnancemen worked around the clock to repair damaged howitzer, to keep vehicles rolling, and to pass adequate supplies of ammunition to the Infantry and artillery.

 

"A 105-mm howitzer was damaged near us.  Ordnancemen went through a hail of fire, repaired the weapon, and had the great satisfaction of putting it back into the fight.

 

"Still other Ordnance troops were coming ashore and operations were expanded to include the repair of rifles, carbines and other small arms. 

 

"The beachhead was consolidated.  As the troops moved inland, Ordnance immediately established channels of supply leading from the beaches right up tot he front lines."

 

Pfc. Victor Holbert Wounded in France

Bainbridge News & Republican, September 14, 1944

 

Pfc. Victor Holbert, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Holbert, is confined to a hospital in Italy as the result of injuries received in Southern France.  According to information received, one of his feet were injured.

 

Myron Carl Member of Combat Team

Bainbridge News & Republican, September 14, 1944

 

Ready for Action

 



 

All American combat team read for action.  Lt. Myron L. Carl (extreme right, back row), bombardier on a B-24 Liberator bomber is shown with the other members of his crew.  Lt. Carl is the son of Isaac L. Carl, Route 1, Afton, and was graduated from Cornell University prior to his entry into the armed forces. 

 

Robert McElligott Wounded in France

Bainbridge News & Republican, September 21, 1944

 

Mr. and Mrs. Michael McElligott, of Rockdale [Chenango Co., NY], received notice from the War Department that their son, Robert, was wounded in France. Robert was a radio and wireless operator in the cavalry.  He was graduated from the Sidney High School in 1942 and enlisted in October, 1943.  He went overseas in June of this year.  His parents had not heard from him in two months.  His father is the O.&W. station agent at Guilford [Chenango Cop., NY].  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Sept. 21, 1944]

 

Ruth Fenner Enlists in Army Corps

Bainbridge News & Republican, September 28, 1944

 

Miss Ruth G. Fenner enlisted in the Women's Army Corps at Binghamton, Sept. 20.  She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Fenner of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].  A brother, S/Sgt. Charles A. Fenner, is serving with the Army at Fort Monmouth, N .J.  Another brother, Ernest A. Fenner, is a member of the CAP in Sidney.  Ruth attended Syracuse University, Syracuse, for two years.  Miss Fenner enlisted under the Station and Job Assignment program, meaning that she choose her job and station in the Second Service Command (consisting of the states of New York, New Jersey and Delaware) where she wants to first serve after completing basic training.  her choice was Camp Kilmer, N.J., doing chaplain's assistant work.  She will be called to active duty in the near future.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Sept. 238, 1944]