Normandy ‘44 Military Antiques

Mortain pt. 2

This messtin was found in a chicken coop used to feed chicken in the area of Mortain, France. Upon cleaning a name was revealed with a very interesting story.

T5 Benjamin H. Prewitt Jr. of Tallulah, Louisiana was born on August 8, 1923. Growing up in the southern state, he worked as a clerk, until enlisting in the U.S. Army on November 29, 1942 at the age of 19. Upon completing basic training he was assigned to the 120th infantry regiment, 30th “Old Hickory” Division.

On June 11, 1944 T5 Prewitt and the rest of the 30th Infantry Division landed in Normandy. According to a local newspaper (shown below) he was lightly wounded in action as the 30th Division fought through the hedgerows trying to capture the essential city of Saint Lô. By August, 1944 Saint Lô was in American hands and the 30th Division relieved the veteran 1st “Big Red One” Division from positions held in the area of Mortain, with the 120th infantry regiment holding the area in and around Hill 314. While they were moving out officers of the 1st Infantry Division noted to their successors that Hill 314, was the “key to the whole area”. The German army and SS panzer divisions will launch a major counterattack the next morning. Around 2am on August 7, the 2nd SS “Das Reich” Panzer Division launched their portion of the attack on the 120th infantry regiments positions in the area of Hill 314. SS troopers charged 120th positions all along the line, screaming and yelling as if they were high on drugs, they attacked ferociously. Brutal fighting erupted throughout the 30th Divisions line. The 120th regiment caught hell and committed all of their reserve companies to hold their positions on Hill 314.

By August 9, the fighting had raged for 2 days, the 30th Division fought with great intensity to hold their lines even though the Germans had broken through in many areas along the line, and many smaller units were cut off and running dangerously low on food, water, ammo and medical supplies. Braving heavy enemy sniper, machine gun and artillery fire T5 Prewitt broke out of their isolated position to bring litters and desperately needed medical supplies to the casualties of his company that were in need of care, and more importantly evacuation from this battlefield. I hope everyone reading this can take a moment to remember the bravery of T5 Prewitt.

Following the battle at Mortain, T5 Prewitt fought through Belgium, Holland, the Ardennes and finally Germany when he was wounded a second time. He returned home to Louisiana where he lived until passing away in 1999.

Dogtag of Pvt. John Harper. This was recovered from a GRS dump near Omaha Beach. Pvt. John Harper was Killed in Action in the area of Cerisy-la-Forêt on June 22, 1944. At the time he was serving with E company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division. May we never forget his sacrifice.

Here’s a piece I got a little while back from a friend, that I never got to posting.

This Ike jacket belonged to Pfc. John Hanzely of Pennsylvania. He served as a BAR gunner with C Co. 1st Bn. 175th Regiment, 29th ID.

On June 17, 1944 the 1st Bn. 175th Inf was the most advanced unit of the 29th, and attacked a well fortified German position on Hill 108. Facing ferocious enemy machine gun and artillery fire. 1st Bn 175th, suffered over 600 casualties. Hill 108 would later earn a nickname by men of the battalion as “Purple Heart Hill”.

The following day on June 18, Pfc. Hanzely was severely wounded in action in the area, being hit by either bullet or shrapnel which dropped him instantly. Laying in the field for hours, paralyzed and unable to speak. Men were falling back, and passed over him for hours. Finally someone stopped and checked up on him, strapping him to the bumper of a Jeep, and rushing him to an aid station. At the hospital his wounds were so severe, they didn’t give him much care as they figured the worst. One nurse, took special care of him telling him she would make sure to get him back home. True to her word, she cared for him, saving his life and he eventually made it back home after a very lengthy treatment. Never being able to walk again, he was cared for by his brother for the rest of his life. Which he lived to the fullest and passed away in 1987.

*note this info all comes from the family of Pfc. Hanzely

I hope everyone is having a good Sunday. Today with the help of a friends photoshop skills I am sharing one of my favorite pieces in my collection.

This copy of the “Spearhead” newsletter from July 6, 1944 features 2 very famous members of the 2nd Infantry Division. Early additions I have seen printed in Normandy (and possibly later as well) saluted members of the division who were awarded the Silver Star for bravery in combat.

This particular issue mentions Pfc. Floyd Rogers of Rising Star Texas. (C/38) With the face of a brave warrior looking off into the distance, sporting a BAR and a very unique camouflaged helmet. It is no wonder his photo is so well known. Though sadly this brave young soldier would never make it back home to Texas as he would die of wounds received during the battle for Hill 192, 2 weeks after this photo was taken.

The other soldier mentioned in this article is T/Sgt Frank Kviatek (D/38). Affectionately nicknamed “Hardtack” by most men who served with and under him. This salt dog spent most of his adult life in the army with the 2nd Division. Seeing action during WWI, he stayed in the Army for 30 years retiring in 1948. He is most famous for his skills as a sharpshooter, with claims that he personally took care of over 50 German snipers during the war. Wounded twice and awarded the Silver Star (in addition to many other awards) his time in combat ended during the hell that is commonly referred to as the battle for the twin villages when he was captured and spent the rest of the war as a POW. Ultimately passing away in 1960.

I hope everyone enjoys and takes a moment to remember these hero’s.

The latest addition to our collection, here at Normandy ‘44 Military Antiques is in! This helmet which has been together for a long time, sports a very unique hand woven net. This style of net is commonly associated with the 79th Infantry Division during the Normandy campaign. This helmet also has a very subtle almost camo what looks to be overpaint, some of that bled into the net which must’ve been placed on the helmet shortly after it received its paint job. Overall we are very happy with this helmet as it shows all the right wear and hard use we look for.

I hope you all enjoy !

Raymond Tavanico was born on December 5, 1920, in Arizona. He answered his countries call and enlisted in the U.S. Army on August 17, 1942 at the age of 21. After completing basic training he was assigned the duty as a rifleman with the 2nd Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division. He landed in Normandy, at Utah beach with the rest of the 5th Infantry Division on July 9, 1944. After a couple of weeks in “Hedgerow country”. His unit was tasked with taking Hill 183, located near Vidouville on July 30, 1944. Sustaining multiple shrapnel wounds the same day, Pfc Tavanico was evacuated from the frontlines to his units medical clearing station. The following day he succumbed to his wounds and sadly died at the young age of 23. His mother last heard from him less than a week before, via letter. Never returning home to Arizona, Pfc. Tavanico rests with his fallen comrades at the American cemetery located in Colleville-sur-Mer. Please take a moment to remember Pfc. Raymond Tavanico.

Today, we are very happy to share with you all, another relic from the Normandy Battlefield.

While at first glance, it appears to be a worn out legging as used by all infantry troops during WWII. Upon opening it up, some amazing history is revealed! This legging was worn 79 years ago in the Norman countryside by T5 Harry Snader of Pennsylvania. He served as a medic with the 23rd infantry regiment’s medical detachment, 2nd Infantry Division. He landed with the regiment shortly after DDAY on Omaha beach, following them through the hedgerow battles. He was cited for bravery in the Normandy campaign, for rescuing many wounded American soldiers behind German lines, and some wounded Germans too! (The newspaper article shown below describes this in better detail).

After the Normandy campaign, the 2nd Infantry Division’s next objective was to capture the port city of Brest. During the siege of Brest or shortly thereafter, a very famous photo was taken of 12 men in the 2nd Division. All the soldiers in the photo hailed from the same county in Pennsylvania. One of the medics being none other than T5 Snader ! He is shown on the far left in the first row, wearing a helmet with the Red Cross’s painted on the front and sides. To me it is really special to have an artifact in the collection, which has direct ties to one of my favorite wartime photos.

T5 Snader was later wounded in action in Germany, October 1944. He survived the war and passed away in 2007, still residing in Pennsylvania.

I hope you all enjoy.
- David

Today we are presenting a very interesting relic recovered from the Normandy battlefields.

This WWII US army issued canteen was recovered during excavations, in the area of Hôtel au Heup, Villers- Fossard. This was an area of intense fighting for the 175th Infantry, 29th Division in June, 1944. Most notably, the fight for Hill 108, also dubbed “Purple Heart Hill” by survivors of the battle (1st Battalion, 175th infantry). Which took place on June 18, 1944.

This canteen, recovered in the area shows the ferociousness of the battles which took place in this area 79 years ago. Which is quite evident by the bullet impact that traveled through it. Also unique about this canteen is that faintly, there is a laundry number scratched into it. (First initial of the last name, followed by the last 4 numbers of the serial number). Upon further research it was discovered this canteen had once belonged to Pvt. Thomas Falconnier. Pvt. Falconnier served in 2nd Battalion, 175th infantry headquarters throughout their trek through Europe. He was listed as Missing in Action from June 8- June 12, 1944. A very good indicator of the mass amounts of confusion during those early days in Normandy following D-Day.

While an already interesting relic, we were happy to finally find out the story of the soldier who once drank from this canteen almost 80 years ago.

I hope everyone enjoys, and to the fathers reading this, Happy Fathers Day 🍻

This weekend we took advantage of the beautiful weather to take some photos to share with you all. This small display is a representation of some of the hell the 30th Infantry Division went through in the Normandy campaign, during the summer of 1944. Almost every piece you see here ties directly to that theme.

The HBT jacket bears the name of Sgt. William Peterson, of the 120th infantry regiment. He was awarded a Silver Star during the Mortain counterattack for capturing 4 vehicles and 1 antitank gun.

The dog tag belonged to 1st Sgt. Clarence Hale, of the 117th infantry. He was taken prisoner during the Mortain counterattack. His full story can be read in an earlier post.

The Bible belonged to Pvt. Irvin Linton, of the 119th infantry. He died of wounds received in action on July 24, 1944. His full story can be read in an earlier post as well.

The M1910 pack triangle belonged to Pfc. Raymond L Baxter, 119th Infantry. He was Killed in Action on July 11, 1944. In the area of Pont-Hébert.

The helmet is unfortunately not identified to any particular soldier, but it is a good representation of what would have been worn by a GI of the 30th Infantry Division during its early days in Normandy.

Hope you all enjoy and stay tuned for more posts in the near future.

Today, we are presenting this beautiful 2nd Infantry Division painted helmet liner with multiple field repaints. This liner was originally sourced from an antique store in Virginia years ago. The liner itself shows a fair amount of wear, as well as a used but not abused look on the exterior. There is a last name “Doty” scratched inside the liner 3 separate times. So far in our research we have found 3 soldiers with that last name in the 2nd Division who would’ve been eligible to have the NCO bar painted on the rear of their helmet. As of now it is not identified but is still a classically beautiful helmet liner painted during WWII.

Hope you all enjoy!

Irvin Linton, a motor car operator, husband and father answered his nations call to arms in December of 1943 by joining the U.S. Army. After completing basic as well as infantry training, he became part of the 86th replacement depot. This unit was sent to Normandy to fill the ever growing gaps in frontline rifle companies that were enduring the harsh combat that ensued throughout “hedgerow country”. Pvt. Irvin Linton was one of the soldiers sent to a rifle company in desperate need of reinforcements. Joining company L of the 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division on July 14, 1944 in the area of Pont Hebert. The following day XIX corps launched an attack, in the 30th Division sector, 2 battalions of the 117th infantry regiment as well as 3rd battalion of the 119th Infantry Regiment (Pvt. Linton’s battalion) were the initial assault units. The units faced fierce resistance consisting of machine gun, machine pistol and 88mm cannon fire, courtesy of German paratroopers who were deployed in this sector. One of the many casualties the 30th division sustained on July 15, was Pvt. Linton. After only 1 day on the frontlines he was wounded and evacuated to the 105th Clearing Station. Less than 2 weeks later, Pvt. Irvin Linton succumbed to his wounds and died in the hospital where he was being treated, leaving behind a wife and young daughter. This military issued bible shown below was a gift he gave his wife Iva, after he joined the Army less than a year prior to his death. Tragically, on his tombstone in Elkhart, Indiana there is a photo of him with a note to his daughter:

“To my daughter with all my love, Irvin”

Please take a moment to remember him

Merry Christmas, I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday today.
Cheers

Here is part 2 of the soldier behind the helmet. Part 1 can be visited at the bottom of the page, about the liner of SSGT Bratz.

Buster Reese enlisted in the Army out of Texas in 1939, subsequently joining E company, 23rd Infantry of the 2nd Division stationed in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Rising to the rank of sergeant by the spring of 1944, Sgt Reese and the 2nd Division were making their final preparations to land in Normandy. However shortly before the invasion where the division was under strict lockdown orders under guard to make sure the secret of their mission didn’t get out, Sgt Reese along with some friends decided they had enough of being confined to their camp. They snuck out of camp to go to a nearby pub to have some fun and some drinks. As much as things change, soldiers seem to always be the same… Sgt Reese and his buddies didn’t last too long as MPs quickly caught them and they were all busted down to private. A little more than a week later the division landed on Omaha Beach and began their treacherous fight across Normandy. The now private Reese would take part in many of the early battles fought by the 23rd in the Normandy countryside including St. George’s d’Elle and Cerisy-la-Forêt. On July 3, 1944 in the area of Cerisy Forest, Pvt Reese was transferred out of the division. Possibly for his incident he had in England, ironically enough he was transferred to a MP unit. This will be the end of Pvt Reese’s story in the 2nd Division.

This helmet was found in the same area where Pvt. Reese was released from the division. The helmet exhibits the typical shield of the division that was painted in England before the invasion with the typical light blue border. Sadly at some point in its life it was slightly defected with white paint over the indianhead. It’s unknown why but it appears to be done a long time ago.

While not the most aesthetically pleasing helmet, it’s a true survivor identified to a Normandy veteran and we are very pleased to have had the chance to add it to the collection.
Enjoy !

Today we are dedicating this post to Roy F Wheeler.

While at first glance this may seem like a dirty and dented canteen. This seemingly small item holds within itself, a somber history of a soldier who made the greatest sacrifice in a land far away from his home.

Born in 1925 in Kentucky, Roy Wheeler joined the Army on August 5, 1943. After completing all necessary training, he became one of the many replacement riflemen needed after the allied landings in Normandy on June 6, 1944. He joined the 116th infantry on June 13, 1944, which was in dire need of reinforcements after the mass amount of casualties they took on D-Day. Originally becoming a member of G company he will see intense hedgerow combat with them for 2 weeks before being transferred to F company on the 28th of June. On this day the 116th infantry was positioned to the southeast of Bois de Bretal and just west of the Couvains highway. 3 short days later, on July 1, 1944, Pvt Wheelers life was cut short by a German Artillery shell. The sad story this canteen holds is all to common for many soldiers who’s lives were cut short during the Normandy campaign. Replacement turnover was rapid, as many replacements were inadequately trained compared to their predecessors who trained for years in preparation of the invasion of Normandy, while many replacements were trained for a couple short months before being rushed directly to the frontlines.

Please take a moment to remember the sacrifice made by Pvt. Wheeler so long ago.

Mortain counter attack, part 1

Clarence C “Bud” Hale wad born May 30, 1920 in the city of Elizabethton, Tennessee. Growing up in Elizabethton he became a legend on the football field, playing linebacker as well as running back. He was a key player in the 1938 season helping his team, the cyclones win the state championship. When not playing football he enjoyed “chewing to***co, eating and just plain lying around” (who doesn’t ). In 1938 during the midst of the Great Depression, Bud Hale joined Elizabethton’s own Company A of the 117th infantry regiment 30th Division (Old Hickory). As a PFC with company A, Hale was selected to be the orderly to Col. Bond (117th infantry, commanding officer at the time) during one drill weekend. Col. Bond spoke very highly of PFC Hale, remarking he was a good looking soldier and one of the finest men he has ever met. On September 16, 1940 company A was no longer a national guard unit as it would be inducted into federal service. A week later they would become part of the 30th infantry division at Fort Jackson, SC. After various training courses that took place at Fort Jackson, 2 years later the 117th would arrive at Fort Benning, Georgia for more in-depth infantry training. By this point Bud Hale had been promoted to the rank of sergeant. After many months of strenuous training, the 30th ID under the command of General Hobbs, shipped overseas, landing in England on February 22, 1944 in preparation for the invasion of Normandy. After their final months of combat training, the 117th infantry landed on Omaha Beach, D+5 (June 11, 1944). Once in Normandy, the division would play a crucial role in seizing the strategic city of Saint-Lô. The opening Assault for XIX corps drive toward the city was launched by the 30th Division on July 7, 1944. Their mission was to cross the Vire River.
After many more brutal days of combat in the hedgerow country surrounding Saint-Lô, the city was captured on July, 18th. The 30th division played a crucial role in its capture and paid for it dearly. Facing determined enemy resistance, Mother Nature and quite a few Panzers in the mix of it all. Hedgerow combat demanded tactical skill which units who had seen combat prior to Normandy, or “green” units such as the 30th did not initially possess when they landed in Normandy over a month prior. On August 6, the 30th Division took over positions from the veteran 1st Division around the city of Mortain. In the early morning hours of the 7th the German army launched a major counterattack in attempt to retake Avranches, where Normandy meets Brittany, with the plan to cut the center of the American lines in half and cut off supply roads as well. 1st Sgt Hale’s company A was positioned in the village of St. Barthélémy, which is situated just north of Mortain. In the early morning of the 7th, the 1st SS Panzer division attacked St. Barthélémy from the south and the east. While the 2nd Panzer division attacked from the north. Early morning fog hampered the vision of the attacking tanks until they were practically on top of the village as well as the companies of 1/117. LT. Col. Franklander the regimental commander is quoted to have radioed companies A and C in the village to let the tanks pass through as they had no means of anti-tank weapons and to stand the ground against the attacking infantry. 1st Sgt Hales company A, almost completely surrounded and overwhelmed, fought tenaciously against the attacking panzer armies. 1st Sgt Hale himself was awarded for valor during the brave stand of company A.

“Sergeant Hale heroically remained at his post in charge of his headquarters group despite an overwhelming enemy attack. He remained with his men firing every weapon at hand, until his position was completely overrun and he was taken captive. Sergeant Hale’s outstanding courage was a source of inspiration to all who observed him.”

First Sergeant Hale would be captured along with many more men of company A. By the time the battle was over company A walked out with only 27 men and officers who were not killed, wounded or captured. 1st Sgt Hale would be liberated from the German prison camp by the advancing Russian armies on March 13, 1945 after more than 7 months in captivity.

Special thanks goes out to the Carter County historical society.

General Eddy’s 9th infantry division, combat veterans of the North Africa and Sicily campaigns landed in France on June 10, 1944. After landing on Utah Beach, cutting off the Cotentin peninsula and capturing the port city of Cherbourg, they were called in to the Saint Lô area. On July 9th, the 9th ID was headed towards St. Lô to be positioned on the right flank of the 30th infantry division. At 1600 (4pm) on July 9th, 3rd battalion of the 120th infantry regiment was relieved by 2nd battalion 39th infantry in the area around Le Dezert. Later in the evening elements of the 3rd armored division as well as the 113th cavalry were attached to the 9th ID. By the next morning the 9th ID was situated in their new position and was ready to launch an attack west and southwest through the 113th cavalry’s positions. The 60th infantry regiment ( IR) was aided by the 113th cavalry in clearing out a German salient running north through the village of Graignes. The 47th IR had a tough day as it encountered fierce resistance all day but eventually made it to the outskirts of Bois du Hommet. The 39th IR has the roughest going that day only making it to Le Dezert by nightfall. The 39th IR’s failure to capture as much ground as it’s sister regiments had accidentally led to a 1000 yard gap between the 39th and 47th regimental positions by nightfall. This incident also ultimately led to the 30th division’s right flank to be dangerously exposed, as XIX corps command became aware that the elite German “Panzer Lehr” division, was now in the area….

On the morning of July 11, the right flank of the XIX corps area was threatened by a very serious armored attack carried out by the Panzer Lehr division. The initial success of this counter attack had a lot to do with the gap that had been formed between the 39th and 47th IR’s positions the previous day. Utilizing the gap between regiments, Panzer columns initially captured the command post of 3/47 and drove 1/39 almost half a mile back to the Le Dezert highway. Though communications between the regiments of the 9th ID were down, the units quickly took the effective steps necessary to try and slow down the counterattack, which in some areas had advanced well over a mile behind American lines. After a long day of very intense fighting the 39th and 47th infantry regiments with assistance from tank destroyers, artillery and fighter bombers had managed to put a stop to this vicious tank led counter attack. By 2100 (9pm) the regiments had fought back the last of the resistance and began to dig in for the night in preparation for the next days attack…

Shown here are some articles from the collection that have a very good chance of being present in the actions described above.
-The helmets bear the insignia “AAAO” which is unique to the 39th infantry regiment.
-Dog tags from a GI of 1/47
-Canteen set from a troop of the 113th cavalry

On February 2, 1941 John A Millan Jr of Norfolk, VA enlisted in the US Army. After various stateside training camps and other duties, he was shipped over to Europe in the summer of 1944 where he ultimately joined company M 175th infantry regiment, 29th Division on August 3, 1944. He would join the division just in time for their assault on the “Fortress of Brest”. He was promoted to corporal on the 29th of August and was subsequently wounded in action just a few days later on September 1st. On that date 1st and 2nd battalions of the 175th infantry was in the midst of its attack on Hill 103 while 3rd battalion was positioned just east of Kersquivit, where it was be fighting against units of FJr2 as well as “regular” German infantry. Cpl Millan would rejoin his unit (M/175) almost 3 weeks later on September 19th, the same day General Ramke surrendered the city of Brest…

Albert J Allison was born in 1919 in Blair County, Pennsylvania. He was commissioned as an officer in the US Army in 1941 and joined the 15th field artillery battalion of the 2nd Division shortly thereafter. Much like SSGT Bratz in our previous post, he trained with the unit through various training camps in the US before shipping to Ireland in the fall of 1943 to start their training for the invasion of Normandy. He would land on Omaha Beach on D+1 (June 7, 1944) as the executive officer of Battery C 15th Field Artillery Battalion. He was meritoriously awarded a Bronze Star for actions in Normandy (GO 73, D) on July 24, 1944. While overseeing the operation of C Battery, through France, Belgium, Germany and eventually Czechoslovakia he will be wounded in action two times. He received the Purple Heart twice thus making him eligible to add the Oak Leave Cluster to his medal. He survived the war and returned to to Pennsylvania where he lived until he passed away in 1985.

SSGT Charles L Bratz enlisted out of Texas in 1940, and subsequently joined the 15th field artillery battalion, 2nd Infantry Division stationed at Fort Sam Houston. After moving around many bases stateside, he sailed over with the rest of the division to Ireland in preparation for the Normandy invasion in October, 1943. SSGT Bratz and the rest of the 2nd Division landed at Omaha beach on DDAY+1 (June 7). As part of the 9th regimental combat team, which the 15th FAB was attached to, SSGT Bratz was the “eyes and ears” on the ground as he served as a forward observer for battery B. He served in the bloody hedgerow fighting with distinction, earning a Bronze Star for gallantry in action in July 1944 (G.O. 81, D). He was wounded in action shortly after, in Normandy. (He most likely lost his helmet as a result of this, it was recovered in Normandy) He rejoined his unit sometime later (unsure of when at the moment) and finished the war with them. After serving in some of the most ferocious combat in the ETO, starting in France then Belgium, Germany and finally Czechoslovakia, he returned home to Texas and opened up his own barber shop, he sadly passed away in 2004.

Normandy ‘44 Military Antiques updated their business hours.