This book contains over 400 pages detailing the history of the 1st Armored Division, the division Armand was a part of during World War II.
I am a bit overwhelmed when I think that Armand lived the events contained in these pages. This book meant a lot to him. He took the time to underline sentences and paragraphs that detailed marching into new territory, battles he had fought in, and the local color of the regions he traversed. "Old Ironsides" The Battle History of the 1st Armored Division, states in it's opening chapter; "During the second World War, The United States Army prepared 90 divisions for combat, activated 2 others, and committed 88 divisions to battle. Of the 92, 16 were armored divisions. This history is an account of the life of the first of them, described once as 'Old Ironsides, the first of the mighty Armored Force, the pioneer in the art and science of armor, the father of other divisions, the first armored division overseas, the first to land on African soil, the first to engage German troops in World War II, the instructor of others entering combat, the first into Rome, and the first of the armored divisions in days of actual field service during World War II' ". Below is a photograph of the book's cover, and underneath that, one of the many photographs that appear in the book. On the left hand side you'll see a soldier in the foreground standing apart from the rest, looking back at the T2 Tank Retriever. Bob is convinced this is Armand. Armand also thought it was very likely him. He was an armored engineer, and the 16 Armored Engineer Battalion was his battalion. Plus, look at that jawline. Personally, I think Bob's right. It's likely that it is Armand. Though even if it isn't, what we do know is that he was there, fighting with the men of Old Ironsides to put an end to WW II. Click on "comments" above to add your thoughts and/or memories.
3 Comments
John Santomasso
5/17/2016 10:01:54 am
It's funny you should post that picture, my Dad said he believed that that was him on the left foreground at half profile. Sure looks like him. I'm not sure why the old man wasn't exactly sure.
Reply
Bob Santomasso
5/17/2016 11:24:55 am
Due to the size of his combat engineers battalion it is very likely him. (correct, look at the jaw line) He talked about the various responsibilities of his unit such as mine detection and removal, forward reconnoitering of enemy positions, reporting artillery placements,and troop movements. Also, as a prime directive they provided innovative ways of building bridges, bridging bomb craters, streams, rivers, or any potential obstacles in the way as shown in this photograph. The purpose was to ensure forward motion of men, materials,ordinance, and machines to the battle lines.( Note:Hugo was also a combat engineer.) Also, the first descriptor is "combat". Our Father always mentioned that their units NEVER traveled south in theater, The way Armand described his "travels"was they were always going... "north, north north east, north north west". They were continually moving towards the enemy and often under fire, as he recalled, never to the rear lines. When his luck eventually ran out, after all of those campaigns, they were setting up a machine gun emplacement, it was the light of the moon coming out of a cloud bank,which gave the German mortar crew perfect visibility, exposing their position at the crest of a hill, that almost claimed his life. Three cheers for Armand, Hugo, and Edmund! They contributed to the freedoms we enjoy today.
Reply
John Santomasso
5/17/2016 01:54:08 pm
Boy, Bob, that's a pretty comprehensive cover. You must have gotten the old man just right, I never could get him to tell me as much as you got out of him. Good going.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorThanks everyone for your continued support and participation! Archives
May 2016
Categories |