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To: x1stcav

Re: "You left out "A Walk in the Sun" about the 36th Texas Infantry in Italy in WWII."

You need to check out the WW2 thread at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1145144/posts

BTW, other films that were about the 36th 'Texas' Infantry Division are:

Force of Arms (1951) was all about the T-Patchers. http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0043553/

Go for Broke! (1951) Van Johnson & the story of Japanese-American soldiers who fought in Europe during World War II and were attached to the 36th. http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0043590/

In Story of G.I. Joe (1945) most of the plot came from Ernie Pyle's columns about the 36th, including "The Death of Captain Waskow" that may be read at http://www.pbs.org/weta/reportingamericaatwar/reporters/pyle/waskow.html

And of course: The Battle of San Pietro (1945) John Huston's story of the 36th 'Texas' Infantry Division in the fight for a small Italian village. By far the best World War Two documentry ever made. http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0036630/ John Huston filmed several T-Patchers talking about what they would do after the war. After the battle, he filmed those killed being put into mattress covers (WW2 bodie bags). He edited the audio of their hopes over the pictures of their dead bodies. Powerful stuff. Too hot for the Pentagon of the time and they classified the film for some 40 years.

I guess you notice my sonofatpatcher2 ID. My late father was in the 36th when it was federalized in 1940 and returned there after service in the 1st Special Service Force in late 1944.

For films about the 1SSF there is the excellent The Devil's Brigade (1968) at http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0062886/ and at http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/1st%20Special%20Service%20Force
The Force CO, Col. Robert T. Frederick, later became the Commanding General of the 36th.

And the so-so Anzio (1968) at http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0062673/ At least in Anzio they got it right in a 1SSF non-com running a mobile house of ill repute in an ambulance and shipping it on an invasion LST from Naples to Anzio.

Lastly, the 1SSF was one of the few untis to wear campaign ribbons for both the European and Asian Theaters. From the Kiska Task Force to Italy to Southern France the Baggy Pants Devils took no name and kicked a lot of Axis hinnies. The flag of the 1SSF had a place for a motto, but it has been left blank. The closest they came to one, is has been said, was "Aw, screw them krauts!"

My old man had a more colorful version...


50 posted on 05/31/2004 2:34:31 PM PDT by sonofatpatcher2 (Love & a .45-- What more could you want, campers? };^)
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To: All

BTW The Devil's Brigade is now showing on Turner Classic Movies...


51 posted on 05/31/2004 3:08:57 PM PDT by sonofatpatcher2 (Love & a .45-- What more could you want, campers? };^)
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