The FReeper Foxhole Remembers the 57th. Bomb Wing & Operation Bingo (11-1944/4-1945)-Dec. 31st, 2003

http://members.tripod.com/jkoppie/brenner.htm ^ | Frank B. Dean

[gatorbait]

We equiped everyone, the Soviets entered Berlin wearing American boots, driving American trucks

Studebakers in the main,though IHC and Dodge were well represented.Their more modern ZIL trucks look a hell of a lot like Studebakers , even now. You know,the Russians got almost 100% of the M 4 A 2(76mm) production. These were the tanks that took Vienna and apparently,their crews were pretty fond of them.

[U S Army EOD]

I think I have read it four times. I can identify every character in the book with someone I knew in the service. I have had several real life experiences like in the book. My favorite was when we were administring first aid to some wounded South Vietnamese, one of them bled all over my 1st Sgt so he took his clothes off. When we got to base, some COL started chewing on me because of Crockett's appearence. I explained to the COL, Crockett didn't want to wear his uniform because someone bled all over him. The COL becamed confused because I was plainly trying not to burst out laughing while I was trying to explain. He finally left us alone because he figured me and Crockett were nuts.

I also had a friend named Vince Sibel who had been in the Italian campaign during WWII in EOD. He said he didn't know Joseph Heller personally but know all about his unit on Corsica. He said they were a strange crowd and Hellar probably didn't have to make any of the book up.

[GailA]

Wishing each and everyone here at FR a Happy and Blessed New Year

[snippy_about_it]

Thank you Sam.

[Professional Engineer]

As much as I enjoyed the book, I liked the movie too. Bob Newhart did a great job with Major Major.

[SAMWolf]

I have a picture of a Russian" Sherman in Vienna somewhere.

They hated the Grant's though:

M3 Lee\Grant Tanks - When the United States rearmed in 1940 they saw France overrun by the German panzers and felt they had to build a tank with thick armor and a powerful gun. The tank designers ran into an unforeseen problem, there were not currently any U.S. foundries capable of manufacturing large castings of turrets and hulls in large quantities. So the tank had to be improvised, having a 75mm gun mounted to one side of the body, and a small turret with a 37mm gun. The armor was riveted together due to the casting problem. Unfortunately it was found out if the tank hull was struck by a shell, even if it did not penetrate the armor, it would result in rivets popping off into the interior of the tank. This caused high crew casualties. Additionally the Grant was rather tall and thus an easy German target. The Soviets used it anyway, despite the depressing nickname "a grave for seven brothers". The U.S. eventually solved the casting problem and decided to produce a more improved tank known as the M4 Sherman.

[SAMWolf]

I liked Milo Mindbender and Major Major Major. :-)

[SAMWolf]

Thanks, Wishing a Happy New Year to you too, GailA.

[gatorbait]

I have a picture of a Russian" Sherman in Vienna somewhere. They hated the Grant's though:

Sam, you're right there, The Brits ,on the other hand, calledthe Grant Egypt's last hope. They used them VERY effectively in Burma, too. There's a slim volume out there ,written by a Russian tanker about his time in Shermans..I'll freepmail you with the title after my oldtimer's disease flicks off.

[colorado tanker]

Largely unsung and unnoticed, the American soldier does the hard, dirty work of keeping freedom alive

Maybe unsung and unnoticed by you media liberals, but not by us.

Hi Sam and Snippy. Company's gone. The end of year work rush is almost done. I'm ready to put my feet up, sip champagne, watch the ball drop in Times Square and watch a whole lotta futbawl!

Happy New Year to all in the Foxhole. May our magnificent fighting men and women be even more victorious in 2004 than they were in 2003 in keeping us safe at home and destroying our enemies and their bases overseas. God bless them and keep them safe.

[Victoria Delsoul]

[snippy_about_it]

Happy New Year to you too Gail.

[snippy_about_it]

It's so good to see you again tanker. We missed you.

[SAMWolf]

Afternoon Victoria. Ready to party tonight?

[SAMWolf]

Afternoon CT. Welcome back, we missed you.

Maybe unsung and unnoticed by you media liberals, but not by us.

Worth repeating.

[colorado tanker]

Thanks for the comments, Sam and Snippy; I appreciate it.

And thanks again for all you do to make sure our fighting men and women are NOT "unsung and unnoticed"!

[baltodog]

It's waited since Thanksgiving!!!!
This is the first opportunity I've had to do the front yard in ages.
Still got the back to do, and also have to till ove the garden.
In addition to that.....

[snippy_about_it]

LOL. You better get busy then.

[snippy_about_it]

Good evening Victoria.

[snippy_about_it]

Your welcome and Happy New Year. Be safe if you are out tonight.