Digs at the front

[connie]

Hi,

This began as "on line digs" but that sounded like living on a web site...

I guess the digs in England, France, and waiting to hit the front could be a separate thread here... as well as those after the 16th. I'll focus this thread on the daytime digs, sleeping conditions, and kitchen set up for the various units: the division field artillery, infantry, service batteries attached to each unit, engineers, regimental and battalion headquarters, (and I'm also wondering where the division band was?)

One of the things I know was that Service Battery for the 590th FA BN was in four homes at various levels on the hillside in Heuem. Their makeshift kitchen and ammo dump were on the hilltop there. I know, too, that in the early days in place, officers in the service battery were involved in negotiating the purchase from local farmers of a heck of a lot of straw for bedding. Did any of you sleep in that straw? Did it line your fox holes or your bunkers?

One veteran in the infantry spoke of engineered bunkers that had been inherited from the 2nd division. Can you describe these?

Connie

PS. For More info check out the notes under "trenching":
106thdivision.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=duties&action=display&thread=172

[floydragsdale]

Hi Connie: It's me, Floyd again.

The bunkers were made out of sand-bags, dirt & some logs; half below ground and half above. they had crude bunks in them (would accomodate maybe six men). They were warmer than the outside temperature. If four or more men were inside they would be fairly comfortabe. I recall that a German 88 shell hit the top of one, yet it didn't explode; it was a dud. Several of our men dug it out and dumped it down a gulley. We only had those bunkers from 12/12 to about 12/18. We had to with-draw from our positions to keep from being surrounded. While doing so, five of us became seperated from our Company and walked all night trying to find them. It was a scarey night, plenty of screaming memies (rockets) and the forest was full of German soldiers.

Floyd

[dianekrollewis]

I'm not really certain of any answers. My dad was with the 422nd, 106th. From his last letters
they arrived at the front 12/11/44. He was KIA within the week. Before that date,
his letters read that (HQ-I&R) was at one time billeted in a castle for a short time. He said
the scenery reminded of the Susquehanna River Valley in Pennsylvania. Specifics were not
really allowed back then in letters to home. At the front ...foxholes...and old farm houses.

[connie]

Diane,

Somehow I missed seeing this reply...

Your story has tugged at my heart since I first heard it. Your Dad was one of those people the world should not have lost...

As I continue to read stories I will watch for hints to flesh out the account of where 422 HQ I & R was. It sounds like the castle location you described was during the division's time in England. (Do you have the date of those letters?)

It has taken me some time but I now have a little bit better picture of some of the relative locations at the front. Of course the 422 was near the northern edge of the division's Schnee Eifel positions. Carl has located some of the buildings occupied by our troops. If you want to know, perhaps he can help you find the location...

Missing your presence. I know that one member of the 106th said once something to the effect that we stick together and help each other out whether we are living or not. I believe that...

Connie