By Pvt Cody McCullough Strictly G.I. 44-45 Correspondent

April 15th, 1945- After intensive training in Magenta, Algeria in late December 1943 and completing the Rome-Arno and North Apennines campaigns that spanned 1944 our unit, the 349th Reg. of the 88th I.D., now began the offensive push through the solid German fortifications in the serene yet sinister Po Valley of Northern Italy.

PUSH THROUGH THE PO VALLEY WITH THE 88thBLUE DEVILS

Upon arriving at the front the evening before the big push special orders were given out concerning changes to 1st Squad of A Co. by command of Col LeStourgeon:

Cpl ODwyer promoted to S/Sgt and re-assigned to A Co. as Squad Leader

Cpl Harris as Assistant Squad Leader of A Co., relieving Cpl Murphy

Cpl Juan Costinez of New Mexico fresh from the Repple Depple assigned to A Co.

Ammunition [40 rounds per man], dinner K-rats and D-bars were handed out to us and packs/bedding rolls were tagged so as to be brought up to us the following evening while on the line. As night fell the luxury of hot chow and beer were enjoyed while war stories were swapped but with the arrival of morning we all knew that more stories of war would be made...

At 0700 hours I awoke from my spacious pup tent to hear the patter of rain on canvas...as well as the sound of snoring emanating from my tent-mate, Cpl Murphy of Boston. At 900 hours, after a light, nervous breakfast we all donned our web gear and loaded weapons to form up with the remaining squads of 1st Platoon and, as the US Army does best, proceeded tohurry and wait in formation as attack plans were double checked.

HURRY UP AND WAIT,

THE G.I. WAY!

THE PLAN OF ATTACK

After an hour we finally began the push into the foreboding valley, 1st Squad being the last to move out.

After crossing an open field and forming a skirmish line in a patch of woods, we observed the next open field to hear machine gun and rifle fire from 2nd Squad who made contact with the enemy in the woods beyond.

THE ADVANCE BEGINS INTO PO VALLEY

PVT SHORT OF WISCONSIN AND CPL

HARRIS OF PENNSYLVANIA OBSERVE

FROM THE SKIRMISH LINE.

We repelled the enemy who flanked us on the left and headed for that part of the woods as Pvt Alexandre and I laid down covering fire with the BAR.

After reloading we dashed into the woods where the sound of gunfire was deafening until we successfully pushed Jerry back further. Squad leader S/Sgt ODwyer had our scouts, Pvt Maddison and Pvt Moore, cautiously probe a road that skirted the woods as the rest of our squad were in position to provide cover. With the eventual all clear we advanced to a bend in the road where we took cover amongst construction equipment as we spotted Jerry in a patch of woods beyond. In the ensuing firefight Pvt Maddison was wounded as we were forced to retreat and group up with the other squads of A Co. We soon embarked within hilly, wooded terrain where heavy resistance was met. Assistant squad leader Cpl Harris had the BAR team move into position to provide covering fire. Mag Change!! shouted Pvt Alexandre and as I reached to give him a full mag an enemy bullet punched through his shoulder and down my buddy went. I snatched up the burly BAR and fired from the hip in the direction from which the round came.

Finally, around 1300 hours we were able to very cautiously advance to a position near a lake to recoup and eat. Not soon after, replacement Cpl Juan Costinez of New Mexico pulled up in a jeep repeatedly yelling, Arriba Arriba!, as he dished out additional ammo.

PVT ALEXANDRE OF NEW ORLEANS AND PVT

MCCULLOUGH OF CHICAGO PROVIDE A BASE

OF FIRE AS THE AUTOMATIC RIFLE TEAM.

DUG IN AND READY TO HOLD THE LINE!

All of a sudden Cpl Murphy shouted, Wuah!, and the sound of enemy rifle fire directly from behind us was heard as we were mowed down by a squad of ambushing Germans! Alas, this ambush was just a dream that I had while taking a nap. About 1500 hours, after re-filling our bellies as well as our weapons, we moved further into the Valley with little resistance to where we would eventually dig in for the night. I and Pvt Alexandre, who made it back from the aid station hours before, dug our foxhole in a position that gave us clear sighting of the road and outlying woods.

WITH THE ARRIVAL OF EXTRA AMMO THANKS

TO CPL JUAN COSTINEZ OF NEW MEXICO WE

TAKE A MOMENTARY BREAK FROM THE

FIGHTING.

WUAH!

An OP was set up in these woods and a communication line was laid out to the CP. At about 1700 hours I and Pvt Lake of Kentucky were in the OP when I spotted with my binoculars two Fallschirmjgers in a ravine 300 yards away making an advance toward our location. We attempted to phone the CP but the line was disconnected; we were alone. To conceal the location of the OP we dispersed and Pvt Lake, creeping closer to the enemy, engaged. With my captured K98 I took out one German and as I was reloading I witnessed Pvt Lake take a hit in the leg. At the sounds of rifle-fire the rest of 1st Squad appeared and the enemy fled allowing us to return to our dug-in positions.

To our misfortune, we were to have a hot homemade stew brought up the line for supper but received word that the field kitchen, along with the chef, was blown sky high. But Cpl Murphy, Pvt Alexandre and Pvt Taylor were able to scrounge up wieners and vino from the locals. We received additional news at dusk that the rest of our K-rats and ammo was dropped somewhere in the vicinity so a patrol consisting of Cpl Harris, me, Pvt Lake and Pvt Alexandre was eagerly sent out to retrieve it which we successfully did. To further rub salt into our wounds our bedding packs did not catch up with us until late into the evening.

FINE DINING IN ITALY

MAIL CALL!!

Our spirits were significantly lifted when he hear the words, Mail Call! We all whooped for joy as letters from loved ones back home were dispensed amongst us. My wife, Cassie, wrote about how much she missed me and how she hopes for an end to the war soon. She also included photos of me back when I was with the Chicago Bears, what a sight for sore eyes!

At 2100 hours a recon patrol consisting of Pfc Bond, me, Pvt Lake, Pvt Short and Pvt Sainter was sent out tasked with locating a suitable river crossing for tomorrow mornings planned attack at a strategic bridge across the Po River. Under a clear night sky we silently crept through the woods, crossed the river as well as a marsh when we saw the brilliant glow of a campfire atop a small hill about 400 yards to our left. About 100 yards out we hit the dirt when we heard machine gun fire in the distance and release of a flare which illuminated the entire wooded area. With the all clear Pvt Lake and I alone stealthily inched toward the enemy fire until we were 20 yards away and could make out the silhouettes of six Germans. At the count of three we jumped out from behind a large tree yelling, Hnde hoch, schnell! literally catching them with their pants down; one frightened Jerry was drying out his long-johns.

After gathering some intel we followed the sound of gunfire until we happened across the bridge and caught two more unsuspecting Jerries. With our objective completed we made our way back to our lines and were being fired upon from a distance but did not engage as we did not see any muzzle flashes. We returned at 2330 hours to get some much needed sleep before our respective stints in the OP; at 0300 hours me and Pvt Alexandre were awakened from our foxhole for our 1-hour shift and at that moment it decided to rain throughout the early morning. After a bit more shut-eye all squad members awoke for a luxurious K-rat breakfast of chili chicken.

WITH THE DESTRUCTION OF AN MG42 NEST,

MEMBERS OF THE 349TH KROUT KILLERS

REGIMENT PREPARE TO PUSH ON.

At 0945 we, along with the other squads, geared up for the final assault toward the bridge. Following the route we patrolled the night before we advanced but under extreme heavy fire; an MG42 nest pinned us down and the sound was deafening. It seemed as if Pvt Alexandre needed a BAR mag change every 30 seconds but we managed to lay down a solid base of fire and the menacing nest was eradicated.

K-RATS WERE DISHED OUT THE MORNING OF

THE FINAL ATTACK TO THE BRIDGE SPANNING

THE PO RIVER.

In order to maintain the push toward the bridge no time was wasted to advance. We fought through an orchard driving the enemy back but unfortunately were running low on ammo and with no resupply we were forced to hold back from the ensuing action. After fierce and gallant fighting our squad was relieved and just over a week later on April 24th 1945 the Po River was crossed by men of the 88th pushing the Germans into the Alps and closer to defeat. Two weeks later Germany surrendered, bringing the war in Europe to a long-awaited close.

FIGHTING BLUE DEVILS