The Blue Devils in Italy

A History of the 88th Infantry Division in World War II

T/Sgt. John P. Delaney

• Publisher: Arcole Publishing
• Year: 2017
• eBook ISBN: 9781787205758
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: European History
• Index: History

The 88th Division played a major role in the battle of Italy, where it was rated by the Germans after the summer of 1944 as the best American division in Italy. Because of the outstanding job it did in Italy, the 88th contributed its share to the winning of the war. It was the first of the draft infantry divisions to enter combat on any front in World War II and it was among the top divisions in the American Army. It won its share of territory and honors during its 344 days of combat. It paid dearly for all that it won—it lost 15, 173 officers and men killed, wounded and missing in action. Only thirteen other divisions in the U.S. Army suffered heavier losses.The 88th fought its battles on what was called "a forgotten front." Some day history will appraise the true worth of the Italian campaign in the overall war picture. Military historians will analyze and sift and publish detailed volumes on the operational contribution of the 88th in the battle for Italy.This book is not a history, in the true sense of the word. It is not intended to be such.It is rather the story of a combat division from its beginning to its end. It is a story compiled both from official journals and from the personal experiences of the citizen-soldiers who made up its squads and platoons. It is a story which never can be told in every complete detail. For every one of the incidents related here, a reader can remember scores that are not found in these pages. There are not enough words, or paper, to list them all. The incidents related are considered to be representative of the experiences of the majority of 88th men.

MEDAL OF HONOR

Captain Robert E. Roeder, 01285307, Infantry, Army of the United States. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 27 and 28 September 1944 on Mt. Battaglia, Italy. Captain Roeder commanded his company in defense of the strategic Mt. Battaglia. Shortly after the company had occupied the hill, the Germans launched the first of a series of determined counterattacks to regain this dominating height. Completely exposed to ceaseless enemy artillery and small-arms fire, Captain Roeder constantly circulated among his men, encouraging them and directing their defense against the persistent enemy. During the sixth counterattack, the enemy using flame throwers and taking advantage of the fog, succeeded in overrunning the position. Captain Roeder led his men in a fierce battle at close quarters to repulse the attack with heavy losses to the Germans. The following morning, while the company was engaged in repulsing an enemy counterattack in force, Captain Roeder was seriously wounded and rendered unconscious by shell fragments. He was carried to the company command post where he regained consciousness. Refusing medical treatment, he insisted on rejoining his men. Although in a weakened condition, Captain Roeder dragged himself to the door of the command post and, picking up a rifle, braced himself in a sitting position. He began firing his weapon, shouted words of encouragement, and issued orders to his men. He personally killed two Germans before he was killed instantly by an exploding shell. Through Captain Roeder’s able and intrepid leadership his men held Mt. Battaglia against the aggressive and fanatical enemy attempts to retake this important and strategic height. His valorous performance is exemplary of the fighting spirit of the Army of the United States. (General Orders No. 31, War Department, 17 April 1945)

Second Lieutenant Charles W. Shea, 01540616 (then technical sergeant), Company F, 350th Infantry Regiment, United States Army. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 12 May 1944 near Mount Damiano, Italy. As Sergeant Shea and his company were advancing toward a hill occupied by the enemy, three enemy machine guns suddenly opened fire inflicting heavy casualties upon the company and halting its adv...

Table of contents

• Title page
• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• DEDICATION
• FOREWORD
• INTRODUCTION
• ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
• WHY I FIGHT!
• THE INFANTRY DIVISION
• THE UNITS
• CAMPAIGNS
• ROUTE OF THE BLUE DEVILS IN ITALY
• END OF A LONG ROAD
• ACTIVATION
• TRAINING
• THE QUIET WAR
• THE FIRST TEST
• THE JUMP-OFF
• THE ROAD TO ROME
• ROME
• DUST AND MINES
• TO THE ARNO
• THE GOTHIC LINE
• THROUGH THE GOTHIC LINE
• THE WINNER LINE
• THE PO VALLEY
• INTO THE PO VALLEY
• THE POW COMMAND
• OCCUPATION
• BATTLE CASUALTIES
• DECORATIONS AND AWARDS
• MEDAL OF HONOR
• BATTLE HONORS
• OUTLINE OF POW COMMAND ACTIVITIES
• REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER