Description
Object description
American NCO served as clerk in G-5 refugee section with 1st US Army in GB, France, Belgium and Germany, 1943-1945 and 15th US Army in Germany, 1945.
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of period in US, 1924-1943: family background in Cleveland, Ohio; reaction to outbreak of Second World War; story of volunteering for US Army, 18/May/1943; description of basic training at Camp Perry and Camp Wheeler; attitude to military service; reaction to Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, 7/Dec/1941 and expectation of early end to war; opinion of living conditions in barracks; description of voyage aboard Queen Elizabeth to GB, 11/1943; attitude to segregation of black troops; opinion of compensation paid by US government to Japanese interned during war; attitude to overseas service. Aspects of period with US First Army in GB, 11/1943-6/1944: description of arrival at Firth of Clyde, Scotland and journey to Birmingham; first impressions of GB; story of being offered coffee by family.
REEL 2 Continues: opinion of character of British people; posted to G5 refugee section in Bristol; description of billets and office at Clifton Down Boys' School; duties as messenger and clerk; daily life in Bristol; personal relationships; story of posting to US 79th Div being cancelled prior to Normandy landings, 6/1944; relations with British troops; pay; description of preparations for D-Day in Bristol area; story of voyage to France and landing on Omaha beach, Normandy, 20/Jun/1944. Aspects of operations with G-5 Section, US 1st Army in France and Belgium, 6/1944-5/1945: reaction to seeing large number of graves; description of refugee camp at Chateau Fontenez-sur-Mer; role in operations during Battle of Saint-Lo, 7/1944.
REEL 3 Continues: further comments on Battle of Saint-Lo; story about death of Gen. Walker in friendly fire incident; reaction to first experience of battle conditions and casualties; moved to open camp in grounds of Palace of Versailles; various memories of Paris; description of journey to Dinant, Belgium; barter system with local civilians; story of children begging; description of journey to Verviers, Belgium; story about friendship with two sisters; benefits from post-war GI Bill; nature of clerical duties with refugee section; description of journey to Spa, Belgium, 12/1944; description of damage and casualties; story of being detained for a month on arrival at Tongres, Belgium.
REEL 4 Continues: Aspects of operations with G-5 Section, US 15th Army in Germany, 5-11/1945: story about German pilot surrendering to GIs after air attack; description of damage in Aachen and Cologne; attitude to racial discrimination against black troops; moved to Wiesbaden after end of war; description of work with refugees and displaced persons; attitude to policy of non-fraternisation; story about German worker found to be SS member; opinion of living conditions and social life in Wiesbaden; story of visiting friend in Munich; description of train journey to Marseilles, France and voyage back to US, 11/1945. Aspects of post-war life in US: problem of finding accommodation; financial situation; story of receiving financial help from government to attend college.
REEL 5 Continues: reflections on period of wartime service and effect on work counselling children; reason for anti-war stance; story about son Mike registering as a conscientious objector during Vietnam War; opinion of Imperial War Museum and British people during Second World War.