On This Day...November 8th.
On 8th November 1942 the first U.S. troops lnded in French North Africa with the invasion of Morocco and Algeria. It was hoped (rightly) that the French officers (who had reached an ‘accommodation’ with the Nazis) would baulk at fighting the Americans and switch allegiances. Have a look at how young that kid looks in the centre of photo.
The wreck of a Sea Hurricane Mk XII (JS327) shot down 1942 in Oran, Algeria 8th November 1942.
Actéon was a French Submarine of the Redoutable class. On the 8th November 1942 she sortied from Oran, Algiers, to attack the British landing forces as art of ‘Operation Torch’ (see pic 1 - above). She was attacked and sunk with the loss of all hands by the British destroyer HMS Westcott.
8th November 1965 was the date of ‘Operation Hump’ in the Vietnam War. Immortalised in song by the band, ‘Big and Rich’ (in a song called ‘8th November’) - this is a read introduction by Kriss Kristofferson...
“On November 8th 1965, the 173rd Airborne Brigade on "Operation Hump", war zone "D" in Vietnam, were ambushed by over 1200 VC. Forty-nine American soldiers lost their lives that day. Severely wounded and risking his own life, Lawrence Joel, a medic, was the first living black man since the Spanish–American War to receive the United States Medal of Honor for saving so many lives in the midst of battle that day. Our friend, Niles Harris, retired 25 years United States Army, the guy who gave Big Kenny his top hat, was one of the wounded who lived. This song is his story. Caught in the action of kill or be killed, greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his brother.”
What do you mean, "...the kid in the centre of photo". They're all young. But I know what you're saying.
I am starting to sound like a mother hen (fret) instead of a rooster (strut).
hey he's a corporal...looks like him and sarge run that boat...he's probably one of the tighter men
Noticed that, Bob. One thing I love about these photos is the detail and trying to piece together a bigger picture than the snaps we get from the camera. What really strikes me is how few of these guys look scared...
That kid is just a BABY! Well, like Peter said - they're ALL young!
The headlines of Roosevelt's 4th election is history never to be repeated. Some folks consider FDR to be America's only dictator, albeit an elected one. He is the reason that Congress voted in a three-term limit to the Presidency. AFTER FDR was dead, of course! I believe he served around a year of his 4-year 4th term. He did a lot of good for the country, but maybe a lot that wasn't so good, either. I don't remember - I'm not quite old enough for 1st-hand knowledge. Besides, I hope this isn't considered getting "political!"
My apologies to any Veterans of "Operation Hump." I've never heard of it OR the song. That must've been one of the earliest BIG operations, near the beginning of the US's "OFFICIAL" involvement.
Nice pics, and yes I've listened to "8th November" by Big and Rich. Classic.
Children in uniform...I can't image all the sleep less nights for the mothers of those boys. If you survived the war ...it was the greatest adventure of your life. Provided you came out in one piece.
Thanks for all the comments, gentlemen. One thing researching these journals has illuminated for me is the depth and breadth of the personal tragedies. Sometimes, as a civilian, war feels too big to understand on a human level, like when they talk about astronomical amounts of money in the economy; the numbers cease to resonate because they are too big. But break it down to stories, of sons, brothers, fathers and friends, you start to contextualise scale and feel the humanness of it all. Humbling.
Thanks for the comments and support, my friends.