Week 6–Theme "Maps" – 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – R D GRIFFIN'S FIRST DAYS OF WWII
This is my first year working on this year-long weekly writing prompts provided by Amy Johnson Crow and posted on her Generations Cafe Facebook page. I will do my best to write something each week.
I've missed the first 6 weeks of this. I have not written anything since December 27, 2021.
This excerpt is from a project I am working on about my grandfather and his World War II experience. It includes a few maps. I've only included where he was November 1944 to December 31, 1944.
26 November 1944 Station: Beggendorf, Germany
This was three days after Thanksgiving. Grandpa was listed as a Private (Pvt) and was transferred into L Company 406th Infantry Regiment 102nd Infantry Division. At this time, he was stationed in Beggendorf, Germany.
1 December 1944 Station: Linnich, Germany
His company left the Regimental Rest Area in Beggendorf, Germany at 12:15 p.m. Enroute they encountered bombing by German Messerschmidts but received no casualties. His company arrived in Puffendorf, Germany where they remained for 2 hours. They left Puffendorf, Germany at 3:15 p.m. marching 2 miles to Ederen, Germany and dug in a defense position. At 6:30 p.m. they left Ederen, Germany enroute to Linnich, Germany. Along the way they encountered stiff resistance. Several defensive positions were set up and they remained in defensive positions ½ mile from Linnich, Germany. 1
2 December 1944 Station Linnich, Germany
Company L moved into Linnich, Germany at 6:00 a.m. to reinforce the 2nd Battalion 40th Infantry Regiment. Remained until 11:30 p.m. then moved 1½ miles southwest of Linnich, Germany, dug in and had no casualties. 2
23 December 1944 Station: Setterich, Germany
Company L was relieved of front-line duty and left Gereonsweiler, Germany at 4:45 p.m. marched 3 miles to Setterich, Germany and arrived at 5:45 p.m. 3
25 December 1944 Station Setterich, Germany (Christmas Day)
Grandpa received a nice Christmas present. He was promoted to Private 1st Class (Pfc). The company remained on alert in Setterich, Germany. Sadly, one enlisted man was killed in action on this day. 4
29 December 1944 Station: Setterich, Germany
Left Setterich, Germany at 7:50 a.m. and marched 5 miles to Loherhof, Germany (This may be LOVERICH not Loherhof as there is no Loherhof on the map and they seem to take one route there and same back to Setterich). Route of march, Setterich to Loverich to Floverich to Immandorf to Loherhof Loverich. Arrived at 10:00 a.m. Prepared Division Reserve position. Then returned to Setterich, Germany. Closed in at 3:30 p.m. and morale excellent. 5
31 December 1944 Station: Setterich, Germany (New Year’s Eve)
Left Setterich, Germany at 8:15 a.m. and marched 5½ miles to ½ mile NE of Frelenberg, Germany. Arrived at 10:00 a.m. Prepared Division Reserve Position. Left Frelenberg, Germany at 1:00 p.m. and returned to Setterich, Germany. Closed in at 2:45 p.m. 6
1 Company Morning Report L Co 406th Infantry Regiment dated 26 November 1944. National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO.
2 Company Morning Report L Co 406th Infantry Regiment dated 2 December 1944. National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO.
3 Company Morning Report L Co 406th Infantry Regiment dated 23 December 1944. National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO.
4 Company Morning Report L Co 406th Infantry Regiment dated 24 December 1944. National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO.
5 Company Morning Report L Co 406th Infantry Regiment dated 29 December 1944. National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO.
6 Company Morning Report L Co 406th Infantry Regiment dated 31 December 1944. National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO
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