go to John's own web page
I was a forward observer working with the 81mm's. About working the OP. When we first went into action, in the hedgerow country near La Puit du Puit,we were using sound powered phones, and strung our own wire as we went. In fact, my first experience with this was with a red-heared Sgt., whose name I have forgotten. He said "Come with me, let's go!"
We each picked up two rolls of wire, and stringing it behind us, started running across the little field to get to the next hedgerow. Sadly, no one really knew where the opposing force was, and we had the misfortune to have a german machine-gun dug into the row at our side. They opened up and hit my sargent, sending bullets ripping across him, which killed him instantly.
I do not remember much about what happened next. Too scared, probably.We were still using wire which had to be maintained while under fire. In one village, wires from many units were strung down a sunken road between hedges, which went in front of a church. Enemy fire tore apart many of these wires, and had to be repaired. I went back to do this, and as I started, began receiving mortar fire. As I heard them whistling I lay in the shallow indentions made in the hard surface by previous bursts, with nothing really being protected.
I patched together wires of several units, checking both ends to verify it was the right one. There was one wire left, and another one of our men happened running by. He asked if I needed help, and I told him he could splice that last wire together. It just happened to be the division hq line; They asked his name, and he received a silver star award, along with a battlefield promotion. Oh well, that's how things go.
Later, it was discovered there was a German mortar observer in the church tower, who was then liberated. I don't think you want to hear war stories, if you are like most younger folk, but do appreciate your trying to keep history of the event alive. To answer your question, we did later get 300 scr's, which was a big relief, even though we were always targeted by the enemy when they spotted the antennas waving above us. We were using them when our OP was in a fox hole near the Roer River, the Lt. and me. Of course, with the antenna sticking up above us, we were receiving lots of fire. I noticed a bunch of wire nearby, and took the antenna off radio, and seeing the remains of a tree some distance away, I stuck the antenna in it, and ran the wire back to the radio. The Lt. said it wouldn't work, but when I tried it, got better reception than I had ever had.