Clarksburg Ohio World War II: Studying the bunkers and fortifications of World War II

WORLD WAR II

BUNKERS EVERYWHERE!

I love visiting old World War II battlefields where remnants of the battle remain --- from small shards of clothing and shrapnel to large fortified bunkers like the one at Pointe du Hoc along the coast of Normandy where my parents are standing. I especially enjoy touring battlefields and specific sections of the battle where men from Clarksburg Ohio experienced action. It's exhilarating to stand on the same ground, the same village and hillside, and possibly in the same foxhole.

Something that dumbfounds me is the amazing network of bunkers and fortifications along the Siegfried and Maginot lines separating points west of Germany. German forts, bunkers and tank traps were constructed by slave labor and the French nearly went bankrupt building an amazing network of fortifications designed to stop the Germans in their "tracks" literally and figuratively before they could seize Paris. I guess the lessons and losses of World War I were obviously ENOUGH for the French.

Visit the site listed below if you have time. It's a detailed look at many of the bunkers and fortifications that still remain in Europe, as well as the beautiful contrasting landscape surrounding these ghosts from World War II. http://fortenspy.blogspot.com/

Clarksburg Ohio veterans active in World War II on February 25.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

February 25, 1944: John Brooks arrives Africa attached to the 87th Air Service Group, servicing the ground needs of the B-29’s 58th Bomb Wing, as an MP. Tom Eycke arrives the Pacific Theater to serve in Intelligence as part of the 234th Quartermaster Salvage Collection Company.

February 25, 1945: Don Adams flies his sixth bombing mission attached to the 485th Bomb Group attacking the Benzol Refinery in Linz, Austria. Pictured, a crew member of Ring Dang Doo - a B-24 Liberator bomber attached to the 485th Bomb Group and flown by Don Adams during World War II. Francis Ater departs the U.S. bound for the Pacific Theater. Fred Rittenhouse, part of the 777th Tank Battalion, crosses into Germany for the first time, driving through a decimated Aachen, Germany in his Sherman tank.

February 25, 1946: Charles Mallow is discharged from the U.S. Army.

Today in Ohio World War II history: Cleary departs Monschau for Eupen, Anderson graduates air mechanic school and 3 years later leaves the ETO

This date in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

February 24, 1942: Bob Anderson graduates air mechanic school at Sheppard Field, Texas.

February 24, 1943: Darrell Templin, Dick Garrison, Dick Shanton, Howard Bryant, Jack Ater and Rolland Bookwalter depart Clarksburg for Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana to immediately report for duty to the U.S. Army. Harmon Jobe arrives the Asiatic-Pacific Theater.

February 24, 1945: Bob Anderson departs the European Theater of Operation bound for the United States. Charlie Jobe reaches the Roer River and the 82nd Airborne are relieved by the British. He returns with the 82nd Airborne Division to their Suippes, France base camp. Willis Cleary departs Monschau, Germany (pictured left) for Eupen, Belgium to reposition along the Siegfried Line.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history: Garrison returns home, USS Ranger docks in Casablanca with Ralph Ater aboard.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

February 23, 1943: Glen Ater and wife Nell host a farewell party in Clarksburg to send brother Jack Ater off to war, the second Ater brother to enter service during World War II. Ralph Ater, aboard the USS Ranger arrives Casablanca transporting 75 P-40 Warhawk fighters to the region. Pictured left: Mechanics working on a P-40 atop the deck of the USS Ranger in May of 1942.

February 23, 1945: Cary Skinner officially joins up with the 41st Infantry Division at Mindoro. Dick Garrison departs England bound for the United States following receiving wounds in the Hurtgen Forest as part of the 121th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division. Frank Ater sends a letter to his parents telling them he just arrived in France from England and is currently serving with the 743rd Tank Battalion. Howard Fay departs the U.S. for the Pacific Theater. John Jordan completes his service aboard the USS Ranger.

February 23, 1946: Harold Dawson is discharged from the U.S. Army at Fort Devens, Mass.

February 22: A big day for Clarksburg Ohio B-24 Liberator crew members during World War II

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

February 22, 1944: Lt. Jack Morris (392nd Bomb Group) writes to his parents while in a hospital recovering from fatigue and wounds received in his first crash of World War II - this time in England, the result of being shot up following a bombing mission. Morris does not elude to his wounds nor the crash he and his crew endured two days before on February 20 in his letter to his parents. His war was not over, but he was awrded the Purple Heart for this crash. (photo: February 20, 1944, the remains of Lt. Morris' B-24 in southern England following their crashlanding in a beet field). Roy Hawkins departs the U.S. for the European Theater.

February 22, 1945: Don Adams flies his fifth B-24 bombing mission over Murnau, Germany with the 485th Bomb Group.

Clarksburg Ohio World War II veteran spotlight: Captain Herman Dinkler

Clarksburg Ohio World War II veteran spotlight: Captain Herman Dinkler.

Clarksburg High School graduate and Clarksburg Ohio resident, Captain Herman Dinkler entered service with the U.S. Army March 29, 1941. Eventually, he served in the 548th Quartermaster Depot attached to the 3rd Armored Division during World War II. Dinkler arrived the ETO (European Theater of Operation) May 1, 1944, landing in Liverpool, England. He served as the commander of a Quartermaster group that supplied combat troops in Northern France, Normandy, Ardennes, and the Rhineland. He was in Liege, Belgium on VE-DAY and shipped home aboard the Victory Ship Montclair. Dinkler's "Now" photo was taken at his home on Egypt Pike just outside Clarksburg in May of 1984. Unlike the other Now and Then photos taken for this project, Dinkler took the time to squeeze into an old uniform, which makes for an excellent now and then comparison.

Clarksburg Ohio's Colonel George Bookwalter takes command in Pennsylvania, Adams flies his 4th bombing mission of World War II

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II History:

February 19, 1942: Willis Prince enlists in the U.S. Army.

February 19, 1943: Daryl Williams departs Clarksburg for Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana to immediately report for duty in the U.S. Army Air Forces. Harry Junk, part of the 2493rd Quartermaster Truck Company docks in North Africa. Kenneth Dean is serving in North Africa. Mert Garrison is stationed at Camp Roberts, CA. Oscar Garrison's parents receive a cable gram noting that he is serving "somewhere" overseas - in Iceland. Willis Prince is assigned and registered to Air Cadet Squadron 113 at the Army Air Forces Classification Center in San Antonio, Texas.

February 19, 1944: While based in Oahu, Hawaii, Charles Shull writes a letter to Pryor Timmons explaining his free time while in the service. Daryl Williams (pictured left in front of a highly modified 499th Bomb Squadron B-25 Mitchell bomber) also writes home to let Pryor Timmons know he has logged over 100 hours of flight time during training and is preparing to transfer to bomber training soon.

February 19, 1945: Don Adams flies his fourth bombing mission on harbor installation targets in Pola, Italy. Fred Rittenhouse, aboard his assigned Sherman tank, motors from Soissons, France and crosses into Belgium, staying the night in Namur. Colonel George Bookwalter is officially placed in command of the 1380th Service Command Unit Headquarters - Pennsylvania District, located at 2nd and Chestnut streets. Jack Ater and the remainder of the 97th Infantry Division sets sail for Europe from New York.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history -- residents of Clarksburg and Deerfield Township raise $60,000 in War Bond Purchases!

This day in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

February 18, 1943: Ralph Hawkins returns to Clarksburg to speak to the student body about his Navy experiences. Hawkins mentioned that he watched the U.S.S. Wasp be destroyed by the Japanese (pictured left). Ray Tucker reports for duty at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana.

February 18, 1944: Cecil Southward departs Chillicothe following a 10-day furlough and returns to the 693rd Engineers at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. Don Garrison is a new arrival to England. Don Harmount returns to Clarksburg from his base in Cleveland to visit family on furlough. Harold Garrison is discharged from a southwestern Pacific hospital after feeling better from the effects of Malaria. Howard Betts is promoted to sergeant and is part of a replacement unit based at Fort McClellan, Alabama. Jack Ater’s infantry division completes Louisiana Maneuvers training and returns to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. While training in England with the 981st Field Artillery, James Reisinger writes a note to Pryor Timmons thanking him for the list of Clarksburg servicemen he mailed to him. Back in Clarksburg, Hoyt Graham, Sr., President of the Clarksburg Bank and chair of the local war bond drive, announces that Clarksburg area residents purchased $60,000 of War Bonds during the most recent fundraising drive. Warren Martin is stationed in England as an Army Postmaster.

February 18, 1945: Fred Rittenhouse and the remainder of the 777th Tank Battalion. catches up with A Company at Camp Twenty-Grand, and the entire Battalion moves out toward Soissons, France. Wendell Carroll’s ship docks in the European Theater of Operations.

February 17, 1943 marks Clarksburg Ohio's most significant enlistment day during World War II

A significant day in Clarksburg Ohio World War II History:

February 17, 1943: Corrine Bochard is participating in basic training at Fort Oglethorpe, GA with WAAC attachment - Company 7, 21st Regiment, 3rd WAAC Training Center. Darrell Templin, Rolland Bookwalter, Jack Ater, Dick Garrison, Howard Bryant, Richard Shanton, Roger Bryant and Roy Hawkins pass their physical exams for induction into the U.S. Army at Fort Hayes, Columbus. Don Bethel enlists in the U.S. Army and eventually volunteers for I Company, 475th Infantry Reg., 5307th Brigade -- MERRILL's MAURADERS. Howard Elliott is stationed in Texarkana, Texas with the 522nd Ordnance Company. John Pool is based at Norfolk, Virginia.

February 17, 1944: From his base in Panama, Forrest Hicks writes to his family to alert them he is taking medical classes and getting decent grades. Ralph Hawkins' USS Stack supports raids against the Japanese at Truk Island and Hawkins is awarded a medal for outstaning service during the battle.

February 17, 1945: Frank Ater, aboard the U.S.S. West Point, docks in Scotland. Aboard the USS Denver Marcus Ater begins three months of support of the ground operations on Mindanao and Palawan. From Holland, SGT AO Watson of the 95th Infantry Division writes a letter to Walter Whitten's parents in Clarksburg Ohio describing his death during the battle for Metz, France.

February 17, 1946: Richard Shanton is discharged from the U.S. Army three years to the day of his induction.

World War II history today from Clarksburg Ohio: Cleary departs for Camp Elsenborn, Haynes participates in invasion of Iwo Jima

February 16, 1942: Walter Morris enlists in the U.S. Navy and eventually becomes a certified deep sea diver.

February 16, 1944: Max McPherson is in the U.S. Marine Corps serving in Panama. Willis Prince returns to his bomber group in Salt Lake City, Utah for additional training before transitioning overseas.

February 16, 1945: Aboard the U.S.S. New York, Robert Haynes, participates in the pre-invasion bombardment of Iwo Jima. The New York fires more rounds than any other ship in the Task Force. Tom Rittenhouse sends a letter home to his parents alerting them that he has been drafted into the Seabeas and will be sent to Rhode Island for further training. Sgt. Willis Cleary (pictured left before the war) departs Dison, Belgium and returns to Camp Elsenborn, Belgium with the 23rd Regimental Personnel Group.

Clarksburg Ohio World War II veterans prepare for action on February 15

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

February15, 1943: Elwood Dean transfers from Fort Benning, Georgia to Fort George E. Meade, Maryland training with D Company, 417th Infantry Regiment, prior to his service with thew 82nd Airborne.

February 15, 1944: Don Maddux arrives Camp Blanding, Florida for infantry training from the Army induction center at Ft. Hayes, in Columbus Ohio. John Dawson departs Clarksburg Ohio following a furlough and returns to his Air Corps base at Sioux Falls, South Dakota. John Peck reports to Hunter Field, Georgia.

February 15, 1945: Fred Rittenhouse transfers from Fort Knox, Kentucky to Fort Meade, Maryland staging for overseas duty.

Garrison stricken with Malaria in the Pacific, Lt. Adams flying regular B-24 Missions, Peck completes 450 hours in C-46 time over the Hump!

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

February 14, 1941: Marvin Carroll enlists in the U.S. Army and is eventually assigned to the 14th Armored Infantry, C Company.

February 14, 1943: Harold Garrison (pictured left) spends his first day in Perth, Australia as part of the 32nd Infantry Division.

February 14, 1944: Harold Garrison becomes ill due to the effects of Malaria and is admitted to a hospital in the Southwest Pacific.

February 14, 1945: Lt. Don Adams flies his third bombing mission on the Lobau Oil Refinery in Vienna, Austria. John Peck completes 450 hours of operational flight time in C-46's over the Hump in the China India Burma theater.

Clarksburg Ohio World War II history: Today, the 392nd Bomb Group names B-24 in honor of WACS: G.I. Jane.

Today in Ohio World War II History: Clarksburg Ohio world war II veterans continue to position themselves throughout the world for war.

February 11, 1944: Edward Lowe’s ship docks in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Lt. Jack Morris writes to his parents about a recent trip to London as well as about a ceremony the 392nd Bomb Group held with the WACS naming a B-24 Liberator in their group "G.I. Jane” (pictured left). Tom Eycke sets sail for the Pacific Theater. Vernon Bethel transfers from Camp Forrest, Tennessee to Watersboro, South Carolina.

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history: Dinkler promoted, Graham advanced to Primary Flight training and Frank Ater sets sails for the ETO

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II History:

February 10, 1943: Arthur Anderson stops by Clarksburg to visit parents while transitioning from Fort Ord, CA to Fort Mammoth, NJ where he enters Officers Training School.

February 10, 1944: Carl Dinkler receives a promotion to Private First Class while training in Ireland with the 28th Infantry Regiment of the 8th Infantry Division. John Peck returns to Clarksburg to enjoy a 10-day furlough with family while based at Scott Field, Illinois, before his transition overseas. Solon Graham completes pre-flight training and advances to Primary Flight Training in Cuero, TX, on a grass airfield with civilian instructors flying PT-19's.

February 10, 1945: Frank Ater departs the United States aboard the U.S.S. West Point sailing for the European Theater with the 778th Tank Battalion.

Dean recovering from wounds in Louisville, Clarence Minnix departs the states for the Pacific Theater

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

February 9, 1943: Clarksburg Ohio native James Pool transfers from Fort Lewis, WA to Keesler Field, Mississippi.

February 9, 1944: John Dawson returns to Clarksburg to enjoy a 10-day furlough with his family.

February 9, 1945: Clarence Minnix departs the U.S. bound for the Asiatic-Pacific Theater serving as a Truck Driver in C Company, 68th Signal Battalion. Following receiving wounds in Normandy while serving with the 82nd Airborne Division 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, F Company, Elwood Dean (pictured left) recovers from surgery at Nicholas Hospital in Lousiville, KY. His oldest brother, Norman Dean stops by for a visit.

Morris flies 3rd bombing mission during World War II and Eycke is awarded Bronze Star in Pacific

World War II timeline.

Clarksburg Ohio veterans on this day in history.

February 2, 1944: Jack Morris flies his third bombing mission to Watten, France, as part of the 392nd Bomb Group. Kenneth Ater is based in Italy. Leo Rose is based at Fort Niagra, New York and enjoying a ten-day furlough with his sister in Grove City, Ohio.

February 2, 1945: Tom Eycke (pictured left) ends a month of treacherous service in Leyte, Philippines removing and destroying enemy ammunition from caves. He is awarded a Bronze Star for Bravery.