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Post by Beth on Dec 29, 2015 22:38:53 GMT
Beth the 325th Infantry Regiment was a component part of the 82nd Division in World War I. All of the component parts of the division were raised country wide, which was a exception to raising divisions on a more localized regional basis. Thus the nickname - The All American Division.
If you ever have watched the Gary Cooper movie Sergeant York, it will give you some idea of the training and type of combat operations your grandfather went through. Sergeant York was in the 328th Infantry Regiment of that same 82nd Division.
The division is still active as the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, and the 325th Parachute Infantry Regiment is represented in that division by two active battalions.
I know that my grandfather said that he had at met York at least on one occasion. He didn't talk about the war much other than a couple of antidotes, never about anything else. I believe I've mentioned the letters before--they didn't even surface until after his death and he never completed them. We know that he was considered missing in action for long enough period that a telegram was sent to the family and that at the time he was caught behind enemy lines and had to make his way back to a friendlier location.
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dave
Brigadier General
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Post by dave on Jan 1, 2016 2:03:35 GMT
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Post by quincannon on Jan 1, 2016 3:33:30 GMT
Dave: Being raised from the state "at large" is probably how they have maintained their lineage to the current day. It is much easier for a lineage historian to make a connective continuum when the base of the original organization is so broad. Were The Rifles raise in one specific city or town or even a region of the state, it is much harder, and many good, and most deserving lineages have been lost because of it.
The 2nd/20th Maine is another state at large example. The 2nd was raised at large, and the 20th the same way. Their lineages merge just before Gettysburg, and after the war, those men went home to continue organized militia membership in the towns across the state from where they originated. They reemerged as the 2nd Maine, carrying the honor of both the 2nd and 20th. Today they are known as the 133rd Engineer Battalion, but some of my sources say they may convert back to Infantry (as the 103rd) as the Guard restructures their brigades from two to three maneuver battalions. May already be in the works as that information is more than a year old. Regardless, the lineage of the 2nd/20th Maine is nearly indestructible, because of decisions made over 150 years ago.
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dave
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Post by dave on Jan 1, 2016 5:04:26 GMT
QC I am so pleased to see you are feeling better and back to sharing knowledge. I believe the lineage of the state units was as important to the soldiers as a blood line matters to dog breeders. It is all about who your're family is.
In the South prior to the War, each community or county had a small militia unit and they were the darlings of the community. Gaudy dress uniforms and hats were de rigueur for the units. The most difficult problem these southern units had was with discipline. Gentlemen would not, could not take an order from someone beneath them socially. Quite a few dust ups occurred because of this dilemma and led to additional companies being formed. Kind a like it is my football and if I can't be captain I am going home. The South never was able to overcome this difficulty during the War much to the detriment of unit efficiency and moral.
I wonder if the post war army had any similar type of problems? I believe there were few if any former confederates as officers in the cavalry of the 1860's to 1890's. I do not believe the Union army suffered much with gentlemen being gentlemen and fighting amongst themselves over personal honor during the War. Did the Federals have as many Gamecocks in their officer corps? Regards Dave
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Post by quincannon on Jan 1, 2016 7:57:10 GMT
Don't know about the Union or U S Army, but human nature being what it is you can bet there were some, especially units from large northern cities.
What you describe in your second paragraph is the reason Bradley left the 82nd ID (at that time) and was transferred to command the 28th ID. That unit was rotten with that type of crap. Unfortunately he did not stay long enough to complete what was a good start and see it to its finish. I don't have much good to say about Bradley, but he did get the 82nd off to a very good start, AND, upon arrival at the 28th immediately recognized the problem, and took immediate steps to correct it. After he left, his measures were not carried on or followed through, and as a result the division stunk throughout the war. The only real credit you can give that division was holding u the German march to Bastogne for several days, but had Cota, the division commander (also sent in to clean up the mess in the fall of 44)disposed of his division better, the delay could have been much more effective and he would not have had a regiment (the 110th) destroyed in the process.
You want gamecocks, read up on the First City Troop of Philadelphia. You have to be voted in.
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dave
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Post by dave on Jan 2, 2016 23:22:41 GMT
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dave
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Post by dave on Jan 3, 2016 0:01:22 GMT
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Post by yanmacca on Jan 3, 2016 12:41:31 GMT
Thanks Dave, the Sherman in the picture has a cast hull and applique armour and by the looks of it, it still has its original 75mm M3 gun.
I know the two boys who run the Tank Encyclopaedia web site, they are from Romania and they wanted me to merge my site with there’s, of course I refused but they seem ok and are anxious to see my site once it is finished.
Yan.
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Post by Beth on Jan 4, 2016 0:23:25 GMT
I know that this may sound trivial but the drive sprocket (I think that is what it is called based on googling) on that M5 is a thing of beauty.
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dave
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Post by dave on Jan 4, 2016 0:36:58 GMT
Obviously beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Yan will make you an honorary crew member with posts like that. The tank looks awfully small to me and I bet it is hard to get in and out of. Regards Dave
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Post by yanmacca on Jan 4, 2016 20:01:03 GMT
Yes she will soon be doing me out of a job, next she will be explaining about the different gun mantlets and track idlers
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Post by Beth on Jan 4, 2016 20:24:47 GMT
Your job is safe but I am still anxiously awaiting your site. Funny thing is when I noticed that drive sprocket I looked through a lot of pictures of other tanks and none of them are quite like that. Seriously I know the thing is huge but I could really see in hanging in a large space like a brick loft, just for art's sake or perhaps made into a steampunk inspired clock. Just because something is utilitarian doesn't mean it can't have beauty.
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Post by yanmacca on Jan 4, 2016 20:40:46 GMT
I must admit that I am extremely fond of this little vehicle, as it was these Vickers VI light tanks that equipped the British forces in North Africa in 1940, these Machine gun armed tanks and Rolls Royce armoured cars fought against the Italians in Egypt and other places.
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Post by Beth on Jan 5, 2016 0:31:01 GMT
I am rather claustrophobic, the thoughts of being in a tank is uncomfortable. The thought of being in that tank--in the desert is just no way.
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