CHAPTER 3

CONQUERING THE VOLTURNO VALLEY

Macchia, Fornelli, Isernia, November 4–8, 1943

On November 4 more patrols were being dispatched to the British near Isernia (by the 1st Battalion), Longano and Castelpizzuto (2nd Battalion), and to capture the Macchia heights and to recon the Macchia d’Isernia–Capriati a Volturno road for enemy troops and mines (3rd Battalion with engineer detachment attached). The Regimental Recon Platoon [RRP] moved into Isernia in the early afternoon and reported there were no Germans in the town, which they described in their report as a “badly wrecked ghost town.”⁴⁸ It was affirmed that the large bridge south of the town had been blown. That same afternoon 1st Lt. Crockett reported the British 56th (London) Infantry Division believed they would be in Isernia in force by the evening.

Around 1430 hours Col. Reuben Tucker grew impatient. His own RCT was ready to move out, but he lacked his anti-tank guns of B Battery of the 80th Abn. AA, which VI Corps had kept under their own command. The whereabouts of the 168th Infantry Regiment was unknown, but it was probably still back in Capriati a Volturno. The British on his right flank seemed to be going not much faster either. Without anti-tank guns his own combat team would be no match for the seven or eight Mark VI Tiger tanks that had been reported to be in the Isernia area by VI Corps staff officers. Finally, at 1600 hours, Tucker called Col. William H. Hill, the VI Corps G-3 officer, and told him he would not proceed to the vital rail and road center of Isernia—the objective for both Fifth Army and the British Eighth Army—but instead would send out a strong combat patrol late that evening to Fornelli.

Meanwhile a platoon of I Company closed in on Macchia as 2nd Lt. Floyd E. Fry’s platoon of C Company was alerted to execute a reconnaissance in force at 1950 hours against a reported German defense line southeast of Fornelli. Fry’s platoon returned the next morning at 1125 hours and reported to Lt. Col. Williams that they had run into a firefight with a 30–40-man German patrol along the Isernia–Fornelli road, with no casualties on the American side. He estimated that the Germans had one battalion in Fornelli and another three battalions in the hills west of the town.

On the morning of November 5 Col. Tucker’s headquarters was moved back half a mile near a water point. Two escaped American pilots reported to the 1st Battalion and informed them that they had seen very young German soldiers digging in north of Fornelli. They also reported that from Rome to the south they had seen very little defense in depth. Both pilots were sent back to VI Corps for further debriefing.

Little changed that day and there was likewise a relatively short entry in the 2nd Battalion journal: “Remained in position until late afternoon (1700). Major [Henry B.] Frank called to have the battalion move into position on next forward mountain [Hill 1011] while 1st and 3rd Battalions move into the Volturno River valley. Continued cold and damp with stiff wind. Went into bivouac in a terraced draw. Yesterday, one of the battalion messengers, Private [John] Dates, on the way to F Company, was captured by eight Germans. He had the presence of mind to swallow the message, which was of importance, carbon paper and all. The Germans took his jump jack, inspected rifle and ammunition, and let him go. The only possible explanation for this action was that they must have been stragglers left behind by the retreating army. Dates is cold without jacket—but happy.”⁴⁹

Private First Class Earl S. Oldfather wrote in his diary on November 5: “Corporal [Paul D.] Wilson took over with field glasses—showed us where there were troops in the valley—ours. Took my boots off—powdered feet and put on another pair of socks—have three pair on now … Corporal Wilson gave us three ‘K’s—also told us to roll our packs—moving down into the valley sometime today. Rolled pack—ate dinner unit—cleaned rifle—washed teeth—waited. The sun is out.

“We left about 0300—Company D, 2nd Battalion is taking over here. Boy—it was one hell of a climb down the mountain to the village—I fell once—dived head first—didn’t hurt. Knees got weak—no control of my feet. Climbed straight up for a little distance—that sure poohed me out—carrying machine gun ammo all the time. Reached the town about 0630—waited—on to another spot—then on to the square—waited. Italians got aqua for us. [1st] Lieutenant [Francis W.] Deignan found a barn for us to sleep in. Got straw out of the mow—very comfortable—had candle light. Ate, then to bed.”⁵⁰

On November 6 the 3rd Battalion moved out toward Macchia d’Isernia (or Macchia) arriving there in the afternoon. Not far from the town the 1st Platoon of I Company took up positions in a cemetery, as Pvt. Francis Keefe recalled. His brother Charles O’Keefe and Cpl. George Pagano of the 803rd Military Police Battalion were at that time still coming along with the paratroopers. Keefe remembered that Pvt. Forrest A. Pierce told his brother Charles “that he was gonna get killed. He became close with my brother. We were dug in a graveyard and spread out in different sections. I went over to them and Pierce took his wallet out and showed a photo of his daughter. He said, ‘I hope to see them again.’ I said, ‘Sure you will.’ But approximately a week later he was killed.”⁵¹

Private Muri of the same platoon remembered that “the first couple of days it wasn’t too bad as we met very little resistance, however as the days went by the hills got higher and the resistance stiffer. As food got low we would stop in the small villages in the valleys and get potatoes or whatever we could pick up. We lived all on a D-ration which is nothing more than a very rich chocolate bar and has the same value as a full meal.”⁵²

Corporal Francis McLane recalled: “The population was pretty sparse until we came to a blown up section of an east west highway. Not far from there we came to a cemetery on a knoll. We spent the rest of the afternoon and night using the headstones as protection against a possible attack. There was a town [Macchia] about a half mile away, at the foot of a high steep ridge.

“The town people came in small groups to visit us and satisfy their curiosity. They warned us that there were eleven German tanks in the town. I immediately started to establish a firing position for my bazooka. The soil was hard and rocky. In the meantime, Keefe was using his entrepreneurial talents to obtain hot food for Muri and me, also cups of ersatz coffee from roasted grain. In return the generous ladies were promised all of our genuine ground coffee, ‘salt peter’ and all.”⁵³

At a certain moment Pvt. Keefe was approached by an older resident of Macchia, who showed him his discharge paper of the 82nd Division of World War I. The Italian had spotted the 82nd Airborne Division patch and told Keefe he had lived in Chicago for a couple of years. He had since returned to his native Italy.⁵⁴

“Moved a little ways,” wrote Pfc. Oldfather of G Company, “out on the side of a hill. We’re reserves—waiting for the next village to be taken—then we will move in. Lieutenant sent Woods and me on patrol to find [Pvt. James E.] Prichard [Jr.] and the mule—they got lost from us last night. We were gone over an hour—saw fellows who had seen him. Ate when we got back. Prichard and mule came in. I fixed hot boullion and hot tea …

“Told to be ready to move—going to the next village—Fornelli. Went into a hay loft to wait. Lieutenant said we would have to wade river—going to be tough but stick to it. I was on guard 7–8 … I got down in the hay—kept warm and got some sleep. (Macchia)”⁵⁵

Colonel Tucker had a meeting with Lt. Col. Fillmore K. Mearns, the assisting G-3 officer of VI Corps, in the morning of November 6. Tucker proposed his plan of sending another regimental combat team through the area of the 504th RCT and have them attack from Fornelli in the north to Colli, cutting off the Germans opposing the 34th Infantry Division on the west flank. Meanwhile Maj. Adams made arrangements with the 376th PFAB to lay a wire direct to the forward CP of the 1st Battalion and to move to Macchia, where the next regimental command post would be established. Adams was informed that the majority of the 376th was still at Gallo and it would cost them probably two days to travel up through the mud to Macchia.

Another call from the G-3 department of VI Corps headquarters at 1105 hours stressed that the Germans were now holding Isernia in force. Tucker was ordered to occupy Fornelli and informed that “[Maj. Gen.] Ryder may want Coodin⁵⁶ attack on Colli,” keeping it vague whether Tucker’s proposed plan was accepted or not.⁵⁷ Major General Matthew Ridgway, the 82nd Airborne Division commander, came to the CP in the afternoon to say goodbye before he departing from Naples with the remainder of the division for England.

Around 1320 hours a British Eighth Army contact patrol arrived at the 3rd Battalion CP. It reported two of the Eighth’s platoons were in Isernia and its 13th Brigade was on the way and would fill the gap between the 504th RCT and Eighth Army.

To clear up all the confusing and contradicting information about Isernia, Capt. George M. Warfield of I Company instructed 1st Lt. Willis J. Ferrill to dispatch a two-man patrol to Isernia to contact elements of the British 5th Infantry Division (the “Fighting Fifth”) of the neighboring British V Corps. Ferrill assigned this patrol to Pfc. Robert V. Henkle and Pfc. Ralph N. Tison, Jr. “When we started out the moon was bright,” remembered Tison, “and I thought we were coming along pretty good—walking in the middle of the paved road. After a few miles, we saw what looked like a combat patrol about sixty yards out front crossing the road. After counting 18, that damn Henkle shouted ‘Halt!’ (I hit the ditch). It turned out that the patrol was on our side, from the 1st Battalion. That didn’t stop me from me wanting to kill that Henkle, probably would have, if I hadn’t been afraid to be by myself (lucky him). Anyhow, we went on to that town. It was completely destroyed (big town). We waited for several hours, but the British did not show up. So we went back to the outfit [and] got some sleep that night.

“Next day we were sent the other way to contact the Fifth Army. On the way we came upon two bodies. They were from the 34th [Infantry] Division. They were Japanese Americans from the Hawaiian [100th Infantry] Battalion. They had had been killed by artillery. We found their Battalion and reported their location. The message was delivered and we returned.”⁵⁸

The same day—November 7—at 1110 hours, new orders were issued by Col. Tucker. The 2nd Battalion was to relieve the 3rd Battalion at Macchia between 1600 and 1700 hours, after which the latter was to advance under cover of darkness to secure the high ground west of Fornelli and contact either of the other two battalions.

Patrols of the 1st and 3rd battalions, both a platoon strong, reconnoitered the area around the town of Colli in the early afternoon. Around 1630 hours the 2nd Battalion closed in on Macchia, while the 3rd Battalion prepared to move out. Elements of the 1st Battalion surprised a six-man German patrol: five were captured and the patrol leader was killed.

In order to move up from Macchia to Fornelli, some 4.8 miles to the north, the 3rd Battalion had to cross the Volturno River once more. This time the crossing was less pleasant than the previous time, as the water had risen and the troopers had to wade through with water up to their chests, keeping their weapons above their head with one hand, while the other was trying to hold a rope across the river. On the other side a trail led up a hill.

Corporal McLane recalled that the 3rd Battalion was “strung out on the trail, for a long way, when we were caught in an intense artillery barrage. Up the trail, a couple of hundred yards, was a gap where a big concentration of our men were caught in the open. Captain [William W.] Kitchin (our medical officer) and Captain Kozak (our Catholic chaplain) were right in the middle of it giving care and comfort. These were two very brave and dedicated men. Keefe, Muri and I were lying crosswise on the trail, along with our donkey ‘Eleanor’. We were cold, wet and miserable. Eleanor was braying.

“Shells were landing all around us and one landed just a couple of feet over the edge from my straddled feet … I was sure that I lost both legs (possibly more). The fire direction was being given by an Italian civilian on the hill side above us. He was caught with a Kraut radio. A pistol shot to the head ended his problem as well as ours.”⁵⁹

Private Charles O’Keefe and Cpl. George Pagano decided they would better return to their unit in Naples, before they—Military Policemen—would themselves be taken into custody for going AWOL! They returned to Macchia and waited until a supply truck came by, which was heading for Naples. Both returned that way, but were arrested for a few days before a statement of 2nd Lt. Robert C. Blankenship of I Company prevented a court-martial.⁶⁰

Six casualties had been sustained by the 3rd Battalion, including a man from Headquarters Company who was being led to the nearest aid station, passing the disorganized members of I Company. Private Keefe saw that a trooper had lost one of his hands up to his wrist in the barrage.⁶¹ Private William A. Bruckert, Jr.—a medic—was mortally wounded in his back. He died the next day, being the first fatal casualty since leaving Naples. The 376th PFAB suffered four casualties and the 307th AEB one casualty.

“I notice when we are out like this—not knowing when our time will come—the fellows talk more about home and what they would be doing back there,” wrote Oldfather in his diary. “Hope the good Lord sees fit to end this soon. Moved into building to wait—not there long till it started to rain. Started shelling when we moved out at 0300. Got to the bridge and they really threw the shells in—I certainly prayed—they were close—dirt hit my helmet and my ears rang. One fellow got hit—called for his Mamma. One of our corporals was hit in the hip. Got across river O.K—wet feet. We went under the bridge instead of over it.

“Waited a long time for the rest to catch up—we were at the head of the column. It poured—really miserable—thought we would never get to where we were going. Finally did dug in. Got to sleep in a barn. (Fornelli)”⁶²

At 1900 hours the 1st Battalion reported small-arms fire coming from the hill west of Fornelli that the 3rd Battalion was to occupy. They were ordered to send out a strong patrol, led by an officer, to disperse the enemy. I Company received orders to occupy this hill, but they were still disorganized because of the artillery barrage. Meanwhile the senior G-3 officer of the 34th Infantry Division announced a harassing counter-barrage on the Germans between Colli and Cerro in preparation for an assault the next day by the 135th Infantry Regiment, supported by an engineer company and the 776th Tank Destroyer Battalion [TDB], via Montaquila toward Colli at 0430 hours. The 1st Battalion of the 168th Infantry Regiment would cover their left flank, as Tucker’s troopers were to do the same on their right flank.

Around 2340 hours 2nd Lt. Edward W. Kennedy of G Company called from a 1st Battalion OP and informed that the 3rd Battalion, less I Company, had arrived. Two and a half hours later almost the entire battalion was in their newly assigned position, except for Headquarters Company which encountered enemy opposition. Corporal McLane recalled that as I Company moved through Fornelli toward the high ground on the left of the town, he saw “several Italian civilians hanging from a scaffold beside the road.”⁶³

Staff Sergeant Ernest W. Parks of D Company was sent out with five soldiers “to locate our enemy who were masters at conducting warfare … During our mission we cautiously approached a small village and found it deserted by both the German and Italian population. I chose to remain in the deserted village which contained several houses only.

“Many of the older Italians could speak English quite fluently having lived in the United States when they were young, and returning back to Italy when they considered their lives being consummated. But the only people left to be discovered in this tiny village was an elderly woman, perhaps a few children, and no doubt at least a few other people who remained behind. Those choosing to remain in this village concealed themselves due to the event which had occurred just prior to our arrival.

“Amidst her ongoing tears, even after having cried for several hours, this elderly woman pointed to a structure the Germans had erected and through scalding tears said, ‘Soldier, the Germans hung seven men on that scaffold this morning!’ She then pointed out another spot only a short distance away where they had executed her husband and son. This hanging, she said, was in retaliation against the Italians by the Germans. She explained that a German soldier had confiscated a pig and its Italian owner had shot the soldier for the deed.

“After the Italian shot the soldier the Germans revenged themselves by hanging seven Italians. Still weeping, the poor Italian woman, now just recently made a widow in a most heinous way, sobbed, ‘This is the saddest day of my life.’

“That night did not prove to provide the rest I needed. Just before dark as I prepared my sleeping arrangements in the basement of one of the abandoned buildings, I viewed the eight ropes slightly swinging in the breeze, seven of which had felt the weight of their Italian burdens just a few hours before. I learned later that an eighth rope was hung as a common procedure to warn the onlooker that there was an accommodation made for one more.

“This scene and the thoughts it generated were not the only reasons my sleep was not as sound as I preferred that night. Even though I had my M-1 rifle by my side, my .45-caliber pistol on my chest and a covering on my face and helmet, they were no match for the rats … During the night I was somewhat unnerved by an ominous noise coming from just outside my basement hideout. Only God knows how relieved I was to discern in the moonlight a cat playing with an empty C-ration can.”⁶⁴

In the morning of November 8, Pvt. Keefe suffered from great pain in his abdomen and reported to the medics with a slight fever. Late that afternoon Keefe was rushed on a jeep to the nearest field hospital for an appendicitis operation. From there an ambulance took him to the 300th General Hospital in Naples. Doctors put him on light duties for six months, but he was unwilling to wait and rejoined I Company in the middle of December.⁶⁵

“The 2nd Battalion has patrols out in all directions,” wrote 2nd Lt. Garrison. “Regiment complimented the work of a F Company patrol under [2nd] Lieutenant Thomas [D.] Collins which went to Isernia and contacted a British party on the far side of town. Isernia is very much destroyed—buildings blown into the street, all bridges and much personal property destroyed. They brought back information that on the high ground to Regiment’s right a British detail has been placed instead of a regiment which had been indicated.

“An E Company patrol under Lieutenant [John H.] Murphy went west to the vicinity of Montaquila where they contacted a task force of tanks and infantry which had pushed in there during the morning. Headquarters Company had patrols checking the wire but none were out. Lieutenant Jack Watson brought in a wounded German sergeant who gave himself up and who, when forwarded to VI Corps, produced data and valuable information.

“It has been decided that information gained from the natives is usually useless, false or obvious (Italians reported 2000 dead in Isernia as compared to 200 verified by the British—also, information seemingly ‘hot’ usually turns out to be days and even weeks old). Mails and cigarettes delivered regularly … Rain most of the day.”⁶⁶

C Company of the 307th AEB was meanwhile working as quickly as possible to construct another road between Fornelli and Macchia, across a distance of 5 miles while under artillery fire. With the help of local Italian civilians, the road construction was making good progress, and soon the road was passable for 2½-ton trucks. The engineers’ work enabled Col. Tucker and his superior officers of the 34th Infantry Division and VI Corps to plan the next operations.