http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=6oHBG3ABUJU&vq=medium

And here I thought we were multi-tasking!!!

Three tour Vietnam Seabee Veteran Ken Binghams book "BLACK HELL" is just about complete and will become available soon.

This book is a compilation of histories-both personal and general-including all Seabee units that served on Iwo but concentrating primarily on the U.S. Naval 133rd Naval Construction Battalion (Seabees) that was part of the 4th MARDIV at Iwo Jima.

Numerous stories from individuals and news journalists are included to give the reader different perspectives and a thorough overview of the Seabee Iwo Jima experience. The bloody battle on Iwo's beaches and the build-out of the Island are included in detail. Over 200 images are included.

The book begins by describing the island and the importance of it from the perspective of both the American and Japanese sides. It tells of the heroic and painful taking of Iwo Jima (Sulphur Island) by the Marines, and of the little known story of the 133rd Seabees that accompanied them during the fiercest part of the assault. Personal stories from the men of the 133rd Seabees are told and numerous pictures are included.

A well written colorful chapter about the Seabees on Iwo by the famous William Bradford Huie is also included and provides an insight into what the Seabees were, their personalities, their developing lore, and what they sacrificed and accomplished for their country.

Another well written chapter by Commander Edmund L. Castillo, USN from his book; The Seabees of World War II is also included.

Other Iwo Jima Seabee unit histories are also included. Some of these units--or elements of them--were also part of the initial landing, and others came later. In total, over 7000 builder-fighter Seabees served on Iwo.

The story is also about building Iwo's 3 airstrips and the supporting infrastructure built by the Seabees; its runways became some of the longest in the Pacific. A small city was formed on Iwo for thousands of Marine, Navy, Army, Army-Air Force, Seabees and Coast Guard men.

The successful take-over of Iwo Jima meant that our heavy bombers--with their fighter escorts--were now within 650 miles of the Japanese mainland. Japan's "inner defenses" were now crushed thus portending the war's outcome. The cost in human life was grim.

Part IV describes the 133rd's other battle; the on-going battle for the award of the PUC (Presidential Unit Citation). Hopefully this book will serve as a reinforcement in that quest.

This book-with its collection of histories-is designed to serve future generations as a near single-source of information about the critical accomplishments that the men of the Navy Seabees achieved on Iwo Jima--especially the 133rd Seabees.

THE BOOK CAN BE FOUND AT:

WWW.SEABEEBOOKS.COM

Received a very nice card from Sgt Joe Miller, Co D and his wife Barbara, at Christmas time. Joe enclosed a copy of a letter he had sent to his parents from the Anzio beachhead on May 4, 1944, just three weeks before the break-out to Rome.

It's a fantastic letter and I am so grateful to have it in my possession.

I placed a copy of it on the 36th's History page and you can view the letter here (complete with poem):

Enjoy!

Many thanks Joe and Barbara. How nice of you to do so.

My buddy Joe Miller sent this to me.

http://player.vimeo.com/video/31202906?autoplay=1

Here's the paragraph which was included in the email:

This is a fascinating, nine-minute film called "The German"; particularly the incredible four- minute footatage of a desperate Spitfire vs. ME-109 dog fight. You feel like you are there! Amazing computer work blended in with real photography. Also an interesting factual story that most of us did not know.

 

Now sit back and strap on your parachute harness; it is the Summer of 1940 during the Battle of Britain. Listen to the perfect 'purr' of the Rolls Royce Merlin.

Funny how one thing leads to another...

As you know, I was inspired to create a new section of photos called "Other units" to our Photo Gallery, earlier this week. It's such a good feeling to finally begin that long, overdue project. And that inspiration was set-off from an email from a new member.

Well the train is still rolling...

Yesterday I was chatting with Larry and Caryl in a post related to Danforth Anchors. While looking up a certain pamphlet online, it took me to a site called paperlessarchives.com, and that led me to ordering a couple of disks which contain dozens upon dozens of WWII training and field manuals. Can't wait to get those and to share them with all of you.

But, it doesn't end there. I then began rummaging through all the CD/DVD's I've gathered over the years and lo and behold, I re-discovered a three-disk set which was gathering dust in my office. I placed it on my desk and went, "Oh man, I forgot all about these", and began perusing each disk to see what they held.

And THAT'S the real surprise for many of you today, for I uploaded everything on that set, and they're now available to you, my readers.

So if you get a chance, check out the new section on our main site, entitled Documents, and the new (first of many) page within that section.

Army European Theatre History

These are the titles now at your disposal - You can read online, or download each of these PDF files to your device/computer. And these PDF contain clickable links, with pop-up maps. Great stuff, folks!

Breakout and Pursuit

Logistical Support of the Armies - Volume 1 - May 1941 - September 1944

Logistical Support of the Armies - Volume 1 - September 1944 - May 1945

Northwest Africa - Seizing Initiative in the West

Riviera to the Rhine

Salerno to Cassino

Sicily and the Surrender of Italy

The Ardennes Battle of the Bulge

European Theatre of Operations - The Supreme Command

The Last Offensive

The Persian Corridor and Aid to Russia

The Siegfried Line Campaign

But a word of warning; You will now be spending even more time at VI Corps, so make sure you're in comfy clothes (jammies work nicely) and have your reading glasses at hand!

Please note: These are LARGE books, and will take a long time to open, so your patience is required.

So, who's putting on the coffee pot this morning? :coffee: