I'm Matthieu, 25, and it's a big big pleasure I join this forum. I was born in a city of 40 000 lives, Gap, in south Alps mountain, liberated in august 20, 1944 by elements of second battalion of 143rd inf regiment, 36th Div Texas, 117th Cavalry reconaissance Squadron, and 93rd Armored Field artillery Battalion. I'm living now in a small town of 7000 people, named Sisteron, 45km at the bottom of Gap, liberated by the sames units.
I collect since 10 years the US items about the units who liberated my city and the southern France (3rd, 36th and 45th infantry division, 117th cav reco sqd, 93rd AFA, 2nd, 3rd and 83rd chemical mortar battalion, Engineers combat units, etc..
With this first post, I wanna say a big big thank you to all the ww2 veterans who gives theirs life to liberate my city, and in general my country, la France, and the Europe. God bless the greatest generation.
I can assure you, we never forget their sacrifice here.
Wishing healing thoughts for Capt John Fallon, a very good friend and mentor, and member of the 36th Engineers. John is going through a rough time, and it looks as though he may wind up in a nursing facility. Oh how that saddens my heart.
Sir Ridley Scott is attached to direct a film about the Battle of Britain.
The 79-year-old British filmmaker - who is renowned for his work on sci-fi films, 'Blade Runner, 'Prometheus' and 'Alien' - has reportedly teamed up with 20th Century Fox to helm the World War II movie which is based on the historical battle.
According to Deadline, Scott will work closely with its screenwriter Matthew Orton, who penned WWII drama 'Operational Finale' starring Oscar Isaac, on the project.
It is not yet known what direction the script will take but the Battle of Britain is centered from 10 July until 31 October 1940 when the British Royal Air Force (RAF) successfully defended the UK from the invading German Air Force (Luftwaffe) as the Nazis tried to cripple and the conquer the country with a bombing campaign known as the Blitz.
The film rights were purchased by Fox last year and Scott Free is down to produce alongside Joby Harold, Tory Tunnell, with Steven Asbell on board for Fox.
Steven Spielberg's 'Bridge of Spies' writer, Matt Charman, will executive produce the film. He has worked with Orton on 'Guiding Lights' back in 2015.
Meanwhile, Orton is currently writing political thriller 'Reason of State', with Scott in charge of Sony's 'All The Money In The World' - a drama about the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III. In addition to 'The Cartel' and his next movie to hit cinema screens is 'Alien: Covenant' which is released on May 19 followed by its sequel scheduled for 2018.
Scott - who is married to Costa Rican actress-and-producer Giannina Facio - also worked as a producer on 'Blade Runner 2049', the Denis Villeneuve-directed sequel to his 1982 cult classic.
My dad's Separation Qualification Record states, “Spent approximately 30 months as composite unit commander. Commanded and received the first prisoner or war labor unit in Paris consisting of 250 men. Later increased to a camp of 1500. As unit commander was responsible for administration, training, and discipline of unit. Made decisions reguarding (sp) personel (sp) efficiency, discipline, training, work, and supply. Directed performance of duty and made regular inspections. Prisoners of war worked as largest engineering depot in France.”
According to the Internet: "Satory is an area south of Versailles in France. It is mostly known for its military camp..."
If anyone has information about this camp, I would really appreciate a reply. Thank you in advance.
Also, I have included a portrait of my dad one of the German prisoners painted for him while he was commander of that camp. It is spot on.
John L. Harrison Jr., of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, dies
By ERRIN HAINES WHACK Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — John L. Harrison Jr., who served as a World War II pilot with the famed all-black Tuskegee Airmen, has died. He was 96.
Harrison died March 22 at a hospice in Philadelphia, according to the Murphy Ruffenach Funeral Home. A funeral with military honors was held Friday.
Harrison was 22 when he became one of America's first black military airmen, one of nearly 1,000 pilots who trained as a segregated unit with the Army Air Forces at an airfield near Tuskegee, Alabama.
"We were Americans, we were young, and we wanted to defend our country, just like everyone else," Harrison said in a 2009 oral history.
Fellow Tuskegee airman Eugene Robinson said that becoming a pilot was a childhood dream of Harrison's after seeing airplanes in Omaha, Nebraska, where he grew up, and reading in a magazine about black men being trained as pilots.
Robinson said it was a big dream for a black child during segregation"He wanted to fly an airplane, like so many young people," Robinson said.
Harrison saw combat in Italy during World War II and remained in the service until his retirement as an Air Force major after two decades.
He flew all types of planes, including prop fighters, jet fighters, twin-engines, four engines and sea planes. His family said Harrison crossed the Pacific Ocean more than 50 times, and the Atlantic Ocean 35 times as a pilot for the Military Air Transport Service. Harrison was stationed and traveled in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Arctic.
He also served as an officer and a director for the Peace Corps, based in East Africa. He worked in the administrations of President Richard Nixon and Pennsylvania Gov. Dick Thornburgh, and as director of affirmative action for the Boeing Aircraft Company.
In 2007, the Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation's highest civilian honor. President George W. Bush saluted the then-300 surviving airmen at a ceremony in the Capitol, and apologized for "all the unreturned salutes and unforgivable indignities" they had endured.
Rest in peace Mr. Harrison and thank you for your service to our country.
