Walter Marlowe, 101st Airborne Division

welford in newbury? now a major usa ammo depot..explosion on site same day as your post..karma?

 

black chemist:

Upon our return from Normandy our after action report took up the matter otf K-98 bolt operation sounded simliar to a double click of the cricket. The decision was not to decide until it became necessary.

We were fortunate that later operation were conducted in day light.

As Ever,

Walter L. Marlowe

( QAirborne all the Way)

 

So far a great story sir.

 

Mr Marlowe I was wondering since your days in the airborne do you miss the feeling of parachuting or did you dread it because it would lead to the battles ahead? and have you gone since you exited the military?

 

fgrun 83:

I wish I could have said I gave much thought to your question. After much self examination my best answer would be that I preformed as well as I did becaused I had taken the job with the understanding that it was 24/7 and my men were intilted to the leadership that I could provide.

In turn for that leadership my leadership was to supply financial and other rewards. I was always surprised that low ranking para officers opinions were givwn such weight.

To you questions my thoughts are mixed. Was ever as effictive leader as I was in 1944? How much of my ego was invested in para mistique? I wish I could have a valid answer. My men and I retained a close relationship after the war and I got to know their families. I do not believe that any of us ever hadsuch a talented and physically fir groupe to lead.

Thank you for the question.

As Ever,

Walter L. Marlowe

( Airborne all the Way)

 

Sir, I have been reading your recollections and comparing them with the experience of Southwest Pacific Vet in this forum. One thing struck me as a common thing in both of you. You both felt that you had a job to do and you went ahead and did it despite knowing the risks you both did face.
You both led men into combat and lived through it.
I had asked Soutwest Pacific Vet how news from the European theater affected them. I now ask a similar question, sir.
How did you guys feel about events in the Pacific? Did it ever cross your mind that down the road, you or some of you might eventually end up fighting the Japanese? Just asking so I can expand my understanding of a veteran's viewpoint from both theaters of operations.

 

Falcon Jun:

Your comparasion is interesting. Most of the news I recall especialy the UK was from th ETO Edition of the Stars and Stipes GI Paper.

I remember most was Tarawa and New Guinie fights. I was very glad to be in the ETO. Jumping into a jungle was not looked upon as the ideal thing.

Our training was very intenses and you had read my story you would note that I had very little free time.

As Ever,

Walter L. Marlowe

( Airborne all the Way)

 

Hello Walter, I am new to this forum. I live in the village of Auvers, from where, I understand, the German counter-attack on Carentan was mounted on 12th/13th June '44.
I live a mile away from what I believe to be the location of 'Bloody Gulch'. I have not ready any account of the battle there that actually defines it location or describes the fighting in detail.
Do you have any recollections of your fighting around Carentan after its capture, please?
Respectfully,
John

 

Thank you for your frank answer, especially with the phrase "jumping into the jungle was not looked upon as an ideal thing." That simple statement speaks volumes for me.

 

Just caught up with this thread.
Interesting to read, Walter.
Welford is just down the road from me.
We had an American friend who was on camp security there with the USAF back in the 1980s when Nukes were stored there.
Back in 2003 when the Gulf War was on I'd often see large heavily guarded ammo-convoys going from there up to RAF Fairford .
Hope you had a pleasant stay in the UK duting the war years & the beer wasn't too warm for you.
Ever been back?

Little bit about Welford here.
http://home.freeuk.net/rmarg/usaaf_station_477.htm

 

Ladies and Gentelman:

The morning of June 4,1944 I woke up to intermitand showeres and wind gust. According to the weather people at the airbase the gust sometimes got up to 30 miles per hour.

We opened the hanger door just a crack and look at the weather. It was just like a channel gale. Fred Drennon came up to look and started swearing. Our minimum for jumping was 20 mph wind.

About the noon hour we got the word to stand down. We rebriefed on time only. Weather permitting we would board aircraft at 20.00 hours on June 5.

Most of my guys were in a crap game or composing a letter home. I wrote another letter to Momma. I did not know at the time that none of my mail had been mailed for the last 10 days.

I finally turned in about 9:30 PM couldnet sleep. Read until about midnight.

Must Pause,

As Ever,

Walter L. Marlowe

( Airborne all the Way)

 

Ladies and Gentelmen:

The demands of Dental Surgery have limited my activitie. I have hope that this problem has now been remedied. I have hopes of shortly gettin from the UK to Normandy.

As Ever,

Walter L. Marlowe
(Airborne all the Way)

 

Hope the dentistry problems are resolved as well,thanks for taking the time to share your story!

-joe

 

Hello Mr. Marlowe. I enjoyed reading through your posts--thank you for sharing your story and for serving our country. I'm very interested in the 101st Airborne, having purchased a great book about E Company a few days ago. We are eternally grateful for your service.

 

Mr Marlowe,

thanks for your posts. Have you ever written or considered writing a book about your experiences?
thanks again from a cold-war era vet,

Dave

 

Ladies and Gentelmen:

I woke on June 5 and I could not hear the wind. I decided that breakfast would be a good Idea. Fred Drennon also a 1st Lt. and commaned of E Company was in the mess area. At his invation I took a seat. Fred informed me that he was going to proceed as if today was a go.

I was told the decisio would be made befor 12:99 hours. After breakfast i returned to my quarters to lay out my gear. On my main web belt I would carry my pistol and two additional magazines, lenzatic compass, first aid kit ,canteen and cup on left hip behind canteen entechig tool with (4) four blasting cap tape to steel part., left rear hip I had my spare loaded magzine for my Thomson (3) three 20 round magazines in pouches and (2) thirty round mgazini in pouch. In small of Back my my Baush and Lomb Binoculars. My third magazine of 30 rouds would be in my weapon. On my helment net I attached anothe first aid kit with morphine needle. I then decide that my three knived would be carried Issued knife on left leg bood,my custom mde knife on main web belt.

All othe eqipment and supplies in my knapsack. My cricket in upper left pocket of jump suit. My dog tags had a St. Micheals Meadel and a can opener. My Grandaughter now has possion of the D Day Dog Tags

I estimate that I had added about (80) eighty pound to my jump weight.

After compeatig my chore I went out to look at the Weather.

Must Pause,

As Ever,

Walter L. Marlowe
( Airborne all The Way)

 

I am enjoying your story. Thank you

 

Likewise - please continue when you are able to.

This may be a stupid question but were you nervous on that day or was it more a feeling of excitement? I imagine it would be a mix of nerves, excitement and a lot of anxiety to just get it over with. I also think there would have been the odd person who experienced a complete sense of calm with the realisation that they would finally be going to combat. Any insight you have into the disposition of the men at the final stages before the jump would be very interesting to hear!

Thank you for your service!

 

au Apex:

I know this willdisappoint you but after I borded the plane and we ttok off. I spent most of my time revieing the mission and saying a prayer that I would not screw up the mission. I aws only 22yrs old at the time and this was my intoduction to combat.

We went to Normandy by the back door. It hit as I stood up jumpers that I was really going into battle but I didnot have time to think about it. Later as I going to the university I had some flash backs but the rigors of my education did not give me much time to think about what I had done.

Not very heroic but that how I rember it.

As Ever,

Walter L. Marlowe

( Airborne all the Way)