Walter Marlowe, 101st Airborne Division

WW 2 Grand Daughter:

I thank for my men for kind thoughts. I never knew Sgt. Hale. In Market Garden I was in teporary Command of C Company. I knew the 1st Sergeant and the platoon commanders. Above all I was very well known to my radio and command staff people.

I spent a lot of time with the Forard Air Controler as the P 47 were keeping the enemy at bay until we gor heavy weapon.

As Ever,

Walter L. Marlowe

( Airborne all the Way)

 

Mr. Marlowe, did the Forward Air Controllers (who were USAAF pilots) jump in with you, as did the forward observers for the field artillery?

 

Thank you for your reply Mr Marlowe. He was shot in the lung just a few days into Market Garden.

You have so many wonderful stories to share, thank you!

 

A58:

FAC came in gliders with their radio jeeps. Since they and their people were rated aircrews the required no added training.

As Ever,

Walter L. Marlowe

( Airborne all the Way)

 

Ladies and Gentelmen:

The afternoon of June 8 we went in to Assebly area near Heisville. We were briefed on the Carentan attack plan. On the 9th we were to proceede to the Merdet River in a column of Battalions. 2nd Battalion would lead. Our mission was to clear Hiway N 13 and to hold the line of departure at the banks of the Merdet River. We would allow 2 battalions of the 506 to pass so that the could close FJR6 supply lines at hill 30.

The 502nd would attack Carentan with the 3rd Battalion attacking the center of the town. The 1st battalion would attack the seaward side of town. The 327 glider Inf would cross the Merdet at Brevands and envelope Carentan from the rear. The 327th would also make contact with the 29th Division around Esigney. The Idea was to attack Carentan from all sides with the assistance of artillery and naval gunfire in support. General Collins Instructions were very precise capture and clear Carentan. Col Coles battalion would lead the assualt.

When the stream was reached one problem showed up at once. The bridges were secured by metal gates that could not be opened. We were able to pry them open wide enough so that troopes could go through (1) one at a time. This ment that the assualt would assemble in a trickle not in a rush as planned.

Will Continue,

As Ever,

Walter L. Marlowe

(Airborne all the Way)

 

Mr. Marlowe,

Thank you for sharing your story with us. I would like to personally thank you for your service during the war.

My grandfather served with the 4th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron and his unit Troop C was attached to the 101st, and was suppose to land on D-Day +2 move towards you guys and seize 3 causeways between the 101st and the beach and do recon work, however they were unable to but I know they did connect with you at Carentan.

Is their anything you remember about this unit connecting with the 101st and what they did with them?

I am piecing together his history and I am about 90% done, but I would love to hear first hand accounts.

It is an honor to read your stories.

 

Ladies and Gentelmen:

I am posting today with the assistance and guidance of my Grandaughter, Ms Jacquelyn Marlowe, who has agreed to be my online editor for the time being.

Under cover of darkness June 9-10 we occupied our positin on the banks of the Merdet River. The 3rd Battalion sent a patrol unde the Command of Lt. Ralph Gehof Intelligence Officer of the 3rd Battalion. I understood that Ralph had flown ovwe Carentan on the 9th.

We deployed with F Company on the Left and E company on the right. D company secured the landward flank. Col. Cole arrived after noon to find the engineers had suspended work on the bridge because of Hostile 88 fire. He poshe one of his compsnies across in single file. The 1st battalion came up and they decided to cross near the Cabbage Patch later to be Known as Purple Heart Lane. We could hear intense artillery and naval gunfire impacting near Brevand. We guessed that the 327 was crossing the Merdet.

Battalion sent up HQ Co. Machine gun platoon and 81mm Morter Platoon to thicken up our coverin fire to assist 3rd Battalion crossing. In the late afternoon the Luftwaffe showed up and worked over the company across the river. I was told that casualties were heavy. About 4:00PM or (16:00 militay time) corp attached artillery joinen the covering fire group. We were able to supress FGR6 advanced weapons positions and the rest of the 3rd Battalion crossed the river before dark.

After dark the medics went forward to evacuate casualties.

As Ever,

Walter L. Marlowe

(Airborne all the Way)

 

Mr. Marlowe,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences with us. I have read some of your recollections through the Library of Congress Veteran's Online Oral History project. I am looking forward to your next installment!

 

Ladies and Gentelmen:

To continue with Carentan. Col. Cole Came op with Maj Stopka to see wher his battalion would cross the Medet His pioneer people stated that they could complete two footbridges Col. Decided the trickel his troops across on the bridges during daylight hours I comany led. We increase our covering fire tempo to FJR6's heads down.

By Mid after noon the 3rd was across the river and the 1st Battalion begin to cross. The 1st was taked with the seaward part of town while the 3rd was aimed for the center of town. Vii Corp had sent down a battalion of SP 105mm howitizers to thicken up the fire support and they were very welcome by dusk our position across the river was firmed up.

Wll Continue soon,

As Ever,

Walter L. Marlowe

(Airborne all the Way)

 

MR. Marlowe,

I want to thank you for your service and you ability and strenght to tell your story. There are not many that can give such detail. Utah Beach and many other parts of the war haunt my grandfather daily. I want to get his story but I am so worried that it might make it so much worse. I have gotten a few stories from him but it is not easy. After doing much research and talking to a older gentleman from my grandfther unit I have found that he was one of the first 40 men on Utah Beach before H-hour... it amazes me how little is really known about his unit and yet they opened the beaches for the troops to go in. Built the roads and built the bridges.. everything has a backbone to hold it together.. There is not enough thanks that goes out to our soldiers for their service!!!

Thank you so much Sir!!!

 

Mr Marlowe,
Thanks for posting again. It's great to have you back!

 

Ladies and Gentelmen:

With able assistance of my grandaughter we continue with Carentan. The evening of the 10th of June saw all of the 3rd Battalion across the Merdet. The Naval gunfire control team joined us so we would have thick fire support for the attack on the 11th.

About 23:00 hours the luftwaffe sortied two dive bombers and the were able the bomb and strafe I Compnay before our Night fighters drove them off. I Compant had about 30 fatalities. Col. Cole went back to Regimental HQ and told them about this, Col. Michealis told Cole to take Carentan ASAP. Cole then added his HQ Co into the attacking force. On the morning of the 11th the final assualt on Carentan began. We fired supessive fire on all of the FJR6 defensive position we could see.

Col. Col had told his Exec Major Stopka that he blow his whistle when he charged and Stoka was to bring his group along so they could hold the position after it was taken. Coles attacking force was down to about 70 men.

There was a short 2 hr truce at about noon to allow removal of wounded wich also gave both side a chance to resupply. I doubt that FJR6 could do anything by redistribut what they had on hand, The Airfoce had closed the St Lo supply route and delayed the 17 SS Panzer Grenidiers.

Coles charge tooh the fighting positions and he ask for assistancr from the1st Battalion. They mover toward Coles position and were stopped at the Cabbage Patch. At Sundown the FJR6 withdrew SW Of Town the get and Airdrop Resuppy.

Must Pause.

As Ever,
Walter L. Marlowe

( Airborne all the Way)

 

Mr. Marlowe, I am so glad to hear that your granddaughter is helping you. We all appreciate the memories you share with us.

 

I've missed you. Thanks for the time you are spending sharing your story. Your granddaughter is a prize!

 

Mr. Marlowe

Thank you for all you did and continue to do. I am hoping you can help me with some information about my great uncle. His name was Thomas James Lillard. He was a 1st Lt. in the 101 airborne 502. He to was from San Antonio and in the ROTC. Some paperwork I found said he died Nov. 20 1944 in Holland. His dog tag was recently found in a pawn shop. It was sent to my family. I would like to know more about his experience and the events leading up to his KIA. I feel researching him makes him live on. If you don't know him would you have any suggestions on finding out more information.

Again, thank you for sharing your story. I feel honored just to speak with you through email.

Respectfully

Ethan Lindner
ethanlindner@gmail.com
210.383.3082

 

Sir- Thank You. Did you by chance know a PFC Ray E. Sanders, 502nd, Co. H? He is my Great-Uncle. He was KIA June 8, 1944. We never got the story. I have a feeling he was killed while closing in on Carentan.
Again, I, and a grateful Nation salute you & your comarades. Sincerely, john e. clark, rn bishop, ca

 

Fabulous read. I hope that Mr. Marlowe can return soon