The Crosses Grow on Anzio

[ojuist]

Damn! According to information on the Internet, he did write it. But it says in his book that he credits Karrigan for it. That's how history can get screwed up.

[ojuist]

This was not written by Audie Murphy. In his book, he talks about the guy that wrote it taking a ribbing for it. Nope, was not written by Mr. Murphy.

[holiday5able]

A masterpiece. Memento mori. 

[pigmanobvious]

If memory serves me correctly, Audie Murphy did not write this , but his trusted friend

did. I cannot remember which. It was not the one they called "Horse Face". I think it was an Irishmen, Killigan, Kerrigan, or something like that. I read "To hell and back" , back in high school 30 years ago. Before that I never even knew that the cowboy Audie Murphy was a WW2 hero! We need teachers like that today, ones that would make this required reading!

[mindeloman]

In my religion we believe in what is called "free will". That is, God gave us freedom to choose for ourselves and be judged later for those choices. Truely this is the greatest gift ever bestowed. No other country ever has man ever been able to fully use that gift of choice than America. And I believe it''s the american soldier we have to thank for this. This is my belief and I respect others as well, Please respect mine. If you're a veteran, I sincerely thank to for your service and our freedom

[pulcinoscaltro]

Im so happy when I see Dead americans in Irak and Afganistan!!

[Bazgatow87]

@pulcinoscaltro

I´m so happy to read such an inhuman bullshit, coz then I realize how fucked up people can be, like you. It´s so amazing even if I made mistakes at the office, I know there people waaaays more stupid then me, these people like you. Thanks for reminding us, that there are always people with real mental problems like you. Thanks idiot for making my day

[HRMOKeefe]

@pulcinoscaltro My father cleared the Hocker Schoor House bar in Munich by lighting his cigarette with his 15th Air Force Zippo lighter, and it was full of Afrika Corps Vets, there for a reunion! 1964.

Your comments are stupid and so are you. The barbarians are at the gates of Vienna again, and you are one of their spies

[TomOwenM]

@pulcinoscaltro You are a glittering jewel of colossial ignorance, not to mention incredibly STUPID you bastard. Love our country our get the hell out immediately. You defy everything our forefathers stood for and the U.S. Military tries to offer you freedom of speech. Your remarks fly in the face of America. Don't visit our sites, and stay off the internet. You are a ravinous lunatic. Go pound salt and GET OUT OF OUR COUNTRY YOU SMUCK!

[Mike91337]

maternal grandfather fought and received a purple heart at the battle of anzio. he has since passed but will forever be my hero

[carsieplg]

RIP HMS Penelope she lies not far from anzio she took part in the landings and was shelling to help the americans on her way back to anzio on the 18th of feb 1944 she was sunk with a loss of 415 men i thank the americans who picked up the suvivors as i wouldnt be here otherwise

[Echeque5]

@carsieplg - Thank you for your service sir. It is because of men like you that we live in a free world today, instead of the horrible evil that represented Nazi Germany. What class of ship was the HMS Penelope?

[carsieplg]

its my grandfathers ship she was an arethusa class light cruiser she served in malta in force k her nickname was hms pepperpot because of battle damage

[GenericGene]

R.I.P.

[jennyschofield]

My dad followed the Americans all the way through Anzio and beyond. He was a prisoner of war but managed to escape, losing his thumb in the process. ( it was subsequently sewn back on). His exploits, told to me often, are memories I treasure. I would love to visit Anzio, my dad loved the place, but hated the war...He saw his friend killed.. How many of us can say that????

[namvetpoet]

My paternal grandpa was a Marine & fought in the Philippine Insurrection & in the Chinese Boxer Rebellion. My maternal grandpa was a sgt (Italian army, WW1) & fought the Germans in Austria. My Dad was a Lt whose machine guns platoon fought in front of the overpass at Anzio (Battle of the Overpass) in 3rd Battalion, 157th Inf. Reg., 45th Inf. Div.(Thunderbirds) - got presidential citations as 42% were KIA in 4 days of 2/44. I had 7 uncles in WW2. I always knew I'd go to war, too. Al, nvp

[modelman44]

My grandad was in the 45th. Harry S. Reynolds. Sgt. Thunderbirds. He passed away May 27th. '09

[KingKobra50]

My grandfather was in this battle. i dont know if he was wounded in this battle or not but he got a purple heart for getting german artilery shrapnel us his butt. but i dont know where if he was still alive i would know

[earthenly]

My father fought in this battle. He took a bullet in the chest which he survived. His best friend who fought alongside him took a bullet through the chin, then a fatal bullet to the head. Imagine the affects from the trauma done to the men and women in war, also to those innocent victims, men, women, and children who have no way out nor anywhere to hide. War should not be.

[SSchultz82]

What unit was he with? My grandfather was with 30th Inf Reg (3rd ID) and was wounded by mortar and rifle fire on the day of the breakout. His entire squad was wiped out on that day and he won the DSC. I am going there on May 23rd, the day of the breakout, to honor his memory and others like your father.

[earthenly]

Hi Schultz. My Dad fought with the Nova Scotia Highlanders who were also known as the Cape Breton Highlanders. They trained in Canada and England. First battle:Jan. 1944, Italy's Arielli. Capture of Coriano Ridge Sept. 1944; Last action:liberation of Dutch Seaport of Delfzijl April 1945. Returned home 1946. Also check, the Liri Valley: Canada's World War 11 Breakthrough to Rome. I am not certain of which batallion Dad belonged. It could be Second Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders. Terry

[earthenly]

Hi Shultz. Google, the history of the cape breton highlanders. Then click on, 2nd battalion, the nova scotia highlanders (CB)  Take care.

[SSchultz82]

When I get a chance in the next couple of days I am going to research your father's unit in my Anzio book, to see where they were situated on the beachhead. My guess is they were on the north flank which was primarily English/Commonwealth. Most Americans were on the eastern side in the vicinity of Cisterna (like my grandpa), though obviously that is in general and not a rule :).

[earthenly]

Hi Szultz. Thank you!!! I am looking forward to knowing. You are kind to do this. Terry

[SSchultz82]

On investigation no mention of the NS Highlanders is coming up at Anzio. There is a unit on the maps as "NS" but this is apparently the "North Staffs". If in fact it is the Nova Scotia Highlanders, they saw heavy action in Feb 44 during the German attempts to push the Allies into the sea. However, I don't think this is so.

The Nova Scotia Highlanders were certainly in Italy, but are you sure they were at Anzio and not Cassino or elsewhere at the time? Their Reg battle list also lacks Anzio

[earthenly]

Hi Schultz. Canada was under British rule at the time of Second World War.

[SSchultz82]

Understood, but what I was trying to say is that I can't seem to find your father's unit directly at Anzio.  My guess is that he was elsewhere along the Gustav Line and not actually at the Anzio beachhead. Similarly, their homepage does not seem to list Anzio among its battle honors.

[Echeque5]

@earthenly - Yes, war is a horrible thing, but the horrific evil of Nazi Germany was far worse. Look at the millions upon millions of innocent people they murdered. Sometimes war is the only way to stop evil such as Nazi Germany.

[pulcinoscaltro]

If you would stayd in your fucking country instead to put your nose everywere that would not happened

[earthenly]

War is terrible for "everyone" involved. I am sincerely sorry that many from your country have suffered and died too.

[earthenly]

Go to youtube and type in Flowers of the Forest by Mike Oldfield. The video is one of rememberance, World War 2. The tune is absolutely beautiful. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all wars ended and that we all got along as human beings should? Color, religion, nor anything else should ever stand in the way of human beings loving each other. We are "all" someone else's son or daughter. Sometimes we forget that there is a person inside those we persecute. It happens all the time. Take care.

[Echeque5]

@pulcinoscaltro - With all due respect, it was the evil Nazi Germany that didn't stay in their country and put their noses into many other nations, murdering millions of innocent people.

[audie83]

This is hauntingly beautiful. I have neverr seen nor heard this before-thank you for sharing this! Audie is my hero.

Rest in Peace sweet Warrior-Poet.

[Schulterklappen]

What an incredible person and soldier!

[GenericGene]

Very Moving -

[rogerspring]

Wow! Who better than audi murphy to make a poem about war. God Bless the man.