Document, handwritten reminiscence about D-Day
Dublin Core
Description
Two-page handwritten reminiscence about D-Day, by Cmdr Walter Wallace.
Date Created
2022-10-19
Subject
World War, 1939-1945
Language
EN
Type
text
Format
Identifier
letter_001
letter_002
letter_002
Is Part Of
Source
Rights
Copyright protected by Mississippi State University Libraries. Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce is required.
Publisher
Scripto
Transcription
Three Young Men of State When three young men graduated from Mississippi State College in 1939 and 1940 little did they know they were to be re-united for the Normandy Invasion of far-off France. The graduates were: George Hammer of Waveland, K.O. or Kenny Wise of Jonestown and Walter Wallace of Kosciusko; all native Mississippians.
Amazingly, each of these men was a Commanding Officer of a U.S. navy Minesweeper of the YMS Class. These ships were ocean-going, wooden hull vessels with crews of about thirty-five men and four officers. They were capable of sweeping mines of all types: contact, accustical or magnetic.
There were about twenty such U.S. ships assigned the hazardous task of sweeping the waters off the coast of Utah beach. Most sailed from Plymouth, England, ahead of all others, so as to complete their sweeps before D Day and H Hour. Boat channels, fire support lanes, and troop transport areas all had to be swept before the arrival of the larger ships. All this had to be accomplished in complete darkness and with a minimum of noise. There was occasionally artillery fire from the German held shore, plus allied bombers over head were dropping their bomb loads on the area. It was an exciting experience.
Amazingly, each of these men was a Commanding Officer of a U.S. navy Minesweeper of the YMS Class. These ships were ocean-going, wooden hull vessels with crews of about thirty-five men and four officers. They were capable of sweeping mines of all types: contact, accustical or magnetic.
There were about twenty such U.S. ships assigned the hazardous task of sweeping the waters off the coast of Utah beach. Most sailed from Plymouth, England, ahead of all others, so as to complete their sweeps before D Day and H Hour. Boat channels, fire support lanes, and troop transport areas all had to be swept before the arrival of the larger ships. All this had to be accomplished in complete darkness and with a minimum of noise. There was occasionally artillery fire from the German held shore, plus allied bombers over head were dropping their bomb loads on the area. It was an exciting experience.
Collection
Citation
“Document, handwritten reminiscence about D-Day,” Mississippi State University Libraries, accessed December 21, 2024, https://msstate-exhibits.libraryhost.com/items/show/2066.
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