Update from Producer Lowther on the 756th Tank Battalion
Chicago & Texas Interviews
"Well I am back in action after some delays the last few months. First I want to mention my interview with Capt. Abrahamson in Chicago. He is 92 years young and started with the 1st Armored as a tank commander. These guys from the First Armored wrote the rulebook on tank warfare. Capt. Abrahamson started in North Africa and through most of the Italian campaign in 1st Armored. If you only knew what he did toearn the Bronze and Silver Stars, his modesty sure didn’t show it. He joined the 756th in Southern France with Lt Danby, Jeff Danby’s grandfather, and they both fought a hard fight."
"I was fortunate enough to stay with my very good friends Susan, David and Carly Saltzman in Chicago. It was a great opportunity for us to spend time between interviews. It was so great that they also had an Uncle I interviewed who was in an artillery division during WWII. He was also in the 7th Army following behind the 756th in Southern France. have to remind you all how honored I am to have the experience in interviewing these veterans. By getting up close and personal with these guys has made me realize how real the fighting was in Europe."
"Texas 3 Weeks ago…….
Hi Everyone,
I am writing this email on the plane to finalize my Texas Interviews with members of the 756th Tank Battalion. Unfortunately the second leg of my trip to Oklahoma City was postponed, not due to the tornado, but because the veteran had sustained an injury. I will hopefully be able to see Lt. Brown in a few weeks. Also his grand daughter, who is a teacher, was in the elementary school that was devastated in Oklahoma City. She is okay but as you know some students did not survive this unfortunate disaster. Please send you prayers to this family and the people of OKC.
The two interviews I conducted were very successful and the Veterans were happy to accommodate me. These were 2 day interviews with each Veteran. My first stop was in Georgetown Texas just north of Austin With Sgt. Guild. He was a Liaison for B Company, and his tour started in North Africa. Sgt. Guild was not in a tank, but was Capt. Redle’s right hand man for all communications with division headquarters. It’s unbelievable all the organization necessary to have a successful fighting force. It was also part of Sgt. Guild’s job to make sure the supply train functioned at it’s best to accommodate the fighting force. I have to stress that everyone who was in the war had a part in the outcome. Even a piece of paper passed by a clerk could have made the difference in whether or not we won the war. Think about it!"
Hi Everyone,
I am writing this email on the plane to finalize my Texas Interviews with members of the 756th Tank Battalion. Unfortunately the second leg of my trip to Oklahoma City was postponed, not due to the tornado, but because the veteran had sustained an injury. I will hopefully be able to see Lt. Brown in a few weeks. Also his grand daughter, who is a teacher, was in the elementary school that was devastated in Oklahoma City. She is okay but as you know some students did not survive this unfortunate disaster. Please send you prayers to this family and the people of OKC.
The two interviews I conducted were very successful and the Veterans were happy to accommodate me. These were 2 day interviews with each Veteran. My first stop was in Georgetown Texas just north of Austin With Sgt. Guild. He was a Liaison for B Company, and his tour started in North Africa. Sgt. Guild was not in a tank, but was Capt. Redle’s right hand man for all communications with division headquarters. It’s unbelievable all the organization necessary to have a successful fighting force. It was also part of Sgt. Guild’s job to make sure the supply train functioned at it’s best to accommodate the fighting force. I have to stress that everyone who was in the war had a part in the outcome. Even a piece of paper passed by a clerk could have made the difference in whether or not we won the war. Think about it!"
"My next interview was with Capt. Heard of C Company, just north of San Antonio. Capt. Heard came into the war just after the Southern France invasion. He had an unbelievable background coming from a military family. Obviously he was ”Regular Army” (career) 3rd generation West Point Graduate. Even with family lineage he could not get an appointment from a Senator or Congressman. He had to go to the President for an appointment getting the fourth slot out of six slots given by the President, competing against 500 applicants. Jefferson Davis appointed his Grandfather, and his father was room mates with George Patton. There is much much more to his story, but you will have to wait until the film is released."
Sincerely,
Ron
Sincerely,
Ron
