Monthly Archives: July 2013

July 31, 1943 – Saturday

Posted on July 31, 2013 by John

Not much to do now so I guess I’ll write a few letters. I went into town this afternoon and had my pictures taken. The company came back and we loaded up to go up to the front and relieve … Continue reading →

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July 30, 1943 – Friday

Posted on July 30, 2013 by John

Joe and I took Badali over to his uncles house. It was a nice drive along the coast. The kids here are getting as bad as African kids always wanting candy. I may go into Palermo again this afternoon we … Continue reading →

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July 29, 1943 – Thursday

Posted on July 29, 2013 by John

We are going into Palermo this afternoon. Palermo is a very beautiful city. It has been harmed quite a bit, but in peace time it really must have been pretty. We got some champagne and ice cream and came home. … Continue reading →

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July 28, 1943 – Wednesday

Posted on July 28, 2013 by John

With the company gone there is nothing to do but lay around. Went over to Battalion to get some ice cream. Had four glasses full. Listened to the radio and was on guard from 3 to 5.

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Letter home – July 27, 1943

Posted on July 27, 2013 by John

Dear Mother & Dad; This is the second letter that I have wrote since I have been here so you see you can’t expect too much mail from me. As long as you are in combat, you move so much … Continue reading →

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July 27, 1943 – Tuesday

Posted on July 27, 2013 by John

We unloaded the supply truck and tried to straighten things around a bit. After we had finished we sat around and talked. In the evening the company moved out to Prizzi to build a prison camp. The supply and a … Continue reading →

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July 26, 1943 – Monday

Posted on July 26, 2013 by John

We have a lot of work to do today and plus that we are moving tonight. We loaded up the truck and I went down for a swim. We watched a big warship & air battle off the coast today. … Continue reading →

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July 25, 1943 – Sunday

Posted on July 25, 2013 by John

I went to mass this morning and it was the craziest mass I ever went to it scared me to death. At the elevation of the host and communion they played a drum and rang a bell, I worked the … Continue reading →

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Walking the streets of Palermo, Sicily

Posted on July 24, 2013 by John

Chick talks about the invasion of Sicily and walking the streets of Palarmo in July of 1943. Filmed 2007 at the studios of WILL, University of Illinois as part of the “WWII Central Illinois Stories” series

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July 24, 1943 – Saturday

Posted on July 24, 2013 by John

We got ready to move to Palermo. We played around until after dinner before we move. Just before we left there was a ration dump across the road from us. So about twenty fellows swiped a case of cigarettes. We … Continue reading →

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