509TH PIR AT VENAFRO, ITALY
LMG emplacement showing type of terrain. Enemy is in position on ridge to immediate front of gunners. These LMG's were dropped by parachute from a cub airplane.
A position in readiness facing the enemy in Concacasala.
A LMG west facing Mount Corno. The enemy is in defensive position along the edge of the slope visible in the distance.
The Intelligence Section starts on a night patrol. Note lack of steel helmets, light equipment.
Venafro, Italy, December 1943 - Pfc. Danny Brenner (Left) and Pfc. Dick Fisco (Right) discuss the details of a patrol with S-2 Officer 1Lt. Lt John R. Martin (Seated). Brenner and Fisco were part of Lt. Col. Yarboroughs newly formed seven man S-2 Scouts in the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion. The scouts led by Pfc. Fisco would map enemy positions, recover examples of anti-personnel mines and take prisoners. Gen. Mark Clark called Pfc. Dick Fisco "The Best Scout in the Army" for his ability to infiltrate enemy positions, speak German, collect detailed intelligence and draw detailed maps.
BN CP was in jagged rocks right center of photo. The town of Venafro is visible to the upper right.
Another view of the rugged heights, D and E Company sectors, BN CP was in vicinity of jagged rocks, right foreground.
D Company objective, the heights above Venafro. German machine guns and mortars pounded our assault wave all the way to the top of this hill mass.
This Aldis Lamp is focused on the conical peakwhere our mountain Aldis Station is located. Aldis Lamps were installed for use when our telephone wire was knocked out by artillery. They functioned very well. Their light beam cannot be seem from a flank.
Radio communication with SCR 511, 288, and 536 was tried but was unsatisfactory due to terrain features and due to enemy, enemy artillery which transmission attracted.
Supplies for the troops in the rugged heights above Venafro were carried by mule train as high as the mules could go, and thence by hand to the positions.
81mm mortar crew in action. The 81mm mortar platoon for a period of 19 days fired a total of 9034 rounds with three guns.
From the BN CP in an abandoned house artillery and mortar fire is directed on suspected enemy installations.
The 81mm mortar platoon in action. Troops in the vicinity called this the "Automatic Mortar" because of the rapid rate of fire.
The material for the CP high on the slopes of Mt. Croce, was left behind when Jerry took off.
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