Doug~~I have just spent most of the afternoon reading through your very moving tribute to your Dad and your journey as you traced his steps in Holland. I enjoyed it thoroughly and you did a masterful job. I am the great niece of SGT Garland W. (Woodrow) "Tex" Collier, who was a machine gunner in the 3rd BN/506th PIR, HQ Company, a Gun Corporal in the 2nd squad, serving under "Doc" Dwyer. I realize the chances are slim that you might recognize any reference to Garland in any of the history and research that you have done on your Dad's service. But thought I would take a chance.
Garland was KIA on October 5, 1944, the same day your father was hit, near the railway station in the Opheusden battle. His remains were never returned to his family. His name is listed on the "Tablets of the Missing" in the American Military Cemetery in Margraten, The Netherlands. His name is also on a placque on a bridge in or around Opheusden erected by the Dutch in 1999 called by some the "Clawson Memorial," since the first soldier whose name is listed on the placque is that of Harry Clawson, who also was killed in Opheusden. I wondered if you saw this placque in your travels around Opheusden. I've also been in touch with a couple of gentlemen (one who lives in Belgium and one who lives in Holland) who have "adopted" Garland and have made efforts to give me what information they have found.
If you have found anything in your research, I'd appreciate your passing it along. If anyone else sees this message who can share any information about Garland... stories, anecdotes, any information surrounding his service and/or the circumstances of his death, I would appreciate hearing from you.
Garland was 25 when he was killed. He was a born and bred Texan, but actually joined up paratrooper training from Arizona in 1943. He trained at Toccoa, Ft. Benning, Camp Mackall; shipped over to Liverpool and trained further with his unit in Ramsbury, England. My understanding is that his troop carrier C-47 plane went down just off of Utah Beach on June 6, 1944 (D-Day) at around 1:30 am, and that he was wounded, but was transported back to Ramsbury. He of course did make the jump into Holland later.
I've been fortunate enough to make several other contacts, as has another cousin, who has been doing research on Garland for several years. However, it's always wonderful to be able to find out more.
Thanks again for this inspiring and emotional account.
Judy, Thank you for your kind comments, Garland was killed the same day my Dad was badly wounded! Wow ! You see my Dad me a story when I was in college that always stayed with me. It was about being wounded and a soldier came to check him out. Well this one soldier picks off the German that has shot my Dad. After this another soldier (who I believe was in How Company/506th PIR) helps him until the two Dutch civilians take them into their home. This man saved my Dad's life just like the two Dutch civilians. Thanks for visiting my site! doug wilber
Judy, Sorry about my response as it is Saturday. There was a soldier who helped my Dad back on October 5, 1944. All I know is this man helped my Dad until two Dutch civilians took him in. Who this GI was I don't know but I got to say he also saved my Dad's life. Who knows maybe it was Garland? One will never know. I guess only God knows that.
I might be wrong here but is Collier a familliar name in Texas ?
I know a veteran , Bert Collier , who was a sgt in D/501 . Bert still lives in Texas allthough planning to move back to Oklahoma . Any chance you might be related ? Bert's 90 by now .
Judy, Yes I saw that plaque that your uncle is on. It was erected by Bernhard Florissen, the historian for Opheusden and cousins of the two Dutch civilians that saved my Dad's life on October 5, 1944. The Clawson plaque is named after Harry Clawson who was seriously wounded on 10/5/44 and left behind with a Headquarters soldier by the name of Morris Thomas. The Germans looking thru Clawson's belongings found some Nazi metals and killed him on October 6th. Thomas had died from his wounds and the two were buried in an unmarked grave near the dual railroad lines. In 1971 a Dutch farmer digging there discovered their bodies. The Battle for the Island was a very deadly one for the 101st as the 506th PIR redeployed out of the village since it was too difficult to fight among the houses and the Screaming Eagles were outnumbered. After the German counterattacks were stopped outside of the village, the Germans pulled back.Later the Germans blew up a d**e and the area was flooded. Many of the men that died there were never found. I will see if I have a picture of that plaque.
doug wilber
ps Thank you for your kind comments, I really appreciate it.
Doug and Reg~~Thanks for the additional information. I had not been aware of some of the details, nor of Harry Clawson's story. Doug, I do have a photograph of the "Clawson Memorial" placque at the bridge. The contacts that I have in Belgium and in The Netherlands have sent one to me. I actually first received a copy of the photograph from Ian Gardner, author of the upcoming book "The Forgotten Battalion: 3/506th PIR." That's the first I knew of it. I'll try to post a copy of it here. Have no idea if my great uncle might have offered assistance to your Dad prior to getting aid from the Dutch couple. Guess we'll never know!
And Reg..I guess I can't comment with much accuracy on the name "Collier." I read about "Bert Collier" just yesterday on Mark Bando's "Trigger Time" site. As far as I know, there's no relation! My great uncle Garland would have been 90 years old this coming November 3rd...he had three brothers: Grady, Dee and Ralph. But as far as I know, there's no Bert in the family! Now, though, you have me curious, and I may have to go back into family records to see if there were any other Collier siblings who were brothers or sisters of my great grandfather Abner Collier (Garland's dad), who may have had children. But right off the top of my head, I'd say none with which I'm familiar!
Just thinking out loud. I still am puzzled about why my great uncle's name was included on this plaque. Obviously, many lost their lives in the fierce fighting around Opheusden. And I'm sure there are several other memorials around the village commemorating the bravery of US soldiers, as many of the photographs on your site demonstrate. Guess I'm just curious as to why Garland's name was among those to whom the Dutch paid tribute. I know that after he was killed, his buddies helped to prepare his body quickly so that graves registration techs could identify him readily. Guess I will always be puzzled by this...amazingly surprised, but puzzled nonetheless, that his name was among these few at this particular site that the Dutch officials chose to honor in this way.
Also about your uncle. Maybe they only had room for x number of people and your uncle was chosen since he is still missing. The Battle around Opheusden was very deadly with large amounts of artillery fire. It was a no man land for awhile after the battle calmed down and the area was covered with about two of water after the Germans blew up the d**e. After the war the Dutch and Americans had to clean up the area and due to the fact of many dead animals and humans there was a rush to bury the dead. This is why Captain Froemke, my Dad's commanding officer was buried in a mass German grave. It is very difficult to figure things out at times because of the lack of information, wrong facts, and wrong reasoning. Sometimes one will never know.
Thanks very much for the link. Yes, I've read about how the Germans blew up the d**e and how that whole area was flooded. I'm sure the carnage was intense, to say the least. It's no wonder that so many were never able to have remains properly recovered or identified. I guess it will always remain a mystery and we'll just never know about the specifics.
Many thanks again, Doug. I am continuing to research, discovering new sites and forums every time I sit down...am focusing on making contacts and getting whatever details I can. And thus far, I've actually learned a great deal. I'm grateful to those who have responded and who've been able to provide whatever information possible, as I am to you.
Gosh, I've looked so many places the past few days. Have just spent about 45 min looking through everything...and finally remember where I came upon a link to your website. Ron Stassen and I had been in communication a good bit (he has taken special interest in Garland..lives about 15 miles away from Margraten Cemetery; has the website~~http://www.bandofbrothers.nl/ ) I was looking for some more detailed maps, and he sent me links to several pages and photographs in your online site! So we have him to thank. Whew! Am glad I remembered. I looked back through every site I had bookmarked and went through several lists of links to articles and books and sites...could have sworn it was on the 506th Air Regiment Association /3rd 506th PIR...www.506infantry.org site.. but was wrong! Ron sent me directly to your work.
Judy, OK, Ron Stassen. I have visited his site and I believe he is on Don Burgett's forum and possibly Mark Bando's. Mark Bando has some excellant books on the 101st if you didn't know. Also you must know about "the Forgotten Battalion" which is about the 3rd battalion of the the 506thPIR. Amasing on the people you meet. Another great website and friend of mine is Marion Chard who you can link to on my links section. I have got to add more links. Another one is Domenic Biello.
Yes, I learned about Mark Bando's site this past weekend (and spent about 5 hours there), as well as Don Burgett's...and books by them both. I think I'd like to get "Avenging Eagles" by Bando. His website is incredibly extensive. I'm familiar with "The Forgotten Battalion" website and have had email exchanges with Ian Gardner, author of the upcoming book, as well as John Sushams, director of the film documentary, to be released soon based on the book. That's where I first met Ron at the Forum on "The Forgotten Battalion" site. Ian gave me contact information on a couple of men who were in my great uncle's company, one of whom, Tom Bucher, I'm delighted to report, has started an email exchange with me. I'm in the process of compiling some information for him this afternoon. I've also learned a great deal at the 506th PIR Regiment Association Site (www.506infantry.org/). Ron has gone to the Margraten Cemetery and has taken photographs for me. He's also sent me other photographs of Opheusden then and now. Another young man, Thijs Van Der List, has adopted my great uncle's "name" on the "Tablets of the Missing" at the cemetery. He also has a website and webpage dedicated to Garland and has been helpful in obtaining documents (MACR), AAR's from October 3-5 in Opheusden, and other information. My cousin who lives in Alabama has been researching Garland for several years, and has established contact with about four others who served with my great uncle within the past 2/3 years. So we've actually been able to discover quite a bit. I have information on how to contact The Red Cross in The Netherlands, so I may also pursue that. It's been amazing to have worked online on this for really so little time, and yet to have discovered so much. Yet there is so much more to learn.
I'll continue to check your site periodically to see if you've posted more links! Thanks again, Doug.
Judy, Very interesting story. I got started on my Dad's military days in 2002 when I was caring for my dying Mother. After her death the next year I was able to pursue my search-at first it was for the officer who died trying to help my Dad. It took me four months to find out what should have taken me four minutes if I knew what I was doing. After I discovered Captain Froemke's identity, I began looking for these two Dutch civilians. I found out their identity in about a month and a half. This is on my TV interview I did in 2003 which is on this site. It was very rewarding for me and also very important as I finally realized how much my Dad's war experiences effected me. As for Garland, there are still today over 78,000 Americans still missing in action from World War II. Each year about 100 or so are found and given proper burial, so don't give up, maybe some day Garland can return home. Where did you get your information about Garland's death and burial? I was all around Opheusden and plan on posting more pictures of the village including the dual railroad stations.
Doug: My cousin in AL, whom I mentioned, actually spoke with a fellow trooper in Garland's company who was literally in the next trench/foxhole to him on Oct 5, 1944. He witnessed a mortar exploding over Garland's area. Won't go into all the details, but he & another buddy went to Garland's body and prepared it for graves identification but I'm sure they had to go on with their mission. Another WWII reenactor who posts regularly on the Trigger Time site told a similar story of Garland's death...similar to what my cousin had heard several years earlier. My cousin has actually been in touch with the Trigger Time poster as well. Frankly, she's been at this much longer than I. Don't know really how she discovered Garland's fellow trooper and was able to locate him initially, but I think that was as long ago as late 2003. She's been able to establish contact w/at least four of the men who were in his company or their nearest relative. I was given a few names by Ian Gardner, author of the upcoming book "The Forgotten Battalion," and he put me in touch with another man in Garland's company...the one I mentioned above. He and I have exchanged emails just today, so I'm thrilled to get a chance to learn more from him. Unfortunately, although he trained with Garland for 2 1/2 years, this other trooper was injured seriously on the D-Day jump, and he never made the jump into Holland, as my great uncle did. But he shared some general memories of him with me, and that was really important. I've read several mentions of my great uncle on the 506th PIR website, and Ian says he is also mentioned in his book. There are a handful of photographs of him also at the 506th PIR website (www.506infantry.org/). My cousin really had so much information intially...I just recently started searching on my own about three months ago. Garland's direct nieces & nephews are interested in knowing what they can...one of my second cousins (Garland's nephew) actually has a pair of his paratrooper boots that Garland brought home on furlough in 1943, prior to shipping out ot England. Of course, they treasure them. My family was able only to erect a small stone memorial to Garland in a small community cemetery near their hometown in TX between the graves of his mother and father.
It would be wonderful if something could be found. The Clawson remains, as you said, were found in the early 70's. I plan to move forward with inquiries with The Red Cross in The Netherlands to see what I can find out.
I've heard of Garland all my life, although he died in 1944, eight years prior to my birth. My grandmother and her sisters and brothers used to speak of him with such admiration and reverance. And unfortunately, they were never able to get closure because of his body or remains not being returned.
Your dad's and your story is very moving...what a wonderful thing for you that you were able to go back and find these dear people and visit all the places that your dad had traversed in his long journey. I especially enjoyed all the pictures and history of the Opheusden area, since, of course, that is where Garland was killed.
One thing that always confused me is that there are two railroad stations in Opheusden at the time of the battle. Remember there are dual railroad lines and there was a station for each one. I remember looking at one of the railroad stations and couldn't understand why there was no houses behind the station. It because I was looking at the south station and the village was on the other side of the tracks. So I wondering if Garland was in the fields south of the RR tracks or north of the lines where there were houses. I am going to ask on other forums for some information.
Have no clue. I've only been told that he was somewhere near the "railway station." I know he was in a trench/foxhole. I assumed there was only one railway station! I need to look at the photograph more carefully, and then I'd probably need to go back and review the After Action Report to see if I could find a clue. Thanks for pursuing this.
Thanks for your help on the Trigger Time Forum, Doug. Just saw your post. I've just now completed a letter to Bob Rommel, who was in the LMG Platoon with Garland. Having to do this by snail mail, so am hoping for some sort of reply, but I have no idea what to expect and it may be a while. I asked him, if he could, to share what he could and specifically, if he had any recollection of the issue you've brought up. From what I've been told by others, he might have been very close to Garland that day. Mr. Rommel currently resides in California.
Am going to find some time to review your aerial photograph and also the AAR to see if I can get any hints there.
Judy, I was wondering if Ian Gardner, author of "The Forgotten Battalion" might know the positions of the 506th on October 5, 1944? The probelm was that the battlefield was very fluid with the Screaming Eagles being pushed back by a numerically superior force. If you look at that 1944 aerial photo you can see where the Headquarters of How and George moved from east to west as the Germans launched their counter attacks. He may have a better idea than first hand accounts because he would have all the information and might be able to sort it all out. Just a suggestion. Also about the railroad station. Since there was a dual line, each line had its own waiting or railroad station so they maybe also confusing.
Hi Doug. I have had a couple of email exchanges with Ian Gardner. His response excerpted from our email exchange:
*** " I don't know how Garland died but I know it was during the rear guard action around Opheusden railway station on October 5th...you probably know this but his name is on a memorial erected by the Dutch in 1999 near the spot where one of the 3/506 aid stations used to be . So are you saying they never recovered his body then? I always assumed he was buried in Margraten Military Cemetary. The fighting around the station was very brutal but there was to my knowledge no flooding in that area apart from the odd drainage ditch however there is a canal very close by! " ***
I know that Ian has done extensive interviews with several who were near Garland that day.
I've reviewed the AAR's from the 506th PIR site...you may have copies of these yourself, Doug. The only clues I can find are these:
From October 3, 1944: "...3rd Battalion (less 'I' Company), Batteries 'B' and 'D' 81st AA Battalion attached, defends west from eastern edge of OPHEUSDEN, line extending south from OPHEUSDEN to the railroad.... "
From October 4, 1944: "3rd Battalion reported enemy attempting to cross the river NEDER-RUN at 2105 hour, 3 October 1944. Our artillery prevented this crossing. 3rd Battalion received enemy artillery and motar fire throughout the day...."
From October 5, 1944: "Enemy attacking in 3rd Battalion sector (OPHEUSDEN) AT 0300 hour. At 0600 hour, enemy attacking in strength along 3rd BN entire front. 3rd Battalion reports enemy using civilians as a screen for their advance. .... 3rd Battalion reports they are being hard pressed (at 1000 hour) by approximately a reinforced company in 'I' Company's sector and they are now putting artillery on the enemy. Message rec'd at 1020 hour that the Commanding Officer of the 3rd BN, Major Oliver M. Horton, had been killed in action.
"At 1420 hour 3rd Battalion reports three enemy tanks with supporting Infantry are advancing on their left flank....
[I'm deleting several paragraphs here....]
"At 1900 hour 'I' Company reported they had repelled the attack and had destroyed their position. At this time, the Combat Team Commander ordered the following changes in the dispositions of the Combat Team: 3rd Battalion to move ('G' 'H' and 'HQ' CO) south of the railroad and take up positions on 'I' Company's right flank extending north through the railroad contacting the 1st Battalion. 1st Battalion was given that part of the section extending north from the railroad through the eastern edge of OPHEUSDEN to NEDER-RIJN River. This line ran roughly from south to north-DODEWAARD railroad station near OPHEUSDEN, 200 yards east to west inside OPHEUSDEN, to d**e along NEDER-RIJN River."
That is the last mention of the 3rd Battalion on that day of the report. There is further discussion of the disposition of the entire Combat Team as of 2000 hour, but the HQ Company specifically, is not mentioned. Apparently 'H' and "G' companies of the 3rd were held in reserve. There is mention from the entry of October 6th of the enemy moving in to the railroad station near OPHEUSDEN and by dawn, they were astride the road-railroad intersection. 'G' Company was ordered to attack west along the north side of the railroad and retake the station and intersection. 'H' Company was pinned down to prevent their left flank from being exposed. Both the 1st and 3rd BTN's came under heavy fire of all types, the 3rd BTN holding their ground, but the 1st BTN having to pull back to the eastern edge of OPHEUSDEN.
So it appears his Company may have been just south of the southern most railway station at some point, but then repositioned to just north of the railway station. Ian's comment about Garland's being killed during the "rear guard" action would indicate??
Confusing, and I have had trouble locating both railway stations on your map. What am I missing?
I will drop Ian another note. Maybe there are some specific details about the engagement that day that he can provide that he's not already!
Thanks for the suggestion. Let me know if you can decipher any of the above any more clearly than I! I know that must be the case! And it's difficult when you lift something from context. As I said, you probably have these documents yourself!
Judy, Do you know by any chance about what time Garland was killed? The reason I ask is that might determine his location at the time of his death. I am gonna go back and read George Koskimaki's book "Hell's Highway" and some of Mark Bando's books to see if they reveal more information. The way I understand it is that the 363rd Volksgrenadier Division, augmented with a battalion of tanks and engineers attacked early on the morning of October 5, 1944. The third battalion of the 506th was deployed on a north-south axis from the Neder Rhine (Lower Rhine) to the Waal River. Only about 400 Americans were there at the time. George Company was on the northern sector, then How Company down to the railroad tracks. South of the tracks was Item Company. My Dad was about 1-1/2 to the east, and the Engineers were converted to infantrymen and ordered west-their mission was to determine the extent of the German drive. What the Engineers were doing was a reconnaisse-in-force or basically "counting the guns" of the Enemy, to find out what the Americans were up against. As they approached the bridge leading to Opheusden, First Platoon of Baker Co./326th went north while the 3rd Platoon went south of the tracks. Some time around 8:45 AM my Dad was shot and finally made it to air raid shelter helped by another GI. It was here around 9:00 AM that Wim and Dir van den Bosch brought him into their home. He was there for three hours before the medics, most likely two men from 321st GFAR, brought him to an aid station. After a two days fighting the 506th redeployed about 1 1/2 miles east back behind the 327th GIR.
Don't think I have that website, so if you wouldn't mind posting the URL, I'd appreciate it. I am constantly discovering new places to look. Yes, his picture is posted several places. Wouldn't it be something if he was near where your Dad was when he was hit.
What you said above makes sense. Unfortunately, I have NEVER been given any information about the time of day he was killed. I'm in touch with two of his fellow troopers, who were very near him when he died, but I'm waiting to hear back from them, and I'm not sure about how comfortable either of them is with discussing specifics. I'm sure each of them might have that answer. Hopefully, as I continue to work on developing correspondence channels with them, I'll be able to find out.
Now it appears that the building in the bottom picture is the railroad station and there was a waiting station on each side of the dual railroad tracks. The railroad station is on the south side of the tracks. Now if we knew what side of the tracks Garland was on we could almost figure out where he was by where would you place a machine gun nest? I also found out that another soldier who manned a .50 MG was killed that same day, Pvt. Carl E. Pease, also Headquarters 3rd Battalion/506th. When they pulled back Pease was left behind and his body was also never found.
Thanks for the link, Doug. I had this site bookmarked and have reviewed it many times...knew Garland's picture was there. Guess I just wasn't familiar with the webmaster/owner!
Have looked at the previous picture from your book as well and have already saved it.
I've sent another email to Ian Gardner, asking if he can shed any light on the subject. Hopefully, I will hear back from him!
Hey Doug! Yes, I actually already had a copy of the manifest that Thijs had mailed to me. However, it was a bit blurry. I saw the *clearer* image on the TT Forum last night, so was glad to get it. I actually looked at the site Thijs gave in the forum post, went through 8600 records last night and didn't find it; I'm sure I overlooked it!
And I saw Dave's post today~~a picture of the Coleman HS Basketball Squad from 1934-35, on which Garland played. I have requested school records from three different school districts, and was also just thinking last night about asking for copies of Coleman HS yearbooks. I have second cousins (Garland's nieces/nephews) who still live in Coleman.
I heard back from Ian Gardner this morning. This excerpt from his email is the only additional insight he can provide:
"I'm afraid I cannot tell you any more than I already know about Tex ..... But what I can say is that the rear guard action on the 5th took place 5 or 600 yards west of the station (see photo - taken facing west). The following 24 hours were chaotic and at one point a British tank arrived and took up a fire support position roughly where I took the photo. This helped to stop the German assault and gave the 506th time to regroup."
I'll attach photo he sent of station, current time. He says he was facing west...He had stated before that he feels Garland was killed in the "rear guard" action, so if that's the case~~in an area possibly 500-600 yards beyond the station in this photograph? This could be either south or north of the tracks? He labeled his original photograph 'Opheusden Stn 1.' I've had to resize it a bit to make it fit here.
The mystery continues, but this may be as close as I'll get to an answer. By the way. I sent him a link to your map of the area...he was very complimentary..."What a great map Doug has drawn~~bang on the money!"
See point 10 is the bridge going over the railroad tracks. This is where the railroad station was. Now see point 6 house where the road starts going north and west. Now Garland's position would be about halfway between these two points-right around where the p of H comp is. Now if we now what side of the tracks he is on.
Hi Doug~~I've had an email exchange with one, Tom Bucher, also a member of Garland's LMG Platoon. I need to touch base with him again. Said he remembered that Tex had a great sense of humor and was always *in control* in every situation in which they found themselves. Tom did not make the jump into Holland, so can only give me information related to his training for two years with Garland & his other buddies. However, his best buddy, Andrew Bryan, was with Garland on the day he died. So I am hoping to learn more perhaps. I've written another letter to Bobbie Rommel, also a member of Garland's LMG Platoon; however, I've not had a response.
Am working on getting military records, school records, and going through old family photographs and documents to try to find out more.
Judy, Today on the Trigger Time Forum there was a piece about the Bentstar Project which is a group looking for missing Americans in the Pacific from World War II. I just e mailed the contact to see if there is any orgainization in Europe that can help find Garland's remains. We can any only hope.
Thanks for the headsup, Doug, and for the followup. I hadn't checked the TT Forum in detail in a couple of days. Will look at that entry tomorrow. Have been busy going through old family photographs this evening...found only one of Garland taken with my grandmother (his sister) probably in 1943, when he was home visiting his siblings in Texas while on furlough. But I think there may be more! Our guess is that this was before the 101st was ordered to Camp Shanks in NY. Shortly after that, in Sept. 1943, he was shipped out to Liverpool, never to return to the States.
Have run into a snag requesting his military records. They may have been among the millions of records that were destroyed in a 1973 fire. So am having to submit another questionnaire so that the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis might be able to replicate them through a variety of other sources. Oh, joy!
Hello Doug, thank you for sharing your story and congratulations on the information you have pulled together on your web site! The research and search team that we did the film on, http://www.bentprop.org/ , may have one or two contacts in Europe, we will contact them and see if they know of anyone to help in this region. All of our work and focus has been in the Pacific theater and mainly Palau, just not enough time and resources to do it all.
JPAC, http://www.jpac.pacom.mil/ has done a few recovery missions in Europe over the past 2 years, so a query to them on contacts in Europe or additional research info would be appropriate.
I will get back to you in about 10 days, if I do not hear from any of our contacts before then.
Blue Skies, dan
Doug Wilber wrote: > I was wondering if you could put me in the right direction. My name is > Doug Wilber and I saw a thread about your wonderful organization that > seeks Americans missing in the Pacific during WWII. I have a website > about my Dad and his unit at http://www.thewoundingofcharliewilber.com > <http://www.thewoundingofcharliewilber.com> and on my site I have a > forum in which a member has a relative missing in Europe. On October > 5, 1944 my Dad was wounded in the small village of Opheusden, > Netherlands. A grand niece of Sgt. Garland "Tex" Collier said he was > killed by mortar fire manning a .50 caliber MG that same day.Since the > Germans overwhelmed the Allies, they were forced to withdraw leaving > Garland in a foxhole about 500-600 west of the railroad station. The > area became a no-man's land and was later flooded by the Germans. When > the civilians returned, Garland's body was not found. Is there any > group in Europe that does what your group is doing? Any help would be > appreciated. > > Doug Wilber -- dob@BentStarProject.org 1-530-666-2148 work
Thanks again for the heads up, Doug. Have read the wonderful article from the BBC News...fascinating...who knows...there could still be some hope. I'll also check out the links associated with the BentStar Project. I've been doing paperwork on Garland for the past few days...rec'd some more school records today from Coleman County Courthouse, which also included records from the War Department and the Veterans' Administration. Have also been researching other Coleman County records on communities, cemeteries, schools, and other family history, trying to link some things together. Communicating also with family members and trying to find out more. I was just reminded by my sister that I have two huge tubs of records and ssrapbooks that I kept from my Mother's estate. Am hoping to find some additional photographs or records.
I did just check the All POW-MIA site and his name is listed there among "Service Personnel Not Recovered After World War II" Will give both of the sites a good look shortly. Thanks again.
Judy, I was looking thru my files and I came up with a more detailed After Action Report written by Headquarters of the 506th PIR. They have an entry for October 5, 1944 at 0740 hours that came from Blue (the code word for the 3rd Battalion) NOTE: The 101st had their battalions 1st, 2nd and third. They were code named Red, White and Blue. Thus the radio call signal for the 3rd Battalion of the 506th PIR was Kidnap Blue. The entry reads "One plat. of 326 Eng. to support "HOW" along RR-How Co reported reenforce Co. with MG & Mrtr (Item Co No contact exegerated)."
Thanks for that info, Doug. I'd have to go back and review my copies to be sure, but I don't recognize that information. Do you have an actual copy of that page of the AAR that you could send to me? Or could you scan it and post a photograph of it here? If not, would be happy to send you my mailing address to your private email or private message through the Message Center? Would like to have a copy of the 8x11 1/2 page, if that's possible.
I did have a response back from the JPAC recovery team...came from Hawaii, and basically just acknowledged my inquiry and said that they would look into it and get back to me later.
Judy, This looks like the raw collections of a clerk on a minute to minute situation report. There are many errors and XXX outs. I can sent to you but I also want to put it in here. One funny thing is at 1320 hours from Blue with it ending sinking down. "Situation has eased up some under light small arms and arty fire A lot of Heines have had it." It also shows that Garland and my Dad started from the same area and it appears that moved to Opheusden around the same time.
[b][/b] Hi Doug: Just a note to let you know that I heard from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command Team (JPAC) with its final information on Garland. Text from Rachel Phillips follows~~
Aloha Ms. Gamble!
Thank you again for your patience. Here is the information regarding your great-uncle, Sgt Garland W. Collier.
There are 7 men still missing from 5-6 October 1944, who were assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, 506th Parachute Infantry. Your great-uncle, Sgt Collier is among them. JPAC currently does not have plans to go in and around the village of Opheusden, but we will order the Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) and review it to see if there are any useful leads. I'll send you a copy of the file, upon our receipt.
We will also ask our local contacts, if they have any information on searches conducted in that area of the Netherlands. One of our historians is aware of a recent search conducted for un-explosive ordnance in the area of the 82nd Airborne Division losses during Operation Market Garden. They may have further information to contribute.
For research purposes, you may want to contact the Royal Dutch Netherland Army Search and Recovery team for their assistance. However, they do not actively search for missing U.S. personnel, they collect and identify human remains that are recovered during construction and other activities in the area.
JPAC will add your great-uncle's case to the historian case tracker system. Any new information received regarding remains or isolated burials in the Netherlands will be compared against the details of Sgt Collier's loss for possible correlation.
Good luck on your research. Again, I'll send you a copy of the IDPF when it is received.
"Until They Are Home!" "E Huli Ho'i Lakou Ika Home!" "Bis Sie Nach Hause Kommen"
I will do follow up with the Royal Dutch Netherland Army Search and Recovery Team to see what additional information I might can find. It was interesting to note that apparently there are still six others still missing from fighting on Oct 5-6 in and around Opheusden. That's certainly more information than I've had before. And they were willing to register him with their historian's tracker system.
Here's a picture of Garland taken some time between 1938-1942, probably closer to 1942, prior to his enlisting on Sept 1, 1942, in Phoenix. Shortly after that, he was at Camp Toccoa training with the 506th and by December had earned his jump wings. The additional picture is of Garland when he was home on furlough from Ft. Bragg, visiting my grandparents and my mother and uncle in San Antonio....this would have been in either January or June, 1943.
Judy, Thanks for the update. Maybe things will work out that Garland can finally return home. Let us hope so. I know he means so much to your family. Did you ever get any answers from the man that was him when he was killed?
No...I have had no response to the letter I wrote to him...my understanding is that he is very ill, but I was hoping that perhaps someone in his family might respond. The other gentleman who knew him and trained with him I have had an email exchange with, but I've not heard back from him now in a few weeks. The closest I may come is reliance on the conversations that my cousin has had with a fellow trooper in Garland's platoon who was right next to him when he died and who did witness his death and helped to prep his body for graves registration officials. We *do* have his description of events, but she also has not heard from him in several months. I hope to be able to correspond with him myself.
Thanks for all your help, Doug. I'm beholdin' to 'ya!
Judy, When I discovered what really happened to my Dad in Opheusden on October 5,1944, in meant closure for me. His events that day impacted my life to a great degree, the probelm was I didn't understand what had happened to me. Finding out all these things, about Wim and Dir van den Bosch, and how my Dad felt was a sad ending. But at the same time it was an ending and a huge weight was lifted from me. Now I can live in peace of mind and hopefully my Dad, Wim and Dir can now rest in peace.
Apparently a little private museum is situated in the town called Heteren on ‘the island’. Its called Betuws War Museum 'The Island' 1944-1945. The museum "The Island" covers the area of the Betuwe during the years 1944-1945 . Much of what is shown is from veterans and people from the area. Many objects in the Museum have a story, bringing the history of the Betuwe, during 1944-1945 to life. The Museum shows original uniforms of the Allies and the Germans who were in the Betuwe area. Supported by photo's, weapens, maps and items from the Dutch Resistance and the Dutch Army from may 1940. The owner can be contacted true his following website, http://www.betuwsoorlogsmuseum.nl/ Maybe he can help you with some information regarding the events that took place around October 5, 1944 in Opheusden.
"Think not only upon there passing...Remember the GLORY of their spirit"
Sorry I've been sort of out-of-pocket. Got caught up in Thanksgiving prep and then Christmas doings. No, I have not yet sent an email to the owner of the museum. I will try to do that this week. Thanks again for all your help. I also got a specific address from Officer Rachel Phillips with the JPAC Command Team with regard to inquiry to the Royal Netherlands Army, Recovery and Identification Service. I have yet to write to that contact, but will also try to accomplish that this week! Did I tell you that I finally heard back from The Red Cross in The Netherlands? They advised me to contact my local Red Cross Chapter in the USA to start the process, which I did well over a month ago. Have yet to receive a response or even an acknowledgement! So must also follow up on that!
Thanks again for all your interest...I hope to get back to *the hunt* on a more full time basis shortly!
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