Since I get the feeling that there are many people who are biased amateur historians, I am going to dedicate a string of posts to an event always overlooked. Operation ‘Avalanche’ Men of the 36th Infantry Division “T-Patchers”, wade toward the beach at Paestum, south of Salerno on September 9, 1943. The 36th was the first American combat division to land on the continent of Europe.  They fought in grueling combat in such notable actions as Mt. Lungo, San Pietro and the Rapido River. In the Rapido River action, the Division lost the better part of two of its three regiments, ultimately decimated. A good month before ‘D-DAY’ (as referred to by everyone as June 6th) they again made an amphibious assault on Anzio.  The 36th had spent 400 days in combat, accepted the surrender of Field Marshal Hermann Goering, won seven campaign streamers for its colors, taken part in two assault landings and 14 of its members had won the Medal of Honor. The Division had the ninth highest casualty rate of any Army Division in WWII.
Finnish dispatch.
13. Waffen-Gebirgs-Division der SS „Handschar“
mehrseinalsscheinen: Croatian MG34 gunner of the 369th infantry division with legion commemorative badge. No Y-Straps? No problem. Bullet belt facing inwards? No problem. Whistle  lanyard in the pocket - To let the slav’s know when there will be problems.
Pionier throws an Eihandgranate; Stielhandgranaten in his Pioniersturmgepäck.
A Gefreiter from Gebirgs Pionier Btl. 95 prepares a demo charge - Yugoslavia.
historicaldetailsandstuff: A soldier from a Mountain Infantry Regiment (Gebirgsjäger) aims his MG-34 mounted on a tripod for use against aircraft. A full 360 degree traverse was possible with the tripod mount. Note the anti-aircraft spider sight, used in conjunction with the rear sights.
Gebirgsjäger smiling in a Ju-52 prior to their departure to Crete - 1941.  Unaware of the hell that lay ahead for them and their FJ kameraden.
Soldiers of the 5th Gebirgsjäger Division pose for a picture on the Leningrad front, a long way from their training in Salzburg - 1942
reichsmarschall: The 13th Waffen SS Mountain Division “Handschar” (Croatian Nr.1)
A Jäger and his gal.
The words “duffle cut” and “vet bring-back” in photo form.

325th Glider Infantry Regiment - France - 1944

Soldiers of 325th Glider Infantry in support of the 82nd Airborne during actions outside of St. Mere Eglise - June ‘44