52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks (2019-43)
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| Clifford Olsen, scanned from an original photo in the personal collection of Virginia Summers Olsen. © Edward R. Olsen 10.21.2019 |
Lately I've been looking at information and photos of my grandfather, Clifford Olsen (1922-1966), during his WWII tour. I recently came across this photo of him in a jeep that I've had for a few years and felt that it worked perfectly for the "Transportation" prompt for this week.
World War II saw the creation of one of America’s most beloved vehicles, the Jeep...the Jeep was once a military workhorse designed to move troops, help the wounded and more. The story of the Jeep begins in the late 1930s, when the United States military was searching for a vehicle that was light, rugged and could travel over rough terrain. By the early 1940s, the Jeep’s design was complete..."1 "The tough, simple, Jeep® ... became the GI's best friend—second only to his rifle."3
PFC Clifford Olsen was a soldier in the 414th Infantry Regiment of the 104th Infantry Division. He was part of the medical detachment and was a medical technician. The 104th Infantry entered the European Theatre of WWII on Sept. 7, 1944 when they landed in Cherbourg, France. They began a quick march across France and into Belgium and later Germany.
Based on the road sign in the photo, this picture was likely taken on Highway #2 on the road from Leipzig to Berlin. Using the milage on the signs, it appears that he is in the village of Krostitz. I estimate that the picture was likely taken between April 21, after the division solidified control of the area between the Saale and Mulde Rivers (and the 104th offensive strike ended) and June 11, 1945 when the Division began its movement from Germany via train from Leipzig to Camp Lucky Strike northeast of Le Harve, France to prepare for boarding ships back to the states on June 26 and July 2, 1945.
The below map shows the Division's movement during that time period form Paderborn to Torgau where they met up with the Russians.
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| Map downloaded 2019.10.12 from: http://www.104infdiv.org/MAP_G.HTM. The final leg of the journey took the Timberwolves across the Weser River, with Dunderstadt, Bad Lauterberg, Nordhausen, and the Harz Mountains along the route to the Saale River and Halle, then on to the Mulde River for a sweep of over 350 miles in less than a month and contact with the Russians on 26 April. |
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| Clifford Olsen (middle) in a picture dated May 26, 1945. Scanned from an original in the personal collection of Virginia Summers Olsen. The location where the picture was taken is unknown, but based on the troop movement, it is likely in the area bound by Leipzig, Halle and Torgau held by the 104th during that time. Historical Note: VE Day was on May 8, 1945. © Edward R. Olsen 10.21.2019 |
Clifford left France on Monday, July 2, 1945 aboard the S.S. Ericsson. I can only imagine the July 4th celebration on the ship as it crossed the Atlantic. It arrived at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on July 11, 1945 and "...docked near the pier we had left in August 1944. The good old USA looked pretty good. With flags waving and sirens blowing, with Wac and Army bands blaring "There'll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight," we were welcomed back to native soil."2
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| The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Ericsson (DD-440) at anchor off the New York Naval Shipyard (USA), on 24 September 1943. Picture in Public Domain. |
How I'm related to Clifford Olsen:
Clifford Olsen = Emma Hillenbrand Olsen
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Dad = Mom
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Me
52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks is a series of weekly prompts to get you to think about an ancestor and share something about them. The weekly prompt is provided by www.amyjohnsoncrow.com. The prompt for the week of October 21, 2019 is "Transportation."
1 https://www.warhistoryonline.com/military-vehicle-news/20-facts-world-war-ii-jeeps.html
2 Hoegh, Leo A., and Howard J. Doyle. Timberwolf Tracks: the History of the 104th Infantry Division, 1942-1945. Infantry Journal Press, 1999. P. 381.
3 https://www.jeep.com/history/1940s.html#mb
2 Hoegh, Leo A., and Howard J. Doyle. Timberwolf Tracks: the History of the 104th Infantry Division, 1942-1945. Infantry Journal Press, 1999. P. 381.
3 https://www.jeep.com/history/1940s.html#mb
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