HONORING OUR HERITAGE
10th Mountain Division Soldier's Letter Home
The 10th Mountain Division cemented its reputation as the Army’s premier alpine force, overcoming formidable German resistance in Italy’s Apennine Mountains and advancing through the Po Valley to Lake Garda in the closing months of World War II.
After enduring the hardships of war, Pfc. George Morrison Jr., a Soldier with Company C, 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, wrote home to his parents on June 27, 1945, capturing his experiences in a letter.
Dear Mom + Dad, June 27, 1945
I have a little time this afternoon, so I will write a little of all the things that I have done in the past several months. I had gotten out of the hospital November 23, 1944 and had a week on pass in Austin. I went in Saturday and met a family who gave me a ride in their car and took me to their parents’ house for a meal. They asked me to come for Thanksgiving dinner a week after the nation had it, but Tuesday I was sent back to the company.
I phoned Aunt Alice and you all telling I was leaving Swift. On Wednesday evening we were taken by trucks to the train in Camp Swift. Thursday we went through Oklahoma, then Kansas, Missouri hit Saint Louis at midnight, then Illinois, (cold snow on ground) Indiana we got out for 30 minutes and ran around in the snow. It was very cold, glad to get back in the train. We continued Ohio came into Cincinnati Friday night about 8 PM then on to West Virginia to Camp Patrick Henry.
It’s about Newport News, Virginia where we stayed three days. It was cold there and a little damp. I got all new clothes and checked equipment. Phoned you all a couple of times. Then Saturday night at 11 o’clock we walked to the train which rode us 20 miles to the boat at Newport News. I was given a dixie cup of coffee by the Red Cross, (another) and stepped on the gang plank about midnight. I went down to the D deck, just above the water line. The boat was loaded and started out at 8 AM Sunday December 10, 1944 we met part of a convoy that noon and later at night. I was on a boat called the Argentina. It was an Eastern Boat Lines to South America before the war.
We were really crammed into the holds and I had a fellow sleeping above me and three under. Some were 8 men high, but we managed.
I slept next to Jack a teacher from north Sacramento, teached at Grant Union. We are good friends.
I was free all the time and walked around the deck every day and almost every night. We ate a fair chow and I even got a little sea sick but got over it in a few days. We had had calm weather all of the trip but the waves were a little rough.
The 10th day we sighted land. Africa! We went through the Straits of Gibraltar and I was taking it all in. The weather was bad when we were in the Mediterranean near Algiers. I looked over the funny African countryside. The 13th night, December 22 we pulled into Naples Harbor about 9 o’clock. The weather was cold, windy and damp.
The next morning we were pulled in and I looked over Naples from the boat. You could see the damage which was done by us by air and artillery. We got off the boat December 23 about noon and a Red Cross girl gave me 2 doughnuts, (coffee in the states doughnuts here). We were driven through Naples to a large modern school which used to be the Italian West Point. Of course, it was airy, no windows because for our bombs and cold, no heat. We had C rations in cans and slept on marble floors. I had a lot of blankets. I went to the Red Cross where it was warm, ice cream after sweating out a long line. I wrote you all a couple of V- mails.
I met Lee Gebhart and talked to each other. The most of the day, December 24 I spent at the Red Cross and just sitting and writing. I went there Christmas Eve (night) too. We had to go back to the school and to bed by matches.
December 25, Christmas Day, we had a dinner, and had turkey then got ready to leave at noon. We boarded train in Naples Christmas noon. It was cold and the train was just box cars but about half the size of our box cars at home. We had 25 men per car, it was crammed, but it was cold and everything was o.k. We even opened up the sides so we could look out. The car rode like a bucking horse, but I slept and did ok. I woke up when we passed Cassino, so I saw the rocks and rubble which was once a town. We went up to the outskirts of Rome only a mile away, we continued up to a station about 35 miles from Livorno (or Leghorn) then we got on trucks and rode up to Pisa. We bivouacked outside of Pisa about three miles. I could see the leaning tower.
I had a little pup tent with another fellow and there we got our equipment and stuff that we needed. It was cold there and a heavy frost. We could see snow all over the mountains and hear artillery fire. We were put on the alert because they were having trouble up on the bigger front. They dumped out ammo to us and we got everything we needed. I had to dig my first fox hole in case we were attacked by aircraft. We did have an alarm, but some were just caused by a false thing. We spent three days there then moved back by trucks to below Leghorn about 10 miles. We bivouacked on hills overlooking the sea. I spent New Year’s Eve and a few days there.
Because my knee was not in good shape and they wanted to give it time to heal, they let me guard duffel bags for a couple of weeks near Pisa. About 10 miles outside of Pisa.
I was sent for about February 3 and from there I went up front to San Marcello. We left there in two days to go back to Lucca. We rested in some large estate about 9 miles outside of Lucca until February 16. We packed up and got on trucks for the front. We got off at Vidiciatico and hiked about 12 miles to within yards of the German lines. We had a hard time finding the buildings and I was falling and slipping on the ice and snow but somehow after getting lost, I caught up with a couple of fellows and we made it to an old stone house. The company was in these two houses the few hours of the morning Feb 18 and left at dark for the attack up to Riva Ridge. It was cold and I helped carry signal wire up a ways and keep the line open to the company going up. I went back to the house where I helped with 1st Sgt. Shaffer stay on the phone both day and night. I took the messages to Battalion one night through enemy territory and I had that rifle ready to kill if I saw a shadow move. I had to go through snow over a hill and through deserted villages and with the moonlight every tree made a shadow look like a person and enemy. I got a couple of hours rest then took over the phone.
When I was on I had to call Battalion and report they reached the ridge and made it ok. The next day they had a fire fight. I reported some artillery which came in near us. That night of the 19th of February the weather was cold and I was talking to a Lieutenant friend who was up on the ridge. At 2 AM of the 20th, he went out because of a patrol (Germans) was attacking them again on the right flank. He was killed with about 10 other friends of mine. 3 fellows were captured. I heard a couple of days ago that one fellow who was captured got home.
I helped haul down the wounded. I worked five hours on this one good friend of mine, it took him 15 hours to get down from the top. It was a hell of a trail. I helped give blood plasma. Other friends of mine who was shot through the neck and chest, others the legs, ankles and others had to lose their feet or legs because of the cold and it took so long to get down.
The 21st of February we moved back to a little town and took off for Gaggio Montano. Rested 2 days and the third day took a short truck ride for about five miles outside of Gaggio Montano. (A little artillery came in while we were on the rest and I even slept through our own artillery.) We hiked up to almost the top of a hill and dug in good deep fox holes. I and the 1st Sgt. slept together. We waited 2 days there and pushed off March 3. We attacked for about five miles and then hiked to an area up a ways and dug in. It was midnight. During the night they (the Germans) threw in some artillery close and with the cold weather and artillery I was shaking and freezing. We had C rations the next morning. I helped carry a case to the company, just so I could eat it.
We got ready after eating dog biscuits and went into the march for a ways before the attack. We had a 15 minute or longer artillery barrage on the town while we were walking up. I would keep my eyes on the fighter planes while they strafed the town bombed it with gasoline bombs. The artillery lifted and then we opened up with machine guns of our own. The enemy let the company get almost to the town which was up on a hill and then they opened up with machine guns and mortars. I started to dig in then I moved so much that I forgot about digging in. Their mortars were getting close and I hoped they would be put out. I fired at a German who was directing the mortar fire, but I don't know if I hit him. The tanks came up and that helped out more than anyone will ever know. We started to continue up to the town, even when a German tank opened up on us. Our tanks knocked them out.
Because the company was shot up pretty bad, I went up and helped out with a BAR man in the assault platoon for the next attack up the next mountain. The artillery and mortar fire was coming in thick and heavy. We had an hour rest and it seemed like a life time. We pushed off at 1 PM and then over the top we went. I was running back and forth and forward hitting the ground in defilade and ditches and firing at different German dug outs. We were being fired at but you had to advance.
We were doing ok when we got down in the valley we had to wait until our flank caught up. They were nowhere in sight. We were pinned down while our artillery put in a barrage over our head on to a level spot a few yards over us. I can't explain myself, it is a wonder I am not gray haired now. It lasted for a 1/2 hour, but God must have been with me. The men killed (were) behind me, but anyway we continued and I saw a German and fired at him, others did also. I think he was killed. We reached the top and dug in. That night we took guard post and I watched miles of German land. The next morning a German patrol came up and a man killed the German captain by cutting his head off at the forehead with a BAR.
A friend and I dug in on the forward slope under sniper fire. We sweated out from March 5 till 16th then we had to walk back through Purple Heart Valley to where we got trucks went to Montecatini on a battalion rest. My nerves were shot because of all the artillery and mortar fire at us those 14 days. I saw three movies and had a couple of cups of coffee and cookies at the Red Cross.
I went back on line the 20th of March and stayed 2 weeks. We had three more days rest then back to the front. We waited around there until April 15 and you should have seen the tanks, halftracks, artillery and everything. It looked like a great circus. The push off came in the morning after about 45 minutes of artillery bombing and all fires possible. It was hard the first day, the mines fields hurt and killed a lot of fellows, but the push went on. The first night they went a good ways and the second day they were looking over the Po Valley. Spent next day in Po and artillery fire was coming in.
April 23, at San Benedetto, crossed the Po river. We had been drinking champagne and wine till everyone was almost drunk.
The attack went on, fast and couldn't stop us. It did take about six days to reach the mountain overlooking the Po Valley though. We crossed the river. I went up to Bussolengo, spent the night in a town and had some more wine, ate bread and a couple of fried eggs. We went up to Lake Garda and the 86th had a hard time going up to the north part of the lake. The Germans had everything ready. I went up to the end of the lake in a duck and brought up the mail I had. We stayed there and didn't attack and a day or two later we found out the war was over. It rained a lot and it was cold and damp. Were afraid to build fires or have lights for fear the Germans would shell us, but I guess the war was over for us here in Italy. I was so glad that I went in bed and didn't worry much about artillery fire. Fellows fired their rifles and pistols, but I just went to bed, May 2, 1945.
The rest of the war ended May 7 and 8 and during my time up on Lake Garda, I went swimming and over to this little town across the lake. I slept at a little hotel and we bought some fish from a fisherman and had them prepared by the little hotel family. We had wine and sat out on the porch looking over the lake, which was a beautiful sight like Lake Tahoe.
We moved back by truck to Brescia, and bivouacked on an Italian airfield for a few days. It was hot there and I went in one night to Brescia and looked over the town with a fellow from Sacramento called Bino Grifantini. We had some wine then back to bed at 10 o’clock.
I went the next night down to where the German Armies were going into the PW cage. We heard the papers say Tito wanted Trieste and they didn't want him to have it.
We were sent up to make sure the mountains and roads were kept open up here at the Austrian, Yugoslavian border.
We are here resting, rock climbing and going on passes. I hope to go on one to Trieste shortly. I will write about it.
We are waiting to see what is in the future, but I am resting and taking life easy. I will close for now and write any news later.
Always love,
Brother
The Story Behind The Letter
Timeline of the 86th Mountain Infantry and excerpts from George Morrision Jr.'s letter
Reference: "History of the 86th Mountain Infantry in Italy" by Charles Wellborn. (click here to access the document)
Thursday/Thanksgiving – 23 Nov 1944 (Thanksgiving) – Pfc. George Morrison Jr. is released from the hospital after suffering a knee injury and goes on pass. Maj. Gen. George P. Hays arrives at Camp Swift, Texas.
Tuesday – 28 Nov 1944 – Morrison is called back to Company C at Camp Swift
Wednesday – 29 Nov 1944 – The 86th left by trucks in the evening to board the train at Camp Swift
“It had been a fast, unexpected movement. Jerked from a scarcely begun maneuver, the men of the 86th had boarded trains at Camp Swift, Texas, and sped across the eastern United States to Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia. There they had just had time enough to give equipment a last minute check and make those all-important phone calls home.”
Saturday – 9 Dec 1944 at 11 p.m. – Troops walked to a train that took them about 20 miles to Newport News, VA
Sunday – 10 Dec 1944 at 12 a.m. – The 86th boarded the SS Argentina
“Every man was busy with his equipment. It was a (big) job to handle the overloaded pack and duffle bag that each man carried, to say nothing of the rifle, gas mask, and steel helmet.”
Sunday - 10 Dec 1944 at 8 a.m. – The 86th left port in the SS Argentina
Sunday 10 Dec 1944 – Friday 22 Dec 44 at 9 p.m. – The 86th journeys across the Atlantic bound for Naples, Italy
“All in all, there was quite a bit to occupy a fellow who really wanted to find entertainment. The first few days there was the newness of ocean travel—and probably a bit of seasickness.”
Friday – 22 Dec 1944 – The Argentina dropped anchor near the port at Naples (arrived the 13th night)
Saturday – 23 Dec 1944 – The Argentina is pulled into port and the 86th puts boots on the ground in a war zone
Saturday – 23 Dec 1944 – The Argentina is pulled into port and the 86th puts boots on the ground in a war zone
“Next morning, the mountain troops saw their first signs of war, as they gazed at rusty hulks of once-great ships that filled the harbor. They saw more of war’s after-effects as they were whisked through the oft-bombed streets of Naples to their first stop, the half-completed buildings of an orphanage in Bagnoli, a suburb of the great city.”
Saturday - 23 Dec 1944 – Sunday 24 Dec 1944 – Morrison passes time at the Red Cross, and when he is writing his parents he is careful to downplay any misery they were experiencing there.
“Bagnoli was a staging area, and the regiment was not to remain there long, for which most of the men were grateful. The marble floors they slept on were cold, and the rations were infinitesimal.”
“Bagnoli was a staging area, and the regiment was not to remain there long, for which most of the men were grateful. The marble floors they slept on were cold, and the rations were infinitesimal.”
Monday/Christmas – 25 Dec 1944 – 1st Battalion leaves with advance party by train at noon, Morrison mentions how packed the trains were and having to finish the trip by truck, but did not tell his parents about the train wreck they had survived on the way.
“Two days after the landing, on Christmas day, the First Battalion and Headquarters Company, left by train to serve as an advance party in a newly assigned area. The movement was delayed by a train wreck and had to be completed by truck.”
Wednesday - 27 Dec 1944 – Sunday - 31 Dec 1944 – 1st Battalion bivouacked in staging area near Pisa, the Battle of Garfagnana was intensifying a short distance away.
Sunday - 31 Dec 1944 – 1st Battalion moved to bivouac in Quercianella
“At 1600 (4 p.m.) on the last day of the year, the regiment moved out in truck convoy for its new bivouac area at Quercianella, just south of Leghorn on the coast.”
Sunday - 7 Jan 1945 – The 86th is on its way to the front, Morrison stays back as he is still recovering from his knee injury
“By 1830 that night the three battalions were in their initial positions: the 1st Battalion in the vicinity of Castelluccio, the 2nd near San Marcello, and the 3rd in Bagni di Lucca. By nightfall, communication was set up, and the 86th had begun to function as a combat unit, holding its sector of the line.”
Monday - 8 Jan 1945 – Friday - 2 Feb 1945 – 1st Battalion stays on the front line, and it was generally quiet
Saturday 3 Feb 1945 – Morrison is called to the front, joins 1st Battalion in San Marcello and then moves with the 86th Regiment to Lucca
Saturday 3 Feb 1945 – Morrison is called to the front, joins 1st Battalion in San Marcello and then moves with the 86th Regiment to Lucca
“The troops were withdrawn to a training area in the vicinity of Lucca, and a CP was opened in a beautiful villa in the little hamlet of San Cassiano di Moriano. As the regiment rested and trained in its rear area near the old walled city of Lucca, there was a suspenseful and somewhat grim expectation in the air.”
Wednesday – 14 Feb 1945 - Saturday - 17 Feb 45 – the 86th moves by truck to the vicinity of Castelluccio, then marching toward the base of Pizzo di Campiano (Riva Ridge) during the night to maintain the element of surprise
“The 1st and 2nd Battalions detrucked in the vicinity of Castelluccio and moved out immediately. By midnight the long lines of trudging soldiers in the 1st Battalion had cleared Vidiciatico. Above their heads, piercing the pitch-black darkness like long fingers of molten steel were the powerful searchlights playing relentlessly on the slopes of Belvedere and Campiano. Between the columns of men rolled a steady column of jeeps and trucks, as supplies, ammunition and equipment moved up.”
Saturday - 17 Feb 1945 – 1st Battalion rests and prepares to take the Ridge
Sunday - 18 Feb 1945 (Daytime)– 1st Battalion sets up a command post at Farne, then prepares for the attack which is to start that night
“The 18th of February was a busy day, for officers and men alike. To maintain the element of surprise, men must stay under cover, but there was plenty to keep them occupied. Weapons were checked and double-checked, ammunition issued, equipment inspected. By now, every man knew “this was it.”
Sunday - 18 Feb 1945 (Evening/Overnight) – B and C Companies start climbing Campiano Ridge. Morrison relays communications between his company and the battalion and helps bring down the wounded.
Sunday - 18 Feb 1945 (Evening/Overnight) – B and C Companies start climbing Campiano Ridge. Morrison relays communications between his company and the battalion and helps bring down the wounded.
“To the southwest of Belvedere, the principal divisional objective, ran a rugged Feb 2 line of snow-capped peaks, the Mt. Mancinello-Pizzo di Campiano Ridge, later called Riva Ridge. If Belvedere was to be taken and held, American forces must first secure this ridgeline, for it flanked Belvedere and furnished a magnificent observation point. From it the Germans could see every action of the American and Brazilian forces facing them. It was not likely that the Germans underestimated the importance of the ridge. Four times Belvedere had been taken, and four times strong German counterattacks had forced the Allies back. It was a tough nut to crack. The Germans considered the ridgeline virtually impregnable to any large body of troops because of its natural ruggedness. The steep icy cliffs would have discouraged any “flatland” outfit. Unluckily for the (Germans) the 86th was no flatland outfit. The cliffs below Serrasiccia and Cappel Buso were rugged, but to trained rock climbers and mountain men they were far from impassable. At 1930 (7:30 p.m.) B and C Companies moved out of their assembly areas to begin the long tortuous climb up Campiano Ridge. To understand the magnitude of the task before them, the men of the 1st Battalion had only to look at the terrain. The ridge rose 1500 to 2000 feet from the valley, and from the bottom it appeared unclimbable. Most of the trails were icy, and if they were not icy, they were either rocky or muddy. Bending almost double under full field packs, the men scrambled up, cursing in whispers when they slipped and fell. Two columns had to use ropes. Slowly but inexorably the battalion worked its way up. The men toiling up the hills began to wonder whether there really were (Germans) on the ridge. The suspense, the waiting, expecting any moment to hear a machine pistol open up, was almost as bad as an actual firefight. Everyone began to understand the real meaning of the term ‘sweating it out.’”
Monday - 19 Feb 1945 - Company C takes their target easily, then fights to hold it
“At 0505 (5:05 a.m.) Company C, which had the longest and hardest climb, finally settled down on Mt. Serrasiccia.
The objectives were reached—with little fighting and with almost complete surprise. A few Grenades tossed into earthen pillboxes, a few pasty-faced trembling German prisoners, and the ridge that “couldn’t be taken” was ours. Now the problem was to keep it.
…(by the early afternoon) Company C on Mt. Serrasiccia was fighting off a 40-man German counterattack. Forced to pull back off the crest, they called for artillery support, and the resulting barrage, including 83-mm and 60-mm mortar fire, temporarily broke up the attack. …A large group of Germans came out of cover with hands raised high as if in surrender. …(the) company held their fire and the Germans drew close to their positions. At the bottom of the little ridge on which Company C was dug in, the Germans suddenly fell to the ground, brought out their weapons, and opened fire. Company C had not been fooled, and the Germans gained nothing but numerous casualties from the trick.
All day on the 20th, the 1st Battalion repulsed German attacks. Twenty-six dead piled up in front of one B Company position. Seven prisoners were taken, six of them mountain troopers. The evacuation of casualties from the Company B positions on Cappel Buso was especially difficult. Some litter cases took as long as 20 hours, but the litter bearers … worked night and day to get the wounded back to the collecting stations.”
Tuesday - 20 Feb 1945 – In the early morning hours, not long after speaking with Morrison, 1st Lt., John McCown is killed in action as the fighting on Mt. Serrasiccia continues
Tuesday - 20 Feb 1945 – In the early morning hours, not long after speaking with Morrison, 1st Lt., John McCown is killed in action as the fighting on Mt. Serrasiccia continues
“On Mt. Serrasiccia, Company C battled furiously. The artillery dropped 84 rounds on the enemy in that area with telling effect. Air support aided too, as planes swept down to bomb enemy installations not a hundred yards from the American lines, especially in the Rocca Corneta area.
At 1300 (1 p.m.) on the afternoon of the 20th, Company C jumped off in a new attack along the Serrasiccia ridge. Despite the strong enemy resistance, partly shattered by a 15-minute artillery barrage including effectively timed fire, …(the company) gained (its) objective in 28 minutes, killing 4 enemy and forcing the remainder of the German force to withdraw.
At 1855 (6:55 p.m.) the first estimate of casualties was reported to Division G-1. In the light of what had been accomplished, it was amazingly light, though nonetheless serious. Killed: 1 officer, 6 enlisted men; wounded: 2 officers, 25 enlisted men.
The officer killed was 1st Lt., JOHN MCCOWN of Company C, a veteran mountain climber whose rambling bow-legged gait and contempt for army red tape had made him a well-known figure to almost every man in the regiment. He had been riddled by a German machine gun as he made a reconnaissance patrol.”
Wednesday - 21 Feb 1945 – 1st Battalion is relieved by 10th Reconnaissance Troop and 10th Anti-tank Battalion and leaves the ridge, moving to Gaggio Montano
“Up there on the ridge they had left their buddies, men they had lived with and worked with, many of them almost two years. They were bitter and mad, but they were also very, very tired. Some had not slept or eaten for more than three days.”
Friday – 23 Feb 45 – Gaggio Montano comes under enemy fire, but Morrison and others are so tired that they sleep through it
Friday – 23 Feb 45 – Gaggio Montano comes under enemy fire, but Morrison and others are so tired that they sleep through it
“Evidently the Germans were suspicious of Gaggio Montano for at 1549 (3:49 p.m.) the first of several artillery shells fell within 50 yards of the CP building. At 1740 (5:40 p.m.) the command post and aid station were shelled again. At 1825 (6:25 p.m.) the town was shelled a third time, and everyone agreed that the (Germans) knew entirely too much about the movement to Gaggio Montano.”
Saturday – 3 March 1945 – The next attack begins after dawn, with 1st Battalion to take the high ground east of Monteforte and Hill 928 – Objective Able, Morrison recalls in his letter that between the cold and the artillery, when he wasn’t moving, he was shaking and freezing
“Company C… the advance was speedy but by no means simple. The Germans poured artillery, mortar, and machine gun fire onto the attackers. But the first phase of combat operations had taught the 86th a vital lesson: never let the Germans pin you down. Keep moving. Once pinned down, you are an easy target for (German) artillery. Despite a hail of fire, the companies moved up.”
Sunday – 4 March 1945 – Morrison mentions eating “dog biscuits” for breakfast, a version of hard tack from c rations that were primarily made of flour, salt and water, with the moisture baked out of it to extend its shelf life. 1st Battalion fights toward Sassomolare and Mount Grande, where Morrison earns the Bronze Star. While we do not have the citation outlining exactly what action lead to his recognition, in the letter he mentions the intensity of the fighting, how badly the company was “shot up,” and that he “helped a BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) man out.” He tells his mother and father that after this battle “it’s a wonder he isn’t gray haired.”
“Despite these initial handicaps, the advance proceeded. The artillery continued to pour heavy fire on targets of opportunity, and Rover Joe strafed the reverse slope of the objective. With Mt. Grande taken, the advance was virtually over. The 86th had accomplished its mission. Opposition had been stiff. One Soldier’s concise summary: ‘These last two days have been a bunch of hell.’”
Monday – 5 March – Friday - 16 March 1945 – Enduring constant danger and intense stress, the 1st Battalion holds the line. Morrison recalls “sweating it out” in a foxhole and seeing gory deaths of Germans who tried to attack; some in his Battalion were killed in a friendly fire incident
“The Rover Joe planes were out again, strafing possible enemy positions. Up on the ridge and down another the planes went, beating the ground with their machine gun fire. On the ridge running down from Mt. Grande, the 1st Battalion men sat on the edge of their foxholes and cheered the planes as they did their deadly work. Suddenly one plane headed directly for the 1st Battalion positions and dived low, continuing its fire. The men below sat stunned for a moment and then leaped for cover. Some didn’t make it. The pilot, confused by the sight of similar ridges below him, had misjudged his terrain.”
“The Rover Joe planes were out again, strafing possible enemy positions. Up on the ridge and down another the planes went, beating the ground with their machine gun fire. On the ridge running down from Mt. Grande, the 1st Battalion men sat on the edge of their foxholes and cheered the planes as they did their deadly work. Suddenly one plane headed directly for the 1st Battalion positions and dived low, continuing its fire. The men below sat stunned for a moment and then leaped for cover. Some didn’t make it. The pilot, confused by the sight of similar ridges below him, had misjudged his terrain.”
Saturday - 17 March – Sunday - 18 March 1945 – 1st Battalion enjoys a weekend away from the front; in the letter to his parents, Morrison said that his nerves were shot. During much-needed R&R (rest and recovery), he had some coffee and cookies, and enjoyed watching some movies
“Montecatini was the nearest thing to a line soldier’s dream—a wide-open town where the MPs were tolerant, the champagne and cherry brandy flowed like water, and there were ample facilities for amusement.”
Monday – 19 March – (around) Monday - 2 April 1945 – 1st Battalion is back on the front lines, but neither the regimental history or Morrison have much to say about this timeframe meaning it was likely a quiet time, after which they were able to get another three days on pass
Friday - 6 April 1945 – 1st Battalion moves to the front at Riola
“A glance at the map reveals the importance of this terrain. It encompasses the high ground to the left of and controlling Highway 64, the principal route from the south into Bologna. Before any viable force could move up that highway, this rugged mountainous ground would have to be occupied by friendly forces. It soon developed that this was the primary mission of the 10th Mountain Division in the ‘Big Push.’”
Saturday - 14 April 1945 – The push to Po Valley begins
“Promptly at 0830 (8:30 a.m.) the airplanes began to circle lazily over the front lines, to be greeted with shouts and waves from the troops below. The planes moved over the valley and let loose with firebombs over Rocca di Roffeno. Great geysers of flame and heavy black smoke rose up to 200 feet in the air, and the concussion could be felt 3000 yards away. When the planes had finished, the artillery opened up, seemingly pounding every spot that the Air Corps had missed. In a few moments the valley was almost completely obscured by a fog of gray, black, and white smoke. The bursting shells started rockslides on the shale slopes of Rocca di Roffeno, and buildings were reduced to irregular piles of rubble. As the infantry units advanced, the engineers moved in behind them to build roads and bridges so that tanks and armor could be moved up. The enemy raked every approach route with his artillery, hampering the work of the engineers and impeding supply. Mule trains labored up the steep slopes. When shelling fell close to the road, the mulemen hit the ground, holding fast to the lead rope while the mules stood placidly.”
Sunday – 15 April 1945 – The 1st Battalion moved into an assembly area just south of Mt. Sette Croci, Morrison mentions in his letter the incredible sight of all the firepower
“The night was a busy one, for the commander sensed that they were beginning to crack the German defense. The principal obstacle to a new advance was a heavily mined field just past the proposed line of departure.”
Monday – 16 April 1945 – From Po Valley to Lake Garda, the 10th advances; Morrison talks about losing men to the minefields “but the push went on”
“The 1st Battalion had made rapid advances... Company C advanced two and a half miles without casualty, captured 5 prisoners, and occupied its objective at Coste.”
Tuesday – 17 April 1945 - The 1st Battalion advanced to la Palazzina, then moved to the high ground
“The attack was gaining momentum now. Every day brought the troops closer to the long sought- after Po Valley. Already the peaks were a little less rugged. But hard fighting remained before the Germans were to be pushed out of the Apennines.”
Thursday – 19 April 1945 – The entire regiment was rested as much as possible to prepare for an all-out push into the Po Valley. Many of the men had little rest however; as the Germans continued to rain mortar and artillery fire on the rear areas
Thursday – 19 April 1945 – The entire regiment was rested as much as possible to prepare for an all-out push into the Po Valley. Many of the men had little rest however; as the Germans continued to rain mortar and artillery fire on the rear areas
“At 1800 (6 p.m.) the regiment began to move forward. The situation was extremely fluid, for the whole front was breaking up. The road was crowded with vehicles and marching soldiers, and the white dust filled the air so thickly that at times it was difficult to see.”
Friday - 20 April 1945 – The 1st Battalion moved into the valley at noon; the advance was going like wildfire
Friday - 20 April 1945 – The 1st Battalion moved into the valley at noon; the advance was going like wildfire
“The magnitude of the breakthrough was difficult to comprehend. The enemy line had been wrecked. After the first stages of the attack there had been little opposition. The 1st Battalion had advanced 13 miles in 5 hours. The Italians in the Po Valley were for the most part completely and deliriously happy. It was a day most men in the 86th would never forget.”
Sunday - 22 April 1945 – 1st Battalion encounters fierce enemy resistance
“The Germans allowed much of the convoy to pass, then attacked with bazookas and machine guns just as the rear of the battalion pulled past them, scattering the convoy. Two enemy tanks then rolled forward and fired on the convoy, destroying jeeps and trucks. Some fifteen Germans were killed in the firefight, which lasted over four hours.”
Monday – 23 April 1945 – The entire regiment reached San Benedetto on the Po River; Morrison mentions crossing the river saying “the attack went on, fast and couldn’t stop us”
“The rest was short-lived. At 1900 (7 p.m.) the regiment prepared to cross the river. The crossings in assault boats and DUKWs and were largely without incident."
Tuesday 24 April 1945 – The 86th was to spearhead the drive toward the historic old city of Verona cutting off a major escape route for German troops still in northwestern Italy
“For the operation, the 86th would constitute the striking infantry of a task force under the direction of Colonel WILLIAM O. DARBY, former commanding officer of the famed Rangers.”
Wednesday – 25 April 1945 – Verona is easily occupied
“At 2045 (8:45 p.m.) the armored elements joined the waiting infantry, and the thrust toward Verona began. By 2330 (11:30 p.m.) the regiment was in striking distance of the city. Civilians reported that there were no organized combat units in the city and that most permanent garrison personnel had been evacuated.”
“At 2045 (8:45 p.m.) the armored elements joined the waiting infantry, and the thrust toward Verona began. By 2330 (11:30 p.m.) the regiment was in striking distance of the city. Civilians reported that there were no organized combat units in the city and that most permanent garrison personnel had been evacuated.”
Thursday – 26 April 1945 – The 1st Battalion was assigned the mission of crossing the river with tanks, tank destroyers and artillery; seizing the town of Bussolengo, Morrison notes that he spent the night there and drank wine and ate fried eggs
Saturday – 28 April 1945 – By this time, the regiment had advanced well into the mountains to the shores of Lake Garda and once again were met with German resistance; Morrison saying they had a tough time because “the Germans had everything ready”
“The road ahead led through a series of tunnels, around which elaborate defenses had been established. The tunnels were prepared for demolition and much of the road had been destroyed. It was an ideal place for the German stand. The road ran directly along the shore of the lake, and above the road soared sheer cliffs, hundreds of feet high.”
Sunday – 29 April 1945 – Soldiers of the 1st Battalion climbed the hills above the lake and moved north through rugged mountain terrain, under steady attack, toward Nago
“Supplies, ammunition, artillery, everything was being moved up by DUKW boat. German SP [self-propelled] guns in Riva kept up a constant barrage on the lake. The water was rough, and the speedboats used to evacuate the wounded had rough going. For 14 straight hours, they climbed up sheer cliffs, through ravines, and over slippery shale slopes. Finally at 1700 (5 p.m.) they had reached a high point from which they could see Nago. The only approach to the village was through a small cut in the rocks. The Germans had a strong final protective line, a 20-mm gun, a 37-mm ack-ack gun, one tank, and self-propelled guns. Not a man in the battalion believed they could advance through that cut. When night came, though every man was so tired that he could hardly stand, the battalion moved forward.
After a 15-minute artillery barrage, Company B moved through the ravine single-file. As the column wound its way over the rocks, a German plane dipped low and dropped eight personnel bombs on the weapons platoon, killing nine men… The men were beaten physically, and the air bombardment was the last straw. They were then approximately 200 yards from the town. They withdrew 500 yards at 0300 (3 a.m.). They spent the rest of the cold and miserable night in the hills under constant rain of shellfire.”
Monday – 30 April 1945 – Company C made its way into Nago, Colonel William Darby and Seargent Major John Evans are killed by a German shell, a DUKW boat sinks in Lake Garda killing twenty-five 10 Mountain Division Soldiers
“They had fought one of the most discouraging and difficult actions of the entire campaign. Rumors of peace and the end of the war were afoot, but no one took them seriously…”
Tuesday – 1 May 1945 – General Hays orders the 86th to rest as much as possible during the next four days, establishing roadblocks to the north and sending out patrols
Wednesday - 2 May 1945 – The war in Italy is over; Morrison says some celebrated by firing their rifles into the air. But he was so exhausted, and it was raining, so he just went to bed
“… at 1900 (7 p.m.) came official word… the war was ‘finito’ and that there was to be no further firing of weapons except in defense against attack. The church bells in Riva rang wildly.”
Friday - 4 May 1945 – Sunday 12 May 1945 –Company C moved into Roverto; Morrison talks about the beauty of Lake Garda and sleeping in a hotel, eating fresh fish and drinking wine
"On May 4, Company C moved into Roverto. Six roadblocks were arranged for the disarming of the Partisans in that area, and the Germans were segregated under the control of their officers. There was no trouble."
Sunday 13 May 1945 – Monday – 14 May 1945 – The 86th moves out to guard German POWs; Morrison enjoys a bottle of captured German Army Champagne he takes off the label to take home as a souvenir.
“…the regiment moved out of the Riva area toward the south. Their orders were to concentrate near Ghedi and Bendecino, about 40 kilometers south of Brescia. There they were to receive and guard German prisoners and await further orders.
The regiment held showdown inspections and turned in its winter equipment. From a captured German warehouse, Special Service obtained and issued free to each man a bottle of fine French champagne.”
Wednesday - 16 May 1945 – The 86th gets a new mission
“The regiment was alerted to move northeast to Udine, in order to keep an eye on the Yugoslavs.”
Saturday – 19 May 1945 – The 86th leaves for Trieste
“The 1st Battalion moved out in trucks, traveling 205 miles and stopping only for the night at Orzano. For much of the regiment, the accommodations were more luxurious than anything they had yet enjoyed in Italy, though some companies remained in tents. The mountainous terrain reminded many of Camp Hale, and veterans of the outfit were soon skiing and mountain climbing in the surrounding peaks.”
Wednesday – 27 June 1945 – Morrison writes to his mother and father, telling them of his journey from Camp Swift to Trieste, and letting them know he is alive, well and hoping to go on pass soon.
During the period June 1 to June 30, 1945, the 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment remained in its stationary occupational positions in northeastern Italy, following a routine training program and keeping a close watch on the territory recently in dispute with Marshal Tito’s Yugoslav forces.
On July 26, the 86th Regiment sailed from Livorno on the SS Westbrook Victory, arriving at Newport News, VA on August 7. After a 30-day furlough, the men reported to Camp Carson, Colorado.
The 10th Mountain Division was inactivated on November 30, 1945.
Wednesday – 19 February 2025 – Morrison’s son meets 10th Mountain Division Soldiers visiting Riva Ridge for the 80th anniversary of the battle, and shares his father’s letter, an incredible first-person account of the division’s "Climb to Glory."
