Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Software, E-Resource Audio Recording George David Harris Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 112th Ordnance Company, 34th Infantry Division
- Location of Service: Fort McClellan, Alabama; Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia; Africa; Milan, Florence, Rome, Salerno, Cassino, Naples and Anzio Beachhead, Italy
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/2890
George Harris already knew hardship when he was drafted into the Army at age 19. He was well prepared for basic training, having already worked in a coal mine; however, it was the mental rigors of combat that Harris found the most difficult to bear. Upon landing in Italy following the invasion, one of the first things he witnessed was a bulldozer burying bodies in a mass grave. Later, at the end of the war, Harris would see firsthand the anger of the Italian people as they mutilated and abused the corpse of their former dictator, Benito Mussolini.
George David Harris Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
Share
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PlayBurying bodies following the invasion of Italy. 00:10:02.0 - 00:11:17.0
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PlayThe Battle of Monte Cassino. 00:11:17.0 - 00:12:18.0
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PlayAnzio; German propaganda broadcast to the troops to discourage them. 00:12:27.0 - 00:13:57.0
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PlayCombat in Rome; viewing Mussolini's body; greeted with flowers in Milan. 00:18:56.0 - 00:22:02.0
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About this Item
Title
- George David Harris Collection
Names
- Lugar, Richard
- U.S. Senate/Richard Lugar
- Ordner, Larry
- Harris, George David
Home State
- Indiana
Headings
- - Harris, George David
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 112th Ordnance Company, 34th Infantry Division
- Location of Service: Fort McClellan, Alabama; Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia; Africa; Milan, Florence, Rome, Salerno, Cassino, Naples and Anzio Beachhead, Italy
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Dates of Service: 1943-1945
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Electronic file of manuscript (collected 2006-08-13; 2006-08-13)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of audio recording (collected 2006-08-13)
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Reference copy (collected 2005-11-21; 2005-11-21)
- Manuscript: Correspondence [1 item] -- (collected 1945-11-21)
- Photograph: Original photographic print [1 item] -- (collected 2002)
- Audio: Audio Cassette [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2002-08-15)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/2890
Cite as
- George David Harris Collection (AFC/2001/001/2890), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
- image
- online text
Additional Metadata Formats
IIIF Presentation Manifest
Wars & Conflicts
Service Branch
Location of Service
- Africa
- Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia
- Fort McClellan, Alabama
- Milan, Florence, Rome, Salerno, Cassino, Naples and Anzio Beachhead, Italy