My father, S/SGT Marshall William Biesen hit Omaha on D+1 and was wounded at St. Lo, recovered in England and returned to combat. He was KIA on 11SEP1944 during the "Battle for Brest". He was a Platoon Sgt. Charlie Co. 1st Bn. 23rd Inf. Regt. I would appreciate anyone that could provide me with information on that battle or direct me to a web site that details it. I was 14 mos. old at the time of his death and would like to know more. His records were destroyed in the St. Louis fire, but I have all the telegrams etc. from the war dept. but no details.

Thanks for your time.

Marshall John Biesen
1DEVILDOG1

I'll check with my neighbor. He went ashore on D-Day +6 and may have been in that area.
Get back to you soon.

quote:

Originally posted by Bullhunter:
I'll check with my neighbor. He went ashore on D-Day +6 and may have been in that area.
Get back to you soon.

Thank you for your efforts, they are greatly appreciated, my thanks to your neighbor also.

Semper Fidelis

Hey, Spoke with my buddy tonight.
He is 86 and things don't come quickly to him.
He remembers being around St.Lo but said he would think on it and get back to me.
He has a big photo album he once shown me. All WWII photo's by him. Lots of dead Germans, destroyed vehicles, and downed aircraft.

Sorry for the time delay but my wife and I have been sick,,,,dam flu!

Devildog, you might want to look for a book titled "Americans in Brittany: The Battle for Brest," by Jonathan Gawne, whose father was in the 8th Infantry Division. Gawne has researched the campaign from Normandy to Brest extensively. The book ain't cheap -- $22 or so used at amazon.com, but maybe you can find part of it online. Best of luck.

quote:

Originally posted by Bullhunter:
Hey, Spoke with my buddy tonight.
He is 86 and things don't come quickly to him.
He remembers being around St.Lo but said he would think on it and get back to me.
He has a big photo album he once shown me. All WWII photo's by him. Lots of dead Germans, destroyed vehicles, and downed aircraft.

Sorry for the time delay but my wife and I have been sick,,,,dam flu!

My father was wounded the first time at St. Lo.

Semper Fidelis and

quote:

Originally posted by wwiioralhistory:
Devildog, you might want to look for a book titled "Americans in Brittany: The Battle for Brest," by Jonathan Gawne, whose father was in the 8th Infantry Division. Gawne has researched the campaign from Normandy to Brest extensively. The book ain't cheap -- $22 or so used at amazon.com, but maybe you can find part of it online. Best of luck.

I thank you for this response. I am going on to Amazon and purchase it. There are some things a son has to know when his father is killed in battle and there is no price to dear to pay to bring me closer to what he experienced.

I am very appreciative of your research.

Semper Fidelis

quote:

There are some things a son has to know when his father is killed in battle and there is no price to dear to pay to bring me closer to what he experienced.

Amen to that! Wisely spoken.

I knew my Dad was a flight instructor during WWII and some of the crews he instructed went on to fly in B-17's. For several years I was telling my wife that I was going to fly the next year the Collings Foundation B-17 visited our area. Several years ago she gave me a flight for fathers day. $350.00 is a chunk of money for an hours flight but it was well worth it, to have that experance.

quote:

Originally posted by Bullhunter:

quote:

There are some things a son has to know when his father is killed in battle and there is no price to dear to pay to bring me closer to what he experienced.

Amen to that! Wisely spoken.

I knew my Dad was a flight instructor during WWII and some of the crews he instructed went on to fly in B-17's. For several years I was telling my wife that I was going to fly the next year the Collings Foundation B-17 visited our area. Several years ago she gave me a flight for fathers day. $350.00 is a chunk of money for an hours flight but it was well worth it, to have that experance.

Amen brother, amen. It was probably the experience of a lifetime. I am happy for you!

Semper Fidelis

Stopped and had a long visit with my old friend few days ago.
he said he wnt into St. Lo area and then east toward Germany.
The Brest battles were farther south and he wasn't near there and hasn't any information on the fighting in that area.
Sorry. Figured it worth a try.

My father was with the 9th Inf regt, 2nd div during the war. Mom and him divorced when I was 18 months old. Only met up with him twice in my life. We didn't talk about his war or mine. Here are two links you might already have.

http://home.thirdage/military/friends2idww2/Regimental_...ry_23rd_IR_1945.html

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/1-23rd.htm

Sorry, but I can't get either one of those links to work.

I got them from a yohoo search:

1st Bn 23rd Inf Regt 2nd Infantry Div

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SignalSgtWilliams,

quote:

Originally posted by SignalSgtWilliams:
Sorry, but I can't get either one of those links to work.

I got them from a yohoo search:

1st Bn 23rd Inf Regt 2nd Infantry Div

Thanks Ed, it is greatly appreciated. My step father was my biological father's best friend and they hit Omaha with the 2nd Inf. Div. together on D+1. They were both platoon sgt.'s (S/Sgt's) and they were in short supply. My father was sent to the 23rd and my step father went to the 9th. My father was wounded at St. Lo, recovered and returned to combat where he subsequently was KIA on 9/11/44. My step father was hit hard in late August of the same year in the same battle. The battle for Brest, France.

I appreciate your efforts and will find the aforementioned site. I have a book published by the war dept. about the 23rd and it lists my father's name in the back with date of death along with all others who gave all during WWII with the 23rd. Although it chronicles the war well, there is scant info on Brest. My step father told me that he heard in the hospital in England that the 23rd was up against the Wehrmacht, the only German elite force in Brest and that they were literally wiped out to the man.

That would account for the scant information available. I asked dad about what the sitrep's might contain and he said "What the hell is that?". I explained that during Vietnam daily situation reports were conveyed to commanders. he said "We didn't write any reports, we just tried to stay alive. The only thing my Lt. asked me was how many men did I have."

All of the first person accounts of what was happening to the 23rd come from him and what was being said at the time. The 9th was fighting next to the 23rd at Brest.

Once again, all information, however small, that allows a son to know what his father experienced is more than welcome. He received 2 Bronze Stars and 3 Purple Hearts. I often wonder and extrapolate what course my life would have taken had he not received that third one.

Gratefully,

Semper Fidelis
1DD1