Varsity - 194th GIR

 Coulommiers-Voisin, US Airport A-58, France, March 22, 1945".

The legend of the photo saids : "Corporal Clinton M HEMSLEY 3116 McKinley, San Diego, Cal., with the U.S. 17th Airborne Division in France, replaces the windshield in a glider. Note that glider is equipped with a new type Griswold nose 3/22/45 - 18th A/B Corps, Coulmier, France."

The place is not Coulmier but Coulommiers-Voisin airport (A-58). The man is not a 17th Airborne member but more probably member of the USAAF. It is the 194th GIR that took off from this airfield on March 24, 1945. The gliders number 81 to 96 transported the HQ Co 2nd Bn. It is so probably one of these gliders ! (US Army Signal Corps - picture 204845). Click on the pic to enlarge.

Coulommiers-Voisin, US Airport A-58, France, March 24, 1945".

The legend of the photo saids : "Soldiers of the 17th Airborne Division wait by their glider at an airfield in France for take-off on the First Allied Airborne Army invasion of Germany, east of the Rhine River. 3/24/45. --437th Trps Carr, Sq"

In March 1945, the 437th Trops Carrier Squadron was located at Coulommiers-Voisin airport (A-58) and had received the mission to transport the 194th GIR over the Rhine. The gliders number 4 to 80 transported the 2nd Bn (excepted the HQ Co 2nd Bn). These men were so members of Co D, E or F / 194th GIR.

Note they were heavily armed ! (US Army Signal Corps - picture 203291). Click on the pic to enlarge. 

This photo was realised in April 20, 1945 in the area of Munster city. It shows men of Company E - 194th Glider Infantry Regiment (click to enlarged) : T/5 Wong Chice, 18 Hudson St., Boston, Mass., Sgt Tom Canada, Huggins, MO., Pvt Clarke Tyler, RT 7, Box 85, S. Charleston, W. VA., Pfc Raymond Argelastro, 710 S. Warnock St., Phila., PA., Pfc Alfred Ribocio, 224 Chestnut St., Rehobot, Mass., S/Sgt Earle Ringler, Salisburg, PA., Pfc Hurshel E Harrison, River Road, IA and Pvt Richard Smolinski, Omaha, Neb., receive their first cigarettes since they landed east of the Rhine, in Munster, Germany. All men are with the 17th Airborne Division, 1st Allied Airborne Army. Co E; 2nd Bn; 194 Gld Inf; 17 A/B Div; EAAA Munster Gemany (First Allied Airborne Army - ETO HQ45 30284 5 Apr - Credit ... US Army Signal Corps - Photog : T4 C R Pearson 3264).  

"Baseball team" somewhere in Germany ...

This photo comes from the photo album of Paul L ANTELITANO (ASN 33506880) from Harrisburg, PA. Mr ANTELITANO was inducted in the Army on April 9, 1943 and joined Cie D of the 194th GIR. He is on the right, the over man is not identified. The pic was realised somewhere in Germany (original unpublished photo TFH collection). Click to enlarge. 

This photo was realised at Wesl after VE day by Earl K Cavanah (ASN 37521513) from the 194th GIR (unpublished photo - with courtesy of Earl Cavanah and his family). 

An unknown soldier of the Cie D - 194th GIR in Mulheim, Germany. This photo comes from the photo album of Paul L ANTELITANO (ASN 33506880) who served in Cie D of the 194th GIR. The man on the photo is unknown. He wears the typical M42 jump jacket with 17th AB shoulder sleeve insignia on his left shoulder and paratrooper qualification badge (wings) on chest. He is located front of the Wasserbahnhof. This building was the soldier mess for the men of the 194th GIR while the unit was stationed in the city of Mulheim, Germany at the end of the war (original unpublished photo TFH collection).

Click to enlarge. 

"NEBRASKA CORNHUSKER" 

This anonymous 17th Airborne T5 poses proudly nearby a GMC named "NEBRASKA CORNHUSKER". This man is probably member of Company M of the 194th GIR given that this photo comes from the photo album of Charles J SLVAKA (ASN 33080666) who served with Company E of the 193rd GIR and later in the Company H of the 194th GIR. The place and period is unknown but it is visibly in summer time (Germany, summer 1945 ?) (original unpublished photo - TFH collection).

This picture was realized "somewhere in Germany" in spring or summer 1945. It comes from the scrapbook of Charles J SLAVKA (ASN 33080666) from Company E / 193rd GIR and Company H / 194th GIR. The soldier on the pic in unknown but probably a buddy of SLAVKA and so a member of Company H / 194th GIR (unpublished photo - TFH collection).