Yesterday at 2:30am my Grandfather passed away. He had been fighting Diabetes, a Heart Condition and recently diagonosed cancer.
He was a great man. He was a devoted Christian, which eases the pain. He was married 59 years to my Grandmother that survives him.
He taught me to fish. He gave my my first rifle, a Spanish Mauser in 8mm. He gave me my first shotgun, a Rem 1100 in 12 gauge.
I loved him very much.
Here is a excerpt from his diary he kept during his days as a soldier in WWII I thought ya'll my be interested in:
-----------------------------------------------
S.E. Albritton
100th Infantry Division
L Company of the 398th Regiment
2nd Platoon
Dec 10 '44
We approached Reyersuiller but heavy opposition forced us to dog in for the night.
Dec 13 '44
We took Reyersuiller and dug into the hill over looking Bitche. The Maginot-fortification.
December 14 '44
We took the high ground before Ft.Sheisseck to permit the 1st Btn to move through unharmed, but the opposition was so intense they were unable to pass beyond our line.
December 15 '44
We withdrew to previous positions beyond Reyersuiller leaving the 1st Btn as a holding force. Our artillery then put forth an intense barrage and the Air Coprs bombed and strafed in a desperate attempt to neutralize the pillboxes.
Dec 17 '44
At 11:30am the big attack started on the Maginot line. We moved into the open field facing Ft.Sheissack. The Gerries were throwing everything they had at us so we were pinned down for the rest of the day. About dark we were able to move up to the highway leading into the city of Bitche and dug in for the night.
Dec 18 '44
The next morning we took pillboxes 9,10 and 11. Number 9 being Ft.Freudenburg and number 10 and 11 being Ft.Sheisseck. (A Gerry patrol took my shovel!)
-----------------------------------
Thanks for reading my tribute
See you on the other side Papaw