CHAPPIE
World War II Diary of a Combat CHAPLAIN
World War II Diary of a Combat CHAPLAIN
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CHAPPIE World War II Diary of a Combat Chaplain by Alton E. Carpenter and
Anne Eiland is the fascinating, first-hand account of a WWII combat chaplain
serving the men of the 20th/1171st Engineer Combat Battalion, a WWII battalion
that participated in front-line action across the battlefields of North Africa, Sicily
and Europe. Unique and insightful, this WWII journal, CHAPPIE World War II
Diary of a Combat Chaplain, allows the reader to share this journey.
While CHAPPIE World War II Diary of a Combat Chaplain is the journal of one
man, it is also the story of many men, ordinary men who found themselves in
extraordinary situations - sometimes funny, sometimes sad. Chappie is not about
just one great event or one single act of courage. Instead, it chronicles the battles
and countless acts of courage. This combat chaplain's diary shares the successes,
as well as the failures, of these army GIs on the WWII battlefields of North Africa
and Europe.
CHAPPIE World War II Diary of a Combat Chaplain is based on this battlefield
chaplain's WWII journal in which he recorded his observations and opinions at the
actual time of the events unfolding around him, writing before, afterwards, and in
the midst of battles. Chappie is an eyewitness account that transports the reader to
the battlefields of WWII in a way you have never read before...
.
The book includes eighty-six restored photographs of World War II history.
Anne Eiland is the fascinating, first-hand account of a WWII combat chaplain
serving the men of the 20th/1171st Engineer Combat Battalion, a WWII battalion
that participated in front-line action across the battlefields of North Africa, Sicily
and Europe. Unique and insightful, this WWII journal, CHAPPIE World War II
Diary of a Combat Chaplain, allows the reader to share this journey.
While CHAPPIE World War II Diary of a Combat Chaplain is the journal of one
man, it is also the story of many men, ordinary men who found themselves in
extraordinary situations - sometimes funny, sometimes sad. Chappie is not about
just one great event or one single act of courage. Instead, it chronicles the battles
and countless acts of courage. This combat chaplain's diary shares the successes,
as well as the failures, of these army GIs on the WWII battlefields of North Africa
and Europe.
CHAPPIE World War II Diary of a Combat Chaplain is based on this battlefield
chaplain's WWII journal in which he recorded his observations and opinions at the
actual time of the events unfolding around him, writing before, afterwards, and in
the midst of battles. Chappie is an eyewitness account that transports the reader to
the battlefields of WWII in a way you have never read before...
.
The book includes eighty-six restored photographs of World War II history.
| All Rights Reserved Copyright 2008 by A. Anne Eiland and Writings & Photos by Anne LLC |
CHAPPIE World War II Diary of a Combat Chaplain "cries
out to be read.....for all who have interest in World War II
history, to those who like to read diaries, and anyone else who
enjoys a good read..."
__Richard N. Larsen, "Midwest Reviewer's Bookwatch"
out to be read.....for all who have interest in World War II
history, to those who like to read diaries, and anyone else who
enjoys a good read..."
__Richard N. Larsen, "Midwest Reviewer's Bookwatch"
21 April 1943
"...Said to be some of the best fighters the French have,
these Moroccan soldiers prefer night fighting. The
Goumiers are renowned for their skill with knives, and
rumor has it that they are paid a bonus for each pair of
German ears they bring in from their raids.
As one of our men said, "What worries me, Chappie, is
how can their French officers tell the difference between
German ears and American ones?..."
**Read Chappie to find out what happened when the Goumiers
slipped into one of the 20th's camps in the middle of the night.
...Anne Eiland
"...Said to be some of the best fighters the French have,
these Moroccan soldiers prefer night fighting. The
Goumiers are renowned for their skill with knives, and
rumor has it that they are paid a bonus for each pair of
German ears they bring in from their raids.
As one of our men said, "What worries me, Chappie, is
how can their French officers tell the difference between
German ears and American ones?..."
**Read Chappie to find out what happened when the Goumiers
slipped into one of the 20th's camps in the middle of the night.
...Anne Eiland
The original diary
| EXCERPT from several North African entries in Chappie World War II Diary of a Combat Chaplain **with notes by Anne Eiland |
2 November 1942
"...As soon as the Cristobal was secured, it pulled back from the pier and began making its way into the open
harbor. There were ships everywhere - in front of us, behind us, on all sides of us. It was an unbelievable sight.
As we sailed past the Statue of Liberty, I said a silent prayer for the family I was leaving behind. All of us
standing there faced an unknown future, not knowing when or if we'd ever see our loved ones again. As we
headed out to sea, it was a somber group of GIs who watched as the U.S. disappeared beyond the horizon."
"...As soon as the Cristobal was secured, it pulled back from the pier and began making its way into the open
harbor. There were ships everywhere - in front of us, behind us, on all sides of us. It was an unbelievable sight.
As we sailed past the Statue of Liberty, I said a silent prayer for the family I was leaving behind. All of us
standing there faced an unknown future, not knowing when or if we'd ever see our loved ones again. As we
headed out to sea, it was a somber group of GIs who watched as the U.S. disappeared beyond the horizon."
9 November 1942
"...Each of us has been issued a small American flag to wear on our left arm. It was thought that if the
French recognized we were Americans, they wouldn't fire at us. Someone on our ship had smuggled a
dachshund aboard in New York, and after we climbed over the side and boarded our landing crafts, the GI
wrapped one of those armbands around the dog's body. When we took to the water, he released the animal,
allowing it to swim ashore alongside of us. All that was visible was that American flag floating between a
wagging tail and a pair of ears. What a sight!"
"...Each of us has been issued a small American flag to wear on our left arm. It was thought that if the
French recognized we were Americans, they wouldn't fire at us. Someone on our ship had smuggled a
dachshund aboard in New York, and after we climbed over the side and boarded our landing crafts, the GI
wrapped one of those armbands around the dog's body. When we took to the water, he released the animal,
allowing it to swim ashore alongside of us. All that was visible was that American flag floating between a
wagging tail and a pair of ears. What a sight!"
| Chappie and the 20th/1171st Engineers participated in most of the major WWII battles in the North African-European Theater ... Chappie's diary takes the reader through them all. FRENCH MOROCCO TUNISIA SICILY D-DAY & NORMANDY LIBERATION OF PARIS NORTHERN FRANCE BELGIUM LUXEMBOURG RHINELAND ARDENNES and the HURTGEN FOREST GERMANY CZECHOSLOVAKIA |
**Were those little American flags effective in keeping them from
being fired upon by the Vichy French? Once ashore, these young men
would quickly settle into their duties, and Chappie gives the reader a
glimpse into their time in Casablanca. ...Anne Eiland
being fired upon by the Vichy French? Once ashore, these young men
would quickly settle into their duties, and Chappie gives the reader a
glimpse into their time in Casablanca. ...Anne Eiland
**These GIs knew they were headed into battle, but it was not until they were out at sea that
they would learn their destination. Find out where they thought they might be going as
Chappie shares their reactions and provides details of their strange, but creative convoy - a
convoy that illustrated American ingenuity. ...Anne Eiland
they would learn their destination. Find out where they thought they might be going as
Chappie shares their reactions and provides details of their strange, but creative convoy - a
convoy that illustrated American ingenuity. ...Anne Eiland
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| Fort Hood Attack November 2009 Fifteen members of the 20th Engineer Battalion stationed at Fort Hood and preparing to ship out to Afghanistan were casualties of that shooting. We ask that you remember this unit that is now serving their country in Afghanistan. |
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