Black Troops you never hear about when it comes to D-Day, June 6th, 1944

[GROOVE VICTIM]

http://www.skylighters.org/barrageballoons/omahasecured.jpg


If you saw the movie "Saving Private Ryan" then I'm sure you saw a seen in which the camera looks out over Omaha Beach and you see Barrage Balloons flying overhead. These Balloons were to help prevent enemy planes from flying low and attacking troops, tanks, and ships on the ground. These Barrage Balloons were lined up and attached by strong metal wire that can rip a wing off of a plane when in contact.

Not many people know that the troops in charge of these Barrage Balloons were from the 320th Antiaircraft Balloon Battalion. This was the only black unit to take part in the invasion of Normandy during D-Day.


Peace

[ August 04, 2003, 10:13 AM: Message edited by: GROOVE VICTIM ]

[imported_Gman]

Thanks for the info. Did you watch that documentary I posted called "Black Warriors". It was about the role we played in various wars starting from the Civil war to present. It was excellent.

-G

[GROOVE VICTIM]

Originally posted by Gman:
Thanks for the info. Did you watch that documentary I posted called "Black Warriors". It was about the role we played in various wars starting from the Civil war to present. It was excellent.

-G Hey GMAN, is this documentary still on the site? I would like to watch it.

http://a1791.g.akamai.net/f/1791/2201/1h/store.aetv.com/MEDIA/ProductCatalog/m1880014_AAE71034b.jpg


I was watching the show "Mail Call" on the History Channel yesterday morning and they had a nice piece on the 320th. I never knew that Black troops were involved in the invasion of Normandy. I thought that we were only part of the battalions that transported troops throughout the European theater. These troops also participated in the Pacific.

Peace

[ August 04, 2003, 10:42 AM: Message edited by: GROOVE VICTIM ]

[Mack-Williams]

I would like to see that too. I missed it.

[imported_Gman]

I'll find the real-video file and upload it again for viewing.

-G

[The Buddy Love Show]

yo, you mean there were other blacks there besides Vin ( i aint telling) Diesel???!!!!


oh my heart

[GROOVE VICTIM]

Originally posted by St Magus the Reviled:
yo, you mean there were other blacks there besides Vin ( i aint telling) Diesel???!!!!


oh my heart LOL


That's funny you mention Vin Diesal. I thought he was a full blood Italian until I started reading about how he began his career.

"hey, drop dead Corporal..." (IMO the funniest line in the movie)


Peace

[ August 04, 2003, 11:41 AM: Message edited by: GROOVE VICTIM ]

[mdpm99]

Greetings Groove Victim:

Thanks for the pic and info...."balloons r' us"

smile.gif

d

[GROOVE VICTIM]

You're welcome. I always thought these were Zepplins used for monitoring activity on the ground. Never knew they were all attached and could jack up a couple of planes if they came through.

Some of these Barrage Balloons had bombs attached to the lines. If a plane came into contact with the line, a bomb would be set off and drag itself towards the target. Some sick engineering.


Peace

[Brut by Faberge]

does anyone have any info at all on the all-black battalion that liberated a Nazi concentration camp during WWII?

There may have been more than one, but I saw a PBS special on a specific group of soldiers years ago, in which some of the men went back to Europe to meet with some of the Jewish interred people. It was fascinating, and quite moving to watch. Anybody know anything about this?

[GROOVE VICTIM]

Originally posted by THX-1138:
does anyone have any info at all on the all-black battalion that liberated a Nazi concentration camp during WWII?

There may have been more than one, but I saw a PBS special on a specific group of soldiers years ago, in which some of the men went back to Europe to meet with some of the Jewish interred people. It was fascinating, and quite moving to watch. Anybody know anything about this? This may have been part of the Regiment that helped General Patton on his way to Berlin. I'll do some research.

Peace

[Brut by Faberge]

Originally posted by GROOVE VICTIM:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by THX-1138:
does anyone have any info at all on the all-black battalion that liberated a Nazi concentration camp during WWII?

There may have been more than one, but I saw a PBS special on a specific group of soldiers years ago, in which some of the men went back to Europe to meet with some of the Jewish interred people. It was fascinating, and quite moving to watch. Anybody know anything about this? This may have been part of the Regiment that helped General Patton on his way to Berlin. I'll do some research.

Peace </font>[/QUOTE]Thanks Groove!

peace

[GROOVE VICTIM]

My step Father's Uncle may have been part of the 761st Tank Battalion. This was an all african American Battalion that road along with Patton. I'll have to ask him about this.


The 761st Tank Battalion (http://members.aol.com/dignews/citation.htm)

The Battle of the Bulge (http://www.dogonvillage.com/Tidbits/civic_education/battle_of_the_bulge.htm)


Peace

[ August 04, 2003, 01:28 PM: Message edited by: GROOVE VICTIM ]

[Mack-Williams]

Originally posted by GROOVE VICTIM:
My step Father's Uncle may have been part of the 761st Tank Battalion. This was an all african American Battalion that road along with Patton. I'll have to ask him about this.


The 761st Tank Battalion (http://members.aol.com/dignews/citation.htm)

The Battle of the Bulge (http://www.dogonvillage.com/Tidbits/civic_education/battle_of_the_bulge.htm)


Peace I'm going to ask my Grandfather what Battalion he was under. I know he faught in the Battle of the Bulge.

[imported_Gman]

Originally posted by GROOVE VICTIM:
My step Father's Uncle may have been part of the 761st Tank Battalion. This was an all african American Battalion that road along with Patton. I'll have to ask him about this.


The 761st Tank Battalion (http://members.aol.com/dignews/citation.htm)

The Battle of the Bulge (http://www.dogonvillage.com/Tidbits/civic_education/battle_of_the_bulge.htm)


Peace "General George Patton who wanted only the best in his 3rd Army requested the 761st. "

I gotta dig up that black warriors video because it contradicts this statement. If I'm not mistaken it makes reference to the point that Patton did not want anything to do with this black regiment but had to press them into service because he had no choice.

[GROOVE VICTIM]

There are alot of contradictions when it comes to Patton. Especially when it comes to the Battle of the Bulge. I've heard that many veterans of the The 506st of the 101st Airborne and the 82nd Airborne who were in the Ardens forest during the battle of the Bullge refuse to believe that Patton was their "savior" and that they didn't need him to gain back the ground they lost when the Germans attacked in the winter.

Peace

[ August 04, 2003, 01:47 PM: Message edited by: GROOVE VICTIM ]

[Fletch]

Originally posted by St Magus the Reviled:
yo, you mean there were other blacks there besides Vin ( i aint telling) Diesel???!!!!


oh my heart And he's not even that diesel!!!! I could see if he was Lee Haney lookin' and what not!!!!

Anyway, that balloon gig must have been a **** job!!!! The Armed forces, with it's segregation, always had us doing **** jobs. Like loading bombs on the USS Chicago (docked in LA?) during WWII. No OSHA training, no nothin'. Just put the bombs in. And then an explosion happens, the Navy calls it a mutiny, and black seamen get jailed. graemlins/jpshakehead.gif