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Bill Heller and Bobby Seesock in the darkroom.

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Staff Sergeant Earl Swanson of F Co.,  Pfc. Edward F. Tidd Jr. of Rochester, NY and one un-named GI 7th Infantry, firing at Cisterna de Littoria, May 25, 1944.  Capt. Earl Swanson and Commander of F Co.  was killed at Utweiler, Germany, on Mar. 15, 1945. This photo was published in Life Magazine as told by Edward F. Tidd III

Earl Reitan, who offered this information,  is the author of a book entitled RIFLEMEN: ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF WORLD WAR II. It is based on his own experiences with the Second Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment. It will be published by Merriam Press, 218 Beech St., Bennington, VT 05201-2611. Look for it soon.

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Lt. Byers of the 3rd Infantry Division, filming the smoky battle in Southern France-1944.

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S/Sgt. Bill Heller taking Gen. George C. Marshall's Photo
(2nd photographer from the right)

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Infantry climbing mountain in Italy, 
May 1944

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Bill with Official 3rd Division Car

The 3rd Infantry Division was one of five divisions which began the United States' offensive against Hitler's far-flung empire. It was necessary to establish a position solidly in North Africa in order to carry our share of the fight to Rommel's Africa Corps, even then fleeing before the hammer blows of a rejuvenated, victorious British Eighth Army in Egypt.

So arose the necessity of attacking and seizing the French garrisons at Fedala, Casablanca, Safi, and Port Lyautey on the Atlantic coast., and Oran and Algiers and the surrounding area on the Mediterranean coast.