My first day in combat in Germany - 102nd Infantry Division

During WW2, Staff Sgt. Ralph Sykes served in a rifle company in the 102nd Infantry Division and later with the 1st Infantry Division.

Today was the first time he was video recorded talking about his experience during the war. He remembered vividly crossing the Roer river in February 1945, carrying ammunition for the BAR man (Browning Automatic Rifle). It was with deep emotion he described how his BAR man was killed by artillery fire just next to him. He then picked up his BAR and continued to fight with it until the end of the war.

In April 1945, his division discovered a war crime in Gardelegen. Over 1000 prisoners from different concentration camps were forced to go in an empty barn that was set on fire by the germans. The discovery of this barn deeply impacted him and many men from his division.
The 102nd Infantry Division is unfortunately a less known unit because of the popularity of other units. However, the unit saw brutal combat in Europe and suffered around 5000 casualties. We should never forget them. 🥀

Видео My first day in combat in Germany - 102nd Infantry Division канала Florent Plana