Gregg Stoerrie shared several stories and photos of his uncle’s time during WWII on his Facebook page.
One image shows a sketch by Dean Joy, a soldier who served with Gregg’s uncle. Dean went on to write a book, 60 Days in Combat, as well as sharing his story on youtube:
Here’s is Dean’s sketch of some jeeps during an ambush by 88mms. Dean wrote:
“Front Jeep took a direct hit, drivers headless torso still behind the wheel and other GI’s on the side. They hit the end Duce and a half. Col Wooten came running along the convoy yelling everybody off the trucks now. A few GI’s worked around to out flank the 88’s. The firing stopped as they captured the first 88 and found it was maned by kids. As they approached the other 88’s they could see the crews were dead and it was clear they were knocked out by their own guys. It was the first 88 who turned the gun on their own guys. We assumed that they knew the war was lost. Had they not it would have been a massacre.”
Gregg also shared this photo taken by his uncle of a plane that was hit by Japanese flak. Greg wrote, “This picture was taken by my uncle joe Stoerrle during the Second World War. This is the tail section of his B25 bomber. He told me a story how they barely made it back after their tail was shot up from Japanese flak. Uncle joe told me how accurate the Japanese flak was. I would like to thank my cousin Shelly (uncle Joe’s daughter) for providing me with these pictures at a family get together on 1/6/18.”
Thanks Dave, I just finished watching the video. I didn’t know that even existed and very powerful .I just wanted to let you know that I even met one of the GI,s that was hit by the 88 millimeter gun. It was over 30 years ago and was at a wedding of my ex wife’s cousin in Delaware. At the reception the brides father was making his rounds to all the tables. He was a retired army colonel. I struck up a conversation with him about his army career. He told me he started out with the 71st infantry division. So responded with “ did you go lootin with Wooten?” He looked at me and said I haven’t heard that since being wounded over there. He told me the Jeep he was riding in was hit by an 88 and he was blown out of the Jeep. I thought it was a tall tale at first but he continued with that he couldn’t stand on his feet for long because he still had schrapnel in the bones of his feet. He told me how the other GI,s we’re taking his loot that was stashed in the back of the Jeep while he was lying there. Thanks again for that video! Another cool thing I found out about my uncles battalion is that Ike’s only son John served with them. He was pulled out because Washington didn’t want him captured or killed because it would effect Ike.one more thing, if I ever get a WW2 Jeep can I lean on you for technical advice? I built many muscle cars in my day but never looked at a Jeep during those days. Kick myself in the butt now.
Gregg,
Thanks for the additional stories. I’m glad you enjoyed the video as well. I just assumed you’d known about it.
I’m happy to help provide any advice on WWII jeeps that I can, but the folks at the G503 are more knowledgeable about nuances and changes to the jeeps than I am. The MB/GPW world is definitely it’s own distinct niche.
– Dave
I just received Dean Joy’s book today and came across this video. My cousin’s husband is Quinn, mentioned in the video. I recently found the record of his death at the battle at Germersheim. I lived in Heidelberg, not far from there and never knew there was a connection. When Gerard Quinn was killed, my father’s regiment, the 399th was preparing to cross the Rhein at Mannheim, just a few miles north. Thank you for posting.
George, thank your for that added information. It’s certainly a small world sometimes!
– Dave
My father is Gerard Bryce, the son of Gerard Quinn mentioned in this book. If anyone has any information on Gerard Quinn please let me know. Thank you George Byrnes for bringing this to my attention.