Mr. Pete Berletic
Battery "B" S/Sgt. with the 46th. In Memorandum. Pete passed away on Aug. 1. (better picture coming) |
Pete and his wife Hilda at home in 2012.
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A Day at the 46th: 79 questions and answers with S/Sgt.Pete Berletic. April 18, 2013 Age: 88 years .
Special thanks to Karen Badstibner for her assistance.
Special thanks to Karen Badstibner for her assistance.
1. Where did you go to basic training and in what year? - Fort Sill, Ok, 1944
2. Did you volunteer or drafted? - ROTC Reserves
3. What was your job title? - Field Artillery Observer.
4. When were you assigned to the 46th? - Not until July 14th, 1944 in France. I was with the 1st division and came over from
England on D-Day, June 6th landing at Normandy. I was in Kilkeel, Ireland, just prior to the invasion.
5. So you were in the initial invasion on D-Day. What was the weather and sea like as you crossed the channel? - Rainy, cold,
choppy and misty.
6. How long did the crossing take? - It seemed like an indefinite amount of time!
7. How many soldiers were in the boat with you? - about 75.
8. What was the most difficult about the crossing? - The enemy fire.
9. Throughout your time in Europe, what was the bravest actions you saw in fellow soldiers? - The determination of each
soldier, with a rifle in their hand to keep the enemy away.
10. Throughout your time in Europe, what was the bravest actions you saw in local civilians? - They would stop and give
directions under heavy fire.
11. What was the bravest actions you saw in German soldiers? - the defense of the fortress of Metz. (Metz, France)
12. Was there a time when you didn't think that you would survive? - DAY 1!!
13. How did you keep going? - GOD kept me going.
14. When were you/what made you the most scared? - Getting off the boat on Omaha Beach, under fire!
15. Throughout your time in Europe, was the most difficult battle you were in, and why was it difficult? - The Invasion of
Normandy. The odds - (we were) overwhelmed by the enemy!
16. Would any members of the 46th ever blow up road blocks or bridges or work with dynamite in any capacity? - We used it
daily!
17. Were you in the Battle of Metz or the Battle of the Bulge? - Both!
18. Were you ever wounded? - No.
19. Did you ever receive any medals or commendations? - Yes, the Silver Star and the Bronze Star. (more Q & A below pictures)
(we will delve into these in more detail during the video interview).
2. Did you volunteer or drafted? - ROTC Reserves
3. What was your job title? - Field Artillery Observer.
4. When were you assigned to the 46th? - Not until July 14th, 1944 in France. I was with the 1st division and came over from
England on D-Day, June 6th landing at Normandy. I was in Kilkeel, Ireland, just prior to the invasion.
5. So you were in the initial invasion on D-Day. What was the weather and sea like as you crossed the channel? - Rainy, cold,
choppy and misty.
6. How long did the crossing take? - It seemed like an indefinite amount of time!
7. How many soldiers were in the boat with you? - about 75.
8. What was the most difficult about the crossing? - The enemy fire.
9. Throughout your time in Europe, what was the bravest actions you saw in fellow soldiers? - The determination of each
soldier, with a rifle in their hand to keep the enemy away.
10. Throughout your time in Europe, what was the bravest actions you saw in local civilians? - They would stop and give
directions under heavy fire.
11. What was the bravest actions you saw in German soldiers? - the defense of the fortress of Metz. (Metz, France)
12. Was there a time when you didn't think that you would survive? - DAY 1!!
13. How did you keep going? - GOD kept me going.
14. When were you/what made you the most scared? - Getting off the boat on Omaha Beach, under fire!
15. Throughout your time in Europe, was the most difficult battle you were in, and why was it difficult? - The Invasion of
Normandy. The odds - (we were) overwhelmed by the enemy!
16. Would any members of the 46th ever blow up road blocks or bridges or work with dynamite in any capacity? - We used it
daily!
17. Were you in the Battle of Metz or the Battle of the Bulge? - Both!
18. Were you ever wounded? - No.
19. Did you ever receive any medals or commendations? - Yes, the Silver Star and the Bronze Star. (more Q & A below pictures)
(we will delve into these in more detail during the video interview).
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The award to the left says:
"Award of the Bronze Star Medal Citation - Corporal PETE Y. BERLETIC, ______ Field artillery, 46th Field artillery Battalion, United States Army. For distinctive heroism in connection with military operations against the enemy on 2? March, 1945 in the vicinity of WALDORF, Germany, when several enemy shells fell in the vicinity of the battery area, Corporal BERLETIC _____ corporal, disregarding personal safety went into the ____ area for the purpose of setting up his instruments and thereby locating the direction of the enemy guns. Fearlessly remaining in the exposed terrain and braving the flying shrapnel, Corporal BERLETIC successfully took a reading on one artillery battalion to bring effective counter-battery fire upon the enemy positions and reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces. Entered military service from Pennsylvania. Albert Brown, Major General U.S. Army Commanding." |
Musette Bag. Source: Olive-drab.com
20. After being assigned to the 46th at Normandy, what was your geographic progression.
- France, Germany, Austria, Luxemburg, Belgium and Czechoslovakia.
21. Did the 46th ever travel through Paris or did it stay south of it? - South of Paris.
22. What was the equipment that you carried on patrol? - Musette bag and shaving items.
Picture at right showing a soldier with canvas field bag, (Musette Bag) M-1936 worn as a backpack, is courtesy of Olive-drab.com. Clicking the link will open up new window: http://olive-drab.com/od_soldiers_gear_ww2pack_m1936.php
23. What type of weapons did you operate/carry? - 30 caliber carbine, 45 automatic pistol.
24. How much did the equipment weight? 10-15 lbs.
25. How did you move the 105 mm howitzer artillery guns around? - By truck.
26. How many miles did you patrol? - It varied.
27. Did you sleep in a tent or out in the open, or both? - In the open. We were issued pup tents but
never used them.
28. How long were you able to camp in one place, versus moving everyday? - Two days.
29. How often were you able to receive mail? - Weekly.
30. How ofter were you able to go on a break; once a month, once every two weeks? - Never.
31. How long would a break be (in days)? - If allowed, 10 days.
- France, Germany, Austria, Luxemburg, Belgium and Czechoslovakia.
21. Did the 46th ever travel through Paris or did it stay south of it? - South of Paris.
22. What was the equipment that you carried on patrol? - Musette bag and shaving items.
Picture at right showing a soldier with canvas field bag, (Musette Bag) M-1936 worn as a backpack, is courtesy of Olive-drab.com. Clicking the link will open up new window: http://olive-drab.com/od_soldiers_gear_ww2pack_m1936.php
23. What type of weapons did you operate/carry? - 30 caliber carbine, 45 automatic pistol.
24. How much did the equipment weight? 10-15 lbs.
25. How did you move the 105 mm howitzer artillery guns around? - By truck.
26. How many miles did you patrol? - It varied.
27. Did you sleep in a tent or out in the open, or both? - In the open. We were issued pup tents but
never used them.
28. How long were you able to camp in one place, versus moving everyday? - Two days.
29. How often were you able to receive mail? - Weekly.
30. How ofter were you able to go on a break; once a month, once every two weeks? - Never.
31. How long would a break be (in days)? - If allowed, 10 days.
32. What did you eat while in the field? - Rations (Meals ready to eat - MRE)
33. What was in a Rations or MRE kit? - Crackers, cheese and can of meat.
34. Where did you get water from? - We had treated water from streams. Engineers purified it from a lister bag... A lot of
chlorine.
35. While in Europe how often did you have a hot shower and a bed to sleep in? - No hot showers or beds.
36. Did you travel on foot or jeep or truck? - A combination of these.
37. Did you wear any hearing protection during the firing of artillery? - No, you closed your mouth to relieve pressure in your
ears.
38. Did you carry a picture of anyone in your wallet? If so, who? - Yes, my wife Hilda.
39. If there was boredom, how would you overcome it? - There was constant boredom. You didn't overcome it, you sucked it
up. If you got bored, you took a nap.
40. What was a typical winter day in the field like? - BITTER COLD! We smoked Fleetwood and or Chelsea cigarettes.They
had a 7 cent tax and we were only issued 2 packs a week.
41. What was a typical summer day in the field like? - Fair weather, consistent and boring.
42. Where there any medical problems common in your unit? - There was trench foot, some battle fatigue. 48% had dysentery.
43. How did the civilians in England, France and Germany treat you? - Good.
44. What town was your most favorite and why? - Bournmouth, England because of the modern stores.
45. What town was your least favorite and why? - At that time, Kilkeel, Ireland. It was crummy, no plumbing, bad
communications and warm beer.
46. Where was the most intense tank battle that you saw? - at Normandy.
47. What town in France were you near when you crossed the Moselle River? - Near Metz.
48. After Metz, what was the route of the 46th? - East and North.
49. Did you ever find any concentration camps or prisoner of war camps? - Yes, there was one small camp of 200 prisoners.
There was a nice house there and the brass and generals stayed there.
50. Did you ever see General Patton? - Yes, in Ireland.
33. What was in a Rations or MRE kit? - Crackers, cheese and can of meat.
34. Where did you get water from? - We had treated water from streams. Engineers purified it from a lister bag... A lot of
chlorine.
35. While in Europe how often did you have a hot shower and a bed to sleep in? - No hot showers or beds.
36. Did you travel on foot or jeep or truck? - A combination of these.
37. Did you wear any hearing protection during the firing of artillery? - No, you closed your mouth to relieve pressure in your
ears.
38. Did you carry a picture of anyone in your wallet? If so, who? - Yes, my wife Hilda.
39. If there was boredom, how would you overcome it? - There was constant boredom. You didn't overcome it, you sucked it
up. If you got bored, you took a nap.
40. What was a typical winter day in the field like? - BITTER COLD! We smoked Fleetwood and or Chelsea cigarettes.They
had a 7 cent tax and we were only issued 2 packs a week.
41. What was a typical summer day in the field like? - Fair weather, consistent and boring.
42. Where there any medical problems common in your unit? - There was trench foot, some battle fatigue. 48% had dysentery.
43. How did the civilians in England, France and Germany treat you? - Good.
44. What town was your most favorite and why? - Bournmouth, England because of the modern stores.
45. What town was your least favorite and why? - At that time, Kilkeel, Ireland. It was crummy, no plumbing, bad
communications and warm beer.
46. Where was the most intense tank battle that you saw? - at Normandy.
47. What town in France were you near when you crossed the Moselle River? - Near Metz.
48. After Metz, what was the route of the 46th? - East and North.
49. Did you ever find any concentration camps or prisoner of war camps? - Yes, there was one small camp of 200 prisoners.
There was a nice house there and the brass and generals stayed there.
50. Did you ever see General Patton? - Yes, in Ireland.
Source:
http://www.societyofthefifthdivision.com/WWII/ww2photomain/Patton-N-Ire.htm
Picture at right: Northern Ireland: Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr., speaks to men of the 10th Infantry Regiment after they completed an assault demonstration, near Kilkeel, County Down, Northern Ireland, 30 March 1944.
51. What did you think of Patton? - Typical military brass.
52. What did Patton do that was better than other
leaders, in your opinion? - He was very committed.
53. What could Patton have done better? - Resign.
(Note from webmaster: - my grandfather would not watch the movie "Patton" because of his dislike for Patton.)
54. In your opinion, what could the Allies have done differently to end the war sooner? - They could have done better planning.
51. What did you think of Patton? - Typical military brass.
52. What did Patton do that was better than other
leaders, in your opinion? - He was very committed.
53. What could Patton have done better? - Resign.
(Note from webmaster: - my grandfather would not watch the movie "Patton" because of his dislike for Patton.)
54. In your opinion, what could the Allies have done differently to end the war sooner? - They could have done better planning.
55. Was there a leader that you remember who stood above the others? - Capt. George Polich. He had no ear. (Note from webmaster: Capt. Polich earned the Silver Star for gallantry. His official commendation
record is listed as report #4 in the "August 1944 History" Tab)
56. You mentioned earlier that when you encountered difficult situations, that God kept you going. Did you ever have any
moments where you doubted religion? - It was never a thought.
57. Were Church services available? If so, how often? Yes, weekly.
58. Was there any point while in the service, that you considered going A.W.O.L. (absent without leave)? - No.
59. Where were you and what did you do when you first heard that Germany surrendered. - It was May 8, 1945. I was in
Czechoslovakia. There was no combat as they were negotiating the surrender. The men had a bet on what day the war
would end, and I won $85.
60. What did you do after Germany surrendered, but before you went home? - I prepared to go home. Other than that it was
just like any other day.
61. Did you have to pay for your army uniform like the soldiers do today? - No.
AFTER THE WAR
62. What lessons or skills did you learn while in the service that helped you when you returned home? - Just to stay out of the
army!
63. What was the first city you returned to in the U.S.? New York
64. When you returned home, what did you do? - Within seven days I went to Penn State College.
65. Was it hard to re-adjust to civilian life? (no answer)
66. Did you ever have any problems with nightmares, flashbacks, feelings of guilt or not being able to sleep? - No.
67. Did you keep in contact with others from your unit after the war? - No.
68. Who was someone in your unit that you remember and what stood out about them? Steve Trujillo. He was Spanish, 6ft 3,
255 lbs mess cook. He was the best cook!
69. If you could go back and speak with one person from your outfit, who would it be and why? - A Chinese boy who was a
radio operator from Chicago.
70. Have you ever returned to Europe? - No.
71. If you could, what area would you visit and why? - Luxemburg because they spoke English and it was a pretty country with
nice people.
72. Of all the WWII movies or tv combat shows, which portrayed your conditions most realistically? - None regarding the
ground troops. I did enjoy 12 O Clock High with Gregory Peck.
73. What would you tell someone who thought war was glorious? - You're out of you're mind. There's too much suffering!
74. What would you tell a Senator or Congressman who is contemplating sending more troops overseas? - You (senator) go
first!
75. What would you tell someone who is thinking about joining the army today? - Think first!
76. Do you think that the current military benefits for veterans are sufficient or should there be improvements? - The benefits
are insufficient.
77. If there should be improvements, what areas would you like to see improved? - Overall benefits need to be improved.
78. What do you hope that your unit will be remembered for? - My unit cleared the way so the jeeps could get through to
Bastogne. It was a very good outfit! I also hope that it will be remembered for continuance and stellar
performance.
79. What do you hope that you will be remembered for? - Faithful Service!
Thank you Mr. Berletic for your faithful service and for answering these questions.
56. You mentioned earlier that when you encountered difficult situations, that God kept you going. Did you ever have any
moments where you doubted religion? - It was never a thought.
57. Were Church services available? If so, how often? Yes, weekly.
58. Was there any point while in the service, that you considered going A.W.O.L. (absent without leave)? - No.
59. Where were you and what did you do when you first heard that Germany surrendered. - It was May 8, 1945. I was in
Czechoslovakia. There was no combat as they were negotiating the surrender. The men had a bet on what day the war
would end, and I won $85.
60. What did you do after Germany surrendered, but before you went home? - I prepared to go home. Other than that it was
just like any other day.
61. Did you have to pay for your army uniform like the soldiers do today? - No.
AFTER THE WAR
62. What lessons or skills did you learn while in the service that helped you when you returned home? - Just to stay out of the
army!
63. What was the first city you returned to in the U.S.? New York
64. When you returned home, what did you do? - Within seven days I went to Penn State College.
65. Was it hard to re-adjust to civilian life? (no answer)
66. Did you ever have any problems with nightmares, flashbacks, feelings of guilt or not being able to sleep? - No.
67. Did you keep in contact with others from your unit after the war? - No.
68. Who was someone in your unit that you remember and what stood out about them? Steve Trujillo. He was Spanish, 6ft 3,
255 lbs mess cook. He was the best cook!
69. If you could go back and speak with one person from your outfit, who would it be and why? - A Chinese boy who was a
radio operator from Chicago.
70. Have you ever returned to Europe? - No.
71. If you could, what area would you visit and why? - Luxemburg because they spoke English and it was a pretty country with
nice people.
72. Of all the WWII movies or tv combat shows, which portrayed your conditions most realistically? - None regarding the
ground troops. I did enjoy 12 O Clock High with Gregory Peck.
73. What would you tell someone who thought war was glorious? - You're out of you're mind. There's too much suffering!
74. What would you tell a Senator or Congressman who is contemplating sending more troops overseas? - You (senator) go
first!
75. What would you tell someone who is thinking about joining the army today? - Think first!
76. Do you think that the current military benefits for veterans are sufficient or should there be improvements? - The benefits
are insufficient.
77. If there should be improvements, what areas would you like to see improved? - Overall benefits need to be improved.
78. What do you hope that your unit will be remembered for? - My unit cleared the way so the jeeps could get through to
Bastogne. It was a very good outfit! I also hope that it will be remembered for continuance and stellar
performance.
79. What do you hope that you will be remembered for? - Faithful Service!
Thank you Mr. Berletic for your faithful service and for answering these questions.
