"“An Excellent Turkey Dinner”: Christmas Overseas in" Topic

…World War II

"In December of 1943 and 1944, millions of servicemen spent Christmas apart from their families. Christmas Day was an especially difficult day for millions of soldiers, sailors, and airmen stationed thousands of miles from their homes.

In 1943, over 500,000 US soldiers celebrated the holidays in England. On Christmas Day, Captain George Nabb Jr., of the 115th Infantry Regiment wrote home to his wife and young son that "it doesn't seem like Xmas in the least. We do have the day off and have had an excellent turkey dinner." Food was one of the greatest comforts to soldiers regardless of their posting. As a result, the US military devoted its incredible logistical network to supplying turkey dinners to nearly all soldiers regardless of where they were stationed on Christmas. Combat soldiers especially appreciated the festive fare. Still, Nabb and his comrades found it hard to celebrate without longing for home. "We all drank a toast just before dinner to our next Xmas in the U.S.A. I hope and pray we shall be there." Unfortunately, George and millions of other Americans would still be fighting overseas the following Christmas…"

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Armand

That Sargeant in the first line…Pure propaganda, right?… Too clean to be in that position and he alone handling a machine gun?

Armand

Not necessarily.
We can't see if anyone is behind him.
We don't know the situation. This could be a mg position in a near to the front rear area support unit.
He could be manning it, or just holding it down while the real crew was getting chow.
We don't know the context of it.

What unit does the shoulder patch indicate?

Thanks

The patch belong to the US 5th Army 5 Division… the "Red Diamont"…The U.S. 5th Infantry Division played a critical role on the southern flank of the Battle of the Bulge. Rushed 69 miles from the Saar River in a blinding snowstorm on December 20, 1944, the division relieved the 4th Infantry Division and fought grueling winter battles to push the Germans back to the Sauer River… it belonges to General Patton's Third Army…

Armand

This could be a mg position in a near to the front rear area support unit.

It would appear so, an AAA unit in Italy:

"84.Photograph. '22 Nov 44. 5/MM-44-30207. Fifth Army, San Marcello Pistoiese Area, Italy. Thanksgiving chow went as far forward as there were troops. Sgt. Frank Shiborski, 107 AAA Group, from 5007 Central Ave, Detroit, Mich.[Michigan] A 50 Cal. Machine gunner, takes time out from looking for Germans to do a little special duty on a 'drum stick.' Photo by Edwards. 3131 Signal Service Co.' San Marcello Pistoiese Area, Italy. 22 November 1944"

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Thanks!

Armand