Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
7:05 | Bill Savich describes the second time he and a group of volunteers rescued men from a minefield. Only 4 men returned from a 10-man patrol, and Captain Dunneran decided that they were to go out into enemy lines, unarmed, with a Red Cross flag to indicate to the Germans that they were not a combat patrol.
Keywords : minefield rescue Red Cross volunteer
Bill Savich recounts a close face-to-face encounter with a German soldier when driving German rear guard soldiers out of houses in Fondi, Italy.
After fighting off a German counterattack, Bill Savich and his men were instructed to hold the Della Tombe near San Clemente. One night, a drunken group of German soldiers attacked the ridge, and Savich led a group of inexperienced, college-age soldiers in the defense of the position.
Bill Savich describes the second time he and a group of volunteers rescued men from a minefield. Only 4 men returned from a 10-man patrol, and Captain Dunneran decided that they were to go out into enemy lines, unarmed, with a Red Cross flag to indicate to the Germans that they were not a combat patrol.
When descending from the mountain ranges of Mt. Alto and San Martino, Bill Savich and his men were surprised by a German tank. Savich recounts the orders he gave and actions his men took to take down the tank.
While on the road to Volterra, Bill Savich and his men are trapped in a valley by German artillery. He orders LT Meyerturk and his men to run for the cover of the hills, but suffers an injury in the process.
Bill Savich recalls attacking a German Panzer unit amongst the powerful American 155s, which earned him his 2nd Silver Star.
After LT Welsh reported a failed mission to Captain Dunneran at the base of Mt. Damiano, SGT Munch and SGT Rog Hager were left alone in a mine field calling for help. Bill Savich recalls taking a group of volunteers, including SGT Jesse Cargel and SGT Parker through the minefield to rescue Munch and Hager. This action earned Savich the Silver Star.
Bill Savich details the military tactics he learned at Ft. Benning to lead and motivate men to fight a frontal attack.
