Oral history interview with James P. James, [sound recording], 2005.

ArchivalResource

James, James P., 1923-. Oral history interview with James P. James, [sound recording], 2005.

Oral history interview with James P. James, [sound recording], 2005.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/753560307

James P. James, a Fond du Lac, Wisconsin native, discusses his World War II service as a paratrooper in the 507th Infantry Regiment, including his experiences during the Invasion of Normandy and as a prisoner of war. James talks about being drafted, basic training at Mineral Wells (Texas), joining the paratroopers, jump training at Fort Benning (Georgia), and training with the 507th Regiment for the Pacific Theater in Alliance (Nebraska). He talks about his transport being rear ended by another boat during the voyage to the European Theater and training for three months in Port Rush (Ireland). James details getting injured during a windy practice jump in England. He states he knew they would be jumping into France after being "fattened up" with all the food he could eat. He details the D-Day jump: seeing a soldier get shot in the airplane's doorway, being the second to last person out before the plane crashed, getting hung up in a tree, and finding only two people from his unit on the ground. James describes getting captured and held prisoner in a barn with 350 other paratroopers. While being marched to Paris, he speaks of the casualties that resulted from being strafed by American planes, and he mentions helping bury them. He tells of spending three days in a boxcar and, after reaching a bombed out bridge, getting out and marching for three months into Germany. James addresses lack of food, his own morale, weight loss, and arriving at a camp in Mühlberg (Germany), where he was put to work cutting timber. After hurting his wrist, he talks about being made a cook and preparing cow beets. James describes spending three weeks in Chemnitz (Czechoslovakia): getting a haircut from Greek prisoners, seeing some prisoners die from eating too much sawdust-filled bread, and helping bury German civilians who were killed by bombs. Recalling his liberation, he tells of the German guards dumping weapons into the toilet pits and fleeing. He talks about finding a hoard of potatoes, meeting a couple of Russian soldiers, and frying eggs all night. James speaks of capturing a loose horse, attaching him to a wagon, and collecting other ex-prisoners of war on his way to Dresden. After reaching American lines, he mentions asking for cigarettes first thing, getting a medical check, and being flown to Camp Lucky Strike (France). James touches on his homecoming to the States and to Fond du Lac. He reflects on receiving decent treatment from the German guards, being spit on by Frenchmen while in Paris as a prisoner, his religious faith, health problems from being a prisoner, and medical care as a veteran. James mentions joining some veterans' organizations and talking about his experiences to high school students and Boy Scouts.

Sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 42 min.); analog, 1 7/8 ips.Master sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 42 min.); analog, 1 7/8 ips.Transcript : 22 p.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center