Oral history interview with Milo G. Flaten [sound recording], 1994.

ArchivalResource

Flaten, Milo G., 1925- ,. Oral history interview with Milo G. Flaten [sound recording], 1994.

Oral history interview with Milo G. Flaten [sound recording], 1994.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/76695811

Flaten, a Milwaukee, Wis. native, discusses his World War II service with Company E, 116th Regiment, 29th Infantry Division focusing on his experiences during the Normandy Campaign. He talks about his decision to enlist, fear he might not pass the physical exam, his first experience drinking, and training with an Italian regiment in New Jersey. Stationed at Camp Blanding (Florida), Flaten provides a sketch of types of people in the military, his activities at camp, ways he made money, his trip overseas, and training in England for the D-Day invasion. Flaten comments on the relationship between officers and enlisted men, KP duty, discipline during training, and his thoughts about battle preparation. He provides an extremely detailed account of D-Day including morale aboard the landing craft, running down the landing ramp, wading ashore under heavy fire, and heavy combat in France on the days following the invasion. Flaten describes hedgerow fighting, life in a foxhole, effectiveness of German artillery, constant need for replacements, first shower in the field, and the battle for St. Lô. Also talked about is the strength of SS troops, being hit with shrapnel, and being held prisoner by Germans for several days. After being wounded a second time, he was transferred to MP duty in Paris, and comments on monitoring prostitution with the morals squadron, playing with the Glenn Miller Band, and feelings of guilt about serving in Paris while his old unit was fighting. Flaten returned to his unit and touches upon duty at the Elbe River, meeting Russian troops, and his feelings upon return to the United States. Also discussed is using the GI Bill to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, joining the ROTC, attitudes of WWII veterans toward the ROTC, service in the Korean War, and his opinion of post-traumatic stress disorders.

Sound recording : 3 sound cassettes (ca. 170 min.) ; analog, 1 7/8 ips.Transcript : 59 p.Master sound recording : 3 sound cassettes (ca. 170 min.) ; analog, 1 7/8 ips.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center