My last stop was a Lucky shot and a bizarre coincidence that took place. (I added a new picture of Joe at the villa in 2008)

In Joe’s book he describes the action in Draguignan, where he, Don Thompson, Bud Hook, Ed Schultz, attacked a german HQ in a villa called Gladys. Joe met a French resistance fighter, asked where german positions were located and the guy said in a villa Gladys and guided them in the direction. The frenchman got shot when they got close and there is a memorial plague on the street.

Joe and the guys, did a quick attack and entered the building capturing General Bieringer. They also found money which they thew on the streets whilst driving. A quote in the books says, ‘Joe, do the people think were are Santa or goddamned fools’ Joe replied ‘probably a little of both’ . I had to smile reading it. Post a picture of the pages of the book here.

So what happened here that was so bizarre? I prepped my trip and with help of copilot found villa Gladys. However, it is in the middle of an area full of houses but seemed a private estate with a gate and curved road of a few hundred meters and outside of the estate you cannot see the villa. I went there anyway to see the plaquette of the killed resistance fighter and walk the grounds of the 551 men.

Very narrow streets where the average US car cannot go….:) i found the spot, parked my car half on the road to read the text and make a picture. Then an older French lady walks by and starts talking to me in french if i was interested in history. Going over in English i made clear that i was very interested and then she says ‘I live at Villa Gladys’ ….. euhh WHAT??? i am here especially for that villa is said. I showed her my book of Joe with the pictures and story of Bieringer. She said i can show you and she stepped into my car and together we drove to the estate, through the gate and up to the villa.

She and her husband bought the estate a few years ago, build their house and are renting the villa to 4 families.

How Lucky i was to meet this lady, go to the estate and take some pictures. Maybe there was a force with me making this possible…

I post some pictures of the book, one of the area around Gladys, where i marked Gladys with a Star, circled the estate and at the bottom right circle where the frenchman was killed and i met the lady.

Panama pictures of the 551st incl an article on the brawl they had

Here are documents in relation to Joe Cicchinelli his capture, imprisonment, letters home to his parents.

Also some content on the pow camp Stalag IVb that he was at

Dianne

Going to post some pictures over the next days. Like Susan Coker mentioned in a post recently, maybe a family member recognizes their loved one. I just posted a picture of Captain Marshall Dalton as reply to her post to Susan.

Here are some pictures of Joe during basic training and of his brothers and parents. Boy does he look like his father.

Also Joe’s certificate for completing jumpschool

Fort Benning jumpschool incl the transfer order