Running Wire at the Front Lines

This compelling memoir tracks the war experiences of a radio wireman in the 11th Infantry Regiment of the Fifth Infantry Division. Born in Brooklyn and having left school in the sixth grade to work, the author enlisted at the age of 17. The book explores his time in combat, when he laid down wire for radio communications, often along the front lines and during battles, always alert for German troops. Featured are his sketches of the scenes of his work with fellow soldiers. Particular attention is paid to the role of the wireman and the history of the Fifth Infantry Division.

Louis J. Lauria worked as an auto mechanic for most of his life.
Amanda Page Anderson, Louis J. Lauria’s granddaughter, is a speech language pathologist.

Louis J. Lauria
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 224
Bibliographic Info: 51 photos, appendix, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2011
pISBN: 978-0-7864-5926-1
eISBN: 978-0-7864-6216-2
Imprint: McFarland

Table of Contents

Preface 1
Introduction 7
I. Going into the Army 19
II. Overseas 26
III. Normandy 31
IV. Angers 49
V. Chartres 62
VI. Advancing through France 70
VII. Dornot 77
VIII. Metz 89
IX. Battle of the Bulge 101
X. Sauer River Crossings 111
XI. Bitburg 125
XII. Lieg 135
XIII. Oppenheim: Crossing the Rhine 143
XIV. Main River Bridge in Frankfurt 149
XV. End of the War 158
XVI. Home 165
Afterword 173
Appendix: The Fifth Infantry Division in World War II 179
Chapter Notes 207
Works Cited 213
Index 215