This War in Italy

This is an incredible book with actual photographs from Rocker’s time in Italy with the 10th Mountain Division. To find this not missing any of the photos and it is signed is rare. World War II edit The 10th Light Division (Alpine) was constituted on 10 July 1943[22] and activated five days later at Camp Hale under the command of Brigadier General Lloyd E. Jones, with Brigadier General Frank L. Culin Jr. assigned as his assistant division commander (ADC).[23] The 10th Light Division was centered on regimental commands; the 85th, 86th, and 87th Infantry Regiments.[24] At the time, the division had a strength of 8,500 out of the 16,000 planned, so the military transferred troops from the 30th, 31st, and 33rd Infantry Divisions along with volunteers from the National Guards of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and the rest of New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, North and South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah and Washington (specifically, men who were from the Rocky Mountain and northern states such as men from in the Appalachian Mountain Area, Green Mountains of Vermont, White Mountains of New Hampshire, Adirondack and Taconic Mountains of New York and The Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania and men from the areas in the United States close to the 45th parallel north), to fill out the remainder of the division.[25] The division faced many difficulties in the new training, which had no established army doctrine.[21] Also assigned to the division were the 604th, 605th, and 616th Field Artillery Battalions, 110th Signal Company, 710th Ordnance Company, 10th Quartermaster Company, 10th Reconnaissance Troop, 126th Engineer Battalion, 10th Medical Battalion, and the 10th Counterintelligence Corps Detachment.[24][26] The 10th Light Division was unique in that it was the only division in the army with three field artillery battalions instead of four.[24] It was equipped with vehicles specialized in snow operation, such as the M29 Weasel,[27] and winter weather gear, such as white camouflage and skis specifically designed for the division.[28][29] The division practiced its rock climbing skills in preparation for the invasion of Italy on the challenging peaks of Seneca Rocks in West Virginia. Its specialized training culminated with what were known as the "D-Series" ("D" for "Divisional"), military maneuvers on the divisional level in the Colorado Rockies in Winter conditions.[30] Beginning 26 March 1944, the exercises were intended to last five weeks. The soldiers endured an adverse environment, and "tactical conditions" that banned open fires in sub-zero temperatures.[31] As a result, the exercises were ended after 3 weeks. Official statistics recorded 195 cases of frostbite and 340 other incapacitating injuries.[32] On 22 June 1944, the division was shipped to Camp Swift, Texas, to prepare for maneuvers in Louisiana, which were later canceled. A period of acclimation to a low altitude and hot climate was thought necessary to prepare for this training.[33] On 6 November 1944, the 10th Division was redesignated the 10th Mountain Division.[34] That same month, the blue and white "Mountain" tab was authorized for the division's new shoulder sleeve insignia.[1] Also in November, the division received a new commander, Brigadier General George Price Hays, a Medal of Honor recipient and a distinguished veteran of World War I. On January 4, 1945, he received a promotion to major general.[35].…