Howard I Comstock

One very thank you to Howard to have agreed to answer my very numerous questions! For his kindness and its availability!

 

    

 

Howard Ira Comstok was born on September 5, 1924 at Gratiot County, Michigan. His parents, Ira and Dora had a small farm. They bred horses,
cows and chickens. Thus, Howard and his family did not suffer too much from the Great Depression.

“Of course all people suffered but farmers had food”

Howard had two sisters and a brother. His brother was older than him.

“My brother was called early before we were in the war. He was in Air Force supply---Gasoline. He survived the war but has now died, at the age I am now.”

When war broke out, Howard was too young to join the army.

“My Father does not let me join the Navy. Then about the time, I was 18, I saw the add for the parachutists and I said that is for me and my Father said no so, then it took a while for me to talk him into it.”

Howard Comstock then joined in on November 28, 1942.
The training lasted 13 weeks in Texas.

“Then 4 weeks jump school, no training with a unit. Then 1300 of us just out of jump school were kidnapped by four Officers who wanted their own unit.”

“It was very hard but I really enjoyed it. Seams I was in a class of officers and the instructors were all sergeants and they really enjoyed their work. I did enjoy the school and the officers being pushed, and no I received no rank.”

At the end of April 1943, he left the United States with his comrades.After a two weeks journey, on May 10, 1943 appeared the coast of Casablanca in French Morocco.After much confusion, Howard Comstock found himself assigned to D Company, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment.In the 505th, he got his first training unit.

“Africa was very hot and blowing sand and flies and much dysentery.”

Finally, the announcement of their future mission, the men were relieved to leave this hell!They would have jumped directly over Berlin if they had to!
On July 9, 1943, Howard participated in his first combat jump over Sicily.

“We did not jump in daytime we went at night, night before the Seaborn forces. I with my own company landed 30 miles from our DZ. Other units were much farther, but this was not all bad because reports came in from all over, and the Italians being quit excitable reported 80,000 airborne troops instead off 4 to 5000. Over mission was keep the German and Italians from the beach. Mission was successful.”

Howard Comstock was not injured during this campaign.He liked the landscape and the clean air of Sicily, although it reminded him long and hard walks.

“I was not wounded by enemy action but on landing I ran my rear gun sight into my leg small wound but healed slowly, I was to busy to have it taken care of.”

“One little thing, as a young inexperienced man I feel I was taken advantage of, In training in Africa I was given a job of Rifle Grenader and not told it was not a good weapon.”

“On landing, I found my grenades but not my launcher rifle. So under protest I carried 8 grenades all over Sicily and no way to fire them.”

After almost 1 months of fighting, on August 8th, the 82nd Airborne Division left the Sicilian ground to get back to Africa. As the men expected it Africa was still the same unfortunately. They found the dust, the heat and the flies again. But on September 5th, the regiment was back in Sicily.
On September 8 Italy was capitulating.On 9 September the American forces from the 5th Army landed in Salerno, Italy under the command of General Mark Clark.Within 72 hours, Field Marshal Kesselring had to reject the attacker back to the sea. Meanwhile the second combat jump of the 505^th was planned.
During the night of September 14, 1943, around 2,100 paratroopers jumped over the beachhead at Salerno Paestum.They jumped 24h after the 504^th’s.

“The jump in Salerno went very good, beautiful moonlight night, landing perfect all in place. I don't know what you heard but it seems the 36th. Div. had serious problems, they could do nothing right and the men lost all confidence. As soon as we landed seamed to be all right.”

Having made contact with the British 8th Army, on September 19th, the regiment was sent to some kilometres east to Rocca Aspide’s area. Then again, the only activity consisted of fighting patrols which were inspecting all the small isolated villages.
On September 28th, much of the regiment went aboard the LCI and was moved at about thirty kilometres further north on the coast. It landed in the coastal village of Maiori.
On 29 September the 505th had occupied Castellamare and a large area in the plain of Sarno.
On the 1^st of October, the battalion of Howard entered Naples. For the first time since leaving the United States, the paratroopers had a roof over their head.
On October 4, the 2nd Battalion took part in a drive to the small town of Arnone on the Volturno. The objective was to take 5 bridges crossing the canals of the town of Arnone and an intact bridge over the Volturno.
The battalion started its attack at 14:50. At 21:00 it took the first bridge and was in contact with the Germans. After hard fightings, the 2nd bridge was taken.In the afternoon they took another 3 other bridges and ended their races at the edge of Arnone.
During the night of October 5, all the companies of the 2nd Battalion sent patrols to identify routes towards the river and possible crossing places.
Howard remembers that moment like a very scary moment because the attack took place through a field completely clear. And once arrived there, the village was empty.
Once there, the units underwent a barrage of fire that preceded the attack by a German company. With the shock, the paratroopers had to retreat to less exposed positions.
Apart from the artillery fire still present, the 7th of October was pretty quiet. At night, the 2 battalions retreated, relieved by the 46th Infantry Division, and returned to Villa Liturno to settle a bit.
At 10:00, the 2 battalions were back to Naples.

“Then back to Naples that was it for a while. When things got quiet then Formations and parades, well three of us 18 year olds said this not what we are here for, and the 504 was up in the mountains having all the fun. So we three took off to join the 504, but we never made it. We spent 3 days with a cannon company at the foot of the mountain. Then I came down with appendicitis.
My 2 friends went back to the D Company 505 and were punish lightly. While I was in the hospital 82nd left for England. When I was out off the hospital 504 was on Anzio, so that is where I went, and yes I was welcome as they were very short off men and no replacements.”

Howard Comstock joined his new assignment, the Company HQ of the 2nd Battalion, 504th PIR while this one was already in Anzio.

“When I arrived everything was sort of locked in place. However one night there was an awful lot of fighting and in morning when I and another went out to repair phone lines ,we found out the Germans had completely ran over the 504 and then withdrew. An awful mess, Dead Germans all over and of course some Americans who we picked up, but not the Germans. ”

For the rest of that time spent on the beachhead of Anzio, the 504th knew a war like the First World War.A war of trenches with barbed wire and minefields.No gain grounds. This type of war was in total contradiction with what the paratrooper was given in training.
The men were therefore delighted to learn that on March 23, they returned to Naples.
The men supposed they would soon embark for England and join the 82nd Airborne.On April 10, 1944, CTN left Naples Via Umberto.

The majority of the troops boarded the British ship "Cape Town Castle."
But Howard with other comrades boarded one weeks rather with all equipment on an LST, or Landing Ship Tank, a barge that landed as normal tanks.

“We started down the Mediterranean toward Atlantic. Made two stops at major ports in North Africa make changes to our little ship to give us a little better chance on a long voyage.
We had a great time with shore leave with the Sailors.”
Howard recalls that the most complicated was to leave the Strait of Gibraltar.

“All day long we tried, Climb on a wave turn half way around and try again. Lost three miles that day. Wind must have gone down, next day we were in the Atlantic.”
The ship joined a huge convoy off the Strait consists of LST, LCI and freighters.The slow boats for miles and miles.

The journey went well despite the fact that the Nazi radio propaganda has warned the U-boat would sink the boat after the strait of Gibraltar.

“Then we landed in Wales and by train to Leicester England and camp was all set up for us.”
D-Day was approaching, the men felt that something was coming, but most of them did not cared that much, the regiment had not yet all its forces to be sent as a spearhead of the 82nd Airborne in Normandy.

“Not told we would not go to Normandy. England was great, everyone speaking a form of English, lots good-looking friendly girls and training was not too rough.”

On September 17, Howard Comstock participated in Operation Market Garden, the invasion of Holland.

“Market Garden started September 17, really nice weather, Daylight jump. We came in low with masses of Planes and jumpers. There was German fire but most of the Germans were running fore cover. We landed on both ends of owner bridge GRAVE. After assembling and advancing to owner end we had to cross this 7 span bridge under fire from machine guns and flack towers. The bridge is owners and this is owner first and main objective. As soon as the British Tanks came up we were relieved and moved toward Nijmegen. Not hurt.

Within just 4 hours, the regiment had jumped, had assembled had started the fight and took its objectives. During the two following days, the situation did not change. The 504th spent its time to consolidate its positions and to send patrols to contacts with the enemy.
Howard remembers the assault of Nijmegen Bridge. His unit did not participate but he attented the whole scene.

“Sat on hill by power plant and watched all the preparation for the river crossing. This was unbelievable, those canvas boat were not safe without anyone shooting at you. Finely the first group started, it was a slaughter, we were to go next but there were no boats to use. Unbelievable enough men made it across and secured the bank.”

On October 12, 1944, his unit took a position along the banks of the Canal Wyler - Meer.

“Think we were on the German border, we were dug in along the big river and every day watched the battle for the bridge, the Germans tried desperately to blow the bridge with any thing they could.”

“One day, General Gavin came through looking for our. Our Battalion Commander but he was back at Regiment. So of course we offered Gavin a sandwich, but he turned us down. He has always been my hero. ”

Howard Comstock remembers having had contact with civilians Dutchmen, a people he admires.
Despite the success of the 82nd Airborne generally speaking, the victory was short-lived because of the defeat of the Allied troops at Arnhem.The move to Germany would not open in September 1944 and the 82nd Airborne was sent to France.
On November 16, 1944, the 504th arrived at Camp Sissons near Reims in northern France for a well deserved rest.
Some men received permission ... Howard thought he would have one too.

“Let me tell you about it. One day word came down that we were being relieved for a weeks rest. So a lot of men took for week and came back when it was time to go back on line.

Guess what It was Reserve not rest and We were Absent from front lines and we were going back to France under Guard.”

 “So I was Court Marshalled LIGHTLY. “Comstock did you have a good time?” and I said YES SIR.” Then fined me Two Third Pay and one Rank  And I said You can't as I have no rank and most of my pay goes to US Warbonds. I've never received any promotion Then I did.”

The rest period will be short lived. The Germans went back to the offensive on December 16, 1944 on the side of the Belgian Ardennes.
The 504th PIR, following the 82nd Airborne Division was in Belgium to move the German advance back.

“Getting cold but no snow yet. Going from one road to another to establish resistance.”

“You would not believe, we arrived at one road and there was an MP there and he said you can't go there. Why not? There are Germans down there. That is why we are here.”

The men were made aware of the presence of "fake" GIs behind the lines.Howard Comstock never met one personally, but he witnessed a scene:

“I saw a Jeep with what I thought were American GI's take off from Reg. Hdq. and Gi's running out and shooting at them, they got away.”

”One night in the middle of the winter we sleeping on the ground in what we call a fire lane when a large group of German soldiers came in and asked for owner Commander, they wanted to surrender, Colonel was asleep. Germans said don't not wake him and they all lay down to sleep. Morning we found that they were not German but slave labour with new uniforms and equipment, sent to fight Americans. How foolish can anyone be?”

“The winter in Bulge is much like my home in Michigan except we don't live outside all winter.”

Throughout all this fighting time, Howard Comstock was never wounded.As he used to say, he was very lucky!
Directly after Belgium, the 504th PIR was ordered to attack the Siegfried Line. It took the city of Herresbach and on February 1st, it attacked the enemy fortifications. On 13 February, after a short period of rest, the regiment was posted along the banks of the Roer River.
Howard crossed the path of many prisoners.

“They could have been American - cold, tired, and by the end it was hard to tell because we were so mixed up, I was wearing a German Reversible Camouflage Jacket.”

On 17 February the 504th PIR was removed from the front.Before that, Howard saw the first German “rocket” plane machine gun position.
For the first time since the beginning of the war, Howard Comstock was wounded. He was hit by a Dodge 6x6 truck.

“Standing by a Jeep and trying to see myself in the mirror and I was run over by a 6 by 6 an empty slow moving truck, over one foot and across my hips as I lay on my side trying get away. I was put on a jeep ambulance and taken to the aid station. There the Medic officer told me to put my foot down and stand on it. I did and he said nothing wrong with you, if the truck had run over you you wood be dead. My friends were very angry with him as I had fresh tire marks but he turned and walked away. I was hurting but we were already releaved and moving out and heading back to France. I had trouble walking but that is the reason I got ride in a jeep instead of a truck, Luxury.”

On February 19, the 504th finally arrived in Laon, France to get some rest.

“I was quite happy at Laon and we had a 504 club in town that was very much fun. My Brother even came to see me. I last saw him in England.”

In April, the 504th PIR was back in Germany. He took position along the banks of the Rhine River.
On 27 April, the Regiment was relieved and sent to Köln area to serve as a troop of occupation.
On 1 May 1945, it settled on the western banks of the Elbe River. A few days later, the first contacts with the Russian forces from the East were assumed. The War was over. It was a joyful time to celebrate ... even with the Russians.

“I met the Russians but I did not party with them-Thankfully. Those Russians drink to excess plus they had German women that they would like to share, our men who went to party came back in very bad shape.”

Since the day of his accident with the Dodge Howard had kept pain and some difficulties moving. He often goes to the doctor.

“I had gone on sick call and they could do nothing for me so asked to back to my unit and Doc. Said: “wouldn’t you like to go home?” So I was not transfer but came home.
Very lucky, Howard Comstock was back home, in the United States on May 8, 1945, the day of victory. He stayed at the military hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan and once out he was demobilized on October 1945.

During the day, after 160 kilometres, he was at home.

“It was a great time I had been gone two years and eleven months.”

Howard took advantage of the GI Bill to go back to school.

 “I studied Ford parts for a year in a large dealership then left to take a job driving truck for much more money and continued for thirty-five years.”

For Howard, life was very quiet, too much, somewhere, he was missing the army. Then in 1946 he met his future wife, Dolores, and life was never boring anymore. He married in 1947.

“I Have Four children, 2 boys and 2 girls, 8 or 9 grandchildren and 8 or 9 great grand children.”

Howard Comstock retired in 1987 after 40 years of good service.Today, he lives with his wife in the south of St. Louis, Michigan, 3 miles from where he was born.
Howard loves hunting, travel and fiddle. He has got an area of 10 acres with a small forest, pasture, a pond with frogs.
He still has his uniform, and two winter uniforms.

“I am no hero, I am a survivor.”

 

 

  

Howard Comstock in 1943 and in Normandy, during the commemorations, June 9, 2009