Combat diary

Combat Diary written by Gustav Enyedy Jr., is an exceptional record of WWII combat as a result of the detail provided by the over 200 photographs contained in PFC Enyedy’s story of his combat experiences with the 2nd Platoon, I Company, 409th Infantry Regiment, 103d Infantry Division. Gus Enyedy completes the picture with his written word; but he readily acknowledges that he just could not take pictures while the “shooting war” (rifle and artillery firing) was taking place. After all, he was being paid as a rifleman, NOT a combat photographer. Furthermore, it was simply amazing that he could sustain the photography and maintain the film both new and exposed, throughout the combat period, outdoors without external support, and during the worst winter weather of a quarter century in that locale.
It was also amazing that the 2nd Platoon of I Company had only 5 men wounded in action (WIA) and NONE killed in action (KIA), whereas the total casualties for I Company were 76, with 8 KIA and 67 WIA. The 2nd Platoon truly earned their nickname, the “lucky platoon” as they were very likely the ONLY one of the 81 rifle platoons of the 103d Infantry Division without one man killed and with the fewest WIA. While that was an extremely favorable set of circumstances to experience, it just happened to be off-set by poor morale generated by the lack of leadership throughout I Company. This situation was exemplified by the 2nd Platoon having a Lieutenant Platoon Leader present only few weeks in December of the entire 6 months of combat. In any case, Gus’ unofficial “leadership” and picture taking image was able to sustain the morale of the platoon and keep them moving in a positive direction throughout the combat phase. This book has to be one of the best contributions to the 103d Infantry Division Legacy yet produced by a 103d veteran.
Written by COLONEL (Retired) Cranston “Chan” Rogers, President, 103d Infantry Division WWII Association