Description:

GEN. CHARLES D. W. CANHAM - 8TH INFANTRY BATTLE REPORTS
CHARLES D. W. CANHAM (1901 - 1963) American general, his 116th Infantry was chosen as the first to land at Omaha beach on D-Day. Shortly after hitting the beach, Canham was shot through the wrist, and refusing evacuation, he moved his men off Omaha and inland. He led the 8th Division to take Brest. During surrender negations, German lieutenant general Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke demanded to know the lower ranking Canham's credentials. Canham pointed to the dirty and tired American soldiers he had brought with him to witness the surrender and said, "These are my credentials." War-date self-typed manuscript: "COMBAT HISTORY 8TH INFANTRY DIVISION 21 AUGUST 1944 TO", 16pp, 4to., [In the field in Germany, ca. Nov. 24, 1944], a day-by-day accounting of the movements and actions of the 8th Infantry, then in part commanded by Canham who was Assistant Division Commander and who prepared this chronology. Canham's account covers the period between Aug. 21 and Nov. 23, 1944 as the "Pathfinders" were moving on Brest and thence through France to the Rhineland. Canham describes the determined resistance of the Germans to the attack on Brest, where his forces gained less than a quarter of a mile per day. Germans are described as violating truces and at the same time, infiltrating men in American uniforms behind the lines, apparently wiping out two companies. Finally, using flame-throwers and concentrated fire, the 8th was able to overcome German resistance at the walls of the city and on Sep. 20th Canham's forces accepted the surrender of Gen. Ramke (leading to Canham's famous quote). By Oct. 1, the regiment had relocated to Luxemburg where it remained while reorganizing until mid-November when it relocated to the area around Wiltz. The regiment was then ordered to attack in the vicinity of the Hurtgen Forest. Canham ends his account as the regiment, encountering heavily-mined roads and heavy mortar fire, is reinforced by a tank battalion. SOLD WITH: Canham's copy of the 29th Infantry Regiment's history 29 Let's Go!, Infantry Journal, Inc., Washington, 1948. First Edition. This heavily-illustrated edition of the 29th describes the regiment's actions during World War II, replete with photos and maps, and pictures Canham within. Two pieces.

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September 9, 2014 11:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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