The Nazi 88 Made Believers

Book excerpt: Major Harry Abbott wrote this book of his experiences as the military chaplain of Combat Command B of the 13th Armored Regiment of the 1st Armored Division during the North African campaign soon after returning Stateside. He and his fellow chaplains made ceaseless efforts to care for the spiritual and physical needs of the men in their charge. He was frequently called upon to tend to the sick and wounded, he attested to the tremendous courage displayed by the GIs of his unit as they grappled with the veteran Afrika Korps in North Africa. As alluded to in the title many of his charges faced their religious decisions differently under the fired of the deadly German 88 anti-tank gun; he assiduously noted that “there are no atheists in foxholes.” Also in charge of the burial parties sent to ensure the proper respect for the fallen, he describes this lesser known part of the US military effort. Illustrated throughout with his own photographs.