Michael Connelly: The Mortarmen
Interview with Michael Connelly
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Recently VAJoe Forum Administrator Michael Gates sat down to talk with author Michael Connelly about his new book, The Mortarmen:
VAJoe : We begin today with with Michael Connelly, who has authored a book called "The Mortarmen." Michael Connelly is a retired attorney who is now a teacher, published author, and freelance writer. As a former Military Intelligence officer in the U.S. Army he is an avid student of American history including all aspects of military history. He and his wife Kay reside in Dallas, Texas. They have six children including four sons who have all served in the military.
Connelly was an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1971-1980. He was stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona and was then with the 352nd Army Security Agency Company in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He left the active reserves as a Captain, but remained in the Ready Reserve. He is currently a member of an American legion post 597 in Carrollton, Texas.
VAJoe : From what I understand, "The Mortarmen" is centered on events that take place during World War II and around the men of a single unit. Tell us the name of that unit and a little bit about the unit and it duties.
MC: The unit is the 87th Chemical Mortar Battalion which fired the 4.2" mortars, the largest and most powerful mortar in the U.S. arsenal at that time. The mortars fired High Explosive (HE) and White Phosphorous (WP) rounds. They were highly accurate and maneuverable.
VAJoe : As the book opens, at what location do we first find the 87th Chemical Mortar Battalion?
MC: The book opens on D-Day. The 87th landed its Forward Observer teams with the first wave on Utah Beach and the mortar platoons and guns with the second wave. They were engaged with the enemy in a matter of minutes in support of the 8th Regimental Landing Team (RLT) of the 4th Infantry Division. There were four companies in the battalion and they were separated after D-Day in support of many different units. The unit was in combat for 326 straight days and during that time supported elements of such units as the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions, the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 9th, and 25th Infantry Divisions, and the 2nd and 3rd Armored Divisions.
VAJoe : What were some battles the 87th participated in that our readers might recognize?
MC: In addition to D-Day companies of the 87th they were at the Carnetan, Ste Mere Eglise, Cherbourg Peninsula, Aachan, Hurtgen Forest, Battle of the Bulge, and Cologne. They were also involved in the liberation of the infamous Nordhausen concentration camp.
VAJoe : As I understand it in the book your own father was a part of the 87th?
MC: Yes, my father was a 1st Lieutenant in B Company. He was in charge of the company’s ammo and maintenance sections. He was also in charge of recon for the company. He was with the company from D-Day until the end of the war and was awarded a Bronze Star for bravery.
VAJoe : When did you first conceive of the idea to write this book?
MC: My father died in 1987 and left us with the diary he had kept during the entire European campaign. I had wanted to do something with it for years and then in 2002 I found a website that led me to an association of 87th veterans that had been formed in 1989. I contacted them and began to collect material for the book.
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