3 November 1944 - 5/MM-44-6530

San Benedetto, Italy - Luigi and his two children walk down the hill toward San Benedetto and a new life. (Photo by Lt. Robert H. Schmidt, Army Pictorial Service)

 (Note: The authors purchased this print on eBay, where many photos taken by members of the Army Pictorial Service and the Army's signal photo companies (SPC) can be found)

18 February 1945 - 5/MM-45-2759 - Fifth Army, Monzuno Area, Italy

4.2 mortar crew of the 100th Chemical Mortar Battalion, setting in a new gun as ground is prepared and gunbase and barrel are made ready. (Photo by Lt. Robert H. Schmidt, 3131 Signal Service Company)

THE FORGOTTEN FRONT - Lt. Robert Schmidt published a memoir of his service in the Italian Campaign in 1994 which featured his own wartime photography.

The Forgotten Front in Northern Italy: A World War II Combat Photographer’s Illustrated Memoir of the Gothic Line Campaign, now out of print, was published by McFarland and Company in Jefferson, North Carolina.

In his memoir Schmidt recalls the death of fellow 3131st Signal Service Company photographers Cecil "Max" Campbell and Harry Morgan. A memorial was held by the unit for the two men and a photo is included in Schmidt's book.

Unfortunately, none of the unit personnel are identified by name in the photos taken by Schmidt.

24 April 1945 – 5/MM-45-7547 Fifth Army, Ostiglia Area, Italy

Men of the 1^st Bn., 351^st Infantry Regiment, 88^th Division, hit the beach on the German side of the Po River, and head for cover ahead. They were conveyed across the river by amphtracks of of the 752^nd Tank Battalion. Source: Historical Media-2007. (Photo by Lt. Robert H. Schmidt, 3131 Signal Service Company)

15 January 1945 – 5/MM-45-1246, Fifth Army

American medium tanks of a South African Division mounting 75mm guns, are used in the deep snows of the Apennines as artillery in direct support of infantry movements. Tanks are firing at the enemy. Source: Historical Media-2007. (Photo by Lt. Robert H. Schmidt, 3131 Signal Service Company)

28 April 1945 – 5/MM-45-7972, Fifth Army, Vincenza, Italy

Soldier of the 88^th Infantry Division runs on the double past still burning German equipment in the streets of Vincenza. Source: Historical Media-2007. Used by Stars and Stripes, Naples. (Photo by Lt. Robert H. Schmidt, 3131 Signal Service Company)

28 April 1945 – 5/MM-45-7967, Fifth Army, Vincenza, Italy

Troops of A Company, 1^st Bn., 350^th Infantry Regiment, 88^th Infantry Division move on the double past open places to give the many snipers in Vincenza a difficult target.Source: Historical Media-2007. Used by Stars and Stripes, Naples. (Photo by Lt. Robert H. Schmidt, 3131 Signal Service Company)

28 December 1944 – 5/MM-44-32551, Fifth Army, Italy

These South African tankers fight for the first time in snow country, in the rugged Apennines. This tank is firing 75mm shells. Source: Historical Media-2007. Used by Stars and Stripes, Naples. (Photo by Lt. Robert H. Schmidt, 3131 Signal Service Company)

Ralph Thomas, 196th Signal Photo Company

A Life In His Care

http://www.alliancelife.org/article.php?id=204

In addition to photos obtained on the web taken by Thomas, the authors discovered a feature article published in Alliance Life written by him describing his wartime experiences. This led to an opportunity to talk to Mr. Thomas who was then hospitalized. A deeply spiritual man, Mr. Thomas was good friend of fellow 196th SPC photographer Donald Wiedenmayer. A separate collection of Mr. Thomas' personal wartime photos can be found at

 http://www.alliancelife.org/article.php?id=209

After World War II, Ralph Thomas worked as a photographer in the Akron/Canton area, and was a member of the C&MA Church in Canal Fulton, Ohio. He went to be with the Lord on July 8, 2008 shortly before his 91st birthday.

February 1945 - 5/MM-45-3264, Fifth Army, Livergnano, Italy

Troops of "D" Company, 1st Battalion, 350th Infantry, 88th Division, who have dug in the wreckage of a house in Livergnano, relax in the sun concealed from German observation by the huge bluff behind them. Left to right: Pvt. Floyd Parnelli, Brooklyn, N.Y., enjoys a recent letter; Pfc. Thomas Cieri, Boston, Mass., catches up on his reading; and Cp. Gorton Ward, Detroit Michigan, brushes his teeth. (Photo by Thomas, 196th Signal Photo Company)

8 April 1945 - 5/MM-45-6320 – Fifth Army, Termine Area, Italy

Crew of No. 1 gun, 8mm mortar, 3rd Platoon, Company D, 135th Infantry Regiment, stack fresh ammo for gun in sandbagged hole in background. Some of the men are taking ammo from the casings in which it is packed. One man stands by phone listening for any fire missions which may be reported. (Photo by Ralph Thomas, 196^th Signal Photo Company)

16 April 1945 - 5/MM-45-6882 - Fifth Army, La Quercia Area, Italy

Members of Company B, RDLI Regiment, 12th Brigade, 6th South African Division, moving up into forward positions. (Photo by Ralph Thomas, 196th Signal Photo Company)

8 April 1945 - 5/MM-45-6326 - Fifth Army, Castiglione Area, Italy

"Waiting" - These tank men of the Prince Alfred's Guard Tank Regiment, 6th South African Armored Division, sit on the grass in front of their tanks prior to moving to forward areas under cover of darkness. (Photo by Ralph Thomas, 196th Signal Photo Company)

16 April 1945 - 5/MM-45-6885 - Fifth Army, La Quercia Area, Italy

Infantrymen of Company B, RDLI Regiment, 12th Brigade, 6th South African Division, move up to positions on Mount Caprara and Mount Sole. On the right and left in the background are Mount Di Sotto and (La Quercia) area, Italy.  (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ralph Thomas, 196th Signal Photo Company)

SPECIAL NOTE: This photo series taken by Sgt. Ralph Thomas, 196th Signal Photo Company, was taken from a collection used by Stars and Stripes in Naples, Italy. They bear their original censorship marks and were in the collection of Historical Media. The authors have requested original copies from the National Archives with the complete captions.

6 January 1945 5/MM-45-388 - Fifth Army (location and unit censored)

Men carry their bed rolls and packs from their living quarters in preparation to loading them onto trucks as their commanding officer moves their command post. (No. 3 in a 6 photo series) Source: Historical Media-2007. Used by Stars and Stripes, Naples. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ralph Thomas, 196th Signal Photo Company)

6 February 1945 5/MM-45-2012, Fifth Army (location and unit censored)

T/5 Richard H. Sacher, Union City, N.J., AAA Bn., reads the latest issue of “Stars and Stripes” by the 800 million candlepower light of their searchlight. They have been pointing its powerful beam out across the front to furnish artificial moonlight for our convoys moving blackout to forward areas. Source: Historical Media-2007. Used by Stars and Stripes, Naples.  (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ralph Thomas, 196th Signal Photo Company)

Peter Yaskell, 196th Signal Photo Company

27 December 1944 – 5/MM-44-32493, Fifth Army

An American military policeman helps civilians push a cart laden with household goods up a hill. The civilians are fleeing to the safety of the rear. Source: Historical Media-2007. Used by Stars and Stripes, Naples. (Photo by Peter Yaskell, 196 Signal Photo Company)

1 September 1944 – 5/MM--44-10219, Fifth Army, Ponsacco Area, Italy

1^st Armored Division tank moves through Ponsacco, enroute to bridgehead across the Arno River established by the 92^nd Infantry Division. (Photo by Peter Yaskell, 3131^st Signal Service Company)

Earl Zeigler, Army Pictorial Service

Rome Italy, MM-44-31451

House Military Affairs Committee visits the Italian Theater. Congressmen with Swiss Guards in Vatican City. Source: Historical Media-2007. Used by Stars and Stripes, Naples. (Photo by Earl Ziegler, Army Pictorial Service)

Frank B. Zube, 3131st Signal Service Company

Date obscured – MM-44-32107, Fifth Army

Crew of a new tank destroyer about to depart for battle show their enthusiasm at the arrival of the ration truck with their Christmas turkey. They are: Cpl. Eugene Hutchins, Battle Creek, Michigan; T/4 Dale Fetter, Bedford, Pennsylvania; Staff Sgt. Clark N. Kreisher, Cattania, Pennsylvania. Source: Historical Media-2007. Used by Stars and Stripes, Naples. (Photo by Frank B. Zube, 3131^st Signal Service Company)