The War In My Bones

I’ve run into more head scratchers than I can count in my WW2 research endeavors. Some questions were answered with the Google machine, some by WW2 experts, some in one of the 87 history books I’ve read, and some questions forced me further down the research rabbit hole.

Rational-minded me knows I’ll never get ALL the answers or find ALL the puzzle pieces of Pop’s WW2 journey. But curious-minded me can’t help but keep exploring.

These boots have had me a bit stumped. I asked two WW2 historians if Pop was wearing them when he got blown up at the Rapido River. First brainiac, “Quite possibly they were on the ground in Italy.” Second brainiac, “Absolutely not.” I trusted neither and kept digging.

The Google machine is great for identifying the boots, but I’ve gotten conflicting answers on the reason for the metal taps on the heels. The most common reason would have been the rocky, mountain terrain in Italy. But a few experts told me the metal taps might also have been for effect. Pop did make an entrance when he walked into a room. But seems like the former would make more sense.

So, were the metal taps standard issue on his M-1943 Combat Boots, or were they a field modification? Were they for effect or better grip in the mountains? And was Pop wearing them when that Nazi shrapnel tore through his gut?

Oh, if these boots could talk!