Currahee
Military
Weekend
2006
Military
Weekend
2006
When Currahee Mountain finally came into view, I could not help but think of the first episode from the
now famous “Band of Brothers” movie. In it, Capt. Herbert M. Sobel, commander of Easy Company,
506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, commits his men to the rigorous routine of running up and down
Currahee Mountain in a short amount of time. The distance was three miles up and three miles down.
This daily training ritual was tortuous, and its clear intention was to break recruits unfit for the
U.S. Army’s newest arm, the Airborne.
“Three miles up and three miles down” was a phrase familiar not only to Easy, but the entire 506th, 501st,
511th and 517th Parachute Infantry Regiments who trained a Camp Toccoa, Georgia. Paratroopers were
to jump into and fight behind enemy lines loaded with enough weapons and equipment to last three days.
For this reason, they had to be in peak physical shape. By coincidence, Camp Toccoa was located on the
base of a mountain named Currahee: a Cherokee Indian name meaning ‘stands alone’.
Approximately 17,000 soldiers would train at Camp Toccoa during World War II. Those who did not
‘wash out’ would go on to earn their jump wings and the coveted title – paratrooper. The 501st and 506th
PIR’s would eventually fall under command of the 101st Airborne Division; the 511th PIR under the 11th
Airborne Division; and the 517th under the 13th Airborne Division. All would serve with distinction.
I entered the Currahee Military Museum to register for the weekend activities and caught up with a
paratrooper who had trained at Camp Toccoa in 1942. He was excited to be back and I could tell he was
eager to catch up with old friends. I couldn’t help but think how this man, now in his mid 80’s, must have
seen things during his service only Dante could imagine.
The Currahee Military Museum is located in a new building constructed to house the Aldbourne, England
Stable. The stable was built in March 1922 by the Jerram family in Aldbourne, England. Used to house
American G.I.’s during the war, it was 75 feet long by 15 feet wide divided into six bays in which 24 men
lived – four to a bay. Prior to D-Day (June 6, 1944) men from Able Co. 506th PIR occupied the stable.
Men from Easy Co. 506th PIR lived there after returning to England in mid July until their next jump into
Holland on September 17, 1944.
Scheduled to be demolished, the stable was fortunately given a reprieve by its owner. The Toccoa-
Stephens Historical Society and Chamber of Commerce with the help of several committed volunteers
relocated it to the City of Toccoa. The stable now acts as a focal point in the museum and contains the
memories of the brave men who stayed there so long ago.
As for Currahee Mountain, it still stands as a natural monument to the men who trained at Camp Toccoa.
The Col. Robert Sink Memorial Trail marks the spot where the winding road to the top of Currahee
Mountain begins. Although accessible by car, many choose to run or walk out of respect for the
paratroopers who went before them.
This year’s Currahee Military Weekend offered a number of impressive activities for the veterans, their
families, and people, like myself, wanting to share a moment with the men who determined the fate of the
world.
For a short moment, I was able to share a conversation with Sgt. Don Brininstool, Able Co. 506th PIR. He
told me how after the war ended he rid himself of everything associated with it. He hated the war and
was sickened by it. Not until several years later would he come to terms with the horrors he lived
through.
Sometimes World War II is referred to as the last good war, but his remarks prove a somber reminder that
good wars are non-existent. It is for this reason we remember men like Don Brininstool and places like
Camp Toccoa. What would the world be without them?
“Currahee”
now famous “Band of Brothers” movie. In it, Capt. Herbert M. Sobel, commander of Easy Company,
506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, commits his men to the rigorous routine of running up and down
Currahee Mountain in a short amount of time. The distance was three miles up and three miles down.
This daily training ritual was tortuous, and its clear intention was to break recruits unfit for the
U.S. Army’s newest arm, the Airborne.
“Three miles up and three miles down” was a phrase familiar not only to Easy, but the entire 506th, 501st,
511th and 517th Parachute Infantry Regiments who trained a Camp Toccoa, Georgia. Paratroopers were
to jump into and fight behind enemy lines loaded with enough weapons and equipment to last three days.
For this reason, they had to be in peak physical shape. By coincidence, Camp Toccoa was located on the
base of a mountain named Currahee: a Cherokee Indian name meaning ‘stands alone’.
Approximately 17,000 soldiers would train at Camp Toccoa during World War II. Those who did not
‘wash out’ would go on to earn their jump wings and the coveted title – paratrooper. The 501st and 506th
PIR’s would eventually fall under command of the 101st Airborne Division; the 511th PIR under the 11th
Airborne Division; and the 517th under the 13th Airborne Division. All would serve with distinction.
I entered the Currahee Military Museum to register for the weekend activities and caught up with a
paratrooper who had trained at Camp Toccoa in 1942. He was excited to be back and I could tell he was
eager to catch up with old friends. I couldn’t help but think how this man, now in his mid 80’s, must have
seen things during his service only Dante could imagine.
The Currahee Military Museum is located in a new building constructed to house the Aldbourne, England
Stable. The stable was built in March 1922 by the Jerram family in Aldbourne, England. Used to house
American G.I.’s during the war, it was 75 feet long by 15 feet wide divided into six bays in which 24 men
lived – four to a bay. Prior to D-Day (June 6, 1944) men from Able Co. 506th PIR occupied the stable.
Men from Easy Co. 506th PIR lived there after returning to England in mid July until their next jump into
Holland on September 17, 1944.
Scheduled to be demolished, the stable was fortunately given a reprieve by its owner. The Toccoa-
Stephens Historical Society and Chamber of Commerce with the help of several committed volunteers
relocated it to the City of Toccoa. The stable now acts as a focal point in the museum and contains the
memories of the brave men who stayed there so long ago.
As for Currahee Mountain, it still stands as a natural monument to the men who trained at Camp Toccoa.
The Col. Robert Sink Memorial Trail marks the spot where the winding road to the top of Currahee
Mountain begins. Although accessible by car, many choose to run or walk out of respect for the
paratroopers who went before them.
This year’s Currahee Military Weekend offered a number of impressive activities for the veterans, their
families, and people, like myself, wanting to share a moment with the men who determined the fate of the
world.
For a short moment, I was able to share a conversation with Sgt. Don Brininstool, Able Co. 506th PIR. He
told me how after the war ended he rid himself of everything associated with it. He hated the war and
was sickened by it. Not until several years later would he come to terms with the horrors he lived
through.
Sometimes World War II is referred to as the last good war, but his remarks prove a somber reminder that
good wars are non-existent. It is for this reason we remember men like Don Brininstool and places like
Camp Toccoa. What would the world be without them?
“Currahee”
| Please visit the Toccoa Stephens County Chamber of Commerce Website for travel and event information at www.toccoagachamber.com or by phone – (706) 282-5055. |
| Additional information regarding the Currahee Military Museum can be found via their website at www.toccoahistory.com |
Airborne Monument set on a concrete base that was part of the Camp Toccoa entrance. The monument is
dedicated to the four airborne regiments that trained at the camp during its existence.
dedicated to the four airborne regiments that trained at the camp during its existence.
The left side of the monument has the end of a rifle barrel and a pair of jump boots. This represents the
ever-decreasing number of parachute veterans living today.
ever-decreasing number of parachute veterans living today.
| Photos |
Currahee Mountain
This is the exact road used to ‘weed out’ those unfit for the paratroops. Each man was expected to run 3
miles up and 3 miles back in under 50 minutes by the end of training.
miles up and 3 miles back in under 50 minutes by the end of training.
The Sink Trail, named in honor of Col. Robert F. Sink of the 506th PIR, marks the spot where the road up
Currahee Mountain begins.
Currahee Mountain begins.
A view of the Sink Trail near the top of the mountain.
A number of different airborne artifacts accompany photos of paratroopers who trained at Camp Toccoa.
Looking over the City of Toccoa from the top of Currahee Mountain.
A paratrooper in jump gear greets visitors as they enter the Currahee Military Museum.
This is the stable which housed Able and Easy Companies during the war.
A view of one of the bays that housed the airborne.
Jake McNiece of the ‘Filthy Thirteen’ is a true character. Talking to him now, you would never know what
a tough son of a gun he was. If I hadn’t read his book, I wouldn’t believe it myself. Jake caused all sorts
of trouble in the Army, but no one had the nerve to kick him out because they knew what an asset he
would be on the battlefield. As soon as he landed in France on D-Day, that assumption was proved
correct. His book, ‘The Filthy Thirteen’, is available for sale via ETO44, the Museum Store. It is a must
read.
a tough son of a gun he was. If I hadn’t read his book, I wouldn’t believe it myself. Jake caused all sorts
of trouble in the Army, but no one had the nerve to kick him out because they knew what an asset he
would be on the battlefield. As soon as he landed in France on D-Day, that assumption was proved
correct. His book, ‘The Filthy Thirteen’, is available for sale via ETO44, the Museum Store. It is a must
read.
A photo taken of a photo in the museum showing Jake McNiece, Reed Pelfrey, Unknown, Mario Patruno,
and Ralph Manly. I didn’t get a photo of Mr. Pelfrey, but was able to chat with him for awhile. Reed
Pelfrely, H Co. 502 PIR, was a Pathfinder in World War II. When I asked how his jump into Normandy
faired, he told me it was uneventful since the Pathfinders went in ahead of the main invasion force. It all
went to hell quick enough though.
and Ralph Manly. I didn’t get a photo of Mr. Pelfrey, but was able to chat with him for awhile. Reed
Pelfrely, H Co. 502 PIR, was a Pathfinder in World War II. When I asked how his jump into Normandy
faired, he told me it was uneventful since the Pathfinders went in ahead of the main invasion force. It all
went to hell quick enough though.
A good crowd came out to see World War II displays, a reenactment and demonstrations performed by
Army Rangers.
Army Rangers.
Two World War II re-enactors stand with Mario Patruno, F Co., 506th PIR, outside the Currahee Military
Museum. Earlier, Mario had picked himself out of an old photo in the museum. There he was sitting in a
C-47 prior to the D-Day Invasion giving the o.k. signal.
Museum. Earlier, Mario had picked himself out of an old photo in the museum. There he was sitting in a
C-47 prior to the D-Day Invasion giving the o.k. signal.
The stable as viewed from the far end.
Two re-enactors await the demonstration.
The Allied encampment.
Re-enactors representing the U.S. Army Air Corps and the RAF share a conversation with one of the
spectators.
spectators.
From old to new, spectators get a close look at the Apache Attack Helicopter.
A Black Hawk maneuvers an Army Ranger demonstration team in front of the crowd.
An assortment of military vehicles were displayed
The Army Rangers demonstrate the repelling technique used to insert troops into today’s combat zones.
Extraction is complete. Though this maneuver looks simple, it is incredibly dangerous.
As soon as the perimeter is secured, the Black Hawk returns for extraction.
The Rangers hit the deck and secure the perimeter.
The Army Rangers demonstrate hand to had fighting techniques.
The Ranger with the knife must work at Bene Hana in his spare time. The crowd was in awe at how fast
this guy sliced up his buddy – with the scabbard on of course.
this guy sliced up his buddy – with the scabbard on of course.
The parachute demonstration did not go exactly as planned. Only one of the troopers landed on the
tarmac.
tarmac.
For the rest, well, the woman in the foreground is looking back at a trooper about to land in the trees.
Fortunately, no one was injured as the result of the bad drop. Although not intentional, it was a SNAFU
the 101st veterans could surely relate to. Sixty years ago, they were dropped all over Northern France in
the same fashion – off target.
Fortunately, no one was injured as the result of the bad drop. Although not intentional, it was a SNAFU
the 101st veterans could surely relate to. Sixty years ago, they were dropped all over Northern France in
the same fashion – off target.
Today, the 101st Airborne continues its “rendezvous with destiny.”
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