MY FATHER'S MILITARY YEARS
A pictorial history of Raymond Carl Holtz in the China-Burma-India theater of World War II
by his son, Robert L. Holtz.
PVT RAYMOND C. HOLTZ
Raymond's Military Story
Raymond
C. Holtz entered into training at Fort Dix, New Jersey on April 28th.
1943. He returned home on Christmas day in 1945. His training and
overseas history in World War II is shown here through the photos which
he took. He seldom talked about his war service. Neither did his
family ask about his service before his death in 1987. Like many
servicemen, he wanted only an end to the war and to get home to his wife
and his firstborn son. With little knowledge of his military
experience, I have attempted a reconstruction of those experiences
through whatever was left behind. Photos give the best story.
There
was a period of time between his completion of training until he left
for India which is unaccounted for by the military records. As reported
by a friend of Raymonds, he participated in the invasion of Normandy
which commenced on June 6, 1944. From June 6 until July 13, 1944, five
thousand and seven hundred Army Air force members participated in the
American airlift to Normandy. Raymond was probably part of that group
and participated as a truck driver. It was reported that he felt lucky
to make it out alive.
He
photographed and developed many of the following photos with the
assistance of fellow servicemen. The quality of the pictures is very
good, considering the adverse conditions under which they were
developed.
Raymond
was trained with the Army Air Force at Fort Dix and was in the Air
Transport Command. He was a member of the ground crews wherever he was
stationed. Included are several photos of men who served with him, some
in India and some in China. He left for India on November 1st, 1944.
Possibly traveling by way of the Pacific, it is thought that he flew
over San Francisco and to Hawaii at one time. He started his CBI
experience at Karachi. He was based at the 1306th AAFBU in Karachi,
with only shoulder air force patches. He acquired his CBI patches while
in Karachi. Photos show him later in Agra, as the Taj Mahal is
photographed. He is also in Calcutta and took several photos while
stationed in that city. Other photos show him present at an India
construction site where airfield buildings were being built. He was
always proud to say that he had flown over the "hump". Stationed in
Kunming at the 1350th AAFBU, he took many photos of the city and the
people as well as airplanes and country life. His military occupation
was a "Message Center Clerk" (667). He was at other Chinese cities but
it is not known where and when he moved. He left the CBI on November
16th, 1945 returning by ship through the Suez Canal and past the Rock of
Gilbralter and across the Atlantic Ocean, as many others also took that
route. It is hoped that by showing these photos there may be someone
that recognizes either the scenes or the men involved. From that, I may
be able to learn more about my father's life in the CBI.
He
was the recipient of the American Service Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific
Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory
Medal.
If
anyone has knowledge of the contents of any of these photos, please
help this research by sending an e-mail.
I will gladly respond to any connected information and would also like
to hear from anyone with similar photos or first hand knowledge about
any recognized locations.