In a letter to the West Schuylkill Press-Herald, Irvin Schwartz describes the chaos and carnage of a bombing raid in France.
Letters from War – Witnessing a massive bombing raid and fighting near Saint-Lô, 1944
Letters from War – Scenes at a joyous party in liberated Normandy, August 1944
As a French town fell to Irvin Schwartz's 26th Infantry Regiment, he documented the amusing scenes he witnessed among celebrating French civilians.
Letters from War – Receiving letters and picking up war souvenirs in France, July 1944
In this short letter from July 1944, Schwartz thanks the editor of the Press-Herald and comments on the souvenirs he picked up in France.
Thanksgiving Day in Schuylkill County | 1864
Discover how Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, observed Thanksgiving Day in 1864 during the Civil War. This historical piece explores local sermons, community events, and the patriotic spirit following Union victories, offering unique insights into 19th-century American life and culture during a pivotal era. Read the full story.
Letters from War – The first letter from the battlefields of Normandy, June 1944
Pfc. Schwartz writes from Normandy in the weeks after the D-Day landings about what he'd read in his hometown newspaper in Pennsylvania.
Letters from War – A powerful Memorial Day letter on the eve of D-Day, 1944
In this remarkable letter, Pfc. Irvin Schwartz reflects on the meaning of Memorial Day on the eve of D-Day and his first experience in combat.
Letters from War – Irvin Schwartz welcomed New Year 1944 with the hope that it meant Allied victory
Irvin Schwartz looked forward to 1944 as being the year that he hoped would see the end of World War II.
Letters from War – A powerfully written letter on Christmas Day, 1943
This is part of our “Letters from War” series documenting the World War II letters of Irvin Schwartz of Pine Grove, PA. The letters were all published in the West Schuylkill Press-Herald between 1943 and 1945. Read the previous letter here Pfc. Irvin Schwartz in 1943 Somewhere in England Christmas Day, 1943 5:30 PM Dear. … Continue reading Letters from War – A powerfully written letter on Christmas Day, 1943
Letters from War – Feeling homesick around the holidays in England, December 1943
This is part of our “Letters from War” series documenting the World War II letters of Irvin Schwartz of Pine Grove, PA. The letters were all published in the West Schuylkill Press-Herald between 1943 and 1945. Read the previous letter here On a cold, windy night in December 1943, Pfc. Irvin Schwartz crawled his way … Continue reading Letters from War – Feeling homesick around the holidays in England, December 1943
Letters from War – Preparations for a war-time Christmas in England, November 1943
This is part of our “Letters from War” series documenting the World War II letters of Irvin Schwartz of Pine Grove, PA. The letters were all published in the West Schuylkill Press-Herald between 1943 and 1945. Read the previous letter here Pfc. Irvin Schwartz had Christmas on his mind when he penned the following letter … Continue reading Letters from War – Preparations for a war-time Christmas in England, November 1943