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all remember the famous movie "Saving Private Ryan", this film tells the story of "rescue" from the front of last of the surviving siblings of a group of four who enlisted in the United States Armed Forces. The story is told in the film is fictional but we emphasized that it is based on a true story. As this is the story ...
Background.
According to historical records, State New York, in the town of Tonawanda, north of the city of Buffalo, the couple formed by Michael and Augusta Niland, saw the emergence of four children: Edward (1912), Preston (1915) Robert (1919) and Frederick ( 1920). These were educated according to family tradition, graduating from Canisius College. Preston attended the University of Buffalo.
Before the U.S. entered into war with the Axis powers, Preston and Robert, enlisted for military service. Subsequently, once the armed conflict broke out, Edward and Frederick enlisted as volunteers during the months of November 1942. As a result of the tragedy experienced by the Sullivan brothers, the Army High Command states that those listed sibling groups should not be part of the same unit. For this reason, the brothers are assigned to different units.
After an intense period of instruction in their respective units were ready to confront the enemies of his country.
June 1944: A tragic month for the Niland family
On the afternoon of June 6, 1944 (although some sources say June 8), Michel and Augusta Niland, received a telegram informing them that from the May 20, 1944 (other sources say May 16), Edward, his eldest son, was reported missing in action and possibly dead, as the B-25 bomber in serving had been shot down by the Japanese on Burma. Started
invasion of Fortress Europe by Allied forces, Robert and Frederick, both from airborne divisions 82 and 101, are thrown behind German lines. Robert, died the same day D (June 6, 1944) in the French town of Neuville-au-Plain.
Preston Niland, who had landed at Utah Beach, died as a result of military actions undertaken to consolidate the beachhead near Utah Beach, on June 7, 1944.
The Niland family received the news of the death of Preston on Wednesday, June 21 1944. The next day (Thursday, 22 June), a third telegram arrived announcing the death of Robert.
Frederick "Fritz" Niland, the "sole survivor" in the early hours of D-Day, had "landed" in Raffoville, southwest of Carentan. Along with members of his company, made their way to Carentan to join the rest of his Division (June 11, 1944).
Days later, Frederick received the news of the death of his brother Robert. 501 The Chaplain of the regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Francis Sampson, in his book of memoirs called "Look Out Below" indicates that a young soldier named Frederick Niland was very concerned to see him. Commander served the company where his brother Robert, had indicated that he was dead, having been buried in the cemetery of Sainte-Mere-Eglise. Both (Sampson and Noland) went to that village, and the list of the cemetery did not find the name Robert, but his brother Preston.
Chaplain Sampson tells a great sadness that gripped "Fritz", both lifted a prayer for the dead brother. Then, they headed for another block of the cemetery where they found the tomb of Robert, the heartbreak of "Fritz" was growing again and Niland Sampson, began a prayer in memory of Robert. When they returned, Sampson made inquiries respective learning that Edward Niland, the elder brother, had been reported dead weeks earlier. Frederick obliged to inform of the new "bad" news, it was extremely sad repeating at every moment what to do now? What will you do now? What will become of her? ... When Sampson asked whom he meant, Frederick said to her mother. In this situation Sampson, he indicated that Ms. Niland was still a child to comfort her and would do everything possible to repatriate Frederick. And it was ... (Although the return just became effective at the end of the summer of 1944).
The return of "Fritz" was not immediate, remained in Normandy with his regiment until July 1944. With the rest of the contingent of his regiment, the youngest of the Niland sailed back to England on a LST. His regiment was assigned to the base camp Lamborn, to enjoy a period of rest and reorganization. Indicated that when he finally received orders to return, protested against it because he wanted to return to battle and avenge their dead brothers. Their objections were heard, and must return to Tonawanda, to join his parents. The rest of the war, served in a Military Police unit stationed in New York.
The surprise after the war and the end of history
After the war, came news that gladdened the hearts of Niland. Edward, who had been declared missing in action and possibly dead, had in fact been taken prisoner by the Japanese, having been held in a POW camp in Burma, which was liberated by British forces. Back to Tonawanda with their parents, formed a family and lived a quiet life until he died in 1984 at the age of 72 years.
Frederick "Fritz" Niland, after the war, joining Georgetown University, graduating as a dentist, died in 1983 in San Francisco at the age of 63 years.
Robert Niland and Preston Niland, were buried in tombs surrounding the "Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer.
The four Niland brothers were not the only family members who served in the U.S. armed forces. His cousins, brothers Thomas and Joseph Niland Niland Division were assigned in 101 (but in a different regiment of Frederick) and the 2nd Armored Division respectively.
Thomas Niland, won the Silver Star medal for heroic actions during the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne. BROTHERS
+ Edward Niland Niland .- Edward Niland, Technical Sergeant (radio operator and gunner) Air Force Army, for the Pacific theater of war. Disappeared on May 16 in Bruma
+ .- Lt. Preston Niland, intended Infantry Regiment Nr 22, framed in the 4th Infantry Division. Killed in action June 7 in the Utah beach
+ ROBERT .- Robert Niland Niland, Technical Sergeant, for the Regiment 505, belonging to the 82nd Airborne Division. Killed in action on 6 June in the French town of Neuville-au-Plain.
* Frederick "Fritz" Niland .- Sergeant, for the Regiment 501, belonging to the 101st Airborne Division. The only survivor of the four Niland brothers