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North Africa

Operation TORCH and Meeting the Desert Fox, January 3—September 22, 1943

North Africa
June, I943: North Africa: "The picture is one that Geo. Coulon (one of the boys I brought with me from the 133rd) took during the last big push around Sidi Nsir. It was taken at the 2nd Bn. Aid Sta. which I had dropped in on about something. At that time it was about 3 miles behind the lines, but they moved to the front the next day. The officer is Capt. Moses Cohen, my 2nd Bn. Surgeon.The fancy duds (tie, etc.) were prescribed for all officers by Fancy Pants Patton, during combat. That thing over my right shoulder is my neck cloth, which hangs from the back of my helmet to keep the "tropical" sun off the back of my neck. Capt. Cohen is "at home", hence no tie, etc."
"The 34th Infantry’s nickname, “Red Bulls,” originated back to the Mexican War in 1917, when Marvin Cone, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and a member of the Iowa National Guard, saw Indian jars and steer skulls during desert training in New Mexico. The Red Bull shoulder patch that I wore on all my uniforms was a red bovine skull on a black Mexican water jug. It was easily recognizable. The "Red Bulls" slogan was 'Attack! Attack! Attack' " Ludwick served 1st in the 133rd Infantry Regiment (see left insginia) as a Battalion Surgeon and Medical Officer, then with the 168th Infantry Regiment (see insignia on right) as Regimental Surgeon, earning his Major's leaves.
"1943 North Africa: "This is the boy I wanted to bring home in my barracks bag. He is irrigating a small field by directing the flow of water using a hoe on the ditches."
1943, North Africa: "Deep study . . . “ Note the Remington typewriter in this photo. As a Medical Officer on the front lines, Lud lugged a bulky Remington typewriter with him at all times – into Irish peat fields, Tunisian wadis (dry creek beds) and cactus patches, and during multiple dangerous river crossings in Italy.
Major Arthur L. Ludwick Jr., M.D., earned the Purple Heart in the Eddekhila, Tunisia area, May 5-9, 1943, while treating and evacuating a seriously wounded soldier.
The Combat Medical Badge. My father applied for and was awarded the CMB for his service during intense battles in Tunisia, North Africa. The Combat Medical Badge is an award of the U.S. Army, which was first created in January 1945 (retroactive to 1941). Any member of the Army Medical Department, at the rank of Colonel or below, who is assigned or attached to a ground combat arms unit of brigade or smaller size which provides medical support during any period in which the unit was engaged in ground combat, is eligible for the CMB. According to the award criterion, the individual must be performing medical duties while simultaneously being engaged by the enemy.
"August 1943: "A French Senegalese soldier that wandered into our area one day up near Gertie's place. [Bizerte?] He said he had five wives and was allowed seven if he could provide for them. He had the widest grin you've ever seen and he grinned all the time. He certainly did spruce up when he found he was going to have his picture taken."
Typed caption on back of photo: "Ambulance: 1/2 horse power. Oran or Algiers?"
April 1944, Algiers, Algeria: "I saw a very well-dressed man. He must have been a wealthy Arab, with white flowing robes, white turban, and jewelry. He was walking down the street of Algiers, and so I just took a picture of him. Boy, did he give me a dirty look, because the Muslims don’t believe in photographs: that cameras steal your soul, or something like that. I didn’t know that. But I was in uniform, and he realized I was an American officer of some kind, so he didn’t call the police or anything."
While in North Africa, my father bought many hand woven/knotted Arab rugs that he sent home to his wife, Jean. These rugs were always a part of my life, growing up.
Showing the route of the 34th Infantry Division across North Africa and on into Italy.
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