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Hello all, This really has no proper place to go, so I included it here hoping to get more views in honor of those who saved Europe 75 years ago. Some of you know that I have a background in carpentry, as well as being a soldier in the US Army. I was stationed in Germany as part of the famous, Big Red One! So I combined my skills, and using a piece of scrap wood from a stair plank, I cut it into thin stips and even created a tongue and groove, using my table saw improperly, I am happy to report, I still have all my fingers! I made this in honor of my Division, as part of what eventually will become a hand made dart board cabinet. I am in no way, a cabinet maker, but it doesn't hurt to try. Anyway, I love the beautiful wood grain, and I considered painting it into the proper red/green color of the 1st ID insignia. Would love some feedback from the group as to which way to preserve the beautiful wood. Paint, stain or clear coat? All feedback is welcome, thanks for looking! Anthony Without further ado..............

The 1st US Infantry Division Histoire et Collections The 1st Infantry Division was established in 1917 to participate in the fighting in France and faced the major German offensives of 1918. During the Second World War, it effected its first assault landing in North Africa in 1942. Then followed the invasion of Sicily, D-Day in Normandy, the battle of the Bulge and the conquest of the Reich, as far as Czechoslovakia; Their history is covered in 96 pages which include the following chapters:- Birth of division Stateside training North Africa The invasion of Sicily Normandy and the liberation of France Belgium and Germany The Battle of the Bulge To Czechoslovakia ad Victory in Europe The occupation of Germany and the Cold War The “Big Red One” in movies From Vietnam to the Gulf Big Red One Division senior officers and heroes. The book is packed full with period photographs, right from the first formation of the division; including some colour ones form the Normandy beaches. Rather than concentrate on the equipment, the majority of the photographs are of the actual men of the division which is a good thing in my opinion. Each chapter is very well written and covers all the main detail of what the division had to endure, but being succinct, and to the point, rather than flowery as in some books. This book is mostly about the photographs and these really convey what the men had to go through, whether through the training, trench warfare, more training then the battles from Omaha Beach right through to the last battles in Czechoslovakia. For the modeller there are some great scenes that could be reproduced in diorama or vignette form, showing the conditions the division fought in, from North Africa through France and into Germany. There is also a wealth of information on the units assigned to the division and their associated insignia, and several pages dedicated to their heroes, the winners of the Congressional Medal Of Honor. Conclusion While there are not that many pages to it, this book is a great insight into the men of the 1st Division through their photographs and annotations, as well as the division as a whole from inception to the present day. If you’re interested in unit history then this book is a must have, and would be great in a collection. Review sample courtesy of