Written by Todd DePastino

Bill Bonnamy has collected a fascinating and easily accessed archive of records, photos, stories, and ephemera related to the 319th Glider Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division. Bill’s father’s service in the unit inspired the creation of the 319 Gliderman website (https://319gliderman.com) as tribute “to the memory and sacrifices made by these brave soldiers who helped save the world, and the civilian victims who lost their lives and property.”

The website contains hundreds of items, each with a unique story. One small red-covered pamphlet caught my eye: Psychological Preparation For Combat published by the Field Artillery Replacement Center at Fort Bragg for those about to head overseas.

The lesson can be summed up in one brutal sentence: You must learn to hate the enemy so that you can kill him.

Keep in mind, this publication wasn’t for the general public, but specifically for the GI heading into a war zone. The language is frank, direct, and almost unthinkable in today’s world.