Peter Nikolaisen AADLAND

Source : frogman

CEMETERY  TEMPORARY of St André de l'Eure N°3572

Story of Cemetery Temporary

Map of Normandy American Cemetery

Peter was born in ASKRA, Norway, he set sail aboard the SS Queen Mary to the USA on May, 21st 1938 where he will live in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. He finds a job as a fisherman and oysterman, then enlists in 1942 and join the US Army on July, 28th.

He trained at Camp Wheeler in Georgia as part of C Company, 15th Infantry Regiment Training.

On November, 13th 1942 in Macon, Georgia, he was naturalized American.

The wheel of Peter's history is on the move, his destiny will now be linked with the one of a particular unit created by the War Office : the 99th Infantry Battalion (separate).
This unit is activated on July, 19th 1942 at Camp Ripley, Minnesota.

It had to be composed of Norwegians or Americans with direct Norwegian lineage only. Soldiers of this battalion had to have some knowledge of Norwegian language as well as knowing how to ski. The unit is organized as an Infantry Battalion. Following a short period of training at Camp Ripley, the battalion is sent in December 1942 to Camp Hale, in Colorado, where it receives a specialized Mountain Training with the 10th Mountain Division. The unit will be either separate, attached or in reinforcement to other units, depending on what is needed. September, 5th 1943, the battalion leaves Hoboken aboard the SS Mexico towards the European continent. September, 16th 1943, arrival in Scotland where the battalion will stay in Perham Downs Camp until January 1944.

Then transfer to Wales until May.

D-Day is on June, 6th, the battalion arrives in Plymouth on June, 10th. On June, 17th it embarks towards France. The 99th Battalion lands on Omaha Beach on June, 21st.

On June, 30th it takes part in liberating Cherbourg, then is attached to the 4th Port Headquarters until July, 8th. From July, 8th to July, 25th it is in contact with the 2nd and 5th Rangers Battalions and the 759th Light Tank Battalion so as to patrol for security purposes. From August, 10th to August, 21st the battalion follows the American breakthrough in Normandy, it is attached to the 2nd Armored Division. On August, 24th the battalion enters Elbeuf (Seine Maritime) with the 2nd Armored Division Reserve; its objective is to reach the southern part of the town, the Command Post is set up by the end of the afternoon that day.

On August, 26th at 0600 the Germans launch a counter-attack; at the end of the morning the Command Post is under Artillery fire and Lieutenant Colonel Turner, the battalion commanding officer, is wounded and evacuated. Major Hansen replaces him. The fighting rage until the end of the afternoon when the 4th Canadian Armored Division evacuate the 99th Battalion which repositions in Ste-Croix de Martin. During the seizure and defense of Elbeuf, the 99th Battalion lost 7 deads, 9 officers and 41 wounded. Peter Aadland was among the 7 soldiers who gave their lives that day for our freedom.

Cenotaph in his hometown in Norway

Source : A DeCec