The picture is of a communion service officiated by RC Father John McGovern of Boston, Massachusetts, on the French beachhead on June 12, 1944. On the right is a Estey field organ, issued to chaplains during WWII. It had four octaves, weighed 50-60 lbs, and folded into its own case, 30"x12"x22."
Here's a picture of the field organ being played by Lutheran Chaplain (Cpt.) Paul C. Lutz (1905-1983), somewhere in southern Germany in the spring of 1945. Lutz was a Lutheran pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Lime Spring, Iowa, who became a chaplain in WWII, serving U.S. troops through Italy, southern France, and eventually into Germany’s Bavaria.
Here is a picture of a chaplain conducting a service at the108th Evacuation Hospital grounds in Normandy. Note the Army Nurse Corps member playing the portable field organ in the background.
Here's another picture of a chaplain conducting a service in WWII with hymns accompanied on a Estey field organ. The knee paddles adjusted the volumne, since the feet were used to pump the air pedals.
Hallowed ground, indeed!
ReplyDeleteGod bless our priests!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if that is a Lutheran chaplain? Does the photo identify the pastor?
ReplyDeleteThe picture is of a communion service officiated by RC Father John McGovern of Boston, Massachusetts, on the French beachhead on June 12, 1944. On the right is a Estey field organ, issued to chaplains during WWII. It had four octaves, weighed 50-60 lbs, and folded into its own case, 30"x12"x22."
ReplyDeleteHere's a picture of the field organ being played by Lutheran Chaplain (Cpt.) Paul C. Lutz (1905-1983), somewhere in southern Germany in the spring of 1945. Lutz was a Lutheran pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Lime Spring, Iowa, who became a chaplain in WWII, serving U.S. troops through Italy, southern France, and eventually into Germany’s Bavaria.
Here is a picture of a chaplain conducting a service at the108th Evacuation Hospital grounds in Normandy. Note the Army Nurse Corps member playing the portable field organ in the background.
ReplyDeleteHere's another picture of a chaplain conducting a service in WWII with hymns accompanied on a Estey field organ. The knee paddles adjusted the volumne, since the feet were used to pump the air pedals.
Thanks for all that info, Carl. Pretty interesting and amazing stuff.
ReplyDelete