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Walk Among Heroes Podcast: Episode 7B - Vernon Ollar (D-Day Veteran) Part 2
We are proud as to welcome Vern Ollar as our guest for Episode 7. Mr. Ollar grew up in the Quad Cities (Iowa and Illinois) and recently celebrated his 99th birthday. Like several of our guests, Mr. Ollar landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Unlike any of our other guests, Mr. Ollar was a member of B Company, 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion, a 4.2-inch mortar unit. 4.2-inch mortar units were highly-specialized, possessing a very unique weapon, rarely mentioned in the annals of history.
After World War I, the Army developed the 4.2-inch mortar as a means of deploying mustard gas, and other chemical weapons. The 4.2-inch mortar required an entire team to fire, but its’ range and accuracy were unlike any other type of weapon, possessing firepower similar to a howitzer, but with the mobility of a mortar. The decision was made not to use chemical weapons in World War II (although we were ready to deploy them if needed), so the 4.2-inch mortars were adapted to fire H.E. (high explosive) rounds, which produced quite a surprise for the Germans due to their silent trajectories. Because these mortars were so deadly and maneuverable, EVERYONE wanted them. With very few 4-2-inch mortar battalions in the Army, they were always attached to the highest-priority units and battles, often jumping to several different units on the same day.
As a result, Mr. Ollar was involved in many of the highest-profile battles in Europe, beginning with D-Day, as he entered combat for the first time by landing with the 116th Regiment, 29th Infantry Division on the right flank of Omaha Beach. From there, he was involved in many of the famous hedgerow battles, before crossing France, Belgium, and finally Germany. Toward the end of the war, he was also involved in the development of radar technology still used today to detect the origin of incoming artillery rounds. A soft-spoken and kind man, his memory is razor-sharp, as he provides an incredibly detailed account of his actions on D-Day and subsequent battles.
This episode will consist of multiple parts. Episode 7B will focus on D-Day (first 30 minutes of episode), as well as Mr. Ollar’s combat spanning from France to Germany in 1944-45.
A special 'thank you' to Shreyas Ganesh for donating your time as sound engineer for this show.
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By Jeff Wells
4.9
5252 ratings
We are proud as to welcome Vern Ollar as our guest for Episode 7. Mr. Ollar grew up in the Quad Cities (Iowa and Illinois) and recently celebrated his 99th birthday. Like several of our guests, Mr. Ollar landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Unlike any of our other guests, Mr. Ollar was a member of B Company, 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion, a 4.2-inch mortar unit. 4.2-inch mortar units were highly-specialized, possessing a very unique weapon, rarely mentioned in the annals of history.
After World War I, the Army developed the 4.2-inch mortar as a means of deploying mustard gas, and other chemical weapons. The 4.2-inch mortar required an entire team to fire, but its’ range and accuracy were unlike any other type of weapon, possessing firepower similar to a howitzer, but with the mobility of a mortar. The decision was made not to use chemical weapons in World War II (although we were ready to deploy them if needed), so the 4.2-inch mortars were adapted to fire H.E. (high explosive) rounds, which produced quite a surprise for the Germans due to their silent trajectories. Because these mortars were so deadly and maneuverable, EVERYONE wanted them. With very few 4-2-inch mortar battalions in the Army, they were always attached to the highest-priority units and battles, often jumping to several different units on the same day.
As a result, Mr. Ollar was involved in many of the highest-profile battles in Europe, beginning with D-Day, as he entered combat for the first time by landing with the 116th Regiment, 29th Infantry Division on the right flank of Omaha Beach. From there, he was involved in many of the famous hedgerow battles, before crossing France, Belgium, and finally Germany. Toward the end of the war, he was also involved in the development of radar technology still used today to detect the origin of incoming artillery rounds. A soft-spoken and kind man, his memory is razor-sharp, as he provides an incredibly detailed account of his actions on D-Day and subsequent battles.
This episode will consist of multiple parts. Episode 7B will focus on D-Day (first 30 minutes of episode), as well as Mr. Ollar’s combat spanning from France to Germany in 1944-45.
A special 'thank you' to Shreyas Ganesh for donating your time as sound engineer for this show.