Drafted into the army in early 1942.
early 1942.
In early '42 Robert was drafted into the army. He enlisted on May 20 in Fort Devens (MA). On May 25 he arrived at Camp Bowie (TX), where he received his basic military training. Then he was at Fort Benning (GA) where he followed a rigorous training as a paratrooper.
Read the story: Military file >
Stationed in Berkshire England
Berkshire, Sept. 5, 1943
From September 1943 Robert and his comrades were stationed in the English in the county of Wiltshire. Until early June 1944 they received further training in preparation for the imminent invasion of the European mainland.
Read the story: Combat route (1) >
The invasion of Normandy
D-Day, June 6, 1944
On June 6, 1944 (D-Day) the men of 506 PIR flew from Greenham Common Airport(Berkshire) to the coast of Normandy. They were dropped into Drop Zone "C" north of Hiesville behind Utah Beach. In June they were fighting in Normandy.
Read the story: Combat route (1) >
Operation Market Garden
Son, September 17, 1944
The second mission for the men of 506th PIR was Operation Market Garden. They were dropped into Drop Zone 'B' near Son, north of Eindhoven. After the paratroopers had landed the local people came out of hiding and helped their liberators whenever possible.
Read the story: Combat route (2) >
The Bulge ('Ardennenoffensif')
Bastogne, Dec. 18, 1944
On 16 Dec 1944. the Germans launched a barrage of some 2,000 guns, a large-scale attack: theBattle of the Bulge (Ardennes). 101 Airborne Division was hurriedly sent to Bastogne, a key hub which at all costs needed to stay in Allied hands.
Read the story: Combat route (3) >
Killed by friendly fire
Dormagen, April 13, 1945
On April 2 PIR 506 went to the front line in the Ruhr area, on the west bank of the Rhine. On April 13, Robert went with a GE combat patrol. They were observed by the Germans and shot. Easy company knew nothing of the patrol, thought that is was Germans crossing the Rhine and opened fire. With disastrous consequences ...
Read the story: Combat route (4) >
July 1943 (?)
Registration ARC
September 1943
to the UK
July 16, 1944
Landing on Utah Beach
March 15, 1945
Siegfriedlinie
May 1, 1945
Died on pleasure flight
June 19, 1945
Buried in Margraten, Block RR, Row 12 Grave 290
February 18, 1943
Air Evac. Nurse diploma
Jan. 15, 1944
Married
July 26, 1943
Body washed up
March - Augus 1943
Panama
June 1944
To Europa
November 23, 1943
Departure for Europa
January 20, 1944
Arriving in England
June 1944
Landing Omaha Beach
US enters the war
December 11, 1941
Nazi Germany declares war on the US
Turnaround WWII
Februari 2, 1943
Battle of Stalingrad: Red Army defeats Germans
Memories of
Robert Watts
Lt. Col. Charles H. Chase
Commander of 506th PIR
On September 8, 1945 wrote to the commander
of 506th PIR - Lt. Col. Charles H. Chase
– a letter to the Watts family. He described their son as "a fine soldier, calm and courageous in the face of enemy fire and an inspiration to his fellow men." He also mentions that Robert is buried in an American military cemetery and that a religious service had taken place. That was not right as Robert was missing.
Frank Palys
Fellow at 506th PIR
Robert's pal Frank Palys remembers his friend as "a very good soldier and, like most paratroopers, quite carefree and a bit reckless. He was an excellent shot and during patrols in Normandy and the Netherlands, he served as a lead rifleman."
Vincent ‘Vinnie’ Utz
Bosom buddy and comrade in 506th PIR
Robert's best friend Vinnie Utz contacted the family after the war. A letter from 1953, which has been preserved in the archives of the Watts family, shows that Utz himself investigated what had happened on the night of 12 April. He could tell the Watts family many previously unknown facts about Robert's death. If Utz had not been injured in Bastogne, he might well have been present that particular night on the Rhine ...
Jeroen van Hees
Adopter Robert's name in Margraten
The name of Robert M. Watts on the Walls of the Missing has been adopted by Jeroen van Hees. Together with his father Arie-Jan, Jeroen has extensively researched the life and death of 'his' soldier.