ETO and Return

  ETO and Return
By
ROY LONG Company H 66th Infantry, 71st Division
January 1945 -July 1946

I would like to outline my military experience leading up to the time the 71st Division left for the European Theater of Operations.

After graduating from Blair High School in the spring of 1940, I enrolled at the University of Nebraska in September 1940.

In 1940, all entering male students at the University of Nebraska were required to enroll in ROTC. I was enrolled in basic ROTC my freshman and sophomore years.

Basic ROTC gave the student an elementary military education- first aid, map reading, military drills, military organization, and rifle instruction.

I was selected for advanced ROTC the beginning of my junior year. In advanced ROTC I was acting in the roll of a non-commissioned officer. The subject matter in my junior year was much the same as in my first two years of basic ROTC, but I studied the military subjects in more detail.

In September of 1942 I was 20 years old and ready to be called up in the military draft. I joined the Army Reserves in September of 1942. I was eligible then to stay in school at the University of Nebraska.

This delay from active duty lasted until March of 1943, when the juniors and seniors, in advanced ROTC, were called to active duty.

About 600 ROTC cadets were issued army uniforms—we were in the Army!!!!

The “new” Love Library was about finished in March of 1943 and the “new” Love Library was to be the ROTC cadet’s home for about a month and a half.

All of the ROTC cadets, who were called to active duty, continued to attend their regular university classes.

Regular military formations were held in the morning and in the evenings. Lights were out at 2200 hours.

In addition to the ROTC cadets living in Love Library, several hundred Army Air Force cadets were also living in Love Library.

 

Each night at 2200 hours, at lights out, one of the Air Force Cadets would sound taps. After taps, the cadet would play a popular song on his trumpet. It was a pleasant sound to end the day

The first part of May, the entire advanced ROTC Cadet Corp was called to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas for processing.

When all of the cadets were getting ready to leave for Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, some of the cadets suggested that everyone should dress in their oldest clothes and shoes and not return them home by mail. Army clothes would be issued and any civilian attire could not be kept. Needless to say, the ones who chose to wear old clothes, looked pretty seedy on arrival.

New clothes, medical shots, testing (IQ test) were given to all cadets. Finally assignments were given to various military posts for basic training. I was assigned to Fort Knox, Kentucky for armored basic training.

I arrived at Fort Knox, Kentucky in early July of 1943. After 17 weeks of intensive training with armored vehicles and other military subjects, I qualified as a tank driver.

Kentucky, in the summer time, is very hot and humid. Much of the ground around Fort Knox is a light sandy clay soil. I had to send back home to get sunglasses so I could see. The bright sun shining on the light clay made it difficult for me to see without the sunglasses.

While I was at Fort Knox, during basic training, I took and passed the entrance examination for officer candidate school located at Fort Knox.

After I finished basic training, I was sent back to the University of Nebraska Army Specialized Training Program. Although I was accepted for officer candidate school at Fort Knox, I had to wait until the next class to start—January 1944.

My officer candidate class graduated June 24, 1944. Brand new 2nd lieutenants!! The entire class of 2nd lieutenants from Fort Knox was assigned to the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

When I finished the classes at the Infantry School, in September of 1944, I was assigned to the 71st Infantry Division stationed in the Sand Hill area near Fort Benning. Upon reporting to the 71st Division, I was sent to “H” Company, 66th Infantry Regiment. When I reported to 'Company, I was assigned to the 81mm mortar platoon.

After extensive training at Fort Benning—crawling through infiltration courses, 50 mile hikes, weapons training, and live firing problems (live ammunition) with units   of the 66th Infantry Regiment— The 71st Division was ready to depart for duty overseas.

The following article is from the Division History book Page 25:

With the Division reaching full strength in October, talk of going overseas became more serious. It wasn’t an idle rumor any longer and the imminence of that day of combat could be felt in the wind. It came on October 13. The Division was alerted for overseas movement, and preparations were begun immediately to ready the units for shipment to the staging areas. Furloughs were cancelled, wills were made out, insurance policies were increased, and the packing and loading of equipment began. Then the alert was called off.

The above article does not seem to have too much substance - orders received - orders cancelled. The article is just the beginning - what the above means to two (2) large divisions.

The cancellation of the orders for the 71st Division meant that we could stay in the states a little longer.

The 106th Division was sent overseas as a replacement for the 71st Division. By early December 1944 the 106th was on the front line, spread out over a front of 25 miles.

On December 16, 1944 the German army struck full force through the 106th Division. The Battle of the Bulge was under way.

The 106th no longer was a division. Nearly all of the men were either killed or captured.

What if the 71st had gone instead of the 106th?

Camp Kilmer here we come!!!!

CAMP KILMER

The events I am going to relate occurred over 50 years ago, during my tour of duty during World War II, from the United States to Europe and return.

I am not going to give a daily account of my experiences. In some incidences, the action would last two weeks, other action a few days, and some action only a day.

 

The purpose of this narrative is to relate some of the feelings, the sounds, and the smells of the events I was involved with these many years ago. I can in no way remember each day, only the isolated occurrences.

The 71st Division arrived at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, from Fort Benning, Georgia on a damp and chilly day. Snow covered the ground at Camp Kilmer, giving the ground the appearance of a marshmallow cake. Camp Kilmer was no piece of cake. This appearance was really deceiving; Kilmer was serious business. All of the troops at Camp Kilmer knew what was in store for them -- combat duty in the European Theater of Operations.

As the 66th Infantry Regiment disembarked from the troop train, some of the soldiers from Georgia had their look first at snow. The sight of a 2nd Lieutenant from Georgia, jumping up and down in the snow, was sight to behold. After two or three jumps the lieutenant regained control of his self and returned to the proper position of a commissioned officer.

The next few days, at Camp Kilmer, were spent seeing that the men in my mortar section were properly equipped, had the necessary medical shots and all records were complete.

I still have the watch I was issued at Camp Kilmer, and the watch is still in running order. Must have been a darn good watch.

While at Camp Kilmer, each soldier, in our outfit, was given a pass to New York City. Camp Kilmer is just a short bus ride from New York City. The pass from Camp Kilmer to New York was for only four hours and the soldiers had to be back in Kilmer at a specified time.

Before each soldier left on pass for New York City, he was given strict orders not to talk to anyone about his military unit to which he was assigned, where he was going, or when he was leaving. All unit insignia patches had to be removed—no unit identification could be visible.

Three lieutenants and myself from “H” Company made the trip to New York City. Even in wartime NYC was very impressive—the traffic, lights and noise make the Big Apple quite a city.

The four officers from “H” Company had heard about the nightclubs in New York City. The question was, which one should we try to find. The decision was made easy when the bus, that brought us from Camp Kilmer, stopped near the nightclub called Leon and Eddies. The choice was clear—Leon and Eddies!!!

The extent of the menu, from Leon and Eddies, escapes me, but I am sure the menu was wartime. After enjoying the meal, the check was presented to the four of us by the waiter. The check came to about $19.50. For the payment of the   check, one of our officers gave the waiter a $20 bill with the instructions, “ Keep the change”. Needless to say, this payment for the check brought quite a reaction from the waiter.

After a very short stay in New York City, the bus returned us to Camp Kilmer.

The next few days were spent with the final processing for our journey to Europe. Finally the day arrived when our company commander announced to the men the day and time our unit would be leaving for the ETO.

BOUND FOR THE ETO

Before the troops from our company were loaded on board the troop ship, several officers and enlisted men had to go on board to locate the exact hold in the ship for our company.

I was selected as one of the officers to go on board with the advance party. The officers and enlisted men that came on board the troop ship early, had to locate the correct hold and to number each set of bunks in the hold for our company. The purpose of this was to determine the number of men who would be assigned to each set of bunks for a specific hold in the troop ship.

The ship on which we traveled to Europe was a converted freighter, called the EXPLORER. The ship could carry some three thousand soldiers.

The hold in which our company was to be located had a ceiling about eight feet high. In this space of eight feet were located five bunks. Using some fine math, this figures out to be about 18 in. between each bunk. A normal sized soldier could barely turn over in his bunk without disturbing the soldier above or below him. There was about five or six feet between each set of vertical bunks.

Now comes the fun part of loading the troops on board ship. Each hold of the troop ship and each section of bunks held a certain number of soldiers. The soldiers were counted as they came to each hold and the correct number had to be placed in each bunk area. Much of the loading in the bunk area was like putting sardines in a can—push, shove and move in.

Even though the temperature outside the troop ship was cold, somewhere in the low 30s, by the time the soldiers were placed in the bunk area, they were sweating. Now add to the lack of proper ventilation in the troop ship hold, sweating soldiers, and the general confusion of the GIs, the odors coming from the troop area really added up to more than a normal person could stand. Such is life on board a troop ship.

The troop ship was finally loaded and with the aid of tugboats, the ship was helped out of the New York harbor. The captain of the ship set a course that   would move our ship into an assembly area northeast of New York City. From this assembly area the convoy would be formed for the trip across the Atlantic.

As the convoy was being assembled, the sea was very calm, but this sea condition lasted only a short time. For the rest of the trip to Europe, the sea was very rough, trying it’s best to ruin the safe passage for our convoy. All of the “flatlanders” on board, myself included, had a difficult time keeping our breakfast, lunch and dinner down. The North Atlantic is very rough during the winter months. The troop ship was always in motion—rolling to one side, then the other side, pitching the bow of the ship up out of the water, the bow would slam down causing water to splash up over the bow.

The convoy consisted of troop ships, oil tankers and cargo ships. The oil tankers were placed near the center of the convoy. The reason for placing the tankers in this position was to provide more protection from the German submarines.

The formation of the convoy consisted of several ships abreast. The remaining ships formed lines back from the lead ships. The distance between ships was several hundred yards. If you could be high above the convoy, looking down, you would see a large grid pattern. I have no idea how many ships were in the convoy. Counting the number of ships was difficult because the convoy was so large the ships would disappear over the horizon.

A convoy with this many ships had to have a lot of protection from German submarines. This protection was in the form of destroyer escort ships, or better known as DE's. The DE's were fast patrol boats, with depth charges and cannons. When a submarine was located, the DE would drop depth charges on the submarine, hoping for a direct hit. The DE's must have done a good job of protecting the convoy. To the best of my knowledge no ships were lost from our convoy during the crossing of the Atlantic.

During much of World War II, the German submarines operated in “wolf packs”. In the type of operation the submarines were organized in groups, and each group consisted of several submarines. The sole purpose of the “wolf pack” was an organized attack on Allied shipping. During the early part of the war, the “wolf pack” was quite successful but as the war progressed, the Allies were able to defeat the German submarines— thus reducing the Allie’s loses.

About four years ago I was talking to the 71st Division Historian about crossing the Atlantic with the convoy. I indicated no ships were lost to the German submarines, from our convoy, or at least I knew of none. The Division Historian gave me a little shock. The Historian informed me the lead ship in our convoy had received a glancing blow form a German torpedo. There was no explosion. The torpedo was a dud or it hit the ship at an angle the torpedo did not explode. Just a very close call.

 

As I have indicated, the sea outside of New York harbor was as smooth as glass. This sea condition lasted only one day. The second day out the sea really became rough. The ship went up and down, sideways and rolling every which way with the rough sea. as I had mentioned, the holds of this troop ship lacked proper ventilation and without the proper ventilation, the first soldier to toss his morning breakfast caused a chain reaction—the entire hold was a mess. Believe it or not, the cookie tossing lasted for 14 days and nights.

Going back in time just a little—As each soldier came on board the troop ship, he was given a colored ticket. The color of this ticket indicated when the soldier was to line up at the mess hall for chow. The red ticket was for the first group to eat, the blue ticket was for the second group to line up for chow and the yellow ticket was for the third group to line up. The first day out of New York, the line to the mess hall never stopped, everyone was eating at the proper time as indicated by the color of the ticket.

Now comes the second day at sea. Remember, I talked about the movement of the ship,—up, down and side to side, The sea was really rough! Breakfast the second day was served to a nearly empty mess hall. If a soldier was still on his feet, lunch and dinner could be eaten any time he wished. This condition, in the mess hall, lasted until the ship finally docked in Europe.

As for myself, I was sick for seven days. The only food I had during that time was a cracker or two. There were eleven officers and myself quartered in the very small room on board the troop ship, all had the same problem as I had— seasick. The ship’s mess hall was near my quarters and when the air would shift through the ship, the odor of the mess hall would hit me full force—more lost cookies.

Activity on board ship during the actual crossing was very limited. An attempt was made to conduct calisthenics, but this did not work out at all. Hardly anyone was able to come out on deck. Card playing took up most of my time, when I was able to be on my feet. I had never played so many games of solitaire in my life. I sure did not feel like doing anything else. Such is life on a rocking rolling sea.

After fourteen days at sea, the convoy was finally getting close to Europe. As the convoy approached the French coast, fog became so thick making visual contact with other ships in the convoy nearly impossible. Because of the fog, there was a change in the sailing orders. Before we knew what was happening, out troop ship and many ships of the convoy had sailed into the harbor at South Hampton, England. I do not know how our ship’s captain was able to guide our ship through the fog, into the English Channel and finally anchoring in the harbor of South Hampton. The next morning, after sailing into South Hampton, the fog had lifted, and our ship plus the rest of the convoy set sail for LaHarve, France.

 

The next night after our troop ship and the other ships of the convoy left South Hampton, the Germans “buzz bombed” the harbor. So close but yet so far!!!!

CAMP OLD GOLD

The crossing from South Hampton to LaHarve was quite uneventful—no rough seas and no fog—smooth sailing all the way. As our ship eased into the dock, this was the first time in over two weeks we were able to see and feel solid ground. No more rock and roll of the open sea. Unloading at LaHarve went very well. Our troops were glad to set foot on solid ground, even if it was in the European Theater of Operations. As the soldiers came off the ship, they were loaded on open box semi trailers for a short ride to Camp Old Gold.

The cigarette camps ( Camp Old Gold) were temporary camps used for final processing of combat troops in preparation for movement into action on the front line. Camp Old Gold consisted of canvas tents and mud. This was winter in France. Rain seemed to be falling every day and night, causing the area where our tents were located, to be a sea of mud. Because of the mud, any movement on foot was difficult. The temperature was just above freezing, making for a very unpleasant situation. There was a lack of wood to heat the tents and as a result, the tents were cold and damp.

Because of the cold and dampness, nearly all the troops ha d difficult time getting through the night without a trip to the latrine. With no lights to guide one the the latrine, coupled with the mud, a visit to the latrine was an experience. One solution, to answer the call of “nature”, was to use a “C” ration can to ------.

On this particular dark, cold and damp night, one of the soldiers in our company needed to answer the call of “nature”. In total darkness he headed for the latrine. (A latrine is a hole dug in the ground for the sole purpose of answering the call of “nature”) The Gl’s direction to the latrine was off a bit, and to his utter amazement found himself knee deep in the latrine. Without enough wood for a good fire, the soldier had a difficult time drying out. Added to his problems was the loss of friends due to the lingering latrine odor.

While at Camp Old Gold, the company officers had a very unpleasant duty— censoring all of the letters written by the soldiers in “H” Company. This was a difficult task for the officers, because the officers knew the men quite well and reading their mail was a very personal matter for all concerned.

The lack of sanitary facilities, continuous rain and the mud made life in Camp Old Gold very unpleasant. All of the men in our company were ready to leave this area of Normandy—ready to move on to the front line— finish this war and return to the United States.

     

Camp Old Gold was located in the northwest part of France. The area around Old Gold was mainly used for farming. The countryside was gently rolling, much like Eastern Nebraska. A big farm crop in the area was sugar beets. The sugar beets were not raised for sugar but were raised to feed hogs. As a result of this diet, the hogs became very big and fat. The hogs I saw on this particular farm were confined to small pens their entire life, therefore the huge size and very fat.

When “H” Company arrived at Camp Old Gold our food supply was quite interesting. “H” Company mess Sgt. served ham for breakfast, ham for the noon meal and ham for the evening meal. For some reason, “H” Company was over supplied with hams and very short of flour. The mess sergeant was able to trade some of the hams, with a French farmer, for flour. As a result of the trade, “H” Company had hotcakes for breakfast, rolls and bread later on during the day.

The road leading to our company area was dirt with some gravel. With all the snow and rain, the road became nearly impassable. To make the road passable, the Army Engineers brought trucks loaded with rock of varying sizes to make the road ready to receive the trucks and jeeps of our Company.

Almost continuous rain left the countryside very damp and muddy. We were always walking in water and mud, regardless of what we were doing. I had a pair of overshoes to wear over my combat boots. Wearing the overshoes I was able to keep my feet warm and dry. Some of our men did have trouble with their feet—cold and wet.

FECAMP, FRANCE

Soon after our Battalion arrived at Camp Old Gold, the officers of the Battalion were given a tour of the fortifications near a town called FeCamp. FeCamp is located on the Northwest coast of France. The reason for the tour was to view the fortifications the Germans had constructed to defend this part of the French coast.

The area around Fe Camp consisted of high cliffs going right down to the sea. The cliffs were about 100 to 150 feet high. The town of FeCamp was situated below the cliffs on a river delta.

The Germans had mined the entire area. One type of mine used was a “teller mine” (“teller” in German means a plate—like a dinner plate). The teller mine being like a plate, was rounded off with concrete to form a ball. The concrete ball with the teller mine encased inside the concrete was then lowered over the side of the cliff, awaiting the time the mine would be exploded to repel an invasion. On top of the cliffs, around FeCamp, were several antiaircraft positions. The ground around the antiaircraft guns was heavily mined with teller mines, shoe mines (I will explain “shoe mines” later), and booby traps. The booby traps were set to go off if a certain object was moved.

 

The area around FeCamp was never attack by the Allies.

SHOWERS---- GI STYLE

Shower facilities were not available in Camp Old Gold at this time. To solve the lack of showers, Army Engineers had set up a portable shower unit several miles from Camp Old Gold. The shower unit consisted of two large tents-one tent contained the shower heads- the other tent was used for undressing, drying off and dressing. The water for the shower units came from an ice-covered stream. The water was pumped through a heater and finally out of the showerheads.

The morning out company was assigned to the shower the temperature was just below freezing. We stripped off our clothes in the changing tent—no heat and 30 degrees—and with plenty of goose bumps, made our way into the shower tent.

Company “H” was the first to use the shower this morning. Everything in the shower unit was cold. After more goose bumps, the water finally warmed up enough to permit a very quick shower. Now the worse part of the shower was going back into a cold changing tent to dry off and dress. I believe Company “H” set a record for drying off and getting dressed. This was the last bath I had for over two months. Washing and shaving was done out of my steel helmet, with water coming from streams and ponds. Washing and shaving with cold water was quite a challenge. Sometime I was able to heat some water with the little gas stove we carried.

FRONT LINES

In a short time our company received orders to leave Camp Old Gold and form up with the rest of the 71st Division to move east to the front lines. For the most part the movement through France was uneventful, only the cold rain and the bumpy roads kept us alert and awake. The convoy did pass close enough to Paris for us to see the Eiffel Tower.

After a cold and bumpy ride across France, the 71st Division convoy arrived near the town of Nancy.

GERMAN PILOTS FLYING AMERICAN P47 FIGHTER PLANES

During the air war over Europe, many American fighter planes were disabled. Some of the planes were shot down by German forces and other planes were downed because of mechanical failure. Several of the American P47s fighter planes were captured on the ground by the Germans. The captured P47s were made airworthy and then flown by German pilots. The German pilots could fly   the P47s very close to American troops or vehicles, without suspicion, fire on our troops and then fly away.

The 71st Division was in an assembly area, getting ready to relieve elements of the 100th Division. While in the assembly area just behind the front lines, I was standing in an open field. I looked up at the sound of an airplane approaching directly to my front. The plane was a P47. The relative slow speed of the P47 swooping low toward me, caused me to freeze—no movement! The plane was so low I could see all of the plane’s markings. I am sure this was a German pilot flying the P47, as no American pilot I ever saw would fly in this manner. So close— what if?

MOVING UP TO THE FRONT LINES

“H” Company and the rest of the 2nd Battalion of the 66th Infantry Regiment assembled, at night, near the town of St. Louis, France. As the 2nd Battalion approached St. Louis, there was a lot of artillery being fired near by. This being the 2nd Battalion’s first look at combat conditions, or I should say the sounds of combat, there plenty of nervous GIs. Part of “H” Company spent the night in a glass factory in St. Louis. As daylight arrived, the 2nd Battalion moved to relieve units of the 100th Division. The change over went very well, no problems.

After the units of the 100th Division had been relieved and the position of the 81mm mortars had been established, my next objective was to located and occupy an observation post. From this observation post I would be able to direct the fire of the 81mm mortars on any target I may observe.

As I started forward to locate an observation post, I was confronted by a mine field. The mine field consisted of “shoe mines” scattered in a random pattern over the area I was wanting to move through. ( The German “shoe mine” is a small wooden box, about the size of a cigar box. Inside the wooden box is a 1/4 pound of TNT. The mine would explode when the lid is stepped on or pushed down.

One of our officers started into the mine field to clear a path through the field of “shoe mines”. Unfortunately the officer hit a mine, knocking him down. Other soldiers and medics rushed in to help the officer. Before the mines were cleared, the officer was dead and several other soldiers were injured in the rescue attempt. All of the action happened in just a few minutes—such is combat.

After the mines were cleared, I started for my observation, laying “sound powered” telephone wire as I went. The wire was first attached to the 81mm mortar position, then strung to the observation post. This was my method of communicating from the observation post to the 81mm mortars. Walkie talkie radios had been issued to our mortar platoon, but for the most part the radios were useless. Because of the radio failure, our mortar platoon relied on sound   powered phones for our communication between the mortar position and the observation post. The sound powered phone did not require batteries to transmit sound, only your voice was needed to make the call heard on the other end of the telephone line.

I started laying the sound powered telephone wire to my observation post. I had gone about 30 or 40 yards, when I felt something scrape across the top of my boot. Not thinking too much about the scrape, I continued with the task of laying the sound powered telephone wire to my observation post. Two or three days later one of my men was picking up the phone line I had laid, as the mortars were moving to a new position. When I saw the soldier after he had picked up the phone line, he was as white as a sheet. I asked him what was wrong. He said I had laid the sound powered telephone wire over a mine wire that controlled a “bouncing betty mine”. “The bouncing betty mine” consists of an explosive that would blow a canister of double “00” buck shot into the air, to a height of about three feet. At the three foot level, the canister would explode, blowing the “00” buck shot in all directions. Wires in the form of a spider web are attached to the mine and when one of the wires was tripped, the mine would explode. When I laid the telephone line, my right foot went under the wire of the “bouncing betty”, touching the wire but not hitting the wire hard enough to trip the mine—so close.

The next night after the “bouncing betty” incident, I found myself in a nice foxhole (my observation post). As usual the foxhole was damp and cold. On this particular night, I received a message over the sound powered phone that the Germans were using hoot owl signals to keep their scouting patrols together. I though to myself—I am ready for the German patrols. For sometime our front line was quiet. Then a hoot owl sounded in front of me—OK, I am ready—hand grenades and carbine close at hand. There was another hoot owl off to my right, then one to my left— the Germans were all around me—at least I thought so. Those darn hoot owls caused me many anxious hours that night. The next morning when daylight finally broke through the morning haze, the owls were gone. So much for the intelligence reports we received about the “owls”.

Soon after the “owl” scare, I was ordered to provide 81 mm mortar support for an outpost off to the right front of our lines. To provide the necessary support, for the outpost, I had to move my observation post to the new position.

Scouting reports indicated the Germans were active near the outpost. As a result of this continued activity sleep was out of the question for me. Sometime during the third night, I fell asleep. The other soldier in our covered foxhole was awake. When I crawled out of the covered foxhole I was really shocked— a grenade had exploded on top of our foxhole. I was so sound asleep, I heard nothing. It is strange how a person can be so sound asleep that an explosion, like a grenade going off, is not heard, especially when the blast occurred just over your head.

 

During the three days and nights the outpost was occupied, we did not come in contact with any Germans. Many hand grenades were thrown during the three days and nights. In this situation on the outpost, you throw hand grenades at any noise, rather than firing you rifle.

MOVING EAST

The movement of the 66th Infantry from eastern France, across the German boarder and through the Siegfried Line is pretty much a blank for me. I know there was a lot of action as the 66th Infantry moved east. Breaking through the Siegfried Line required great effort by some units of the 66th Infantry. My recollection of this time period is a void in my memory bank.

One of the objectives assigned to the 2nd Battalion of the 66th Infantry, was the taking and clearing of the town of Pirmasens, Germany. The town was taken with very little trouble and cleared of all German soldiers.

After the town was cleared, I went into the post office and liberated a German flag. I still have the flag.

Right outside of the town of Pirmasens, the German Army had assembled a large convoy of horse-drawn wagons. The wagons were loaded with various supplies—food, ammo and weapons (rifles, pistols, hand grenades and etc). The Germans made a big mistake of moving the convoy during the daylight. The United States Air Force caught the convoy in the open and as a result the entire convoy was destroyed.

Dead horses were scattered all around the broken wagons, and all this carnage was mixed in with the destroyed supplies. Apparently the dead and wounded German soldiers had been removed from all the wreckage, as we saw none of the dead or wounded.

Needless to say, the sight and odor of the carnage was more than a person could endure. Our unit moved quickly away from this area of devastation. We left the cleaning up to the Germans themselves.

After the Siegfried Line was crossed and the town of Pirmasens was taken, our Battalion received orders to take up positions in the Mannhiem- Ludwigshaven area. These two towns straddle the Rhine River.

The movement to the Mannhiem- Ludwigshaven area was to be at night. In the battalion convoy, “H” Company was the last company in the battalion convoy and the mortar jeeps were at the very end of the convoy. The machine gun jeeps were just ahead of the mortar jeeps.

 

When darkness had fallen, the convoy moved out of the assembly area. Just as the machine gun jeeps were leaving the assembly area, a water truck pulled in front of the lead machine gun jeep. I was following the machine gun jeeps with the mortar jeeps. Where ever the machine gun jeeps went, I followed. Every vehicle in the convoy had to be driving with blackout lights. The driver of each vehicle had to follow the vehicle just ahead.

Driving with blackout lights, at best, is not good.

As I indicated, in a blackout convoy, one vehicle follows the vehicle just ahead. If the vehicle ahead of your vehicle turns, you also turn.

I will explain that military vehicles have two sets of lights, one set of lights is for regular driving and the other set is for blackout driving.

The blackout lights are about 5 in. in diameter. There are two blackout lights on the front of the vehicle and two blackout lights on the rear of the vehicle. On the front of each 5 in. blackout light are 4 slots, allowing light to show through. The slots are about 1/2 inch wide and 3/4inch long.

When driving blackout, the driver of one vehicle gages the distance between vehicles by the number of lights he can see on the vehicle in front of his vehicle. If the driver saw four lights on the blackout light, he was to close to the vehicle in front of his vehicle. If he saw two lights on the blackout, the distance between vehicles was about correct. If the driver saw only one light on the blackout light, he was getting to far behind the vehicle just ahead.

The water truck turned off the convoy route, and as I indicated, the machine gun platoon leader followed the water truck—blackout lights, remember. The machine gun platoon leader quickly realized we were on the wrong road—no convoy to be found—he turned on to a road he thought was the route the convoy had taken— Wrong!!!!!! I was following one of the machine gun jeeps, so I was also on the wrong road.

After traveling a few miles, our small convoy—six mortar jeeps and four machine gun jeeps— came to sudden halt. Directly in front of our convoy was a huge roadblock—we were behind the German lines!!!!!!! After q very quick discussion with the machine gun platoon leader and myself, our convoy made a fast “U” turn, and back the way we came. Those jeeps were really moving. Just as we were leaving the roadblock, a German machine gun opened up on our convoy, spraying bullets the entire length of our column. The German gunner was a poor shot, all the bullets missed our convoy—just passing over our heads. The bullets were so close to my head I could hear the pop of each bullet as it passed over!

After encountering the German roadblock and the machine fire, the machine gun jeeps and the mortar jeeps pulled back about two miles and set up in a small   village and waited out the night. The Germans did not try to follow us and as a result of the German inaction, we escaped the roadblock with no injuries or lose of equipment.

The next morning the machine gun platoon leader and myself found the rest of the battalion and moved into our assigned position on the Rhine River. Many questions were asked as to where the machine gun jeeps and the mortar jeeps spent the previous night— we will never tell.

Lt. Wayne Lindt, a very good friend of mine from the University of Nebraska Football Team, was killed while on patrol near the Rhine River, just south of Ludwigshaven and Mannhiem.

CROSSING THE RHINE RIVER

After two or three days of firing across the Rhine River, our company, along with the rest of the battalion, was moved north through the small town of Frankenstine and on to the crossing of the Rhine River. Of course our convoy passed through Frankenstine in total darkness that night, making the passage through the town even more scary.

By the time our convoy arrived at the river, the sun was up.

The crossing over the Rhine was made by traveling on a temporary bridge set on pontoons. This type of bridge made for a very unstable ride over the river. Smoke generators were used by the Army Engineers to cover the entire area. The smoke prevented the Germans from observing the crossing.

WALDENSBERG

After crossing the Rhine, the Third Army, under the command of General Patton, headed northeast for Berlin. The dash for Berlin was stopped near the small village of Waldensberg and by the action of the 6th SS Mountain Division.

INSERT LETTERS AND MAP OF WALDENSBERG

In addition the fighting around Waldensberg, there were two incidents that happened in this village I would like to relate.

The first day at Waldensberg had been quite hectic, but as evening drew near the action quieted down. As I was preparing our defenses for the coming night--- all at once I heard a lot of rifle fire coming from the rear of my mortar position. My first chilling thought was the SS were attacking from a slightly different direction. My mortars were set up to fire in a general northwest direction and the rifle fire was coming from the northeast. I took a quick look to see who was firing at what. To my great surprise I saw several tankers firing at chickens. The

     

8207 Bowie Drive Omaha, NE 68114-1525 May 4, 1995

Stephen M. Rusiecki, Captain

Assistant Professor

Department of English

United States Military Academy

Westpoint, NY 10996

Dear Captain Rusiecki

In response to your letter dated 29 March 1995, I hope to add some insight into the action that occurred 50 years ago between the 71st Division and the 6th SS Mountain Division.

I was a Lieutenant in the mortar platoon of "H" Company, 66th Infantry, 71st Division.

As I recall, "H" Company was involved in this action starting the morning of 2 April 1945. The mission of "H" Company was to establish blocking positions in and around the village of Waldensberg.

The road leading into the village from the southeast was narrow and slightly uphill. As "H" Company approached the village in our jeeps, we did not know if the village was cleared of SS. In a very short time we found out the village was not cleared.

As the Company approached one of the first buildings, on our left was a sniper firing from under the roof. The sniper would raise a tile shingle - fire - and the shingle would drop down, covering the sniper. One of the machine gunners in "H" Company spotted the movement of the shingle. The gunner opened fire with his machine gun, hitting the area of the roof used by the sniper.

One soldier was slightly wounded by the sniper before the sniper was silenced.

With much caution, "H" moved into the village, taking up blocking positions as assigned. My section of 81 mm mortars was assigned an area to the northwest of the village. The mission for my section of mortars was to interdict the assigned area.

The 6th SS were moving from the north in a generally southern direction. This movement was across my field of fire.

  Stephen Rusiecki, Captain
May 4, 1995
Page 2

During 2 & 3 April, I had many successful targets of opportunity.

On the evening of 2 April, a German officer, driving an American jeep, tried to drive through the village in an attempt to escape the "H" Company blocking forces.

An "H" Company gunner was in position to fire on the fleeing German officer. A direct hit was scored on the jeep's gas tank, causing the jeep to explode and burn. The resulting explosion and fire killed the German officer.

I believe "H" Company was relieved of the blocking mission on 4 April 1945.

I hope I have helped you in some small way.

Sincerely,

Roy J. Long

(Long, Roy J. Lt. Inf.

"H" Co. 66th Inf. 71st Division

Enclosures: Picture
Military Background

 

8207 Bowie Drive Omaha, NE 68114-1525 June 24, 1995

Stephen M. Rusiecki, Captain

Assistant Professor

Department of English

United States Military Academy

Westpoint, NY 10996

Dear Captain Rusiecki:

Regarding your letter of May 22, 1995, I hope I can answer some of your questions.

As near as I can remember, on April 1, 1945, "H" Company was in a reserve position southwest of Waldensberg. I do not know the exact distance from Waldensberg, but I would estimate two to three miles.

Each section of 81mm mortars had two jeeps and 1/4 ton trailers. The heavy machine gun platoons also had jeeps and 1/4 trailers. A heavy weapons company was quite mobile even in World War II.

The mortars could be carried by individual soldiers for very short distances. When the 81 ammo also had to be carried, the employment of the mortars was quite limited. Only in the most rugged terrain would the mortars be carried in by soldiers. So, as you can understand, jeeps and trailers were necessary for successful employment during any combat action.

As I recall, "H" Company's mission with the heavy machine guns and mortars was to block the road going through Waldensberg and to deny the ground to the north and west of Waldensberg for use by the 6th SS.

The 2nd Battalion was in this general area supporting "H" Company with ground troops. I have no idea which company of infantry was near "H" Company. I do recall one of the 2nd Battalion platoon leaders was killed just south of Waldensberg by small arms fire.

During April 2 and 3, "H" Company encountered sniper fire, small arms fire, but no mortar or artillery fire. The action "H" Company saw was quite sporadic. As I stated in my first letter, a German officer in a U.S. jeep tried to run our blockade and was killed.

During this period of April 2 & 3, I was free to fire on any targets I observed. The targets I fired on were groups of individuals moving across my front. The mortar fire was very effective, denying the movement of the 6th SS across my assigned area.

  Stephen Rusiecki, Captain
June 24, 1995
Page 2

I have shown on the enclosed map one section of machine guns from "H" Company and my section of mortars. I cannot remember where the other machine guns or 81 mortars were located.

Just a little side light on the use of mortars during World War II in the ETO: I do not remember that all six of "H" Company's 81 mm mortars were used together for massed fire. One section of 81 mm mortars was to support a rifle company. My section was assigned to E Company for direct support on any mission Easy Company may be given.

Communication was a big problem all during the ETO conflict. The TO & E originally called for walkie talkie radios for each mortar section. The radios we were given failed about 99% of the time. We had to rely on sound-power phones and 1/2 mile of sound power wire. As you can see, communication left a lot to be desired. In spite of these limitations, we were able to give very effective support to the infantry.

The tactics used in the training for employment of the 81 mm mortars call for the observer to be on the gun-target line for effective fire direction. I hadn't been in France more than a day when I knew the observer-gun-target line would not be effective. Most of the time it was impossible to fire and adjust the fire using the observer-gun-target line.

One of the members of my section, a corporal, could read maps very well and figure angles. I would call coordinates back to the gun position and the corporal would figure target distance and give the correct angle to the 81mm tubes. In addition to the coordinates, I would send back the type of target, type of round and number of rounds to be fired. With this method, my section was able to give very effective support regardless of my position in relation to the gun-target line.

During the Korean conflict, the infantry mortars used a system similar to the one my section used during World War II, only much more elaborate. In Korea, the mortar provided effective fire.

As artillery liaison officer for the Greek Battalion (1951-1952), my duties included coordinating the fire of the artillery infantry mortars and tanks, and as a result, I was able to observe the effectiveness of the artillery mortar and tank fire.

After the Waldensberg battle was over, the 66th Infantry was a part of the 3rd Army's intention to race to Berlin. The 3rd Army, under the command of General George Patton, was endeavoring to reach Berlin before the Russians.

  Stephen Rusiecki, Captain
June 24, 1995
Page 3

The 66th Infantry traveled in a northeasterly direction towards Berlin as fast as the German pockets of resistance would permit. Many of these small pockets of resistance were bypassed and eliminated by other units coming in behind the 66th Infantry.

The race to Berlin came to a halt for the 66th Infantry near the town of Fulda. I am paraphrasing now, but General Eisenhower gave a direct order to General Patton: Stop your race to Berlin.

I hope I have answered your questions concerning "H" Company during the Waldensberg action and have given you some insight into the operations of the 81 mm mortars as used in Europe during World War II.

If I can be of any other service, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Roy J. Long

(Long, Roy J. Lt. Inf.

"H" Co. 66th Inf. 71st Division)

Enclusure: Area map of Waldensberg, Germany

 

tankers were looking for supper. ( The tankers were a part of the 761st Tank Battalion attached to the 71st Division.

The first night “H” Company and the mortars were in Waldensberg, one of my men was standing guard right near our mortar position. Sometime during the night the soldier received a push in his back. Not wanting to fire his rifle at the intruder—he brought his rifle around full force—striking the intruder— breaking the stock of his rifle. When daylight arrived, many inquires were made by other members of the mortar crew as to the condition of the cow.

The area around Waldensberg was finally secure— on to the northeast and Berlin.

ON TO BERLIN

General Patton was driving the 3rd Army toward Berlin as fast as our jeeps would take us. “H” Company and the 66th Infantry were a part of the 3rd Army drive toward Berlin.

There were scattered pockets of resistance along our route of advance. Most of these pockets of resistance were by-passed by our units. Cleaning out the scattered pockets was done by troops bring up the rear.

During the dash for Berlin, the rifle battalions of the 66th Infantry would rotate leading the way. The 2nd Battalion had been in the lead, when the 3rd Battalion replaced the 2nd Battalion. The 3rd Battalion had just started to move on toward Berlin when elements of the 3rd Battalion were caught in an ambush. As a result of the ambush, there were some casualties and vehicles damaged. The ambush was set up by Hitler Youth. These kids were young, but they still caused a lot of problems.

FULDA

Something happened at a place in Russia, called “Yalta”. The big three (Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin) came with idea that the Russians should have the “honor” of capturing Berlin—not the United States troops under the command of General Patton.

The 66th Infantry received orders to halt near the town of Fulda. As I remember Fulda was about 125 miles southwest of Berlin. The 2nd Battalion of the 66th Infantry, which included “H” Company, was held up near Fulda for about three days. The men of the 2nd Battalion had no idea what was happening. Why we were stopped after having pushed so hard toward Berlin. Nothing came down through the command channels as to why our Battalion had stopped.

   

After the third day “H” Company and the rest of the 2nd Battalion received orders to make a 90 degree turn to the southeast. This direction would take “H” Company and the rest of the 2nd Battalion eventually to the Danube River and then on into Austria.

FISH FOR DINNER

After “H” Company and the mortar platoon left the Fulda area, my section of mortars had an interesting experience.

My men had been living pretty much off of the land—bacon and eggs that had been liberated from the German farmers—was our main food supply. About noon on this particular, my section of mortar jeeps was stopped near a fairly wide stream. When the jeeps stopped, a light bulb came on in my head—a nice stream for fish.

Fishing gear was not a part the Gl issue. So, another method had to be used to catch the fish for our noon meal. The answer was a hand grenade to be tossed into the water. The pin of the hand germane was pulled and the hand grenade was tossed in the water. After three or four seconds the water in the stream bubbled up form the explosion. Very soon fish began to float to the surface of the stream. The fish were very easy to catch and soon enough fish were caught for our noon meal.

In a short time the fish were cleaned, the small gas stove fired up and the frying pan greased. We were ready for the fish fry!!!!!!!!

This was as far as the fish fry progressed. Just my crew was starting to cook the fish, three Folk-Wolf 190, German fighter planes came buzzing over—the fish went one way and my crew took cover very quickly. The German planes did not hit us, but scared the heck out of us. This was the last time my crew tried to have a fish fry in the middle of Germany.

BINLACH AIRPORT

The battle for the Binlach airport was situated in Central Germany on fairly high ground. The airport was oriented in a generally north- south direction.

The 3rd Battalion of the 66th Infantry was to attack the airport from the north and elements of the 2nd Battalion were to move in from the west of the airport to form a blocking position. My mortar section was a part of the blocking force.

As the above action was taking place, a German soldier fired a “panzer faust” at our “H” Company Commander. The “panzer faust” did not him directly, but the force of the explosion knocked him out. At first we thought he was dead, but   later learned he had been badly stunned by the shell burst. The war was over for our Company Commander.

My mortar section accomplished our mission—blocking the escape of many of the Germans, I have no idea how many German soldiers were killed or captured by the 3rd Battalion. When all was said and done the airport had been captured and all was secure.

PLAYING IT SAFE

A very interesting and yet frustrating incident happened to me after the airport was secured. My mortar crew was in the process of securing our mortars and equipment, checking our supply of ammunition and in general getting ready to move to our next objective, when I spotted a beat-up metal box on the ground. The box was about 20 yards from my position and about the size of briefcase.

The first thought that came to my mind, when I saw the metal box— booby trap!!!!!!! I thought what an ideal place to set 1/4 pound of TNT to blow up when the box would be moved or opened. I would like to have know what was in the box, but on the other hand, I did not to take a chance the box would blow up in my face.

As I stood looking at the metal box (at a safe distance) another soldier walked over to the box, picked the box up (no explosion), opened the box (still no explosion). When the soldier opened the box, the box revealed a complete Lica Camera outfit, lens and everything needed to shoot pictures. At today’s prices the camera outfit would be worth several thousand dollars.

The camera outfit would have been nice to have— I was not about to take that chance to find out what was in the metal box.

HOW WE ATE DURING COMBAT

While the war was going on my mortar section saw very little of “H” Company kitchen. My mortar section was usually with an infantry company and not near the “H” Company kitchen. Once in a while we would get a supply of “C” Rations and the rest of the time we live off of the land. The German farms usually had a slab of bacon or a ham hanging in the attic. Chickens and eggs were quite abundant.

Some where along the line we managed an iron skillet and a basket to hold eggs. We had a small gas stove (Gl issue) and with the stove, it worked very well to cook the bacon, ham and eggs. My men ate quite well, not the best balanced diet, but we did not go hungry.

   

Sometime during April, one of the officers in “H” Company received a two pound package of coffee from his parents. A large soup kettle was located, filled with water and the kettle was set on a roaring fire. After a short time the pot was steaming hot, the coffee was added to the hot water and we had a pot full of “good” coffee. I do not remember if the coffee was good or not, but we drank every bit— the pot was empty.

HOW WE SLEPT DURING COMBAT

The members of my mortar crew have slept in about every condition you can think of. When we arrived at Camp Old Gold, tents and army cots was the order of the day for sleeping. When the 71st moved to eastern France, a foxhole was the common abode. We have come out of a foxhole, while pushing snow from our bodies. We have slept on wet ground with no more than a poncho for protection. We have slept in barns with straw as our blanket. We have slept in farmhouses with a thick feather bed. We have slept in apartment houses (Ried, Austria). We have slept on the floors of factories several times. Such is Army Life while in combat.

GERMAN JET AIRCRAFT

Previous to this day’s action, I did not know the Germans had jet aircraft.

On this day, I believe it was in early April, we heard a very loud noise (jet noise) and a lot of antiaircraft fire. We looked off to our right and saw three German jet planes shooting through the sky, followed by bursts of antiaircraft fire. The antiaircraft fire was far to the rear of the streaking jets. None of the jets were hit by the antiaircraft fire.

During the war, I think there was only two German jets shot down by Allied Pilots.

Near the end of the war the German jets became very active, downing many of the Allied bombers.

While the action was still in progress, Allied Pilots could not find where the German jets were coming from or where the jets were landing. The jet planes hiding place was not found until after the war was over.

Soon after the war was over I was traveling down the Autobahn, in central Germany, when the road passed through a heavily wooded area. To my great surprise, this heavily wood area was the hiding place for the German jets. The jets used the Autobahn for taking off and landing, then after landing were hid in the wooded area beside the Autobahn.

RELEASE OF ALLIED POWS  

Somewhere well into Germany, we were clearing a town of German soldiers, when we came to building that had been used to manufacture cigars. The building was quite well supplied with finished cigars as well as cigars in various stages of completion.

Being good liberators, we took a lot of the finished cigars. At the time of the liberation (the cigars), I do not remember why the men took the cigars.

Now for the rest of the story-----.

Not long after the liberation of the cigars our convoy of infantry and my 81mm mortars, reached a POW Camp. The gate was opened and the POWs were released. I am not sure of the nationality of the POWs—could have been French.

Apparently these POWs had not seen anything like the cigars for sometime and as a result the liberated cigars were in great demand. I believe most of the cigars were given away. The cigars sure made the POWs happy.

The convey could do very little more for the POWs. The location of the PW camp was sent back to our headquarters for disposition.

Several miles from the “cigar POWs”, we liberated another POW camp. As the convoy approached the camp, the jeeps were surrounded by happy POWs. They shook our hands and patted us on the back. I do not remember the nationality of these POWs.

Some of the men had a few cigars left from the last encounter—these cigars were given out to the released POWs.

At this time we were meeting very little resistance from the Germany Army. Our objective was clearing the areas of Germans and locating any Allied POWs.

“H” Company and the rest of the 2nd Battalion had been moving quite fast and as result the mail and rations had a difficult time catching up with my crew. On this evening we finally received some mail— a welcome relief—news from home.

One of my men received a large box from the States. His anticipation was almost beyond belief—cookies? cake? Or what? As he pulled the wrapping from the box, his anticipation really peaked—then the box reveled it’s contents—a box with large taper candles. A box of large taper candles in it’s self is not so strange. Now for the rest of the story— The Gl had written home soon after the 71st had arrived in France, indicating that when you are in a nice cozy foxhole at night, one needs some light, like a small candle. Needless to say the long taper candles would be very impractical for the foxhole.

 

The same evening the mail arrived, one of my men found a side of beef in a meat market. He asked me if the crew could have some fresh beef. After eating “C” Rations, German bacon, ham and eggs, fresh beef sounded real good.

I had set up my command post in the city hall of this small town. The city hall contained a large meeting room and in this room was a combination heating and cooking stove.

Out came the skillet, some bacon grease, a sharp knife and the crew was ready for fresh meat. About midnight we all had our fill of steak. I cannot remember if the steak was good or bad, tough or tender— we had some fresh meat, a great change from what we had been eating.

"BED CHECK CHARLIE"

The 2nd Battalion of the 66th Infantry was in a night assembly area, about 3 or 4 miles north of the Danube River. The Battalion was getting ready to cross the Danube the next morning.

The moon was full, casting a bright light over the entire assembly area.

Much to our surprise, the drone of “Bed Check Charlie” could be heard coming in from the south. “Charlie’s” plane was so low and the moon so bright, the German plane was clearly visible. Everyone in the Battalion held the rifle and machine gun fire until “Charlie” dropped several bombs— then all hell broke loose. All types of guns were firing at the German plane. The plane was not hit in spite of the intense fire coming from the 2nd Battalion troops. The sky was a glow with the light made by the many tracers fired at the German plane. 30 cal. and 50 cal. machine guns firing tracers made a big fireworks show.

By the way, the bombs dropped by “Charlie” did very little damage.

“Bed Check Charlie” was given this name for a simple reason—every night a German plane would fly over our position, trying to disrupt the action taking place on the ground. An example of this disruption was the bombing of the 2nd Battalion assembly area.

DANUBE CROSSING AND BEYOND

The next morning after “Bed Check Charlie’s” bombing, the 2nd Battalion of the 66th Infantry moved to the Danube River for the eventual crossing of the river later in the day. The actual crossing was pulled off without a hitch—no German resistance.

An interesting side light of the Danube crossing was that in the initial crossing only the soldiers on foot were taken across the river. The soldiers on foot were   taken across the Danube in small rubber boats—about eight or ten GIs in each boat. All of the Battalion vehicles remained on the north side of the river, waiting for a vehicle bridge to be constructed.

While waiting for the bridge to be constructed, the drivers of the Battalion vehicles found a warehouse full of liquor. Being good soldiers, they tried to liberate much of the liquor, by drinking it that is. After the vehicle bridge was completed, and the jeeps and trucks made the crossing, I do not think I have ever seen so many hangovers. Many of the jeep and truck drivers were sporting real bad headaches. When the foot soldiers of the 2nd Battalion had crossed the Danube, darkness had fallen, making assembly of the units quite difficult. Finally, the 2nd Battalion was ready to move to our new positions. The line of march of the Battalion was across an open field. Just as we thought the Battalion had not been observed, a German machine gun began firing at the column. Everyone hit the ground and started digging a hole. To our good fortune the German gunner’s aim was high, missing everyone. The bullets were so close I could hear the popping just as they passed over my head. Close!!!!!!

Soon the Battalion was safely across the open field and out of range of the German machine gun, a light rain started to fall. In a very short time everyone was cold and wet. Any shelter at this time would be more than welcome.

After a short march from the open field, the Battalion came to several large farm buildings. After guards were posted, the rest of the men sought out the haylofts of these several buildings.

I remember trying to sleep in the hayloft. Sleeping went quite well, considering the wet and cold, as long as you did not move. Any movement and your body would find a cold wet spot, causing you to wake up. The moral of the story, in this situation, do not move.

The next day, after the night in the hayloft, the rain had stopped and the Battalion began moving to our assigned positions.

Later in the day, our vehicles arrived with the needed firepower to better defend ourselves and help the Battalion carry out it’s assigned mission.

On this day two events took place that greatly affected me. The first action involved one of the medium tanks assigned to our Division and myself.

I was standing beside the tank, with my field glasses, trying to spot the target being fired on by the tank. I was so engrossed in trying to spot the tank's target, I did not see the turret of the tank rotate to a new position that placed the tank’s   cannon directly over my head. I was still looking for the first target when the tank fired at the new target. When the tank fired at the new target, my head was very close to the end of the cannon barrel.

My hearing was greatly impaired for over two weeks by the blast from the cannon so near my head. The fact that the tank cannon fired so close to my head, I now have a constant ringing in my ears. The ringing in my ears is called tinnitus

The other event I mentioned happened soon after the firing of the tank cannon near my head.

A short distance from the Danube was a small village—only a few houses. The mission of “H” Company was to make sure these few buildings were clear of German soldiers.

As I was moving around the corner of one of the houses, a German soldier started down the road on his bicycle as fast as he could peddle. When the German soldier moved away from me, I opened fire with my carbine. The more I fired, the faster the German peddled. After some 30 to 40 shots, the German was still peddling and I was out of ammo. To the best of my knowledge every shot missed the bicycle and the German soldier.

I have thought many times what would have happened if had hit the German soldier with one of the carbine bullets. As I look back, I am glad none of the bullets hit the soldier. He could have wounded or killed.

This was a small incident and had no bearing on the outcome of the War, but a fatal result could have brought much sorrow and discomfort to the soldier’s family, as well as to myself.

AMBUSH AT RIED, AUSTRIA

During the later part of April the 2nd Battalion had moved into Austria.

On this day the Battalion was approaching Ried, Austria, when a 20mm cannon opened fire on the vehicles of the 2nd Battalion. A 20mm cannon fires a bullet about 3/4 in. in diameter and it is a rapid firing cannon.

The 81mm mortars of my section were in the back of the convoy and did not come under direct fire of the 20mm cannon.

As soon as I could determine what the situation was and where the fire was coming from—the mortars were quickly placed in firing position and mortar fire placed on the suspected target. After many mortar rounds were fired, the 20mm cannon was no longer firing. Did the mortar shells hit the 20mm cannon? I do not know if the shells hit or not, but the firing of the 20mm cannon stopped.

   

After the 20mm cannon was silenced, the next operation was to make sure the town and the surrounding area was cleared of German soldiers.

When I approached a house on the edge of Ried with my men, an Austrian woman came out of the house screaming. As near as I could understand the woman, there were no German soldiers in the house. During the time she was screaming at me I observed a German soldier running out of the house. I started firing at the fleeing soldier, this time I was firing a pistol. Again, like the incident near the Danube, all the shots missed the fleeing soldier. Enough said!!!!

After the town was cleared of all German soldiers, our company was given the privilege of sleeping in some of the town apartments. The room I slept in had a bathroom and a bathtub. This was the first chance I had for a bath in over two months. I really enjoyed the warm water and I soaked in the tub for some time.

Previous to this bath, bathing consisted of washing your face, shaving and maybe finding a stream to wash your feet. Only the cool, rainy weather kept us from smelling really badly.

We did not have clean clothes—you wore what you had, dirty or clean. Putting it very bluntly, we were a very messy bunch of GIs. I had three shirts and three pairs of pants, but after two months you can imagine the condition of these clothes— they were filthy!

During these two months, my outfit saw snow, lots of rain and much cold weather. So finding a stream to bath or a place to wash clothes was pretty much out of the question. When I speak of the two months since we had a shower, I am talking about the cold shower we had back in France. We were given clean clothes at the time of the cold shower.

HUNGARIAN POWs

Soon after our Battalion had survived the ambush at Ried, Austria, our mission was to clear the area assigned to our Battalion of German soldiers.

My mortar section came to a small village, only a few houses. My troops were checking the houses for any Germans, when I noticed a group of farm buildings some 100 yards from the village. I thought I had better check out the farm buildings—I did not expect to find any German soldiers.

As I entered the barnyard, the yard was full of soldiers, not Germans, but Hungarians. There were about 30 to 35 soldiers in this area—fully armed—but not wanting to fight any more.

 

Here I am a 2nd Lieutenant, by myself, telling 30 to 35 armed enemy soldiers to give up and lay down their weapons. The Hungarians complied. I really believe they were glad to lay down their arms—the war was over for these Hungarians.

My mortar section did not have the transportation to take these POWs to a rear holding area. I reported the situation to a higher command, hoping the Hungarians would be picked up and taken in for processing.

My mortar section was off again covering our assigned area.

GUNSKIRKEN LAGER CONCENTRATION CAMP

Units of the 71st Division were the first American soldiers to enter the Gunskirken Lager Concentration Camp. The soldiers that first entered the concentration camp could hardly believe their eyes. Death and destruction of the human body was everywhere. The piles of dead, the stench of the dying was more than many of these young soldiers could stand.

After the location of the camp was reported to headquarters, the task of removing the living concentration inmates to a safe area began, so that medical aid could be given as quickly as possible.

Trucks of the various units of the 71st were used to carry the living members of the concentration camp back to a former German Army barracks near Wels, Austria.

The German barracks was built around an open square. The open square was about 40 yards by 40 yards. The actual barracks completely enclosed the open area.

As each truckload of inmates was brought into the center area, the trucks were quickly unloaded. Each inmate, who was able to walk, sought his place in the open square. Medics started at once to provide aid to the individual inmate. At first blankets and clothing was provided, at least to bring some comfort initially, before medical aid could be provided.

This action occurred during the last of April and the first part of May, making for quite warm days and nights. The temperature at night still presented a problem for the inmates sleeping on the ground. I indicated that blankets and extra clothes had been given to the inmates and these items provided some comfort during the night.

You might wonder why all of the concentration inmates were not housed in the barracks proper. Many were housed in the barracks proper, but the number of inmates was to great for all to be housed inside, therefore many had to sleep outside.

 

Each morning, all of the inmates were asked to get up and move from their previous night’s spot. The reason for this movement was to find the inmates that died during the night. This routine was followed each morning for several days, so the dead could be found and removed for burial.

I have a picture of 13 bodies laying side by side, occupying an area that three or four normal people would occupy.

The routine of movement every morning went on for several days until the weakest had died and the living had been moved to areas for proper care.

The condition of these men was so bad—feeding became a real problem. Feeding had to be done very carefully. The digestive systems of these men were in such bad condition, only a small amount of liquid could be given at anyone time.

I heard a story – how true, I do not know—of a Gl who gave an open can of “C” ration to one of the inmates. The inmate downed the entire can of “C’ ration—he died a short time later!!!!!!

All of the men were skin and bones and weighing maybe 50 or 60 pounds. The muscle tissue was nearly gone, leaving only skin to cover their skeleton. Their heads looked like a skull covered with skin.

In the general area of Gunskirken Lager, just outside the town of Wels, I came upon a building that had not been checked. The building, as recall, was about 20 by 30 feet. The single story building contained a series of three high bunk beds. The bunk beds were more like shelves rather than what we would think of as beds. Many of the shelves was occupied by concentration inmates. Nearly all the inmates were unable to move from the shelves. Human waste was everywhere, making the sight and odor of the building unbearable.

I reported to headquarters the location and condition of the camp, as I was unable to help these inmates by myself.

“H” Company was released from duty around the concentration inmates and then given the task of securing the town of Wels, Austria.

WELS, AUSTRIA

The men of my mortar section were housed in the police station in Wels. Our mission was to collect all German firearms, checking for German soldiers and in general keeping order in the town.

 

During our stay in Wels, VE Day was proclaimed. The War was over!!!!! As I recall, there was not a lot of celebrating—just glad the shooting had stopped.

While still in the area of Wels, “H” Company was given the assignment of clearing the area around Wels of any German soldiers. Any German soldiers that were found had to brought in for processing.

This assignment came to a halt when we came upon a scene of utter chaos.

A group of American soldiers had been checking on some German white phosphorus artillery shells, when one of the shells accidentally exploded.

Two or three of the soldiers were burned so badly, their entire body was burned black, but still alive. Other soldiers had pieces of wood blown into their bodies. These pieces of wood came from the ammo boxes used to carry the white phosphorus shells. The explosion blew the boxes apart.

We were able to load the badly injured in our jeeps for a fast trip to a near by aid station. I do not know if the badly injured soldiers survived the aid station and were able to be moved to a field hospital for more treatment.

The War was over and then an accident like this happens.

After a few days in Wels, our Battalion moved east of Wels to an area near the Steyr River. Everyone was sleeping in Gl pup tents, officers too.

Most of the time near the Steyr River, was spent cleaning and checking the machine guns, mortars and other equipment of the company. Getting clean clothing occupied some of the soldiers time as well as shaving and bathing. The Steyr River was close by and this gave many of the GIs a chance to bath, even though the river water was quite cold.

One day not long after the Battalion arrived near the Steyr River, a bulletin came from Battalion Headquarters stating that a fish fry for the entire Battalion was to be held on a certain day. When the day arrived we had one big fish fry. To this day I do not know where all the fish came from— I have an idea—maybe hand grenades were used.

After a few days of cleaning and checking all of our weapons and equipment, getting the clothing of all the men as clean as possible, some of the men were given passes for two days to travel to the town of Gmunden, Austria. An officer from “E” Company and myself were given passes to Gmunden. The area around the town of Gmunden is very beautiful—mountains and a wonderful blue lake. Gmunden is the town where Hedy Lamar made her famous nude movie back in the 30s.

 

After about two weeks of camping on the Steyr River, the entire Battalion was moved back into Germany to the town of Lauingen. Lauingen is in central Germany, not to far from Augsburg.

The mission of the Battalion was to start retraining for the possible shipment to the Pacific area and the invasion of Japan.

Soon after the Battalion arrived in Lauingen, I was selected as Town Commander. I had an office in the town hall. How I was selected for this position, I will never know. I do not remember my duties or even if I had any duties as Town Commander. The town hall had a jail on the first floor—there no German detainees, only one Gl. The Gl was brought in by the MPs for being stone cold drunk and absent without leave. (At the GI's court martial trial some two months later, I had to identify him).

71st DIVISION SOFTBALL TEAM

The Town Commander’s position lasted a few more days. I received a bulletin from Special Services at Division Headquarters, indicating that the Division Special Service Officer wanted someone to manage the Division softball team in Augsburg.

Being Town Commander and retraining for the Japan invasion did not appeal to me. I got into my jeep and traveled to Division Headquarters. When I arrived at the Special Service Office, I was the only one that showed up for the position of softball manager for the Division team.

A bulletin went out to the entire Division seeking anyone interested to play on the Division softball team. After a short time the team was formed, practice began and the team was ready to play.

An interesting sidelight about this team was the fact I used two black soldiers. These two GIs came from a medical unit attached to the 71st Division. When the two black soldiers showed up for practice, the Division Special Service Officer was quite unhappy—he did not want me to play the two black GIs. I guess I did not hear him, so I played the black GIs any way. These two fellows were well received by the other members of the team and they played outstanding softball for the Division team. So for all practical purposes I had the first integrated unit in the Army.

The softball team played other division teams, special units or anyone that would field a team.

One of the trips the softball team took was to play a team in Salzburg, Austria. When the team arrived in Salzburg, rain was falling and rain continued to fall   for three days. The forecast was for more rain, so the team loaded on to the bus and back Augsburg.

While in Salzburg, the team had the good fortune of visiting the birthplace of Mozart. His home is now much like it was at the time of his birth.

The 71st Division Softball Team played 37 games, losing only two games. One of the two games the 71st lost cost the team a chance to play for 3rd Army Championship.

The talent on this team was very good—good pitching—good fielding—good hitting. Several of these players would have made a fine nucleus for a team in States.

USO SHOWS

During the fall of 1945 several outstanding USO shows came to the 71st Division.

Jack Benny brought his show to Augsburg, with all of his talented performers. I was in the Special Services Office when Jack Benny came to make arrangements for the shows. He looked like any other man—wearing a trench coat and glasses.

Other big shows that came to the 71st Division were:
Raymond Massey in the play “Our Town”.
New York City Rockettes
Monty Wooly in the play “ The Man Who Came To Dinner”

Many other smaller USO groups came to the 71st Division area—I do not remember the names of the shows.

71st DIVISION FOOTBALL TEAM

After the softball season was over, I was in the Division Special Services office when I found out the 71st Division was going to have a football team. Here is my chance to be on the Division football team.

Instead of going back to “H” Company for retraining, I stayed at Division Headquarters awaiting the official call for the formation of the Division football team. The call was issued through out the Division and over 200 GIs responded to the call.

The 71st Division Coach, for the most part, played 22 men. One team would start the game and play the first and third quarters, while the other team would play the second and fourth quarters. The first team would get the opponents softened up and by the time the second team would start the second quarter, the other team would be a little tired and softened up. The second team would have a much easier time with the opponents. As a result the second team scored more points than the first team.

The combination of the first and second teams made for a very successful football season.

At the conclusion of the football season, several members of the 71st Division Football Team were selected on the ETO all star team. I was selected on the all star team, even though I never started one game. I scored more points for the 71st Division Football Team and again, I never started one game.

Each year at the 71st Division Reunion many of the football team members attend. As far as I am concerned the reunion with the members of the football team is the highlight of the entire reunion.

During the time I was managing the Division Softball Team and playing on the Division Football Team, I stayed in an apartment complex near Division Headquarters. Two other officers and myself stayed in a small apartment in this apartment complex. The apartment consisted of three small bedrooms, a bathroom and a small kitchen. None of us spent very much time in the apartment, what with all the practice sessions and the playing the games—we were on the go nearly all the time.

SWITZERLAND

After the completion of the football season, the team members were given the choice of several trips. I chose Switzerland.

Traveling on the train, we entered Switzerland at Basel, then on to Zurick, Luzurn and finally to Lacarno. Very little time was spent in Basel and Zurick.

The group of football players I was traveling with stayed two nights in Luzurn.

Luzurn is located on a beautiful lake with mountains surrounding the town and the lake.

 

Watch shops were all over the town. The small watch shops were operated by families. The family would purchase boxes of parts and assemble the parts into watches. In 1945, the time of my trip to Switzerland, the price of most of the watches was in the two to three dollar range—that is US Dollars.

I could not see any evidence of the World conflict in Switzerland. Everyone seemed to be going about their business as if nothing ever happened Worldwide. Switzerland was so close to the War but yet so far.

My visit to Locarno was quite a surprise. Locarno is located in southern Switzerland. In this part of Switzerland, palm trees were growing everywhere. I could hardly believe what I saw—Switzerland and palm trees.

The days in Locarno were quite warm even though this was the first part of December. The climate and palm trees made for a very pleasant stay in Southern Switzerland.

As our train traveled back north, the climate changed from palm trees to mountains and snow. Going back north the train traveled through the St. Gotard tunnel. The tunnel is many miles long and makes many turns going through the mountains. On the south side of the tunnel— there was snow and bright sunshine. On the north side of the tunnel— there was snow and cold.

American Soldiers could take only 35 dollars into Switzerland. This limited the amount of items one could purchase while in Switzerland. But GIs had a way around the money crunch. Some of the GIs took an extra field jacket to sell. Other GIs had different types of clothing to sell.

My trip to Switzerland was really a wonderful experience.

GARMISCH

After I came back from Switzerland, I returned to “H” Company. During the football season the Company had moved to Garmisch, Germany. Garmisch was the site of the 1936 Winter Olympics. What a wonderful place to be stationed!!!

Upon my return to “H” Company I became Company Commander and I had been promoted to 1st Lieutenant.

“H” Company was assigned guard duty for a prison located in Garmisch. The prison contained German civilians as well as some military prisoners. Most of the GIs in “H” Company had guard duty for 24 hours and then they would be off guard duty for 48 hours.

Garmisch is surrounded by snow covered peaks. The snow stays on the mountains nearly the entire year, offering a wonderful sight the year around.

  Werdenfels county

Oberammergau is a part of the Werdenfels county. This county offers a great variety of sights and events for your holidays. It spans from the shore of lake Staffel near Murnau to the highest peaks of Germany, namely the Zugspitze. It includes flowering meadows, steep rocks, unspoilt rivers and pretty villages.

The county's centre is the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, known as the host of the 1936 winter olympics and as the basis for discovering the top of Germany, the Zugspitze. Inspired by the breathtaking beauty of the mountains, Garmisch - Partenkirchen also offers a rich cultural life with music, theatre, and dance.

Some centuries ago Mittenwald was a very important place for trade between Italy and Germany. Today the weeks of the "Bozener Markt" in August still remember of those days with their traditional music, with plays and medieval street traders. Beside this Mittenwald is famous for its tradition in violin-making, which is still alive today.

Murnau with its lakes is the nothern boundary of the Werdenfels county. The lovely landscape and the great view on the Ammergau and Werdenfels peaks made it a favourite place for artists like Wassily Kandinsky or Franz Marc. The Murnau Schloßmuseum shows a few exhibits of those artists and is a good start for a stroll through this lively little town.

 

There are several attractions in and around Garmisch.

East of Garmisch is the Wank Bahn. This is a cable car the travels form the town up to the top of the mountain. The view form the top of the Wank Bahn is breathtaking. One can see for miles in all directions.

The Olympic Stadium and out door ice rink—site of the 1936 Winter Olympics— was put to good use by the GIs stationed in Garmisch. The Division Special Services organized an ice show that was performed in the Olympic Stadium. German skaters were used in the ice show. Sonja Henie won the gold medal for figure skating in this Olympic Stadium.

There are many ski lifts and ski trails around Garmisch. The Olympic Ski Jump was near by. The Germans used the ski jump sometimes—usually on Sunday

I tried skiing, but did not do very well. Most of the time I was sitting down and sliding down the mountain. Ice skating went much better, in fact I enjoyed skating very much.

While “H” Company was stationed in Garmisch, I had to travel back and forth to Division Headquarters located in Augsburg. The road that ran from Garmisch to Augsburg passed through the town of Oberammergau—the site of the Passion Play. The town of Oberammergau is a very quaint. There are so many beautiful old buildings with highly carved figures adoring the front of the buildings. The craftsmen of the town make and sell many different kinds of wood carvings.

The Passion Play is held every ten years and this is the year—2000. The Play will be performed this summer.

Also on the road from Garmisch to Augsburg is one of King Ludwig’s castles— Linderhof. The castle is located in the town of Ettal. In great contrast to the fairy tale castle—Neuschwanstein—Linderhof is a very large building, but very beautiful. In the castle is a gold room, a silver room and a room done in beautiful woods. One unique feature of Linderfof is the dinning room table that is operated like and elevator—up for eating and down for clearing of the dishes. The King’s throne is 15 feet high and covered with ermine fur. No expense was spared in the construction of the castle Linderfof at Ettal.

KING LUDWIG'S CASTLE

“H” Company stayed in Garmisch until February, 1946. From Garmisch the Company moved near the town of Fussen. “H” Company was billeted in a gasthouse just below the fairytale castle of King Ludwig IL The name of the castle is Neuschwanstein.

  Welcome to the virtual Oberammergau!

Let yourself abduct by the following pages to a beautiful village being surrounded by a very old cultural landscape.
If Oberammergau would not have the reputation it has it could have been one of the most quiet places among numerous others in the Alps. But its tradition made it that well-known. This tradition does apply to handicraft, to history up to the legends and stories of the village. See more information in chapter village.
If you decide now to stay at that marvellous place for your next holiday and you are looking for accomodation, please see chapter overnight stays. You will find packages their, too.

In case you don't know how to come to Oberammergau, read the chapter travel. All possibilities to reach Oberammergau are listed their.

The village of Oberammergau and the surrounding countryside are offering a variety of events and sites. The chapter activities offers to you a wide range of hiking and biking tours up to winter sports activities, tours to the vicinity of Oberammergau and numerous proposals to have a pleasant stay. The region around Oberammergau is solemn in its variety of

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Linderhof castle: lovely small "fairy-tale-palace" built for king Ludwig II. Situated 11 km from Oberammergau in the wonderful Graswang valley, this castle is a little gem in the crown of the Oberammergau area. With its wide English Garden, the Venus Grotto (Richard Wagners influence is obvious) and a few richly decorated pavillions it is worth spending some time. The castle was finished in 1878 and replaced a hunting cottage in the same place. It is the only one of Ludwigs three palaces where the king really lived in as the others (Herrenchiemsee and Neuschwanstein) were still under construction when Ludwig died in 1886. (opening hours).

Graswang: pretty countryside village on the way to Linderhof. Some of the farmhouses still show the traditional style of architecture.

Ettal monastery: in 1330 the Ettal monastery was founded by emperor Ludwig "The Bavarian". Originally it was intended to be an "academy of knights" similar to the King Artus legend. Nowadays this idea has survived in the Ettal high school, which is besides a brewery, a publishing house and a liqueur production the basis of the work - part of the benedictine's motto: "ora et labora" (work and pray).

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treasures in culture and nature. The chapter vicinity gives you a view about the richness of that landscape and the diversity of the villages and museums of this area.

Oberammergau is not only famous in the whole world for its wood carving tradition and tromp d'oeil paintings but especially for its Passion Play. For any further information about the history of the Passion Play now 365 years old and the forthcoming Play in the year 2000, please see chapter Passion. In case you are interested in receiving additional information about Oberammergau, please proceed to the chapter additional information. Now enjoy yourself by surfing through the virtual world of one of the most famous villages in the world.

 

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

This is King Ludwig's most famous castle. With its turrets and mock-medievalism, its interior styles ranging from Byzanstine through Romanesque to Gothic its a real fairy-tale fantasy come true. It was built between 1869 and 1886 for the Bavarian King Ludwig II.

Only about a third of the building was actually completed. The 15 rooms you see on the tour show astonishing craftmanship and richness of detail. Woodcarving in Ludwig's bedroom took 14 carpenters 4 1/2 years to complete. Wagner's operas feature everywhere in the form of murals. The best view of the castle and a 45m waterfall is from the nearby Mary's Bridge (Marienbruecke), which spans a deep gorge. On the path between this bridge and the castle is a wonderful view of Hohenschwangau and the Alpsee.

Guided tours take about 35 minutes. You have to walk 170 steps up and down, a lift is not available. The castle (like Hohenschwangau) is open daily April to October, 8.30-5.30, November to March 10-4.

   

Each morning I could walk outside the gasthouse, lookup at the castle and with the sun shining on the walls of the castle, made it truly look like a fairytale castle. I was able to visit the castle. The inside of the castle is almost beyond description, with carved woodwork, beautiful paintings and the many rooms.

Many of the men from "H" Company were sent home from this location. At one time during this period I had only 40 men in the Company, but this changed in a hurry. During one afternoon I received nearly 150 soldiers, most were Sgts. ready to go State side.

15th WHITE RUSSIAN ARMY POWs

After a short stay by the fairytale castle of King Ludwig II, “H” Company was moved near the town of Regansburg, Germany. The Company’s mission was to send certain prisoners of war back to Russia.

I will try to explain the story behind the returning of these POWs back to Russia.

In February of 1945, Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin met in the Russian town of Yalta. Many of the postwar agreements were developed at the meeting. One of the agreements developed by the Big Three was this. All prisoners of war shall be returned to their country of origin. This agreement sounds good on the surface but—now for the rest of the story.

During the early part of World War II, the Russians formed the 15th White Russian Army. The Army was made up of men from the Ukraine. Historically the Ukrainians hated the rest of Russia, but the Ukrainians were forced to fight for Russia

The 15th White Russian Army was forced into battle fighting the Germans, but the 15th wanted no part of the Germans. The entire 15th White Russia Army surrendered to the Germans.

Over a period of time the Germans indoctrinated the entire 15th White Russian Army into the Germany Army. The 15th was sent to fight against the American troops. Near the end of the War the 15th was captured by American troops near the Elba River and sent back to POW camps.

The 15th White Russian Army stayed in the POW camps until January of 1946, when the diplomatic wheels were set in motion for the return of the 15th back to Russia. (As per the agreement set forth at Yalta).

The 15th prisoners had been divided into two groups—one group was at Dachau and the other group sent to a camp near Regansburg.

 

I do not know the army unit at Dachau that was in charge of the processing the 15th White Russian Army for their return to Russia. I do know the US Army unit in charge had a very difficult getting the POWs ready for the return trip to Russia. Many of the 15th took their own lives by cutting their wrists, some cut their throats and other tried to impale themselves with sticks.

The processing of the group at Regansburg fell to “H” Company and I was “H” Company Commander. “H” Company had to screen and process about 100 White Russian Soldiers for their return to Russia.

Before the actual moving of the White Russians out of the camp, many detailed plans had to be made—how to prevent the lose of life and secure the camp to prevent any escapes.

Each PW was allowed only the clothes he had on and an overcoat—nothing else. A very close check was made for razor blades, knives and sticks.

The actual movement out of the camp began just at daylight. “H” Company moved in quickly, getting the POWs out of the barracks and lined up ready to be checked. After the POWs were checked, they were loaded into trucks for the short ride to the train. The 15th White Russians were loaded on box cars, the doors of the box cars were secured and off to Russia they went, and a sure death.

To the best of my knowledge, none of the 15th POWs took their lives during the time of clearing the camp and loading on the train.

NUREMBERG AND THE WAR TRIALS

When “H” Company’s assignment at Regansburg was completed, the Company was broken up. Many of the men that had enough points were sent back to the States, those of us that did not have enough rotation points were sent to other units in Germany. I was assigned to “M” Company, 26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division.

“M” Company was stationed in Nuremburg, Germany with the duty of guarding the living quarters of the American and Russian judges. These two judges were presiding at the War Trials, along with the two judges from England and France.

Because “M” Company was directly involved with the War Trials (guarding the living quarters of the American and Russian Judges) members of “M" Company were given the opportunity to visit the actual War Trials.

I took advantage of the opportunity to sit in the press section at the War Trials. In the press section, I was only a few feet from the entrance to the courtroom— giving me a very close look at Goering, Hess and the rest of the Germans on trial   as they entered the courtroom. Here I am looking at the individuals that cause so much death and destruction worldwide. At the time it was hard for me to comprehend just what I was seeing.

In addition to “M” Company guarding the living quarters of the American and Russian judges, the junior officers had to serve as duty officers in the Security Office of the War Trials. The duty for the junior officers came at night from 1800 hours to 0700 hours (that was all night) and on Sunday from 0700 Sunday morning to 0700 Monday morning.

All calls that came to the War Trials, during the times just mentioned, had to be answered by the Duty Officer. Most of the time there was very little activity—nice and quiet.

One night when I was Duty Officer, a call came in from the Assistant Secretary Of War. His request was, “I want to talk to the Commanding General”. The request came in about 0200 in the morning. My reply was, “Yes sir”.

I am on the telephone at 0200 in the morning to awaken a two star general. I said, “Sir, the Assistant Secretary Of War wishes to speak to you”! The General said, “Put him on the phone”! Must have been some really important business— waking a two star general at 0200 hours.

Nuremburg was the site of the War Trials, but this was not the only activity that made the town unique.

Hitler had planned to make Nuremburg his capital. The plan was for a 1000 year reign of the German Reich. Many buildings had been constructed, for his capital, as well as large open areas to be used for German troop demonstrations.

A large open area was surrounded by reviewing stands. Several thousand troops could be lined up for Hitler’s pleasure. The open area was used after the War, by the Allies, for a landing strip for light planes, a baseball field, as well as a large area for parking. After all of the above activities were in place, there was still plenty of space left over.

The center of Nuremburg contained the old walled city, dating back to about the year 1100. The old walled city was bombed during the War, causing much damage to the old city. I feel the reason for the destruction was due to the fact a wall surrounded the old city, made a perfect aiming point for the bombers. The rest of Nuremburg showed very little damage from the bombings.

PAYROLL AND CASTLE HOFLING  

Part of my duties with “M” Company was acting as pay officer for the Company. To collect the payroll for the company I had to travel to Division Headquarters in Regansburg.

The British Army had a contingent of soldiers stationed in Nuremburg with the War Trials. I met a British corporal and through our conversation learned he had connections with the family living in Castle Hofling near Regansburg. The corporal also knew the ruling family in Liechtenstein.

I told the corporal I had to go to Regansburg for the payroll and I would like to meet the family living in the Castle. I always wanted to see the inside of a castle

Arrangements were made for the Corporal and me to travel to Regansburg and see Castle Hofling.

Before leaving Nuremburg, we obtained several large cans of fruit cocktail. The Corporal said the family living in Castle Hofling was short on food. The fruit cocktail would be a great addition to their food supply.

My interest peaked, for this visit to Castle Hofling, when I learned that the family living in the Castle was related to the family Thum and Taxus. The family Thurn and Taxus developed the idea of postage stamps sometime in 1100 or 1200. This the same general idea of postage stamps used today.

Upon our arrival at the Castle, Prince Emmanuel of Liechtenstein also had arrived for a visit with the family.

Dinner was about to be served. The Corporal and I were asked to stay and join the family for the evening meal. The menu consisted of potatoes fixed five different ways and fruit cocktail. The Prince also stayed for the evening meal.

Castle Hofling is not like the fairytale castle of King Ludwig II, but more like a very large home. At one time the Castle had been furnished quite lavishly. I could see where pictures had hung but now were gone and where pieces of furniture once sat and now were gone. What happened to the pictures and the furniture, I have no idea and I did not ask.

So much for my brush with royalty.

The next morning, after staying in Regansburg over night, the Corporal and I traveled back to Nuremburg with the payroll. The men of “M” Company received their pay and all were happy.

STARTING THE TRIP HOME  

In June of 1946, the War Trials were still in progress when I received my orders for the start of my return back to the States. I left Nuremburg for a replacement depot near Nuremburg. From this replacement depot it was a long slow train ride to Camp Old Gold near LaHarve, France. The train passed through part of Germany and across the width of France. I do believe these rail cars were about 3rd class or maybe no class at all. The train ride took place in June of 1946, so heating and cooling of the rail car was not a problem during this time of year.

Food was quite another problem. When we boarded the rail car, we found cases of ‘C’ ration and cans of water. We did not starve but we sure did not eat very well.

After two or three days on the 3rd class train, Camp Old Gold sure looked good— tents and all.

Camp Old Gold was a tent city set up to process GIs back to the States. All of the Gl’s records were checked and invasion money exchanged for US dollars. Remember when the 71st Division first landed in France, Camp Old Gold consisted of tents and mud. One year and a half later Camp Old Gold had not changed much—more tents and less mud.

GERMAN INVASION MARKS

Up until now I have said nothing about the Army pay—the type of money the GIs received while in Germany.

The actual money we received was in the form of German Invasion Marks. The denominations of the German Invasion Marks were: 100 marks, 50 marks, 20 marks 10 marks and 1 mark. This form of money was accepted in all the Army Post Exchanges as well as in German stores.

There is an interesting side light on the issuing of the German Invasion Marks. The Russian soldiers had not been paid for about four years. Through some agreement with the United States, the Russian Government was able to pay off the Russian soldiers with the German Invasion Marks. These were the same marks used to pay the United States Soldiers, the only difference was a minus sign appeared just after the serial number on the Marks used by the Russians.

Now, for the rest of the story. The Russian Government would not let the Russian soldiers return to Russia with the Invasion money. So what did the Russian soldiers do? The Russian soldiers made contact with American soldiers, buying cameras, radios, cigarettes, watches or any tangible item from the GIs. Only tangible items could be taken back to Russia by the Russian soldiers.

 

As a result of the trading activity between the GIs and the Russians, the price of the trade goods shot sky high. The GIs doing the trading were making big money selling anything they could get their hands on. Berlin was the main selling point because there were so many Russians soldiers in the Berlin area.

By July of 1945, several more millions of dollars was sent out of Berlin by the GIs than dollars sent into Berlin in the form of Gl pay.

In an attempt to stop the trade between the GIs and the Russians, a currency control book was issued to each American Soldier. The currency control book would list the actual pay received by the American Gl.

The officer responsible for paying the individual soldier had to list the actual pay received in the soldier’s currency control book. Many soldiers received very little actual pay—some of the money went to dependants, savings accounts, etc.

If a soldier wanted to send a money order home, the most he could send was what was listed in his currency control book. The use of the currency control book slowed down a lot of the selling to the Russians soldiers.

Even though the currency control book was effective in limiting the amount of money sent back to the States, the Gl still used the Russian soldiers willingness to by various items—mainly watches.

Case in point: One of the soldiers I knew lost a lot of money playing poker— some $8000! The Gl managed a leave of seven days to Switzerland for the only purpose of buying watches with a black face. Black face watches were worth much more than a white face watch, at least the Russians thought so.

The soldier came back from Switzerland with many watches. He made the trip to the Russian zone for the only purpose of selling the watches. The black face watches were sold to the Russians—the $8000 debt was paid off and he still had some money left over. (Where the Gl got all of the money he spent in Switzerland, I never knew and did not ask).

One activity that had to take place before the soldiers left Camp Old Gold, was exchanging the German Invasion Marks for United States currency. Here is where the currency control book came in to play - the soldier could exchange only the money listed in his currency control book - German Invasion money for United States currency.

At last I was ready to travel by truck to LaHarve, load on board a ship and set sail for New York.

The ship I boarded for the voyage back to the States was the USSR Victory. The ship was constructed by the Kaiser Industries during the early part of the War.

 

The ship served its purpose, hauling troops and supplies between the United States and other parts of the World.

The Atlantic was very calm during the summer months and as a result the seven days trip from LaHarve to New York was very smooth. No seasickness. I ate all the meals provided and I really enjoyed the warm June crossing of the Atlantic.

As usual when a group of GIs get together, a deck of cards come out—poker was the game!!!!

After each meal the mess hall was turned into a gambling hall. The first two or three days all the tables were filled with poker players, but this began to change as the days passed. Each day fewer tables were used and finally, just before the ship landed in New York, three GIs had all the money. One Gl had more than the other two GIs. I did not play any poker, so I did not loose any money.

As the USSR Victory sailed into New York Harbor, we could see the skyline and finally the Statute of Liberty came into view. I was back in the States at last!!!!

The last eighteen months were very eventful for me. This time in my life will never be forgotten—combat, the lose of good friends, life-long friendships made, the concentration camps, the War Trials, the ETO Football Championship, the Division Softball Team I managed and seeing the many parts of Europe— England, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria and Czechoslovakia.

And above all, I want to thank the good Lord for a safe journey to the ETO AND RETURN.

RJL

MY FINAL THOUGHTS

I my writings, “ETO and Return”, I did not relate every mortar shell that was fired from the 81 mm mortars and the resulting damages of the exploding shells. I did not give an account of all the deaths and injuries sustained during the actions I experienced.

War subjects one to seeing and experiencing many horrendous views of death and destruction.

I have tried to recount the events that took place as I saw them. Perhaps one does not need to give a graphic description of the pain and suffering that war inflicts on humanity.

 

Yes, the Holocaust did happen—I was there to see some of the victims of the concentration camps and the locations where they were imprisoned.

Many soldiers did not come back and the surviving loved ones still suffer their loss. The service men and women who returned, each have their own memories. The World needs to know and remember so these terrible sacrifices will not be repeated.

ACHNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to my lovely wife, Joy, for her help, understanding and encouragement during the writing of ETO and RETURN.

Thanks to my daughter, Carolyn and her family, for providing the computer, without which ETO and RETURN would not have been written.

Thanks to my daughter, Cherlyn, for her technical assistance in setting up the format for my book.

RJL

  Who Were Those Men? 71st Division Infantrymen in World War II

They came from every state and territory under the flag but the greatest numbers grew up in the small towns and hamlets of our largest and most populous eastern and midwestern states. Their boyhood had been shaped by the hardships of the Great Depression; few had been born to luxury or influence. They were more youthful, by an average of about two years, than the men in divisions committed earlier in the war. They were tall, lean and in prime physical condition. Collectively they had had more semesters in college than most infantrymen in older units. In many other respects these men were a cross-section of the young white male population of the country they fought for.

While the men of the 71st Infantry Division had much in common with other infantry divisions, they entered combat somewhat better trained (in Colorado, California and Georgia) than earlier units and enjoyed the support of an Air Force, Navy and supply service at their peak of effectiveness. These 14,300 men were in one of the last dozen divisions committed to Europe in the winter and spring of 1944-45. Their charge was to breach the Siegfried Line and take part in the final campaign to destroy the Nazi government of Germany. They did this with a flair that reflected their youth and stamina, pleased their leaders and astonished their enemies.

The United States had a long tradition of avoiding foreign wars if at all possible and its people deeply resented universal conscription – yet it could produce soldiers who fought aggressively and with great determination.

Most of the men of the 71st were draftees. Two of the three regiments were regular army units with long traditions and seasoned by many noncoms with some peacetime experience in the Army or in the National Guard. Rifle companies included several thousand college students drawn from the Army Specialists Training Program as the need for riflemen, machinegunners and mortar crewmen became particularly urgent after the campaign of the summer of 1944.

In some companies you could expect to find a few men who enjoyed chess and could converse in Latin, compute target formulas in their head, and discuss the finer points of Chopin or the voyages of Sir Francis Drake. You could also find men who could track a deer in broken country, find fish where others could not, skin a rabbit, read the stars at night and "live off the land." Many were exceptionally good at mechanics and with gadgets; many could field-strip a rifle or machine gun in total darkness. All seemed to have the American traits of adaptability, good marksmanship and skill with two or more weapons.

Nearly everyone groused good-naturedly at army life but at the same time accepted the need to serve in uniform and conform to rules and regulations which did not leave room for debate. Discipline was never a serious problem in the 71st.

These foot soldiers could sleep standing up, cook a meal over a candle, defuse a mine, fire a bazooka and knew at least a dozen uses for a steel helmet. They learned quickly and developed important survival skills. They tolerated their officers but appreciated the fact that most were sincere and capable. In general the men of the 71st displayed restless energy and a strong desire to 'get the job done and go home.'

Each man had his own reason for fighting – surprisingly, many officer reservists and some of the older men had actually selected the infantry. Most men of the 71st saw the need to protect a cherished way of life and to do whatever was necessary to prevent domination by a Nazi dictatorship where individuals had no rights and life was cheap. These men would later see concentration camps, slave labor stockades, carloads of emaciated bodies – and some would help bring order to the horror of Gunskirchen Lager. The few who may not have fully formulated our need to be victorious had no doubts by the time they fought through Thuringia, Bavaria and into Steyrmark.

Men young in years in January were old in experience when they met the Russians in Central Austria in May.

The men of the 71st assaulted a dozen rivers and captured many cities and towns after breaching the Siegfried and fighting in the Rhineland. By wars' end they had captured nearly 80,000 German and Hungarian troops and captured or smashed scores of field guns, tanks and armored vehicles.

These young men could not be driven but they could be led . . . they slouched as infantrymen but marched like free men.

Unlike European armies, American troops were seldom rotated to rebuild or rest; infantrymen had to fight until death, serious injury or the end of the war brought relief. In spite of this our men fought valiantly – a dramatic tribute to their resilience and convictions.

General Patton, who knew a thing or two about combat, had high praise for the men of the 71st and their achievements.

The nation expected a great deal of its soldiers in infantry divisions: of more than 4,500,000 Americans who served in Europe during WW II, fewer than one in four were in the infantry – about half that number in line companies, the most hazardous wartime assignment of all. The men of the 71st never blanched and never failed. They were a credit to the nation which bred and sustained them. These young men could not be driven but they could be led. They slouched as infantrymen but marched like free men. They were among America’s best.

These men (a tiny few remained in the regular services) returned to civilian life older, wiser, a bit scarred and never forgot friends who died in combat. Nearly two-thirds would make use of the GI Bill to further their education. Approximately eighty-five percent eventually married; most raised families and became grandfathers. The majority returned to the county of their youth, in spite of extensive travel in the United States and Europe. Over the years many found the means to return to Europe, not to tour its castles and marvel at the cathedrals, but to show families the building, patch of woods, river bank or the stretch of roadway where some dramatic event of importance to them and few buddies took place so long ago. These men know that infantry warfare is portrayed by the unknowing as the clash of armies on a grand scale but is in reality thousands of separate events shared by very small groups of men – or sometimes experienced by a man alone.

After forty years the men of the 71st had re-established their lives, paid their taxes, satisfied their mortgage obligations, served in the scouts and the PTA, supported good causes and felt the need to meet again to rekindle the spark of shared experiences in the service in "the war". They now joint in reunion each year – and note their diminished numbers as a foe more powerful than any armed enemy inexorably cuts them down one by one.

Who are these men? They are your neighbors, now graying and balding, your teacher, pharmacist, insurance agent, tradesman, public official, postman – and now mostly retired – or your Uncle John, or Cousin Ned, or Grandad.

These were common men asked to accomplish uncommon tasks. They number among America's heroes.

–Gerald McMahon

The author served in the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry of the 71st Division and is currently the 71st Infantry Division Association historian. He has written two books and numerous articles on military subjects.

 

Killed in Action

Alexander, David L. Jr., 2d Lt.
Allen, Floyd W., Pvt.
Altergott, Richard H., Tec 5
Asay, David W., Sgt.
Babich, Frederick J., Tec 5
Bargdill, Charles C., Pfc.
Baumgard, Leonhard A., Pvt.
Berg, Zachariah H., Pfc.
Bjertness, Theodore O., Pfc.
Black, Bruce B., S/Sgt.
Blair, Earl L., Pfc.
Bontecou, Pierre, 1st Lt.
Books, Everett W., Pvt.
Borden, Wayne G., Tec 4
Box, Maury D., 2d Lt.
Brennan, Alfred J., T/Sgt.
Brigneli, Biagio, Pvt.
Brill, Orin M., Pvt.
Brodersen, George F., Pvt.
Brown, George L., Tec 5
Broward, Richard S., Pfc.
Buckmaster, Carl E., Cpl.
Burch, Melvin J., Pfc.
Burke, Loras A., Sgt.
Campbell, Charles L., S/Sgt.
Campbell, John M., Sgt.
Casseday, Claude M., Pfc.
Castillo, Jose L., Pvt.
Casto, Virgil C., Pfc.
Chow, Wesley, Y., Pfc.
Clapsaddle, Perry J., M/Sgt.
Clark, Howard J., Pvt.
Cole, William F., Pfc.
Cooper, Donald E., Pfc.
Currier, James J., Tec 5
Davis, Thomas W., Cpl.
Denslow, Melville E., Sgt.
DeRosa, Jerome A., T/Sgt.
Diffenderfer, Norman A. Jr., Pfc.
Dollar, Ira A., Pfc.
Driesen, Daniel, Cpl.
Eddington, Edward H., Pvt.
Enfield, Robert L., Pfc.
Falcone,. Natale E., Pfc.
Faulkner, Ralph H., Pvt.
Felkins, John T. Jr., Pvt.
Feltman, Alfred, T/Sgt.
Ficke, Martyn A., Pfc.
Finn, Paul W., 1st Sgt
. Folatti, Edward H. R., Sgt.
Follman, Gordon R., Pfc.
Forsythe, Russell G., Pfc.
Freeman, Lester L., Pfc.
Gaines, Thomas C. Jr., 1st Lt.
Gebbie, Howard G., 2d Lt.
Ginsburg, Jack, Pfc.
Glassberg, Sheldon, Pfc.
Goff, Kenneth W., Pvt.
Gosney, Maurice E., S/Sgt.
Gouse, Frederick F., Pfc.
Griffin, Clifford, G., Pfc.
Grubb, William T., Pvt.
Guindon, Louis, Sgt.
Hamill, Robert W., Pfc.
Hargrove, Elvin., Pvt.
Harrison, Acey E., Pfc.
Harshbarger, Calvin W., Pfc.
Head, Austin P., Pfc.
Hill, Bert A., Tec 5
Hill, Boyd C., Pfc.
Hill, Jack L., Pfc.
Hite, Ray M., Pfc.
Hom, Donald J., Pfc.
Howell, Lawrence M., Pfc.
Hudgins, Henry C., Capt.
Huntley, Robert P., Pfc.
Jackson, Willard A., S/Sgt.
Jiran, Charles P., Pfc.
Johanson, Knute P., Pfc.
Johnson, Hurbert, Pfc.
Jones, Crawford H., 2d Lt.
Kamecki, George R., Pfc.
Karger, Harold E., Pfc.
Krumrine, John V., Sgt.
Lacy, Waldo S., Pfc.
LaDue, James H., Pfc.
Lamb, Russell A., Pfc.
Ledesma, Robert R., S/Sgt.
Lezotte, Gerald J., 2d Lt.
Louie, Tew M., Pfc.
Lozano, Jesus, Pfc.
Maass, Robert H., Pvt.
McHugh, Richard A., Pfc.
McVay, Walter R., Pfc.
Meister, Paul A., Pvt.
Miller, Leon J., 1st Lt.
Miller, Noel O., Pfc.
Miller, William G., Pvt.
Mills, Roy A., Pfc.
Mills, Sidney E., S/Sgt.
Mitchum, Troy Jr., Pfc.
Monterio, Francis T., Pfc.
Morgan, Kenneth L., S/Sgt.
Morris, Robert E., Pfc.
Moss, John, Pfc.
Musselman, Paul J. T., Pfc.
Myers, Joseph L., S/Sgt.
Nagem, Anthony J., Cpl.
Neder, Felix S., Tec 5
Neill, Grover W., Pvt.
Nelson, William H., Pvt.
Pandel, James P., 1st Lt.
Pettigrew, Carl E., S/Sgt.
Proffitt, James E., Pfc.
Quinn, Gerald J., Pvt.
Reiter, John C., Pfc.
Reno, Robert V., Cpl.
Repo, John E., Sgt.
Revilock, Steven, S/Sgt.
Rhatigan, Robert H., Sgt.
Ricketts, Forrest D., S/Sgt.
Rizzo, Jerome P., Pfc.
Roberts, Thomas H., Pfc.
Robinson, Clifford, S/Sgt.
Rubens, Arthur T., Pvt.
Sabella, Charles, Sgt.
Sacco, Frank, Pvt.
Savely, Fred W., S/Sgt.
Sidell, Stanley, Pfc.
Signor, Harry L., Pfc.
Silverman, Bernard, 2d Lt.
Simone, Ferdinand A., Pfc.
Sindt, Wayne K., 1st Lt.
Smith, Harold B., Sgt.
Smith, William N., Pfc.
Smithson, Harry A., Pvt.
Steinmetz, John F., 2d Lt.
Stone, James E., Pfc.
Swartz, Harley E., Sgt.
Tarbell, James E., 2d Lt.
Taylor, Albert H. Jr., Pfc.
Taylor, James B., Pfc.
Thomas, Robert O., Sgt.
Thompson, H. C., Pvt.
Thompson, Paul M., Pfc.
Thorton, Richard G., 1st Lt.
Toles, George M., Pfc.
Tyson, William L., 1st Lt.
Underwood, Harry C., Cpl.
Utrup, Edward R., T/Sgt.
Valdez, Isabel G. Sr., Pvt.
Venable, John S., Pfc.
Viadell, Wayne H., Sgt.
Viele, James F., S/Sgt.
Von Prittwitz, Siegfried K., T Sgt.
Wagers, Louie, T/Sgt.
Watson, Vance A., Pvt.
Weaver, Carl E., Pfc.
Wesley, Edwin T., Pfc.
Williams, Orson J., Sgt.
Wilson, Robert C., Pfc.
Winkelman, Ralph C., Pfc.
Woodburn, George R., Pfc
. Zaccaro, James D., Pfc.

 

Freedom Is Not Free

I watched the flag pass by one day, It fluttered in the breeze. A young marine saluted it, and then stood at ease. I looked at him in uniform so young, so tall, so proud; With hair cut square and eyes alert, He'd stand out in any crowd. I thought, how many men like him had fallen through the years? How many died on foreign soil? How many mother's tears? How many pilots' planes shot down? How many died at sea? How many foxholes were soldiers' graves? No, freedom is not free. I heard the sound of taps one night, when everything was still. I listened to the bugler play, and felt a sudden chill. I wondered just how many times that taps had meant 'Amen', when a flag had covered the coffin of a brother, of a friend. I thought of all the children, of mothers and of wives; of fathers, sons, and husbands with interrupted lives. I thought about a graveyard at the bottom of the sea, of unmarked graves in Arlington, No, freedom is not free.

By Kelly Strong
Homestead, Florida