PRO DEO ET PATRIA
(FOR GOD AND COUNTRY)
The Personal Narrative of An American Catholic
Chaplain as a Prisoner of War in Germany
Fr. Paul W. Cavanaugh, S.J.
Edited by Robert E. Skopek
1
Copyright 2004 by
Robert E. Skop ek
A ll Rights Reserved
I SBN 1 -8887301 -27 -5
2
P R E F A C E L E TTER PROVIDED BY JOHN KLINE
GESU CHURCH
2 4 7 0 MIRAMAR BOULEVARD
U NIVERSITY HEIGHTS
CLEVELAND 18 OHIO
YELLOWSTONE 2 -0617
YELLOWSTONE 2 -0818
D E A R J O H N ( G A L L A G H E R C UB EDITOR 57/59)
H e r e is my manuscript.
A t l ast, I hear you say.
J u s t r e c eived the recent CUB and
re a d a b o u t T o y l and (Toland?) & his proposed book
o n t h e G I ’ S . I do not have a copyright,
b u t w i l l b e willing to make a deal with
h i m , i f h e s hould hav e to use some of it.
P l e a s e f e e l free yourself to use anything
in the CUB .
SINCERELY
P A U L W. CAVANAUGH, S.J.
- -----------------L E T T E R PROVIDED BY JOHN KLINE
M C O M P A N Y , 423RD iNFANTRY REGIMENT
106TH DIVISION
-E D I TOR THE CUB MAGAZINE
1 0 6 TH DIVISION ASSOCIATION
3
PREFACE
COPY OF LETTER
D A T E D SEPTEMBER 17, 1984
MR. SHEROD COLLINS
625 CHANNING DRIVE N.W.
ATLANTA, GA 30318
DEAR MR. COLLINS:
I A M E N C L O S I N G A C O P Y OF A BOOK WRITTEN BY FATHER PAU L
C A V A N A U G H A F O R M E R C H A PLAIN OF THE 422 INFANTRY REGIM ENT.
F A T H E R C A V A N A U G H H A S B EEN DEAD FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS.
A F T E R H E R E T U R N E D F R O M OVERSEAS HE WAS RUNNING AN OBS TACLE
C O U R S E A T T H E U N I V E R S I TY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL AND F ELL AND
BROKE HIS LEG.
H E S H O ULD NOT HAVE BEEN DOING THE SAM E AS HE
W A S NO S P R I N G C H I C K E N AT THE TIME.
D U R I N G T H E T I M E H E W A S HOSPITALIZED WITH HIS BROKEN L EG HE
W R O T E T H E E N C L O S E D B O O K. HE ATTEMPTED TO GET IT PUBLI SHED
W I T H O U T A N Y S U C C E S S . A PPARENTLY PRISONER OF WAR BOOKS WERE A
D R U G O N T H E M A R K E T A T THE TIME.
T H I S C O P Y I S ON E T H A T I HAVE RE - PRODUCED A NUMBER OF YEARS
A G O . H E H A D S E V E R A L C O PIES OF THE BOOK TYPED AND THEN LENT
T H E M O U T T O P E O P L E T O READ AND ALL BUT ONE COPY DISAP PEARED.
I H A D S E V E R A L C O P I E S M ADE FOR HIM AND KEPT THIS COPY WHICH I
A M S U R R E N D E R I N G T O Y O U AS DIVI SION HISTORIAN.
F A T H E R C A V A N A U G H W A S A JESUIT PRIEST. AS I RE - CALL IT HE
C A M E O U T O F T H E C L E V E L AND OHIO AREA AND DID HAVE FAMI LY
C O N N E C T I O N S T H E R E . H E HAD A NEPHEW WHO LIVED IN THE D ETROIT
A R E A F O R A T I M E B U T I DO NOT RE - CALL HIS NAME NOR DO I KNOW
HOW TO REACH HIM.
I B E L I E V E A C O P Y O F T H IS BOOK SHOULD BE MADE A PART O F OUR
DIVISION RECORDS.
VERY TRULY YOURS,
ROBERT E. RUTT
4
FORWARD
F a t h e r P a u l W . C a v a n a u gh, a Chaplain in the European Theater
d u r i n g W o r l d W a r II, represents those Chaplains who
de d i c a t e d t h e m s e l v e s to their faith and tried to share that
fa i t h w i t h t h e P r isoners of War in the various camps
t h r o u g hout Germany and Poland.
Th e r e w e r e p e r h a p s u p wards of 275,000 * Allied soldiers who
we r e P O W s a n d w e r e marched from their camps in the early
m o n t h s o f 1 9 4 5 . I t i s not known why the German Government
in s t i t u t e d t h e s e m arches other than Allied Armies were
a p p r o a c h i n g f r o m t h e W est and East. Perhaps Germany h oped to
u s e t h e m a s h o s t a g e s in the event of the German defeat;
ho w e v e r , t h e r e d o e s n ot seem to be any specific evid ence to
c o r r o b orate that assumption.*
T h e i n d i g n i t i e s a n d suffering endured by these prisoner
g r o u p s i s u n i m a g i n a b l e and in many cases equivalent to the
Holocaust.
F a t h e r C a v a n a u g h , F a ther Hurley, Father Madden, Chaplains
M oo r e , K o s k a m p , N e e l, Stonesifer and others mentioned in
t h i s b o o k e x e m p l i f y the dedication of these men to supply
s p i r i t u a l g u i dance and comfort to their men.
Robert E. Skopek
* “ T h e L a s t E s c a p e ” , J ohn Nichol and Tony Rennell
T h e U n t o l d S t o r y o f A l lied Prisoners of War in Europe
1 9 4 4- 45 ( P a g e 4 6 6 a n d Appendix 12)
* W I N S T O N C H U R C H I L L A R CHIVES
MARCH 22,1945
“ T h e o b j e c t o f t h i s m a neuver might be either to avoid
u n c o n d i t i o n a l s u r r e n d e r or to save the lives of the m ore
i m p o r t a n t N a z i g a n g s t e rs and war crimin als, using thi s
t h r e a t a s a b a r g a i n i n g counter, or to cause dissentio n
a m o n g t h e A l l i e s i n t h e final stages of the war.”
* P r i s o n e r o f W a r C a m p s in Germany
I n t e r n e t W e b S i t e : h t tp://www.fleetairarmarchive.net
/ R o l l o f H o n o r / P O W / C a mp_list.htm
5
TO
THE OFFICERS AND MEN
OF THE
422ND INFANTRY REGIMENT
WITH WHOM I CAMPAIGNED
AND
THE PRISONERS OF WAR
WITH WHOM I SUFFERED
PAUL W. CAVANAUGH, S.J.
MANRESAS JESUIT RETREAT HOUSE
WOODWARD AVE. QUARTON RD.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MIGHIGAN
6
PHOTOGRAPH OF
PAUL W. CAVANAUGH
Photo #1
7
T HI S P A G E I S L E FT B L A NK
8
AMERICAN PRIEST IN A NAZI PRISON
T H E PERSONAL NARRATIVE
O F A N A M E RICAN CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN AS
A P R I SONER OF WAR IN GERMANY
BY
P A U L W. CAVANAUGH, S.J.
C H A P L A I N , ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES
( P R O P E R T Y OF 106 DIVISION ASSOCIATION)
9
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
INTRODUCTION
11
CHAPTER *
1.
CAPTURED IN THE BULGE
14
(1)
INSERT: ST. VITH TO BAD ORB
BAD ORB TO HAMMELBURG
2.
PRISONERS OF WAR
25
(9)
3.
CHRISTMAS IN A BOXCAR
39
(26)
(STATISTICAL REPORT ON BOMBING OF LIMBURG)
4.
BAD ORB
56
(42)
5.
HAMMELBURG
72
(60)
6.
KRIEGIE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
87
(77)
7.
SAINT JOSEPH ANSWERS A PRAYER
109
(100)
8.
LIBERATION OF HAMMELBURG
121
(112)
9.
WAY OF THE CROSS
131
(120)
(INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY, NUREMBURG BOMBING)
10.
BAVARIAN TRAIN OF AMERICAN TIN CANS
11.
“DER KRIEG IST KAPUT”
156
(142)
175
AFTERMATH
190
APPENDIX
BIBLIOGRAPHY
( ) page numbers from original manuscript
10
(177)
(162)
INTRODUCTION
“ W E B E T T E R N O T G O T O S LEEP TONIGHT, PAUL.” I SAID TO
C O R P O R A L D A L T O N , M Y A S SISTANT.
W E W E R E B U M P I N G A L O N G IN OUR JEEP OVER A WELL - PA CKED FROZEN
R O A D B E T W E E N T H E S E C O N D AND FIRST BATTALION COMMAND P OSTS.
I N A Q U I E T , W O O D E D S P O T A FEW HUNDRED YARDS BACK FROM THE
F R O N T L I N E S I H A D J U S T SAID MASS. A GROUP OF ABOUT TH IRTY
M E N F R O M B C O M P A N Y W I T H RIFLES SLUNG FROM THEIR SHOUL DERS
H A D K N E L T IN A S N O W T O RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION. THOUGH NOT
Y E T F I V E O ’ C L O C K I N T H E AFTERNOON, DUSK WAS FADING IN TO
D A R K N E S S A L O N G T H E S N O W COVERED RIDGE UNDER THE THICK GROWTH
O F T A L L E V E R G R E E N T R E E S. IT WAS THE 15TH OF DECEMBER, 1944,
A N D O U R I N T E L L I G E N C E S ECTION WAS AWARE THAT A GERMAN
O F F E N S I V E A P P R O A C H E D T HE HOUR OF ITS MOUNTING.
P A U L D A L T O N A N D I O B T A INED SOME SUPPER AT THE FIRST
B A T T A L I O N H E A D Q U A R T E R S ’ MESS WHERE WE LEARNED THE PAS SWORD
A N D P I C K E D U P S O M E M O R E INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANTICIP ATED
B A T T L E . W E R E T U R N E D T O THE CHAPLAIN’S HEADQUARTERS, A SMALL
L O G C A B I N B U I L T O V E R A DUGOUT BY SOME SOLDIERS OF THE SECOND
I N F A N T R Y D I V I S I O N . A B O UT TWENTY YARDS AWAY LOOMED THE
S I E G F R I E D L I N E B U N K E R WHICH HOUSED THE COMMAND POST O F THE
F I R S T B A T T A L I O N O F T H E 422 REGIMENT.
W ITH N I G H T C A M E F O G . SEVERAL MEN FROM BATTALION HEADQUARTERS
C O M P A N Y C R O W D E D I N T O O UR CABIN TO MAKE COFFEE AND TOA ST AND
T O D I S C U S S T H E S I T U A T I ON. SOMEHOW WE HAD A STRANGE
F O R E B O D I N G O F C A T A S T R O PHE.
T H E M I L I T A R Y S I T U A T I O N , AS WE KNEW IT, WAS THIS. OUR 106TH
I N F A N T R Y D I V I S I O N ( G O L DEN LION SHOULDER PATCH) HAD MO VED
O V E R T O T H E C O N T I N E N T FROM ENGLAND EARLY IN THE MONTH . WE
H A D B E E N A S S I G N E D T O V III CORPS, FIRST ARMY. DECEMBER 9TH TO
1 1 T H T H E 1 0 6 T H R E P L A C E D THE SECOND INFANTRY DIVISION, UNIT
F O R U N I T , A L O N G A T W E N TY -SEVEN MILE FRONT IN THE SCHN EE
E I F E L. T H E E I F E L F O R E ST IS ON GERMAN SOIL JUST ACROSS THE
B E L G I A N F R O N T I E R E A S T OF THE ARDENNES. FOR ABOUT TEN WEEKS
O F A U T U M N T H I S H A D B E E N A QUIET SECTOR OF THE FRONT. AS OUR
D I V I S I O N W A S Y E T U N T R I ED BY ENEMY FIRE WE W ERE ASSIGNED TO
T H I S L O C A L I T Y T H A T M I G HT BE MERCIFULLY SEASONED TO WH AT OUR
R E G I M E N T A L C O M M A N D E R , COLONEL GEORGE E. DASCHENEAUX, JR. HAD
T O L D U S A T S T O W - O N- W O L D (ENGLAND) WAS THE FILTHY, DIRTY,
B L O O D Y , D I S G U S T I N G B U S INESS OF MODERN WAR. FOR FOUR D AYS
P A U L DA L T O N A N D I H A D BEEN TRAVELING BY JEEP ALONG THE SNOW
C O V E R E D R O A D S T H R O U G H FORESTS OF SPRUCE TREES TO COMP ANIES
11
O N T H E S T A T I C F R O N T . T HERE I HAD SAID MASS IN COMPARA TIVE
S E C U R I T Y N E A R T H E C O M P ANY COMMAND POSTS AND UNALARMED
V I S I T E D T H E F O X H O L E S A ND DUGOU TS ALONG THE LINE OF OU TPOSTS.
O U R R E G I M E N T - 4 2 2 N D - WAS THE FARTHEST NORTH IN OUR
D I V I S I O N S E C T O R . T O T H E SOUTH OF US IN ORDER WERE THE 423RD
A N D 4 2 4 T H , T H E O T H E R T WO COMBAT TEAMS OF THE 106TH DI VISION.
T H E B E L G I A N T O W N O F S T . VITH WAS SITUATED ABOUT TE N MILES TO
O U R R E A R . T H I S T O W N W A S THE CENTER OF COMMUNICATION A ND
S U P P L Y T O O U R C O M B A T P OSITIONS.
B E I N G A C H A P L A I N A N D U NTUTORED IN THE SCIENCE OF MILI TARY
S T R A T E G Y A N D T A C T I C S , IT IS NOT MY PURPOSE HERE OR
T H R O U G H O U T T H I S B O O K T O DISCUSS THE MILITARY SI DE OF THE
W A R . I M E R E L Y R E C O U N T WHAT I SAW AND HEARD. UNDOUBTED LY THE
D O U G H B O Y S I W A S W I T H K NEW AND UNDERSTOOD, EVEN AT THA T TIME
F A R B E T T E R T H A N I D I D THE REASONS FOR THE EVENTS THAT LED TO
O U R C A P T U R E B Y T H E E N E MY, THE STRATEGY EMPLOYED BY TH E HIGH
C O M M AND E R S O N E I T H E R SIDE AND THE SUCCESSES AND REVERSES IN
T H E L O W E R E C H E L O N S . I T IS FOR THIS REASON THAT I PASS OVER
H U R R I E D L Y T H E F I R S T T H REE DAYS OF THE BATTLE OF THE B ULGE.
T H E O V E R A L L P I C T U R E ( U NKNOWN TO US AT THE TIME) BUT C OMMON
K N O W L E D G E N O W ) W A S B R I E FLY THIS. EARLY IN THE MORNING OF
1 6 T H O F D E C E M B E R , 1 9 4 4 , THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE STARTED. A
H E A V Y A R T I L L E R Y B A R R A G E WAS DIRECTED AGAINST THE 14TH
C A V A L R Y G R O U P W H I C H J O INED OUR REGIMENTAL SECTOR ON T HE
N O R T H . T H E B A R R A G E M O V ED SLOWLY SOUTHWARD. THE 589TH FIE LD
A R T I L L E R Y B A T T A L I O N , W HICH WAS PART OF OUR 422ND COMB AT
T E A M , W A S S E V E R E L Y S H E LLED AND CRIPPLED.
S U C C E S S I V E G E R M A N A T T A CKS DURING THE DAYLIGHT HOURS F ORCED A
W E D G E B E T W E E N T H E 1 4 T H CAVALRY AND THE 422 REGIMENT; THEN
A N O T H E R O P E N I N G W A S M A DE BETWEEN THE 423RD AND 424
REGIMENTS.
T H R O U G H T H E S E C O R R I D O R S COLUMNS OF PANZERS - THREE GE RMAN
A R M I E S , I T W A S B E E N S A ID - BEGAN A FAN - SHAPED BLITZKR IEG
M O V E M E N T T O W A R D S T . V ITH , BASTOGNE , AND THE MEUSE RIV ER.
T H E I R O B J E C T I V E W A S T O SEIZE THE BRIDGES ACROSS THE M EU SE,
T H E N I N Q U I C K S U C C E S S I ON TO OVERRUN THE ALLIED SUPPLY DEPOTS
A T LI E G E A N D A N T W E R P , SIMULTANEOUSLY CUTTING OFF THE BRITISH
A N D A M E R I C A N C O N C E N T R A TIONS OF TROOPS ALONG THE NORTH ERN
F L A N K O F T H E W E S T E R N F RONT. THE 422ND AND 423 REGIMEN TS WERE
S U R R O U N D E D . T O T H E S U PREME ALLIED HEADQUARTERS WE WERE LOST
REGIMENTS.
T H E R E W E R E N O S U P P L I E S COMING THROUGH, NO FOOD, NO
A M M U N I T I O N , A N D N O R E P LACEMENT. AS INDIVIDUALS WE WER E
12
“ M I S S I N G I N A C T I O N ” . M ANY WOULD LATER BE DISCOVERED T O HAVE
B E E N “ K I L L E D I N A C T I O N ”, MAN Y MORE OF US WENT DOWN INTO THE
LIMBO OF NAZI PRISONS.
13
CHAPTER ONE
C A PTURED IN THE BULGE
F I E L D M A R S H A L L v o n R U N DSTET’S LAST MAJOR OFFENSIVE, W HICH
M O N T H S L A T E R W E W E R E T O LEARN WAS CALLED THE “BATTLE OF THE
B U L G E ” , S T A R T E D O N T H E MORNING OF THE 16TH OF DECEMBE R,
1944.
C O R P O R A L P A U L D A L T O N A ND I HAD KEPT A PRAYERFUL VIGIL DURING
T H E P R E C E E D I N G N I G H T S O THAT WE WOULD BE READY TO MOV E OUT
O R T O A D M I N I S T E R T O T H E WOUNDED IF NEEDED. IN THE MOR NING
F O G W H I C H E N V EL O P E D T H E ENTIRE AREA WE MADE OUR WAY TO THE
B A T T A L I O N A I D S T A T I O N IN A BUNKER THREE HUNDRED YARDS FROM
T H E C O M M A N D P O S T . A L L DAY LONG MEDICAL AID MEN WERE
E V A C U A T I N G C A S U A L T I E S FROM THE AREA OF THE LINE COMPA NIES.
A M B U L A N C E S W E R E B U S Y S HUTTLING BACK AND F ORTH TO THE
R E G I M E N T A L E V A C U A T I O N N POINT. BY EVENING THE 422DN RE GIMENT
H A D B E E N C U T O F F ; N O C ASUALTIES COULD BE REMOVED THER EAFTER
T O H O S P I T A L S I N T H E R E AR.
A L I T T L E L A T E R T H E H I L LY ROAD TO THE REGIMENTAL COMMA ND POST
W A S I N D I R E C T L I N E O F FIRE. THE SEC OND BATTALOION SWU NG BACK
F R O M O U R L E F T F L A N K A N D FORMED A PERIMTER DEFENSE TO THE
R E A R O F O U R P O S I T I O N . THE GERMANS CEASED FOR A TIME T O
A S S A I L O U R A R E A . O U R F ORWARD LINES HAD HELD THEIR GRO UND.
B C O M P A N Y , I N W H O S E A R EA I HAD SAID MY LAST MASS, HAD
S U S T A INE D T H E H E A V I E S T ASSAULT. LT. WILLIAM B. BRICE, A GOOD
F R I E N D O F M I N E , H A D B E EN KILLED DURING THAT FIGHT. TH E
P L A T T O O N H E C O M M A N D E D WAS HOLDING WHAT WAS PERHAPS TH E
F A R T H E S T E A S T E R N P O I N T IN THE SECTOR THAT WAS CALLED, “THE
BULGE”.
T H E F O G L I F T E D O N D E C E M BER 17TH, THE SECOND DAY OF THE
B A T T L E . O U R R E G I M E N T H AD BECOME A POCKET OF RESISTANC E THAT
W A S B Y P A S S E D B Y T H E E N EMY. FROM OUR POSITION ON A HEI GHT WE
S A W L O N G C O L U M N S O F V E HICLES MOVING WESTWARD THROUGH THE GAP
T H E G E R M A N S H A D M A D E T O THE NORTH. OUR COOK S WERE RELIEVED
F R O M T H E I R C O M B A T P O S T S AND PUT TO WORK IN THE KITCHE NS.
T H E Y I S S U E D Q U I C K B U T MEAGRE MEALS FROM THE FOOD STOR ES ON
H A N D . T O W A R D E V E N I N G T H E JERRIES SHELLED US AGAIN. THE
A R T I L L E R Y S O U N D S B E G A N TO LAND IN THE AREA OF OUR BAT TALION
C O M M A N D P OS T . A R U N N E R ARRIVED OUT OF BREATH AT THE AID
STATION.
“C O M E Q U I C K L Y ! T H E COLONEL HAS BEEN HIT.”
“W H E R E I S H E ? ”
“I N T H E C P ! ”
14
L T . D I A M O N , O U R B A T T A L ION SURGEON, AND I JUMPED INTO A JEEP
A N D H U R R I E D T O T H E B U N KER. THE INTERIOR UPPER SECTION OF THE
C O N C RET E S T R U C T U R E W A S IN TURMOIL. THE BATTALION STAFF HAD
B E E N H O L D I N G A M E E T I N G WHEN THE BARRAGE OPENED UP.
“ K E E P C O O L ! ” S A I D L T . COL. THOMAS KENT, OUR BATTALION
C O M M A N D E R , A S T H E F I R S T SHELL LANDED CLOSE BY. WHILE THE
O F F I C E R S W E R E M A K I N G T HEIR WAY INTO TH E LOWER AND MORE
F O R T I F I E D S E C T I O N O F T HE BUNKER, A DIRECT HIT ON THE COMMAND
P O S T U P S E T T A B L E S A N D CHAIRS, AND STARTED FIRES INSID E THE
P I L L B O X . C O L . K E N T ’ S HEAD SLUMPED ON THE TABLE AT WH ICH HE
W A S S I T T I N G . A P O O L O F BLOOD POURED OUT ON THE MAPS O VER
W HIC H H E W A S W O R K I N G .
T H E D O C T O R A N D I F O U N D THE COLONEL UNCONSCIOUS. AFTER HAVING
H I M C A R R I E D T O T H E L O W ER SECTION, DOCTOR DIAMON WORKE D OVER
H I M F O R A N H O U R . M E A N W HILE ARTILLERY FIRE CONTINUED T O FALL
IN THE AREA.
E A R L Y T H E N E X T M O R N I N G , THE 18TH, LT. C OL. JOSEPH C.
M A T T H E W S , J R . , T H E E X E CUTIVE OFFICER OF THE 422ND REG IMENT,
T O O K O V E R C O M M A N D O F O UR BATTALION. HIS ORDERS WERE T O
D I S E N G A G E T H E B A T T A L I O N FROM ITS DEFENSES AS PART OF A
T A C T I C A L R E G I M E N T A L M A NEUVER. THE VEHICLES, LOADED WI TH
E Q U I P M E N T , W E R E T O R E TIRE INTO CONCEALMENT AND AWAIT FURTHER
O R D E R S . T H E F O O T T R O O P S WERE TO PROCEED ON A DIRECT L INE TO
T H E S O U T H W E S T . A D V A N C I NG THROUGH THE FOG WITH THE AID OF
C O M P A S S E S T H E Y W O U L D H AVE TO BE PREPARED TO FIGHT IN CASE
T H E Y E N C O U N T E R E D O P P O S ITION.
M Y D U TY W A S C L E A R I N THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. “I MUST GO
W I T H T H E F I G H T I N G U N I T S AND I BETTER NOT BE BURDENED WITH
EQUIPMENT.”
C O L . K E N T , S T I L L A L I V E BUT UNCONSCIOUS, WAS PLACED IN AN
A M B U L A N C E W I T H S E V E R A L OTHER SERIOUSLY WOUNDED MEN. T HE
D R I V E R O F T H E A M B U L A N C E WAS A CATHOLIC BOY NAME HADDEN, I
P U T M Y M A S S- K I T A L O N G SIDE COL. KENT AND SAID OT THE DIVER,
“ H E R E , T A K E G O O D C A R E OF THIS. IF YOU GET TO THE AMER ICAN
L I N E S , G I V E I T T O A N Y CHAPLAIN. IF THE JERRIES GET YO U,
I N S I S T T H A T I T B E G I V E N TO A CATHOLIC PRIEST. ”
M Y O W N J E E P H A D B E E N S HOT UP. COL. KENT’S DRIVER HAD BEEN
W O U N D E D . O U R B A T T A L I O N MOTOR - OFFICER, LT. TURNER, ASS IGNED
T H E C O L O N E L ’ S J E E P T O ME. PAUL DALTON AND I LOADED TH E JEEP
A N D T R A I L E R T O O V E R F L O WING WITH OUR OWN AND OTHERS’
PROPERTY.
“S O L O N G , P A U L . G OD BLESS YOU!”
15
I M O V E D O F F W I T H THE LINE COMPANIES INTO THE FOG.
T H E R E G I M E N T E X E C U T E D THE STRATEGIC WITHDRAWAL FROM I TS
P O S I T I O N S I N T H E S I E G F RIED LINE TO THE OUTSKIRTS OF
S C H O E N B E R G. W E C O M P L E TED ROUGHLY THREE - QUARTERS OF TH E
D I S T A N C E B E F O R E T H E F O G DISPERSED IN THE LATER PART OF THE
A F T E R N O O N . U N D E R C O V E R OF DARKNESS WE FINISHED THE MA NEUVER
A N D P A S S E D T H E N I G H T I N PERFECT SILENCE IN A WOOD. OR DERS BY
R A D I O W E R E T H A T W E A T T ACK THE TOWN AND HOLD THE SCHOE NBERG ST. VITH ROAD.
T H E A T T A C K W A S E X E C U T E D BY THE 422ND AND 423RD INFANTRY
R E G I M E N T S O F T H E 1 0 6 T H DIVISION AT NINE O’CLOCK ON TH E 19TH.
A S T H E Y A D V A N C E D B Y B A TTALIONS OUT OF THE COVER OF SC ATTERED
P A T C H E S O F T A L L N O R W A Y SPRUCE TREES, CUT OFF FROM SUP PLY
L I N E S , L A C K I N G A M M U N I T ION AND FOOD AND AR TILLERY SUPP ORT,
T H E R E G I M E N T S E N C O U N T E RED INTENSE ARTILLERY AND ANTI A I R C R A F T F I R E A N D O V E R WHELMING OPPOSITION FROM GERMAN TANKS.
T H E F I G H T I N G U N I T S O F OUR BATTALION ENGAGED IN ACTION WITH
E N E M Y T A N K S , W E R E C U T OFF AND CAPTURED.
L T . ( D O C T O R ) R I C H A R D C . D IAMON, CAPTAIN JULIUS HENE, AND LT.
C L I F F O R D F . B L A C K E , T H E OFFICER COMPLIMENT OF OUR BAT TALION
M E D I C S , H A D S E T U P T H E AID STATION IN A NARROW STRIP OF
W O O D S A N D W E R E C A R I N G FOR THE HANDFUL OF WOUNDED MEN BROUGHT
B A C K F R O M T H E F O R W A R D LINES. AMONG THEM WAS LT. RAYMO ND F.
H A W T I N O F C H I C A G O , H I S ARM IN A SLING.
T H E G E R M A N S H A D F A I L E D TO DISCOVER OUR ISOLATED GROUP UNDER
T H E T R E E S . W E W E R E D E B ATING WHETHER TO GIVE OURSELVES UP TO
T H E M O R W A I T F U R T H E R D EVELOPMENTS. WHEN TEN TO FIFTEE N ARMED
S C O U T S A P P R O A C H E D O U T OF THE MIST TO OUR REAR. THINKING THEY
W E R E E N E M Y T R O O P S E N C I RCLING US, I SNATCHED A WHITE T OWEL
A N D R A N T O W A R D T H E M W A VING IT.
“ M Y G O D , F A T H E R , W H A T ARE YOU DOING HERE?” ASKED THE
A M E R I C A N S E R G E A N T O F T HE SCOUTS.
“ O U R B A T T A L I O N H A S B E E N CAPTURED AND ALL WE HAVE LEFT IS THE
A I D S T A T I O N A N D T H E W O UNDED.” I SAID. “WHAT ARE YOU U P TO?”
“ W E G O T A C O N V O Y A N D A BOUT 200 TROOPS BACK HERE IN TH IS
D E F I L A D E - W E A R E T R Y ING TO GET OUT.”
“ W E L L , D O N ’ T B R I N G T H E VEHICLES OVER THIS HILL.” I
C O U N S E L E D . “ T H E J E F F I E S H AVE A BUNCH OF TANKS LESS TH AN A
T H O U S A N D Y A R D S F R O M H E RE ON THAT NEXT HILL.”
B Y N O O N T H E R A G G E D R E M NANTS OF OUR BATTALION, THE CON VOY. A
F E W A N T I- T A N K G U N S , A ND THE FOOT GROUPS HAD ASSEMBLED IN THE
16
P A T C H O F W O O D S W H E R E W E HAD SPENT THE PREVIOUS NIGHT. TO
T H I S D A Y N O O N E P R O B A B LY HAS AN ACCURATE COUNT OF OUR
N U M B E R , F O R W E H A D N O TIME TO ORGANIZE. WE HAD JUST B EGUN TO
D I G I N W H E N A N A R T I L L E RY BARRAGE FORCED US ALL TO HUG THE
G R O U N D I N T H E W O O D S . F ORTUNATELY, THE ENEMY DID NOT C ONTINUE
T H R O W I N G H E A V Y S H E L L S AT US FOR LONG, AND MORE SATISFYING TO
U S , N O F U R T H E R C A S U A L T IES WERE SUFFERED.
“ W H O H A S A M A P O T H I S AREA?” THIS WAS THE QUESTIONING
U P P E R M O S T I N T H E M I N D S OF ALL. THE VEHICLES WERE SEAR CHED IN
T H E H O P E T H A T S O M E O V E RLAY MIGHT BE FOUND TO GIVE US OUR
B EAR I N G S A N D T O P L A N A RETREAT.
“ H O W M U C H A M M U N I T I O N H AVE WE?” THOSE WHO CARRIED SMAL L ARMS
H A D J U S T A F E W C A R T R I D GES IN THEIR CLIPS AND FOR THE HEAVY
A N T I- TA N K G U N S T H E R E WERE NO SHELLS TO BE HAD.
“ H E Y , F A T H E R , Y O U N E E D SOME RED CROSSES ON YOUR HELME T.” T HE
V O I C E C A M E F R O M S E R G E A NT WINTERS, A MEDIC WHO HAD AN
A M B U L A N C E N E A R- B Y . “ W E HAVE TO TRY TO GET OUT OF HERE WITH
O U R W O U N D E D , A N D T H E M ORE WE CAN DISPLAY THESE RED CR OSSES
T H E B E T T E R C H A N C E W E W ILL HAVE.” SO RIGHT THERE IN TH E WOODS
H E D I D H I S B E S T T O M A K E ME LOOK LIKE THE PRIVILEGED
C H A R A C T E R T H A T I W A S . OUT OF THE TOOL CASE OF THE TRU CK HE
P U L L E D A C A N O F R E D P A INT. HE TOOK MY STEEL HELMET AN D WITH
A T W I G O F E V E R G R E E N A S A BRUSH MADE FOUR ROUGH CROSSE S ON MY
H E A D G E A R . I T W A S A R A T HER SORRY SUBSTITUTE OF THE FOUR WHITE
C I R C L E S S I X I N C H E S W I D E WITH RED CROSSES OF PERFECTLY
E X E C U T E D L I N E S A N I N C H IN BREATH PAINTED ON THE HELME TS OF
N O N-CO M B A T A N T S .
W I T H T H E P A I N T S T I L L W ET I PUT BACK THE HELMET ON MY HEAD
A N D D A S H E D O F F T O C O N T INUE DIGGING MY FOXHOLE. THE S POT
H A P P E N E D T O B E U N D E R A LOW HANGING BRANCH AND EVERY T IME I
C A M E U P A S H O V E L F U L O F DIRT; MY HELMET GENTLY PUSHED THE
B R A N C H A S I D E A N D S M E A R ED THE RED PAINT OVER THE HELME T IN
M O T T L E D S P L O T C H E S . S T O PPING TO TAKE A REST I STOOD UP
S T R A I G H T A N D T H E B R A N C H SWEPT ACROSS MY SHOULDER STRE AKING
M Y C O A T W I T H R E D S T A I N . I ABSENT -MINDEDLY TOOK OFF THE
H E L M E T , H E L D I T I N T H E CRADLE OF MY ARM, AND SMEARED RED
P A I N T O N T H E S L E E V E A N D FRONT OF MY COAT. MY FOXHOLD WAS NOT
V E R Y D E E P A N D I D I D N O T HAVE MUCH ENTHUSIASM FOR EXPE NDING
P R E C I O U S E N E R G Y O N I T BECAUSE I FELT IT WOULD NEVER B E USED
A N Y W A Y . I N T H E M I D S T O F MY SLUGGISH EFFORTS AT DIGGIN G AND
W H I L E T R Y I N G T O D E C I D E THAT I COULD SPEND MY TIME MOR E
P R O F I T A B L Y A T , S O M E T H I NG ELSE, SERGEANT BERNARD VOGL E, OF
P I T T S B U R G H , P E N N A . , H APPENED ALONG.
“ H E R E , F A T H E R , H A V E A PIECE OF CANDY.”
17
“ N O T H A N K S , B E R N I E , Y O U KEEP THAT FOR YOURSELF. I HAV E
C O U P L E O F B A R S I N M Y P OCKET.”
A
W E S A T D O W N O N T H E B U M PER OF A JEEP TO TALK OVER THE
S I T U A T I O N A N D T O E A T T HE CHOCOLATE. WE BOLTED TH E LAS T
S Q U A R E W H E N S O M E O N E S H OUTED FROM TWENTY YARDS AWAY, “ COME
ON; WE’RE MOVING.”
A S E R G E A N T H A D A P P E A R E D IN THE WOODS WITH THE WORD TH AT WE
W E R E T O A S S E M B L E A N D F OLLOW HIM OUT OF THE TREES. HE SAID HE
H A D O R D E R S T O L E A D U S AROUND THE TOWN OF SCHONBERG AND BACK
T O T H E R E A R . W E W E R E T O START IMMEDIATELY, NOT WAITIN G FOR
T H E C O V E R O F D A R K N E S S . IT WAS ANYBODY’S GUESS IN WHAT
D I R E C T I O N W E W E R E M O V I NG. UP STARTED THE MOTORS AND W HAT
P E R S O N N E L C O U L D F I N D S PACE ON THE VEHICLES DID SO. SO RAPID
W A S T H E T A K E-O F F T H A T A HUNDRED OF US FORMED A COLUMN OF
B U N C H E S A N D S T A R T E D O N AFTER THE VEHICLES OUT OF THE FOREST.
I T W A S A S O R R Y L O O K I N G CONVOY THAT EMERGED INTO THE O PEN,
R O L L I N G F I E L D I N W H I C H THE PREVIOUS SUMMER CROP OF GR AIN HAD
GROWN.
T O O U R L E F T W A S T H E H E AD OF THE VALLEY THAT DROPPED DOWN IN
A C U R V E T O S C H O E N B E R G . TO THE RIGHT, ROLLING HILLS AND
F O R E S T S . A H E A D T H E R E W AS A SLIGHT RISE WITH MORE TREE TOPS
A P P E A R I N G B E Y O N D . N O W H ERE WAS THERE ANY DWELLING HOUS E
VISIBLE.
O N C E O U T I N T O T H E O P E N WE COULD SEE THE FULL E XTENT OF OUR
E Q U I P M E N T . S I X O R E I G H T JEEPS, A HALF -DOZEN WEAPONS
C A R R I E R S , A C O U P L E O F ANTI - TANK GUNS ON THEIR CARTS, ONE
A M B U L A N C E , A N D A T H R E E -QUARTER TON TRUCK WITH THE SIDE FLAPS
B E A R I N G T H E L A R G E W H I T E CIRCLE WITH THE RED CROSS; AB OUT 200
M E N I N C O M B AT U N I F O R M ,. WITH US WENT ONE PRISONER, A GERMAN
C A P T A I N , I N H I S S O M B E R GRAY UNIFORM. HIS LONG COAT AN D HIGH
B L A C K H A T M A D E H I M V E R Y CONSPICUOUS IN OUR GROUP, DRE SSED,
A S W E R E A L L A M E R I C A N S , IN OLIVE DRAB JACKETS AND STEE L
HELMETS.
T H E A F T E R N O O N W A S C L O U DY ; HEAVY DARK CLOUDS ROLLED RA PIDLY
A N D L O W ; T H E G R O U N D W A S COVERED WITH PATCHES OF SNOW. THE
O P E N S P A C E I N T O W H I C H WE EMERGED WAS A LARGE FIELD WI TH
F U R R O W S M U C H L I K E T H E RIDGES IN WHAT HAD BEEN A PLOT OF
C O R N . T H E R E W A S F O R T H E MOMENT NONE OF THE SOUNDS O F BATTLE
W H I C H W E H A D B E E N H E A R ING ALMOST CONSTANTLY FOR SEVER AL
D A Y S . T O T H E L E F T O V E R THE HILL GUSTY CLOUDS OF BLACK SMOKE
R O S E F R O M T H E B U R N I N G BUILDINGS OF SCHOENBERG WHERE THE
B A T T L E B E T W E E N 1 0 6 T H D IVISION UNITS AND GERMAN TANKS HAD
O C C U R R E D E A R L Y I N T H E MORNING. WE HAD HOPES OF CIRCLING THAT
T O W N A N D T A K I N G T H E R O AD THAT LED BACK TO ST. VITH .
18
P L O D D I N G A L O N G A T T H E REAR OF THE COLUMN I PRAYED FOR THE
M E N O F T H E 4 2 2 N D R E G I M ENT WHO HAD DIED SINCE WE CAME UP TO
T H E F R O N T L I N E , A N D I EARNESTLY HOPE THAT WE HAD LEFT NONE
B E H I N D S T I L L S U F F E R I N G FROM WOUNDS; PERHAPS LYING IN THE
S N O W O R I N S O M E W O O D S WAITING FOR MEDICAL AID MEN TO COME TO
G E T T H E M S H O U L D I G O B ACK AND LOOK? WHAT ASSISTANCE C OULD I
G E T ? H O W C O U L D I A G A I N MAKE CONTACT WITH THE AMERICAN
L I N E S ? I T W A S A S I N K I N G, COWARDLY FEELING. CONFLICTIN G
T H O U G H T S V I O L E N T L Y C A M E UPON ME. SHOULD I CARRY OUT T HE
O B L I G A T I O N E V E R Y P R I E S T HAS TO RISK HIS LIFE EVEN TO THE
P O I N T O F H E R O I C A C T I O N TO SAVE ONE SOUL, OR SHOULD I FOLLOW
T H E L I G H T O F H U M A N P R U DENCE AND MA KE THE BEST OF SAVI NG MY
O W N L I F E F O R A N O T H E R D AY OF BATTLE.
M Y P E R S O N A L S C R U P L E S W ERE SOLVED DEFINITELY AND ABRUP TLY
W H E N A R I F L E S H A R P L Y B ARKED A FEW YARDS AHEAD. THERE WAS A
C O M M O T I O N I N T H E C O L U M N. THE VEHICLES STOPPED QUICKLY ; MEN
W E R E J U M P I N G O U T A N D T HROWING THEMSELVES TO THE GROUND.
R A P I D F I R E F R O M M A C H I N E GUNS STARTED. IN A QUICK GLAN CE AS I
D R O P P E D I N T O A F U R R O W I SAW COMING OVER THE RISE IN T HE
T E R R A I N F O U R G E R M A N T A NKS ALL FIRING AT US.
“T H I S I S I T . ” A T HOUSAND TIMES THE EXPRESSION HAD BEEN
U S E D , F R O M T H E D A Y W E WERE ALERTED IN THE STATES, THR OUGH
T H E P R E P A R A T I O N F O R O V ERSEAS’ MOVEMENT, THE STAGING A REA,
T H E P O R T O F E M B A R K A T I O N, THE GANG - PLANK AT NEW YORK, THE
L A S T P R E P A R A T I O N S F O R FRONT LINE DUTY THAT WERE MADE IN
E N G L A N D A N D F R A N C E , T H E CONV OYS THROUGH FRANCE AND BELGIUM,
T H E P I L L B O X E S O F T H E S IEGFRIED LINE. “THIS IS IT,” W E SAID
W H E N T H E E X C H A N G E O F A RTILLERY FIRE OCCURRED FOR THE FIRST
T I M E O N T H E F R O N T . “ T H IS IS IT,” WE SAID WHEN THE WAT CH
P O I N T E D T O H-H O U R F O R ATTACKING SCHOENBERG . “THIS IS IT,” I
S A I D T O M Y S E L F W H E N A N ENEMY TANK OPENED FIRE IN MY
D I R E C T I O N F R O M A L I T T L E MORE THAN A HUNDRED YARDS. TH E
F U R R O W I N T O W H I C H I F E LL WAS NO FOXHOLE TO SHIELD ME FROM
E N E M Y F I R E . I T R I E D T O MAKE MYSELF AS FLAT AND AS SMA LL AS
P O S S I B L E . N E V E R B E F O R E HAD MY HEAD AND FEET SEEMED SO BIG.
A L L A R O U N D M E I C O U L D HEAR THE SLUGS HITTING THE TURF . ANY
S E C O N D O N E W O U L D S U R E L Y PIERCE MY ARMS OR LEGS OR A S TILL
M O R E V U L N E R A B L E S P O T . YET IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME THA T I
M I G H T B E M E R E L Y W O U N D E D. ALL I COULD THINK W AS THAT T HE NEXT
S E C O N D M I G H T B E T H E E N D AND THE BEGINNING FOR ME, THE END OF
T I M E A N D T H E B E G I N N I N G OF ETERNITY. COMBINING THE ACT OF
C O N T R I T I O N A N D P E R F E C T LOVE AND ALL THE OTHER SENTIME NTS OF
T H E H O U R O F D E A T H I N T O ONE SHORT PRAYER, I REPEATED A LOUD
S E VER A L T I M E S : “ H E A R T OF Jesus, SAY UNTO US: I AM YOUR
S A L V A T I O N . ” “ M A R Y , M Y MOTHER, HELP ME.” “JESUS, MARY, AND
J O S E P H , I G I V E Y O U M Y HEART AND MY SOUL.”
19
S T R A N G E S T O F A L L , T H E THOUGHT STRUCK ME, “I AM NOT AF RAID TO
DIE.”
H O W L O N G T H E B A R R A G E F ROM THE TANKS LASTED I DO NOT K NOW.
T I M E S T A N D S S T I L L I N P ERIODS OF SUSPENSE AND MINUTES MAY
S E E M L I K E H O U R S . E V E N T UALLY, THERE WAS A CURTAILMENT OF THE
F I R I N G A N D A C R Y O F “ K AMERAD.” SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY, I
T U R N E D M Y H E A D A N D R A I SED ONE EYE HIGH ENOUGH TO GET A
W O R M ’ S E Y E V I E W . A M E D IC NEAR THE AMBULANCE WAS WAVIN G A
W H I T E C L O T H F R O M H I S P RONE POSITION. BETWEEN ME AND O NE OF
T H E T A N K S S T O O D T H E G E RMAN CAPTAIN, OUR PRISONER NO L ONGER.
A F E W M O R E R O U N D S O F M ACHINE GUNFIRE AND THEN SILENCE . FOR
U S T H E F I G H T I N G W A S O V ER. WE HAD BEEN LED INTO A TRAP AND
T H E R U S E W O R K E D . T H E E NEMY HAD CAPTURED ANOTHER 200 M EN.
W I T H T E A R S O F S H A M E A N D FRUSTRATION IN OUR EYES WE RA ISED
O U R H A N D S O V E R O U R H E A DS AND ADVANCED SLOWLY TOWARD T HE
T A N K S . T H E C O M B A T T R O O PS WERE DESPOILED OF THEIR WEA PONS AND
W E R E B E I N G L I N E D U P Q U ICKLY AND SUPERFICIALLY SEARCHE D. OUR
M E D I C S W E R E A L R E A D Y A T WORK ON THE WOUNDED. ALL THE L ITTERS
W E H A D A V A I L A B L E W E R E USED TO CARRY THE DOZEN MEN WHO WERE
HIT IN THE ACTION.
A W A K E N I N G F R O M A D A Z E OF SHAME, I RAN AS FAST AS I CO ULD
W I T H A R M S A L O F T T O A G ROUP OF GERMAN SOLDIERS WHO WER E
A L R E A D Y R I F L I N G O U R J E EPS FOR THE SPOILS OF CONQUEST.
“ I A M A P R I E S T ! ” I S H O UTED. I POINTED TO THE CROSS ON MY
C O L L A R . “ L E T M E G O T O TAKE CARE OF THE WOUNDED.”
T H E Y L O O K E D I N W O N D E R AT THE S MEARS OF RED PAINT ON M Y
H E L M E T A N D C O A T A N D A T THE GENEVA BRASSARD ON MY SLEE VE.
“ Y A , Y A , ” A N S W E R E D O N E OF THEM, “PRIESTER, CATHOLICHE R”
“ Y A , Y A ” I A N S W E R E D . “ LET ME GO TO THE WOUNDED IN THE
FIELD.”
I T R I E D T O C O N V E Y T H E IDEA WITH WILD GESTURES AND TOO K FROM
M Y P O C K E T T H E O I L S T O C KS CONTAINING THE OLEUM INFIRMO RUM
( O I L F O R T H E S I C K ) . O N E OF THEM STARTED TO TAKE IT FR OM ME,
F O R I T D I D L O O K L I K E A BULLET OF SOME SORT.
“ N O , N O , O L E U M S A N C T U M CHRISMA - HOLY OIL” (ONE OF THREE
H O L Y O I L S ) I S A I D A S I MADE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS IN HIS
D I R E C T I O N W I T H M Y T H U M B.
W I T H A W A V E O F H I S H A N D HE BID ME GO. I TOOK ONE LOOK AT LT.
D I A M O N , O U R B A T T A L I O N SURGEON, AND ASKED HIM IF ANY O F THE
W O U N D E D H E W A S C A R I N G FOR WERE IN A CRITICAL CONDITIO N.
20
“ N O . T H E Y ’ R E A L L R I G H T , FAT HER.” SO I RETRACED THE FIELD IN
S E A R C H O F D E A D A N D U N C ONSCIOUS MEN. INSIDE A HOLE TEN FEET
I N D I A M E T E R A N D T H R E E FEET DEEP - THE SCAR LEFT ON TH E EARTH
B Y A N A R T I L L E R Y S H E L L OF A PREVIOUS ENGAGEMENT - I FO UND A
S O L D I E R W I T H A B U L L E T THROUGH HIS HEAD. THE SHOT HAD
P E N E T R A T E D H I S S K U L L J UST BETWEEN THE EYES. HE WAS
U N C O N S C I O U S A N D B R E A T H ING HIS LAST. I ANOINTED HIM QU ICKLY;
T H E N P U L L I N G O U T H I S D OG -TAG I SAW HIS NAME AND RELIG ION;
H A R O L D G R E E N S P A N , H E B R EW. HIS BREATHING STOPPED, HIS HEAD
S L U M P E D , A N D H E L A Y L I FELESS IN MY ARMS.
F O R T U N A T E L Y , T H E R E W E R E NO OTHER DEAD ON THE FIELD. I T WAS
E V I D E N T T H A T T H E G E R M A NS WERE MORE INTENT UPON CAPTUR ING OUR
V E H I C L E S I N T A C T T H A N T HEY WERE IN KILLING OR WOUNDING
A M E R I C A N S . A L L O V E R T H E AREA GERMAN BOYS WERE HAVING A FIELD
D A Y D R I V I N G O U R J E E P S AROUND IN CIRCLES, STARTING AND
S T O P P I N G T H E M , T I N K E R I NG WITH THE MECHANISM AND OTHER WISE
E N J O Y I N G T H O S E T O Y S O F WAR. OTHERS HAD TAKEN EQUIPMEN T FROM
T H E V E H I C L E S A N D W E R E RUMMAGING FOR SOUVENIRS AND
C I G A R E T T E S . O N E O F T H E PIECES ON THE GROUND WAS A FOOT L O C K E R O F C A P T . S P A D O L A. A NAZI TOOK A WRENCH AND FOR CED THE
L O C K . O V E R T H E G R A S S H E STREWED DRESS UNIFORMS, SHOES ,
C O A T S , S U M M E R O U T F I T S AND SUNDRY SMALL ARTICLES. THE
E Q U I P M E N T W A S A L L S C A T TERING TO THE WINDS AS THE BOY WALKED
O F F WIT H A T U B E O F T O OTHPASTE IN HIS HANDS - HIS PREC IOUS
SOUVENIR.
I N A C O L U M N O F F I V E T H E CAPTURED WERE NOW LED OFF DOW N A
C O U N T R Y R O A D . T H E C A P T ORS WERE IN A GREAT HURRY TO GE T US
O U T O F S I G H T . I N A C O R NER OF THE FIELD OUR AMBULANCE, THE
T R U C K W I T H T H E R E D C R O SS, THE MEDICS, PLUS THE WOUNDED WERE
G R O U P E D T O G E T H E R . D I A M ON, BLACKE AND HENE, THE ONLY M EDICAL
O F F I C E R S W I T H U S W E R E ADMINISTERING FIRST AID. NONE O F THE
W O U N D E D W E R E I N A C R I T ICAL CONDITION. A FEW BANDAGES AND
S P L I N T S S A V E D T H E S I T U ATION TEMPORARILY AND INJECTION S OF
M O R P H I N E R E L I E V E D T H E PAIN. THE GERMANS, WHILE RESPEC TING
T H E N E E D F O R C A R E O F T HE WOUNDED, WERE INSISTING THAT WE
MOVE OFF QUICKLY.
I S L I P P E D A W A Y F R O M T H E GROUP TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE
F I E L D . A S I D I D , A G E R MAN BOY CAME UP WITH SI X CARTON S OF
A M E R I C A N C I G A R E T T E S I N HIS ARM.
“ H E R E , Y O U A R E A G O O D PRIEST,” HE SAID IN ENGLISH AS HE
ME WITH A FULL CARTON.
“ D A N K E , M E I N H E R R , ” I SAID AS I TOOK THEM. KNOWING TH AT IT
W O U L D N O T B E L O N G B E F O RE SOMEONE WOULD BE HANKERING F OR
THEM.
21
T H E W OUN D E D W E R E L O A D ED ONTO THE AMBULANCE AND TRUCK; THOSE
A B L E T O W A L K W E R E J O I N ED TO THE TAIL OF THE COLUMN OF
P R I S O N E R S . A G E R M A N T O OK THE WHEEL OF THE AMBULANCE A ND FELL
I N A T T H E R E A R O F T H E LINE. AFTER “DOC” DIAMON SAW TH AT ALL
T H E W O U N D E D W E R E L O A D E D, TH ERE WAS STILL A LITTLE SPACE LEFT
IN THE TRUCK.
“ C O M E O N , F A T H E R , C O M E WITH US. THERE IS NO NEED OF Y OUR
WALKING.”
L T . D I A M O N A N D I W E R E THE LAST TO HOP ON THE REAR OF THE
T R U C K . I S A T W I T H M Y F EET DANGLING OVER THE AIL - GATE.
“ W E L L , W E ’ R E P W ’ S , F A T HER. YOU CAN START TO TIGHTEN YOUR
BELT NOW.”
A S W E M O V E D O F F , T H E D OCTOR SAW THAT THE WOUNDED WERE MADE
A S C O M F O R T A B L E A S P O S S IBLE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. T HEN
T H E R E W A S S I L E N C E . B E W ILDERMENT AND DEJECTION CAME OV ER US.
A L L H A D T R I E D H A R D A N D FOUGHT COURAGEO USLY AND FROM THE
F I E L D O F H O N O R W E W E R E LED AWAY CAPTIVE TO AN UNKNOWN
DESTINATION.
A F E E L I N G O F C O M P L E T E FRUSTRATION IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF
F A L L I N G I N T O T H E H A N D S OF THE ENEMY. WAR IS A UNITED EFFORT
A N D E A C H M A N I S P A R T O F THE TEAM. COURAGE IS INSPIRED BY THE
T H O U G H T T H A T T H E V E R Y LIVES OF OTHERS ARE DEPENDENT U PON THE
A C T I O N O F E A C H S O L D I E R . TO PROTECT THE LIVES AND SAFE TY OF
O T H E R S A T T H E R I S K , E V EN AT THE LOSS, OF ONE’S OWN LI FE IS A
N O B L E T H I N G . F E A R I S V ANQUISHED IN THE CONTEST THAT D EMANDS
T H E S T A KI N G O F E V E R Y T HING ON THE OUTCOME OF BATTLE. WITH THE
S W E L L I N G T I D E O F V I C T O RY MORALE IS HIGH. BUT TO BE CA UGHT BY
T H E E N E M Y , T R A P P E D , D E SPOILED OF THE PROTECTION OF AR MS,
H E R D E D I N R A N K S B Y T H O SE WHO REPRESENT WHAT THE SOLDI ER HAS
L E A R N E D T O H A T E , E N G E N DER S A COMPLEX OF EMOTIONS THAT IS
A K I N T O D E S P A I R . F O R T HE NEWLY CAPTURED PRISONER OF W AR HIS
B A T T L E I S L O S T . H E H A S FAILED IN HIS MISSION. HE HAS PROVED
H I M S E L F A F A I L U R E A N D HIS EFFORTS HAVE COME TO NAUGHT . HIS
S O U L I S C R U S H E D W I T H T HE WEIGHT OF IGNOMINY A ND FROM HIS
M A N L Y E Y E S F L O W T E A R S OF HUMILIATION AND DEFEAT.
N O W O N D E R T H E N T H O S E S TRONG MEN WEPT. SMALL WONDER TH AT
THERE WAS SILENCE.
F O R U S O F T H E 1 0 6 T H D I VISION THIS DEPRESSION WAS UNIV ERSAL.
B U T R E C E N T L Y C O M M I T T E D TO ACTION, WE CRUMBLED BEFORE THE
F I R S T E N E M Y A T T A C K . A S A TEAM WE HAD FAILED AND EVERY
I N D I V I D U A L S H A R E D I N T HAT DISGRACE. THE GOLDEN LION W HICH
W A S I N T E N D E D T O P O R T R A Y COURAGE AND UNCONQUERABLE SPI RIT
22
W O U L D H E N C E F O R T H B E A MARK OF SCORN, BLIGHTED SYMBOL. SUCH
W E R E O U R T H O U G H T S O N T HE DAY OF CAPTURE. LATER ON, HO WEVER,
W H E N E A C H L I T T L E S T O R Y OF RESISTANCE AND COURAGE WAS PIECED
T O G E T H E R W I T H T H E O V E R ALL PICTURE OF THE BATTLE AND C OMPARED
W I T H T H E M A G N I T U D E O F THE GERMAN COUNTER -OFFENSIVE, S PIRITS
R O S E O U T O F T H E D E P T H S OF DESOLATION. MEN SA W DIFFERE NTLY;
U N I T S T O O K A N E W E S T I M ATE OF THEIR VALUE AND THE VIRT UE OF
T H E I R E F F O R T S . W H E N C O MMENDATIONS FROM HIGH PLACES CA ME DOWN
T H R O U G H T H E R A N K S , W I T H THEM CAME NEW LIGHT ON THE HE ROISM
O F D E F E A T . W H A T A T O N E TIME APPEARED A SHAMEFUL OVERT HROW IN
R E A L I T Y W A S A G A L L A N T RESISTANCE. THE GOLDEN LION SHO ULDER
P A T C H C O U L D B E W O R N W I TH HONOR, FOR NOW IT SYMBOLIZED A
“GLORIOUS COLLAPSE”.
INSERT
S T . V I TH TO BAD ORB GERMANY
B A D ORB TO HAMMELBURG
F ROM THE MANUSCRIPT
B Y F R. PAUL W. C AVANAUGH
B A T T L E O F T H E B U L G E - MEUSE RIVER - ANTWERP BELGIUM
BASTOGNE
23
E I F E L ( S C H N E E E I F E L ) G ERMAN SOIL ACROSS THE BORDER FR OM THE
B E L G I A N F R O N T I E R , E A S T OF THE ARDENNES.
S T . V I T H - H D Q T S . 1 0 6 TH DIVISION (DEC 16 1945)
S C H O E N B E R G AREA CAPTURE DEC. 19 /20, 1944
R O M M E R S H E I M G E R M A N Y - FR. CAVANAUGH TRAVELED TO THIS
POINT BY RED CROSS TRUCK
ROTH
D E P A R T E D D E C . 2 0TH
PRUM
PASSED THROUGH
G E R O L S T E I N ( R A I L Y A R D S ) ENTRAIN VIA 40/8 BOX CARS
4 0 H O M M E S - 8 CHEVAUS (40MEN, 8 HORSES)
K O B L E N Z ( O N T H E R H I N E RIVER)
L I M B U R G ( R A I L Y A R D S ) C HRISTMAS EVE (DEC. 24, 1944)
( L I M B U R G P R I S ON CAMP) 65 AMERICAN OFFICER
K I L L E D B Y B O M BING
B A D O R B , G E R M A N Y S T A L A G IX B (EAST OF FRANKFURT)
C H R I S T M A S DAY
Z I E G E N H E I M ( S T A L A G I X B ) NON -COMS MOVED THERE APRIL
2ND.
J A N U A R Y 1 1 , 1 9 4 5 D E P A R TED BAD ORB
T H U R S D A Y J A N U A R Y 1 2 A R RIVED HAMMELBURG GERMANY
( V I LLAGE OF THE LAMB)
OFLAG XIII B
D I A G R A M M A P - PATH OF ‘ST.VITH TO BAD ORB GERM ANY’
-------
CHAPTER TWO
24
PRISONERS OF WAR
S L O W L Y T H E T R U C K M O V E D ALONG BEHIND THE COLUMN OF MARCHING
M E N , B U M P I N G O V E R T H E RUTS AND RIDGES ON THE NARROW F ROZEN
R O A D . T H E R O U G H S P O T S JARRED THE WOUNDED. A HALF -HOUR LATER
W E W E R E P A S S I N G T H R O U G H A SMALL CLUMP OF HOUSES WHICH MAY
H A V E B O R N E T H E N A M E O F A VILLAGE. HER E THE INFANTRY TROOPS
A H E A D O F U S E N C O U N T E R E D A CONVOY OF GERMAN VEHICLES M OVING
U P T O S U P P O R T T H E B A T T LE OF THE BULGE. THERE WAS A DE LAY DUE
T O T H E C O N G E S T I O N O F T HE TWO COLUMNS TRYING TO PASS W HERE
T H E R E W A S R O O M O N L Y F O R ONE. THE TROOPS THEREFORE WER E
S H U N T E D O F F O N A T R A I L THROUGH A WOODED AREA WHERE VE HICLES
C O U L D S C A R C E L Y T R A V E L . HENCE OUR TWO MOTORS WERE SIDE TRACKED
T O A L L O W T H E C O N V O Y T O PASS. IT WAS MOVING SLOWLY AS ALL
C O N V O Y S D O O V E R B U M P Y ROADS. AS WE SAT ON THE ROADSID E WE
S A W T H E M A S T E R C A M O U F L AGE OF THE ENEMY. EVERY PIECE OF
M O T O R I Z E D E Q U I P M E N T W A S DECKED WITH LARGE AND SMALL
C H R I S T M A S T R E E S O R C O V ERED WITH LARGE WHITE CANVASES TO MAKE
T H E M L O O K L I K E S N O W - C O VERED KNOLLS FROM THE AIR. THEIR
E Q U I P M E N T C O N S I S T E D O F ARTILLERY PIECES, LONG RANGE G U NS,
H A L F T R A C K S , W E A P O N S A ND AMMUNITION CARRIERS, AND A F EW
A M B U L A N C E S . T O U S T H E MOST AMAZING SIGHT WAS THE KITC HENS
T H A T W E R E S C A T T E R E D T H ROUGH THE TRAIN -TWO - WHEELED HORSE D R A W N C A R T S W I T H A W O O D BURNING STOVE BUILT UNDER BAR REL LIKE VATS.
W E I N T H E R E D C R O S S T R UCK WERE LIKE A CIRCUS SIDE - SHOW TO
T H E G E R M A N S M O V I N G O N FOOT WITH THE CONVOY. MANY OF T HEM
P A U S E D T O L O O K A T U S , A FEW TRIED TO CONVERSE ABOUT T HE WAR,
O N E O R T W O T A U N T E D U S WITH THE GREAT GERMAN VICTORY T HAT WAS
ALL BUT ACCOMPLISHED.
“ W E H A V E C A P T U R E D G E N ERAL EISENHOWER.” SAID ONE IN ENGLISH.
A N U N T E R O F F I C E I E R , P E R HAPS MORE PRACTICAL - MINDED THAN THE
R E S T , W I T H G R U N T S A N D GESTURES SIGNIFIED THAT HE WANT ED MY
WRIST WATCH.
“ N O , N O , ” I T O L D H I M , EMPHASIZING MY REFUSAL BY POINT ING TO
T H E R E D C R O S S O N T H E B RASSARD I WORE ON MY LEFT ARM. HE
R E S P E C T E D I T A N D W A L K E D AWAY. ANOTHER GROUP GATHERED AS THE
C O N V O Y H A L T E D A G A I N . A SOLDIER WHO COULD SPEAK A LITT LE
E N G L I S H T A L K E D A B O U T T HE WAR AND INTERPRETED FOR THE OTHERS.
“ O N C H R I S T M A S D A Y W E W ILL SEE THE G ERMAN VICTORY. ON JANUARY
F I R S T H I T L E R W I L L B E I N LONDON.”
“ H E I L H I T L E R ! ” , T H E R E ST OF THEM CHORUSED AS THOUGH T OUCHED
B Y S O M E E L E C T R I C B U T T O N AND GIVING AN IMMEDIATE RESPO NSE.
25
T H E C R O W D I N C R E A S E D U N TIL THERE WERE A COUPLE OF DOZE N MEN
T A L K I N G A N D L A U G H I N G W ITH US. AN OFFICER CAME UP, BURST INTO
A T I R A D E A T H I S S U B O R D INATES, AND ORDERED THEM OFF. H E
H I M S E L F , W I T H A S C O W L ON HIS FACE, THEN STOOD GUARD W HILE
M O R E L O N G R A N G E G U N S A ND TRUCKS WITH AMMUNITION PASSE D.
D A R K N E S S W A S C O M I N G O N AND SNOW WAS STARTIN G TO FALL. WE
M O V E D A F E W Y A R D S A N D WAITED AGAIN. THEN ANOTHER SHOR T
M O V E M E N T A N D A N O T H E R H ALT. AND ALL THE TIME WE STUDIE D THE
E N E M Y P E R S O N N E L A N D E Q UIPMENT AND LISTENED TO THEM SH OUTING
O U T O R D E R S . I N T H E D U S K WE MOVED ALONG APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER
M I L E . ON E I T H E R S I D E O F THE ROAD LAY SEVERAL DEAD, SO ME OF
T H E M L E F T W H E R E T H E Y F ELL, OTHERS WRAPPED IN CANVAS O R
B L A N K E T S A N D P L A C E D B A CK FROM THE ROAD. SCATTERED ALO NG THE
S I D E O F R O A D W E R E A L S O BURNED OUT VEHICLES AND DISABL ED
T A N K S P A I N T E D W I T H T H E MOTTLED GR EEN, BROWN, AND GRAY
C A M O U F L A G E O F T H E G E R M ANS. WHERE THE ROAD CROSSED A S HALLOW
G U L L Y A N E N E M Y A M B U L A N CE PAINTED ENTIRELY WHITE LAY O N ITS
S I D E I N T H E D I T C H . I T WAS EVIDENT THAT WE WERE TRAVEL ING
H A L L O W E D G R O U N D , G R O U N D LOST BUT RECENTLY TO THE AMER ICAN
F O R C E S I N T H E F O R W A R D LUNGE OF NAZI CONCENTRATED POWE R.
J U S T A S T H E T W I L I G H T F ADED WE TURNED OFF INTO A SIDE ROAD
A N D B E G A N C L I M B I N G A H ILL. WITHIN A FEW HUNDRED YARDS WE
O V E R T O O K A C O L U M N O F M ARCHING TROOPS, ALL AMERICAN
P R I S O N E R S , T A K E N T H A T DAY IN THE A CTION AROUND SCHONB ERG.
A L L O F T H E M W E R E I N C O MBAT DRESS, FEW HAD OVERCOATS, AND
N O N E C A R R I E D A W E A P O N . A SAD, DEJECTED LOT OF MEN, WO RN,
T I R E D , P L O D D I N G A L O N G IN A NEAT COLUMN FIVE ABREAST. A FEW
F R O M O U R R E G I M E N T R E C O GNIZED ME.
“ H E Y ! T H E R E ’ S F A T H E R C AVA NAUGH”, SHOUTED ONE.
“ A N D L T . D I A M O N ” , S M I L ED ANOTHER, GLAD TO KNOW THAT W E WERE
N O T I N J U R E D I N T H E A C T ION.
T H E G E R M A N G U A R D S S H O U TED TO THEM TO BE QUIET AND ORD ERED
O U R T W O V E H I C L E S T O P A SS ON QUICKLY. IN THE MURKY DAR KNESS
W E L E F T T H E M , B E W I L D E R ED, SILE NT, FILLED UP WITH THOU GHTS OF
W H A T M I G H T H A V E B E E N . “IF ONLY WE HAD...,” BUT THE FA CT WAS
T H E Y W E R E C A P T U R E D , P R ISONERS OF WAR, A REALITY TO WH ICH
E A C H I N F A N T R Y M A N S T R U G GLED INWARDLY TO RESIGN AND REC ONCILE
HIMSELF.
D R I V I N G B L A C K O U T F O R A NOTHER HOUR OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD WHICH
C A U S E D T H E W O U N D E D M E N NO LITTLE PAIN, WE TURNED INTO A
P R I V A T E R O A D A N D S T E P P ED IN FRONT OF WHAT LOOKED LIKE A BARN
I N T H E I N K Y N I G H T . I T WAS A LARGE SHED WITH SEVERAL R OOMS IN
I T . I N T O O N E O F T H E S E ROOMS, EMPTY OF ANY FURNITURE O R
S U P P L I E S , W E W E R E O R D E RED TO BRING THE BOYS ON THE LI TTERS.
26
T H E L E S S S E R I O U S L Y W O U NDED WERE TAKEN INTO A TENT OUT SIDE
T H E B A R N . A C R O S S A N A R ROW CORRIDOR ANOTHER ROOM SHOT OUT
S T R E A K S O F B R I G H T L I G H T AS THE DOOR CONTINUALLY OPENE D AND
C L O S E D . T H I S W A S A G E R M AN FIELD HOSPITAL. I VENTURED INTO
T H E L I G H T E D R O O M A N D F OUND SEVEN OR EIGHT DOCTORS PER FORMING
O P E R A T I O N S A N D A D M I N I S TERING MEDICAL AID. MOST OF THE
P A T I E N T S W E R E G E R M A N S . BUT THE ONE ON THE OPERATING T ABLE
W A S A N A M E R I C A N L I E U T E NANT WHO HAD BEEN HIT IN T HE ST OMACH
T H A T D A Y A N D B R O U G H T I NTO THE HOSPITAL UNCONSCIOUS. T HREE OR
F O U R D O C T O R S W E R E W O R K ING ON HIM.
“ I C H B I N P R I E S T E R K A T H OLICHER.” MY GERMAN WAS PICKING UP.
“ Y A . I C H B I N K A T H O L I C H ER”, SAID A SOLDIER NEAR BY. I HAD
F O U N D A H E L P E R I N T H E WORK I WAS T HERE TO DO.
“ I S T H A T M A N D Y I N G ? ” I SAID POINTING TO THE MAN ON TH E
OPERATING TABLE.
“ N I C H T V E R S T E H E ” , C A M E THE ANSWER WHICH I HAD LEARNED MEANT
INCOMPREHENSION.
I L E D T H E B O Y B Y T H E A RM OVER TO THE OPERATING TABLE.
“ T E L L T H E S E D O C T O R S T H AT I AM A PRIEST”, I SOMEHOW CO NVEYED
T O H I M . T H E D O C T O R S L O OKED UP ANNOYED AND SIMPLY CONT INUED
T H E I R W O R K . I T R I E D T O REMONSTRATE, BUT SOMEONE TOOK ME BY
T H E A R M A N D E S C O R T E D M E OUT OF THE ROOM.
I N T H E D A R K E N E D C O R R I D OR A GERMAN SOLDIER TUGGED MY C OAT
S L E E V E A N D S A I D , “ C O M E .” HE TOOK ME OUT OF THE BUILDING,
T H E N A L O N G A Z I G - Z A G OF BOARDS PLACED OVER PUDDLES OF MUD.
A T T H E E N D O F T H E B O A R D WALK WAS A LOW TENT INTO WHIC H HE
C O N D U C T E D M E . A T I N Y L ITTLE STOVE IN THE CENTER THREW OUT
C O N S I D E R A B L E H E A T . O N AN UPTURNED WOODEN CR ATE TWO WAX
C A N D L E S W E R E B U R N I N G . ALONG BOTH SIDES OF THE TENT WI TH
T H E I R F E E T T O T H E M I D D LE FIFTEEN OR MORE AMERICAN WOU NDED
L A Y O N S T R A W L I G H T L Y S TREWN UPON THE GROUND. ONE OF T HEM
RECOGNIZED ME.
“ F A T H E R , W H E R E D I D Y O U COME FROM?”
“ O H , I G O T M Y S E L F C A P T URED TODAY. I CAME HERE JUST A FEW
M I N U T E S A G O W I T H A T R U CK LOAD OF WOUNDED. “THEN I SAT DOWN
B E S I D E H I M A N D W A S O R I ENTATED ON THE SITUATION.
T H E R E W E R E T H R E E O F T H ESE TENTS FILLED WITH WOUNDED
A M E R I C A N S W H O H A D B E E N TREATED OR WERE WAITING FOR TR EATMENT
I N T H E H O S P I T A L . T H E M EN HAD BEEN THERE SINCE EARLY
A F T E R N O O N , A N D T H E M O R E SERIOUS WERE BEING TREATED FI RST.
S O M E H A D B E E N I N T O T H E OPERATING ROOM AND HAD BITS OF
S H R A P N E L R E M O V E D F R O M THEIR LIMBS. NEARLY ALL OF THEM WERE
F R O M T H E 1 0 6 T H D I V I S I O N AND HAD B EEN PRISONERS LESS THAN
T W E N T Y- F O U R H O U R S . I T WAS A GREAT CONSOLATION TO ME T O SEE
T H E L I G H T I N T H E I R F A C ES AND THE HAPPINESS THEY EXPRE SSED
27
T H A T A C H A P L A I N A N D A PRIEST WAS WITH THEM. GOING FRO M ONE
T O T H E N E X T A N D T H E N E XT, I SHOOK HANDS AND ENCOURAGE D T HEM.
F O R T U N A T E L Y O N L Y A F E W WERE IN SEVERE PAIN, AND EVEN THOSE
B O R E U P U N D E R I T N O B L Y AND MANFULLY.
I S L I P P E D O U T O F O N E T ENT AND WENT INTO THE NEXT. HER E WAS
T H E I D E N T I C A L S I T U A T I O N, EXCEPT THAT AT THE TABLE WHE RE THE
C A N D L E S W E R E B U R N I N G T HERE SAT TWO GERMAN SOLDIERS WR ITING
I N A L A R G E L E D G E R . T H E Y WERE TRYING TO REGISTER THE W OUNDED,
D O I N G T H E I R B E S T T O G E T THE NAME, RANK, AND SERIAL NU MBER OF
T H E M E N A N D A P P R O X I M A T E ESTIMATE OF THEIR WOUNDS. AGA IN I
W E N T F R O M M A N T O M A N , COMFORTING AND CONSOLING AND D OING
W H A T I C O U L D T O H E L P T HEM BEAR THE PAIN.
I N T H E T H I R D T E N T I R E PEATED THE PROCESS. AN AMERICAN BOY
THEN ENTERED THE TENT.
“ F A T H E R , T H E R E I S A G E RMAN PRIEST OUT HERE. HE WANTS TO SEE
YOU.”
I S T E P P E D O U T S I D E A N D FROM THE MAN IN A UNIFORM OF A COMMON
S O L D I E R C A M E T H E W O R D S , “ESNE SUCERDOS?” (ARE YOU A
PRIEST?).
“ Y E S , Y E S . ” I A N S W E R E D IN LATIN; AND FROM THERE WE CA RRIED
O N P E R F E C T L Y U N D E R S T A N DING EACH OTHER. HE WAS ONE OF THE TWO
G E R M A N S W H O H A D B E E N R ECORDING THE NAMES OF THE WOUND ED IN
THE SECOND TENT.
“ Y O U C A N H E L P M E , ” H E SAID. THEN FROM ENGLISH, THROUG H THE
M E D I U M O F L A T I N , W E S O ON HAD THE NAME, RANK, SERIAL N UMBER
O F T H E P A T I E N T S , A N D N ATURE OF THEIR WOUNDS ALL IN SP LENDID
O R D E R I N T H E G E R M A N L E DGER.
W H E N W E H A D F I N I S H E D T HE ROUNDS OF THE THREE T ENTS AND
R E C O R D E D A N O T H E R A M B U L ANCE LOAD WHICH HAD ARRIVED, WE HAD
T I M E T O S P E A K T O G E T H E R . I ASKED HIM, “FATHER, DO YOU HAVE
T H E B L E S S E D S A C R A M E N T NEAR HERE IN A CHAPEL?”
“ Y O U W I S H T O R E C E I V E H OLY COMMUNION?” HE ASKED.
I H A D N O T T H O U G H T O F M YSELF, BUT I A NSWERED, “YES, AN D THE
C A T H O L I C M E N I N T H E S E TENTS.”
H E R E A C H E D I N T O H I S L A PEL POCKET AND WITHDREW A WHITE CLOTH
W H I C H W R A P P E D A S M A L L GOLD PYX (SMALL POUCH TO CARRY THE
E U C H A R I S T T O T H E S I C K ) . REVERENTLY I KNELT IN THE STR AW AND
R E C E I V E D T H E P R E C I O U S PAR CEL FROM HIS HANDS. THEN I W ENT THE
R O U N D S O F T H E T E N T S A G AIN, AND GAVE THE BREAD OF LIFE TO THE
C A T H O L I C B O Y S . G R E A T W AS THEIR AWE AND GRATITUDE FOR SUCH AN
U N E X P E C T E D G I F T . W H E N I HAD FINISHED, I KNELT DOWN AN D TRIED
T O P R A Y T O T H E C H R I S T I HOLD IN MY HA NDS. THE THOUGHT
28
R E C U R R E D T O M E T H A T I TOO COULD USE THE PRIVILEGE OF COMBAT
Z O N E S T O R E C E I V E H O L Y COMMUNION AT THAT HOUR OF THE N IGHT. I
R E T U R N E D T O T H E G E R M A N PRIEST. AFTER GIVING HIM THE P YX, I
W E N T T O C O N F E S S I O N A N D RECEIVED HOLY COMMUNION.
I N T H E F E W M I N U T E S I TRIED TO SPEND IN THANKSGIVING, I COULD
O N L Y T H I N K O F T H E G O O D NESS OF GOD AND THE MYSTERY OF THE
S I N S A N D I N D I F F E R E N C E OF MEN. HERE WE WERE PRISONERS OF HE
E N E M Y A N D Y E T A L L B A R R IERS OF RACE AND IDEOLOGY WERE BROKEN
A N D C R O S S E D I N T H E S U P RANATIO NAL LOVE AND CHARITY AMO NG THE
M E M B E R S O F T H E C A T H O L I C CLERGY AND CHURCH.
T H E R E W A S S T I L L W O R K T O BE DONE IN GETTING OUR BOYS
C O M F O R T A B L E A N D P R O V I D ED FOR AS BEST WE COULD. SOME O F THEM
W A N T E D A D R I N K O F W A T E R, OTHERS WERE COLD AND NEEDED
C O V E R I N G S , S T I L L O T H E RS JUST WANTED CONSOLATION AND
C L A R I F I C A T I O N O F H A Z Y IDEAS.
“ F A T H E R , W A S I T O U R F A ULT THAT WE LOST THE BATTLE?”
“ H O W D I D T H E R E S T O F O UR DIVISION GET ALONG IN THE FI GHT?”
“ D O Y O U T H I N K T H E G E R M ANS WILL WIN THE WAR BY CHRISTM AS?”
“ H O W S O O N W I L L M Y F O L K S FIND OUT THAT I AM MISSING IN
ACTION?”
“ D O Y O U T H I N K T H E Y W I L L GET WORD ON CHRISTMAS DAY, WH ICH IS
ONLY A FEW DAYS OFF?”
“ D O Y O U T H I N K W E W I L L BE ABLE TO WRITE HOME OR GET AN Y MAIL
HERE?”
T O A L L S U C H Q U E S T I O N S I COULD NOT GIVE A SATISFACTORY
A N S W E R . IT W A S H O W E V E R CONSOLING WORK TO BE ABLE TO HELP IN
A S P I R I T U A L A N D E V E N I N A MATERIAL WAY THOSE COMRADES IN
A R M S W H O H A D H A D T H E M ISFORTUNE OF SUFFERING THE EFFE CTS OF
ENEMY MARKSMANSHIP.
T H E G E R M A N P R I E S T C A L L ED ME OUT OF THE TENT TO SHOW M E A
V -1, W H I CH T H E B R I T I S H CALLED A BUZZ - BOMB, PASSING OVER. WE
H A D B E E N H E A R I N G T H E M ALL EVENING. IF YOU FORGET FOR A
M O M E N T T H A T T H E Y A R E D ESTRUCTIVE WEAPONS (WHICH YOU C AN
N E V E R D O U N T I L T H E Y H A VE PASSED OVER; YOU CAN NEVER J OKE
A B O U T T H E M , F O R T H E Y F LY SO LOW THEY ALWAYS APPEAR TO BE
A B O U T T O G I V E T H E I R L A ST CHUG AND DROP) THEY REMIND Y OU OF A
W A L T D I S N E Y A N I M A T E D C ARTOON. AT NIGHT THERE IS A COM ET -LIKE
T A I L O F E X P L O D I N G G A S S ES AND A RED GLOW TO THE NOSE.
“ A D L O N D I N I U M , ” ( L O N D O N), SAID THE GERMAN PRIEST. IN MY
H E A RT I P R A Y E D T H A T T HIS ONE AT LEAST WOULD NEVER GET THERE.
I N T H E D A R K N E S S I N O T I CED A CHURCH SPIRE A BLOCK AWAY .
“ I S T H A T T H E C H U R C H W H ERE YOU SAY MASS?” I ASKED HIM.
29
Y E S , I T W A S , B U T N O T E VERY DAY DID HE HAVE THE TIME T O
W I T H D R A W F R O M H I S O T H E R WORK TO O FFER THE HOLY SACRIFICE. HE
P R O M I S E D T H A T H E W O U L D ARRANGE FOR ME TO SAY MASS THE RE THE
N E X T D A Y . B U T W H E N D A Y LIGHT CAME I WAS TO BE FAR AWAY . I
H A V E N O I D E A W H A T T H I S FIELD HOSPITAL LOOKED LIKE IN THE
D A Y L I G H T . W E T A L K E D I N THE DARKNESS A LITTLE WHILE AB O UT THE
W A R , B U T D I D N O T G E T F AR BECAUSE NEITHER OF US WAS WI LLING
T O C O N F I D E I N T H E O T H E R ANY MILITARY SECRETS WE MAY H AVE
POSSESSED.
” I S H I T L E R D E A D ? ” I A S KED HIM. “THERE IS A RUMOR THAT HE
IS.”
“ I T D O E S N ’ T M A K E A N Y D IFFERENCE,” THE PRIEST REPLIED.
“ H I M MLE R I S T H E C H I E F NAZI NOW.”
W E F I N A L L Y G O T T O T H E MATTER OF FOOD. IT WAS FOUR DAY S AT
L E A S T S I N C E I H A D H A D ANYTHING LIKE A FULL MEAL. HERE AND
T H E R E W E H A D P I C K E D U P A K RATION, A JELLY SANDWICH O R A
C H O C O L A T E B A R , B U T T H E RE HAD BEEN NO WARM FOOD BECAUS E OF
S C A R C I T Y O F S U P P L I E S A ND FACILITIES FOR COOKING. I TO LD THIS
T O T H E P R I E S T A N D A S K E D HIM ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF GETTING
S O M E T H I N G T H E N A N D T H E RE. HE LEFT ME AND RETURNED IN A FEW
M I N U T E S W I T H T W O P O C K E TS FULL OF APPLES. THESE I DIVI DED
A M O N G T H E S I C K M E N I N THE TENTS. IN RETURN I GAVE THE PRIEST
T H E C A R T O N O F C I G A R E T T ES I HAD.
“ H E R E , T A K E T H E S E B E F O RE SOME OTHER GERMAN GETS THEM. ”
I N A P R I L , 1 9 4 3 , L O N G A FTER MY IMPRISONMENT WAS OVER, I
R E C E I V E D A L E T T E R F R O M THIS PRIEST. HIS NAME IS HUBER T
P E R L I T I U S , A N D H I S R A NK EQUIVALENT TO THAT OF PRIVATE,
S A M I T A T S S O L D A T . I N M A RCH, 1945, HE HIMSELF FELL A PR ISONER
T O T H E I N V A D I N G A M E R I C AN FORCES AND MONTH LATER WAS A SSIGNED
A S C A T H O L I C C H A P L A I N O F A GROUP OF GERMAN PRISONERS I N
A L L I E D H A N D S . H I S H O M E IS IN EASTER N GERMANY, IN THE SECTION
N O W O C C U P I E D B Y T H E P O LES. IF HE WERE TO RETURN, HE W OULD BE
T A K E N P R I S O N E R A G A I N B Y THE RUSSIANS.
S P E A K I N G O F H I S P R E D I C AMENT HE WRITES, “IT IS DIFFICU LT FOR
M E , B U T W H E N I S E E T H E LOT OF OTHERS, THEN IT IS NOT SO
H A R D . ” A M O N G TH E A F F L I CTED WE CAN ALWAYS FIND THOSE AGONIES
A R E M O R E A C U T E T H A N O U R OWN. WE DERIVE SOME CONSOLATI ON FROM
T H E T H O U G H T T H A T O U R O WN MISFORTUNE COULD BE WORSE. I N THE
S A M E L E T T E R H E M E N T I O N ED THAT THE NAME OF THE PLACE W HERE WE
MET WAS ROMMERSHEIM.
W H E N I L O O K E D A T M Y W A TCH FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HOURS , IT
W A S S H O R T L Y A F T E R T W O IN THE MORNING. SLEEP HAD CAUGH T UP
W I T H M O S T O F T H E M E N I N THE TENTS AND I THOUGHT IT WE LL THAT
I G E T S O M E A L S O . A N O T H ER GUARD WAS KIND ENOUGH TO ALL OW ME
30
T O L I E D O W N O N T H E S T R AW. T HEN I DISCOVERED THAT MY FIELD
C O A T W A S M I S S I N G . I L O OKED IN ALL THE TENTS AND ON TH E SICK
M E N I F P E R C H A N C E O N E O F THEM HAD TAKEN IT TO USE AS A
B L A N K E T . N O W H E R E W A S IT TO BE SEEN; I HAD VISIONS OF
F R E E Z I N G T O D E A T H I N T HE COLD THAT WAS COMING ON. ONE OF THE
G U A R D S F I N A L L Y S H O W E D ME AROUND THE BACK OF THE TENT AND
T H E R E O N T H E G R O U N D I FOUND THE COAT THAT WAS TO KEEP ME
W A R M F O R M A N Y D A Y S T O COME. I WAS HAPPY TO HAVE RECOV ERED IT
E V E N W I T H O U T T H E S E V E R AL PACKAGES OF CIGARETTES AND A FEW
C H O C O L A T E B A R S , P L U S A PAIR OF GLOVES, I HAD HAD IN IT.
I H A D J U S T S E T T L E D D O W N TO WHAT I HOPED WOULD BE SOME REST
W H E N A N U G L Y G U A R D C A M E IN AND KICKED ME .
“ K O M M E N S I E S C H N E L L ! ” HE ORDERED ME OUT OF THE TENT T O AN
A M B U L A N C E W H I C H S T O O D BY THE BARN. I WAS TOLD TO GET IN AN D
S O O N F O U N D M Y S E L F P A C K ED TIGHT WITH SEVE NTEEN AMERICA N
E N L I S T E D M E D I C S W H O H A D SOMEHOW FOUND TH EIR WAY TO TH IS
F I E L D H O S P I T A L . S O M E O F THEM WERE DRIVERS , OTHERS STR ETHCER B E A R E R S ; A L L N O N - C O M B ATANTS LIKE MYSE LF. I MISSED THE THR EE
M E D I C A L O F F I C E R S W H O W ERE CAPTURED WITH ME. THE LAST TIME I
S A W T H E M T H E Y W E R E H E L PING WITH THE SURG ICAL CARE OF THE
W O U N D E D . O N L Y A F T E R I WAS LIBERATED DID I LEARN THAT ALL
T H R E E W E R E K I L L E D I N A BOMBING AT LIMBURG THREE DAYS LATER.
A G E R M A N S O L D I E R T O O K THE WHEEL OF OUR A MBUL ANCE AND DROVE
O U T O N T O T H E R O A D . T H E RE WE SAW A CONVOY OF GERMAN
A M B U L A N C E S M O V I N G T O W A RD THE FRONT. WE T OOK THE OPPOS ITE
D I R E C T I O N A N D S O O N W E R E MOVING UP A LONG HILL - BLACK - OUT
D R I V I N G . S N O W W A S F A L L ING AND THE ROAD W AS POORLY VIS IBLE.
T O T H E L E F T T H E R E S E E MED TO BE A SHA RP DROP AND ANY M INU TE
W E E X P E C T E D T O B E T O P P LING OVER IT. TO A DD TO OUR WOR RIES,
T H E J E R R Y W A S D R I V I N G WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PARTLY ON. NO
A M O U N T O F E X P O S U L A T I O N OR URGING COULD G ET HIM TO LIS TEN TO
O U R S U G G E S T I O N T O R E L E ASE THE BRA KE. BESIDE HIM SAT A NOTHER
G U A R D W I T H A R I F L E P O I NTED IN OUR DIRECT ION AND HE
M A N I F E S T E D P L A I N L Y T H A T NO PRISONER WAS TO PUT EVEN H IS HAND
BEYOND THE FRONT SEAT.
A T F O U R O ’ C L O C K I N T H E MORNING THE AMBUL ANCE STOPPED. THERE
W A S M U C H D I S C U S S I O N A N D SHOUTING BETWEEN THE DRIVERS AND THE
S O L D I E R S T H E Y M E T O N T HE ROAD. EVENTUALLY MATTERS WERE
S E T T L E D A N D W E W E R E O R DERED OUT OF THE A MBULANCE TO A HOUSE
O N T H E S I D E O F T H E R O A D; THEN UPSTAIRS T O A SMALL KIT CHEN,
R E A L L Y N O T M U C H B I G G E R THAN THE AMBULANC E. WE WERE AL L PUT
I N T O T H E L I T T L E R O O M , THE DOOR CLOSED AN D LOCKED BEHI ND US.
A F E W S M O U L D E R I N G E M B E RS IN THE STOVE SU PPLIED HEAT A ND A
B I T O F L I G H T . W E F O U N D THE REMMANTS OF A RECENT MEAL; A
P I E C E O F A L O A F O F B R E AD, A HALF -POT OFCOFFEE (ERSATZ ) AND A
S M A L L P I E C E O F B U T T E R . WHERE WE WERE WAS A MYUSTERY; SO W E
31
D E C I D E D T H E B E S T T H I N G TO DO WAS TO GET SOME SLEEP. B Y A
S H I F T O F T A B L E A N D S H A IRS ALL FOUND A FA IRLY COMFORTA BLE
P O S I T I O N , T H O U G H O N L Y THREE OR FOUR MANA GED TO STRETC H OUT
T O F U L L L E N G T H O N T H E FLOOR. THE MEDICS WERE RESPECTF UL IN
G I V I N G M E A K I T C H E N C H AIR TO SIT ON. THE IR COURTESY H OWEVER
H A D I T S R E W A R D , F O R T H E WOODEN FLOOR WAS MUCH MORE
C O M F O R T A B L E T H A N A C H A IR. I PUT MY HEAD AND ARMS ON T HE
K I T C H E N T A B L E A N D F E L L ASLEEP.
A T T H A T T I M E O F T H E Y E AR THE DAYS ARE SHORT, SO IT WAS EIG HT
O ’ C L O C K O R A F T E R W H E N THE FIRST LIGHT AR OUSED US. FRO M THE
W I N D O W W E C O U L D S E E T H AT WE WERE IN A SM ALL VILLAGE. UP AND
D O W N T H E S T R E E T W E S A W MEMBERS OF AN ENE MY UNIT MOVIN G
A B O U T . F R O M T H E I R N O N C HALANT ATTITUDE WE KNEW THAT WE WERE
N O T V E R Y N E A R T H E F R O N T LINES. IN THE HO USE NEXT DOOR TO US
T H E Y W E R E S E T T I N G U P A MESS. SACKS OF POT ATOES, A SID E OF
B E E F , A N D S O M E V E G E T A B LES WERE BEING CAR RIED IN. WE T URNED
T O T H E H A L F- L O A F O F B READ IN THE CUPBOARD AND DECIDED TO
E A T . E A C H O F T H E E I G H T EEN OF US GOT ABOUT TWO MOUTHFULS. A
F E W S T I L L H A D W A T E R I N THEIR CANTEENS, S O WE EACH HAD A SIP
OF THAT.
T H E D O O R T O T H E R O O M W AS UNBOLTED BY A GU ARD WHO POST ED
H I M S E L F A T T H E H E A D O F THE STAIRWAY. HE SAID WE MIGHT GO
O U T S I D E T O T H E L A T R I N E ONE AT A TIME . THEN WE LEARNED TH AT
I N T H E O N L Y O T H E R R O O M ON THE SECOND FLO OR OF THE HOU SE WERE
T W E N T Y P R I S O N E R S O F W A R WHO HAD BEEN LOC KED FOR TWO D AYS.
A F T E R A N H O U R O R S O W E WERE ALL TAKEN DO WNSTAIRS AND LINED
U P T W O A B R E A S T . W E W E R E MARCHED TO A KIT CHEN A COUPLE O F
D O O R S A W A Y W H E R E E A C H ONE OF US RECIVED A SMALL PIECE OF
B O I L E D B E E F , A H E L M E T FULL OF BOILED POT ATOES AND A H ANDFULL
O F S A L T . I T W A S N E C E S S ARY TO GO BACK TO THE CROWDED K ITCHEN
T O E A T . L A T E R A P O T O F ERSATZ TEA WAS BR OUGHT, WHICH WE
D R A N K F O R T H E S A K E O F THE LIQUID AND THE HEAT. HUNGRY AS WE
H A D B E E N , N O N E O F U S C OULD EAT ALL OF HIS POTATOES.
W E H A D S C A R C E L Y F I N I S H ED EATING WHEN WE WERE ORDERED
D O W N S T A I R S A G A I N . U N A C CUSTOMED TO THE LI FE OF PRISONE RS OF
W A R I N N A Z I H A N D S , W E INNOCENTLY THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS TO BE
A N O T H E R D O L E O F F O O D . INSTEAD WE WERE LI NED UP AND MA RCHED
A B O U T F O U R B L O C K S D O W N A MUDDY STREET, T HEN ROUND A C ORNER
T O B E J O I N E D U P W I T H L ITERALLY THOUSANDS OF PRISONERS OF
W A R . S O M E O F T H E M H A D BEEN CAPTURED FORT Y- EIGHT HOURS AND
H A D B E E N M A R CH I N G C O N S TANTLY EVER SINCE. THEY WERE HA G GARD
L O O K I N G , B U T G L A D T O S EE US. HERE I FOUND MANY OF THE MEN OF
T H E 4 2 2 N D I N F A N T R Y R E G IMENT. IT WAS A JO Y TO LEARN TH AT SO
M A N Y H A D P A S S E D T H R O U G H THE ACTION AT SCHONBERG UNHUR T. MY
G R E A T E S T D E L I G H T W A S T O FIND MY ASSISTANT, CORPORAL PAUL. B.
D A L T O N O F M A D I S O N , W I S CONSIN, UNHURT, WE ARY, BUT STIL L
S M I L I N G . H I S B I G B R O W N EYES SPARKLED AS HE TOLD ME HO W HE
32
H A D B E E N D R I V I N G M Y J E EP IN A CONVOY WHI CH THEY WERE TRYING
T O G E T O U T O F T H E P O C K ET WHEN THE FIRST VEHICLE HIT A LAND
M I N E A N D S T A L L E D T H E E NTIRE TRAIN LONG EN OUGH FOR THE
G E R M A N S T O O V E R T A K E T H EM AND CAPTURE THE MEN AND EQUI PMENT.
R O T H WA S T H E N A M E O F THE TOWN WE WERE IN. THI S CROWD OF TWO
T O T H R E E T H O U S A N D W A S FAMISHED FOR FOOD AND WATER. SO ME OF
T H E M E D I C S A N D I T R I E D TO GO BACK TO THE HOUSE WHERE WE H AD
L E F T O U R P O T A T O E S , B U T WERE QUICKLY STOP PED BY THE GU ARDS.
I N T H E C E N T E R O F T H E V ILLAGE WAS ONE WELL WHERE DRINKING
W A T E R W A S O B T A I N A B L E , BUT BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF
P R I S O N E R S A L L C O U L D N O T GET A DRINK. MA NY OF THE MEN WERE S O
W E A R Y T H E Y H A D N O T T H E ENERGY - THIRSTY AS THEY WERE - TO
G E T U P O F F T H E C O L D S T ONES ON WHICH THEY WERE LYING T O GO TO
T H E W E L L . W E T R I E D T O GET SOME PAILS TO CARRY WATER, BUT
NONE WOULD BE GIVEN US.
A B O U T O N E O ’ C L O C K I N T HE AFTERNOO N WE GOT WORD THAT T HE
C O L U M N W A S T O M A R C H A G AIN. BUT BEFORE MO VING ALL THOS E WHO
H A D O V E R S H O E S W E R E T O PUT THEM IN PLACES DESIGNATED. NOT
M A N Y W E R E A N X I O U S T O G IVE UP THEIR WARM F OOTWEAR, ESP ECIALLY
S I N C E T H E Y K N E W I T W A S GOING TO FRONT LI NE GERMAN TRO OPS .
W H E N W E S A W T H E R E W A S NO CHANCE OF GETTI NG AWAY WITH THEM,
W E T O O K T H E M O F F A N D I NSTEAD OF PILING TH EM UP NEATLY , THE
P A I R S W E R E M I S M A T E D , T WO RIGHTS WERE TIED TOGETHER AND TWO
L E F T S , A S I Z E T H I R T E E N WITH A SIZE SEVEN . KNIVES WERE USED
T O S L A S H T H E I N S T E P S A ND SOLES. WHEN A T LAST THERE WAS QUI TE
A H E A P A N D T H E S C A T T E R ED GROUPS WERE INS PECTED TO SEE THAT
N O A M E R I C A N H A D O V E R S H OES, THE MARCH WAS ON. FOR THE MEDICS
A N D M Y S E L F W H O H A D J U S T ARRIVED THIS WAS OUR FIRST
E X P E R I E N C E O F W A L K I N G UNDER GUARD. A LON G D ISCONSOLATE
C O L U M N S L O W L Y W O U N D O U T OF ROTH THAT AFT ERNOON OF DEC EMBER
2 0 T H I N T O R O L L I N G C O U N TRY ON A WELL -PAVED TWO - LANE HIGHWAY.
H I L L S W E R E P A R T I C U L A R L Y DIFFICULT TO THE FOOTWEARY SO LDIERS,
A N D T H E P A C E A T F I R S T WAS RATHER BRISK.
A F T E R A N H O U R A N D A H A LF WE RESTED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
W A T E R W A S O B T A I N E D B Y EATING SNOW THAT S TILL LAY IN L ITTLE
D E P R E S S I O N S O N T H E H I L LSIDES. AFTER A BR EAK JUST LONG ENOUGH
T O C H I L L A N D S T I F F E N S ORE MUSCLES AND JOI NTS, WE WERE OFF
A G A I N . A T F O U R O ’ C L O C K WE PASSED THROUGH THE TOWN OF PRUM .
I N T H E R E C E N T C A M P A I G N THIS TOWN HAD BEE N TAKEN BY TH E
A L L I E S A N D R E C A P T U R E D BY THE GERMANS. BR OKEN WINDOWS WERE
E V E R Y W H E R E , B U I L D I N G W ERE GUTTED BY ARTIL LERY FIRE, T HE
R A I L R O A D R I P P E D B Y B O M BINGS. IN STARK RE ALITY THIS WA S A
D E S E R T E D V IL L A G E . N O CIVILIANS WERE IN EVIDENCE FRO M ONE END
O F T H E C I T Y T O T H E O T H ER; ONLY A FEW SOL DIERS LOUNGED LAZILY
A R O U N D T H E E N T R A N C E T O AN HOTEL WHERE TH EY LIKELY HAD A
HEADQUARTERS.
33
R U M O R S S T A R T E D T H A T T H IS WAS THE END OF THE MARCH AND THAT
W E W O U L D B E P U T U P I N THIS TOWN. BUT THE HEAD OF THE COLU MN
C O N T I N U E D O N D O W N T H E MAIN STREETS, PASS ED HOTELS AND BANKS,
A C O U P L E O F C H U R C H E S , SOME WAREHOUSES, T O THE RAILROA D
S T A T I O N A T T H E B O T T O M OF THE HILL. “WE A RE GOING TO G ET A
T R A I N R I D E O U T O F H E R E ,” WAS ANOTHER RUMOR THAT FADED WHE N
W E S A W T H E R A I L R O A D Y A RD COMPLETELY BOMB ED OUT. NOT A SINGLE
T R A C K B U T H A D I T R A I L S SPLIT APART OR TW ISTED BY A BO MB.
T H E C O L U M N K E P T M O V I N G ; OUT OF THE TOWN WE WENT, ACRO SS A
S M A L L S T R E A M A N D T H E N UP ALONG WINDING H ILL. THE HIGH WAY WAS
P R E P A R E D F O R D E F E N S E . AT APPROXIMATELY H UNDRED YARD
I N T E R V A L S W E R E T A N K B L OCKS READY TO BE P USHED ONTO TH E ROAD;
G U N E M P L A C E M E N T S W E R E DUG IN THE SIDE OF THE HILL; FO XHOLES
F O R M A C H I N E G U N N E R S O N THE ROAD LEVEL. S OME PRISONERS WERE
S U F F E R I N G S E V E R E L Y F R O M THE CLIMB. THEIR LEGS WERE SO RE AND
S T I F F F R O M T H E C O L D A N D MARCHING; EVERY STEP WAS A TO RTURE.
S L O W L Y T H E C O L U M N K E P T MOVING. DARKNESS AND WIND CAME
T O G E T H E R . S O O N I T S T A R TED TO DRIZZLE AND IN OUR MISER Y WE
E V E N S T O P P E D C O U N T I N G THE KILOMETERS WHI CH M ARKED THE
D I S T A N C E A L O N G T H E H I G HWAY.
A B O U T S I X O ’ C L O C K W E H AD ANOTHER BREAK TO ALLOW A CONVOY TO
P A S S . I N T H E B L A C K N E S S WE SAW THE OUTLIN ES OF HEAVY A ND
M E D I U M T A N K S , A R M O R E D CARS, TRUCKLOADS O F AMMUNITION,
W E A P O N S C A R R I E R S A N D A MBULANCES, AND MORE OF TH OSE TWO WHEELED KITCHENS.
S O M E P R I S O N E R S H A D P I C KED UP SUGAR -BEATS ALONG THE SI DE OF
T H E R O A D A N D W E R E P E A L ING THEM AND CUTTI NG THEM UP. M ANY OF
U S W E R E H U N G R Y B U T D E C LINED TO EAT THEM ON THE SCORE THAT
O U R M I S E R Y M I G H T B E M A DE WORSE WITH RAW BEETS IN OUR
S T O M A C H S . H O W E V E R , I H EARD OF NO ONE WHO SUFFERED ANY AFTER E F F E C T S A N D I L E A R N E D FROM LATER EXPERIE NCE THAT THEY WERE
J U S T A S G O O D T O E A T A S RAW CARROTS.
“ F I V E M O R E K I L O M E T E R S , ” THE RUMORS FROM THE GUARDS SA ID.
A F T E R A N O T H E R H O U R ’ S M ARCH, “FUNF KILOMET E R” WAS STILL THE
A N S W E R T O O U R Q U E S T I O N , “HOW MUCH LONGER ?” ALL WERE S ILENT
N O W . I T W A S A N E N D U R A N CE TEST FOR EVERYB ODY. MY HEART WENT
O U T T O T H O S E W H O H A D B EEN PLODDING THUS F OR THE BETTE R PART
O F T W O D A Y S . T H E P A C E WAS SLOWING AND TH E FEELING OF
N U M B N E S S C A M E O V E R U S . PLOP,P LOP,PLOP. WE CAN ALW AYS DO ONE
M O R E K I L O M E T E R , I T H O U GHT; AND SO IT WAS . NEAR MIDNIG HT IT
W A S S T I L L R U M O R E D , “ F I VE KILOMETERS MORE ”, BUT THIS T IME THE
R U M O R E X A G G E R A T E D , F O R IN A FEW MINUTES WE STOPPED BE TWEEN A
R O W O F H O U S E S O N T H E R OAD. NO LIGHTS WERE V ISIBLE EXCEPT THE
F A I N T G L O W O F A F E W G E RMAN FLASHLIGHTS W HICH WERE OPE RATED
B Y T U R N I N G A K E Y M U C H LIKE THE WINDING O F A SPRING ON A
C H I L D ’ S T O Y . “ T H E Y A R E GOING TO FEED US, ” WAS THE WOR D
34
P A S S E D D O W N T H E C O L U M N ; HOPES AND SPIRIT S REVIVE D AT THE
P R O S P E C T O F S O M E T H I N G WARM TO EAT. WE TO LERATED THE L ONG
D E L A Y I N T H E R A I N A N D WIND. SOME FELLOWS STRETCHED OU T ON
T H E P A V E M E N T I N S H E E R EXHAUSTION. FIVE O R SIX WOULD H UDDLE
T O G E T H E R F O R M U T U A L S U PPORT AND PROTECTI ON FROM THE W ET.
A N O T H E R H O U R D R A G G E D ON AND WORD CAM E THAT THERE WAS NOT
E N O U G H F O O D F O R S O M A N Y; HENCE NONE WOUL D BE SERVED U NTIL
M O R N I N G . B U T W E W E R E G OING TO BE HOUSED I N A LARGE BU ILDING
U P A H E A D . “ N O M O R E M A R CHING ANYWAY,” WE SIGHED IN REL IEF.
T H E C O L U M N M O V E D O F F T HE PAVEMENT ONTO A SIDE ROAD TH AT WAS
A M A S S O F M U D . U P O N A N INCLINE APPEARED WHAT LOOKED LIKE
H I G H P R I S O N W A L L S . A T LEAST WE COULD GET IN OUT OF TH E COLD,
W E T H O U G H T . H O W E V E R , W E SOON WERE DISILLU SIONED WHEN WORD
C A M E T H A T T H E P L A C E W A S ALREADY OVERCROW DED WITH PW’S AND WE
W O U L D H A V E T O S T A N D O U T IN THE MUD FOR T HE REST OF TH E
N I G H T . T H E R E W A S N O T H I NG TO DO BUT MAKE THE BEST OF T HE
S I T U A T I O N A N D T R Y T O F IND COMFORT IN DIRE MISERY. MANY LAY
D O W N I N T H E M U D , H U D D L ED TOGETHER AND FE LL ASLEEP. AS THE
H O U R S O F T H E N I G H T W O R E O N, MORE AND MORE TOO K TO THE MUCK
O R T H E D I T C H E S A N D W E N T TO SLEEP. THE DR IZZLE TURNED TO
R A I N . T H E N I G H T S E E M E D INTERMINABLE; REA LLY IT WOULD NOT
H A V E B E E N L O N G E R , F O R IT WAS THE WINTER SOLSTICE AND THE
L O N G E S T N I G H T O F T H E Y EAR.
T H E F I R S T S T R E A K S O F L IG HT FOUND ME STILL ST ANDING OR
W A L K I N G A M O N G T H E P R O S TRATE FORMS. WHAT KEPT ME ON MY FEET
W A S T H E T H O U G H T T H A T P NEUMONIA OR WORSE W OULD BE THE RESULT
O F G O I N G T O S L E E P O N T HE WET GROUND, AND I MUST DO MY BEST
T O K E E P W E L L F O R T H E S AKE OF ALL THOSE WH O WOULD NEED A
P R I E S T . T H E O M I N O U S F O RMS THAT LOOKED LI KE PRISON WAL LS IN
T H E D A R K N E S S T U R N E D O U T TO BE TURRETS OF A WAREHOUSE AND A
F E W A D J A C E N T B U I L D I N G S . WITHIN A SORT OF ENCLOSURE OR
C O U R T Y A R D S E V E R A L H U N D RED PRISONERS WERE STRETCHED OU T ON
T H E F L A G S T O N E S . A S M A L LER COLUMN THAN OURS HAD ARRIVED HER E
B E F O R E D A R K T H E N I G H T BEFORE. EVEN ALL T HESE WERE NOT GIVEN
S P A C E T O S L E E P O N T H E FLOOR OF THE WAREH OUSES, SOME H AD TO
S T A Y O U T S I D E . W E W E R E NEAR THE TOP OF A HILL THAT LOO KED
D O W N O N T H E T O W N O F G E ROLSTEIN. ABOUT FIVE THOUSAND
P R I S O N E R S O F W A R W E R E MILLING AROUND THE AREA WHEN TH E
D A Y L I G H T F I N A L L Y C A M E . WHETHER THIS IS A N UNDER OR AN OVER S T A T E M E N T , I H A V E N O M EANS OF KNOWING. SO ME EFFORT WA S MADE
T O F E E D T H E M U L T I T U D E , BUT AS ALWAYS HAP PENS IN DISOR GANIZED
C R O W D S , S O M E G O T M U C H AND SO ME GOT NONE. IT WAS EVIDE NT THAT
W E W E R E A L L U N E X P E C T E D , AND FOR THE CIVI LIAN POPULATI ON,
UNWANTED “GUESTS”.
S P I R I T S P I C K E D U P W I T H THE PROSPECT OF S OMETHING TO E AT AND
T H E N E C E S S I T Y O F G O I N G IN SEARCH OF IT G AVE NEW LIFE TO
H U N G R Y M EN . M Y O L D F R IEND, SE RGEANT JOSEPH KERSKY OF
M E M P H I S , T E N N , S U P P L Y SERGEANT OF OUR BA TTALION, CAME TO MY
35
A I D A S H E H A D S O O F T E N DONE IN THE PAST. HE TOOK ME A ROUND
S E V E R A L C O R N E R S A N D I N TO A SMALL ENCLOSU RE WHERE THER E WAS A
K I T C H E N . H E G O T M E A C OUPLE OF P IECES OF BREAD AND A CUP OF
E R S A T Z C O F F E E . G O O D O L D JOE, I’LL NOT FO RGET THE DAY ON THE
L I N E S W H E N T H E G R O U N D WAS COVERED WITH S NOW AND A SUP PLY OF
O V E R S H O E S A R R I V E D F O R THE BATTALION. I T OLD HIM IT HE NEVER
C O N T R I B U T E D T O T H E S U P PORT OF THE CHURCH FOR THE REST OF HIS
L I F E H E W O U L D B E E X C U S ED FROM SIN IF HE COULD FIND A PAIR OF
O V E R S H O E S T H A T W O U L D F IT THIS PASTOR OF S OULS. JOE DI D.
S T A N D I N G O U T I N T H E R A IN COULD NOT BE A PERMANENT
A R R A N G E M E N T ; B Y N O O N W E LEARNED THAT THE LONG MARCHES WERE
O V E R A N D T H A T W E W O U L D BE TRANSPORTED BY RAIL FARTHER BACK
F R O M T H E F R O N T . T H E G E RMANS STARTED COLL ECTING US IN GROUPS
O F S I X T Y A N D M A R C H I N G US AWAY TOWARD GEROLSTEIN TO BO ARD THE
T R A I N S . A S E A C H G R O U P MOVED OUT, THE MEN WERE GIVEN R ATIONS
F O R T H R E E D A Y S - A P O UND OF CHEE SE (IN A CAN) AND TW O BAGS
O F C R A C K E R S F O R E V E R Y THREE MEN. BECAUSE I WAS MOVING FROM
O N E G R O U P T O A N O T H E R A ND LISTENING TO A S TORY HERE AN D A
S T O R Y T H E R E , I G O T A H E AD OF THE POINT WH ERE THE RATIO NS WERE
B E I N G I S S U E D ; A G U A R D SUPPOSING THAT I H AD ALREADY B EEN
C O U N T E D A N D I S S U E D R A T IONS, REFUSED TO L ET ME GO BACK ; BUT
T H E R E W E R E E N O U G H P R I S ONERS WHO DID NOT LIKE CHEESE A ND
T H E R E S E E M E D T O B E P L E NTY OF CRACKERS, S O I FARED WEL L. THE
S M A L L R A T I O N F O R T H R E E DAYS BECAME A LAU GHING MATTER AND
W I T H I N T W E N T Y- F O U R H O U RS THERE WAS NO MO RE CHEESE AND
CRACKERS IN EVIDENCE.
T H E F O O D A N D D R I N K ( L I TTLE AS IT WAS) RE VIVED US. THE
C E S S A T I O N F R O M M A R C H I N G WAS A REST IN IT SELF. THE SHO CK,
D I S A P P O I N T M E N T A N D A P P ARENT DISGRACE OF BEING CAPTURE D WORE
O F F . T H E R E S I L I E N C Y O F AMERI CAN BOYS SHOWED ITSE LF IN THE
L A U G H T E R , T H E H O R S E - P L AY, AND THE BANTER WITH GERMAN
C I V I L I A N S A N D G U A R D S . THIS DAY MARKED TH E BEGINNING O F OUR
B A R T E R I N G . F O R A F E W C IGARETTES OR A CHOC OLATE BAR WE COULD
B U Y A L O A F O F B R E A D O R A RING OF WURST; ATONE HOUSE A L ONG
T H E R O A D S O M E C O M P A S S I ONATE FRAU HAD MAD E A BIG POT O F
E R S A T Z C O F F E E A N D F O R ON CIGARETTES WAS SELLING A CAN TEEN
C U P O F T H E B E V E R A G E . C OFFEE ENOUGH FOR TH OUSANDS OF M EN IS
N O T M A D E I N A N Y H O U S E H OLD UTENSIL. THIS IS WHY SO MAN Y WERE
DISAPPOINTED.
A F E W YA R D S ’ M O V E M E N T AND THEN A HALT; STANDIN G IN THE
M I D D L E O F T H E R O A D A N D THEN OFF TO THE S IDE TO ALLOW A
V E H I C L E T O P A S S . T H I S PROCESS KEPT UP FO R HOURS, AND ALL THE
W H I L E C I V I L I A N S P A S S E D SINGLY OR IN GROU PS WITH WHOM WE
T R I E D T O C O N N I V E I N O B TAINING FOOD . MANY WOMEN AND OL D MEN
F R O W N E D O N U S ; O T H E R S LOOKED SYMPATHETIC ALLY AND EXPR ESSED A
W I L L I N G N E S S T O H E L P W E RE IT NO FOR THE G UARDS.
36
E V E N T U A L L Y T H A T P A R T O F THE COLUMN WHERE I FOUND MYSE LF
M O V E D S T E A D I L Y . T H R O U G H THE BUSINESS DIS TRICT, OVER A BRIDGE
I N T HE C E N T E R O F T H E TOWN , THEN DOWN AN INCLI NE TO TH E
R A I L R O A D S T A T I O N . A L O N G THE PLATFORM WE WERE AGAIN DI VIDED
I N T O G R O U P S O F S I X T Y , THIS TIME TEN ABRE AST. THE GUAR DS
B E C A M E P A R T I C U L A R L Y E X ASPERATED AS PALS AND BUDDIES W HO HAD
B E E N S E P A R A T E D I N D I F F ERENT GRO UPS JOCKEYED FOR POS ITION OR
J U S T M I S C H I E V O U S L Y G O T OUT OF LINE.
I B E C A M E T H E F O C A L P O I NT OF ATTENTION AS A GRAND CROW D OF
F E L L O W S T R I E D T O G E T M E IN THEIR GROUP OF SIXTY. SOMEWHERE
U P A H E A D O F U S T H E R E H AD BEEN A MISCOUNT WHICH NECESS ITATED
A N E W G R O U P I NG . A N D T H E SPLIT THI S TIME CAME RIGHT IN THE
M I D D L E O F O U R P A R T Y . I FOUND MYSELF SEPAR ATED FROM TH E
F E L L O W S W H O W E R E M O S T ANXIOUS TO BE WITH THE PADRE. T HE
G U A R D S B E C A M E M O R E I N D IGNANT AS THE JOCK EYING AND SHI FTING
O F T H E M E N S T A R T E D A L L OVER AGAIN. A GER MAN OFFICER G AVE A
L O U D A N D M O V I N G S P E E C H , WHICH WE RESPECT FULLY LISTENE D TO,
T H O U G H W E U N D E R S T O O D N O WORD OF IT. WE KN EW WE WERE
T H O R O U G H L Y “ E A T E N O U T ” ABOUT SOMETHING, MOST PROBABLY FOR
M A K I N G A G A M E O F F A R M E R IN THE DELL OUT OF A VERY SER IOUS
S I T U A T I O N . I W A S S T I L L NOT WITH THE SIXTY WHO MOST W ANTED ME
W I T H T H E M . D U R I N G A C O MMOTION AND ANOTHE R TEAR -JERKING
S P E E C H D O W N T H E L I N E , I EXCHANGED PLACES WITH A GI IN THE
N E X T G R O U P . A L A S , I W A S SPOTTED. AN OFFI CER CAME RUNN ING UP
T O M E A N D S T A R T E D A G E RMAN TIRADE THAT ALMOST MOVED M E TO
T E A R S . I D I D N O T A N S W E R HIS QUESTIONS, N OT SO MUCH BE CAUSE
T H E Y W E R E U T T E R L Y I N C O MPREHENSIBLE AS TH AT I THOUGHT THEY
W E R E R H E T O R I C A L . A C I V ILIAN BYSTANDER WH O KNEW SOME E NGLISH
SPOKE TO ME.
“ H E W A N T S T O K N O W : A R E YOU THERE OR HERE ?”
“ I A M H E R E , ” I A N S W E R E D INNOCENTLY.
“ A R E Y O U T H E R E , ” H E D E MANDED.
“NO, I AM HERE.”
“ A R E Y O U G O I N G F R O M T H ERE TO HERE?”
“ I A M N O T G O I N G A N Y W H E RE,” I REPLIED STI LL PLEADING
INNOCENCE.
T H E R E W A S A N O T H E R T A L K ING DOWN IN GERMAN DURING WHICH SOME
M O R E S H I F T ED T H E I R P O SITIONS. T HEN ANOTHER COUNT BE GAN. BY
T H I S T I M E E V E R Y B O D Y S E EMED SATISFIED TO BE WHERE HE W AS; A
F I N A L A N D D E F I N I T E C O U NT TOOK PLACE AS W E BOARDED THE TRAIN.
A F E W B L O C K S U P T H E T R ACKS TWO SMALL ENG INES WERE SWI TCHING
B A C K A N D F O R T H . T H E Y F ORMED THEIR TRAINS AND PUL LED I NTO THE
B A N H O F O N P A R A L L E L T R A CKS. THE COMPONENT S WERE ALL FR EIGHT
C A R S , L I T T L E M O R E T H A N HALF THE SIZE OF AMERICAN BOXC ARS,
A N D A T T H E E N D O F T H E TRAIN A SMALL CABO OSE. ON THE S IDE OF
S O M E O F T H E C A R S W E R E THE FAMOUS FRENCH MARKI NG, “40 HOMMES
37
- 8 C H E V A U X ” ( 4 0 M E N - 8 HORSES), KNOWN FRO M WORLD WAR I AS
T H E “ F O R T Y A N D E I G H T ’ S ”.
L O A D I N G B E G A N A T T H E C AR IMMEDIATELY BEHI ND THE ENGIN E,
E X A C T L Y S I X T Y M E N T O A CAR; AND ONLY ONE CAR WAS LOAD ED AT A
T I M E , T H R E E O R F O U R G U ARDS CHECKING TH E NUMBER OF PRISONER S.
I N D U E C O U R S E T H E C A R NEXT TO US ON THE TRACK WAS REA CHED.
T H E S L I D I N G D O O R W A S P USHED ASIDE AND SIX TY OF US LOA DED.
W H E N A L L W E R E A B O A R D , THE DOOR WAS ROLLE D BACK AND
PADLOCKED.
38
CHAPTER THREE
C H RISTMAS IN A BOXCA R
W E N O W H A D A N E W S I T U A TION TO MEET. SIXT Y MEN IN AN A REA
D E S I G N A T E D F O R F O R T Y A ND THAT IN A COUNTR Y WHICH CLAI MED
T H A T L I V I N G S P A C E W A S OVERCROWDED TO BEG IN WITH. IN A DDITION
T H E C A R H A D R E C E N T L Y B EEN USED FOR ITS AL TERNATE PURP OSE OF
C A R R Y H O R S E S - M O S T L IKELY TWELVE I NSTEAD OF EIGHT - AND HAD
N O T B E E N C L E A N E D . T H E MANURE HAD BEEN PU SHED TO EITHE R END
O F T H E C A R I N N O E S T H E TIC HEAPS. A SMALL AMOUNT OF ST RAW
T H A T H A D N T O B E E N S O I L ED THE HORSES WAS LEFTIN THE MI DDLE.
O N E I T H E R S I D E O F T H E CAR NEAR THE END S WERE SMALL WINDOWS ,
N O T Q U I T E L A R G E E N O U G H T FOR A MAN TO POK E HIS HEAD TH ROUGH,
O P E R A T E D O N T H E S A M E P RINCIPLE AS THE SLI DING DOOR. I N OU CR
W O O D E N S L A T S N O W F I L L E D THE SPACE WHERE G LASS PANES HA D ONE
B E E N . W H E N T H E W I N D O W S WERE SHUT, THE INSIDE OF THE C A R WAS
V E R Y D A R K ; W H E N O P E N , THE CHILL WINTER B LASTS RUSHED IN.
A T F I R S T W E A L L S A T D O WN, OR RATHER TRIE D TO DO. OBVI OUSLY
N O O N E W A N E D T O S I T A T OR NEAR THE ENDS OF THE CAR. I N DUE
T I M E , H O W E V E R , W E W E R E ALL SOMEHOW SEATE D ON THE FLOO R. IT
W A S A R E L I E F T O S I T D O WN AND A GREATER B LESSING STILL TO BE
H U D D L E D T O G E T H E R A W A Y FROM THE COLD WIND . IN A FEW MI NUTES
M E N D R O P P E D O F F T O S L E EP. TIRED AS THEY WERE, THEIR S LEEP
W A S S O U N D A N D D E E P . T H E DEEPER THEY SANK IN SLUMBER, THE
L A R G E R T H E S P A C E R E L A XING LIMBS OCCUP IED ON THE FLOOR. NO
S O O N E R D I D A R E S T L E S S SOUL STAND UP THAN THE UNOCCUPI ED
S P A C E W A S F I L L E D W I T H SLUMPING BODIES. O NE WHO WISHED TO
S I T-DO W N W O U L D Y E L L , “OP EN THE WINDOW SO I C AN SEE WH AT I’M
D O I N G . ” W H E N T H E W I N D O W WAS OPENED, ANOT HER WOULD CRY ,
“ C L O S E T H E W I N D O W , I T S COLD!” THEN WE HE ARD ORDERS SU CH AS
T H E S E , “ M O V E O V E R , G I V E ME SOME ROOM.” “ KEEP YOUR KNE ES OFF
M Y B A C K . ” S O M E H O W , S O M EWAY, WE ALL MUST HAVE FOUND A
P O S I T I O N T O S L E E P I N . I FOR ONE DID NOT HEAR THE TRAI N PULL
O U T O F G E RO L S T E I N .
W E D I D N O T K N O W I T A T THE TIME, BUT OURS WERE THE LAS T TWO
T R A I N S T O L E A V E T H A T S TATION. THAT VERY N IGHT AND DUR ING THE
N E X T D A Y G E R O L S T E I N W A S BOMBED, THE RAIL ROAD YARDS MA DE A
S H A M B L E S , A N D S O M E A M E RICAN PRISONERS KI LLED. THOSE W HO
L I V E D T H R O UG H T H E O R D EAL WALKED FROM GEROLSTEIN TO KOBLENZ
O N T H E R H I N E R I V E R . T H E DISTANCE IS ABOU T ONE HUNDRED
K I L O M E T E R S A N D I T T O O K THEM THE BETTER P ART OF A WEEK ,
I N C L U D I N G C H R I S T M A S D A Y. DURING THE MARC H MANY PW’S W ERE
U N W I T T I N G L Y K I L L E D I N STRAFING BY AMERIC AN AND BRITISH
PLANES.
A T S O M E W E E H O U R O F T H E MORNING I AWOKE. THERE WAS DA RKNESS
A N D D E E P S I L E N C E ; A L L WAS STILL SAVE THE HEAVY BREATH ING OF
39
D E E P S L E E P E R S . T H E T R A IN WAS NOT MOVING. I WAS COLD,
C R A M P E D , S T I F F , A N D A C HING IN LEGS AND B ACK. HALF LYI NG,
H A L F SI T T I N G , M Y H E A D AND ARMS WERE ON SOMEBOD Y’S HIPS;
T H R E E P A I R S O F L E G S W E RE TANGLED UP WITH MINE AND A H EAD
R E S T E D A G A I N S T M Y S I D E . WERE I TO MOVE V ERY MUCH, I W OULD
S U R E L Y W A K E N T H E O T H E R S. WERE I TO STAND , THERE WOULD BE NO
P L A C E T O S I T D O W N A G A I N. YET I WAS SO UNCOMFORTAB LE I HAD TO
D O S O M E T H I N G . I T R I E D TO SHIFT MY POSITI ON WITHOUT LO SING
F L O O R- SP A C E . D R A W I N G UP MY FOOT, TWO HEAVY SHOE S MOVED INTO
T H E S P A C E W H E R E I T H A D BEEN. I TURNED A BIT FORWARD T HE HEAD
O N M Y S I D E S L I P P E D O N T O MY LAP. I STRETC HED O UT AN AR M AND
POKED IT INTO A FACE.
“ H E Y ! W H A T ’ S T H E I D E A ? ” CAME A VOICE.
“ S O R R Y , S O N . ” I W H I S P E RED.
I L E A N E D B A C K A N D F E L T THE FROZEN SIDE O F THE BOXCAR ON MY
B A C K . I L I F T E D T H E H E A D FROM MY LAP, PUL LED UP THE OT HER
F O O T A N D P U T T H E H E A D WHERE IT HAD BE EN, RAISED MY KNEES UP
T O M Y C H I N , R O L L E D O V E R SIDEWAYS AND TRI ED TO GO BACK TO
S L E E P . S L O W L Y S L E E P C A ME WHILE I PRAYED THAT THIS CAR OF
H U M A N S P A C K E D L I K E S A R DINES MIGHT SOON B E OPENED AND FURTHER
M I S E R Y A V E R T E D . T W I C E AGAIN I AWOKE DURI NG THE NIGHT. ONE OR
T W O C I G A R E T T E S G L O W E D IN THE DARKNESS, B UT NO ONE SPO KE.
J U S T D E E P S I L E N C E , P I E RCING COLD, AND TH E SWEET REPOS E OF
SLEEP.
D A Y L I G H T F O U N D A L L A W A KE. RESTED BY THE LONG HOURS OF
D A R K N E S S A N D S L E E P , W E NOW STARED MOVING AROUND THE B OXCAR.
E X C E P T F O R O U R F E E T W E FELT WARM. MO ST CASES OF COLD FEE T
W E R E C U R E D B Y R E M O V I N G THE SHOES AND MES SAGING THE FE ET
B R I S K L Y . D R Y S O C K S , W H ICH MOST OF US CAR RIED IN OUR P OCKETS,
H E L P E D A L S O . T H E R O O F AND METAL JOINTS O F THE CAR WER E
F R O S T E D L I K E T H E I N S I D E OF A FRIGIDAIRE. A LOOK OUT THE
L I T T L E W I N D O W S R E V E A L E D THAT THE TRAIN W AS STANDING O N A
S I N G L E T R A C K I N T H E M I DST OF A FOREST. T HE GROUND AND TREES
W E R E C O V E R E D W I T H S N O W . WHETHER WE WERE ON A MAIN LIN E OR A
S I D I N G N O O N E C O U L D T E LL. A FEW GUARDS P ACED UP AND D OWN
O U T S I D E T H E T R I N , T H E IR FACE S KOTTED WITH THE CO LD. C RACKERS
A N D C H E E S E W E R E A L L A N Y OF US HAD FOR BR EAKFAST
T H E T R A I N G A V E L U R C H A ND WE WERE OFF AGAI N. WE PASSED
T H R O U G H S O M E V I L L A G E S AND AFTER A FEW DE LAYS WERE IN KOBLENZ
O N T H E R H I N E . F O R S E V E RAL BLOCKS FROM T HE RIVER FRONT THE
C I T Y H A D B E E N R E P E A T E D LY BOMBED. WE SAW WHAT HAD ONCE BEEN
B E A U T I F U L B U I L D I N G S , N OW GUTTED, BURNED, AND LEVELED; STARK
S P E C T E R S O F T H E T R A G E D Y OF WAR. THE TRAI N STOPPED IN THE
R A I L R O A D Y A R D F O R A N H OUR, RUSSIAN SLAVE LABOR HAD BI LLETS
I N DE R A I L E D C A R S I N T HE YARD AND WERE WORKIN G UNDER G UARD A
R E P A I R I N G T R A C K S A N D F ILLING TIN BOMB CRA TER. WE MOVE D UP TO
40
T H E R I V E R . “ L O O K S L I K E THE OHIO AT PITTS BURGH. EXCEPT FOR
T H E C O L O R , ” S O M E O N E R E MARKED. SPANNING T HE RIVER WERE SEVEN
B R I D G E S , T W O O R T H R E E OF THEM APPARENTL Y STILL USEABL E. ONE
H I G H , C O N C R E T E S T R U C T U RE HAD TWO SECTION S COMPLETELY KNOCKED
O U T . A R A I L R O A D B R I D G E HAD BEEN HIT WHIL E A TRAIN WAS ON IT,
A N D T W O O F T H E C A R S W E RE DANGLING OVER T HE EDGE OF TH E
BROKEN SPAN.
O U R T R A I N M O V E D V E R Y S LOWLY UP TO THE RIVER ; THEN ALMOST
W I T H T H E C A U T I O N O F A ROPE - WALKER SMOOTHLY MADE THE
C R O S S I N G . O N C E O V E R T H E RHINE WE MOVED W ITH LESS PREC ISION.
S T O P A N D G O L I K E T H E H EAVY TRAFFIC ON A C ONGESTED
T H O R O U G H F A R E , B U T A L L AROUND US NO OTHER TRAINS MOVED .
T E N E MEN T H O U S E A N D M I DDLE CLASS RESIDENCE SECT IONS OF THE
C I T Y W E R E B O M B E D O U T . YET WHEREVER A FLA T OR A FEW RO OMS
W E R E L E F T W I T H A R O O D , THERE WAS EVIDENC E OF OCCUPANC Y. MORE
S T O P A N D G O A N D T H E D A Y WORE ON. TWICE T HE CITY WAS A LERTED
B Y T H E S O U N D O F A I R - R A ID SIRENS.
T H E G E R M A N S H A D T H R E E SIGNALS IN CONNECT ION WITH AIR -RAIDS.
T H R E E L O N G B L A S T S O F F IFTEEN TO TWENTY SE CONDS EACH M EANT
T H A T A L L I E D P L A N E S W E R E WITHIN A THREE H UNDRED MILE R ADIUS;
T H I S W A S T H E C A U T I O N S IGNAL. TWELVE SHORT BLASTS OF FOUR
S E C O N D S E A C H S I G N I F I E D THAT PLANE S WERE IN THE NEIGHB ORHOOD
A N D S I G N A L E D A L L P E O P L E TO TAKE COVER. A LONG STEADY BLAST
O F S I X T Y S E C O N D S W A S T HE ALL - CLEAR SIGN.
T H I S D A Y T H E S K Y W A S C LEAR AND OVERHEAD W E COULD SEE THE
V A P O R T R A I L S O F S Q U A D R ONS ON THEIR MISSI ON TO SOUT HERN
G E R M A N Y . W E D I D N O T K N OW AT THE TIME, BU T SOME OF THO SE
P R I S O N E R S W H O M W E L E F T BEHIND AT GEROLSTEIN WERE BEIN G
K I L L E D B Y B O M B I N G S T H A T TOOK PLACE THIS AFTERNOON.
W H E N E V E R T H E T R A I N S T O PPED WE HAD MEN ON THE LOOKOUT FOR
C I V I L I A N S W I L L I N G T O B ARTER FOR FOOD. WE FAILED IN T HE
A T T E M P T , F O R N O N E W O U L D RISK THE ANGER O F THE GUARD T O COME
C L O S E T O T H E T R A I N . L A TE IN THE AFTERNOO N WATER WAS P ROVIDED
U S I N A M A R S H A L I N G Y A R D. SIX MEN WERE TA KEN FROM EACH CAR B U T O N L Y T O W C A R S A T A TIME - TO A PUMP AT THE HEA D OF THE
T R A I N A N D A L L O W E D T O B RING BACK AS MANY S TEEL HELMETS FULL
O F W A T E R A S T H E Y C O U L D CARRY. BY THE TIM E THE THIRST OF THE
H U M A N C A R G O W A S S L A K E D IT WAS DUSK AGAIN AND WE WERE BOLTED
I N F O R T H E N I G H T . C R A C KERS AND CHEESE WE RE GONE NOW, SO WE
S E T T L E D D OW N T O T H I N K ABOUT FO OD. GOOD FELLOWSHIP AND NEED
F O R C O O P E R A T I O N I N D U C E D US TO MAKE ADJUS TMENTS IN THE
S L E E P I N G S I T U A T I O N . T H E CAR WAS NOT WIDE ENOUGH FOR T WO MEN
T O L I E C O M F O R T A B L E F E E T TO FEET ACROSS I TS WIDTH. BY TIGHT
S Q U E E Z I N G A L L B U T T W O OR THREE COU LD SIT ABREAST DOWN THE
T W O S I D E S O F T H E C A R . NO ONE WANTED TO S IT NEAR THE E NDS,
F O R T H E R E T H E W I N D O W S LET IN THE COLD AN D THE FLOOR W AS
41
S T R E W N W I T H M A N U R E . B Y SOME WIZARDRY OF HOUSING, WE A LL
F O U N D A S N U G P O S I T I O N FOR A TIME; HEADS WERE ALONG TH E OUTER
W A L L S A N D F E E T , L E G S , STEEL HELMET, AND SH OES SCRAMBLED
TOGETHER IN THE CENTER.
W H E N O N E S T O O D U P T O G O THE END OF THE CA R, HE GINGER LY
P I C K E D H I S W A Y T O H I S DESTINATION. ON HI S RETURN HIS PLACE
W O U L D I N V A R I A B L E B E S W ALLOWED UP BY THE STRETCHING OU T OF
L I MBS . T H I S W E N T O N I NT ERMINABLY.
B U D D I E S T A L K E D O F T H E INCIDENTS OF THEIR CAPTURE, THE
P R O G R E S S O F T H E W A R , T HE CONDUCT OF OFFIC ERS AND MEN, AND
T H E M Y R I A D T H I N G S T H A T MAKE UP THE THOUG H- COMPLEXES AND
S P E E C H O F S O M A N Y O F T HE ARMED FORCES.
D U R I N G T H E D A Y S E V E R A L HAD ASKED, “F ATHER, WILL YOU C OND UCT
A S E R V I C E F O R U S ? ” “ S U RELY,” I SAID, “AN Y TIME YOU TH INK IT
C O N V E N I E N T . ” W H E N E V E N ING CAME AND THE T RAIN STOPPED AND ALL
W E R E R E L A X E D F O R T H E T IME AT LEAST, I GAV E A SHORT TA LK ON
T H E P R O V I D E N C E O F G O D , SAID AN I MPROMPTU PRAYER FOR
P R O T E C T I O N , F O O D , A N D THE SAFETY OF OUR COMRADES EVER YWHERE,
N O T F O R G E T T I N G T H E D E A R ONES AT HOME. TH EN WE SANG “G OD
B L E S S A M E R I C A ” A N D “ S I LENT NIGHT”.
T H E S E R V I C E W A S E N D E D , BUT THE SINGING O F SONGS CONTI NUED
W I T H “ O L D K I N G C O L E ” , “I’ VE BEEN WORKING ON T HE RAILR OAD”,
“ T H E A R T I L L E R Y S O N G ” , “THE AIR CORPS SON G”, “THE MARI NE
S O N G ” ; T H E N “ T H E S I D E W ALKS OF NEW YORK”, “CARRY ME BA CK TO
O L D V I R G I N I A ” , “ M Y O L D KENTUCKY HOME”, “ BACK HOME AGA IN IN
I N D I A N A ” , “ B E A U T I F U L O HIO”, “MISSOURI WAL TZ”, “D EEP I N THE
H E A R T O F T E X A S ” , “ S P R I NGTIME IN THE ROCK IES”, “CALIFO RNIA,
H E R E I C O M E ” , A N D S O O N AND ON. WE FORGOT THAT WE WERE
H U N G R Y , O L D , A N D W E A K E NING; SOMEHOW THE SINGING WARME D US;
T H E T H O U G H T S O F H O M E A ND THE PRAYER AND T HE MUSIC PRE PARED
W E A R Y B O D I E S A N D R E S T L ESS MINDS A ND NERVOUS SOULS FOR THE
PEACEFULNESS OF SLEEP.
T H E S E C O N D N I G H T O N T H E TRAIN PASSED WIT HOUT INCIDENT .
D A W N O F D E C E M B E R 2 3 R D REVEALED THAT THE FROST ON THE METAL
P A R T S O F T H E C A R H A D G ROWN DURING THE NIG HT. ALL THAT DAY
T H E R E W A S T H E S A M E W A T CHING FOR CI VILIANS TO BARTER W I TH,
T H E S A M E L A C K O F F O O D , THE SAME DOLE OF WATER AS ON T HE
P R E C E D I N G D A Y . O N E I N C IDENT CHANGED THE ROUTING. ONE CAR AT
A T I M E W A S O P E N E D A N D THE MEN ALLOWED OU T ON THE ROAD BED TO
S T R E T C H T H E I R L E G S . T H ERE WAS NO AIR - RAID ALARM DURING TH E
DAYLIGHT HOURS.
B Y E V E N I N G T H E T R A I N H AD MOVED AS FAR AS LIMBURG . HER E THERE
W A S A L A R G E M A R S H A L I N G YARDS FOR SUPPLIE S AND EQUIPME NT
42
D E S T I N E D T O B E R A I L R O A DED TO THE WESTERN FRONT. WITHI N A
M I L E O F T H E C E N T E R O F THE AREA WAS A BAR BED WIRE ENCL OSURE
F O R P R I S O N E R S O F W A R . THIS PRISON CAMP W AS THE BASE F ROM
W H I C H P R I S O N E R S W E N T O UT TO WORK AS SECTI ON GANGS ON THE
R A I L R O A D A N D A S P A C K E R S IN FOOD DEPOTS. THE ORIGINAL PLAN
W A S T H A T O U R T W O T R A I N S OF CAPTIVES WERE TO BE HOUSED IN
T H I S C O M PO U N D A T L I M B URG . HOWEVER, BEFORE WE WERE REM OVED
F R O M T H E T R A I N S , T H E C AMP AUTHORITIES EXP RESSED THEIR
U N W I L L I N G N E S S T O T A K E ANY MORE PRISONERS , FOR THE COM POUND
W A S A L R E A D Y O V E R C O N G E STED. OUR TWO TRAI NS WERE PULLE D ONTO
S I D I N G S F O U R T R A C K S A P ART WITH THE MAIN LINES RUNNING
B E T W E E N T H E M . I T W A S N OT UP TO THE OKW (O BERKOMMAND
W E H R M A C H T ) I N B E R L I N T O SAY WHAT DISPOSIT ION WOULD BE MADE
O F U S . A L L T H I S W E L E A RNED FROM THE TRAI N GUARDS WHO BECAME
V E R Y D O W N H E A R T E D W H E N THEY SAW THAT THEI R GUARD DUTY IN THE
C O L D WA S P R O L O N G E D A N D PR OBABLY WOULD EXTEND OVER THE NEXT
F E W D A Y S I N C L U D I N G C H R ISTMAS.
T H R E E B L A S T S F R O M T H E SIREN MARKED HE FI RST ALERT WE HAD
H E A R D T H A T D A Y . T H E W A RNING SIGNAL SOUND ED ABOUT SIX
O ’ C L O C K , M O R E T H A N A N HOUR AFTER DARK. W E HAD A PRAYE R
S E R V I CE S O M E F E W M I N U TES L ATER, SAND SOME MORE HYMNS AND
S O N G S . T H E S T R I C T A L E R T OF SHORT BLASTS RANG OUT SHRI LL IN
T H E M I D S T O F O U R S I N G I NG. YET WE CONTINU ED THE SONGS, LITTLE
K N O W I N G T H E D A N G E R T H A T WAS APPROACHING ON SINGS OF S TEEL.
S O O N W E H E A R D P L A N E S O VERH EAD AND AN ANTIAIRCR AFT BATTERY
O P E N E D U P . T H E R E W A S S HOUTING OUTSIDE THE TRAIN AND OUR CAR
W A S I N G R E A T C O M M O T I O N . A DIVE BOMBER ZO OMED LOW TO D ROP THE
F L A R E S W H I C H M A R K E D T H E TARGET. THROUGH THE LITTLE WI NDOWS
W E C O U L D S E E T H A T T H E ENTIRE AREA AROUND THE RAILROAD TRACKS
W A S L I T W I T H A R E D G L O W.
“ W E ’ R E R I G H T O N T H E T A RGET!”
F E A R A N D H E L P L E S S N E S S GRIPPED US ALL.
A B O V E T H E D I N O F P L A N E S AND THE EXCITED TALKING IN TH E CAR I
Y E L L E D A T T H E T O P O F M Y VOICE, “AT EASE! AT EASE!”
T H E R E W A S A R E S P E C T F U L SILENCE.
“ N O W E V E R Y B O D Y R E P E A T AFTER ME THESE WOR DS: ‘O MY GOD - I AM
M O S T S O R R Y F O R H A V I N G SINNED AGAINST YOU - BECAUSE YOU ARE
S O G O O D . ’ ” T H E N T H E W O RDS OF ABSOLUTION QUICKLY, AS A BOMB
E X P L O D E D : “ E G O W O S O B S OLVO AB OMNIBUS CE NSURIS ET PEC OATIS
I N N O M I N E P A T R I S A T F I LLI ET SPIRITUS SANCTI.” AND I TOO H IT
THE FLOOR.
Z O O-O - O -O M ! W H O O M P !
ZOO -O- O- OM! WHOOMP!
P L A N E A F T E R P L A N E C A M E DOWN; THE ONINOUS CRESCENDO OF THE
W H I N E O F T H E D I V E A L W A YS TERMINATING IN THE CRASH AND
43
E X P L O S I O N O F A B O M B . T HERE WAS NO DOUBT T HE BOM BS
H I T T I N G V E R Y C L O S E T O US, FOR WITH EACH EXPLOSION
B O U N C E D O N T H E T R A C K L IKE PARTS OF A TOY TRAIN IN
N U R S E R Y . W E C L U N G T O O NE ANOTHER AS WE LA Y ON THE
T H E C A R W I T H F A C E S B U R IED IN OUR ARMS OR WHATEVER
F I N D T O S H I EL D T H E M .
WERE
THE CAR
A C HILD’S
FLO OR OF
WE COULD
“ F A T H E R , S A Y S O M E M O R E PRAYERS!” SOMEBOD Y SCREAMED.
“ O G O D , H A V E M E R C Y O N US! MARY, HELP US! ST. JOSEPH, PRAY
FOR US!”
O U T S I D E T H E C A R W E R E L OUD VOICES CALLING IN ENGLISH,
“ O ’ F L A H E R T Y ! S U L L I V A N ! DRUSBBICKI! TRIVI SONO! JONES! SMITTY!
B I L L , W H E R E A R E Y O U ? ” PRISONERS FROM SOME OF THE OTH ER CARS
H A D B R O K E N D O W N T H E D O ORS AND ABANDONED THE TRAIN. BU DDIES
W E R E B E I N G S E P A R A T E D O NE FROM ANOTHER AND THEY WERE TRYING
TO REACH SAFETY.
A P A N I C-S T R I C K E N B O Y NEAR ME YELLED, “LET’S GET O UT O F HERE.
C O M E O N , BR E A K D O W N T HE DOOR!”
P E R H A P S I T W A S G O O D J U DGMENT, PERHAPS IT WAS JUST A W ILD
G U E S S , B U T I P R E F E R T O LOOK ON IT AS AN INSPIRATION T HAT WAS
A N A N S W E R T O O U R P R A Y E RS. I SHOUTED: “AT EASE! AT EAS E! STAY
W H E R E Y O U A R E . W E H A V E PROTECTION HERE F ROM ALL BUT A D IRECT
H I T . L I E L O W A N D K E E P OUR HEADS COVERED. ”
T H E B O O M I N G A N D C R A S H I NG BEGAN AGAIN. AN OTHER WAVE OF
BOMBERS WAS ON US.
“ F A T H E R , S A Y S O M E M O R E PRAYERS.”
“ L E T ’ S S A Y T H E R O S A R Y , ” I SAID. “ANSWER AS LOUD AS YO U CAN,
B U T K E E P Y O U R F A C E S C O VERED. ION THE NAM E OF THE FATH ER AND
O F T H E S O N A N D O F T H E HOLY GHOST. AMEN”
B Y S H O U T I N G L O U D W E C O ULD HEAR ONE ANOTH ER ABOVE THE DIN OF
T H E B O M B I N G . I C A N N O T HELP REMEMBERING T HE RESPONSE T O THE
HAIL MARY’S.
“ H A I L M A R Y , F U L L O F G R ACE ....” ZOOM!
“ H O L Y M A R Y , M O T H E R O F GOD, PRAY FOR US SINN ERS ....”
WHOOMP!
W E F I N I S H E D T H E F I R S T DECADE.
T H E E X P L O S I O N S A N D T H E SHOUTING OUTSIDE THE CAR CONTI NUED.
T H E S E C O N D D E C A D E P A S S ED AND THEN THERE WAS A LULL.
“ I T ’ S O V E R ! ” C A M E A S H OUT.
44
“SHUT UP!
B E S T I L L ” I INTERRUPTED SOMEWH ERE I N THE THIRD
D E C A D E . “ G L O R Y B E T O T HE FATHER ...” ZOO M! IT STARTE D
AGAIN.
W E B O U N C E D T H R O U G H T H E FOURTH MYSTERY AN D INTO THE FI FTH.
PLOP!
P L O P ! L U M P S O F SOMETHING WERE LAN DING ON THE R OOD OF
O U R C A R . F R A G M E N T S O F DEBRIS HURLED INTO THE AIR BY T HE
E X P L O SIO N S .
T H E O U T S I D E N O I S E S C E A SED AND VOICES DRO PPED IN VOLUM E AS WE
C A M E T O T H E E N D O F T H E LAST DECADE. THE ROSARY FINISH ED, WE
W A I T E D T O T H E N E X T W A V E TO COME IN. HOLD ING OUR BREAT H IN
F E A R T H A T I T W O U L D B E OUR TURN TO BE HIT , WE WAITED. THE
I N T E R V A L W A S L E N G T H E N I NG. PERHAPS THE RAID IS OVER. W E ALL
H O P E D T H A T I T W A S . M I N UTES PASSED AND WE BREATHED WIT H
G R E A T E R E A S E A N D R E G U L ARITY. SOME ONE ST OOD UP TO THE
WINDOW.
“ L O O K ! T H E W H O L E T O W N IS BURNING.” THEY OPENED THE FO UR
L I T T L E W I N D O W S A N D T H E FLICKERS FROM THE GREAT FIRES LIT UP
O U R F A C E S . B E W I L D E R M E N T, FEAR, RELIEF, H OPE, ALL EXPR ESSED
THEMSELVES AT ONCE.
“ C L I C K , C L I C K , C L I C K , ” BARKED THE ANTI - AIRCRAFT BATTE RIES
A G A I N . “ S H U T T H E W I N D O WS! GET DOWN!”
“ C L I C K , C L I C K , C L I C K , CLICK, CLICK.” WE HELD OUR BREA TH I N
E X P E C T A T I O N O F A N O T H E R DIVE AND EXPLOSIO N OF A BOMB. BUT NO
M O R E P L A N E S S W O O P E D I N AND NO MORE BOMBS FELL. THE RA ID WAS
O V E R . T H E B A T T E R I E S C E ASED FIRING. THE G LOW FROM THE FIRES
B R I G H T E N E D A N D W E C O U L D SEE COLUMNS OF S MOKE AND FLAM E
R I S I N G T O G E T H E R E V E R H IGHER AND HIGHER. T HERE WAS LIT TLE
T A L K I N G . W E S A T O N T H E FLOOR IN SILENCE, EACH MAN WIT H HIS
OWN THOUGHT.
“ T H A N K G O D , W E W E R E N O T HIT, FATHER.” CA ME A WHISPER.
“ Y E S , J O E , A N D T H A N K O UR BLESSED MOTHER T OO.”
W E S A T O R S T O O D D A Z E D FROM THE RAID. IT’ S H ARD TO SAY HOW
LONG.
T H E N S O M E O N E S A I D , “ W H O WANTS SOME CHEES E AND CRACKER S?”
T H A T B R O K E T H E S P E L L . WE LAUGHED, AND JO KED, AND RELA TED TO
O N E A N O T H E R T H E E M O T I O NS EXPERIENCED IN THE BOMBING.
45
A S Q U A D O F G U A R D S C A M E DOWN EITHER SIDE OF THE TRAIN
E X A M I N I N G T H E L O C K S O N THE CAR S. SOME ONE SHOUTED A DERISIVE
O A T H A T T H E M , “ G E T O U T OF HERE, YOU GOON S!”
“ H E Y ! T H E Y ’ L L S H O O T Y O U FOR THAT. REMEMB ER OUR ALLIES DID
T H I S B O M B I N G A N D W E A R E AT THE MERCY OF THESE PEOPLE, ” WAS
T H E R E B U K E W E G A V E H I M . THEN I SPOKE TO MY FELLOW PRISONERS
U R G I N G T H E M T O B E C A R E FUL HOW THEY TREAT ED THE GUARDS . “JUST
P U T Y O U R S E L F I N T H E I R PLACES. HOW WOULD YOU TREAT A B UNCH OF
A R R O G A N T G E R M A N S I F Y O U HAD THEM PRISONE R IN YOUR HOM E TOWN
A F T E R I T W A S B O M B E D A N D BURNING LIKE THI S? DON’T THIN K I AM
S O F T- HE A R T E D . T H I S I S JUS T COMMON SENSE.”
T H E N I G H T W O R E O N ; W E RECOVERED FROM THE NERVE -RACKING
E X P E R I E N C E O F T H E E V E N ING; HUNGER MADE I TSELF FELT AG AIN.
S O M E M E N L A Y O N T H E F L OOR EXHAUSTED. THE RAGING FIRES WERE
T A P E R I N G D O W N ; A R O U N D MIDNIGHT THE AL L- CLEAR SIGNAL B LEW. W E
W E N T T H R O U G H T H E P R O C E SS OF ARRANGING SL EEPING
A C C O M M O D A T I O N S ; E V E N T U ALLY ALL DROPPED O FF TO SLEEP.
T H E D A W N O F C H R I S T M A S EVE WAS BRIGHT AND COLD. WE WER E
F E E L I N G T H E C O L D A L L T HE MORE BECAUSE OF LACK OF FOOD . THE
T R A I N H A D N O T M O V E D D URING THE NIGHT, NOR COULD WE MOVE IN
D A Y L I G H T F O R L A C K O F T RACKS. THE BOMBING OF THE PREVI OUS
N I G H T H A D G U T T E D T H E R OAD -BED AHEAD OF US. IN THE COURSE OF
T H E M O R N I N G W E L E A R N E D THAT SEVERAL OF O UR MEN HAD BE EN
K I L L E D D U R I N G T H E R A I D AND OTHERS INJURE D. ALL WERE M EN WHO
H A D B R O K E N O U T O F T H E CARS AND TRIED TO FLEE THE TARG ET. ONE
C A R S U F F E R E D A F E W M I N OR CASUALTIES WHEN A LARGE BOUL DER
L A N D E D O N T H E R O O D A N D THEN CRASHED THRO UGH TO THE FL OOR.
A F T E R O U R L I B E R A T I O N W E SAW THE LIST OF S IXTY - FIVE AMERICAN
O F F I C E R S W H O W E R E K I L L ED THAT NIGHT BY A DIRECT HIT O N ONE
O F T H E B A R R A C K S I N T H E LIMBURG PRISON CA MP. AMONG THE M THE
T H R E E O F F I C E R S O F M Y B ATTALION MEDICAL ST AFF, DOCTOR DIAMON,
C A P T . H E N E A N D L T . B L A CKE. HOW THEY WERE TRANSPORTED FROM
T H E G E R M A N F I E L D H O S P I TAL WHERE I LAST SAW THEM, I’LL NEVER
K N O W . W E H A D H A D M A N Y PLEASANT AND SOME HARROWING
E X P E R I E N C E S T O G E T H E R . ALL THREE WERE SPL ENDID MEN AND FILLED
T H E I R P O S T S W I T H E X C E P TIONAL DEVOTION.
A T N O O N W E W E R E T O G E T SOME FOOD. BEFORE ANYTHING WAS DONE
A B O U T IT , H O W E V E R , T H E SIR ENS ANNOUNCED THAT P LANES WERE
O V E R T H E C O U N T R Y . T H E R E WAS GREAT FEAR O F ANOTHER RAI D ON
L I M B U R G . S O M E O F T H E S ENIOR OFFICERS WHO KNEW THERE W ERE
C H A P L A I N S O N T H E T R A I N S ASKED IF WE MIGH T SAY A FEW W ORDS TO
T H E M E N L O C K E D I N T H E CARS. CHAPLAIN MARK MOORE START ED THE
S E A R C H F O R U S A N D T H E N ASSIGNED EACH ONE A NUMBER OF CARS TO
V I S I T . A G U A R D U N L O C K E D THE DOOR AND LET ME OUT.
46
I N O R D E R T O B E H E A R D W ITHIN A CAR IT WAS NECESSARY TO CLIMB
U P T H E I R O N L A D D E R O N THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR UNTIL T HE FACE
W A S L E V E L W I T H T H E L I T TLE WINDOWS. WHILE ALMOST CHINN ING
M Y S E L F , I G A V E A N E X H O RTATION TO PATIENC E, COURAGE, A ND
P R A Y E R- . . . . .
T W O A N N O U N C E M E N T S W E H AD TO MAKE: WE WOUL D BE WOULD B E GIVEN
F O O D W H E N T H E P R E S E N T ALERT WAS OVER, AN D WE WOULD MO VE ON
T O A N O T H E R P R I S O N C A M P AS SOON AS THE TRA CKS WERE REP AIRED.
A S I W A S C L I M B I N G T H E SIDES OF THE BOXCA RS I COULD SE E
S O M E T H I N G T H A T W A S N O T VISIBLE TO THE ME N AND WHICH G AVE THE
L I E T O E V E R Y T H I N G I W A S TELLING THEM. CI VILIANS BY TH E
H U N D R E D S W E R E S L O W L Y M OVIN G INTO A LARGE AIR -RAID SHE LTER
W H I C H W A S D U G I N T O T H E SIDE OF A HILL. T HEY CARRIED B LANKETS
A N D B A S K E T S O F F O O D . I T WAS CLEAR TO ME T HAT THEY EXP ECTED
A N O T H E R R A I D B E F O R E T H E DAY WAS DONE. AF TER VISITING ABOUT
T W E L V E C A R S A N D A N S W E R ING MANY QUESTIONS ABOU T THE SI TUATION
A N D T H E P E O P L E I H A D S EEN IN MY TRAVELS U P AND DOWN T HE
T R A I N , I H A D T O G I V E U P. THE JOB OF SUPPO RTING ME AND
T A L K I N G A T T H E S A M E T I ME BEGAN TO TELL O N ME AND I FE LT
W E A K . T H E S U N W A S S I N K ING LOW WHEN I RET URNED TO MY C AR
H O P I N G A N D P R A Y I N G T H E RE WOULD BE NO RA ID THIS NIGHT.
-------------------- -
E X C E R P T S F R O M : ” P R I S O N E R OF THE GERMANS”
B Y C HAPLAIN MARK R. MOORE
Page 23
“ O n D e c e m b e r 2 4 ( C h r i s tmas Eve) we convinced the guar ds that
i t w o u l d b e t o t h e i r a dvantage if they wo uld let the
C h a p l a i n s t a l k t o t h e men. So Chaplains Neal , Paul W.
C a v a n a u g h a n d I w e n t to the eighty box cars and spoke to the
men.”
-------------------- -(FR. CAVANAUGH CONT.)
47
I N T H E G A T H E R I N G T W I L I GHT SOME WOMEN CAM E BESIDE THE TRAIN
W I T H B R E A D. T H E Y W E R E CONDUCTI NG WHAT PRACTICALLY AMOUNTED
T O A N A U C T I O N . M O V I N G FROM CAR TO CAR TH EY ASKED WHAT THEY
C O U L D H A V E I N E X C H A N G E FOR A LOAF OF BRE AD. THEN, WIT HOUT
C O N C L U D I N G A B A R G A I N T HEY WOULD MOVE ON T O THE NEXT C AR.
W H E R E T H E O F F E R I N G S W E RE GREATEST THEY TRADED THEIR W A RES.
A F T E R M U C H H A G G L I N G A N D COLLECTING THE B OYS WITH ME O BTAINED
F O U R L O A V E S O F B R E A D I N EXCHANGE FOR SEVE RAL BILL - FOLDS,
S O M E F O U N T A I N P E N S , A N D A FEW PACKAGES O F CIGARETTES. FOUR
L O A V E S O F B R E A D F O R S I XTY MEN, “WHAT ARE THESE AMONG SO
M A N Y ? ” T H E Y B R O U G H T T H E LOAVES TO ME, PE RHAPS IN THE HOPE
T H A T I M I G H T P E R F O R M A MIRACLE OF MULTIPL ICATION. I
A P P R E C I A T E D T H E C O U R T E SY, BUT SUGGESTED THAT WE GET A MESS
S E R G E A N T T O D O T H E D I V IDING.
W E H A D A D A N D Y F E L L O W WITH US IN THE CAR , T/4 JOHN BA RBEAU,
C O O K F R O M A N T I- T A N K C OMPANY OF THE 422ND REGIMENT, WH OS E
H O M E I S I N D A Y T O N , O H I O. UNDER THE LIGHT OF A FEW MAT CHES
A N D T H E B E A M F R O M A F L ASHLIGHT WITH A VE RY WEAK BATTE RY
J O H N N Y D I V I D E D T H E B R E AD INTO SIXTY EQUA L PARTS AND A LL WERE
S A T I S F I E D - N O T S O M U CH WITH THE QUAN TITY AS WITH THE
F A I R N E S S O F D I V I S I O N . WITH THE TWELFTH O F A LOAF OF B READ IN
U S F O R T H E D A Y ’ S S U P P L Y OF CALORIES, WE FELT WARMER A ND
HAPPIER.
“ F A T H E R , J U S T T H I N K , T HIS IS CHRISTMAS EV E. YOU WILL HAVE TO
S A Y A G O O D P R A Y E R W I T H US TONIG HT. AND LET’S SING A LL THE
C H R I S T M A S S O N G S W E K N O W.” I MUST CONFESS THAT REMARKS LIKE
T H I S M A D E M E V E R Y H A P P Y. IT WAS REALLY W ORTH THE PRIC E OF
S U F F E R I N G T O B E W I T H T HIS GANG OF GRAND A MERICAN BOYS ,
T H O U S A N D S O F M I L E S F R O M HOME, PRISONERS IN THE HANDS OF T HE
E N E M Y , B R A V E , C O U R A G E O US SOULS WHO HAD D ONE THEIR PAR T AND
N O B L E P A R T T O P R E S E R V E THE SPIRIT OF CHR ISTMAS FOR AM ERICA
AND THE WORLD.
W H E N A L L W E R E S E A T E D A ND SLEEPING ARRANGE MENTS WERE F INISHED
T O T H E S A T I S F A C T I O N O F ALL, AND THE FRIE NDLY ARGUMENT S AND
J O K I N G Q U I E T E D D O W N , I BEGAN OUR CHRISTMA S EVE DEVOTI ONS
THUS:
“AT EASE.”
“ F E L L O W S , W E A R E I N A TOUGH SPOT ON A NI GHT LIKE THIS WHEN
O U R T H O U G H T S C A N N O T B U T CLING TO OUR HOM ES, OUR DEAR ONES,
A N D T H E J O Y S T H A T S H O U LD BE OURS AT CHRI STMAS. YOU HA VE BEEN
V E R Y T H O U G H T F U L I N A S K ING ME TO PRAY WITH YOU THE PAST FEW
N I G H T S , A N D I A P P R E C I A TE YOUR RESPECT AN D REVERENCE F OR THE
T H I N G S I S T A N D F O R . I WILL TRY MY BEST T O FORMULATE I N WORDS
T H A T Y O U A L L W O U L D L I K E TO SAY TO GOD TO NIGHT. TRY TO FOLLOW
M E T H O U G H T F U L L Y A N D R EVERENTLY IN TH E PRAYER THAT I S AY.
48
“ I N T H E N A M E O F T H E F A THER AND OF THE SO N AND OF THE HOLY
GHOST.”
“ E T E R N A L F A T H E R , W E R E ALLY AND TRULY BEL IEVE THAT YOU ARE
H E R E P R E S E N T A N D C A N S EE INTO OUR HEARTS. WE ASK YOU TO HELP
U S T O P R A Y I N T H E M A N N ER WORT HY OF YOUR INFINITE MAJE STY.
“ W E A R E Y O U R S O N S , A N D WE KNOW THAT YOU LOVE US, FOR THIS
V E R Y N I G H T M O R E T H A N N INETEEN CENTURIES A GO ANOTHER S ON OF
Y O U R S W A S B O R N I N A S T ABLE IN BETHLEHEM. HE WAS YOUR ETERNAL
S O N , A N D Y O U S E N T H I M INTO THIS WORLD TO BE BORN IN P OVERTY,
T O L I V E I N S U F F E R I N G , AND TO DIE A PAINF UL DEATH IN O RDER
T H A T H E M I G H T T E A C H U S HOW TO LIVE AND H OW TO PUT UP WITH
OUR SUFFERINGS.
“ T O N I G H T T H E W O R L D I S COMMEMORATING THE BIRTH OF YOUR SON,
J E S U S C H R I S T . W E W I S H TO GO IN SPIRIT TO THAT CAVE IN
B E T H L E H E M A N D U N I T E O U RSELVES WITH THE A NGELS, WITH M ARY,
T H E C H I L D ’ S M O T H E R , A N D JOSEPH, HIS FOST ER -FATHER, WITH THE
S H E P H E R D S W H O C A M E T O SEE HIM. WE ADORE HIM. WE UNITE D OUR
A D O R A T I O N W I T H A L L T H O SE WHO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT JESUS C HRIST
I S G O D . E T E R N A L F A T H E R, HE WHO WAS WI TH YOU FROM ALL
E T E R N I T Y H A S B E C O M E A BROTHER TO US THIS CHRISTMAS NI GHT. WE
A R E D E E P L Y G R A T E F U L T O YOU THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US THI S GIFT.
T H I S C H I L D I S T H E F I R S T CHRISTMAS GIFT T O THE WORLD; HE IS
T H E G R E A T E S T A N D M O S T PRECIOUS GIFT. SO FIRST OF ALL WE
T H A N K Y O U F R O M T H E B O T TOM OF OUR HEARTS FOR THIS SIGN OF
YOUR GREAT LOVE OF US.
“ L O R D , T H E R E A R E S O M A NY THINGS TOO THAT WE WANT TO T HANK
Y O U F O R . W E T H A N K Y O U THAT WE ARE STILL ALIVE AFTER T HE
D A N G E R S A N D N A R R O W E S C APEE WE HAVE BEEN THRO UGH DURIN G THE
P A S T F E W D A Y S . W E T H A N K YOU FOR THE SUCC ESSES WE HAVE HAD IN
C O M B A T A N D T H E V I C T O R I ES ALL OVER THE WO RLD WHICH OUR FORCES
H A V E G A I N E D . W E T H I N K YOU FOR THE COURAG E OF OUR MEN IN THE
A R M Y A N D T H E N A V Y , A N D FOR THE MATERIALS OF WAR THAT YOU
H AVE P L A C E D A T O U R D I S POSAL TO GAIN THESE VICTORIES. WE
T H A N K Y O U F O R O U R C O U N TRY AND ITS CITIZE NS WHO ARE WO RKING
T O G E T H E R T O M A K E T H I S WORLD A BETTER PLA CE TO LIVE IN . WE
T H A N K Y O U F O R A L L T H E BLESSING S YOU HAV E GIVEN TO TH IS
W H O L E W O R L D , T O O U R C O UNTRY, TO OUR FORCES, TO OU R FA MILIES,
AND TO OURSELVES.
“ T O S H O W O U R G R A T I T U D E WE PROMISE THAT W E WILL LIVE B ETTER
L I V E S I N T H E F U T U R E . I N THE PAST WE HAVE NOT ALWAYS D ONE
W H A T W E K N E W W A S R I G H T AND WHAT WE OUGHT TO HAVE DONE TO
M A K E O U R S E L V E S P L E A S I N G TO YOU. YOU ARE SO GOOD IN Y OURSELF
A N D I N F I N I T E L Y W O R T H Y TO BE SERVED. LORD , WE ARE SORR Y FOR
T H E S I N S W E H A V E C O M M I TTED AND WE WISH T HAT WE HAD NO T DONE
T H E B A D T H I N G S T H A T H A VE GRIEVED YOU AND CAUSED SO MU CH
S U F F E R I N G T O Y O U R S O N , JESUS CHRIST. IT IS BECAUSE PE OPLE
49
W H O M Y O U C R E A T E D H A V E FAILED TO SERVE YO U IN THE RIGH T WAY
T H A T T H E R E I S S O M U C H SUFFERING IN THE W ORLD TODAY. T HIS WAR
W H I C H I S T H E C A U S E O F OUR PRESENT SUFFER ING HAS COME ABOUT
B E C A U S E M E N A N D N A T I O N S HAVE FAILED IN H EIR DUTY TO Y OU AND
T O T H E I R F E LL O W M E N . LORD, AS A SIGN THAT WE ARE REA LLY
S O R R Y F O R O U R M I S D E E D S WE ACCEPT THE COL D AND HUNGER AND THE
M I S E R Y W E N O W E N D U R E A S A PUNISHMENT THAT WE REALLY DESERVE.
O N T H E F I R S T C H R I S T M A S NIGHT THAT OTHER SON OF OURS W AS
L Y I N G O N S T R A W J U S T A S WE ARE TONI GHT. HE SUFFERED FR O M THE
W I N T E R C O L D A S W E S U F F ER NOW. HE WAS FOR SAKEN.
“ H E W A S F O R S A K E N A S W E ARE FORSAKEN TONI GHT, LORD SOM EHOW OR
O T H E R W E F E E L C L O S E T O THAT INFANT CHRIS T, CLOSER THA N WE
E V E R W E R E B E F O R E A N D T HAT CLOSENESS TO HI M BRINGS HAP PINESS
A N D JO Y T O O U R H E A R T S AN D COMFORTS US IN THE MISERY W E NOW
ENDURE.
“ B E C A U S E W E A R E S O L I K E TO CHRIST TONIGH T WE KNOW THA T YOU
W I L L H E A R O U R P R A Y E R S . LORD, THERE ARE M ANY THINGS WE HAVE
T O A S K F O R M Y O U . O U R M OST PRESSING NEED A T THIS TIME IS
F O O D . F O R S E V E R A L D A Y S WE HAVE NOT HAD ENOUGH TO EAT. WE AS K
Y O U E A R N E S T L Y , T H E R E F O RE, TO SEND US SOM E FOOD SOON T O
S T R E N G T H E N U S A N D W A R M US. WE ASK THAT Y OU MAY SOFTEN THE
H E A R T S O F T H E S E P E O P L E WHO CAN HELP US, ESPECIALLY AT THIS
T I M E W H E N A L L M E N ’ S H E ARTS SHOULD BE MOV ED TO HELP TH OSE WHO
ARE IN DISTRESS.
“ W E A S K Y O U T O C O N T I N U E TO BLESS US AND PRESERVE US F ROM
H A R M . W E A R E S T I L L I N THE DANGER ZONE OF WAR AND HELP LESS TO
D E F E N D O U R S E L V E S . W E R ELY ON YOUR PROTECT ION ALL THE MORE.
“ W E P R A Y A L S O F O R A L L THOSE WHO ARE IN N EED OF YOUR H ELP.
F I R S T O F A L L , L O R D , B L ESS THOSE WHO ARE NEAR AND DEAR TO US;
O U R H O M E S , O U R M O T H E R S AND FATHERS, OUR BROTHERS, AND
S I S T E R S , O U R W I V E S A N D OUR CHILDREN. GIV E THEM THE ST RENGTH
T H E Y N E E D T O B E A R T H E GRIEF THAT IS SOON TO COME ON T HEM
W H E N THE Y L E A R N T H A T WE, T HEIR LOVED ONES, ARE MISSING IN
A C T I O N . G I V E T H E M T H E COURAGE THEY WILL NEED TO ENDUR E THE
A G O N Y O F U N C E R T A I N T Y W ITH OUR SEPARATION FROM THE MEA NS OF
C O M M U N I C A T I O N W I L L C A U SE THEM. LET THEM HAVE A HAPPY
C H R I S T M A S A T H O M E . W H I LE WE ARE T HINKING OF THOSE HOM ES,
P L E A S E B L E S S E V E R Y O N E OF THEM AND PRESE RVE THEM FROM THE
R U I N W E H A V E S E E N I N T HIS COUNTRY. BLESS ALL THOSE WH O ARE
R E S P O N S I B L E F O R K E E P I N G THEM INTACT. BLE SS OUR PRESID ENT,
O U R C O N G R E S S , A N D O U R FEDERAL AND CIVIL OFFICIALS; BL ESS OUR
A R M Y A N D N A V Y A N D T H O S E WHO ARE ENCRUSTE D WITH THE LI VES OF
S O M A N Y M I L L I O N S O F O U R COUNTRYMEN DURIN G THIS TERRIB LE WAR.
“ O N E L A S T R E Q U E S T W E H AVE TO MAKE AND WE MAKE IT WITH ALL
O U R H E A R T S . L O R D , G R A N T PEACE TO THE WOR LD. WE HAVE S EEN
E N O U G H O F T H E T E R R I B L E THINGS THAT WAR HAS BROUGHT TO
50
U N D E R S T A N D T H E G R E A T B LESSING OF PEACE. G RANT THAT WE MAY
S O N G A I N A T R I U M P H A N T VICTORY OVER OUR E NEMIES AND GR ANT
T H A T T H E P E A C E W H I C H C HRIST, WHO IS CALLE D THE PRINCE OF
P E A C E , C A M E T O B R I N G U S MAY BE ESTABLISHE D A LL OVER T HE
WORLD. AMEN.
“NOW LET US SING.”
W E S A N G S I L E N T N I G H T , ADESTE FIDELES, LI TTLE TOWN OF
B E T H L E H E M , T H E F I R S T N OEL, GLORIA IN EXCE LSIS DEO.
T H E N S O M E O N E S U G G E S T E D JINGLE BELLS, AND FROM THAT WE WENT
O N T O T H E P O P U L A R S O N G S OF THE ARMY AND THE HIT PARAD E AND
T H E F A V O R I T E S O F L O N G AGO.
W H E N T H E S I N G I N G T A P E R ED OFF INTO HUMMIN G AND THE INT IMATE
C O N V E R S A T I O N I N L I T T L E GROUPS, IT WAS SU GGESTED THAT I TELL
A S T O R Y . N O W I W A S N E V ER SUCCESSFUL AT S TORY -TELLING, HENCE
I T R I E D T O B E G O F F A N D URGED THAT SOMEONE ELSE DO THE
H O N O R S . B U T A L L W E R E I NSISTENT. I CONSENT ED FINALLY W ITH
T H E S E W O R D S : “ T H E O N L Y STORY WORTH TELLI NG ON CHRISTM AS EVE
I S T H E S T O R Y O F C H R I S T MAS, SO IF YOU ARE WILLING TO L ISTEN I
W I L L R E L A T E T H E E V E N T S OF THE BIRTH OF C HRIST.”
S O W I T H AN A U D I E N C E O F FIFTY - NINE GI’S WHO WERE P ERHA PS
C L O S E R T O M E T H A N A N Y AUDIENCE I HAD EVE R HAD AND YET WERE
I N V I S I B L E B E C A U S E O F T HE TOTAL DARKNESS I N THE BOXCAR , I
B E G A N T O R E L A T E T H E S W EETEST STORY EVER TOLD. IT WAS A
U N I Q U E O P P O R T U N I T Y T O EXPLAIN THE MYST ERY OF GOD’S DEALING
W I T H M E N . I S T A R T E D W I TH THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (W HICH
N E C E S S I T A T E D A F L A S H - B ACK TO ORIGINAL SIN ), THE ESPOU SALS OF
M A R Y A N D J O S E P H , T H E A NNUNCIATION AND INC ARNATION, TH E
D E C R E E O F C A E S A R A U G U S TUS, THE JOURNEY T O BETHLEHEM,
C U L M I N A TI N G I N T H E E V ENTS OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH.
A L L T H I S T O O K P E R H A P S AN HOUR. THE QUIET OF THE CAR W AS
G R A T I F Y I N G . A L L S E E M E D TO BE LISTENING I N RAPTURE. I PAUSED
A N D W A I T E D F O R S O M E O N E TO SPEAK, PERHAPS TO ASK A QUE STION
O R S U G G E S T S O M E F U R T H E R DEVELOPMENT. NO ONE SPOKE.
“ W E L L , ” I S A I D . “ W E C A N CONTINUE THE STO RY.” I RELATE D THE
M Y S T E R Y O F T H E S H E P H E R DS AND THE COMING OF THE HILL -PEOPLE
T O T H E M A N G E R O F T H E C HRIST CHILD. ANOTHE R PAUSE AND STILL
N O O N E S P O K E . S O I W E N T ON WITH THE ACCO UNT OF THE CO MING OF
T H E K ING S F R O M T H E E A ST. T HAT FINISHED, THERE STILL WAS
S I L E N C E . I W A I T E D A L O NGER TIME FOR SOME ONE TO STIR OR
B R E A K T H E M A G I C S P E L L . THERE WAS NO EVEN THE GLOW FRO M A
C I G A R E T T E . I W H I S P E R E D TO PAUL DALTON WH O WAS STRETCH ED OUT
51
S O M E W H E R E N E A R M E , “ P A UL, ARE YOU ASLEEP?” THERE WAS N O
A N S W E R . I N A L O U D E R V O ICE I ASKED. “IS E VERYBODY SATI SFIED?”
N O R E S P O N S E . I N A M O D E RATE TONE I INQUIR ED, “IS ANYBO DY
A W A K E ? ” N O T E V E N T H E E CHO OF MY VOICE. AL L WAS STILL AND
C A L M A N D P E A C E F U L . I T WAS IN TRUTH S I L E N T N I G H T , H O L Y N I G HT,
ALL IS CALM...
I I M A G I N E D T H E A N G E L S EVER SO SOFTLY SIN GING,
S L E E P I N H E A V E N L Y P E A C E,
S L E E P I N H E A V E N L Y P E A C E.
A N D I W A S V E R Y H A P P Y . IT WAS A CHRISTMAS I’LL NOT SOO N
FORGET.
N E A R M I D N I G H T W E W E R E JOLTED WITH A KNOC KING AT THE D OOR OF
THE CAR.
“ R A U S!
R A U S ! O P E N U P THE DOOR. DO YOU WANT TO EAT?”
S O M E A M E R I C A N O F F I C E R S AND GERMAN GUARDS WERE BRINGIN G US
F O O D T H A T H A D B E E N P R O MISED HOURS BEFORE . “LET US HAV E FOUR
M E N , A N D B R I N G S O M E H E LMETS.”
I N A S H O R T T I M E T H E F O UR MEN RETURNED WI TH TWELVE LOA VES O F
B R E A D A N D T W O H E L M E T S FULL OF SOMETHING THAT MIGHT BE CALLED
A H Y B R I D O F J E L L Y , J A M , MARMALADE AND MO LASSES. IT WA S
S W E E T , S T R I N G Y , S T I C K Y AND LUMPY.
“ O B O Y ! F A T H E R , Y O U S U RE DID GOOD WITH T HAT PRAYER.”
“ W H A T A F E A S T ! A N D S O SOON AFTER WE PRAY ED FOR IT. ” WERE THE
COMMENTS.
A N D W H A T A T I M E W E H A D WITH THE FOOD. FI RST WE SELECT ED FOOD
H A N D L E R S , A N D H E R E J O H N BARBEAU AGAIN CO ME IN FOR THE JOB OF
C H I E F M E S S S E R G E A N T . T HEN THERE WAS NEED FOR A SOLID BASE ON
W H I C H T O S P R E A D T H E J A M. MY FLASHLIGHT S TILL GAVE T HE
F A I N T E S T B E A M O F L I G H T . THE SPIRITS OF A LL WERE LIFTE D WITH
T H E S I G H T O F F O O D , A N D THE JOY OF A LITT LE CHILD’S DI SCOVERY
O F T H E C H R I S T M A S T R E E FADED IN CONTRAST WITH OUR JOY OF
E A T I N G B R E A D A N D J E L L Y AT MIDNIGHT IN A GERMAN BOXCAR . WE
L A U G H E D W I T H D E L I G H T A S THE STICKY THR EADS AND DROPS OF JA M
G O T A L L O V E R O U R F A C E S , OUR HANDS, AND O UR CLOTHES AS WE
P A S S E D T H E P R E C I O U S M O RSELS DOWN THE ZIG -ZIG LINES OF DIRTY
H A N D S T O T H E M E N A T T H E ENDS OF THE CAR; THEN TO THOS E
N E A R E R T H E M I D D L E , A N D FINALLY TO THE CE NT ER. THERE FOLLOWED
T H E S E C O N D R O U N D , A N D THEN A THIRD UNTIL SOMEONE SAID ,
“ E N O U G H ; S A V E T H E R E S T FOR TOMORROW.” BU T THEN TO PRE VENT
A N Y E M B A R R A S S M E N T O R C AUSE FOR COMPLAINT, THE BREAD WAS
D I V I D E D E Q U A L L Y A M O N G ALL, AND THE REMAI NS OF THE GOO EY
52
L I Q U I D W E L EF T I N T H E HELMETS ON LY FOR WANT OF CONTA INERS TO
P O R T I O N O U T E A C H M A N H IS SHARE. CIGARETTE S (WE STILL HAD A
S U P P L Y O F T H O S E ) A N D C HATTER AND WISE -CRACKS AND THE SPIRI T
O F C H R I S T M A S H E L P E D U S FORGET THE COLD, THE CRAMPED
C O N D I T I O N S , T H E H A R D WOODEN FLOOR, AND THE FACT THAT WE
W E R E P R I S O N E R S O F W A R LOCKED FOR THE FOU RTH NIGHT ON THE
T R A I N . I T H I N K I W A S T HE FIRST TO DROP OF F AGAIN TO S LEEP.
W H E N I A W O K E I T W A S D A YLIGHT, THE SUN SH INING, THE GR OUND
C O V E R E D W I T H A F R E S H L AYER OF SNOW, AND T HE TRAIN WAS STILL
S T A N D I N G I N T H E R A I L R O AD YARD AT LIMBURG . CHURCH BELL S WERE
R I N G I N G , T H E M E R R Y C H R ISTMAS BELLS SUMMO NING THE GERM AN FOLK
T O M A S S . S H R I L L A N D C L EAR THEY SOUNDED I N THE CRISP, COLD
A I R A N D O V E R T H E S N O W - COVERED CITY. HOW WE WOULD HAVE LIKED
T O E S C A P E F R O M T H E T R AIN AND STEAL SI LENTLY IN TO SOME
N E I G H B O R H O O D C H U R C H . I N MEDIEVAL TIMES ON DAYS LIKE THIS
W A R R I O R S P R O C L A I M E D T H E TRUCE OF GOD AND MINGLED TOGE THER IN
P R A Y E R A T T H E C R I B O F THE PRINCE OF PEAC E. BUT THERE WAS NO
F R E E D O M F O R U S . T H E C A RS REMAINED LOCKED AND UP AND O WN THE
T R A C K P A C E D T H E G U A R D S READY TO FIRE AT ANY PRISONER WHO
S H O U L D A T T E M P T T O E S C A PE.
B E F O R E N O O N T H E D A M A G E DONE BY THE BOMBS TO THE TRACK S AHEAD
O F U S W A S R E P A I R E D A N D THE TRAIN STARTED MOVING. WE S TOPPED
A T A S T A T I O N ( I H A V E F ORGOTTEN THE NAME) AND WERE G IVEN
W A T E R T O D R I N K . A T T E M P TS TO BARTER WITH CIVILIANS ALO NG THE
T R A C K S F A I L E D . W E S W I T CHED FROM THE MAIN TRACK ONTO A SPUR
A N D B Y T W O O ’ C L O C K O N CHRISTMAS AFTERNOO N WERE AT THE END OF
THE LINE - BAD ORB.
(A C O P Y O F T H E O R I G INA L REPORT ON THE BOMBING OF LI MBURG
R A I L R O A D Y A R D S, PROVIDED BY DONALD B. PRELL)
25 DE C. 1945
A . S.C. SUMMARY # 1495
PART 1 PAGE 1
A I R OPERATIONS (HOME)
2 3 / 2 4 D E C N I G H T O P E R A TIONS
157 AIRCRAFT DISPATCHED
53
O N F O L L O W I N G O P E R A T I O N S:
-`
BI T B U R G R A I L W A Y CE NTER
(2 2 M I L E S E A S T O F KOBLENZ)
MOSQUITOS
--
LI M B U R G R A I L W A Y CENTER
(7 M I L E S N . E . O F BONN).
MOSQUITOS
--
BR E M E N , H A N N O V E R , OSNABRUCK
AND MUNSTER.
37 B N
--
B O M B E R S U PPORT
MOSQUITOS
27 MOSQUITSO
13 STERLINGS
9 HALIFXES
5 FORTRESSES
5 LIBERATORS
WE A T H E R R E C O N N A I S SANCE
MOSQUITOS
RE S U L T S
LIMBURG RAILWAY CENTRE
50 M O S Q U I T O S A T T A CKED, BETWEEN 1805 AND 1831 HOUR S,
DR O P P I N G A P P R O X I M ATELY 51 TONS H.E. (INCLUDING 25
X 4 , 0 0 0 L B ) . A N D 24 X 250 LB. MARK ER BOMBS IN OND ITIONS
VA R I O U S L Y R E P O R T E AS FROM NIL TO 7/10THS THIN LOW
ST R A T O - C U M U L U S O R HAZE.
----TH E M A R K I N G T H R O U GHOUT WAS GOOD AND PRACTICALLY A LL
T H E M A I N F O R C E A I R C R A F T WERE ABLE TO BOMB IN THE MARK ERS,
A N D B O M B I N G A P P E A R E D T O HAVE BEEN W ELL CONCENTRATED.
T W O G O O D E X P L O S I O N S A N D SEVERAL FIRES WERE OBSERVED
V E R Y S L I G HT HEAVY FLAK WAS ENCOUNTERED
S I E G B U R G R A I L W A Y C E N T R E.
38 M O S Q U I T O S A T T A CKED, BETWEEN 1728 AND 1750 HOUR S,
D R O P P I N G A P P R O X I M A T E L Y 50 TONS OF H.E. BOMBS
( I N C L U D I N G 1 9 X 4 , 0 0 0 LB) FROM BETWEEN 23/27,000 FEET
I N C L O U D L E S S C O N D I T I O N BUT SOME GROUND HAZE.
TH E A I R C R A F T A T T A CKED EITHER ON THEIR LEADERS OR
F A I L I N G T H A T , O W N I N G T O APPROACHING DAKNESS, ON
N A V I G A T I O N A L A I D S O R B OMB FLASHES. NO ACCURATE ASESME NT OF
B O M B I N G R E S U L TS C A N B E MADE.
VE R Y S L I G H T H E A V Y FLAK WAS ENCOUNTERED
54
ON E M O S Q U I T O A T T A CKED COLOGNE DROPPING 1 X 4000 L F
H.E. BOMB AT 1738 HOURS
55
CHAPTER FOUR
BAD ORB
I T W A S A B R I G H T , S H A R P CHRISTMAS AFTERNO ON. WE DETRAI NED AT
B A D O R B A N D L I N E U P F IVE ABR EAST NEAR A QUAINT L ITTLE
R A I L R O A D S T A T I O N W H I C H PROBABLY SAW GAY PARTIES OF TO URISTS
A N D H E A L T H S E E K E R S C O M ING AND GOING IN T HE DAYS WHEN THE
G E R M A N P E O P L E W E R E F R E E TO ENJOY THE LEI SURE OF MINER AL
W A T E R S A N D S U L F U R B A T H S. WE MARCHED DOWN A BROAD STREET LINE
W I T H S U M M E R H O T E L S W H O SE NAMES READ LIKE A LITANY OF THE
S A I N T S A N D T H E N I N T O A NARROW STREET WITH CLEAN - LOOKI NG,
S U B S T A N T I A L , M I D D L E - C L ASS DWELLINGS. HER E WE HALTED, AS WE
L A T E R F O U N D O U T , T O W A IT FOR THE SECOND SECT ION OF TH E
P R I S O N T R A I N T O B R I N G IN THE REST OF THE PRISONERS. O RDERS
W E R E G I V E N T H A T N O P R I SONER WAS O STEP O UT OF LINE ON TO THE
S I D E W A L K . I T W O U L D B E HARD TO SAY WHETHE R THE CIVILIA NS OR
T H E P R I S O N E R S W E R E M O R E WIDE - EYED WITH ASTONISHME NT A S
W O M E N , C H I L DR E N , A N D OLD MEN WAL KED UP AND DOWN WHIS PERING
T O O N E A N O T H E R , “ A M E R I CANISCHE”, AND WE LOOKED AT THE M
D R E S S E D I N T H E I R S P L E N DID CLOTHES AND SA ID, “IT DOESN ’T LOOK
L I K E T H E S E P E O P L E A R E SUFFERING FROM THE WAR.”
I W A S S T A N D I N G I N T H E MIDDLE OF THE COBB LESTO NE STREE T
D I R E C T L Y I N F R O N T O F A FRENCH WINDOW SIX FEET UP FROM THE
G R O U N D L E V E L . F R A M E D I N THE WINDOW WAS A TYPICAL GERM AN
F A M I L Y - A M I D D L E A G E D LADY, THREE CHILDREN, AND AN O LD MAN.
A G I A S K E D T H E L A D Y B Y SIGNS TO FILL HIS CANTEEN WITH WATER.
T H E L A D Y BE C A M E F R I G H TENED AND CLOSED THE WINDOW AS SHE
S I G N E D B A C K T H A T S H E W AS AFRAID OF THE GU ARDS. HER TE ARS
W E R E E V I D E N T A S S H E M O VED BACK INTO THE INTERIOR OF T HE
R O O M . S H O R T L Y A F T E R , A NOTHER GI WAS SO WE AKENED BY TH E
E X H A U S T I O N H E S U F F E R E D THAT HE STEPPED O VE R TO THE CURB
S T O N E A N D S A T D O W N W I T H HIS HEAD IN HIS HANDS. THE SA DDENED
F A C E O F T H E F R A U A P P E A RED AGAIN IN THE W INDOW FOR A M OMENT,
T H E N D I S A P P E A R E D . P R E S ENTLY SHE RETURNED , OPENED THE WINDOW,
L O O K E D T O S E E I F A N Y G UARDS WERE WATCHING HER, AND HANDED
D O WN A S M A L L P I T C H E R OF WARM MILK FOR THE SI CK BOY. H E DRANK
I T S L O W L Y , F E L T R E F R E S HED, AND HIMSELF G RATEFULLY SMU GGLED
B A C K T H E P I T C H E R T O T H E CHARITABLE LADY.
W H E N W E W E R E W E A R Y W I T H STANDING AND CHI LLED THROUGH AND
T H R O U G H . T H E S E C O N D S E CTION OF THE TRAIN ARRIVE AT BA D ORB.
T H E P R I S O N E R S D E T R A I N E D; ANOTHER COUNT W AS MADE OF US .
F O R M I N G A L O N G C O L U M N OF ABOUT 1500 WE W ERE ON THE RO AD
A G A I N . I T W A S A R E L I E F TO BE OUT OF THE BOXCARS, TO S TRETCH
O U R L E G S , T O T A K E D E E P BREATHS OF FRESH, COLD AIR. WE HAD NO
I D E A HO W F A R W E W E R E GOIN G TO WALK AND TO WHA T DESTIN ATION.
T H R O U G H A B U S I N E S S D I S TRICT WE MOVED, PA ST SOME MORE HOTELS,
T H E N I N T O A R E S I D E N C E SECTION, AND FINAL LY OUT OF THE TOWN.
56
H E R E W E F O U N D O U R S E L V E S AT THE FOOT OF A LONG BEAUTIF UL
V A L L E Y W I T H T H E H I L L S ON EITHER SIDE COVERE D WITH CHRISTMAS
T R E E S . T H E E N T I R E L A N D SCAPE WAS SNOW - COVERED. ON SOME OF THE
O P E N S P A C E S L I T T L E B O Y S WERE SKIING DOWN THE GENTLE S LOPES.
U P T H E L E F T S I D E O F T H E VALLEY ALONG ROA D STRETCHED A HEAD OF
U S . W E S T A R T E D T H E C L I MB. UP, UP WE W ENT AND AFTER AN HOU R
R E S T E D . U P W E W E N T A G A IN; THE HILL SEEME D INTERMINABL E.
A N O T H E R R E S T A N D L E G M USCLES STIFFENED; Y ET UP WE CLI MBED.
T H E R O A D L E D T H R O U G H A FOREST NOW. ON EIT HER SIDE TAL L PINES
S H O T S K Y W A R D T O F O R M C HASM WHICH DWARFED US AND SEEME D TO
S W A L L O W U S U P , A S I F T O SEPARATE US FROM THE WORLD OF WAR.
T O W A R D D U S K I N A S M A L L CLEARING TO OUR R IGHT WE PASSE D A
L A R G E T W O- S T O R Y S T O N E BUILDING , CASTLE - LIKE WITH TURR ETS AN D
G A B L E S - A G E R M A N O F F ICERS’ C LUB. SOFT LIGHT AND FROM THE
W I D E W I N D O W S I N T H E B A YS MINGLED WITH TH E SOFTER LIGH T OF
T H E D Y I N G D A Y T O P R E S E NT A PICTURE THAT MIGHT GRACE A
S E A S O N ’ S G R E E T I N G C A R ; “A MERRY CHRISTMA S.” THROUGH T HE
W I N D O W S W E C O U L D S E E M EN IN UNIFORM AND L ADIES ENJOYI NG
C H R I S T M A S D I N N E R . W E R E THEY EATING WILD BOAR ROASTED OVER
T H E Y U L E L O G S O N A N O P EN HEARTH? OR DID THEY ALSO EXP ERIENCE
T H E P R I V A T I O N S O F W A R AT THEIR FESTIVAL BOARD? THE PI CTURE
W A S A L L A M O C K E R Y T O U S WHO HAD TASTED NO FOOD THAT DAY SAVE
T H E S C R A P S O F B R E A D T H AT WERE LEFT OVERS OF OUR MIDNI GHT
CELEBRATION.
T H E R O A D T U R N E D A G A I N INTO THE SILENT FO REST. AT THE TOP OF
T H E H I L L I T B R O K E O U T INTO AN EXTENSIVE, BARREN PLATE AU THAT
O V E R L O O K E D A B R O A D H O R IZON. ON THIS HILL TOP SPRAWLED THE
B A R B E D W I R E F E N C E S , W A TCH TOWERS AND ONE -STORY BARRAC KS OF
T H E P R I S O N E R O F W A R E NCAMPMENT - STALAG IX B, BAD ORB .
W E D I D N O T E N T E R B Y T H E MAIN GATE, BUT W ERE LED AROUN D TO A
S I D E E N T R A N C E T O T H E E NCLOSURE. ON THE WA Y AROUND WE SAW HE
D O G K E N N E L S W H E R E H E P OLICE DOGS WERE KEP T O TRACK DO WN ANY
E S C A P E E S A N D T H E D O U B L E ROW OF BARBED WIRE FENCES AND THE
W O O D E N W A T C H T O W E R S W H ERE GUARDS WERE ON DUTY AND
S E A R C H L I G H T S R E A D Y T O BE TURNED ON AT NI GHT. STUMBLIN G OVER
T H E F R O Z E N G R O U N D W E A RRIVED AT A SECONDA RY GATE. HER E A
G R O U P O F T E N G E R M A N O F FICERS CONSTITUTED A SORT OF RE CEPTION
C O M M I T TE E F O R P R I S O N E R S OF WAR.
F O R T H E F I R S T T I M E S I N CE OUR CAPTURE A D ISTINCTION WA S MADE
A C C O R D I N G T O R A N K . W E WERE SEPARATED INT O THREE GROUP S:
O F F I C E R S , N O N- C O M M I S S I ONED OFFICER S, AND PRIVATES. OF F ICERS
W E R E A D M I T T E D F I R S T , A ND AS WE PASSED THR OUGH THE GAT E IN
S I N G L E F I L E S E V E R A L G E RMANS COUNTED US.
W I T H A G R O U P O F S I X T Y - SEVEN OFFICERS RANGI NG IN RANK FROM
S E C O N D L I E U T E N A N T S T O COLONELS I WAS ASS IGNED TO THE FIRST
57
B U I L D I N G T O T H E R I G H T - BARRACK 23. THIS BAR RACKS WAS A ONE S T O R Y F R A M E S T R U C T U R E ABOUT FIFTY FEET LONG. FROM THE
O U T S I D E I T L O O K E D A S C OLD AND DESTITUTE A S IT WAS
F O R E B O D I N G . T H E O N L Y E NTRANCE OPENED INTO A LARGE ROOM
A L M O S T T H E F U L L L E N G T H OF THE BUILDING. INSIDE THE DO OR WERE
T W O D I R T Y K I T C H E N T A B L ES AND TWO BROKEN CHAIRS. IN TH E
C E N T E R O F T H E R O O M S T OOD A BASE - BURNER WITHOUT ANY F IRE OR
M A T E R I A L S F O R M A K I N G O NE. DOWN THE TWO SI DES OF THE R OOM LAY
R O W S O F D O U B L E D E C K W O ODEN SHELVES - THE PRISON BEDS. AN
A I S L E S I X F E E T S I D E D O WN THE CENTER CONT AINED ONE SIX FOOT
W O O D E N B E N C H . T H E S E W E RE THE FURNIS HINGS OF THE ROOM. T HE
W O O D E N F L O O R W A S G R I M Y WITH SAND AND COA L DUST. THE T EN
W I N D O W S O N E A C H S I D E W ERE SO DIRTY WE COU LD SCARCELY SEE
T H R O U G H T H E M , A N D W H E R E THE GLASS HAD BE EN BROKEN, CA RDBOARD
O R P I E C E S O F D I S C A R D E D LUMBER PATCHED TH E HOLES. DOWN THE
C E N T E R O F T H E C E I L I N G HUNG FOUR SOCKETS, O NLY TWO OF WHICH
H E L D L O W- P O W E R E D E L E C TRIC LIG HT BULBS. AT THE FAR END OF THE
B A R R A C K S W E R E T W O D O O R S OPENING INTO SMA LLER ROOMS; O NE
T H E S E C O N T A I N E D A S I N G LE TOILET SEAT, AN OTHER A KITCH EN
S I N K . T H I S W A S H O M E F O R T HE TIME BEING.
S H O R T L Y A G U A R D P R E S E N TED HIMSELF TO SAY THAT WE WOUL D EACH
B E I S S U E D O N E B L A N K E T AND THAT A MEAL WO ULD BE SERVED IN
A B O U T A N H O U R . S T A C K S OF THIN WOOLEN COV ERLETS WERE B ROUGHT
A N D S O M E C A N V A S S T R I P S TO BE PUT UP ON T HE WINDOWS AS BLACK O U T CU R T A I N S . S I N C E T HER E WAS NOT ENOUGH CAN VAS --- THE REST.
A M O T L E Y A S S O R T M E N T O F LITTLE PAILS AND BATTERED GERM AN
M E S S- KI T S W A S B R O U G H T IN TO BE USED AS DINNER SERVICE. NO
TABLEWARE WAS GIVEN US.
W E W A I T E D E A G E R L Y F O R THE ARRIVAL OF OUR CHRISTMAS DI NNER.
I T C A M E I N T W O B A D L Y T ARNISHED FIVE -GALLON MILK CANS AND AN
O L D W O O D E N W A S H T U B . T H E RUSTY LOOKING CA NS CONTAINED OT SOUP
A N D T H E T U B , B O I L E D P O TATOES. WE EACH RE CEIVED AS OUR
P O R T I O N A L I T E R O F W E A K SOUP, WHICH WAS MADE OF GROUN D -UP
C A B B A G E A N D R U T A B A G A S AND FROM THE TUB OF P OTATOES THE
I N D I V I D U A L S E R V I N G , A M OUNTED TO THREE OR FOUR SMALL B LACK
S P U D S . T H I S S U M P T U O U S CHRISTMAS DINNER W E ATE OUT OF OUR
H A N D S A N D D R A N K F R O M T HE TINS WHILE WE TA LKED OF STUF FED
T U R K E Y W I T H C R A N B E R R Y SAUCE, MASHED POTA TOES AND GRA VY, PLUM
P U D D I N G A N D B R A N D Y , A N D ALL THE TRIMMING S THAT GO TO MAKE UP
T H E D I N N E R S W E H A D K N O WN IN OTHER YEARS.
C H R I S T M A S D I N N E R O V E R , WE SAT AROUND THE SLIM FIRE WE HAD
B U I L T I N T H E S T O V E , T A LKED OF THE WAR, T HE PROXIMITY OF
V I C T O R Y A N D H O M E . D U R I NG THE E VENING WE WERE VISIT ED BY A
G R O U P O F G E R M A N O F F I C E RS WHO INSPECTED T HE BARRACKS, GAVE US
T H E O R D E R O F T H E D A Y W E WERE TO FOLLOW AN D RECEIVED O UR
C O M P L A I N T S . F I R S O F A L L, WE BEMOANED THE FACT THAT TH E
W O O D E N F R A M E S W E W E R E TO USE AS BEDS HAD NO MATTRESSE S A ND
58
T H E B L A N K E T S P R O V I D E D WERE INSUFFICIENT IN SUCH COLD
W E A T H E R . A B O U T T H I S N O THING COULD BE DON E. SECONDLY, WE DID
N O T H A V E A D E Q U A T E F U E L FOR THE FIRE. THI S WAS DEPLORE D, BUT
A G A I N N O T H I N G C O U L D B E DONE AS THE ENTIR E COUNTRY WAS
L A C K I N G S U P P L I E S O F F U EL A ND THE AMOUNT ON HAN D HAD TO BE
C O N S E R V E D F O R T H E L O N G WINTER AHEAD. THI RDLY, THE FOO D WAS
T E R R I B L E . “ B U T Y O U W E R E UNEXPECTED, AND WE CANNOT GET
F U R T H E R S U P P L I E S U N T I L AFTER THE CHRISTM AS HOLIDAYS,” WAS HE
A N S W E R T O T H A T . L A S T L Y , THERE WERE NO UT ENSILS TO HEAT WATER
F O R W A S H I N G O U R M E S S - K ITS OR FOR SHAVING. THIS COMPLAINT WAS
D E E D E D A N D S O O N W E H A D SEVEN OR EIGHT WA SHPANS DELIVE RED TO
T H E B A R R A C K S . A T E I G H T O’CLOCK MORE GUAR DS CAME, MADE A
C O U N T O F U S , T H E N O N L EAVING LOCKED THE D OOR OF THE B ARRACKS
B E H I N D T H E M . N O W W E W E RE DO UBLY SECURE BEHIND B ARRED DOORS
A N D B A R B E D W I R E , A N D T HE GUARDS, WE WERE TOLD, HAD OR DER TO
F I R E O N A N Y O N E O U T S I D E THE BARRACKS AFTE R DARK.
T H E F I R E G R A D U A L L Y D I E D DOWN; THE BARRAC KS GOT VERY C OLD.
O N E A F T E R A N O T H E R W I T H AL HIS CLOTHES ON CURLED UP INTO TH E
G E R M A N B L A N K E T O N A W O ODEN SHELF. A FEW OFFICERS LING ERED
A R O U N D T H E S T O V E A N D T ALKED IN LOW TONES. ONE OF THEM, LT.
C O L . F R E D E R I C K W . N A G L E, EXECUTIVE OFFIC ER OF THE 423 RD
R E G I M E N T , T O O K F R O M H I S POCKET THREE BOU ILLON POWDERS , THE
L I T T L E T I N F O I L P A C K A G ES THAT CAME WITH K RATIONS. HE MIXED
T H E M W I T H W A T E R I N A M ESS -CAN AND PATIENTLY BO ILED THE SOUP
I N T H E S M O L D E R I N G E M B E RS OF THE FIRE. TH E WARM BROTH WAS
T H E N P A S S E D A R O U N D T O THOSE WHO WERE STI LL AWAKE, A F EW SIPS
F O R E A C H M A N . T H E N I G H T WORE ON UNTIL O NLY THE TWO OF FICERS
O N G U A R D ( W E T O O K T H I S PRECAUTION THE FI RST FEW NIGHT S IN
P R I S O N ) H U D D L E D C L O S E TO THE STOVE IN SI LENCE. THE RE ST OF
U S F E L L O F F T O D R E A M L E SS SLEEP.
T H E S U N W A S U P T H E M O R NING OF THE DAY AF TER CHRISTMAS BEFORE
T H E RE W A S M U C H S T I R R I NG IN THE BARRACKS OR A NY ACTIVI TY
O U T S I D E . T H E F I R E W H I C H WAS STARTED AGAI N FURNISHED S OME
H E A T T O T H O S E W H O C O U L D CROWD AROUND IT. THE REST OF THE
B A R R A C K S N O T O N L Y L O O K ED BUT FELT LIKE A DILAPIDATED BARN.
I N T H E M I D D L E O F T H E M ORNING TH E DOORS WERE UNBOLTE D AND WE
H A D B R E A K F A S T , W H I C H C ONSISTED OF A RATIO N OF BREAD A ND
ERSATZ TEA.
T H E B R E A D I S S U E D T O P R ISONERS OF WAR WAS A DARK, COAR SE
B R O W N B R E A D . I T I S S A I D (AND I EASILY BE LIEVE IT) THA T THE
P R I N C I P A L I N G R E D I E N T S WERE THIRTY PERCEN T POTATOES, THIRTY
P E R C E N T W H O L E G R A I N , T HIRTY PERCENT ACORN S, AND FIVE PERCENT
S A W D U S T . T H E R A T I O N W A S FIGURED OUT BEFO REHAND SO THA T EACH
B A R R A C K S R E C E I V E D A S M ANY SIXTHS, OR EIGH THS, OR TENT HS, OR
T W E L F T H S O F A L O A F A S IT HAD PRISONERS. WHOLE LOAVES WERE
D E L I V E R E D A N D I T W A S U P TO THE GROUPS TO DIVIDE THEM
E Q U I T A B L E . O U R F I R S T M ORNING THE INDIVIDU AL PORTION W AS ONE 59
E I G H T H O F A L O A F , S O F OR THE SIXTY EIGHT OF US WE REC EIVED
E I G H T A N D A H A L F L O A V E S. THE ERSATZ TEA WAS PORTIONED OUT A
H A L F- LI T E R T O A M A N ( A L ITER IS APPROXIMATEL Y A QUART ). IT
H A D O N E S A V I N G Q U A L I T Y , IT WAS HOT. WHET HER THERE WAS ANY
S T I U L A T I V E O R N U T R I T I V E VALUE IS DOUBTFU L. IT TASTED NOTHING
L I K E W H A T W E W E R E A C C U STOMED TO CALL TEA . THIS MORNIN G AND
E A C H T I M E T H E R E A F T E R T HAT THE DRINK WAS S ER VED THERE WAS TEA
L E F T O V E R , F O R N O O N E TOOK A FANCY TO IT AND THE AVER AGE MAN
H A D A L L H E C O U L D D R I N K WHEN HE HAD DOWNE D THE EQUIVAL ENT OF
A T E A- CU P .
B R O O M S W E R E P R O V I D E D F OR SWEEPING THE FLO OR, THAT IS ANCIENT
P E A S A N T B R O O M S M A D E O F BUNDLES OF TWIGS AND SMALL BRA NCHES
O F T R E E S T I E D T O G E T H E R WITH TWINE. THEY HAD NO HANDLE S.
A F T E R T H E M E S S- G E A R W AS WASHED AND THE FLOOR SWEPT, W E
W A I T E D F O R I N S P E C T I O N . WHEN THE INSPECTI NG OFFICER CA ME WE
L I N E U P I N T O W R O W S D O WN THE MIDDLE OF T HE BARRACKS F ACING
T H E C E N T E R . A G A I N W E WERE COUNTE D; AGAIN WE COMPLAIN ED OF
T H E L A C K O F F O O D A N D F UEL. THE ONLY ANSWE R GIVEN WAS THAT WE
M I G H T L E A V E T H E B A R R A C KS AND WALK AROUND THE CAMP.
S T A L A G I X B C O N S I S T E D OF FIVE COMPOUNDS OR ENCLOSURES FOR
P R I S O N E R S O F W A R . E A C H WAS SEPARATED FR OM ITS NEIGHBO R BY
T W O B A R B E D W I R E F E N C E S SIX FEET APART, E XCEPT WHERE A PRISON
S T R E E T R A N F R O M O N E C O MPOUND TO ANOTHER; AT THESE POI NTS
W E R E W O O D E N G A T E S W I T H PADLOCKS AND A SH ELTER FOR THE ARMED
G U A R D S T A T I O N E D T H E R E . THE FIVE COMPOUND S AT BAD ORB WERE
O C C U P I E D B Y R U S S I A N , F RENCH, ITALIAN, POL ISH, AND AME RICAN
PRISONERS OF WAR.
I N T H E A M E R I C A N C O M P O U ND WE HAD A DOZEN BARRACKS AND A
S E P A R A T E B U I L D I N G F O R A KITCHEN. THE BAR RACKS WERE NO T ALL
A L I K E I N S I Z E O R C O N S T RUCTION. THE TWO L ARGEST WERE C ONCRETE
S T R UCT U R E S W I T H H I G H ROO FS./ EACH OF THESE B UILDINGS HAD TWO
V E R Y L A R G E R O O M S W I T H A SECTION OF THREE SMALL ROOMS BETWEEN
T H E M T O B E U S E D A S W A S HROOMS. THE LARGE ROOMS WERE FI LLED
W I T H T R I P L E D E C K W O O D E N BEDS PROVIDED WI TH STRAW IN L IEU OF
M A T T R E S S E S . T H R E E T O F OUR HUNDRED OFFICER S OCCUPIED O NE OF
T H E S E C O M P A R T M E N T S . T H E THREE OTHER DORM ITORIES OF TH E
C O N C R E T E B U I L D I N G H O U S ED NON - COMS. TWO OF THE SMA LLER
B U I L D I N G S W E R E A L S O M A DE OF CONCRETE, AN D ONE OF THES E WAS
S E T A S I D E A S A D I S P E N S ARY TO TAKE CARE O F THE SIC K. D OCTORS
W H O W E R E P R I S O N E R S W E R E ASSIGNED QUARTER S IN THIS BUI LDING.
A L L T H E O T H E R B U I L D I N G S WERE BUILT OF WO OD MUCH ON TH E SAME
P L A N A S B A R R A C K 2 5 , T H E ONE WE SIXTY - EIGHT OFFICERS USED.
P R I V A T E S W E R E A S S I G N E D TO THESE BUILDING S. IN THE BAR RACKS
N E X T T O O U R S 3 0 0 P R I V ATES WE RE QUARTERED. ITS FU RNISH INGS
C O M P R I S E D O N E S M A L L S T OVE ABOUT EIGHTEEN INCHES HIGH AND TWO
L I T T L E T A B L E S ; N O O T H E R FURNISHINGS. THE 300 HAD NO P LACE TO
60
S I T O R S L E E P E X C E P T O N THE BARE WOODEN F LOOR. THEIR S TEEL
H E L M E T S S E R V E D F O R S O U P BO WL AND DRINKING CUP.
T H E E N T I R E A M E R I C A N C O MPOUND WAS BUILT O N A GENTLE SL OPE IN
T H E M I D D L E O F W H I C H T H E GROUND HAD BEEN LEVELED OFF I N AN
O P E N S P A C E S O M E W H A T L A RGER THAN A TENNIS COURT. THIS WAS THE
P L A Y G R O U N D , T H E S P O R T P LATZ, TO BE USED F OR GAMES WHEN T HE
W E A T H E R W A S “ F A I R A N D WARMER”.
T H E K I T C H E N B U I L D I N G , WHICH ASSUMED GREA TER IMPORTANC E DAY
B Y D A Y , C O N S I S T E D O F T HE KITCHEN PROPER A ND SEVERAL S MALL
S T O R E R O O M S . T H E O U R S TOVES WERE MASONRY, BUILT UP FROM THE
E A R T H W I T H F I R E B O X E S UNDER LARGE VATS. FLUE S CONNECT ED ALL
T H E S T O V E S T O A B R I C K CHIMNEY IN THE CEN TER OF THE RO OM. THE
K I T C H E N I N T H E A M E R I C A N COMPOUND WAS OPE RATED BY RUSS IANS
F O R T H E F I R S T W E E K S O F OUR IMPRISONMENT. LATER OUR OW N GI’S
UNDERTOOK THE COOKING.
O N M Y S E C O N D D A Y A T B A D ORB I WAS DE LOUSED. NOT THAT I W AS
L O U S Y I N T H E L I T E R A L S ENSE, UT THIS WAS S TANDARD OPER ATION
P R O C E D U R E F O R A L L N E W ARRIVALS AT PRISON ER OF WAR CAM PS. I
S H I V E R N O W A S I T H I N K OF THAT COLD DAY. WE WERE TAKEN IN
G R O U P S O F F I F T Y T O A B UILDING IN THE ITAL IAN COMPOUND . IN
T H E F I R S T L I T T L E R O O M WE TOOK OFF ALL OU R CLOTHES AND STOOD
O N T H E C O L D C O N C R E T E F LOOR. OUR WEARING A PPAREL WAS T AKEN
T H R O U G H A W I N D O W I N T O ANOTHER ROOM. WHEN WE WERE THOR OUGHLY
C H I L L E D D O O R O P E N E D A N D A GUARD ADMITTED US TO THE SH OWER
R O O M . F R O M T H E C E I L I N G HUNG TEN NOZZLES. THE TEPID WA TER WAS
T U R N E D O N F R O M A C O N T R OL OUTSIDE AND THE FIFTY OF US TOLD TO
H U R R Y . A F T E R T H E W A T E R HAD RUN FOR A PER IOD OF ABOUT TWO
M I N U T E S W E W E R E W E L L S OAPED, THE FLOW STO PPED, BUT WE
S C R U B B E D O N U N T I L O U T HANDS AND FACES WE RE CLEAN AND OUR
F E E T , T O O . T H E W A T E R C AME ON AGAIN FOR TH IRTY SECONDS AND WE
W E R E S U P P O S E D L Y C L E A N S ED OF ALL LICE AND DIRT.
I N T H E N E X T R O O M T H E D RYING PROCESS TOOK PLACE. THIS MEANT
S T A N D I N G A R O U N D A S T O V E WITH A WEAK FIRE IN IT UNTIL DRY. NO
T O W E L S W E R E F U R N I S H E D . IN THE LA ST ROOM OUR CLOTHES CAME
B A C K T O U S T H R O U G H A W INDOW. THEY AHD BEE N SPRAYED WI TH A
D I S I N F E C T A N T T H A T S M E L LED STRONGLY OF SU LFUR. AFTER A LL WERE
D R E S S E D W E M A R C H E D B A C K TO OUR OWN COMPO UND AND TRIED TO
F I N D A W A R M P L A C E T O R ECOVER FROM T HE CHILL.
W H I L E G O I N G T O T H E D E L OUSING UNIT A WOOD PILE WAS DIS COVERED
I N T H E I T A L I A N C O M P O U N D. UNDER A GALVANI ZED TIN ROOF
S U P P O R T E D B Y P O L E S W E R E SEVERAL LOGS, A SAW - HORSE, AN D SOME
A X E S . A M E R I C A N I N G E N U I TY FOUND A WAY OF OBTAINING EXT RA
F U E L . T H E I T A L I A N S W A TCHED ONE DIRE CTION THE AMERICAN S
A N O T H E R , A S S M A L L G R O U PS IN LONG OVERCOA TS NONCHALANT LY
P A S S E D T H E G U A R D S A T T HE GATE. SOME GUARD S LET US PAS S,
61
O T H E R S R E F U S E D . A R R I V I NG AT THE WOOD - PILE IT WAS SIMPLE
E N O U G H T O H O L D T W O O R THREE PIECES OF WO OD CONCE ALED UNDER
T H E O V E R C O A T W I T H T H E HANDS THROUGH THE POCKETS. RETU RNING
W I T H T H E W O O D , W E N E V E R HAD ANY DIFFICUL TY GETTING PA ST THE
G U A R D S , F O R W E W E R E G O ING TO OUR OWN PRI SON, BUT THER E WAS
A L W A Y S T H E P O S S I B I L I T Y OF MEETING A GERM AN OFFICER WH OM WE
W E R E O B LI G E D T O S A L U T E. THIS ACTION WOULD HAVE BE EN
I M P O S S I B L E W I T H O U T D R O PPING THE LOG FROM THE RIGHT HA ND.
O V E R A P E R I O D O F S E V E R AL DAYS WE OBTAINE D QUITE A BIT OF
E X T R A H E A T B Y T H I S M E A NS, BUT THE WOOD P ILE DWINDLED AND THE
G U A R D S B E C A M E M O R E S T R ICT ABOUT ALLOW ING US TO PASS THE
GATE.
E A C H A F T E R N O O N A H A N D - DRAWN CART WAS BROUG HT INTO OUR
C O M P O U N D L O A D E D W I T H B RIQUETTES OF COAL. THESE WERE D IVIDED
E Q U A L L Y I N T O L I T T L E P I LES, ONE PILE FOR EACH STOVE IN THE
C O M P O U N D . E A C H P I L E R E CEIVED FIFTEEN TO TWENTY BRICKS ,
A P PRO X I M A T E L Y A P O U N D A PIECE. BY USING THEM CAREFULLY WE
W E R E A B L E T O K E E P T H E BARRACKS WARM AT L EAST PART OF THE DAY
A N D E S P E C I A L L Y D U R I N G THE EVENING. WITH EACH DAY’S SU PPLY OF
C O A L W E A L S O R E C E I V E D A FEW TWIGS AND BI TS OF WOOD TO BE
U S E D I N G E T T I N G T H E F I RE STARTED.
A L M O S T D A I L Y W E S A W S Q UADS OF RUSSIAN PR ISONERS PASS THROUGH
O U R C O M P O U N D A N D T R A M P OUT INTO THE FORE ST TO GATHER THE
D E A D B R A N C H E S F R O M T R E ES. THESE RUSSIANS , MANY OF THE M MERE
Y O U T H S , W E R E T H I N , B U T HEALTHY LOOKING. HAVING BEEN
P R I S O N E R S F O R T W O O R M ORE YEARS, T HEIR CLOTHES WERE I N
T A T T E R S , T H E I R S H O E S W ARN OUT. MANY OF TH EM WORE WOOD EN
S H O E S W H I C H T H E Y T I E D ON WITH RAGS. RAGS ALSO TOOK TH E PLACE
O F S T O C K I N G S T O P R O T E C T THEIR FEET AND L EGS FROM THE SNOW
AND COLD.
E A C H D A Y M O R E A M E R I C A N S TAKE N IN THE BULGE WERE ARRIV ING IN
T H E C A M P . M A N Y T H O S E F ROM OUR OWN UNITS W ERE KNOWN TO US.
O T H E R S F R O M T H E 2 8 T H A ND 99 DIVISIONS HAD BEEN ON THE FLANKS
O F T H E 1 0 6 T H I N T H E S I EGFRIED LINE. BEFO RE AND AFTER THEIR
C A P T U R E A L L O F T H E M H A D BEEN THROUGH DAN GERS T HAT TRY MEN’S
S O U L S . O N D E C E M B E R 2 8 T H TWO MORE AMERICA N PRIESTS ARR IVED,
F A T H E R A L A N P . M A D D E N , A CAPUCHIN FROM P ITTSBURGH, AN D
F A T H E R E D W A R D T . H U R L E Y, OF THE DIOCESE OF DETROIT.
F A T H E R M A D D E N W A S C H A P LAIN WITH THE 112T H REGIMENT OF THE
2 8 T H K E Y S T O N E , O R A S T HE GERMANS CALLE D IT, BUCKET OF BLOO D
- DI V I S I O N , A N D T H I S W AS HIS SECOND EXPERI ENCE AS A NAZI
P R I S O N E R . H E W A S C A P T U RED THE FIRS TIME WITH HIS BATT ALION
A I D S T A T I O N I N T H E B A T TLE OF HURTGEN FOREST .* THERE WERE
O V E R S I X T Y S E R I O U S L Y W OUNDED AMERICANS I N THE AID STA TION AT
T H E T I M E . T H E G E R M A N S AT FIRST REFUSED P ERMISSION TO
E V A C U A T E T H E W O U N D E D , BUT AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF DICKE RING
62
A L L O W E D A H O S P I T A L T R A IN TO ENTER AND RE MOVE THE CASU ALTIES
W I T H I N T H E A M E R I C A N L I NES. THE ENEMY CON TINUED TO HOL D
F A T H E R M AD D E N , T W O M E DIAL OFF ICERS, AND ANOTHER C HAPL AIN,
B U T T W O D A Y S L A T E R T H E SE MEN MADE THEIR ESCAPE BACK T O THE
A M E R I C A N L I N E S . F O R H I S ACTION IN THIS E NGAGEMENT FAT HER
M A D D E N R E C E I V E D T H E S I LVER STAR.
F A T H E R H U R L E Y W A S T H E CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN WITH THE 423R D
R EGI M E N T O F T H E 1 0 6 T H DIVISION. HE HAD BEE N CAPTURED IN THE
V I C I N I T Y O F S C H O E N B E R G . AFTER MANY TRIALS SIMILAR TO THOSE I
H A V E R E L A T E D , I N C L U D I N G THE BOXCAR RIDE, EXCEPT THAT THE
G R O U P H E A C C O M P A N I E D S PENT EIGHT DAYS INS TEAD OF FOUR ON THE
R A I L R O A D , H E A R R I V E D A T BAD ORB COLD, HUNGRY, BUT NO T AT ALL
D I S P I R I T E D . F A T H E R E D HURLEY WAS ONE OF THE FINEST CH APLAINS
W I T H W H O M I W A S P R I V I L EGED TO SERVE. HIS GOOD SPIRITS IN THE
F A C E O F T R O U B L E A N D D I SAPPOINTMENTS WERE ALWAYS ADMIR ED BY
H I M E N . H E B E C A M E K N O W N TO THE OF FICERS AND MEN OF TH E
R E G I M E N T W I T H I N A W E E K OF HIS ARRIVAL AS THEIR CHAPLA IN.
F R O M T H E N O N H E W A S P O PULAR, FOR CROWDS FLOCKED TO HI M FOR
C O U N S E L A N D H E L P A N D H E WAS EVER THINKING UP SOME PLAN FOR
T H E S P I R I T U A L B E T T E R M E NT OF THE REGIMENT . AT BAD ORB IN
S P ITE O F H I S W E A K E N E D C ONDITION HE KEPT A C HEERFUL
C O U N T E N A N C E A N D W A S E V ER READY WITH HIS JOVIAL CONVER SATION
T O L I F T U P T H E H E A R T S OF THOSE WHO WERE WORRIED OR TR OUBLED
O R J U S T D I S G U S T E D W I T H THEIR PRISONER -OF -WAR CONDITIO N.
S O M E T I M E D U R I N G C H R I S T MAS WEEK WE WERE ALL FORMALLY
R E G I S T E R E D A S P R I S O N E R S OF WAR. WE WERE WARNED THAT T HIS
V E R Y I M P O R T A N T C E R E M O N Y WAS COMING, AND THAT ONE OF T HE
D E T A I L S W O U L D B E A T H O ROUGH SEARCH AND C ONFISCATION O F
A R T I C L E S T H A T M I G H T B E A DETRIMENT TO TH E DISCIPLINE OF
P R I S O N L I F E. T H I S I N C LUDED MONE Y.
S M A L L G R O U P S O F P R I S O N ERS WERE TAKEN TO THE ADMINISTR ATION
B U I L D I N G O F T H E C A M P . IN A LARGE ROOM WA S A SEMI -CIRC LE OF
T A B L E S A T W H I C H S A T S O LDIERS OF THE GERM AN ARMY. EACH
P R I S O N E R W A S A S S I G N E D TO A TABLE AND ASK ED TO GIVE HI S NAME,
R A N K , A N D A R M Y S E R I A L NUMBER.* WE WERE I NSTRUCTED BAC K IN
T H E S T A T E S T H A T T H E S E THREE ITEM OF INFO RMATION COULD BE
D I S C L O S E D T O F R I E N D O R FOE, BUT THAT FUR THER INFORMAT ION
M I G H T N O T B E G I V E N U N T IL WE MADE CERTAIN OF THE PERSO N’S
A U T H O R I T Y T O A S K A N D R ECEI VE IT. THE ENEMY IN ANY EVENT WAS
N O T T O B E G I V E N I N F O R M ATION OF MILITARY NATURE BECAUS E IT
M I G H T A I D H I M I N T H E P ROSECUTION OF HIS P ART IN THE W AR. AT
B A D O R B I N A D D I T I O N T O NAME, RANK, AND S ERIAL NUMBER WE WERE
A S K E D T H E N A M E A N D A D D RESS OF OUR NEARES T R ELATIVE, MOTHER’S
M A I D E N N A M E , N A T I O N A L I TY, AND DATE OF CA PTURE. THESE
Q U E S T I O N S T H E R E F O R E A R OUSED GRAVE DOUBTS IN OUR MINDS . WE
F O U N D O U R S E L V E S I N T H E DILEMMA OF HAVING TO BETRAY FO RBIDDEN
S E C R E T S O R D E N Y I N G O U R DEAR ONES AT HOME THE KNOWLEDG E THAT
63
W E W E RE S T I L L A L I V E , TO SA Y NOTHING OF THE SUF FERINGS WE
M I G H T B R I N G U P O N O U R S E LVES. MUCH DISCUSS ION WENT ON A S TO
T H E A D V I S A B I L I T Y O F E I THER COURSE. IT WA S POINTED OUT BY A
G E R M A N O F F I C E R T H A T T H ESE FORMS WERE NOT REGISTRATION BLANKS
O F T H E W E H R M A C H T , B U T HAD B EEN DESIGNED BY THE INTERNATIONAL
R E D C R O S S A N D W O U L D B E RETURNED TO THEM FOR PURPOSES OF
C O M M U N I C A T I N G W I T H R E L ATIVES AND HANDLIN G MAIL BETWEE N ENEMY
COUNTRIES. (NOTE)
* J O H N M A L O N E Y I N “ L E T THERE BE MERCY (19 41) ON PAGE 2 5 SAYS:
“ A S P R O V I D E D B Y T R E A T Y , B ELLIGERENT POWERS SU BMIT THE LISTS
O F P R I S O N E R S T H E Y H A V E TAKEN AS SOON AS HUMANLY POSSI BLE.
T H E ( I N T E R N A T I O N A L ) R E D CROSS ITSELF PRO VIDES A BLANK CARD
F O R P R I S O N E R S T O F I L L OUT; NAME AND UNIT , DATE AND PL ACE OF
B I R T H A N D D A T E O F E N L I STMENT, AND THE AD DRES S OF THEI R
F A M I L I E S . M A S T E R L I S T S ARE MADE FROM THE SE CARDS AND SENT TO
T H E R E D C R O S S I N G E N E V A. IMMEDIATELY UPO N THEIR ARRIV AL
T H E R E T H E L I S T S A R E P H OTOSTATTED AND SEN T ON - FREQUENTLY BY
D I P L O M A T I C P O U C H - T O THE OTHER COUNTRY .
O U T O F A L L T H E A R G U M E N T A ND PROTEST TO THE DE MANDS FO R THIS
I N F O R M A T I O N , I T W A S D E CIDED BY THE AMERI CAN OFFICERS THAT WE
C O U L D R E A S O N A B L Y F I L L OUT THE BLANK FORM S WITHOUT PRE JUDICE
T O T H E M I L I T A R Y S T R A T E GY OR COWARDICE AN D DISLOYALTY TO THE
A L L I E D C A U S E . T H E R E G I STRATION PROCEEDED THEN IN ORDE RLY
F A S H I O N . W E W E R E A S K E D IF WE HAD ANY AMM UNITION OR OT HER
P R O P E R T Y O F O U R O W N G O VERNMENT. THIS WAS TO BE HANDED OVER.
F U R T H E R M O R E , A N Y M O N E Y S WE CARRIED WERE TO BE SURREND ERED
A N D R E C E I P T W O U L D B E G IVEN.
H A V I N G F I V E P O U N D -S T E R LING NOTES I HANDED THESE OVER TO THE
C L E R K A N D R E C E I V E D M Y RECEIPT, A SMALL S LIP OF PAPER THREE
B Y F O U R I N C H E S O N W H I C H WAS WRITTEN IN P ENCIL:
RECEIPT
F R O M T HE PRISONER OF WAR 23629
5 PFD STERLING
I N W O R DS, FIVE POUND S STERLING
RECEIVED
W E GSCHEIDE 30.12.44
( A N D AN ILLEGIBLE SI GNATURE)
64
I W A S N O T A S K E D T O D E C LARE OR SHOW WHATE VER ELSE I HA D IN MY
POCKETS.
T H I S W A S O U R F O R M A L R E GISTRATION AS KRIE SGGEFANGENER
( P R I S O N E R S O F W A R ) . C H ARACTERISTICALLY T HE LONG GERMA N WORD
W A S A B B R E V I A T E D T O K R I EGIE, THE TITLE BY WHICH WE DES IGNATED
O U R S E L V E S T H E R E A F T E R . EACH KRIEGIE WAS G IVEN A SERIAL NUMBER
O N M E T A L “ D O G- T A G ” W H I CH HE WAS TO WEAR ON A STRING A RO UND
H I S N E C K T O G E T H E R W I T H HIS AMERICAN IDEN TIFICATION TA G.
F O R F I V E D A Y S T H E R E G I STRATION OF THE SE VERAL THOUSAN D MEN
W H O W E R E I N T H E C A M P W ENT ON. UNFORTUNATE LY THE DIFFI CULTY
A B O U T T H E I N F O R M A T I O N ASKED OF US CAUSED MUCH DISCUSS ION AND
W R A N G L I N G . O N E D A Y A L ARGE GROUP OF ENLIS TED MEN WERE KEPT
S T A N D I N G O U T I N T H E C O LD FOR THREE HOURS BECAUSE THEY
R E F U S E D T O G I V E M O R E T HAN NAME, RANK, AND S ERIAL NUMBER. I
D O N O T K N O W W H E T H E R T H EY HAD NOT BEEN TO LD THEY MIGHT GIVE
M O R E O R W H E T H E R T H E Y I NSISTED THAT FURTHE R INFORMATIO N WA AN
ACT OF DISLOYALTY.
T H E B O N E O F C O N T E N T I O N IN THE MANY ARGUM ENTS ABOUT TH IS
I N F O R M A T I O N E V E N T U A L L Y S ETTLED DOWN TO DISCU SSING THE REASON
F O R G I V I N G T H E M A I D E N NAME OF OUR MOTHER S. RUMORS SPR EAD
T H A T T H E G E R M A N S W E R E ENDEAVORING TO DIS COVER THE JEW S AMONG
T H E P R I S O N E R S , E V E N T H OSE WHO MIGHT BE J EWISH ON MATE RNAL
S I D E O N L Y ; R U M O R S T H A T THOSE OF GERMAN D ESC ENT WOULD BE
S E G R E G A T E D A N D H A R S H L Y TREATED FOR FIGHT ING AGAINST T HE LAND
O F T H E I R A N C E S T O R S ; R U MORS THAT ITALIANS AND HALF - ITALIANS
W O U L D B E S E N T T O N O R T H ERN ITALY IN ORDER TO HOLD THE LOMBARD
C I T I E S F R O M R E V O L T I N G AGAINST THE AXIS; RUMORS THAT R USSIAN
A ND S L A V S A B O T E U R S W E R E ENTERING GERMANY F ROM THE WEST AND
C O U L D B E D E T E C T E D I N T HIS WAY. FANTASTIC AS SOME OF T HESE
R E P O R T S W E R E , N O T H I N G WAS DONE WHICH SHO WED ANY DISTI NCTION
I N T R E A T M E N T R E S U L T I N G FROM THE DISCLOSU RE OF THE MOT HERS’
MAIDEN NAMES.
L I F E A T S T A L A G I X B S ETTLED DOWN TO A ROUTINE OF TRYI NG TO
K E E P W A R M A N D T O M O N O T ONOUS WAITING FOR THE NEXT MEAL . THERE
W A S N E V E R A N Y A C T I V I T Y IN THE CAMP BEFOR E DAYLIGHT, W HICH AT
T H I S T I M E O F T H E Y E A R IS ABOUT EIGHT O’C LOCK. MOST OF US
T R I E D T O S L E E P O R A T L EAS T STAYED IN BED UNTI L THE MO RNING
T E A W A S S E R V E D . T H E N T HE BARRACKS WERE TI DIED UP AS N EATLY
A S P O S S I B L E , T H E F L O O R SWEPT WITH THOSE BACKBREAKING BROOMS,
T H E B L A N K E T S F O L D E D , T HE REMAINING SUPPLI ES OF WOOD A ND COAL
C A R E F U L L Y H I D D E N F R O M VIEW.
A G E R M A N O FF I C E R A T T ENDED BY TH REE OR FOUR ENLISTED MEN
T H E N M A D E T H E D A I L Y I N SPECTION. ON THEIR ENTRANCE INT O THE
B A R R A C K S W E S T O O D A T A TTENTION NEAR OUR B EDS WHILE TH E
I N S P E C T O R S W A L K E D T H E LENGTH OF THE ROOM AND SCOWLED AT EACH
O N E O F U S . W E A L L H A D ONE THOUGHT IN MIND, ‘WOULD THEY FI ND
65
T H E F U E L T H A T W A S H I D D EN AWAY OR DISCOVE R THAT PARTS OF THE
B E D S H A D B E E N B R O K E N U P AND USED IN THE F IRE?’
O N O N E O F T H E S E I N S P E C TIONS THE HAUPTMAN LOOKED AT ME AND
T H R O U G H H I S I N T E R P R E T E R ASKED,
“ H O W A R E Y O U G E T T I N G A LONG?”
“ W E A RE N O T G E T T I N G E NOUGH TO EAT,” I SAID, “NO R DO WE HAVE
E N O U G H F U E L , A N D W E N E ED MORE BLANKETS.”
“ T O O B A D , ” W A S T H E A N S WER I RECEIVED. “T HE GERMAN PEO PLE ARE
A L S O C O L D A N D H U N G R Y . ” WHEN THIS WAS COM MUNICATED THR OUGH
T H E E N G L I S H- S P E A K I N G AIDE, ANOTH ER QUESTIO N WAS ASKED,
“ H O W L O N G D O Y O U T H I N K YOU WILL BE HERE? ”
“ I H A V E N O I D E A . T H I S I KNOW: WE DO NOT WISH TO STAY HERE
L O N G . W E W O U L D L I K E T O RETURN TO OUR HOM ES VERY SOON. ”
“WHERE IS YOUR HOME?”
“IN THE UNITED STATES.”
“ Y O U C A N G O T H E R E A F T E R THE GERMAN VICTO RY !”
T H E S E L A S T W O R D S W E R E DRAMATIZED WITH SP ARKS FROM HIS EYES
A N D A S W E E P I N G G E S T U R E . WE DIDN’T KNOW, AND I DOUBT T HAT HE
D I D , T H A T J U S T A B O U T T HIS TIME GENERALS E ISENHOWER, B RADLEY,
A N D P A T T O N H A D S T O P P E D THE ADVANCE OF VO N RUNDSTET TO WARD
T H E A L L I E D S UP P L Y D E P O TS AT LIEGE AND ANTWERP AND WERE
I N I T I A T I N G T H E D R I V E T HAT WAS TO END A FE W MONTHS LAT ER IN
T H E C R U S H I N G G E R M A N D E FEAT.
A F T E R I N S P E C T I O N W E W E RE FREE TO LEAVE T HE BUILDING A ND TO
W A L K A R O U N D T H E C O M P O U ND OR VISIT WITH F RIENDS IN OTH ER
B A R R A C K S . MA N Y G R A V I T ATED TOWAR D THE KITCHEN TO FIN D OUT
W H A T W A S O N T H E M E N U F OR THE NEXT MEAL. S OMETIMES AN
O P P O R T U N I T Y A R O S E T O B RIBE THE RUSSIANS W ITH CIGARETT ES FOR
B R E A D A N D P O T A T O E S O R A BOWL OF SOUP. ON E DAY HOWEVER AN
A R G U M E N T S T A R T E D I N T H IS LITTLE BLACK MA RKET. ONE AME RICAN
W A S J U S T A B O U T T O “ C L O SE A DEAL’ WITH A RUSSIAN COOK WHEN
A N O T H E R A M E R I C A N O F F E R ED A FEW MORE CIGA RETTES FOR TH E SAME
H A N D O U T O F F O O D . T H I S AL BUT STARTED A F REE - FOR - ALL B ETWEEN
RUSSIANS AND AMERICANS.
T O P R E V E N T I N T E R N A T I O N AL COMPLICA TIONS THE GERMAN OFF ICERS
P U T T H E K I T C H E N ‘ O F F L IMITS’ TO AMERICANS UNTIL THE RUSSIANS
W E R E R E L I E V E D O F T H E J OB OF COOKING FOR U S.
W E M E T O L D F R I E N D S A N D MADE NEW ONES IN THIS DAILY RO UND OF
S O C I A L C A L L S . N E W R E M O RAS WERE PICKED UP AND OLD ONES SPREAD
F ROM B A R R A C K S T O B A R R A CKS. IT AMOUNTED TO BELIEVING WHAT YOU
L I K E D A N D R E J E C T I N G W H AT YOU DID NO LIKE . MOST ACCEPT ABLE
W E R E T H E R E P O R T S T H A T WE WOULD BE ISSUED FOOD PARCELS FROM
T H E I N T E R N A T I O N A L R E D CROSS. THERE WAS C ONSTANT SPECU LATION
A S T O T H E C O N T E N T S O F THE PACKAGES, THE QUANTITY OF E ACH
I T E M , A N D T H E F R E Q U E N C Y WITH WHICH HEY W OULD REACH US .
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A L M O S T E V E R Y D A Y I W A S SURE TO PICK UP A GOOD RUMOR W HEN I
V I S I T E D T H E N O N - C O M S BARRACKS WHERE MY ASSISTANT, PAU L
DALTON, LIVED.
F R E Q U E N T L Y I F O U N D H I M SITTING ON THE TOP SHELF OF A T RIPLE D E C K B E D W I T H H I S B U D D IES, CORPORALS DON ALD REGIER OF
L I N C O L N , N E B R A S K A , A N D LESTER SHERMAN OF CUMBERLAND,
M A R Y L A N D . W I T H W I S P S O F STRAW BUNCHED ARO UND THEIR FE ET TO
K E E P W A R M T H E Y L O O K E D LIKE BIRDS IN A NE ST. THESE THR EE WERE
T HE C L E R K S A N D D R I V E R S OF THE CHAPLAINS OF THE 422ND
R E G I M E N T , T E C H N I C A L L Y CHAPLAINS’ ASSISTA NTS; IN THEIR JARGON
T H E Y C A L L E D T H E M S E L V E S “DEACONS”. AS DEA CONS HEY DID FINE
W O R K I N C O N D U C T I N G R E L IGIOUS SERVICES FO R THEIR FELLO W
P R I S O N E R S I N T H E A B S E N CE OF CHA PLAINS.
C O N S T A N T L Y W E C H A P L A I N S WERE ASKED IF WE HAD A PRAYER BOOK
O R A R O S A R Y O R A N E W T ESTAMENT TO GIVE AW AY OR LOAN. TIME
H U N G H E A V Y O N P R I S O N E R S’ HANDS, U HERE W AS SOME CONSO LATION
F O R T H E M I N I S T E R S O F G OD IN THE INTIMATE CONVERSATION S AND
W O R D S O F E NC O U R A G E M E N T WE WERE ABLE TO GIVE IN THE SHORT
D A Y S A N D L O N G N I G H T S A T BAD ORB .
L I E U T E N A N T C O L O N E L J O S EPH C. MATTHEWS, J R., OF RALEIG H,
N O R T H C A R O L I N A , W A S E X ECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE 422ND RE GIMENT.
H E W A S C A P T U R E D O N T H E DAY OF OUR UNSUCC ESSFUL ATTEMP T TO
R E C O V E R S C H O E N B E R G . T H ROUGH THE SUFFER INGS OF THE MARCH TO
G E R O L S T E I N A N D T H E R I D E ON BOXCARS TO BA D ORB HE EXCI SED THE
F U N C T I O N S O F S E N I O R O F FICER WITH THE GRO UP HE WAS WIT H. HE
D E M A N D E D F O O D A N D C O M F ORT FOR THE CAPTIV ES OF THE 422 ND AND
4 2 3 R E G I M E N T S . A T B A D ORB HIS SOLICITUDE FOR T HE MEN OF HIS
F O R M E R C O M M A N D W A S L I K E THAT OF A CHAPLA IN. IN FACT, I OFTEN
T O L D H I M J O K I N G L Y T H A T HE MISSED HIS BRA NCH OF SERVIC E BY
G E T T I N G I N T O T H E I N F A N TRY INSTEAD OF THE CHAPLAINS’ C ORPS. I
U S E T O M E E T H I M D A I L Y TALKING OVER THE DETAILS OF OUR P ART
I N T H E B A T T L E O F T H E B ULGE WITH SMALL GRO UPS OF COMPA NY GRAD
O F F I C E R S A N D E N L I S T E D MEN. MANY A MAN WH O WAS DOWNCAS T AND
O N T H E V E R G E O F B R E A K I NG BECAUSE OF THE SEEMING IGNOM INY OF
D E F E A T W A S L I F T E D F R O M HIS DESPONDENCY B Y THE ENTHU SIASM OF
C O L . M A T T H E W S A N D T H E PRIDE OF UNIT HE I MPARTED FOR T HE
H E R O I C A C T I O N O F T H E T WO LOST REGIMENTS O F THE 106TH
DIVISION.
C I G A R E T T E S W E R E A T A P REMIUM AFTER THE FI RST FEW DAYS AND
E V E N T H E S T U B S W E R E W E LCOME. SELDOM DID A MAN SMOKE A WHOLE
C I G A R E T T E A L O N E . T H E R E WERE AL WAYS OTHERS WHO WANT ED JUST A
P U F F O R W H A T W A S L E F T WHEN THE FINGER BE GAN TO BURN. I
R E M E M B E R N E W Y E A R ’ S D A Y HAVING THREE CIG ARETTES. I BE LIEVE I
R E C E I V E D T H E M F R O M C O L . MATTHEWS. HOW NE W YEAR’S IS A LSO THE
T I T U L A R F E A S T O F T H E S OCIETY OF JESUS, SO I DECID ED O N AN
A P P R O P R I A T E C L E R I C A L C ELEBRATION IN KEEPI NG WITH THE MEANS
67
A T H A N D . I P A I D A V I S I T TO FATHERS HURLE Y AND MADDEN AND
T O L D T H E M W E W O U L D C E L EBRATE THIS GREAT JESUIT FEAST
T O G E T H E R B Y E A C H O F U S SMOKING A WHOLE C IGARETTE.
“ O H , NO! ” T H E Y S A I D . “WE’L L SMOKE ONE TODAY, O NE TOMORROW,
A N D O N E T H E N E X T D A Y . ” WE LIT THE ONE AN D PASSED IT A ROUND
A M O N G O U R S E L V E S A N D S E VERAL OTHERS WHO H APPENED TO BE IN THE
V I C I N I T Y O R W H O W E R E D RAWN TO THE SMOKE L IKE MOTHS TO A
L I G H T . T H E S E C O N D A N D THIRD DAY OF THIS TRITIUM SAW A
R E P E T I T I O N O F T H I S P E R FORMANCE. AFTER TH AT WE WERE LU CKY TO
G E T A P U F F F R O M A N Y O N E WHO WAS LUCKY ENO UGH TO HAVE A
CIGARETTE.
E A R L Y E A C H A F T E R N O O N W E WERE ALL IN OUR P ROPER BARRAC KS FOR
T H E S E C O N D A N D U S U A L L Y THE LAST MEAL OF TH E DAY. FOOD
C A R R I E R S ( A B O U T O N E F O R EVERY TEN MEN) W ERE APPOINTED BY
E A C H B A R R A C K S ’ L E A D E R TO GO TO THE KITCH EN AT THE DES IGNATED
T I M E A N D B R I N G T H E F O O D. THEY RETURNED C ARRYING THE O LD MILK
C A N S A N D W A S H T U B S O R B UCKETS FULL OF SOUP WHICH WAS ALWAYS
A N I T EM O N T H I S B I L L OF FA RE. THE MONOTONY OF SOUP AND THE
V A R I E T Y O F K I N D S D I D N OT PREVENT US FROM REJOICING AT THIS
T I M E O F D A Y . N O N E O F O UR MOTHERS WOULD CA RE TO ACKNOW LEDGE
T H E R E C I P E S A S T H E I R O WN. IF WE HAD POTAT O SOUP WITH HORSE
M E A T W E H A D A F E A S T . O THER CONCOCTIONS WERE CAR ROTS AND
R U T A B A G A S , R U T A B A G A S A ND BEETS, CABBAGE A ND WATER - MOSTLY
W A T E R . T H E A L L- T I M E L OW IN FOOD OCC URRED WHEN WE HAD WH AT WE
C A L L E D “ G R E E N H O R N E T ” . IF A BROTH WERE M ADE OF DRIED AND
W O R M Y D A N D E L I O N S , T H E RESULT WOULD PROBA BLY BE MO RE
A P P E A L I N G I N A R O M A A N D TASTE, THOUGH NOT IN LOOKS, TH AN THIS
M E A L O F B O I L E D G R A S S . ON DAYS WHEN GREEN HORNET WAS S ERVED
W E T H O U G H T O F T H E S U B S TANTIAL FOOD THAT WAS BEING WAS TED IN
A M E R I C A O R T H A T W E H A D OURSELVES WASTED IN THE PAST A ND
R E S O L V E D T H A T W E W O U L D NEVER COMPLAIN OF AMERICAN FOOD AGA IN
A N D M O R E P A R T I C U L A R L Y NEVER WASTE IT IN OUR HOMES.
A T S O U P T I M E W E L I N E D UP DOWN THE NARROW AISLE IN THE
B A R R A C K S W I T H O U R B A T T ERED MESS TINS IN OUR HANDS. EA CH MAN
R E C E I V E D H I S F I R S T D O L E OF SOUP AND STIL L KEEP ING HIS PLACE
I N L I N E W A I T E D F O R T H E SECOND ROUND. THI S WAS A SMALL ER
P O R T I O N B U T O F T E N T H I C KER AS THE HEAVIER PORTIONS SAN K TO
T H E B O T T O M O F T H E B U C K ET. WHEN NO MORE S OUP REMAINED IN THE
B I G C O N T A I N E R , T H E L I N E WAS BROKEN. FOR THE MOST PART WE
D R A N K T H E BR O T H F R O M THE KITS W E HAD; A FEW MEN HOW EVER
F O U N D B I T S O F W O O D W H I CH THEY WHITTLED I NTO SPOONS OR FORKS
FOR EATING PURPOSES.
L A T E R I N T H E A F T E R N O O N ERSATZ TEA, ON RA RE OCCASIONS ERSATZ
C O F F E E W A S G I V E N U S W I TH THE DAILY RATIO N OF BREAD. W E
R E C E I V E D O N T HR E E D A Y S A WEEK A SM ALL PORTION OF
68
O L E O M A R G A R I N E , O R C H E E SE, AND ON ONE OR TOW OCCASIONS DURING
O U R S T A Y A T B A D O R B A SLICE OF WURST.
B E F O R E D A R K W E A L L H A D TO BE IN OUR BARR ACKS. THE BLA CKOUT
C U R T A I N S W E R E P U T U P , THE FIRE STARTED A NEW, THE DOOR S
B O L T E D B Y T H E G U A R D S A ND TH E MOST PLEASANT TIME OF TH E DAY
B E G A N . I N T H E D I M L I G H T FROM THE FIRE AN D THE DULL GL OW FROM
T H E C E I L I N G L A M P S S T O R IES WERE TOLD, INF ORMAL DISCUSS IONS
C A R R I E D O N , A R G U M E N T S ENGAGED I. EACH EV ENING A FEW M INUTES
W E R E D E V O T E D T O A R E L I GIO US SERVICE, A HYMN, A PRAYER , AND A
S H O R T S E R M O N . L T . H E R B ERT JOHNSON OF MAC ON, GEORGIA, WOULD
O F T E N E N T E R T A I N O U R B A RRACKS WITH STORIE S OF THE SOUT H AND
O F A L A S K A W H E R E H E H A D SPENT TWO YEARS W ITH THE ARMY AND LT.
J A M E S M O R R I S S E Y O F N E W YORK WITH SONGS T HAT WERE POPU LAR IN
T H E P A S T A N D P R E S E N T , SONGS THAT HE HIMS ELF HAD SUNG OVER
T H E R A D I O I N H I S C I V I L IAN DAYS. THEN WHE N THE FIRE DI ED OUT
A N D T H E B A R R A C K S G O T C OLD WE CRAWLED INTO BED AND WENT TO
S L E E P . O F T E N O N N I G H T S WHEN THE SKY WAS CLEAR WE WERE
A R O U S E D B Y T H E S O U N D OF AIR -RAID SIRENS.
S Q U A D R O N S O F B O M B E R S R OARED OVER HEAR. TH E BRITISH ON THEIR
N I G H T M I S S I O N S P E N E T R A TED DEEPER IN THE ENEMY COUNTRY THAN
W H E R E W E W E R E . T H E T A R GET ON THE NIGHT O F JANUARY 3RD ,
H O W E V E R , W A S N O T F A R F ROM US. SOME THOUGH T IT W AS FRANKFURT.
F R O M T H E P E C K- H O L E S I N THE BLACKOU T CURTAINS WE SAW T H E
S O U T H E R N S K Y R E D W I T H THE FIRES LIGHTED BY THE BOMBS AND
S P A N G L E D W I T H T H E B U R S TS OF ANTI -AIRCRAFT GUNS.
O N E M O R N I N G I N J A N U A R Y AS I WAS MAKING A TRIP TO THE WOOD
P I L E I N T H E I T A L I A N C O MPOUND, I MET AN AMERICAN GI OF
I T A L I A N A N C E S T R Y W H O S POKE THE LANGUAGE. HE TOLD ME T HAT AN
I T A L I A N P R I E S T W A S L I V ING IN THE BARRACK S NEXT TO THE WOOD
P I L E . I G O T M Y A M E R I C A N FRIEND TO ASK TH E ITALIANS TO BRING
O U T T H E I R P R I E S T . I N A FEW MINUTES HE CAM E AND WE WER E ABOUT
T O I N T R O D U C E O U R S E L V E S WHEN A SIGNAL CAM E FROM OUR ST OOGES
T H A T A G E R M A N O F F I C E R WAS APPROACHING. N EXT DAY I WAT CHED
F R O M T H E W I R E O F O U R E NCLOSURE UNTIL THE PRIEST WAS O UTSIDE
A G A I N . H E A L S O W A S O N THE LOOKOUT FOR ME . THIS TIME W E WERE
A B L E T O G E T T O G E T H E R F OR A FEW MINUTES.
T H R O U G H T H E M E D I U M O F LATIN HE TOLD ME H E BELONGED O THE
D I O C E S E O F M I L A N A N D H AD BEEN A PRISONER WITH HIS NAT IONALS
S I N C E T H E C A P I T U L A T I O N OF ITALY IN THE S UMMER OF ‘46. I
A S K E D H I M A B O U T M A S S , AND HE TOLD ME THA T HE WAS ABLE TO SAY
M A S S O N L Y O N S U N D A Y S , AND IN A CHA PEL IN THE FRENCH
C O M P O U N D , W H E R E A L S O W ERE TOW FRENCH PRIE STS WHO HAD ALL THE
69
A C C E S S O R I E S F O R T H E C E LEBRATION OF MASS. WITH GREAT J OY I
T O L D F A T H E R S M A D D E N A N D HURLEY OF THE DI SCOVERY AND R ESOLVED
T O CON T A C T T H E F R E N C H PR IESTS AS SOON AS POS SIBLE
T H R O U G H M I L I T A R Y C H A N N ELS I ASKED PERMIS SION TO VISIT THE
F R E N C H P R I E S T S F O R T H E PURPOSE OF GETTIN G SUPPLIES FO R MASS.
I T T O O K T W O O R T H R E E D AYS FOR THE RED TAP E TO UNRAVEL ; THEN
E A R L Y O N E M O R N I N G B E F O RE BREAK FAST I WAS CALLED BY A GERMAN
G U A R D T O T H E H E A D Q U A R T ERS OF THE AMERICA N COMPOUND. H ERE I
W A S I S S U E D A P A S S A N D THE GUARD CONDUCTE D ME TO THE F RENCH
PRIESTS.
I T W A S T H E S I X T H O F J A NUARY, THE FEAST O F THE EPIPHAN Y. IN A
S M A L L B U I L D I N G T H E Y H A D ERECTED A FI NE ALTAR; THERE W ERE
C R U D E W O O D E N B E N C H E S A ND A CHRISTMAS CRIB BANKED WITH
S E V E R A L E V E R G R E E N T R E E S. IN THE SACRISTY THE TWO FREN CH
F A T H E R S H A D A S O R T O F OFFICE WITH A SMAL L LIBRARY AND A WARM
S T O V E . H E R E , W H I L E T H E GUARD WAITED, THE Y PREPARED A MASS
K I T F OR M E F R O M T H E S UPPLI ES WHICH THEY HAD. T HE KIT THAT I
C A R R I E D B A C K W I T H M E C ONSISTED OF A SMALL ALTAR STONE, THREE
S M A L L A L T A R C L O T H S , A CORPORAL AND PURIF ICATOR, A SMA LL MASS
B O O K , T W O C A N D L E S A N D CANDLESTICKS, A CH ALICE, A SMAL L VIAL
O F W I N E A N D A B O U T A H U NDRED SMALL HOSTS. HAPPY WERE A LL THE
A M E R I C A N C A T H O L I C S A N D ESPECIALLY GRATEF UL WERE WE TH REE
P R I E S T S T H A T W E P O S S E S SED THE MINIMUM ES SENTIALS FOR THE
CELEBRATION OF MASS.
S I N C E T H E S U P P L Y O F W I NE AND HOSTS WAS S O SLIM, WE DE CIDED
W E W O U L D S A Y M A S S O N L Y ON S UNDAYS. TWO DAYS LAT ER WAS THE
S U N D A Y W I T H I N T H E O C T A VE OF THE EPIPHANY AND ALL THRE E OF US
S A I D M A S S . T H E S A T U R D AY BEFORE WE AD VERTISED IN ALL T HE
B A R R A C K S T H A T W E W O U L D HAVE THE THREE MA SSES, THEIR T IME AND
P L A C E . I N O R D E R T O A C C OMMODATE ALL THE M EN WHO WISHED TO
A T T E N D W E U R G E D E A C H B ARRACKS TO ATTEND A CERTAIN MASS.
I N B A R R A C K S 2 5 A R A T H E R SMALL GROUP OF N ON -COMS WAS HOUSED
A N D V E R Y L I T T L E F U R N I T URE OBSTRUCTED THE ROOM. HENCE THERE
W A S S P A C E F O R O U T S I D E R TO CROWD IN. HERE ON THAT S UNDAY
A F T E R N O ON W E T H R E E P R IESTS T OOK TURNS AT SAYING MASS WHILE
T H E O T H E R T W O H E A R D C O NFESSIONS IN CORNE R. IT WAS NO
C A T H E D R A L ; B U T N O C O N S ECRATED CHURCH EVE R HELD A MORE
G R A T E F U L C R O W D O F W O R S HIPPERS THAN THE C OLD BARRACKS AT BAD
O R B , W H E R E T H E P R I E S T LACKED VESTMENTS AND THE DIRTY TABLE
O F A N A L T A R L E F T M U C H TO BE DESIRED IN T HE WY OF FINE LINEN,
C R U C I F I X A N D A L T A R C A R S, TO SAY NOTHING OF SUCH LUXUR IES AS
F L O W E R S A N D L I G H T S . Y E T AROUND THAT RUDE SETTING MERE HEARTS
F I L L E D W I T H F A I T H , H O P E, AND LOVE; FAITH IN THE SUBLI ME
M Y S T E R I E S E N A C T E D U N D E R THE VISIBLE FORM S OF BREAD AN D WINE,
H O P E I N T H E P O W E R O F T HE REDEEMING SACRIF ICE TO FREE US FROM
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T H E H A N D S O F O U R E N E M I ES, AND LOVE BORN OF FELLOWSHIP WITH
T H E S U F F E R I N G C H R I S T I N COLD, HUNGER, AND PRIVATION.
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CHAPTER FIVE
HAMMELBURG
R U M O R S C I R C U L A T E D T H R O UGH THE CAMP AT BAD ORB ON JANUARY 9TH
A N D 1 0 T H T H A T T H E A M E R ICAN OFFICERS WOUL D BE MOVED TO
A N O T H E R P R I S O N . F A T H E R S MADDEN, HURLEY, AND I DISCUSS ED THE
R U M O R S A N D A L S O T H E O B LI GATION WE HAD OF DOI NG ALL IN OUR
P O W E R T O G E T P E R M I S S I O N FOR ON OF US TO REMAIN WITH T HE TWO
T H O U S A N D O R M O R E E N L I S TED MEN IN STALAG IX B. THE DUT Y OF
L E A V I N G S O M E O F F I C E R P ERSONNEL BEHIND WAS ALSO TAKEN UP BY
T H E P R O T E S T A N T C H A P L A I NS AND THE DOCTORS WHO WERE WIT H US.
O N T H E N I G H T O F T H E T E NTH IT WAS OFFICIA LLY CONFIRMED THAT
T H E O F F I C E R S W O U L D B E TAKEN AWAY WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
A T T H E R E Q U E S T O F T H E SENIOR AMERICAN OF FICERS, THREE
D O C T O R S , A C A T H O L I C P R IEST, AND A PROTES TANT CHAPLAIN WERE
P E R M I T T E D TO R E M A I N A T BAD ORB. EVERY MAN ELIGIBLE U NDER THE
T H R E E C A T E G O R I E S O F F E R ED HIS SERVICES TO STAY. FATHER HURLEY
I N S I S T E D T H A T H E W A S T HE LOGICAL MAN TO S UPPLY THE PO SITION
O F C A T H O L I C C H A P L A I N , SO FATHER MADDEN A ND I ACCEDED TO HIS
DESIRE.
F A T H E R E D H U R L E Y ( * ) AND CHAPLAIN NEA L (THE PROTESTANT WH O
R E M A I N E D W I T H H I M ) D I D SPLENDID WORK AT BAD ORB . SO DID THE
D O C T O R S W H O W E R E L E F T WITH OUR GI’S. IN FEBRUARY THE NON C O M S W E R E M O V E D T O Z I E GENHEIM . EASTER M ONDAY, APRIL 2 ,
S T A L A G I X B W A S L I B E R A TED. AMONG FATHER HURLEY’S MEMO RABLE
A C H I E V E M E N T S W A S T H E E STABLISHMENT OF A H OLD NAME SOC IETY IN
T H E P R I S O N C A M P . O F T H IS PAUL DALTON, MY ASSISTANT WR ITES,
“ W H I L E A T B A D O R B F A T H ER HURLEY STARTED A HOLY NAME S OCIETY
A N D P R O M I S E D T H E F E L L O WS THEY’D RECEIVE MEMBERSHIP CA RDS
W H E N T H E Y G O T H O M E . S U RE ENOUGH, A SWELL LETTER FROM FATHER
H U R L E Y C A M E T O T H E M E N ALONG WITH A CARD WHICH READ L IKE
THIS:
T H I S I S T O C E R T IFY THAT.... IS A CHARTER MEMBE R OF
T H E H O L Y N A M E S O C I E T Y OF STALAG IX B, BA D ORB, GERMAN Y. THE
F E L L O W S A R E C E R T A I N L Y PROUD OF IT AND SAY IT’S THE MOST
V A L U A B L E S O U V E N I R T H E Y HAVE OF PW DAYS.”
* SEE APPENDIX:
F A T H ER HURLLEY’S LET TER PROVIDED BY
C O R I NNE PRAY.
J O H N ROBB’S LETTER O N FATHER HURLEY.
A T D A W N T H E M O R N I N G O F JANUARY 11TH, WE WERE AROUSED EARLY
B Y T HE G U A R D S W H O T O L D US THE OFFICERS WOULD B E MOVED
I M M E D I A T E L Y . W E S C A R C E LY HAD TIME TO GET OUR MORNING CUP OF
72
T E A . W E N E E D E D N O T I M E TO GATHER OUR BEL ONGINGS, FOR NO ONE
P O S S E S S E D A N Y T H I N G H E COULD NOT PICK UP IN A MOMENT. IN THE
S P O R T P L A T Z I N T H E M I D D LE OF THE COMPOUND WE WERE ASSE MBLED,
C O U N T E D , A N D C A L L E D B Y NAME: THE ONLY TI ME IN ALL OUR
K R I E G I E L I F E W E W E R E R ECOGNIZED AS INDIVI DUALS WITH N AME AND
R A N K . I T W A S A C O L D W I NTER MORNING AND W E WERE KEPT S TANDING
A T L E A S T A N H O U R I N T H E SNOW. A GERMAN O FFICER FINALLY CAME
W I T H T H E L I S T O F N A M E S . WE WERE TO BE AR RANGED IN THE ORDER
D E S I G N A T E D B Y T H E L I S T . THE DIFFICULTY C AME IN TRYING TO
R E C O G N I Z E O U R N A M E S F R OM THE PRONUNCIATI ON USED BY TH E
G E R M A N . A F T E R M U C H B U N GLING WE AT LAST W ERE LINE UP. THERE
W A A F I N A L CO U N T A N D ROLL -CALL AS WE MARCHED O UT OF THE GATE
O F T H E A M E R I C A N C O M P O U ND.
N E A R T H E A D M I N I S T R A T I O N BUILDING OF THE STALAG WE WER E
A S S I G N E D T W O E M P T Y B A R RACKS IN WHICH TO AWAIT THE MOV EMENT
O R D E R S . T H E B A R R A C K S P ROTECTED US FROM TH E WIND AND S NOW,
B U T A F F OR D E D L I T T L E R ELIEF F ROM THE SEVERE COLD. AT N ON WE
W E R E I S S U E D R A T I O N S F O R THREE DAYS: A HA LF LOAF OF BR EAD AND
P O U N D O F C A N N E D C O R N E D BEEF FOR TWO MEN. FATHER MADDE N AND I
TEAMED TOGETHER.
E A R L Y I N T H E A F T E R N O O N WE ASSEMBLED AGAI N AT THE MAIN GATE
O F T HE C A M P . T H E R E W A S FU RTHER DELAY AS WE WE RE HANDE D OVER
T O A N E W C O M P A N Y O F G U ARDS WHO WERE TO E SCORT US AWAY . THE
N E V E R- EN D I N G C O U N T I N G TOOK PLACE AGAIN AS ONE C OMMANDER
C O N S I G N E D U S L I K E S O M ANY CATTLE TO THE O THER. THEN W E WERE
A R R A N G E D I N G R O U P S O F SIXT Y - THE OLD BOXCAR NUMBE R - AND
S I X G U A R D S A S S I G N E D T O EACH GROUP OF PRI SONERS. AS TH E DELAY
A N D C O N F U S I O N G R E W , S O MEONE REMEMBERED T HAT FATHER MA DDEN
C O U L D S P E A K G E R M A N . H E WAS THEREFORE SUM MONED TO HEAD OF THE
L I N E T O A C T A S I N T E R P R ETER. BUT HE HAD M Y BR EAD AND I
C A R R I E D H I S C O R N E D B E E F. THEREFORE WE CO MPLAINED ABOU T BEING
S E P A R A T E D . I W A S T H E N PERMITTED TO GO TO THE HEAD OF THE
L I N E A S A I D E-D E - C A M P TO THE INTERPRE TER.
C O L D A N D N U M B F R O M S T A NDING IN THE SNOW, WE OFF DOWN THE
L O N G H I L L T O T H E T O W N OF BAD ORB . EASIER AS IT WAS G OING
D O W N H I L L , T H E T R I P W A S HARD ON US DUE T O OUR WEAKENE D
C O N D I T I O N A N D T H E E X T R EME COLD OF THE DA Y. AGAIN WE L OOKED
A T T H O S E H I L L S C O V E R E D WITH CHRISTMAS TR EES; SAW THE
C H I L D R E N S K I I N G D O W N T HE SLOPES. AND CAME INTO THE TOWN WITH
T H E S U M M E R H O T E L S N A M E D AFTER THE SAINTS . FATHER MADD EN AND
I W E R E N E A R T H E H E A D O F THE COLUMN AND AS WE CAME THROUGH
T H E B U S I N E S S D I S T R I C T WE NOTICED THE SHO PKEEPERS RAIS ING THE
M E T A L S C R E E N S W H I C H P R OTECTED THE PLATE GLASS WINDOWS FROM
F R A G M E N T A T I O N D U R I N G B OMBINGS. WITH WH AT SEEMED TO BE A
C E R T A I N A M O U N T O F P R I D E THEY STOOD AT TH E DOORS OF TH EIR
S H O P S T O W A T C H U S P A S S . SAD TO SAY, HOWE VER, BAD ORB
73
E X P E R I E N C E D T H E D E S O L A TION OF DESTRUCTIO N BEFORE THE WAR WAS
OVER.
A T T H E R A I L R O A D S T A T I O N THERE WAS ANOTHE R WAIT. THE R AILROAD
Y A R D S W E R E F I L L E D W I T H SEVERAL LINES OF BOXCARS, BUT NO
L O C O M O T I V E S W E R E I N S I GHT. “THERE IS AN ENGINE!” SOME ONE
E X C L A I M E D . “ A N D T H E R E ’ S ANOTHER!” SEVERA L LOCOMOTIVES HAD
B E E N M O V E D O N T O S I D I N G S AND VERY CAREFUL LY CAMOUFLAGE D.
O U R T R AI N A T L A S T A R R I VED A ND PULLED IN A STRIN G OF THE
F A M I L I A R “ 4 0 A N D 8 ’ S ” . AGAIN IT WAS SIXT Y MEN TO A CA R,
E X C E P T T H E F I R S T O N E T O WHICH THE SENIOR OFFICERS, TH EIR
I N T E R P R E T E R , A N D H I S A IDE WERE ASSIGNED. WE WERE ONLY
T W E N T Y- F I V E , B U T T H A T DID N OT MEAN MORE SPACE PER PRI SONER,
F O R I N T H E M I D D L E O F T HE CAR WAS A CRUDE BARBED WIRE SCREEN
W I T H A L I T T L E O P E N I N G IN IT. WE PRISONER S WERE ALL CR OWDED
B E Y O N D T H E S C R E E N . T H E REST OF THE CAR W AS RESERVED F OR A
S Q U A D ( T E N M E N ) O F T H E GUARDS. IN THEIR HALF THERE WA S SOME
C L E A N S T R A W A N D A L I T T LE STOVE.
T H E T R I P W A S U N E V E N T F U L. WE WERE FAIRLY COMFORTABLE W ITH A
L I T T L E H E A T F R O M T H E S TOVE AND THE BREAD AND CORNED B EEF WE
H A D F O R R A T I O N S . I N T H E EVENING WE TRIED TO ENGAGE TH E
G U A R D S I N C O N V E R S A T I O N AND GET THEM TO T ELL US WHITHER WE
W E R E G O I N G , B U T T H E Y W ERE NOT ANXIOUS TO COMMUNICATE MUCH
W I T H U S . W E G O T T O S I N GING AND BY CHANCE SANG “HOLY N IGHT”.
I T W A R M E D T H E G E R M A N S ’ HEARTS TO HEAR A MELODY THEY L OVED
S U N G I N A F O R E I G N T O N G UE. WE SANG IT AGA IN, THEY IN G ERMAN,
W E I N E N GL I S H . T H E N T HEY SANG SOME OF THEIR FAVORI TE
M E L O D I E S W H I L E W E L I S T ENED. WE ALL LAUGH ED AND JOKED AND
T H E Y T U R N E D O U T T O B E TOLERABLY CONGENIA L TRAVELING
C O M P A N I O N S . A L L N I G H T LONG THE TRAIN STA RTED AND STOP PED,
J O L T I N G U S W I T H E A C H C HANGE OF MOTION. SO ME C OLONELS AND
M A J O R S D R O P P E D O F F T O SLEEP, BUT THE CRA MPED QUARTERS AND
J O L T I N G M A D E S L E E P I N G MUCH WORSE THAN ON THE WOODEN S HELVES
IN STALAG IX B.
T H E F O L L O W I N G M O R N I N G WE DETRAINED AT HAMMELBURG , ON THE MAP
A D I S T A N C E O F T W E N T Y - F IVE MILES FROM BAD ORB , THOUGH THE
T R A I N N O D O U B T C O V E R E D MUCH MORE THAN TH AT. PERHAPS I T WAS
O N L Y T H E B R I G H T S U N L I G HT AND THE CLEAN S NOW THAT HEIG HTENED
T H E I M P R E S S I O N , B U T H A MMELBURG APPEARED A MOST PICT URESQUE
V I L L A G E . T H E H O U S E S A N D SHOPS WERE ALL B UILT OF STONE IN THE
B A V A R IAN S T Y L E A N D A L MOST EVERY ONE OF THEM HA D A NICHE OVER
T H E D O O R W A Y O R I N T H E CENTER OF THE FRON T WITH A STAT UE OF
O U R B L E S S E D M O T H E R , S T . JOSEPH, OR SOME OTHER SAINT. AT THE
S T R E E T I N T E R S E C T I O N S S HRINES WERE BUILT I N HONOR OF T HE
S A C R E D H E A R T , T H E G U A R DIAN ANGELS, AND PATRON P AINTS. A
B E A U T I F U L C A T H O L I C C H U RCH, WITH SCHOOL, PLAYGROUND, A ND
74
C O N V E N T , O C C U P I E D A P R OMINENT POSITION O N THE MAIN ST REET.
W E E K S L A T E R L T . R O B E R T FRASH, OF SOUTH B END, INDIANA, AND
R E G I M E N T A L A D J U T A N T O F THE 422ND INFANTR Y, ARRIVED AT
H A M M E L B U R G W I T H A N O T H E R GROUP OF PRISONE RS. HE TOO WA S
I M P R E S S E D W I T H T H E S T A TUES IN THE VILLAG E. “OUR LADY SEEMED
T O S M I L E . ” S O H E S A I D , “AND SAY”, “SEE, I AM WITH YOU . WHY
SHOULD YOU FEAR?”
A T T H E F A R E N D O F T H E TOWN THE MAIN ROAD BRANCHED, TH E RIGHT
F O R K G O I N G O F F P A R A L L E L WITH A LITTLE STR EAM, THE LEF T
S P A N N I N G T H E W A T E R A N D WINDING UP THE SI DE OF A LONG HILL.
A T T H E F O R K I N T H E R O A D STOOD A HUMBLE W AYSIDE SHRINE , A
B A S-RE L I E F D E P I C T I N G CHR IST CARRYING HIS CRO SS, AND O UR LORD
W A S F A C I N G T H E R O A D U P TH E HILL. HE SEEMED TO SMILE (AND
M A N Y R E M A R K E D T H I S T O ME), “LIFE IS AN U PHILL ROAD FO R
A N Y O N E I N T H E H A N D S O F HIS ENEMIES AND E ACH MAN MUST CARRY
H I S C R O S S . I A M T H E W A Y, FOLLOW ME.” IT WAS A SPIRITU AL
U P L I F T T H A T R E L I E V E D T HE AGONY OF THAT AS CENT. SLOWLY ,
S L O W L Y , O N A N D U P W E T OILED, STOPPING NOW AND THEN TO EAT
S N O W T O S L A K E T H E T H I R ST WE SUFFERED. AS WE WOUND ARO UND THE
S I D E O F T H E H I L L W E L O OKED DOWN ON THE “ VILLAGE OF TH E
L A M B ” , H A M M E L B U R G , Q U I ET, PEACEFUL, NOT YET TOUCHED B Y THE
RAVAGES OF WAR.
I T W AS F I V E K I L O M E T E R S WH EN THE ROAD LEVELED OFF ON A RIDGE
A N D T H E V I E W O P E N E D I N TO A ROLLING COUNT RY OF SNOW -COVERED
M E A D O W S , F O R E S T - C O V E R ED HILLS. OFF T O THE RIGHT ABOUT
A N O T H E R K I L O M E T E R W A S THE PRISON CAMP, N UMBER THIRTEE N, MANY
L O N G O N E- S T O R Y S T U C C O BUILD INGS SPRAWLED OVER T HE HILLSIDE;
I N T H E M I D S T O F T R E E S FINE STONE STRUCTU RES WERE HALF
C O N C E A L E D A N D A S T O N E WATER -TOWER LIFTED ITSELF MORE THAN A
H U N D R E D F E E T . A R O U N D T HE ENTIRE GROUP OF BUILDINGS WO UND THE
F A M I L I A R , H I G H , B A R B E D WIRE FENCES, INTE RRUPTED EVERY
H U N D R E D Y A R D S W I T H T H E WOODEN WATCHTOWER S.
A S W E A P P R O A C H E D N E A R E R TO THE CAMP, THE ELEGANCE OF THE
B U I L D I N G S C O N V I N C E D U S THAT THIS PLACE H AD NOT BEEN
O R I G I N A L L Y I N T E N D E D F O R PRISONERS OF WAR . WE LEARNED LATER
I T W A S A T R A I N I N G C A M P FOR THE REGULAR ARMY, BUT FOR THE
L A S T T W O Y E A R S H A D B E E N USED AS A PRISON STOCKADE FOR
R U S S I A N S , P O L E S , F R E N C H, YUGOSLAVS, AND DUTCH CAPTURE D IN
T H E W A R . N O W T H E F I R S T AMERICANS WERE AR RIVING. THE H EAVILY
W I R E D G A T E S S W U N G W I D E TO ADMIT US. WE W ERE COUNTED A GAIN.
T H E G ATE S W E R E L O C K E D BEHI ND US AND WE REMAINE D STANDING IN
T H E S N O W . L A T E R W E W E R E TAKEN INTO A LAR GE INDOOR RID ING
A C A D E M Y , T H E F L O O R O F WHICH WAS COVERED WITH TANBARK. HERE
W E W E R E L I N E D U P , L O C K ED OVER, AND STARR ED AT BY A
C O N T I N G E N T O F S O M E F I F TEEN HIGH RAN KING OFFICERS OF T HE
W E H R M A C H T . F A T H E R M A D D EN INTERPRETED FOR US THAT WE W ERE NOT
T O B E L O D G E D I N T H I S S TABLE PERMANENTLY, BUT THAT LAT ER IN
75
T H E D A Y W E W O U L D B E A S SIGNED BARRACKS. D URING THE WAI T WE
F O U N D A H Y D R A N T W I T H F RESH WATER, SAT DOW N ON THE TUR F AN D
A T E S O M E M O R E B R E A D A N D CORNED BEEF.
A T T H R E E O ’ C L O C K I N T H E AFTERNOON EXACTL Y ONE HUNDRED
O F F I C E R S W E R E T A K E N A T RANDOM AND REMOVE D FROM THE RI DING
F L O O R . A N H O U R L A T E R T HE SECOND HUNDRED, WHICH INCLUD ED
F A T H E R M A D D E N A N D M E , WERE CONDUCTED PAS T A ROW OF BA RRACKS
T H A T H O U S E D S L A V P R I S O NERS, THROUGH TWO GUARDED GATES INTO A
C O M P O U N D T H A T C O N S I S T E D OF TEN ERSTWHILE BARRACKS FOR
H I T L E R ’ S P I C K O F T H E M ASTER RACE. THIS WA S OFLAG IX B . WE
W E R E L E D O N T O T H E F I R S T FLOOR OF THE ONL Y TWO - STORY BUILDING
I N T H E E N CL O S U R E . T H I S BUILDIN G WAS FORMERLY USED AS A
D I N I N G- H A L L , W I T H A W E LL AP POINTED KITCHEN AND TWO SPACIOUS,
L I G H T S O M E D I N I N G R O O M S . NOW THE ROOMS IN TO WHICH WE C AME
W E R E F R E E O F A L L F U R N I SHINGS, EXCEPT A F EW BATTERED B ENCHES,
A N O L D P I A N O , A N D A S T OVE WHICH HAD NOT HELD LIVE CO ALS FOR
A L O N G T I M E . W H A T W I N D OW PANES WERE LEFT WERE VERY DI RTY.
T H E B R O K E N O N E S W E R E P ATCHED WITH CARDBOA RD AND WOOD. A
C L O S E D D O U B L E D O O R O P E NED INTO ANOTHER L ARGE ROOM THE SAME
S I Z E A S T H E O N E I N W H I CH WE WERE. IN THI S SECOND HALL T HE
E Q U I P M E N T A N D P E R S O N N E L WERE SET UP FOR PROCESSING TH E
L A T E S T A R R I V A L S . A G U A RD AT THE DOOR ADM ITTED ONE OR TWO AT
A T I M E . C U R I O U S L Y W E S IZED UP THE SITUATI ON IN THE NE XT
R O O M . A S E A C H M A N W A S ADMITTED HE WAS AS SIGNED TO A P LACE AT
A L O N G C O U N T E R O R T A B L E AND GIVEN A STOOL OR CHAIR TO STAND
O N . H E T H E N R E M O V E D E V ERY STITCH OF CLOT HING HE WORE AND
H A N D E D I T O V E R T O T H E INSPECTING OFFICIA LS. WHEN THEY WERE
S A T I S F I E D T H A T A L L D O C UMENTS, MAPS, SECR ET WEAPONS, O R PARTS
O F R A D I O S E T S W E R E N O T LEFT IN THE POCKE TS OR SEWED I N THE
L I N I N G O F S H I R T S O R P A NTS, THE CLOTHES W ERE RETURNED TO
T H E I R O W N E R S W H O T H E N DRESSED AND LEFT T HE BUILDING B Y
A N O T H E R D O O R . A L L O F U S HAD THINGS WE VAL UED PERSONAL LY AND
D I D N O T C A R E T O H A V E F ALL INTO ENEMY HAND S. EVERY EFF ORT TO
C O N T A CT M E N W H O H A D G ONE T HROUGH THE PROCESSIN G TO WHOM WE
C O U L D S L I P T H O S E A R T I C LES FAILED. SO IT WAS EITHER DE STROY
O R S U R R E N D E R W H A T T H I N GS WE HAD ON US. A S WE GLANCED AGAIN
A N D A G A I N D U R I N G T H E I NTERMITTENT OPENING S OF THE DOO R IT
W A S A L L T O O E V I D E N T T H AT TH IS SEARCH WAS THOROU GH AND
COMPLETE.
A D E E P S E C R E T O F M Y O W N WAS NOT IN JEOPA RDY. SEVERAL WEEKS
P R E V I O U S L Y I H A D S E W E D INTO THE HEM OF M Y TROUSER LEG ONE
T E N A N D T H R E E T W E N T Y - D OLLAR BILLS, NICELY CONCEALED FROM ANY
S U P E R F I C I A L I N S P E C T I O N . COULD I NOW TAKE A CHANCE OF HAVING
T H E M D I S C O V E R E D , A N D I A PRIEST? MY BETTE R JUDGMENT P ROMPTED
M E T O P U T T H E M O N E Y I N A PLACE WHERE IT WOULD APPEAR THAT I
W A S N O T A T T E M P T I N G T O CONCEAL IT. I RIPP ED OPEN THE S EAM AND
T R A N S F E R R E D T H E M O N E Y TO A SECRET POCKET IN MY WALLET . I WAS
T H E N R E A D Y T O E X P O S E M YSELF AND ALL THAT I CARRIED ON ME OR
76
I N M Y P O C K E T S T O E N E M Y VIEW. THE DOOR OP ENED; IT WAS MY TURN
TO ENTER.
A S S I G N E D T O A P L A C E A T THE COUNTER, I SA ID, “I AM A C ATHOLIC
P R I E S T , ” P R I E S T E R , K A T HOLICH.” A FEW EYE BROWS RAISED AND A
G R O U P O F G E R M A N S G A T H E R ROUND. TO PROVE THE STATEMENT I
W I T H D R E W F R O M M Y P O C K E TS THE WINTER VOLU ME OF THE BRE VIARY,
A S M A L L R I T U A L , M Y S T O LE AND THE TRIPLE OIL - STOCKS. T HE
B R E V I A R Y A N D R I T U A L W E RE PASSED FROM ONE TO THE OTHER GERMAN
A N D A L L N O D D E D A S S E N T THAT THEY WERE EVI DENCE OF THE
C A T H O L I C P R I E S T H O O D . T HE OIL - STOCKS WERE SOMETHIN G NE W TO
T H E M . F O R A L L T H E W O R L D THIS BRASS CYLIN DER, THE SIZE OF A
S M A L L A R M S ’ C A R T R I D G E , MIGHT BE A BOOBY RAP, A SECRET
WEAPON, A RADIO.
“ N O W T H E S E A R E T H E H O L Y OILS,” I S AID, “USED IN THE
A D M I N I S T R A T I O N O F B A P T ISM AND EXTREME UN CTION.”
“ O I L F O R S A C R A M E N T S , ” ONE OF THEM SAID I N AN UNDERTON E.
T H E S E R G E A N T H E L D O U T HIS HAND TO TAKE T HEM FROM ME.
“ N O ” , I S A I D , “ Y O U C A N NOT HAVE THIS. THI S IS A SACRED THING.
T H E S E O I L S A R E C O N S E C RATED, AND MAY N OT BE PROFANED.”
“GIVE ME,” HE INSISTED.
“ N O , N O , O N L Y F O R P R I E S T” I WAS MORE INSI STENT.
“ Y A , Y A . ” A N O T H E R S O L D I ER CAME TO MY AID. “FOR
SACRAMENT,
F O R P R I E S T . ” A N D H E M A DE A GESTURE IN MY DIRECTION TH AT
S H O W E D H E U N D E R S T O O D T HE PREDICAM ENT I WAS IN.
A N D T H E Y M O T I O N E D M E T O PUT THE OIL -STOCKS ON THE COU NTE R.
T H E E M P T Y I N G O F M Y P O C KETS PROCEEDED. OU T CAME MY FLA SHLIGHT
W I T H T H E W O R N O U T B A T T ERY, A WOODEN SPOO N, A PEN -KNIF E, TWO
P O C K E T N O T E B O O K S , G L O V ES, SOME DIRTY HAN DKERCHIEFS, A DIRTY
P A I R O F S O C K S , A N O V E R SEAS’ CAP, A PIECE OF SOAP, SOM E
T O I L E T P A P E R , M Y W A T C H , A COMB, PEN, AND PENCIL.
A L L T H E S E T H I N G S W E R E LOOKED AT WITH MIN GLED DISAPPOI NTMENT
A N D I N D I F F E R E N C E . T H E N CAME THE WALLET. THAT WAS SEIZ ED
Q U I C K L Y A N D S E T A P A R T WITH THE NOTEBO OKS AND FLASHLIGHT.
H O L D I N G M Y B R E A T H A N D LOOKING AT THEM WI TH AN AIR OF
S U S P E N S E I F E L T T H E L A ST POCKET IN MY PA NTS AND SLOWL Y
P U L L E D O U T T H E C O N T E N T S IN ONE HANDFUL - THREE DOLLAR S AND
F O R T Y C E N T S I N A M E R I C A N, BRITISH, FRENCH , AND BELGIAN COINS,
A R O S A RY , A N D A P A I R O F DIC E. THEY ALL GAZED AT THE L ITTLE
P I L E I N S I L E N C E A N D A M AZEMENT. THEN THE SERGEANT PICK ED UP
T H E D I C E . “ Y O U A R E A H ELL OF A PRIEST,” H E SAID IN EN GLISH
AND WALKED AWAY.
77
“ H E L M E T , ” S A I D T H E C L E RK. AND MY STEEL H ELMET AND FIB ER
H E L M E T L I N E R W E R E P A S S ED BACK TO A PILE NEAR A WINDOW ,
L E A V I N G M E W I T H O N L Y A LITTLE KNIT CAP.
“ T A K E O F F Y O U R C L O T H E S !” AND BEGINNING W ITH MY FIELD COAT, I
R E M O V E D F I E L D J A C K E T , WOOLEN OD SHIRT, W OOLEN UNDERSH IRT,
A N D C O T T O N U N D E R S H I R T , SHOES, WOOLEN SOC KS, COTTON SO CKS, OD
P A N T S , W O O L E N D R A W E R S AND COTTON DRAWERS . I STOOD THE RE IN
M Y D O G T A G S , P O W I D E N T I FICATION TAG AND S CAPULAR MEDAL . THE
C L O T H E S W E R E T H O R O U G H L Y SEARCHED OT MAKE SURE NOTHING WAS
HIDDEN IN THEM.
B E F O R E L O N G I W A S F U L L Y DRESSED. MY BREV IARY AND RITU AL WERE
S T A M P E D “ G E P R U F ” ( P A S S ED Y CENSOR) AND R ETURNED TO ME . I
P I C K E D U P T H E O I L -S T O C KS CASUALLY, AS A DIVISION WAS BEING
M A D E O F T H E O T H E R T H I N GS ON THE TABLE. E VERYTHING WAS
R E T U R N E D T O M E E X C E P T THE HELMET, THE FL ASHLIGHT, THE TWO
N O T E B O O K S , M Y W A L L E T , THE COINS AND THE PA IR OF DICE. THESE
P L A C E D I N A M A N I L A E N V ELOPE, MARKED WITH MY NAME AND POW
N U M B E R , A N D C A R R I E D T O A DESK AT THE END OF THE ROOM. I
F I L L E D M Y P O C K E T S A N D LEFT THE INSPECTIO N ROOM BY THE OTHER
D O O R . A C R O S S A C O R R I D O R A GROUP OF ABOUT TWEN TY OFFIC ERS
W E R E W A I T I N G . T H I S R O O M HAD ONCE BEEN TH E COCKTAIL LO UNGE OR
G A R - MO R E P R O P E R L Y , PERHA PS, BEER HALL - IN THE NAZI
H E Y D A Y . T H E W A L L S W E R E PAINTED WITH LIFE -SIZED CARTOO NS OF
D R I N K I N G P A R T I E S A N D C HARACTERS FROM GERM AN STORIES. A
L E G E N D I N G E R M A N S C R I PT WAS WOVEN I NTO THE PATTERN OF T HE
PICTURES.
“ T H E H E I N I E S W I L L T A K E US TO OUR BARRACK S WHEN WE GET THIRTY
M E N H E R E , ” W A S T H E L A T EST NEWS. WE FELL TO DISCUSSING WHAT
W E H A D L O S T A N D W H A T W E HAD RETAINED AND SPECULATING WHAT
D I S P O S I T I O N W O U L D B E M AD E OF THE THINGS TAKE N FROM US .
I T W A S N O T L O N G B E F O R E THE REQUIRED THIR TY MEN CAME T HROUGH
T H E I N S P E C T I O N O R D E A L AND WERE MARCHED F ROM THIS BUIL DING TO
B A R R A C K S E L E V E N , R O O M SEVEN. “SEVEN COME ELEVEN.” I H AD
P L A Y E D B Y D I C E W E L L , F OR I LANDED IN A RO OM WITH THIR TY
( L A T E R I N C R E A S E D T O F O RTY -FIVE) OF THE GRANDES T FELLOWS I
H A V E E V E R L I V E D W I T H . IN THIS ROOM WE WE RE TO LIVE TO GETHER
F O R M O R E T H A N T W O M O N T HS IN CLOSER QUART ERS THEN IS F IT FOR
M A N O R B E A S T , E X C E P T I N G OF COURSE SIXTY MEN IN A BOXC AR.
B A R R A C K S 1 1 W A S O N E O F SIX BUILD INGS IN THE COMPOUND ALL
B U I L T O N T H E S A M E P L A N . AT ONE END WERE TWO SMALL ROO MS ON
E I T H E R S I D E O F A N A R R O W CORRIDOR, THEN F OUR OR FIVE L ARGE
R O O M S O N E A F T E R A N O T H E R DOWN THE LENGTH OF THE BUILDI NG.
R O O M 7 W A S L I K E A L L T H E REST, ONE DOO R OPENING INTO A CAM P
S T R E E T , T W O W I N D O W S F A CING THE STREET AN D THREE AT TH E BACK
O F T H E R O O M . T H E R O O M WAS APPROXIMATELY SQUARE, FIFTY FEET
M O R E O R L E S S E A C H W A Y . ON THE WINDOWLESS SIDES DOUBLE DECK
78
A N D T R I P L E D E C K B E D S S TUCK OUT FROM THE W ALL ITS ENTI RE
L E N G T H . I N T H E S P A C E D OWN THE MIDDLE WERE A BRICK CHIMNEY, A
S T O V E , T H R E E K I T C H E N T ABLES, AND A FEW BE NCHES AND CH AIRS.
T W O D I R T Y E L E C T R I C L I G HTS HUNG BY CORDS FROM THE CEIL ING.
T W O D I R T Y E L E C T R I C L I G HTS HUNG BY CORDS FROM THE CEIL ING.
T H E T H I R T Y O F U S E N T E R ED THE BARRACKS AND WERE LEFT TO
O U R S E L V E S B Y T H E G U A R D S. EACH MAN SELECT ED HIS BED AN D ALL
W E R E S A T I S F I E D W I T H T H E LODGING ACCOMMOD ATIONS, FOR T HERE
W E R E S E V E R A L B U N K S L E F T OVER. FATHER MAD DEN AND I HAD
A D J A C E N T B E D S O N T H E S ECOND SHELF ABOUT T HE MIDD LE OF THE
LEFT. SIDE.
B E F O R E D A R K G E R M A N G U A RDS CAME AGAIN TO BRING US BLAN KETS
A N D E A T I N G U T E N S I L S . T HE BLANKETS ARRIVED ON A CART AND WE
W E R E E A C H T O R E C E I V E T WO. AS THE SUPPLY W AS SHORT, IT
A M O U N T E D T O T H R E E B L A N KETS FOR TWO MEN. THIS CHALLENG ED
A M E R I CAN I N G E N U I T Y A G AIN. WE PUSHED TWO TIERS OF BUNKS
T O G E T H E R M A K I N G A S O R T OF DOUBLE BED. TH EN BY SPREADI NG ONE
B L A N K E T O V E R T H E T W O B UNKS AND THE PALLET S OF WOOD SH AVING
A S F A R A S I T W O U L D R E A CH, THE TWO MEN SL EEPING ADJACE NT TO
O N E A N O T H E R H A D T W O B L ANKETS TO COVER THEM OR ROL L UP IN.
D U R I N G O U R S T A Y A T H A M MELBURG THERE WERE FEW NIGHTS W HEN THE
C O L D W A S S O S E V E R E A S TO KEEP US AWAKE. OF COURSE, WE PILED
I N T O B E D C L O T H E D W I T H JACKETS, OVERCOATS , AND ALL THE
W E A R I N G A P P A R E L W E P O S SESSED.
T H E I S S U E O F T A B L E W A R E MADE US ANTICIPATE SOME NOURISHING
M E A L S . E A C H M A N R E C E I V ED AN EARTHENWARE BOWL, A THINK
P O R C E L A I N M U G , A P E W T E R KNIFE, FORK, AND SPOON. WHATE VER THE
Q U A N T I T Y A N D Q U A L I T Y O F THE CHOW THAT WAS TO COME WE AT
L E A S T C O U L D E A T I T L I K E CIVILIZED MEN AN D NOT WI TH OU R HANDS
O U T O F T I N C A N S . T H A T FIRST EVENING WE W ERE TO BE GIV EN NO
F O O D , F O R O N L E A V I N G B AD ORB THE RATION OF BREAD AND BULLY
B E E F W A S T O L A S T F O R T HREE DAYS AND THIS WAS ONLY THE SECOND
D A Y . F O R T H O S E W H O H A D SOME FRAGMENTS OF A HALF LOAF OF
B R E A D A ND H A L F P O U N D OF BEEF THERE WAS SOMETHING TO R ESTORE
A B I T O F T H E E N E R G Y L O ST IN THE CLIMB FR OM THE VILLAG E TO
T H E C A M P . A R O U N D T H E W ARM FIRE WE GATHERE D, TOASTED T HE
S L I C E S O F B L A C K B R E A D WE HAD, AND ABSORB ED SOME HEAT.
T H E S E N I O R O F F I C E R O F OUR ROOM WAS CAPTAIN JOHN J. MA DD EN
( N O T F A T H E R A L A N P . M A DDEN, ALSO A CAPTA IN’S RANK). C APTAIN
J A C K M A D D E N I S A C H I C A GO LAWYER AND HOLD S A COMMISSIO N IN
T H E N A T I O N A L G U A R D . A T THE TIME OF HIS C APTURE HE WAS AN
A R T I L L E R Y L I A I S O N O F F I CER WITH THE 423RD REGIMENTAL C OMBAT
T E A M . T O H I M A S R A N K I N G OFFICER FELL THE TASK OF PRES ERVING
O R D E R A M O N G T H E P R I S O N ERS OF BARRACKS 11 , ROOM 7 IN M ATTERS
P E R T A I N I N G T O D O M E S T I C DISCIPLINE? HE AP POINTED MEN T O
S P E C I F I C T A S K S - T E N D ING THE FIRE, CA RRYING FOOD AND WATE R,
79
S W E E P I N G T H E F L O O R A N D OTHER DUTIES OF A N OCCASIONAL NATURE.
T H E S P L E N D I D C O O P E R A T I ON AND COMRADESHIP OF THE MEN I N 11 -7
R E L I E V E D T H E B A R R A C K S - LEADER OF THE NECESS ITY OF ISSUING ANY
H A R S H C O M M A N D S O R P L A C ING BURDENSOME TAS KS ON UNWILLI NG
SHOULDERS.
J A C K M A D D E N S A W T O T H E EQ UITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF THE
B L A N K E T S A N D T A B L E W A R E , THEN GAVE US VER BALLY THE FEW
R E G U L A T I O N S R E C E I V E D F ROM HIGHER HEADQUAR TERS GOVERNI NG THE
ORDER OF THE ROOM;TH E B L A C K O U T C U R T AIN S MUST BE PUT UP BEF ORE DARK.
LI G H T S M U S T B E O U T B Y TEN O’CLOCK.
AN Y O N E W A N T I N G W A TER TO SHA VE OR WASH SHOULD CA RRY IT
HI M S E L F F R O M T H E HYD RANT ON THE STREET.
ON E P A N O F W A T E R WOU LD BE HEATED AFTER M EALS TO C LEAN
TH E M E S S E Q U I P M E N T.
T H E S I T U A T I O N T H A T F I R ST NIGHT AT OFLAG XIIIB FOREBOD E A
L O N G S O J O U R N T O G E T H E R IN THE CROW DED AND ILL -EQUIPPED
Q U A R T E R S I N W H I C H W E F OUND OURSELVES. ALL OF US REALIZED
T H A T W E C O U L D M A K E L I F E PLEASANT FOR ONE ANOTHER IN
P R O P O R T I O N T O O U R M U T U AL COOPERATION AND FORBEARANCE.
S E L F I S H N E S S , P E T T I N E S S AND JEALOUSY, SUS PICION AND
R E C R I M I N A T I O N J U S T H A D TO BE OVERCOME IF OUR LIFE AS
K R I E G I E S W A S T O B E M A D E BEARABLE.
S U F F E R I N G W I T H A F E L L O W- MAN IS THE ROOT MEAN ING OF SY MPATHY
A N D A C Q U A I N T A N C E W I T H THE BACKGROUND OF FELLOW SUFFER ERS IS
T H E F O U N D A T I O N O F F R I E NDSHIP. HERE WE WE RE, A GROUP O F MEN
T H R O W N T O GE T H E R B Y T H E VICISSI TUDES OF WAR AS FELL OW
P R I S O N E R S A T T H E M E R C Y OF OUR ENEMIES. T HE FIRST GATH ERING
A R O U N D T H E F I R E T H A T C OLD JANUARY NIGHT O FFERED THE N ATURAL
O P P O R T U N I T Y T O G E T A C Q UAINTED, FOR, THOU GH WE HAD ALL BEEN
P R I S O N E R S F O R S E V E R A L WEEKS, WE HAD ALWAYS PREVIOUSLY BE EN
IN MUCH LARGER GROUPS
AND KNEW ONE ANOT HER ONLY BY S IGHT
A N D N O T B Y N A M E . C A P T A IN MADDEN SUGGESTE D THAT WE HAV E A
R O U N D O F I N T R O D U C T I O N S . EACH MAN OF THE THIRTY TOOK A FEW
M I N U T E S T O A C Q U A I N T A L L THE REST WITH HI S NAME, HIS H OME
T OWN , H I S C I V I L I A N B A C KGROUND, HIS ARMY CA REER AND THE
H I G H L I G H T S O F H I S C O M B AT EXPERIENCE AND CAPTURE. LATE INTO
T H E N I G H T W E U N C O V E R E D MUTUAL INTERESTS, MUTUAL FRIEN DS, AND
O P E N E D U P N E W A P P R E C I A TIONS, NEW SYMPATH IES. WHEN THE FIRE
S M O L D E R E D A N D T H E W I N D H OWLED OUTSIDE WE CLI MBED INTO THE
H A R D B E D S T O G E T S O M E SLEEP.
T H E F I R S T R O L L- C A L L , OR ‘APPELL’ WA S HELD IN THE MORN IN G.
A L L T H E P R I S O N E R S I N T HE COMPOUND WERE LI NED UP IN A COLUMN
O F F I V E ’ S A L O N G T H E M A IN STREET - THE HERMAN GOERING S TRASSE
- BY P L A T O O N S A C C O R D I N G TO BARRACK S. EACH ROOM LEADER
R E P O R T E D T O T H E S E N I O R OFFICER OF THE BU ILDING GIVING THE
80
N U M B E R O F M E N P R E S E N T IN HIS ROOM; EACH BUILDING LEAD ER GAVE
T H E S T R E N G T H O F H I S B A RRACKS. THE SENIOR AMERICAN OFF ICER IN
T U R N R E P O R T E D T H E T O T A L TO THE GERM AN CAPTAIN AND HIS S TAFF
W H O C A M E T O M A K E T H E C OUNT. WE THEN WERE COUNTED TO V ERIFY
T H E N U M B E R S . T H I S P R O C EDURE WAS REPEATED DAY AFTER DA Y AT
E I G H T I N T H E M O R N I N G A ND FIVE IN THE EVEN ING, RAIN OR SHINE,
S L E E T O R S N O W . T H E R E W ERE TIMES WHEN WE F ELT THE COLD WIND
B L O W I N G T H R O U G H O U R T H INNING ARMS AND LI MBS AND WERE CHILLED
T O T H E M A R R O W W H I L E T H E CAMP WAS SEARCHE D - BARRACKS,
K I T C H E N , L A Z A R E T , A N D LATRINE - FOR SOME MISSING KRI EGIE.
O N W A R M E R D A Y S W E P R O LONGED THE COUNTING IN BRIGHT SUNSHINE
W H E N O U T O F M E R E D E V I LMENT, LITTLE MEN HID BEHIND BIG M EN TO
M A K E T H E N U M B E R F A L L S HORT OF THE TOTAL, OR SPACES WE RE LEFT
V A C A N T I N T H E R A N K S T O STEP UP THE COUNT BEYOND THE R EPORTED
N U M B E R . S M I L E S O F M I S C HIEVOUS DELIGHT RI PPLED THE FIL ES AS
B A C K A N D B A C K A N D B A C K AGAIN CAME THE GUARDS TO C OUNT THE
S P O I L S O F W A R , E A C H T I ME ARRIVING AT VAR IANT FIGURE U NTIL
T H E Y W E R E S O C O N F U S E D AS TO CALL ONE ANO THER NASTY NA MES IN
S H A R P S O U N D I N G P H R A S E S IN THE VERY PRESE NCE OF THEIR
CAPTIVES.
O U R S E C O N D D A Y A T H A M M ELBURG WAS THE THIRD FO R WHICH WE HAD
B E E N G I V E N R A T I O N S . T H EREFORE WE WERE NO T STRICTLY EN TITLED
T O A N I S S U E O F F O O D . N OBLE CHARITY AND IN TERALLIED
C O O P E R A T I O N C A M E T O O U R AID. IN THE COMP OUND NEXT TO THE
N O R T H F E N C E A N D S E P A R A TED BY A SINGLE BA RBED WIRE BAR RIER
F O U R T H O U S A N D S E R B I A N OFFICERS LIVE D, PRISONERS OF TH E NAZIS
F O R A L M O S T F O U R Y E A R . HITLER HAD BEGUN T HE INVASION O F
Y U G O S L A V I A O N A P R I L 6 , 1941, THROWING HU GE FORCES AND
M E C H A N I Z E D E Q U I P M E N T I N THE CAMPAIGN. IN TWELVE DAYS THE
B A T T L E W A S O V E R . O V E R A HUNDRED THOUSAND PRI SONERS OF WAR
W E R E T A K E N , P R A C T I C A L L Y ALL OF THEM SERB S. A VERY HIG H
P E R C E N T A G E O F T H E I R O F FICERS WERE IN THI S CAMP.
B E Y O N D T H E S O U T H F E N C E ANOTHER GROUP OF SEVERAL HUNDR ED
S E R B S W E R E Q U A R T E R E D I N THE SERBIAN LAZAR ET OR HOSPIT AL AND
A F E W A D J A C E N T B A R R A C K S FOR THE OLD AND I NFIRM. SOME OF
T H E S E O F F I C E R S W E R E A G AIN MEN WHO HAD SP ENT UP TO FOR TY
Y E A R S I N T H E A R M Y , H A D BEEN IN ACTION IN THREE WARS A ND BEEN
P R I S O N E R S I N B O T H W O R L D CONFLICTS. ABOUT A HUNDRED OF THEIR
N U M B E R W E R E A L R E A D Y B U RIED IN THE MILITA RY C EMETERY A T
H A M M E L B U R G . K N O W I N G T H E RIGORS OF CAPTIV ITY THROUGH L ONG
M O N T H S A N D Y E A R S O F W A ITING, THEIR PITY FOR US MANIFE STED
I T S E L F I N A M O S T R E M A R KABLE MANNER. FROM THE MEAGER S TORES
O F F O O D T H E Y H A D I N D I V IDUAL SERBS SERVED SMALL GROUPS OF
Y A N K S H O T C O F FE E I N T I NY TIN CUPS AND THIN SLICES OF B READ
A N D S U G A R T H R O U G H T H E BARBED WIRE FENCES .
81
I T W A S O N T H I S D A Y T H A T I MET CAPTAIN MI HOTOVICH, A S ERB WHO
S P O K E S T O R Y B O O K E N G L I SH LIKE SO MANY OF HIS COMPATRI OTS.
T H E Y H A D L E A R N E D E N G L I SH FROM BOOKS AND FROM A F EW OF THEIR
N U M B E R W H O K N E W S O M E T H ING ABOUT THE PRON UNCIATION.
C O N S I D E R A B L E R I V A L R Y HAD EXISTED BETWEEN TOW ENGLISH
S P E A K I N G T E A C H E R S ; O N E HAD SPENT SOME YE ARS IN LONDON , THE
O T H E R I N C H I C A G O . H E N C E THERE WAS A MARK ED DIFFERENCE IN
T H E I R P R O N U N C I A T I O N , E SPECIALLY IN THE SOU ND OF “A”. THE
C H I C A G O T R A I N E D S E R B W AS VINDICATED WHEN WE ARRIVED A T OFLAG
X I I I B . I N F A C T A L L T H E YUGOSLAVS WERE T HRILLED WHEN REAL
A M E R I C A N S C A M E T O L I V E NEXT DOOR TO THEM AND HAPPIER STILL
W H E N T H E Y F O U N D T H E Y C OULD UNDERSTAND AND BE UNDERSTOOD BY
T H E M . C A P T . M I H O T O V I D H SERVED A SMALL GR OUP WITH WHOM I
H A P P E N E D T O B E A T T H E MOMENT TWO CUPS OF BLACK COFFEE AND A
SLICE OF BREAD.
I N A D D I T I O N T O T H E I R I NDIVIDUAL BENEFACTI ONS, THE HIG HEST
R A N K I N G S E R B I A N G E N E R A L (THERE WERE SOME TWENTY GENER ALS
H E L D A S P R I S O N E R S A T H AMMELBURG ) ARRANGED TO SEND U S THROUGH
T H E G E R M A N A U T H O R I T I E S ENOUGH POTATOES A ND SALT TO MA KE A
T H I N B U T D E L I C I O U S S O U P AS AN EVENING ME AL FOR THE FI VE
H U N D R E D O F U S A M E R I C A N S. OUT OF THEIR PE NURY THEY GAV E
G E N E R O U S L Y , T H E S E N O B L E MEN OF A CONQU ERED COUNTRY BUT OF
UNCONQUERABLE SOUL.
I T I S D I F F I C U L T T O P O R TRAY ADEQUATELY TH E REMARKABLE
M A N L I N E S S O F T H I S B A L A KAN RACE. COURAGEO US AND DEEPLY
H O N O R A B L E E V E R Y L A S T M AN OF THEM THEY POS SESSED STRON G,
A B I D I N G P A T R I O T I S M T O W ARD THE L ITTLE NATION ON THE ADRIATIC
W H E R E F O R E I G H T G E N E R A TIONS THERE HAD NO T BEEN A SERB WHO
D I D N O T E X P E R I E N C E T H E HARDSHIPS OF WAR. IN ITS RESOR T TOWN
O F S A R A J E V O T H E S H O T W AS FIRED TO OPEN WO RLD WAR I. I N APRIL
1 9 4 1 T H E M E C H A N I Z E D A R MY OF NAZI EXPANSI ON RODE ROUGH SHOD
F R O M L J U B L J A N A T H R O U G H BELGRADE AND DOWN ONTO THE GRE EK
PENINSULA.
O R T H O D O X C H R I S T I A N S F O R THE MOST PART, T HEY HATED WIT H
S L A V I C H A T E C O M M U N I S M , ATHEISM, AND MATE RIALISM, AND ALL
T H A T T H E P H I L O S O P H Y P E RSONIFIED BY HITLE R AND STALIN STANDS
F O R . SO G A L L A N T W A S T HEIR DEVOTION TO KING PET ER, THE EXILED
B O Y M O N A R C H , T H A T T H E Y HONORED HIM WITH THE SAME ACCL AIM AS
C H U R C H I L L A N D R O O S E V E L T. THEY WERE ALSO STAUNCH ADHER ENTS OF
G E N E R A L D R A Z H M I H A I L O V ICH, THE LEADER OF THE CHENIK F ORCES,
A N D E Q U A L L Y B R A V E I N T HEIR DENUNCIATION O F TITO AND H IS
P A R T I S A N S . U N W A V E R I N G IN THEIR LOYALTIES TO GOD AND C OUNTRY,
T H E Y S T R I K I N G L Y B R O U G H T HOME TO US THE T ANGLED MIX OF
E U R O P E A N P O L I T I C S I N W HICH PHILOSOPHY, RE LIGION,
N A T I O N A L I T Y , T R A D I T I O N , TOGETHER WITH AL L THE NOBLE A ND ALL
T H E B A S E M A N I F E S T A T I O N S OF HUMAN NATURE ARE SO INEXTR ICABLY
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I N T E R T W I N E D . A H U M B L E FRENCH PRIEST IN N ORMANDY EXPRE SSED
T H E S I T U A T I O N P E R F E C T L Y BEFORE I WAS CAP TURED WHEN HE TOLD
M E , “ Y O U A M E R I C A N S A R E SO NAIVE TO THINK YOU CAN SOLV E THE
P R O B L E M S O F E U R O P E . ” POOR EUROPE - LAND OF STRONG
C O N V I C T I O N S , I N T E N S E L OVES AND DEVILISH I NTRIGUES; YE T FROM
T H E M I N G L I N G O F I T S D I VERSE RACIAL STOCK S AND CULTURE HAS
T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S O F A MERICA RISEN TO ITS POSITION OF POWER
A N D W E A L T H A M O N G T H E N ATIONS OF THE EARTH .
W E H A D A R R I V E D A T H A M M ELBURG ON THURSDAY. SATURDAY THE
R E G U L A R S C H E D U L E O F M E ALS WAS BEGUN. THE KITCHENS OF THE ONE
T I M E S P O T L E S S D I N I N G H ALL OF THE COMPOUND STILL HOUSED THREE
S E V E N T Y-G A L L O N V A T S . EVERYTH ING WARM THAT THE WE HRMAC HT
S E R V E D U S W A S C O O K E D I N THESE BOILERS; HENCE WE SUBSI STED ON
H O T W A T E R , C O F F E E , S O U PS AND STEWS.
F O R B R E A K F A S T T H E U S U A L DRINK WAS ERSATZ COFFEE, WHIC H,
S U B S T I T U T E T H O U G H I T W AS, FAR SURPASSED T HE ERSATZ TE A OF
B A D O R B . T O W M E N W E R E DETAILED TO THE KI TCHEN TO CARR Y UP TO
B A R R A CKS 1 1 - 7 T H E G A L VANIZED EIG HT -GALLON POT WHICH W AS
W E L C O M E D A S O F T E N A S I T CAME WITH THE BOI STEROUS CRY, “HOT
S T U F F ! ” S E L D O M W A S T H E POT FILLED TO THE BRIM. AT BRE AKFAST
T I M E W E W E R E O F T E N F O R TUNATE TO HAVE IT MORE THAN HAL F FULL,
F O R T H E N W E H A D A S E C O ND D EMI - TASSE OF COFFEE. THE ARRIVAL
O F T H E P O T A L W A Y S O C C A SIONED PLEASANT SU SPENSE UNTIL WE SAW
F O R O U R S E L V E S T H E L E V E L OF THE LIQUID AN D TESTED ITS FLAVOR.
T H E B I G C O N T A I N E R W A S PLACED ON A BENCH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
R O O M , T H E N A L L F I L E D P AST TO RECEIVE THEI R CUP OF COF FEE OR
TEA.
B R E A K F A S T O V E R , W E C L E ANED UP THE BARRAC KS AND SWEPT THE
F L O O R W I T H T H O S E M I S E R ABLE TWIG BROOMS, WHICH SEEMED TO
F O L L O W U S F O R M B A D O R B , EMPTIED THE ASHE S, AND WASHED THE
T A B L E S . I S A I D , “ W E ” ; I SHOULD HAVE SAID THE REST OF
B A R R A CKS 1 1 - 7 , F O R T O THE ETERNA L CREDIT OF OUR FELL OW
P R I S O N E R S T H E Y N E V E R A LLOWED THE PADRES T O USE A BROO M OR
C A R R Y C H O W U P F R O M T H E KITCHEN. “FATHER, THIS AIN’T N O WORK
FOR YOU TO BE DOING.”
O N T H I S S A T U R D A Y M O R N ING THE CHAPLAINS (PRIESTS A ND
M I N I S T E R S ) T H OU G H T S E R IOUSLY OF SUNDAY SERVICES. FATH ER
M A D D E N A N D I P A I D A N O FFICIAL VISIT TO TH E OFLAG COMM ANDANT,
W H O H A D A S M A L L O F F I C E IN BARRACKS 10. W E ASKED FOR A MASS K I T S O T H A T W E M I G H T H AVE MASS FOR THE CA THOLIC MEN. THE
O F F I C E R , O B E R L E U T N A N T SCHMIDTBAUER, W A COURTEOUS ENOUGH T O
P R O M I S E H I S H E L P I N S E CURING ONE. WE FUR THER INFORMED HIM
T H A T M A S S K I T O R N O T W E WANTED TO HOLD A SERVICE FOR THE
MEN.
“ Y O U W I L L D E L I V E R A S E RMON?” HE ASKED SH ARPLY.
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“ Y E S , O F C O U R S E , ” W E R EPLIED.
“ T H E N Y O U M U S T S U B M I T A COPY FOR CEN SORSHIP TODAY,” H E S AID.
“ O H N O , ” W E A R G U E D . “ O NE OF THE PRINCIPL ES FOR WHICH WE ARE
F I G H T I N G T H I S W A R I S F REEDOM OF RELIGION, AND IT WOULD NOT
B E R I G H T F O R U S T O S U B MIT SERMONS TO YOU TO BE CENSOR ED.”
“ T H E N Y O U M A Y N O T H A V E A RELIGIOUS SERVI CE,” HE SAID.
“ O H Y E S , W E C A N . W E C A N HAVE A SERVICE W ITHOUT A SERM ON.
S E R M O N S A R E N O T E S S E N T IAL. IF WE HAVE MA SS, THAT IS
E V E R Y T H I N G . I F N O M A S S , WE WILL SAY THE ROSARY AND OT HER
PRAYERS.”
“ V E R Y W E L L . I S H A L L A S K THE GENERAL.” GE NERAL VON GOE CKLE
W A S T H E C O M M A N D I N G O F F ICER OF ALL THE ST ALAGS AND OFL AGS IN
THE HAMMELBURG AREA.
F A T H E R M A D D E N A N D I L E FT THE OFFICE AND WANDERED THRO UGH THE
C O M P O U N D . A T E V E R Y B A R RACKS WE MET CATHO LIC PRISONERS WHO
A S K E D U S W H E R E W E W O U L D HAVE MASS ON SUNDAY. WE COULD ONLY
T E L L T H E M T H A T T H E R E WAS MUCH UNCERT AINTY AS YET AND IN ALL
P R O B A B I L I T Y T H E R E W O U L D BE NO MASS, BUT WE WOULD HAVE A
P R A Y E R S E R V I C E I F A T A LL POSSIBLE. AND WE REPEATED OVER AND
O V E R A G A I N T H E A C C O U N T OF OUR INTERVIEW.
L A T E R I N T H E D A Y W E S T OPPED AT THE BLOCK HEADQUARTERS . THE
O F F I C E R O N D U T Y A T T H E TIME SAID THERE W AS NO MASS -KIT
A V A I L A B L E B U T T H A T S O M ETHING WOULD BE DO NE TO GET ONE . WE
C O U L D H O L D A S E R V I C E I F WE SUBMITTED OUR SERMON IN WR ITING
F O R H I M T O C E N S O R . A G A IN WE STUBBORNLY R EFUSED WHILE
I N S I S T I N G T H A T A S E R M O N WA S NOT NECESSARY FOR A CATHOLIC
SERVICE.
T H E G E R M A N O F F I C E R F I N ALLY AGREED TO A SUNDAY GATHERI NG, BUT
W A R N E D U S T H A T A R E P R E SENTATIVE OF THE C OMMANDING GEN ERAL
W O U L D B E P R E S E N T . W E S ET THE TIME AND PLA CE - HALF PAST NINE
I N T H E B E E R- H A L L , T H E ROOM WITH THE WALL CARTOONS OF
D R I N K I N G B O U T S , B E E R S ONGS, AND UNGAINLY GERMAN CARIC ATURES.
T W O S O U R F A C E D G U A R D S STOOD AT THE DOOR WHILE SIXTY T O
S E V E N T Y C A T H O L I C S S T R O LLED IN AND GATHER ED IN SMALL G ROUPS
T O D I S C U S S T H E S I T U A T I ON. SEVERAL DEPLOR ED THE LACK O F MASS
E Q UIP M E N T A N D A S K E D Q UE STIONS ABOUT WAYS AN D MEANS OF OBTAIN
IT.
“ W H Y D O N ’ T Y O U W R I T E T O THE POPE, FATHER? ” SUGGESTED ONE.
W H E N T H E G U A R D B E G A N L OOKING A LITTLE ANX IOUS ABOUT T HE
M E E T I N G A N D C O M P L E T E L Y BORED BECAUSE OF HAVING TO SUP ERVISE
S U C H A F U N C T I O N W E S T ARTED THE ROSAR Y. THIS WAS FOLLO WED BY
T H E L I T A N Y O F T H E B L E S SED VIRGIN AND THE HAIL, HOLY Q UEEN.
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T H E N J U S T A S I F I T W E R E PART OF THE PRAY ER, I PREACHE D THE
FOLLOWING SERMON.
“ A L M I G H T Y , E V E R L A S T I N G GOD, WE ARE GATHE RED HERE THIS
M O R N I N G T O H O N O R A N D A DORE YOU. WE WOULD PREFER TO GI VE YOU
T H E I N F I N I T E P R A I S E T H AT COMES TO YOU FR OM THE HOLY
S A C R I F I C E O F T H E M A S S , BUT BEING AT THE MERCY OF OUR
E N E M I E S , W E A R E D E P R I V ED OF THE MEANS OF CELEBRATING THESE
M Y S T E R I E S . W E U N I T E O U RSELVES WITH ALL T HE MASSES WHI CH ARE
B E I N G C E L E B R A T E D T O D A Y THROUGHOUT THE WO RLD. PLEASE A CCEPT
T H I S D E S I R E O F O U R I N PLACE OF THE SACRI FICE WE WOULD OFFER,
I F W E C O U L D . Y O U K N O W , LORD, THAT WE ARE NOT ---- YOU BY OUR
F A I L U R E T O A T T E N D M A S S SINCE IT IS IMPOS SIBLE FOR US TO DO
SO.
“ H E R E WE A R E , L O R D , C OLD A ND HUNGRY. WE ARE SU FFERING VERY
M U C H , B U T W E A C C E P T I T ALL AS COMING FRO M YOUR HANDS. WE
K N O W T H A T Y O U R D I V I N E SON WAS ALSO COLD DURING HIS LI FE AND
M A N Y T I M E S W A S H U N G R Y . ALL WE ASK IS THA T WE MAY BE P ATIENT
I N O U R S U F F E R I N G S A N D COU RAGEOUS TO BEAR THEM GENEROUSLY.
M A Y T H E S E P R I V A T I O N S S ERVE TO BRING US CL OSER TO YOU, TO
M A K E U S B E T T E R M E N , A N D MORE PERFECT SON S AS YOU WOUL D LIKE
U S T O B E . S O , L O R D , G I VE US THE GRACES A ND BLESSINGS THAT WE
NEED.
“ W E A R E S O R R Y F O R O U R SINS BECAUSE THEY HAVE OFFENDED YOU
W H O A R E S O G O O D . H E R E IN THIS CAMP ARE T WO PRIESTS WH O ARE
R E A D Y T O H E A R C O N F E S S I ONS AT ANY TIME. W HENEVER AND W HEREVER
W E M E E T T H E M T H E Y A R E READY TO LISTEN TO OUR SINS AND GIVE
U S T H E A D V I C E T H A T W E NEED.
“ B L E S S A L S O , O F L O R D , OUR DEAR ONES AT HOME ACROSS THE SEA.
B L E S S O U R A R M I E S T H A T ARE STILL FIGHTING ON THE FRONT S AND
A L L T H O S E I N T H E S E R V I CE OF OUR COUNTRY. LORD, GRANT THAT
Y O U R P E A C E M A Y B E R E S T ORED TO THE WORLD, YOUR PEACE W HICH
W I L L U N I T E A L L M E N I N THAT BROTHERHOOD O F THE HUMAN FAMILY
W H I C H I S Y O U R C R E A T I O N AND WHICH YOU SO DEARLY LOVED AS TO
S E N D Y O U R D I V I N E S O N T O BE OUR BROTHER. H AVE MERCY ON OUR
E N E M I E S A N D P R E V E N T T H EM FROM DOING ANY HARM TO US AN D THE
M A N Y T H O U S A N D S T H E Y H O LD CAPTIVE. HAVE M ERCY ON ALL S INNERS
A N D E N L I G H T EN T H E M I N TRUTH THAT THEY MAY SEE THE ERR ORS OF
T H E I R L I F E A N D R E P E N T . HAVE MERCY ON THE SOULS OF THE
F A I T H F U L D E P A R T E D , E S P ECIALLY THOSE WHO WERE WITH US ON THE
B A T T L E F I E L D A N D L O S T T HEIR LIVES DEFENDIN G THE THINGS WE
H O L D S A C R E D . W E A S K Y O U TO BLESS US I N THE NAME OF YOUR S ON,
J E S U S C H R I S T , W H O L I V E TH AND REIGHNETH W ITH YOU IN TH E HOLY
G H O S T , W O R L D W I T H O U T E ND.”
AND
THE
OUR
WAS
A L L A N S W E R E D A F E R VENT “AMEN”.
G U A R D S W E R E O F F A S QUICKLY AS WE WER E. AS WE RETU RNED TO
B A R R A C K S , S O M E O N E REMARKED, “GEE, FA THER, TH AT PR AYER
B E T T E R T H A N A S E R M ON.”
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T H E F I R S T S U B S T A N T I A L MEAL - AS FULL MEALS SENT I N OF LAG
X I I I B - W E H A D T H A T S UNDAY. IT WAS A SOUP , ALMOST A STEW,
O F P O T A T O E S A N D H O R S E M EAT.
T H E M E T A L P O T C A M E U P FROM THE KITCHEN H EAVY AND FULL .
B E F O R E I T S A R R I V A L T H E TABLES WE HAD IN THE BARRACKS WERE
A R R A N G E D I N A U - S H A P E AT THE BACK OF THE ROOM. A FEW BOAR DS
S P R E A D B E T W E E N C H A I R S STRETCHED OUR SEAT ING CAPACITY TO MEET
T H E N E E D S O F A L L . O U R ISSUE OF THE EIGHT H OF A LOAF O F BREAD
A P I E C E H A D B E E N S E N T U P EARLIER. OU R EARTHENWARE BOWL S,
P O R C E L A I N C U P S , A N D P E WTERWARE WERE SET OUT. LT. MATT HEW J.
G I U F F R E O F N E W Y O R K C I TY TOOK CHARGE OF DISHING OUT T HE
I N D I V I D U A L P O R T I O N S . A BULLY BEEF CAN WIR ED ONTO THE END OF
A W O O D E N S L A T M A D E A F ANCY SOUP LADLE. NO SPEEDIER AND MORE
E Q U I T A B L E D I S T R I B U T I O N WAS EVER MADE THA N THE DIVISIO N
A C C O M P L I S H E D B Y M A T T I E . FIRST A FULL TIN OF SOUP WENT INTO
E A C H B O W L , T H E N A H A L F -CUP AND LASTLY A FEW DROPS UNT IL THE
B O T T O M O F T H E P O T W A S CLEAN WITH THE LAS T MAN RECEIVI NG THE
F I N A L D R O P S . S O F A I R A ND EXPEDITIOUS WAS MATTIE’S SER VING
T H A T W E E L E C T E D H I M T H E OFFICIAL DIVIDER OF SOUPS, AN D
O F F I C E H E H E L D A S L O N G AS WE WERE AT HAMMELBURG .
W I T H T H E B O W L S O F S O U P STEAMING AT EACH PLACE WE PAUS ED AS
F A T H E R M A D D E N S A I D G R A CE AND GAVE THANKS FOR THE MEAL WE
W E R E A B O U T T O R E C E I V E THROUGH THE BOUNTY OF GOD AND T HE
WEHRMUCHT.
I T W A S A F E S T I V E O C C A S ION AS WE ALL SAT AT TABLE TO P ARTAKE
O F C O U P A N D B R E A D . W E EVEN HAD A SMOKE T O TOP IT OFF. THE
S E R B S H A D B E E N G E N E R O U S IN GIVING US A F EW CIGARETTES AND Y
C U T T I N G T H E M I N H A L F , WE HAD ENOUGH FOR ALL THE S MOKE RS.
T H U S L I F E S E T T L E D D O W N TO ROUTINE HAMMELBURG PRISON, TWO
R O L L- CA L L S A D A Y A N D THRE E SO - CALLED MEALS. AND IN BETWEEN
E M P T I N E S S , E M P T Y S T O M A CHS AND EMPTY MIND S. BUT IT WAS NOT
F O R L O N G . I N A S H O R T T IME WE FOUN D MEANS OF FILLING T HE
VOID.
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CHAPTER SIX
K R I E G E PURSUIT OF HA PPINESS
A P R I S O N E R ’ S L I F E H A N G S BY A THREAD, FOR IN ALL, THE PHASES
O F O U R L I F E I S C H E A P ; HIS LIBERTY IS HEM MED IN BY BAR BED
W I R E F E N C E S , W A T C H T O W E RS, AND GUARDED GA TES; BUT THE
“ I N A L I E N A B L E R I G H T T O THE PURSUIT OF HAP PINESS” CANNO T BE
T A K E N A W A Y E V E N B Y S O L ITARY CONFINEMENT. IN HAMMELBUR G
P R I S O N C A M P W E S O U G H T AND FOUND MANY WAY S TO MAKE OUR LOT A
HAPPY ONE.
O U R F I R S T S U N D A Y A F T E RNOON AT T HE WIRE BETWEEN THE SERBIAN
C O M P O U N D A ND O U R O W N WE WERE ME ETING AND TALKING WI TH THE
S E R B S I N V A R I O U S L A N G U AGES. THOSE WHO HA D STUDIED ENG LISH
D U R I N G T H E L O N G Y E A R S THEY HAD SPENT IN PRISON FOUND GREAT
D E L I G H T I N S P E A K I N G W I TH AMERICANS. FATH ER MADDEN, LT . COL.
J O S E P H C . M A T T H E W S , J R . AND I BE CAME ACQUAINTED THIS
A F T E R N O O N W I T H A R E M A R KABLE SERBIAN OFFI CER, COLONEL
A L E X A N D E R K O S T I C O F T H E YUGOSLAVIAN ENGI NEERS. THOUGH HE HAD
S T U D I E D E N G L I S H A N D A L SO COULD READ AND WRITE IT, HE
H E S I T A T E D T O S P E A K I T . HE SPOKE GERMAN F LUENTLY, AND SO DID
F A T H E R MA D D E N . T H I S W AS THE LANGUAGE USED IN OUR MEET INGS
W I T H H I M . H E T O L D U S H E HAD BEEN A CHEMIC AL ENGINEER IN
C I V I L I A N L I F E , H A D S T U DIED AT THE MILITA RY INSTITUTE IN
F R A N C E , H A D F O U G H T A S A YOUNG MAN IN WOR LD WAR I, WAS
M A R R I E D A N D H A D A L O V E LY WIFE AND TWO GR OWN DAUGHTERS . A
R O B U S T , G R A Y I N G S O L D I E R OF FIFTY YEAR, H IS SPARKLING BROWN
E Y E S A N D H E A R T Y L A U G H ENDEARED HIM TO US . COL. MATTHE WS,
A L S O A C H E M I C A L E N G I N E ER IN CIVILIAN LIF E, FOUND MUCH TO
T A L K A B O U T I N C O M M O N W ITH THE SERBIAN COL ONEL.
I T W A S C O L D T H A T SU N D A Y AT THE WIRE AN D OUR FEET WERE MORE
T H A N O R D I N A R I L Y C H I L L E D STANDING IN THE SNOW. COLONEL KOSTIC
W A N T E D T O G O A N D M A K E US SOME COFFEE, BU T WE AGREED T O PUT
O F F H I S H O S P I T A L I T Y U N TIL THE FOLLOWING MORNING AT TE N
O’CLOCK.
M O N D A Y M O R N I N G W A S C O L D AND TH E SNOW WAS DEEP, BUT COL.
K O S T I C W A S W A I T I N G F O R THE THREE OF US W HEN WE ARRIVE D AT
T H E W I R E . H E G R E E T E D U S PLEASANTLY, SHOOK HANDS (A CEREMONY
N E V E R O M I T T E D , T H O U G H FRIENDS MIGHT MEET SEVERAL TIME S THE
S A M E D A Y ) , T H E N L E F T T O GET THE FOOD FROM HIS BARRACK S. HE
R E T U R N E D R U N N I N G W I T H A LITTLE BLUE POT OF COFFEE AND THREE
S M A L L C U P S M A D E F R O M A MERICAN TIN CANS. I N A PAPER WR APPER
H E H A D T H R E E S L I C E S O F TOASTED BREAD WIT H A CHOCOLATE
F R O S T I N G . I T W A S A D E L ICIOUS BREAKFAST A ND THE FIRST TASTE
O F G E N U I N E C O F F E E W E H AD HAD SINCE OUR CAPTURE. AFTER COFFE E
A N D T O A S T C O L . K O S T I C GAVE US A SMALL WO ODEN PLAQUE O F THE
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D I M E N S I O N S O F A P O S T C A RD ON WHICH WAS CH ISELED IN REL IEF THE
P O R T R A I T O F S A I N T S A B A , THE NATIONAL PAT RON OF THE SE RBS. ON
T H E B A C K H E H A D W R I T T E N IN PENCI L, “EN SOUVENIR ET M ON
D E V O U E M E N T E T S E N T I M E N TE CRETIENS - ING. A. KOSTIC.”
T H I S L I T T L E W O R K O F A R T WAS JUST ONE OF MANY SUCH CAR VINGS
T H A T W E R E T H E O C C U P A T I ONAL THERAPY OF TH OSE CLEVER ME N FROM
Y U G O S L A V I A I N T H E D A Y S OF THEIR FORCED I DLENESS. WITH OUT
P REC I S I O N T O O L S T H E Y P RODUCED EXCELLENT PI ECES OF HIGH GRADE
W O R K M A N S H I P F R O M S M A L L CHUNKS OF WOOD AN D OLD TIN CAN S. THE
P O P U L A R S O U V E N I R S O F H AMMELBURG WERE CIGA RETTE CASES MADE OF
W O O D A N D E N G R A V E D W I T H FANCY DESIGNS OR INLAID WITH T INY
B I T S O F T I N O F V A R I O U S COLORS, A MONOGR AM OR MOSAIC O F SOME
N O B L E P E R S O N A G E . T H E S ERBS THEMSELVES TRE ASURED SMALL
P I C T U R E S O F T H E I R K I N G PETER EITHER CARV ED IN WOOD OR INLAID
WITH PIECES OF TIN.
T H I S M E E T I N G W I T H C O L . KOSTIC WAS EVENTF UL NOT ONLY B ECAUSE
I T M A R K E D T H E B E G I N N I N G OF MANY SUCH GA THERINGS AND T ETE T E T E S O V E R T E A C U P S , B UT ALSO BECAUSE FRO M HIM FATHER MADDEN
A N D I L E A R N E D O F T H E P RESENCE AMONG THE G ERMAN GUARDS OF A
CATHOLIC PRIEST.
“ B R E I N E R , D O Y O U K N O W BREINER?” COL. KOS TIC EXCLAIMED . “HE
IS A PRIEST.”
“ W H A T DO E S H E L O O K L I K E?” W E ASKED.
“ H E I S A L I T T L E M A N A N D ALWAYS SMILING.”
N O W O U R T A S K W A S T O F I ND BREINER UNOSTEN TATIOUSLY AND
C A S U A L L Y A S I T W E R E . A LL WE KNEW FROM KOS TIC WAS THAT
B R E I N E R W A S A N U N T E R O F FICIER WHO WORKED IN THE SERBIA N
L A Z A R E T , T H A T H E W A S A LITTLE MAN WITH A SM ILE. FROM THE
H O S P I T A L T O T H E G E R M A N ENLISTED MEN’S BA RRACKS OUTSID E THE
P R I S O N T H E S H O R T E S T R O UTE LED THROUGH OU R COMPOUND. W E HAD
S E E N G U A R D G O I N G B A C K AND FORTH DAILY. T O MEET BREINE R
T H E R E F O R E W E L O I T E R E D ALONG THE HERMAN G OERING ST RASS E
K E E P I N G O U R E Y E S S E T F OR A SHORT SMILING GUARD. NOW A ND THEN
A G E R M A N S O L D I E R W O U L D STOP TO SAY A WOR D OR TWO, BUT NOT
O F T E N A S T H E Y H E L D A L O OF IN KEEPING WITH THE REGULATI ON FOR
A L L G U A R D S O F P R I S O N E R S OF WAR. FOR THRE E DAYS OUR SE ARCH
B R O U G H T N O R ES U L T S . T H EN CONE MOR NING FATHER MADDEN C AME IN
T O T H E B A R R A C K S A L L B R IGHT AND HAPPY. “I MET BREINER AND H E
I S A C A P U C H I N , ” H E S A I D.
F R O M T H A T D A Y T H E T W O SONS OF ST. FRANCI S BECAME FAST
F R I E N D S A N D H A D M U C H I N COMMON TO TALK AB OUT. NOT
U N D E R S T A N D I N G G E R M A N I MISSED MANY OF T HEIR FRANCISCA N
J O K E S . O N E P L E A S A N T R Y I DID ENJOY WAS TH AT NEITHER OF THEM
W O R E B E A R D S A C C O R D I N G TO THE CAPUCHIN FA SHION, FATHER MADDEN
B E C A U S E H E H A D B E E N E X EMPT FROM THE TIME OF HIS ENTRA NCE
88
I N T O T H E O R D E R , F A T H E R BREINER BECAUSE O F T HE EXIGENCIES OF
WAR.
T H E N E X T D A Y I , T O O , M ET FATHER BREINER, OR AS HE WAS KNOWN
I N H I S O R D E R , F A T H E R E RLUIN. HE ANSWERED COL. KOSTIC’ S
D E S C R I P T I O N P E R F E C T L Y , “A LITTLE MAN WIT H A PERPETUAL
S M I L E ’ . A S P H A R M A C I S T IN THE HOSPITAL, H E HAD A LITTL E
O F F I C E WH E R E H E M I X E D AND DI SPENSED MEDICINES TO THE
P R I S O N E R S O F W A R . W E T OLD HIM OF OUR DESI RE TO SAY MA SS AND
O U R R E Q U E S T F O R A M A S S -KIT.
“ I T W I L L C O M E , ” H E S A I D, ‘BUT NOT VERY S OON.’
“ C O U L D Y O U B R I N G U S H O LY COMMUNION?” WE ASKED.
“ Y E S . T O M O R R O W M O R N I N G . WATCH FOR ME IN THE STREET , THEN
F O L L O W M E I N T O T H E D I S PENSARY.”
N E X T M O R N I N G W E W E R E U P EARLY AND ON THE WATCH. HE CA ME
A L O N G Q U I E T L Y A L I T T L E AFTER SEVEN, BOWE D RECOGNITION AND
W A L K E D O N T O T H E D I S P E NSARY. WE FOLLOWED AT A CASUAL
D I S T A N C E A N D E N T E R E D T HE BUI LDING A FEW STEPS BE HIND HIM. HE
W E N T U P S T A I R S T O A N A R ROW CORRIDOR ON TH E SECOND FLOO R.
U N L O C K I N G T H E D O O R O F A SMALL ROOM HE AD MITTED AND LO CKED
T H E D O O R W I T H I N . W E K N ELT IN SILENCE BES IDE A SMALL T ABLE,
T H E S O L E P I E C E O F F U R N ITURE IN THE ROOM. HE LAID H IS BRIEF
C A S E O N T H E T A B L E , U N S TRAPPED HIS PISTOL -BELT AND LAI D THE
W E A P O N B E S I D E H I S C A S E . THEN OUT OF HIS POCKETS CAME A SMALL
C R U C I F I X , A R I T U A L , A PIECE OF CANDLE AN D CANDLESTICK , HIS
S T O L E A N D T H E P Y X W R A P PED IN A CORPORAL. HE GENUFLECT ED AS
F A T H E R M AD D E N A N D I B EGAN TO RECITE THE CONFITEOR
( I C O N F E S S- ) T O G E T H E R . WE GOT O UT OF UNISON WHEN FA THER
M A D D E N M E N T I O N E D “ O U R HOLY FATHER, ST. F RANCIS.” FATH ER
E R L U I N S A I D T H E P R A Y E R S FOR COMMUNION OF THE SICK AND GAVE
U S H O L Y C O M M U N I O N . T H E N SILENTLY HE REPL ACED THE PYX (SMALL
P O U C H T O C A R R Y T H E E U C HARIST TO THE SICK ), THE CANDLE AND
C R U C I F I X I N H I S P O C K E T , BUCKLED ON HIS A RMS, AND CLEA RED THE
T A B L E O F E V E R Y T H I N G S A VE THE BRIEF CASE. THIS HE OPEN ED AND
G A V E T O E A C H O F U S S T I LL KNEELING AT THE TABLE AN APP LE AND
A GE R M A N M U F F I N , S A Y I N G WITTILY THE WORDS OF THE PRAYER HE
H A D J U S T R E C I T E D , “ T A M ANIMAE QUAM CORPO RI” (AS TO TH E BODY
S O T O T H E S O U L ) . W E L E FT THE ROOM AND BU ILDING SEPARA TELY,
E R L U I N T O H I S D A Y ’ S W O RK, ALAN AND I, IN OPPOSITE
D I R E C T I O N S , T O M A K E A N D APPRO PRIATE THANKSGIVING. THIS
S W E E T L Y C O N S O L I N G A N D CHARMINGLY SIMPLE CEREMONY TOOK PLACE
E V E R Y T H R E E O R F O U R D A YS FOR THE NEXT TW O WEEKS.
T H E F I R S T T W O O R T H R E E DAYS IN BARRACKS 11 -7 WE BURNED COAL
A N D W O O D E X T R A V A G A N T L Y FOR A PRISON CAMP . WE KEPT A L OW FIRE
G O I N G C O N T I N U O U S L Y D U R ING THE DAY, ADDIN G SEVERAL MOR E LUMPS
I N T H E E V E N I N G T O H E A T WATER FOR WASHING OUR SOUP BOW LS AND
T O A S T I N G B R E A D . T O O L A TE ONE DAY WE LEAR NED THAT WHAT WE
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T H O U G H T W A S A D A Y ’ S I S SUE OF COAL HAD TO LAST FOR THR EE
D A Y S . N E C E S S I T Y B E I N G THE MOTHER OF INVENT ION, FUEL HAD TO
B E F O U N D S O M E W H E R E . I N SAUNTERING AROUND THE COMPOUND OLD
B O A R D S I N W O O D E N B O X E S FOR HOLDING SAND TO BE USED IN ICY
W E A T H E R W E R E S P O T T E D . UNDER COVER OF NIG HT A SMALL GR OUP LED
B Y L T . M A N N I S S C H L I T T OF AKRON, OHIO, LE FT THE BARRAC KS AND
R E T U R N E D B Y W A Y O F T H E REAR WINDOWS WITH A SUPPLY OF WOOD.
L A R G E R P I E C E S W E R E B R O KEN UP AND THE WOO D NICELY CONC EALED
U N D E R T H E T H I N M A T T R E S SES OF THE EMPTY B EDS.
A S T O O M A N Y C O O K S S P O I L THE BROTH, SO TO O MANY STOKER S RUIN
A F I R E , O R WO R S E S T I L L, IN PERIO DS OF SCARCITY, USE UP TOO
M U C H P R E C I O U S F U E L . B Y UNANIMOUS AGREEME NT THE BEST F IREMAN
W E H A D I N T H E B A R R A C K S WAS LT. MANNING K ESSINGER, A
S C I E N T I F I C F A R M E R F R O M CARLINVILLE, ILL. SOMEHOW OR OTHER
K E S M A N A G E D T O G E T M O R E AND MORE HEAT OUT OF LESS AND LESS
F U E L T H A N A N Y F I R E M E N EVER DID; HE WAS A PPOINTED SOLE
C U S T O D I A N O F T H E S T O V E . WHEN OTHERS HAD FAILED EVEN I N
L I G H T I N G T H E F I R E , K E S SUCCEEDED IN GETT ING GLOWING C OALS
F R O M D A M P W O O D . B E S I D E S DISCOURSING ON T HE MERITS OF STOVES
A N D F U E LS , H E C O U L D E NTERTAI N BY THE HOUR WITH H IS KN OWLEDGE
A N D E X P L A N A T I O N O F B R E EDING OF CATTLE, M ECHANIZED FAR M
E Q U I P M E N T , A N D S T O R A G E OF PRODUCE, BUYIN G AND SELLING OF
M E A T S , F E R T I L I Z A T I O N , IRRIGATION AND ROT ATION OF CROP S. KES
W A S A L W A Y S B U S Y . P A R T S OF THE S TOVE HAD TO BE REPAI RED, NEW
G A D G E T S M A D E F O R T O A S T ING BREAD, BOILING WATER; WOOD BROKEN
U P T O F I T T H E S T O V E ; A SHES AND CLINKERS T O BE DISPOSE OF.
W I T H A L L H I S W O R K H E K EPT HIS MIND OFF FO OD AND REMAI NED THE
SANEST OF US ALL.
D A I L Y I N S P E C T I O N O F T H E BARRA CKS HAD BEEN ROUTINE AT BAD
O R B. T H E R A R E I N S P E C T IO NS AT HAMMELBURG WERE EVENTS. ONE DAY
L A T E I N J A N U A R Y W E W E R E WARNED THAT HERR GENERAL VON
G O E C K L E , T H E C O M M A N D E R OF ALL THE PRISON CAMPS IN THE
H A M M E L B U R G A R E A , W O U L D MAKE A C AREFUL INSPECTION OF FLAG
X I II B . I N B A R R A C K S 1 1 -7 THE BOARDS WHICH H AD BEEN
C O N F I S C A T E D F O R F I R E W OOD WERE CONCEALED WITH SOME AN XIETY
B E H I N D B E D S A N D U N D E R BLANKETS. THE U -SHAPED DINING SECTIO N
W A S M E T I C U L O U S L Y A R R A N GED AND EVERYTHING THAT MIGHT A ROUSE
G E R M A N S U S P I C I O N C A R E F ULLY COV ERED. IN THE AFTERNO ON THE
I N S P E C T I N G P A R T Y A R R I V ED IN CAMP AND MAD E THE ROUNDS OF
EVERY BARRACKS.
T H E Y S O L E M N L Y E N T E R E D OUR ROOM AS WE STO OD AT ATTENTI ON IN
T W O N E A T F I L E S . T W O O R THREE ENLISTED GE RMANS SCRUTIN IZED
T H E C O R N E R S O F T H E R O O M WHILE THE GENE RAL AND HIS OFFICERS
S T O O D A N D S T U D I E D T H E HORSESHOE ARRANGEM ENT OF OUR BA NQUET
T A B L E . T H E H E A R T S O F A LL OF US SANK AS WE THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT
W A S B E I N G C O N C O C T E D I N AN UNDERTONE BEFO RE OUR VERY E YES,
“ T H E R E G O S O M E O F O U R TABLES AND CHAIRS. ” THEN HERR G ENER AL
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BRIGHTENED UP AND
ROOM I HAVE SEEN.
CONGRATULATIONS!”
RELIEF. WE ROARED
HAD LEFT.
S P O K E TO US, “THIS IS THE MOST ORDE RLY
Y O U DINING ROOM IS VER Y FINE.
O U R CHESTS SWELLED WIT H MINGLED PRI DE AND
W I T H LAUGHTER AFTER TH E INSPECTING PARTY
B Y S L O W S T A G E S G N A W I N G HUNGER AND GAST RIC PAINS SUBSIDED A ND
H U N G E R B E C A M E M O R E O F A MENTAL OBSESSION IN REGARD TO FOOD.
T H E E O N S O F T I M E B E T W E EN SOUPS BECAME MO RE AND MORE A MENTAL
F A N T A S Y O F G O O D F O O D . NO MATTER WHAT THE SUBJECT OF
D I S C U S S I O N , U N L E S S W E WERE WARY, IT TURN ED INTO TALK ABOUT
F O O D . A F E W M E N R E F U S E D SIMPLY TO SPEAK OF FOOD. IT A NNOYED
T H E M A N D M A D E T H E M I R R ITABLE. OTHERS FOU ND A CATHARSI S OF A
S O R T I N T A L K I N G A B O U T IT. AT TIMES WE PL AYED A GAME O F
D I E T E T I C C H A R A D E S . S I T TING IN A CIRCLE A ROUND THE FIR E EACH
M AN I N T U R N W O U L D O R D E R AN IMAGINARY DINNE R FROM AN
I M A G I N A R Y K I T C H E N . F R O M HORS D’OUVRE TO LA PALINAS TH E GAMUT
O F A N A L A C A R T E M E N U WAS RUN THROUGH. I T WAS AN
A N T I C I P A T I O N - A N T I R E ALIZATION GAME , BUT IT WAS FUN.
S O M E T I M E S I T W A S T H E P REPARATION OF DELIC AC IES THAT TOPPED
THE CONVERSATION.
“ T H I S I S T H E W Y M Y M O T HER MAKES THE STUF FING FOR THE
TURKEY.”
“ T H I S I S T H E W A Y M Y W I FE MAKES ICE -BOX COOKIES.”
I T W A S N E V E R A G R E E D J U ST WHAT WERE THE I NGREDIENTS AN D
M E T H O D O F M A K I N G A P P L E STRUDEL.
A G A I N I T W A S T H E R E S T A URANTS AND CAFES O F NEW YORK, C HICAGO,
L O S A N G E L E S A N D T I M B U K TU THAT WERE NOTED FOR THEIR ST EAKS
A N D F R E N C H F R I E S , C O R N ED BEEF AND CABBAG E, WAFFLES AN D
S A U S A G E , V E G E T A B L E S A L ADS, BANANA SPLITS AND COCONUT PIES,
A L L “ O U T O F T H I S W O R L D ”.
A N O T H E R P A S T I M E C O N S I STED IN FILLING NOTEBOOKS WITH RECIP ES
A N D M E N U S . F O R M A N Y K R IEGIES THE CHERISH ED SOUVENIRS OF
H A M M E L B U R G A R E T H E L I TTLE COOKB OOKS THEY COMPOSED I N THE
D A Y S W H E N S T A R V A T I O N W AS AT THE DOOR. HER E ARE SOME S AMPLES
O F T H E R E C I P E S T H A T W E RE TRANSCRIBED FRO M NOTEBOOK TO
NOTEBOOK.
K I N G E D W A R D T O A S T . S L I CE OF WHITE OR RAI SIN BREAD - THICK.
D I P I N S W E E T W I N E , C O V ER WITH MIXTURE OF BROWN SUGAR AND
C I N N A M O N ; D I P I N E G G A ND MILK BATTER AND FRY.
B A K E D P O T A T O E S . P A R T I A LLY BAKE. SLICE LE NGTHWISE AND MASH.
A D D B U T T ER , C H E E S E , S TRIPS OF RAW BACON AND RAW EG GS. MIX
TOGETHER AND BAKE.
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W A F F L E S . C H I P C H O C O L A T E AND ADD GRATED C HOPPED NUTS T O
W A F F L E B A T T E R . S E R V E W ITH SYRUP OR ICE CR EAM.
S C H W E I N F U S S A L A D . G E T WOODEN BOWL AND R UB WITH GARLI C. CHOP
I N R A W V E G E T A B L E S A N D TH IN SLICED PIGS’ FEET . MIX. US E
M A Y O N N A I S E A N D O I L F O R DRESSING. FOR SER VING GARNISH WITH
P I M E N T O S , C H O P P E D O L I V ES, RAW CARROTS.
P I E A L A M I N T . C O L D C H ERRY PIE; PUT CHOC OLATE COVERED MINTS
O N T O P A N D P U T I N O V E N UNTIL MINTS ARE M ELTED. SERVE WITH
I C E C R E AM .
F R U I T R O Y A L . T H R E E S C O OPS OF ICE CREAM M IXED WITH FRU ITS,
D A T E S A N D P E C A N S . C O V E R WITH WHIPPED CRE AM AND CHERRI ES.
D A T E P U D D I N G . L A Y E R O F GRAHAM CRACKERS, LAYER OF CHOP PED
D A T E S , L A Y E R O F W H I P P E D CREAM. KEEP ON P ILING INTO DE EP
D I S H . P L A C E I N R E F R I G E RATOR UNTIL READY TO SERVE.
V E A L A L A C H I L I . P U T P RECOOKED MACARONI I N A CASSEROL E.
C O V E R W I T H G R A T E D C H E E SE, PUT IN SMALL P IECES OF VEAL ,
O N I O N S A N D A D D B O T T L E OF CHILI SAUCE OVE R DISH. BAKE UNTIL
VEAL IS DONE.
B A R L E Y B R E A K F A S T . B A R L EY SOUP COOKED WIT H R AISINS, PRUNES
A N D F I G S . T H I C K E N W I T H CORNSTARCH. SERVE IN BOWL WITH SLICED
B A N A N A S , C R E A M A N D S U G AR.
T H U S P A G E A F T E R P A G E W AS FILLED WITH RECI PES. IT WILL BE
N O T I C E D T H A T T H E V A S T MAJORITY OF DISHES WERE DELICAC IES
C E R T A I N L Y O U T O F T H E O RDINARY RUN OF PR EPARATIONS IN A
N O R M A L H O U S E H O L D . M U C H EMPHASIS WAS PLAC ED ON THE SUE OF
P R O T E I N S A N D F A T S , S U G ARS AND CONDIMENTS , IN THE PLAN NING OF
M E A L S . I T I S I N T E R E S T I NG TO OBSERVE THAT THESE WERE T HE VERY
T H I N G S W E W E R E L A C K I N G IN OUR PRISON DIE T AND FOR WHI CH OUR
S T O M A C H S C R A V E D . I N D E E D, A STEADY DIET OF THE RICH
C O M B I N A T I O N S S U C H A S W E CONCOCTED AT HAMM ELBURG MIGHT WELL
H A V E D O N E A H E A L T H Y M A N MORE HARM THAN T HE AUSTERE FA RE OF
S O U P A N D B R E A D O N W H I C H WE SURVIVED.
T H E W E A T H E R B E C A M E C O L DER AND THE NIGHTS CLEARER I N THE
L A T T E R H A L F O F J A N U A R Y . THIS MEANT FREQU ENT AIR - RAIDS OVER
G E R M A N Y . A T H A M M E L B U R G THE REGULATIONS P ROCLAIMED THA T WHEN
T H E S T R I C T A L E R T W A S S OUNDED BY SHORT BLA STS FROM THE SIREN
N O O N E W A S T O G O O U T I NTO THE OPEN. BY DA Y AND BY NIG HT THE
G U A R D S W E R E P R E P A R E D TO FIRE UPO N ANY PRISONER OUTSI DE THE
B A R R A C K S D U R I N G A N A L E RT. AS THE TEMPO O F BOMBING MIS SIONS
O V E R N A Z I T E R R I T O R Y I N CREASED, THE ALERT S LASTS LONGE R. IT
W A S C O M M O N E N O U G H F O R THE MEN TO BE CAUG HT IN THE LAT RINES
A T T H E S E T I M E S O R I N B ARRACKS O THER THAN THEIR OWN. TO
92
R E M A I N I N A C O L D , W I N D SWEPT LATRINE FOR SEVERAL HOURS WAS
D E F I N I T E L Y A H A R D S H I P AND TO REMAIN LATE INTO THE NIG HT IN A
N E I G H B O R I N G B A R R A C K S W AS AT LEAST AN INCO NVENIENCE AF TER TEN
O ’ C L O C K . I T W A S N O T T O O GREAT A RISK TO SLIP FROM ON E
B A R R A C K S T O A N O T H E R I N THE STREETS NOT V ISIBLE FROM T HE
T O W E R S . T O C R O S S T H E H ERMAN GOERING STRAS SE IN VIEW O F TWO
T O W E R S A N D T H E M A I N G A TE WAS A HAZARD EV EN IN THE BLA CKEST
NIGHT.
O N T H E N I G H T O F J A N U A R Y 25TH IN TOTAL BL ACKOUT LT. VA RION
V E N T U R E D T O R UN F R O M O NE BARRACKS TO ANOTHER ACROSS T H E MAIN
S T R E E T . I N T H E N E A R E S T TOWER WAS A GUARD BLIND IN ONE EYE
A N D C L A S S I F I E D A S U N F I T FOR FRONT LINE D UTY BECAUSE O F HIS
P O O R E Y E S I G H T I N T H E O THER. THE CLATTER O F FEET ON TH E
P A V E M E N T A T T R A C T E D H I S ATTENTION AND HE FIRED INTO THE
D A R K N E S S . L T . V A R I O N D IED THE NEXT MORNIN G.
T H A T S A M E N I G H T A F A I R NUMBER OF KRIEGIE S BEGAN TO SU FFER
F R O M A F O R M O F D Y S E N T E RY. DAY BY DAY I B ECAME WEAKER AND
T H I N N E R A N D M O R E L A N G U ID FROM THE INTERR UPTIONS IN SL EEP AND
H U R R I E D T R I P S T O T H E LATRINE. THE AME RICAN DOCTORS BERNDT ,
L I N G U I T I , A N D D E M A R C O IN THE DISPENSARY WERE PLAGUED WITH
F E L L O W S I N T H E S A M E P L IGHT AS ME. HANDIC APPED BY LACK OF
M E D I C I N E S , T H E Y T R I E D TO LITTLE AVAIL AL L THE DRUGS S UPPLIED
T H E M . T H O S E O F U S W H O SUFFERED WORST RECEIVED TEN DROPS O F
A N O P I A T E O N C E A D A Y U NTIL THE SUPPLY RAN OUT. DOCTOR JAMES
Y A M A S A K I O F C H I C A G O P A ID ME A DAILY VISI T TO BRING ME A PILL
O R T W O T H A T H E H A D A C Q UIRED SOMEWHERE IN HIS TRAVELS AND TO
C H E E R M E U P W I T H H I S P LEASANT CONVERSATIO N. FATHER BR EINER
A L S O B R O U G H T M E A F E W LOZENGES, BUT THE FIFTH, SIXTH, AND
S E V E N T Y D A Y S P A S S E D W I THOUT ANY RELIEF. THE EIGHT DAY WAS
T H E W O R S T O F A L L A N D I WAS RESIGNING MYSE LF TO BEING
C O M P L E T E L Y L I Q U I D A T E D WHEN AL OF SUDDEN THE INCONVENI ENCE
C E A S E D A N D I W A S N E V E R BOTHERED AGAIN. THOU GH I REMAINED
T H I N , I G A I N E D B A C K M Y STRENGTH IN A FEW DAYS.
D U R I N G M Y S I E G E O F S I C KNESS THE GOOD FAT HER MADDEN CA RRIED
O N T H E C A M P A I G N T O G E T A MASS - KIT FROM THE GERMANS . TWO AND
A H A L F W E E K S H A D P A S S E D SINCE OUR FIRST REQUEST AND STILL WE
W E R E P U T O F F W I T H V A G U E PROMISES. FOR TH REE SUNDAYS W E
C O N D U C T E D S E R V I C E S W I T HOUT MASS. WE SAID A ROSARY AND A
P R A Y E R T O G O D T E L L I N G HIM WHAT WE WANTED THE MEN TO K NOW. ON
T H E 3 1 S T O F J A N U A R Y W E DECIDED ON A DRAS TIC STEP; WE WROTE A
F O R M A L A N D U RG E N T L E T T ER IN LATIN TO THE APOSTOLIC NU M CIO IN
BERLIN.
93
TO T H E P A P A L N U N C IO
TH E A P O S T O L I C N U N CIA TURE,
BE R L I N .
YO U R E X C E L L E N C Y ,
IN O F L A G X I I I B T HE TWO UNDERSIGNED AMER ICAN PRIE STS
H A V E B E E N P R I S O N E R S O F WAR FOR THREE WEE KS. WE HAVE
R E P E A T E D L Y A S K E D T H E OFFICIALS OF THE CAMP TO PROVIDE US
W I T H T H E E S S E N T I A L S F O R THE CELEBRATION OF MASS. OUR
P A T I E N C E I S E X H A U S T E D . IN THE NEIGHBORIN G VILLAGE THE RE ARE
T W O C A T H O L I C P R I E S T S W HO CAN HELP US, BUT NEITHER WE NOR THE
G E R M A N S O L D I E R S A R E A L LOWED TO APPROACH THEM.
WE T H E R E F O R E A S K YOU R EXCELLENCY TO HELP US. THUS YOU
W I L L A I D N O T O N L Y U S P RIESTS BUT THE CATH OLIC MEN WHO ARE
O U R F E L L O W P R I S O N E R S T O ENJOY THE CONSOLA TIONS AND FR EEDOM
O F R E L I G I O N , W H I C H T H E GERMAN GOVERNMENT , ACCORDING T O THE
G E N E V A C O N V E N T I O N , H A S PROMISED.
WE C O M M E N D O U R S E L VES TO YOUR HOLY SACRIFI CES.
Y O U E X C E L L E N C Y’S SER VANTS IN CHRIST,
P A U L W. CAVANAUGH, S .J.
A L A N P. MADDEN, O.F. M. CAP.
T H I S L E T T E R W A S P R E S E N TED OPEN (WE HAD N O ENVELOPE TO PUT IT
I N ) T O T H E B L O C K - C O M M ANDANT, HA UPTMAN STAMMLER. HE READ IT
W I T H I N T E R E S T , T R A N S L A TED IT INTO BROKEN ENGLISH AND
R E M A R K E D P L E A S A N T L Y , “ YOU HAVE A FINE LAT IN STYLE.” H E BROKE
O U R B O L D F R O N T W I T H T H IS REMARK AND WE A LL LAUGHED. W E THEN
D I S C U S S E D E C C L E S I A S T I C AL CEREMONIES, LAT IN LITURGY, A N D
G E R M A N C A T H E D R A L S , D I S COVERING IN THE CO URSE OF THE
C O N V E R S A T I O N T H A T T H E GERMAN CAPTAIN HAD A BROTHER A PRIEST
IN BAVARIA.
O N T H E E V E N I N G O F T H E NEXT DAY, FEBRUARY 1ST, A GERMA N GUARD
D E L I V E R E D W I T H O U T C O M M ENT TO FATHER MADD EN A KNAPSACK
C O N T A I N I N G C OM P L E T E E Q UIPMENT FOR MASS. WE WERE DELIG H TED
A N D S P R E A D T H E G O O D T I DING TO THE CATHOL ICS IN PRISON . THE
F O L L O W I N G D A Y W A S T H E FIRST F RIDAY OF THE MONTH A ND T HE
F E A S T O F T H E P U R I F I C A T ION OF OUR LADY. W ITHOUT SAYING A WORD
T O T H E G E R M A N S W E P A S S ED THE NEWS A ROUND THE CAMP THA T THERE
W O U L D B E M A S S A T F O U R P.M. IN BARRACKS 1 1- 7 AND THAT THE MEN
S H O U L D C O M E I N Q U I E T L Y WITHOUT MAKING AN Y APPEARANCE OF
H A V I N G A N O B J E C T I V E I N VIEW OR SEEMING T O BE CONGREGA TING.
A T T H R E E- T H I R T Y T H E Y BEGAN TO DROP IN SINGLY AND I N TW OS. BY
F O U R O ’ C L O C K W E H A D A CONGREGATION OF SI XTY MEN.
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W E H A D M O V E D T H E T A B L E S TO ONE SIDE EXCE PT THE ONE WE USED
A S A N A L T A R . T H E C H A I R S, BOARDS AND BENC HES IN THE RO OM WERE
A R R A N G E D I N T H E F O R M O F A CHURCH. IN THAT RUDE AND LOWLY
S E T T I N G T H E G R E A T E V E N T OF THE FIRST MASS IN OFLAG XIII B
B R O U G H T A L L T H E P A R T I C IPANTS GREAT CONSO LATION. SUREL Y WE
K N E W T H A T T H E S C A R E D H EART AND OUR BLESSE D MOTHER HAD
A N S W E R E D O U R P R A Y E R S . WE HAD MANY REASON S TO BE GRATE FUL TO
T H E M . W H E N M A S S W A S O V ER AND SINCE NO GU ARD WERE PRES ENT, I
P R E A C H E D A L I T T L E S E R M ON URGING THE MEN TO COME TO DA ILY
M A S S A N D T E L L I N G T H E M HOW WE WOULD CONDU CT IT.
“ W E R E L Y O N G O D T O H E L P US IN REMAINING UNDISCOVERED. EVERY
D A Y W E S H A L L H A V E M A S S , BUT EVERY DAY WE MUST HAVE IT IN A
D I F F E R E N T B A R R A C K S . I N THIS WAY WE WILL NOT ATTRACT
A T T E N T I O N . N O W D O N ’ T C OME IN BUNCHES, NOT ALL AT THE SAME
T I M E . U R G E A L L T H E M E N TO COME. TOMORROW WE SHALL HAV E MASS
I N B A R R A C K S 1 1- 7 , R O O M 5.
T H E S E T T I N G W A S R O U G H , BUT FAITH WAS THE RE. THE IMMAC ULATE
W H I T E N E S S O F T H E C L E A N ALTAR LINENS WAS INTENSIFIED B Y THE
D I R T Y A S P E C T O F T H E M E N, THE FURNITURE, AND THE BARRA CKS. IT
S E E M E D A L M O S T L I K E A D ESECRATION TO PUT T HE SPOTLESS WHITE
A L B O V E R M Y D I R T Y C L O T HES. THE WHITE SIL K CHASUBLE HA D
E V I D E N T L Y B E E N M A D E B Y SOME NUNS WHO WER E SUFFERING FROM THE
P O V E R T Y C A U S E D B Y T H E WAR. THEY HAD NO G OLD BRAID TO HEM THE
E D G E S B U T J U S T E N O U G H TO OUTLINE THE LAR GE CROSS ON T HE
B A C K . I N T H E C E N T E R W A S AN INSCRIPTION, “CHRISTUS IST MEIN
L E B O N ” ( C H R I S T I S M Y L IFE). THE LETTERS F ORMING THE L EGEND
W E R E C A R V E D O U T O F W O O D, THEN COLORED WIT H A SILVER P AINT;
E A C H I N D I V I D U A L L E T T E R WAS GLUED SECUREL Y TO THE CLOT H. AS
M A S S B E G A N T H E S K Y C L E ARED AND THE LOWER ING SUN SHONE IN
U P O N T H E A L T A R T H R O U G H THE DIRTY WINDOW. IT ALMOST SE EMED
T H A T G O D W A S S E N D I N G A V ISIBLE TOKEN O HIS G OOD PLEAS URE.
M A T T I E G I U F F R E E X P R E S S ED IN WRITING WHAT THOUGHTS WER E IN
T H E M I N D S O F T H E M E N W HO KNELT AROUND THA T ALTAR: “I CAN’T
E X P R E S S M Y G R A T I T U D E A DEQUATELY ENOUGH TO YOU AND FATHER
M A D D E N F O R T H E S P I R I T U AL GUIDANCE YOU GA VE US A LL, FOR THE
S Y M B O L O F H O M E A N D G O O D LIFE YOU REPRESE NTED IN THE U NUSUAL
C I R C U M S T A N C E , F O R T H E COURAGE YOU IMBUED US WITH, FOR
E V E R Y T H I N G G O O D Y O U B O TH REPRESENTED, I SHALL NEVER F ORGET
Y O U B O T H A S Y O U S A I D M ASS IN YOUR VESTMEN TS, THE SUN SHINING
I N O V E R T HE A L T A R A N D YOU IN A N AURA OF HEAVENLY L IGHT THAT
S P O K E E L O Q U E N T L Y O F G O DLINESS AND GOO FA ITH.”
L E S T A N Y G O O D C H R I S T I A NS SHOULD BE SCAND ALIZED THAT W E HAD
M A S S I N H O L Y C O M M U N I O N IN THE AFTERNOON, LET ME EXPLA IN HERE
T H A T O U R H O L Y F A T H E R , POPE PIUS XIII GR ANTED PERMISSI ON TO
A L M I L I T A R Y P E R S O N N E L TO ATTEND MASS AND RECEIVE HOLY
C O M M U N I O N I N T H E A F T E R NOON OR EARLY EVEN ING. ORDINARI LY FOUR
95
H O U R S ’ F A S T F R O M S O L I D FOOD AND ONE HOUR FAST FROM LI QUID
W A S R E Q U I R E D , B U T S I N C E WE WERE IN A DAN GER ZONE AND IN
C O N S T A NT D A N G E R O F D E A TH FR OM BOMBINGS, WE CELE BRATED MASS
W I T H O U T F A S T I N G A N D G A VE HOLY COMMUNION TO THE MEN UN DER
F O R M O F V I A T I C U M . W E A LSO GAVE GENERAL AB SOLUTION.
W H E N M A S S W A S O V E R A N D SINCE THERE WERE NO GUARDS PRE SENT, I
P R E A C H E D A L I T T L E S E R M ON URGING TH E MEN TO COME TO DA I LY
M A S S A N D T E L L I N G T H E M HOW WE WOULD CONDU CT IT.
“ W E R E L Y O N G O D T O H E L P US TO REMAIN UND ISCOVERED. EV ERY DAY
W E S H A L L H A V E M A S S , B U T EVERY DAY WE MUS T HAVE IT IN A
D I F F E R E N T B A R R A C K S . I N THIS WAY WE WILL NOT ATTRACT
A T T E N T I O N . N O W D O N ’ T COME IN BUNCHES, OR ALL AT THE SAME
T I M E . U R G E A L L T H E M E N TO COME. TOMORROW WE SHALL HAV E MASS
I N B A R R A C K S 1 1 , R O O M 5 .”
“ A F U R T H E R A N N O U N C E M E N T. TONIGHT AT SEVE N- FIFTEEN IN THIS
R O O M W E S H A L L B E G I N T O HOLD A CATHOLIC S TUDY CLUB. WE HAVE
B E E N F O R B I D D EN T O P R E A CH, AS YOU KNOW, BUT WE HAVE NO T BEEN
F O R B I D D E N T O D I S C U S S R ELIGION. WE CAN SIT AROUND THE STOVE
A N D A F T E R T H E F A S H I O N OF A TAVERN HANG - OUT GET OUR MI NDS OF F
F O O D F O R A W H I L E E A C H EVENING. YOU GET T HE IDEA. GOD BLESS
YOU ALL.”
A T S E V E N- F I F T E E N W E H A D A GROUP OF TWENT Y- FIVE FROM OTHER
B A R R A C K S G A T H E R E D A R O U ND THE FIRE WITH M ANY OF OUR OW N
T H I R T Y- F I V E C O M P A N I O N S OF B ARRACKS 11 -7. WE HAD PREVIOUSLY
A R R A N G E D W I T H T H E G R A N D CROWD IN OUR ROO M TO HAVE A H ALF H O U R O F Q U I E T A N D A G A NG OF VISITORS IN THE RO OM. ALL OF
T H E M W E R E S I N C E R E L Y W I LLING AND COOPERAT ED MAGNIFICEN TLY.
T H A T F I R S T E V E N I N G W E FELT OUR WAY, THOU GH WE HAD A P LAN IN
M I N D . W E B E G A N B Y G I V I NG SOME INCENTIVES FOR WANTING TO
A T T E N D A C O U R S E O F I N S TRUCTIONS AND HOW EXCELLENT WAS THE
O P P O R T U N I T Y WE N O W H A D OF LEARNIN G SOMETHING ABOUT RE LIGION.
O U R P L A N C A M E F R O M T H E MEN THEMSELVES - FIFTEEN MINUT ES OF
E X P L A N A T I O N F O L L O W E D B Y A PERIOD OF DISCU SSION AND
Q U E S T I O N S . W E W O U L D F O LLOW THE BROAD OUT LINES OF THE
C A T E C H I S M A S A F R A M E W O RK OF TOPICS. BEGI NNING WITH THE
A P O S T L E S C R E E D , O N T H E FIRST NIGHT WE EX PLAINED AND
D I S C U S S E D W H A T I S M E A N T IN THE CATHOLIC SENSE BY “I
B E L I E V E . ” T H E M E E T I N G WAS GRATIFYING TO FATHER ALAN A ND ME
A N D V E R Y S A T I S F A C T O R Y TO THE MEN.
T H E S T U D Y C L U B G R E W I N POPULARITY AND TH E NUMBE RS INCREASED
U N T I L 1 1- 7 W A S N I G H T L Y JAMMED WITH MEN. WE SPENT T WO OR
T H R E E N I G H T S O N E A C H A RTICLE OF THE APOST LES’ CREED,
E X P L A I N I N G T H E T H E O L O G Y UNDERLYING IT AN D ITS RELATIO N TO
T H E W H O L E F I E L D O F C A T HOLIC DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE. WE GOT
I N T O S O M E L I V E L Y D I S C U SSIONS ON THE PR OOFS FOR THE EXISTEN CE
O F G O D , T H E A B S O L U T E G RATUITY ON GOD’S PA RT OF THE
96
I N C A R N A T I O N A N D R E D E M P TION, THE CERTAINT Y OF FAITH RE GARDING
T H E O N E , H O L Y , C A T H O L I C, AND APOSTOLIC C HURCH, THE MY STICAL
B O D Y O F C H R I S T , A N D T H E NATURE OF HEAVEN AND HELL. OF TEN
E N O U G H S O M E O N E W O U L D P REFACE HIS REMARKS BY, “FATHER, YOU
SAID...”
I F T H E S T A T E M E N T H A D A NY BEARING ON MATTE RS OF FAITH, FATHER
M A D D E N A N D I I N S I S T E D THAT WE WERE TEACH ING NOT SOME PIOUS
O P I N I O N S O F O U R O W N B U T THE INFALLIBLE T EACHING OF T HE
C A T H O L I C C H U R C H T H A T W AS INCLUDED IN THE ACT OF FAITH WHEN
W E S A Y , “ I B E L I E V E T H E SE AND ALL THE TRU THS THAT THE
C A T H O L I C C H U R C H B E L I E V ES AND TEACHES.” T HE APOSTLES’ CREED
F I N I S H E D , W E H A D A F E W SESSIONS ON THE S ACRAMENTS OF BAPTISM
A N D P E N A N C E , S P E N T A P P ROXIMATELY A WEEK E XPLAINING TH E
T H E O L O G Y , C E R E M O N I E S , AND PRAYERS OF THE MASS. WE HAD SOME
V E R Y I N T E R E S T I N G M E E T I NGS ABOUT MARRIAGE , DIVORCE, BI RTH
C O N T R O L , T H E D U T I E S O F HUSBANDS AND WIVE S, THE TRAINI NG OF
C H I L D R E N . I N T H E S E M A T TERS THAT PERTAINE D TO SE X AND THE
P H Y S I C A L A S P E C T S O F M A TRIMONY, FATHER MA DDEN AND I WE RE
O F T E N A I D E D B Y H E E X P E RT ADVICE OF TOW D OCTORS, MAJOR
C H A R L E S S E R B S T O F C H I C AGO AND CAPTAIN EU GENE F. GALVI N OF
R O S E N D A L E , N . Y . A F T E R THE SACRAMENTS WE TOOK UP THE T EN
C O M M A N D M E N T S . W E W E R E DISCUSSING THE SEVEN TH WHEN OUR STUDY
C L U B M E T F O R T H E L A S T TIME ON MARCH 26TH . WORDS OF
A P P R E C I A T I O N F O R T H E S TUDY CLUB HAVE COME TO ME AGAIN AND
A G A I N S I N C E L I B E R A T I O N . LT. TED ALTIER O F ROCHESTER, N.Y.
P U T H I S T H O U G H T S I N T H ESE WORDS: “FATHER , YOU KNOW ALL OF US
F I S H- EA T I N G K R I E G I E S LEAR NED SOMETHING FROM Y OU SPIRI TUAL
L E A D E R S H I P W H I L E I N T H E JUG. WITHOUT IT I THINK I WOU LD HAVE
C R A C K E D W I D E O P E N . W E GOT PRETTY CLOSE T O THE LORD WH EN
T H I N G S W E R E T O U G H A N D YOU DID THE MIRACU LOUS IN KEEPI NG US
G O I N G . T H A N KS , I S U P P OSE, ARE BE ST EXPRESSED BY WHAT WE DO
W H E N T H I N G S A R E B A C K T O NORMAL.” DOCTOR G ALVIN WROTE FROM
H I S H O M E I N N E W Y O R K W ORDS THAT WOULD WAR M THE HEART OF ANY
C A T H O L I C R E L I G I O N T E A C HER: “VERY FEW PEO PLE, I FEAR, IN POW
C A M P S W E R E A S L U C K Y A S WE WERE AT OFLAG XIII B ESPE CIALLY IN
R E L I G I O U S M I N I S T R A T I O N S AND INSTRUCTION. I SHALL NEVE R
F O R G E T T H E I N F O R M A L I T Y AND SERIOUSNESS O F THOSE EVENI NG
M E E T I N G , N O T S H A L L I F ORGET, I HOPE, THE INNUMERABLE THINGS
I L E A R N E D A B O U T M Y R E L IGION WHICH I NEVE R KNEW BEFORE . I DO
N O T K N O W H O W I T C O U L D BE POSSIBLE TO INT EREST PEOPLE IN THAT
T Y P E O F I N S T R U C T I O N H E RE AT HOME - BUT IT IS EXACTLY WH AT
THEY NEED.”
A M O N G T H E S P L E N D I D M E N WHO SUSTAINED AN INTEREST IN T HE
E V E N I N G S E S S I O N S A N D K EPT THE MEETINGS GO ING WITH THE IR
F I D E L I TY I N C O M I N G ( B E SIDES MANY OTHERS WHO’S NA MES A RE
M E N T I O N E D E L S E W H E R E I N THIS HISTORY) WER E CAPTAINS MA X
S H A V E R ( C H I P P A W A F A L L S , WISC.) AND CHARL ES GIBBONS (L AWTON,
O K L A . ) , C A P T A I N S A L M E NKE AND PAUL --- OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.
97
J A M E S S A I L E R A N D J O S E P H BUHR (AL SO CINCINNATI), ROBE RT
F L E E G E ( G A L E N A , I L L . ) , MELVIN MADERIS (S AN JOSE, CAL. ) HARRY
G L E A S O N ( T R I N I D A D , C O L O.), FRED GARDNER (LONG ISLAND) ,
C H A R L E S K E L L Y ( K I R K S V I LLE, MO.) ROBERT K ELLY AND ROBE RT RUTT
O F D E T R O I T , L E O C H A M P A GNE (BREAUX BRIDGE , LA.) HARRY ROL LINS
( C H I C A G O , I L L . ) , B R A N D AN FULLAM AND STAN LEY KASPER OF
B R O O K L Y N , W I L L I A M B O G A N (WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y.) ED BURL EIGH
(VILLE PLATTE, LA.).
----------------“ P r i s o n e r o f t h e G e r m a ns” by Chaplain Mark R. Moore
P a g e 3 5 “ C H A P L A I N A T W ORK IN PRISON”
T h e wo r k o f t h e c h a p l ain did not stop when he became a
p r i s o n e r . I t i n c r e a s e d rather than lessened our
r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s a n d o pportunities for doing spiritua l work.
T h e r e w e r e s e v e n P r o t e stant and two Catholic Chaplain s in
Hammelburg. -W e h a d f o u r t y p e s o f s ervices. Sunday Worship, Evening
D e v o t i o n s , M o r n i n g D e v otions, and Bible Study. -T h e M o r n i n g D e v o t i o n s were started to help the chapla ins in
t h e i r i n n e r l i v e s . W e were giving out in the services and
f e l t w e n e e d e d a t i m e of inspiration for our selves.
C h a p l a i n R a l p h E . M a n e ss , (Baptist) of Springfield,
M i s s o u r i , w a s p u t i n c harge but after several service s was
s e n t t o S t a l a g X I I - A a nd I was appointed to his place.”
----------------(Fr. Cavanaugh cont.)
S A T U R D A Y A F T E R N O O N , F E BRUARY 3RD, FATHER MADDEN SAID MASS IN
1 1- 5 W H I L E I H E A R D C O NF ESSIONS AND RECEIVED HOLY COMM UNION
W I T H T H E M E N . T H I S P L A N WE FOLLOWED THER EAFTER ON WEE KDAYS,
E A C H O F U S S A Y I N G M A S S ON ALTERNATE DAYS UNTIL IN ONE
B A R R A C K S A F T E R A N O T H E R WE OFFERED THE HO LD SACRIFICE IN
E V E R Y RO O M I N T H E O F L A G WHE RE THERE WERE PRISON ERS LIVING.
N E V E R W A S T H E R E T H E S L IGHTEST COMPLAINT FROM ANY OF T HE NON C A T H O L I C S A N D E A C H D A Y THE GROUP IN THE ROOM DESIGNAT ED FOR
M A S S H A D T H E I R Q U A R T E R S NEAT AND CLEAN ( AS FAR AS THA T WAS
P O S S I B L E ) A N D T H E F U R N ITURE ARRANGED ORDERL Y FOR THE
C O N G R E G A T I O N . L T . L E V E NE J. WEIGEL, A TE ACHER FROM ST .
J O S E P H ’ S C O L L E G E , H A Y S , KANSAS, ID FAITH FUL WORK BY C OMING
E A C H D A Y F O R T H E M A S S - KIT AND SETTING UP T HE ALTAR IN THE
B A R R A C K S W H E R E M A S S W A S TO BE SAID. AFTE R MASS HE PAC K ED IT
98
A L L U P A G A I N A N D R E T U R NED IT TO 11 -7 WHERE IT WAS KEP T IN A
C A R D B O A R D B O X O N A S H E LF NEAR MY BED.
T H A T S AT U R D A Y W E W O N D ERED NOT A LITTLE ABOUT W HAT WOULD
H A P P E N O N S U N D A Y . D I D THE MASS -KIT, BROUGHT US SO Q UIETLY
C O M E T H R O U G H T H E C A M P AUTHORITIES, OR HAD IT COME THROUGH
S O M E Q U A S I U N D E R G R O U N D ? WE DETERMINED TO HAVE MASS AN D TRUST
T H A T T H E G O O D L O R D W O U LD TAKE CARE OF US . THE BEER -HALL WAS
I N C O N V E N I E N T F O R S E V E R AL REASONS. IT WAS VERY COLD, T OO
S M A L L , D I D N O T C O N T A I N EVEN A TABLE; AND THESE GROTES QUE
C A R T O O N S O N T H E W A L L W ERE NOT APPROPRIATE CHURCH ECORATIONS.
A L L O U R M I S G I V I N G S W E R E CLIMAXED THAT S ATURDAY EVENIN G WHEN
H A U P T M A N S T A M M L E R S U M M ONED US TWO PRIEST S TO THE BLOC K
H E A D Q U A R T E R S . T O O U R A STONISHMENT HE HAD ANOTHER MASS - KIT
F O R U S . T H I S O N E W E H A D TO SIGN FOR AND C HECK THE CON TENTS
A G A I N S T A L I S T T H A T C A ME WITH THE PACKAG E FROM THE CA THOLIC
P A S T O R O F H A M M E L B U R G , DR. MAHR. SUNDAY MASS WAS NOW
A U T H O R I Z E D , S A N C T I O N E D , AND ATTENDED BY GERMAN AUTHOR ITIES
A N D G U A R D S . “ C A T H O L I C MASS TOMORROW AT N INE O’C LOCK IN
B A R R A C K S 1 1- 7 . ” W A S T HE ANNOUNCE MENT MADE TO THE ENT IRE
D E T A C H M E N T O F K R I E G I E S AT ROLL -CALL S ATURDAY EVENING IT W AS
M E N T I O N E D A G A I N O N S U N DAY MORNING?
O U R S UN D A Y C O N G R E G A T I ON N UMBERED ABOUT A HUND RED. THE
P R I S O N E R S I N 1 1 - 7 O U T DID THEMSELVES IN MAK ING THE BARRACKS
T I D Y A N D N E A T . F A T H E R ALAN AND I EACH SA ID MASS AND T HE MEN
S T A Y E D F O R T H E S E C O N D SERVICE. THERE WER E NO SERMONS BECAUSE
GUARDS WERE PRESENT.
L T . J O H N J . M U R R A Y , O N CE A ROLY - POLY, JOLLY NEW YORK MAIL
C A R R I E R , B U T N O W T H I N N ING TO SCARECROW TRIMNESS HAD A WORN
L E A F L E T W I T H T H E P R A Y E RS FOR THE NOVENA TO OUR LADY O F THE
M I R A C U L O U S M E D A L . “ F A T HER, HOW ABOUT S AYING THESE PRAY ERS
A F T E R M A S S ? M A N Y O F O U R WIVES AND MOTHER S AND SISTERS ARE
M A K I N G T H E N O V E N A F O R US BACK HOME.”
“ S W E L L I D E A , J O H N , ” I SAID. “WE CAN HAVE TH E NOVENA EVERY
D A Y A F T E R M A S S . I T W I L L ONLY TAKE A COUP LE OF MINUTES TO SAY
THE PRAYERS.”
B E G I N N I N G T H A T S U N D A Y WHENEVER WE HA D MASS WE CONCLUD ED WITH
T H E N O V E N A P R A Y E R S . T H E FERVOR AND THE V OLUME AS WE S AID THE
M E M O R A R O ( I M P E R A T I V E F ORM OF ‘TO REMEMBER’) TOGETHER WAS
VERY GRATIFYING.
L T . M U R R A Y W R O T E M E A F TER OUR RETURN TO THE U.S.: “I’ M
P O S I T I V E T H A T O U R L A D Y DID A THOROUGHLY GOOD JOB ON U S. WHEN
I T H I N K O F S O M E O F T H E THINGS THAT HAPPE NED I’M CONVI NCED
T H A T , A S M Y M O T H E R U S E D TO SA Y, HER BLUE MANTLE C OVER ED US.”
99
J O H N N O W H A S T H E O L D B ATTERED NOVENA BOOK LET AND TREA SURES
I T A S T H E F I N E S T T R O P H Y OF HIS ARMY SERV ICE.
A N D L T . B I L L G A R D I N E R OF BALTIMORE: “I A M NOW MAKING THE
N O V E N A T O O U R L A D Y O F THE MIRACULOUS MED AL WITH MY WI FE
E V E R Y M O N D A Y N I G H T B E C AUSE WHILE WE WERE MAKING IT AT
H A M M E L B U R G S H E S T A R T E D MAKING I EVER SIN CE SHE READ A BOUT
T H E 1 0 6 T H B E I N G A L L B E AT UP. IT WAS ON T HE NINTH M ONDAY OF
T H E N O V E N A W H E N S H E H E ARD THAT I WAS NO LONGER MISSIN G IN
A C T I O N B U T A P R I S O N E R . THERE IS S OMETHING STRONGER TH AN
COINCIDENCE THERE.”
T H O U G H I T I S J U M P I N G A HEAD A LITTLE IN TH E STORY, THI S SEEMS
T O B E T H E P L A C E T O M E N TION OUR ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE. ON
F E B R U A R Y 1 3 T H I S A I D T O FATHER MADDEN, “T OMORROW IS A SH
W E D N E S D A Y . W H A T D O Y O U THINK WE OUGHT TO DO ABOUT ASHES?”
“ O H , J U S T T A K E S O M E O U T OF THE STOVE,” W AS HIS REPLY. “ANY
K I N D O F W O O D A S H W I L L SATISFY THE PURPOS E.” WE FOUND A SMALL
P I E C E O F F L Y S C R E E N A N D SIFT SOME ASHES FROM A WOOD F IRE.
A S H W ED N E S D A Y B E F O R E MASS WE DISTRIBUTED THE A SHES GIVING
E A C H M A N A G E N E R O U S B L ACK CROSS ON HIS F OREHEAD. WE R EMINDED
T H E M E N P R E S E N T O F T H E IR CATHOLIC DUTY T O DO SOME PEN ANCE.
T H E D I E T S U P P L I E D B Y T HE WEHRMACHT WOULD NECESSITATE THAT WE
C O N F O R M I N T H E R I G O R E S T MANNER TO THE CH URCH’S LAW OF
F A S T I N G W H A T W E S H O U L D DO THEREFORE WAS TO ACCEPT TH E
S I T U A T I O N I N T H E S P I R I T OF PENANCE AND O FFER OUR PRIV ATIONS
T O A L M I G H T Y G O D I N R E P ARATION FOR OUR PA ST SINS. PERH APS IN
T H E Y E A R S G O N E B Y W E H AD NOT ENTERED INTO THIS PENITENTIAL
S E A S O N W I T H M U C H G E N E R OSITY; NOW WE HAD A CHANCE TO ACCEPT
W I T H O U T C O M P L A I N T T H E SUFFERINGS IMPOSED UPON US AND TO
S A N C T I F Y T H E M F O R O U R OWN BENEFIT AND TH E GLORY OF GO D.
W E A L S O C A L L E D T H E I R A TTENTION TO THE REL ATION BETWEE N
P E N A N C E , E S P E C I A L L Y F A STING, AND PURITY OF LIFE.
U N R E S T R A I N E D E A T I N G A N D DRINKING OPEN THE DOOR TO
T E M P T A T I O N S A G A I N S T T H E FLESH. MORE OFTE N THAN NOT
T E M P T A T I O N S T O I M P U R I T Y ASSAIL A MAN WHO PRACTICES LI TTLE OR
N O S E L F-D E N I A L I N T H E MATTER OF FOOD. IT WAS TO C OMBA T SUCH
A S S A U L T S T H A T T H E S A I N TS UNDERTOOK THE H EROIC PENANCE ’S THAT
W E R E A D A B O U T I N T H E I R LIVES, ABSTAINING ENTIRELY FRO M MEAT,
L I V I N G O N B R E A D A N D W A TER, SLEEPING ON B OARDS, CHASTI SING
T H E I R B O D I E S . I N D E E D F ROM PERSONAL EXPERI ENCE WITH TH E
R I G O R S O F P R I S O N L I F E WE DISCOVERED THE TRUTH OF THE
S T A T E M E N T O F A S C E T I C A L W RITER AND THE FATHER S OF THE CHURCH,
“ J E J U N U M F A C E T C A S T E S ” (FASTING MAKES CH ASTE MEN).
R U M O R S F L O W F A S T A N D F URIOUS THROUGH THE CAMP ON FEBR UARY
4 T H T H A T W E W E R E T O G E T FOOD PARCELS FRO M THE AMERICA N RED
C R O S S T H R O U G H T H E I N T E RNATIONAL RED CROS S. THE REP ORTS WERE
100
A F F I R M E D , D E N I E D , B E L I EVED, AND DOUBTED ALL THAT EVEN ING. IT
W A S A R E D L E T T E R D A Y F OR THE KRIEGIES OF OFLAG XIII B . THE
N E X T A F T E R N O O N O U R E M O TIONS AND JUBILATI ON SHOT SKYWA RD. A
W H I T E A N G E L - T H E N A M E AFFECTIONAT ELY APPLIED TO ANY O F THE
5 3 A M E RI C A N T R U C K S U S E D BY THE GENEVA RED CROSS TO DE LIVER
T H E F O O D P A R C E L S T O P R ISONER OF WAR CAMP S THROUGHOUT GERMANY
- DR E W U P T O T H E W A R E H OUSE OUTSIDE OUR COM POUND. DREAMS OF
C H O C O L A T E B A R S , R E A L C OFFEE AND SOLID FOO D RUFFLED OU R
N I G H T ’ S S L E E P . T H E N C A ME A GR EAT SURPRISE.
T H I S S H I P M E N T O F B O X E S OF AMERICAN FOOD WAS NOT SENT TO US
A M E R I C A N S , B U T T O T H E FOUR THOUSAND SERB S NEXT DOOR. DUE TO
T H E D I S R U P T I O N S O F C O M MUNICATIONS THE IN TERNATIONAL R ED
C R O S S A T G E N E V A H A D P R OBABLY NOT HEARD A S YET THAT TH ERE HAD
B E E N A C O N T I N G E N T O F AMER ICAN PRISONER AT HAM MELBURG FOR
T H R E E W E E K S . B U T W E W E RE NOT DISAPPOINTE D FOR ALL THA T.
O N C E A G A I N T H E M A G N I F I CENT GENEROSITY OF THE YUGOSLAV
O F F I C E R S M A N I F E S T E D I T SELF. BY POPULAR V OTE THEY AGRE ED TO
S U R R E N D E R 1 5 0 B O X E S T O THEIR AME RICAN FRIENDS. THEIR SENIOR
G E N E R A L C O M M U N I C A T E D T HIS DECISION TO THE GERMAN AUTHORITIES
W H O A G R E E D T O T H E P L A N . FURTHERMORE WE W ERE TO RECEIV E THE
P A R C E L S B E F O R E T H E S E R BS WERE GIVEN THEI RS.AS THERE W ERE
A P P R O X I M A T E L Y 5 0 0 O F U S AMERICANS AT THAT TIMEL, ON E PARCEL
W A S T O B E D I V I D E D A M O N G FOUR MEN. STARTI NG WITH THE F IRST
B A R R A C K S T H E M E N F O U R E D OFF DOWN THROUGH THE LAST ROO M AND
E A C H F O U R S O M E C H O S E A REPRESENTATIVE TO GO TO THE WAR EHOUS
T O G E T T H E B O X . T H E S E REPRESENTATIVES TH EN WENT UNDER GUARD
I N G R O U P S OF T W E N T Y . SO COMPLIC ATED WAS THE METHOD OF
D I S T R I B U T I O N A T T H E W A REHOUSE THAT IT TO OK TOW DAYS T O ISSUE
ALL THE PACKAGES.
B A R R A C K S 1 1- 7 G O T T H E IRS LATE IN THE AFTERNOON OF THE FIRST
D A Y W H E N C A P T A I N J O H N MADDEN (I REPEAT A GAIN THAT THI S IS
T H E A R T I L L E R Y O F F I C E R AND NOT THE C HAPLAIN, FATHER MA DD EN)
W E N T A S T H E R E P R E S E N T A TIVE OF LT.’S KESS INGER, JONES AND
M Y S E L F . H E T O O K W I T H H IM TWO SOUP BOWLS, TWO CUPS, AN D AN
E M P T Y P A S T E B O A R D B O X . AT THE WAREHOUSE T HE RED CROSS PARCELS
W E R E S T A C K E D B E H I N D A LONG COUNTER. EACH PRISONER TOO K H IS
T U R N T O R E C E I V E A B O X FROM A GERMAN GUAR D. IN HIS PRE SENCE
T H E G U A R D O P E N E D T H E B OX, HANDED OVER THE TWO BARS OF SOAP
U N W R A P P E D . T H E N O P E N E D EACH AND EVERY IT EM IN THE BOX . INTO
T H E M I D D L E O F T H E C A N OF POWDERED MILK A ND THE TIN OF C OFFEE
H E P L U N G E D A K N I F E . T H E TINS OF MEAT, FI SH, AND JELLY WERE
O P E N E D A N D T H E C O N T E N T S POURED INTO THE BOWLS AND CUP S. ONE
O F T H E D O Z E N C R A C K E R S HE BROKE IN TWO; A LL THE CIGARE TTES
W E R E R E M O V E D F R O M T H E PACKAGES AND TWO O R THREE TAKEN AT
R A N D O M A N D S P L I T D O W N THE MIDDLE. THE MIXTURE OF SALT AND
P E P P E R W A S C O N F I S C A T E D . THIS WAS THE NOR MAL PROCEDURE IN PW
C A M P S A N D W A S D O N E P R E SUMABLY TO PREVENT WEAPONS AND
101
I N S T R U M E N T S O F E S C A P E FROM BEING SMUGGLE D INTO THE CA MP. THE
T I N S W E R E W I T H H E L D B E C AUSE THEY COULD BE USED TO FASH ION
I N S T R U M E N T S O F E S C A P E ; AND THE PEPPER TA KEN BECAUSE I T COULD
B E U S E D T O B L I N D A G U A RD IN AN ESCAPE EF FORT OR TO PR EVENT
T H E D O G S F R O M T R A I L I N G THE SCENT OF AN E SCAPEE.
C A P T A I N M A D D E N A N D T H E REST RETURNED TO THE BARRACKS WITH
O U R S U P P L Y . L O U D A N D LONG WERE T HE CHEERS THAT GREET ED THEM
A N D B U S Y W A S T H E E V E N I NG AS WE DIVIDED E ACH ITEM INTO FOUR
E Q U A L P A R T S . T H E D O Z E N CRACKERS, A HALF -POUND OF DOMI NO
S U G A R , A B A G O F C H O C O L ATE DROPS, POUND O F PRUNES, AND 100
C I G A R E T T E S W E R E E A S Y T O DIVIDE ---- -- WERE REQUIRED TO
P O R T I O N O U T E Q U A L L Y , A POUND OF POWDERED MILK, TWO OU NCES OF
P O W D E R E D C O F F E E , A P O U ND OF BUTTER, INDI VIDUAL POUNDS OF
T U N A F I S H , P O R K L O A F , AND SPAM, CANS OF LIVER PASTE,
S A R D I N E S , A N D A N E I G H T OUNCE PIECE OF CH EESE, PLUS A SMALL
A M O U N T O F J E L L Y . T H E A SSORT MENT OF CONTAINER TH AT TURNED UP
T H A T N I G H T W A S A M A Z I N G ; IMPROVISED PAPER BAGS, TIN CU PS,
B O T T L E S , A N D C I G A R E T T E CASES.
-----------------“ P r i s o n e r o f t h e G e r m a ns” by Chaplain Mark R. Moore
P a g e 2 7 “ L I N E U P F O R B OX ES”
“ W e d r e w b o x e s f r o m t h e warehouse by rooms. Our room sent
o n e m a n f o r e a c h b o x w e were allowed. Thus if we had forty
m e n a n d w e r e a l l o w e d a half box per man only twenty m en went
a f t e r t h e b o x e s . C h a p lain Stonesifer and I drew together. He
w e n t a f t e r t he f i r s t b ox and the next time I went for the
second.”
-------------------- (FR. CAVANAUGH CONT.)
I T W A S A T R I A L O F W I L L POWER TO RESIST E ATING OUR LIV ES
S I C K . I N F A C T S O M E M E N DID GET SICK FROM THE DOSE OF
C O N C E N T R A T E D F O O D S S U D DENLY THRUST UPON HALF -STARVED MEN.
T H E N E X T D I F F I C U L T Y W A S TO KEEP SOME OF THE THINGS FR OM
S P O I L I N G . T H E B U T T E R W AS SPECIALLY TREATE D TO KEEP IN
102
T R O P I C A L C L I M A T E S , H E N CE OFFERED NO DIFF ICULTY IN COL D
H U M M E L B U R G . T H E M E A T A ND FISH SEEMED MOST LIKELY TO SPOIL SO
T H E Y W E R E E AT E N T H E F IRST FEW DA YS.
T H E P L A N O F T H E R E D C R OSS WAS THAT EACH PRISONER OF W AR
R E C E I V E A F U L L B O X E V E RY WEEK. IF AND WH EN IT WAS CAR RIED
O U T ( A S W A S D O N E I N T H E EARLIER YEARS OF THE WAR IN M OST
C A M P S ) T H I S F O O D A L O N E SUPPLIED SUFFICIE NT CALORIES F OR A
M AN L E A D I N G A N I N A C T I V E LIFE. TOGETHER WIT H THE FOOD
P R O V I D E D B Y T H E E N E M Y COUNTRY IT MADE AN ADEQUATE, TH OUGH
M O N A S T I C A N D M O N O T O N O U S DIET.
A T HA M M E L B U R G W E R E C E I VED A QUARTE R OF THE NORMAL SUP P LY
W I T H T H E H I G H E S T P R O B A BILITY THAT MORE T HAN A WEEK WO ULD
E L A P S E B E F O R E A N O T H E R SHIPMENT ARRIVED. HE NCE THE STERN
N E C E S S I T Y O F S P R E A D I N G WHAT WE HAD OVER AS LONG A PER IOD AS
POSSIBLE.
L I T T L E C H I L D R E N W I T H T HEIR TOYS AND TRINK ETS ON THE F LOOR
A R O U N D T H E C H R I S T M A S T REE NEVER WERE FILL ED WITH MORE JOY
T H E N W E E X P E R IE N C E D T H AT DAY. WHAT SIMPLE THINGS CAN GL ADDEN
T H E H E A R T S O F S E R I O U S - MINDED MEN WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN
D E P R I V E D O F T H E C O M F O R TS AND LUXURIES TH EY HAD GROWN TO TAKE
F O R G R A N T E D . N O W O N D E R THAT WHERE A HIGH STANDARD OF LIVING
P R E V A I L S , A D V E R T I S E R S MUST EVER SEE K NEW SUPERLATIVES A ND
P R E F I X A S U P E R T O E V E R Y KNOWN ADJECTIVE IN ORDER TO A TTRACT
P E O P L E T O B U Y T H E I R P R ODUCTS. CERTAINLY GOD’S INTENTI ON IN
S C A T T E R I N G T H E W O R L D W ITH RAW MATERIALS A ND ENDOWING MAN
W I T H T H E G E N I U S T O D E S IGN LOVELY THINGS AND THE PRODU CTIO N
L I N E S O F F W H I C H T H E Y R OLL, NEVER INTENDED THAT HALF THE
W O R L D S H O U L D S T A R V E W H ILE THE OTHER HALF BECAME BORED WITH
H I S -- - .
T H E P O S S E S S I O N O F P R I V ATE PROPERTY MADE ALL EQUALLY W EALTHY,
B U T A L L D I D N O T P L A C E THE SAME VALUE ON EACH ITEM THE Y
P O S S E S S E D . S MO K E R S , F O R INSTANCE, PUT A HIGH APPRECIA T ION ON
C I G A R E T T E S , W H I L E N O N - SMOKERS FOUND NO PER SONAL SATISFACTION
I N T H E M . T H A T M O S T H U M AN OF ALL SOCIAL T RAITS TRAIL I N
M A T E R I A L W E A L T H - V E R Y NATURALLY GREW OUT OF THIS SITUATIO N.
TRADE AND BARTER BEGAN.
“ H O W M AN Y C I G A R E T T E S W ILL Y OU GIVE ME FOR EIGHT SARDI NES?”
“ I ’ L L T R A D E Y O U M Y C R A CKERS FOR YOUR COF FEE.
“ W H O W I L L G I V E M E M E A T FOR POWDERED MILK ?”
“CHEESE FOR PRUNES?”
“ L I V E R F O R C H O C O L A T E D ROPS?”
“TUNA FISH FOR SUGAR?”
S U C H W E R E T H E C A L L S T H AT PRECEDED THE “D EA LS” WHICH
C O N T I N U E D F R O M T H A T N I GHT UNTIL WE WERE BACK ON THE D IET OF
103
W O R M Y S O U P S A G A I N . E X P ERTS IN BARGAINING EVEN WENT SO FAR AS
T O T R A D E O N M A R G I N . W H EN CIGARETTES WERE PLENTIFUL TH EY
T R A D E D S M A L L A M O U N T S O F FOOD FOR LARGE NU MBERS OF
C I G A R E T T E S ; T H E N W H E N THE CIGARETTES IN CREASED IN VAL UE
B E C A U S E O F S C A R C I T Y , A FEW CIGARETTES WER E TRADED FOR BIGGER
Q U A N T I T I E S O F F O O D . T H E BASIC LAW OF SUP PLY AND DEMAN D
G O V E R N E D T H E T R A D I N G V ALUE OF ALL ARTICLE S AND STRANG ELY
E N O U G H C I G A R E T T E S B E C A ME THE NORM TO WHI CH OTH ER THINGS WERE
P R E F E R R E D A S T O M O N E T A RY STANDARD.
N E C E S S I T Y I S T H E M O T H E R OF INVENTION. NE CESSITY FOR S TOVES
A M O N G P R I S O N E R O F W A R MOTHERED A GENERAT ION OF IDENTI CAL
C H I L D R E N . I D O U B T T H A T THERE WAS AN OFLA G OR STALAG O R DULAG
T H R O U G H O U T G E R M A N Y W H E RE LIT TLE STOVES MADE OF T IN CA NS WERE
N O T A H O U S E H O L D A P P L I A NCE. “HERKY FERKIE S,’ “SMOKEY J OES”,
K R I E G I E K O O D E R S ” , O R W HATEVER THEY WERE B RANDED, WERE
C O N S T R U C T E D B Y P R I S O N E RS OF WAR EVERYWHE RE. SOME STOV ES WERE
C R U D E , S O M E W E R E F A N C Y , BUT THE PRINCIPL E OF OPER ATIO N WAS
T H E S A M E A N D U N R E S T R I C TED BY PATENT.
I N S I M P L E F O R M T W O T I N CANS WERE FASTENE D ONE ON TOP OF THE
O T H E R . T H E T O P C A N H A D HOLES PUNCHED IN THE BOTTOM OR THE
B O T T O M W A S R E P L A C E D B Y A WIRE GRATING. T HE LOWER CAN HAD AN
O P E N I N G I N T H E S I D E W H ICH FURN ISHED THE DRAFT AND ALLOWED
T H E A S H E S T O B E E M P T I E D. THE TOP CAN WAS THE FUEL BUR NER.
O V E R T H E S T O V E W A S P L A CED THE POT (USUAL LY A THIRD CA N) IN
W H I C H W A T E R W A S B O I L E D AND THE FOODS COO KED. THE BEST FUEL
W A S W O O D- S H A V I N G S , C A RDBOARD OR NEWSPAPER WOULD D O.
W I T H T H E S E V E R Y E F F I C I ENT FURNACES A PIN T OF WATER CO ULD BE
B O I L E D W I T H A C U B I C I N CH OF WOOD SLIVERS OR A COUPLE OF
P A G E S O F N E W S P R I N T . T H E MAIN DRAWBACK WA S THAT THE SM OKED
B A D L Y , B U T T H A T W A S N E GLIGIBLE IN KRIEGS VILLE.
O U R S E R B I A N F R I E N D S H A D AN AMPLE SUPPLY OF SMOKEY JOE S, SOME
O F T H E M C A S T-O F F S O F O THER YEARS, OTHERS RECENTLY
C O N S T R U C T E D W I T H T E N D E R CARE FOR THEIR A MERICAN FRIEN DS.
W I T H T H E A D V E N T O F F O O D PARCELS, THE STO VES MULTIPLIE D
T H R O U G H O U T T H E D A M P . T HE VALUE OF WOOD AN D PAPER
SKYROCKETED.
E VEN I N G S B E C A M E T H E P O PULAR TIMES FOR SMOK E AND THE USE OF
T H E K O O K E R S . A T F I R S T W E HAD FOUR OF FIVE STOVES IN BA RRACKS
1 1- 7, B U T A S T I M E W E N T ON THE NUMBER GREW T O FIFTEEN OR
T W E N T Y . W I T H A D O Z E N O F THESE GOING SIMUL TANEOUSLY TH E ROOM
B E C A M E F I L L E D W I T H S M O KE AND SET US ALL TO COUGHING.
I N T I M E T H E W A L L S , T H E BEDS, THE TABLES AND CHAIRS, O UR
C L O T H E S , E V E N O U R H A N D S AND FACES BECAME BLACK WITH S OOT,
B U T W E E N J O Y E D I T , F O R MANY A DELICIOUS MORSEL WAS HA PPILY
P R E P A R E D O N T H E S E W O N D ERFUL LITTLE FURNA CES.
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H O T C OFF E E , H O T M I L K , HOT SOUP WERE THE STAPLE S OF THE
E V E N I N G B I L L-O F - F A R E . TOASTED CHEESE SANDWICHES, MEAT LOA F,
S T E W E D P R U N E S , K R I E G I E CANDY AND KRIEGIE PUDDING WERE COMMON
ENOUGH.
T H E I N G R E D I E N T S O F K R I EGIE CANDY WERE SU GAR, BUTTER,
P O W D E R E D M I L K , C H O P P E D P RUNES AND A BIT OF C HOCOLATE. IT
C O U L D E V E N B E M A D E W I T HOUT ANY HEATING B Y BEATING THE
M I X T U R E L O N G E N O U G H , B UT IT WAS EXTRAVAGA NT AS A DELI CACY.
K R I E G I E P U D D I N G W A S M A DE WITH VARIED REC IPES. HERE IS LT.
ROBERT FRASH’S:
O N E R A T I O N O F B R E A D ( N O RMALLY AN EIGH TH OF A LOAF)
GRATED.
2 SPOONS OF COCOA
2 S P O O N S O F P O W D E R E D M ILK
2 LUMPS OF SUGAR
1 SPOON OF JAM
R A I S I N S A N D / O R P R U N E S , CHOPPED AND STEWE D
M I X T O G E T H E R A N D L E T H ARDEN.
S O M E T I M E S A F R O S T I N G W AS MADE WITH POWDER ED MILK AND SUGAR.
---------W A S K R I E G I E I CE - C R E A M . TO A LARGE BO WL OF PACKED SNOW WA S
A D D E D A D A B O F B U T T E R , A LUMP OF SUGAR, AND A BIT OF JELLY.
T H E L O N G E R T H E M I X T U R E WAS WHIPPED THE C REAMIER IT GO T. THEN
O U T O N T H E W I N D O W S I L L THE BOWL WAS PLAC ED TILL THE F ROTH
C O N G E A L E D I N T O A S A V O R Y ICE -CREAM .
T O S P E N D H O U R S P R E P A R I NG A LITTLE SNACK, WHICH WAS EA TEN IN
L E S S T H A N F I V E M I N U T E S , WAS AMUSING, SAT ISFYING, AND VASTLY
C O N T R I B U T O R Y T O T H A T W ILL0O -THE WISP, KRIEGIE MO RALE.
M A N Y H A N D Y S M O K E Y J O E S OCCASIONED ANOTHE R ODD CUSTOM.
W H E N E V E R A T H I C K S O U P WA S SERVED US BY THE G ERMANS,
E S P E C I A L L Y O N A T H U R S D AY OR A SUNDAY WHEN ONLY ONE MEAL CAME
U P F R O M T H E K I T C H E N , S OME OF THE LIQUID W AS “STASHED” , THAT
I S , S E T A S I D E F O R A L A TER HOUR. ANY OLD CAN WOULD DO FOR THE
C O N T A I N E R . A S W E S A T A T TABLE, IT FREQUEN TLY W AS ONE
S P O O N F U L I N T O T H E M O U T H, THE NEXT INTO T HE CAN. THE S ELF C O N T R O L I N H O L D I N G B A C K AT NOON WAS REWA RDED IN THE E VENING
W H E N T H E S T O V E S W E R E B LAZING AGAIN. THEN HOURS COULD BE
S P E N T I N H E A T I N G T H E S OUP OR USING IT WAS AN INGREDIENT FOR
S O M E O T H E R C O N C O C T I O N . LT. OZZIE BRO THMAN OF CHICAGO USE D TO
S A V E T H E L U M P S O F P O T A TOES AND IN THE EV ENING HAVE GE RMAN
F R I E S . L T . D O N A L D P R E L L STASHED THE MEAT AND MADE A
M I N I A T U R E H A M B U R G E R . S TASHING GREW IN POP ULARITY TIL IT
B E C A M E U N I V E R S A L . O N E DAY LT. GARNETT PR IOR O F HUNTIN GBURG,
I N D . A S K E D L T . N O R M A N SMOLKA OF NEW YORK , “WHAT IS YO UR WIFE
G O I N G T O S A Y W H E N Y O U GET HOME AND BRING AN OLD TIN C AN TO
T A B L E T O S T A S H S O M E O F HER COOKING?”
105
S T A S H I N G W A S A M E A N S O F STRETCHING THE FO OD SUPPLY. P ROWLING
W A S A M E T H O D O F I N C R E A SING IT. THE CATS AN D CHICKENS WHICH
S L I P P E D U N D E R T H E B A R B ED WIRE WERE KRIEG IE PREY. ONCE THE
G E R M A N S B R O U G H T I N T H R EE CATS TO COMBAT THE RATS AROU ND THE
K I T C H E N . L T S . D O N A L D D UNKELBEGGER OF VAIL , IOWA, AND JOHN
M I X O F A L M A , M I C H I G A N , CAUGHT ONE AFTER DAR K. THEY SKINNED
A N D C L E A N E D I T U N D E R T HE OUTSIDE WATER TA P, THEN SPEN T THREE
F R E E Z I N G H O U R S I N T H E BATHHOUSE MAKING A DELICIOUS WH ITE
M E A T S T E W . L T . D U N K E L B ERGER WILL ALWAYS CONTEND THAT A LARGE
T O M-CA T P R O P E R L Y B O I L ED IN SMALL PIECES IN A “KLIM” T IN OVER
A F I R E M A D E O F “ K R A U T ” SHOWER ROOM BOARD S IS A DISH
U N E Q U A L E D - F O R A K R I EGIE.
N O W T H A T W E H A D F O O D O F OUR OWN AND ESPEC IALLY COFFEE OUR
C O N T A C T S W I T H O U R S E R B IAN FRIENDS ACROSS THE WIRE BEC AME
E V E N M O R E C O R D I A L ( I F SUCH WERE POSSIBLE ) WHEN WE FIR ST
A R R I VED A T H E M M E L B U R G GUA RDS WOULD FREQUENTLY PATROL THE
I N N E R F E N C E S A N D B R E A K UP OUR SOCIAL VIS ITS. GRADUALL Y THE
P A T R O L S W E R E D E T A I L E D TO OTHER DUTIES AN D WE WERE UNM OLESTED
W I T H T H E D A N G E R O F D E T ECTION RELAXED, PR OLONGED ONVER SATIONS
A T T H E F E N C E W E R E R E P L ACED BY CLIMBING OVER THE FENCE AND
V I S I T I N G O U R F R I E N D S I N THEIR BARRACKS. A SERB WOULD BRING A
Y U G O S L A V H A T A N D C O A T WHICH HIS AMERICAN FRIEND PUT O N AFTER
J U M P I N G T H E W I R E . T H E N DOWN THE STREETS OF THE SERBIA N
C O M P O U N D T H E Y W O U L D W A LK TOGETHER, EVEN PAST THE GERM AN
GUARDS.
M Y F I R S T V I S I T T O T H E SERBIAN COMPOUND W AS AT THE INV ITATION
O F C O L . K O S T I C . C O L M A TTHEWS, FATHER MAD DEN AND I WER E HIS
G U E S T S . A T E I G H T O ’ C L O CK WHEN OUR STUDY CLUB WAS OVER WE MET
O U R H O S T A T T H E W I R E A WAY FROM THE LINE O F SIGHT OF T H E
W A T C H- TO W E R S . W I T H G R EAT C AUTION WE SCALED THE EIGHT FEET OF
B A R B E D W I R E I N T H E D A R KNESS, SLIPPED INT O SERBIAN HAT S AND
C O A T S A N D W A L K E D B O L D L Y TWO BY TWO TO TH E BLACKED OUT
B A R R A C K S . A T T H E D O O R WE WERE GREETED BY A SERB SENTI NEL AND
I D E N T I F I E D B Y C O L . K O S TIC. WHEN WE CAME INTO THE DIM LIGHT
O F T H E I N N E R R O O M , T H E COURTLY GENTLEMEN WITHIN ROSE FROM
T H E I R C H A I R S , B O W E D , S ALUTED, AND SHOOK H ANDS WITH US NO
D I P L O M A T I C T E A W A S E V E R MORE CEREMONIOUS . THE COLONEL SHOWED
U S T O A S E C L U D E D T A B L E WHICH HAD BEEN CO VERED WITH A
B E A U T I F U L B L A N K E T . W E SAT AROUND THE TAB LE TO CHAR. I N THE
S O F T L I G H T W E S A W C O L . KOSTIC AT HIS BES T. HIS STEEL GRAY
H A I R W A S F R E S H L Y C U T A ND GROOMED, HIS RUD DY FACE SHAV ED AND
P O W D E R E D . H E W O R E A F U LL DRESS SUEDE MIL ITARY JACKET WITH RE
P I P I NG B U T T O N E D U P T O THE NECK;’ HE WAS A PICT URE OF BALKAN
E L E G A N C E A N D G R A C I O U S N ESS WITH HIS BROAD SMILE AND HE ARTY
L A U G H . I M M E D I A T E L Y H E SERVED TINY TIN CU PS OF COFFEE AND
C I G A R E T T E S . F O R T H E F I RST TIME WE MET TH E COLONEL’S F RIEND,
C A P T A I N M I L A N P A N T I C H OF B ELGRADE, A YOUNG MAN OF 34 YEARS
106
W H O S P O K E E N G L I S H W E L L . AN ORCHESTRA CON SISTING OF TW O
B A N J O E S A N D A N A C C O R D I ON ENTERTAINED US WITH MUSIC AN D
S O N G S ; S O N G S O F T H E H O MELAND ON THE ADRI ATIC, SPANISH ,
I T A L I A N A N D A M E R I C A N S ONGS; SONGS WITH A MELANCHOLY
N O S T A LGI A F O R T H E B R I GHTER DAYS OF LOVE AND LIF E AND
L A U G H T E R A N D P E A C E . P O OR PANTICH WEPT. N OR COULD WE H OLD
B A C K T H E T E A R S . A N O T H E R ROUND OF COFFEE WAS SERVED AN D THE
MUSIC CEASED.
A F E W N I G H T S L A T E R C O L . MATTHEWS ENTERTA INED THE SAME CROWD
I N H I S B A R R A C K S . W E M E T KOSTIC AND PAN TICH AT THE FENCE,
H E L P E D T H E M O V E R B A R B E D WIRE, DRESSED TH EM IN AMERICA N FIELD
C O A T S A N D S T O C K I N G C A P S AND MERRILY LAUG HED AS WE PAS SED A
G E R M A N G U A R D I N T H E S N OW -COVERED STREET.
C O L . M A T T H E W S S E R V E D D AINTY, SANDWICHES, COFFEE, AND
C IGA R E T T E S . W E D I S C U S S ED BALKAN AND AMERIC AN FOODSTUFFS AND
F A M I L Y C U S T O M S , T A L K E D ABOUT THE WAR AND ALL THE LATE ST
RUMORS.
F A T H E R M A D D E N A F E W D A YS LATER HELD A SI MILAR PARTY; PANTICH
R E C I P R O C A T E D . T H E N I T WAS MY TURN. THUS ALL THROUGH T HE
P R I S O N E V E R Y N I G H T T H ERE WERE LITTLE VISITS GOING ON WITH AS
M A N Y S E R B S O N O U R S I D E OF THE WIRE AS AM ERICANS ON TH EIRS.
C A P T . J O H N M A D D E N ’ S F R IEND, CAPT. ANDRE, INVITED JOHN AND
M Y S E L F T O A P A R T Y T O M EET THE SERBIAN ORT HODOX PRIEST . THE
P R I E S T W A S A S M A L L T H I N MAN, ASCETI C LOOKING WITH HIS
T R I M M E D B L A C K B E A R D A N D DEEP PIERCING EY ES. WE HAD NO COMMON
I D I O M T O C O N V E R S E I N , BUT ANDRE DID THE INTERPRETING AND WE
G O T A L O N G S P L E N D I D L Y . ANDRE’S BARRACKS W AS BRIGHTLY L IGHTED.
O V E R C L E A N T A B L E S T H R O UGHOUT THE ROOM GE NERALS AND CO LO NELS
B U S I L Y S T U D I E D M A P S A N D CHARTS OF THE FR ONTS. A MESSE NGER
A R R I V E D W I T H A H A N D W R ITTEN COPY OF THE DAY‘S BULLETI N FROM
T H E O B E R K O M M A N D W E H R M A CHT. SOME MINUTES OF QUIET STUD Y
F O L L O W E D , T H E M I L I T A R Y STRATEGISTS SMILE . THE WESTERN AND
E A S T E R N F R O N T S W E R E P U SHING HARD ON THE GERMANS. IF Y OU WERE
T O R E A D T H E C O M M U N I Q U É OF A SINGLE DAY, THE POSITION OF THE
A L L I E S L O C K E D B A D B E C A USE EACH BULLETIN WAS PROPAGAND IZED TO
S E R V E T H E G E R M A N H O P E S , BUT BY STUDYING THE BULLETINS FROM
D A Y T O D A Y A N D M A R K I N G THE LOCI OF THE REPORTED ACTIO NS ON A
M A P , T H E V I C T O R I E S T H A T WERE MAKING HEAD LINES IN ALLI ED
NEWSPAPERS SHOWED UP.
E A C H D A Y T H E G O O D T I D I NGS WERE SPREAD FR OM ROOM TO RO OM
T H R O U G H T H E S E R B I A N C A MP AND RELAYED BY THE GRAPEVINE OVER
I N T O O U R S . D U R I N G F E B R UARY AND MARC H WE LEARNED IN TH IS WAY
O F T H E R U S S I A N D R I V E T O THE ODER, THE FIR ST CROSSING OF THE
R H I N E , A N D T H E E S T A B L I SHMENT OF BRIDGEHE ADS ALL ALONG THE
VALLEY.
107
T H I S N E W S T O G E T H E R W I T H THE AIR - RAIDS OF WHICH WE WE RE
I N F O R M E D B Y T H E C A M P S IRENS ALMOST DAILY IN THE FINE FLYING
W E A T H E R O F F E B R U A R Y A N D MARCH RAISED OUR HOPES FOR A SPEEDY
T E R M I N A T I O N O F O U R I M P RISONMENT. BETTING POOLS WERE S TARTED
O N T H E D A T E O F O U R L I B ERATION, THERE WER E DATES RANGI NG FROM
T H E E N D O F F E B R U A R Y T O CHRISTMAS, 1945, AS EACH MAN I N ---D I CTA T E T H E D A T E O F H IS CHOICE.
W H E N T H E C I T I E S O F S C H WEINFURT , WURZBURG AND FRANKFUR T ON
T H E M A I N W E R E B O M B E D W E COULD SEE THE RAI DS. ON A CLE AR COLD
D A Y T H E S Q U A D R O N S O F T E N CIRCLED NEAR HAM MELBURG LEAVI NG THE
S K Y M A R K E D W I T H V A P O R TRAILS AS FLIGHT A FTER FL IGHT MOVED IN
O V E R T H E T A R G E T S . S O M E TIMES THESE RAIDS LASTED WELL I NTO THE
A F T E R N O O N A N D W E G O T H UNGRIER AND HUNGRIE R WAITING FO R THE
A L L C L E A R S I G N A L S O T H AT OUR CHOW COULD BE BROUGHT UP FROM
T H E K I T C H E N . N E V E R O N C E HOWEVER DID A RA ID TAKE PLACE IN THE
L ATE A F T E R N O O N A N D C A U SE US TO POSTPONE OR CANCEL OUR DAILY
MASS AT FOUR O’CLOCK.
B R A V E A T T E M P T S W E R E M A DE TO ORGANIZE SMA LL GROUPS FOR
E D U C A T I O N A L A N D M O R A L E PURPOSES. A GROUP OF ABOUT TEN OF US,
F O R I N S T A N C E , G O T T O G E THER TO LEARN FREN CH BY THE DIR ECT
M E THO D F R O M A F R E N C H OF FICER, WHO WA A FELL OW PRISONER. WE
M E T D A I L Y F O R T E N D A Y S AND LEARNED A FEW EXPRESSIONS AND
W O R D S , B U T T H E C L A S S B ECAME SOMETHING OF A DRUDGERY A ND DIED
A N A T U R A L D E A T H . O N E G ROUP I KNOW OF FORM ED AN “OFLAG XIII B
T O A S T M A S T E R S ’ C L U B ” A N D UNDER THE LEADERS HIP OF LT. R OBERT
K I N G O F L O S A N G E L E S P R ACTICED PUBLIC SPE AKING. MEETIN G TWICE
A W E E K T H E Y T O O K T U R N S GIVING IMPROMPTU AND PREPARED TALKS;
A N D D E R I V E D S O M E P R O F I T FROM THE FRIENDL Y CRITICISM A ND
O P P O R T U N I T Y T O E X P R E S S THEMSELVES.
S O P ASS E D T H E D A Y S O F FEB RUARY AND EARLY MARC H. FOR M E AND
F O R M O S T O F T H E K R I E G I ES THE EMPTINESS O F WAITING FOR THE
N E X T M E A L W A S F I L L E D W ITH ACTIVITY AND TI ME WAS ROLLI NG
RAPIDLY.
“ W E L L , A N O T H E R W E E K G O NE BY,” CAPTAIN JO HN MADDEN WOU LD
R E M I N D M E E V E R Y S A T U R DAY NIGHT AS WE WENT TO BED.
108
CHAPTER SEVEN
S A I N T JOSEPH ANSWERS A PRAYER
W A S H I N G T O N ’ S B I R T H D A Y , FEBRUARY 22ND, WE RECEIVED ANO THER
I S S U E O F R E D C R O S S P A R CELS, AGAIN ONE PA CKAGE FOR FOU R MEN.
A B O U T T H E S A M E T I M E W E HAD A CLOTHING IS SUE. WE ALL WANTED
S O C K S A N D U N D E R W E A R , B UT NOT TOO MANY REC EIVED THEM.
H O W E V E R , E V E R Y B O D Y T O O K THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE
C L O T H I N G W A R E H O U S E A T THE FAR END OF THE SERBIAN COMP OUND.
W E W E R E T A K E N T H E R E U N DER GUARD IN GROUP S OF ABOUT FO RTY.
S E R B I A N O F F I C E R S W O R K E D IN THE STOCK ROOM WHERE ASSOR TED
C L O T H I N G F R O M A N Y N A T I ONS WAS NEATLY PIL ED ON SHELVES . EACH
M A N F I L L E D O U T A C A R D WITH THE ITEMS HE NEEDED AND IN HIS
T U R N H A D M O S T O F T H E M SCRATCHED. ONLY ON E OR TWO ITEM S WERE
G I V E N E A C H M A N . S O M E G OT SOCKS OR PIECES OF FLA NNEL TO BE
W R A P P E D A R O U N D T H E F E E T IN PLACE OF SOCK S. THERE WERE A FEW
S H I R T S , T R O U S E R S , J A C K ETS, AND A LITTLE UNDER WEAR. I
R E C E I V E D T H E Q U E E R E S T LOOKING FUZZY PANT S TO BE USED AS
U N D E R- GA R M E N T . T H E R E WERE STRINGS TO TIE THE E NDS AROUND THE
A N K L E S . T H E S E I S O O N R IPPED OFF.
W H I L E W A I T I N G I N A S O R T OF ANTI - ROOM AT THE WAREHOUS E A
L A R G E B O X O F C O A L W A S DISCOVERED NEAR TH E STOVE. IT W AS EASY
T O S L I P T W O B R I Q U E T T E S OF COAL INTO THE OVERCOAT POCK ETS;
T H U S W E P R O V I D E D O U R S E LVES WITH A LITTLE MORE HEAT AG AINST
T HE B I T T E R C O L D .
F E B R U A R Y R A N O U T L E A V I NG US WITH LITTLE OR NO FOOD OF OUR
O W N . F U R T H E R M O R E T H E C HOW SERVED BY THE J ERRIES WAS G ETTING
T H I N N E R A N D M O R E B I T T E R. THE THINNING OU T OF THE SOUP S WAS
A C C O U N T E D F O R B Y T H E F ACT THAT THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS IN THE
C A M P W A S M O U N T I N G A L M O ST DAILY. SOME WERE BEING MOVED IN
F R O M O T H E R C A M P S ; O T H E RS WERE FRESH FROM THE FRONT LI NES AND
H A D N E W S F O R U S A B O U T THE ALLIED DRIVES ON THE WESTER N
FRONT.
A N O F F I C E R S A I D T O M E , “YOU BETTER START PRAYING HARD ER FOR
F O O D , F A T H E R . W E ’ R E R EALLY HURTING.” IT WAS THE FIRST DAY OF
M A R C H , T H E M O N T H O F S T . JOSEPH, AND THE GREAT PROVIDE R OF
T E M P O R A L N E C E S S I T I E S . FATHER MADDEN AND I HURRIEDLY
T R A N S L A T E D F R O M T H E B R EVIARY THE LITANY OF ST. JOSEPH AND WE
A D D E D I T T O T H E P R A Y E R S OF THE NOVENA OF THE MIRACULO US
M E D A L W I T H T H E S P E C I F I C INTENTION THAT S T. JOSEPH SUP PLY US
WITH FOOD.
T H E N E X T D A Y T H E S O U P WAS THICKER AND SU BSTANTIAL, BU T IT
W A S Q U I T E A B L O W T O H A VE IT ANNOUNCED TH AT THE GERMAN S WERE
C U T T I N G O U R B R E A D R A T I ON: ON ONE DAY A W EEK WE WO ULD
109
H E N C E F O R T H R E C E I V E N O BREAD AT ALL. THE BOMBING OF TH E
B A K E R I E S W A S G I V E N A S THE REASON FOR THI S. THERE WOUL D ALSO
B E A N O T H E R C U T I N T H E AMOUNT OF VEGETABL ES SUPPLIED T HE
K I T C H E N . M O R A L E S A N K T O A NEW LOW. ON S UNDAY MARCH 4T H
F A T H E R M A D D E N R E M I N D E D THE MEN AGAIN OF THE SEA SON OF LENT
A N D U R G E D T H E M T O P A T I ENCE AND HUMBLE AC CEPTANCE OF T HE
PENANCE IMPOSED ON US.
W E C O N T I N U E D T O S A Y T H E LITANY OF ST. JO SEPH DAILY AN D ON
M A R C H 6 T H H A D O U R F I R S T “BREADLESS TUESDAY”. TWO DAYS LA TER
F A T H E R A L A N M A D D E N A N D CH APLAIN MANNES WERE T RANSFERR ED, ON
A H A L F- H O U R N O T I C E , T O STAL AG XIII C, THE AMERI CAN ENLISTED
M E N ’ S P R I S O N A M I L E A W AY FROM THE OFLAG. IT WAS THE A NSWER
T O S E V E R A L R E Q U E S T S T H E CHAPLAINS HAD MA DE THAT WE BE
P E R M I T T E D T O T A K E C A R E OF OUR COMRADES I N THE OT HER C AMP.
T H E T W O S U N D A Y S P R E V I OUS, FAT HER MADDEN ONE SUNDAY AN D I THE
N E X T , W E R E G R A N T E D P E R MISSION TO GO THER E TO SAY MASS FOR
THE CATHOLIC MEN.
O U R G I ’ S W E R E L O D G E D I N WHAT HAD ONCE BEE N CAVALRY ST ABLES.
T H E B U I L D I N G S W E R E C L E AN BUT THE BUNKS I N TIERS OF FO UR BEDS
C R O W D E D T H E S P A C E U N M E RCIFULLY. IN FACT WHEN IT CAME TO
S A Y I N G M A S S A S M A L L T A BLE AT ONE END OF THE STABLE AN D
M A S S E D H U M A N I T Y S T A N D I NG DOWN THE LONG N ARROW AISLE O R
S I T T I N G O N B U N K S W A S T HE CHURCH SETTING W E HAD TO TOL ERATE.
T H E R E W A S N O T I M E T O HEAR CONFESSION S, SO GENERAL ABS OLU TION
H A D T O S U F F I C E . B E F O R E AND AFTER MASS I WAS BESIEGED WITH
M E N A S K I N G I F T H E I R O F FICERS WERE IN THE OFLAG. TO MA NY I
C O U L D G I V E A N D A F F I R M A TIVE ANSWER, BUT M ANY MORE COUL D ONLY
B E A N S W E R E D W I T H A N , “ I DON’T KNOW. ” IT SURELY WAS
G R A T I F Y I N G T O S E E T H E S E MEN SOLICITOUS F OR THEIR COMP ANY
C O M M A N D E R S A N D P L A T O O N LEADERS. MAINLY O FFICERS TOO A SKED US
T O T R Y T O L O C A T E T H E I R SERGEANTS, CORPOR ALS, AND PRIV ATES
A M O N G T H E E N L I S T E D M E N . HAD THE CHAPLAIN S BEEN ALLOWE D TO GO
B A CK A N D F O R T H T O T H E S TALAG MUCH COULD HAV E BEEN DONE TO
B O L S T E R T H E M O R A L E O F OFFICERS AND MEN, BUT THE UPLIF TING OF
S P I R I T S W A S N O T I N T H E WEHRMACHT’S PLAN FOR THE HANDL ING OF
PRISONERS OF WAR.
T H E G U A R D W H O A C C O M P A N IED ME HURRIED ME AWAY AND TOOK A
S H O R T CU T H O M E . B U T T HE SH ORT WAY WAS THE HARD WAY, FOR IT
L E D O V E R A H I L L . T H A T CLIMB WAS EXHAUSTI NG AND I HAD TO STOP
T O R E S T A C O U P L E O F T I MES. ONCE AS I WAS SITTING ON T HE
R O A D S I D E A F O U R - W H E E L ED PUSHCART PAS SED WITH THE CHOW FO R
T H E S T A L A G , P O T S O F S O UP, T UBS OF POTATOES AND LOAVES OF
B R E A D . A S T H E G I ’ S W E R E TRYING TO KEEP T HE WAGON FROM
R O L L I N G O U T O F C O N T R O L ON THE HILL IT SW ERVED, HURLIN G FOUR
O F F I V E S M A L L P O T A T O E S OFF TO THE SIDE O F THE ROAD. I PICKED
T H E M U P A N D A T E T H E M . THIS IS THE DEPTH OF HUMILIAT ION, I
110
T H O U G H T , A P R I E S T E A T I NG HALF - ROTTEN POTATOES OUT OF THE
G U T T E R . B U T T H E Y S U P P L IED THE ENERGY TO GET ME BACK T O
1 1- 7. I S T A Y E D I N M Y BU NK FOR THE REST OF T HE DAY.
A F T E R M O V I N G T O T H E S T ALAG FATHER MADDEN AND CHAPLAIN MANNES
L O D G E D I N T H E D I S P E N S A RY WITH THE AMERICAN DOCTORS AND A
S E R B I A N O R T H O D O X P R I E S T. FOR THE NEXT MO NTH THEY DID MUCH TO
H E L P T H E E N L I S T E D M E N BY WAY OF ADMINIST RATION OF THE
S A C R A M E N T S , P E R S O N A L C ONTACTS, AND THEIR PHYSICAL PRE SENCE.
F A T H E R M A D D E N A N D I S E NT NOTES TO ONE AN OTHER O NCE OR TWICE
B Y A D E V I O U S U N D E R G R O U ND POSTAL SERVICE, BUT WE DID N OT MEET
A G A I N U N T I L W E S P E N T A FEW DAYS TOGETHER AT THE CAPUC HIN
F R I A R Y I N P I T T S B U R G H A FTER THE WAR WAS OV ER.
T H E D A Y F A T H E R A L A N M A DDEN LEFT FOR STAL AG XIII C A S HIPMENT
O F R E D C R O S S P A R C E L S A RRIVED FOR THE A MERICANS. IT WAS A
G E N E R O U S A L L O T M E N T O F BOXES. WE WERE ISS UED THEN THE
F O L L O W I N G D A Y - A B O X FOR TWO MEN. C APTAIN JOHN MADDE N A ND I
P A I R E D F O R A B O X . A T M ASS THAT AFTERNOON WE SAID THE LITANY
O F S T . J O S E P H W I T H A N EW INTENTION: THANK SG IVING FOR WHAT HE
H A D S E N T U S . N O R D I D W E FORGET TO EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION
B Y P R A Y I N G F O R A L L T H O SE WHO HAD ANY PAR T IN THE WORK OF THE
A M E R I C A N R E D C R O S S B Y HANDLING THESE BOX ES OR BY
C O N T R I B U T I N G F U N D S T O AID THAT SPLENDID ORGANIZATION OF
M E R C Y . W H E N WE W E R E E N JOYING THE CONTENTS OF THE BOXE S WE
O F T E N S P O K E O F T H E R E D CROSS AND ITS WOR K AND IN OUR HEARTS
H O P E D T H A T T H E D A Y W O U LD SOON COME WHEN WE WOULD BE A BLE TO
D O O U R S H A R E O F C H A R I T Y TOWARDS HELPING PEOPLE IN
MISFORTUNE.
O N M A R C H 9 T H A C O N T I N G ENT OF FIVE HUNDRED AMERICA N OF FICERS
A R R I V E D A T H A M M E L B U R G UNDER THE SENIOR O FFICER, COLON EL PAUL
D . G O O D E . * T H I S G R O U P HAD BEEN IMPRISONE D IN OFLAG 64 AT
S Z U B I N I N P O L A N D . E A R L Y IN JANUARY THEY WERE MA RCHED THROUGH
S N O W A N D C O L D A N D R A I N FIRST UP TO THE B ALTIC SEA, THEN DOWN
P A S T BE R L I N T O N U R E M B ERG . THEN BY TRAIN TO H AMMELBURG . ONE
O U R O F E V E R Y T H R E E M E N WHO BEGAN THE MAR CH DROPPED OU T ALONG
T H E W A Y F R O M S I C K N E S S , EXHAUSTION OR STA RVATION.
* SEE APPENDIX:
C O L . PAUL D. GOODE
A T L A NTA JOURNAL CONS TITU TION ARTICLE S
T H E Y H A D H A D T W O P R I E S TS WITH THEM AT SZUBIN : FATHER STANLEY
C . B R A C H ( * ) O F T H E D I OCESE OF NEWARK WH OM THEY LEFT BEHIND
I N O F L A G 6 4 W I T H T H O S E UNFIT TO TRAVEL, AND FATHER JO HN J.
111
G L E N N A N O F T H E C O N G R E G ATION OF THE MOST HOLY REDEEMER WHO
F E L L O U T O N T H E R O A D F ROM SICKNESS. THE O FFICER WHO C AME TO
H A M M E L B U R G I N T H I S G R O UP NEVER TIRED OF TELLING ME AB OUT THE
W O N D E R F U L W O R K T H A T T H ESE TWO PRIEST PRI SONERS DID FO R THE
K R I E G I E S W I T H T H E M . M O RE THAN ONCE DURIN G THEIR MARCH THE
R U S S I A N L I N E S M O V E D S O CLOSE TO THEM T HEY WERE IN IMMINENT
D A N G E R F R O M S O V I E T G U N S, SO IMMINENT IN FACT THAT THE GERMAN
G U A R D S H A D F L E D . A M O N G THOSE WHO ARRIVED IN THIS COMP ANY
W E R E M A N Y O F F I C E R S O F THE 422ND REGIMENT WHO HAD BEEN
C A P T U R E D W I T H U S I N T H E BULGE. WE HAD BE EN TOGETHER AT
G E R O L S T E I N B U T S E P A R A T ED WHEN THE TRAINS WE BOARDED S ET OUT
F O R D I F F E R E N T D E S T I N A T IONS. THOSE WHO SU RVIVED THE LO NG
M A R C H W E R E I N F I N E P H Y SICAL CONDITION. I N RECENT WEEK S THEY
H A D F A R E D W E L L E N O U G H AND THE LONG MARCH ES IN THE WIN TER
C L I M A T E T O UG H E N E D T H E M.
C O L O N E L P A U L D . G O O D E (*) WAS A SOLDIER FROM HELMET T O BOOT T I P S R U G G E D , H U S K Y , A N D BRONZED BY THE W IND, HE PRESE NTED A
F R O N T T H A T W A S D Y N A M I C . HE HAD TAUGHT AT WEST POINT A ND AT
T H E T I M E O F T H E N O R M A N DY INVASION WAS RE GIMENTAL COMM ANDER
O F THE 1 7 5 T H R E G I M E N T OF THE 39TH INFANTRY DI VISION. HE WAS
C A P T U R E D I N F R A N C E S H O RTLY AFTER THE LAN DING IN JUNE 1944.
I M P E R A T I V E I N H I S D E M A NDS FOR DISCIPLINE AND ORDER IN HIS
R A N K S , H E W A S M O R E D E M ANDING OF THE WEHR MACHT THAT HI S MEN
B E T R E A T E D A S H U M A N B E IN GS, AS SOLDIERS AND AS GENTLE MEN.
U N D E R N E A T H H I S R O U G H E XTERIOR HE HAD THE HEART OF A F ATHER
F O R E V E R Y M A N I N H I S C OMMAND. HE LIVED AN D THOUGHT, N OT IN
T E R M S O F H I S O W N P E R S O NAL SAFETY, BUT IN TERMS OF HIS
R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y F O R T H E HEALTH, MORALE, A ND WELL - BE ING OF HIS
C O M R A D E S W I T H O U T A R M S . FOR THESE QUALITI ES HE WAS RES PECTED,
A P P R E C I A T E D , A N D H O N O R ED BY HIS MEN. WIT H THESE QUALI TIES HE
C O M P E L L E D R E S P E C T A N D RECEIVED BETTER TR EATMENT FOR U S FROM
T H E G E R M A N S . H I S A R R I V AL AT HAMMELBURG CHANGED THE CO NDITIO N
O F TH E C A M P . M E N W H O S E SPIRITS HAD DROOPED, AND THEIR
S H O U L D E R S W I T H T H E M , S TRAIGHTENED UP AND LOOKED AT LI FE WITH
N E W H O P E . M E N W H O H A D LOST TO A DEGRADE THEIR SELF -RESPECT
I N T H E U N N A T U R A L E N V I R ONMENT OF PRISON L IFE CLEANED T HEIR
C L O T H E S , S H I N E D T H E I R SHOE S, SHAVED THEIR BEAR DS, AND LOOKED
T H E S O L D I E R S T H A T T H E Y WERE.
SEE APPENDIX:
C O L . GOODE
F A T H ER BRACH
A T L A NTA JOURNAL CONS TITUTION ARTICLE S
C O L . G O O D E I N S T I L L E D I N THEM A SENSE OF D ISCIPLINE.
A S S E M B L I E S W E R E M O R E M ILITARY, BARRACKS W ERE CLEAN ER,
E V E R Y B O D Y W A S H A P P I E R . BECAUSE HE DEMAND ED IT, THE FO OD
I M P R O V E D , A P E L L W A S C A NCELED IN INCLEMEN T WEATHER, TH E SICK
112
W E R E B E T T E R P R O V I D E D F OR, AND THE FACILIT IES OF THE C AMP
O P E N E D U P T O B E T T E R U S E.
F I F T E E N H U N D R E D O F F I C E RS NOW TAXED THE C APACITY OF OF LAG
X I I I B . T H E N I N E B I G B ARRACKS WERE CROWDE D. WE HAD FO RTY F I V E M E N I N B A R R A C K S 1 1- 7. THE WINDS SHIFTIN G FROM TH E COLD
C U R R E N T S O F F T H E A L P S TO MILDER BREEZES FROM THE FAR
A T L A N T I C M I T I G A T E D T H E CONSTANT FEELING OF COLD. CLEA R SKIES
A N D W A R M S U N D R E W U S O UT OF STUFFY BARRAC KS INTO THE CAMP
S T R E E T S . S O M E D A Y S I T EVEN GOT WARM ENOU GH TO SIT IN OUR
S H I R T S L E E V E S O N T H E L EEWARD SIDE OF BUIL DINGS. CHAIR S AND
B E N C H E S L I N E D T H E S T R E ETS AS MEN GATHERE D IN GROUPS T O TALK
A W A Y T H E H O U R S . L A U N D R Y WAS DONE IN THE OPE N NEAR THE
H Y D R A N T S W I T H C O L D W A T ER BLANKETS WERE H UNG OUT FOR A IRING.
U P A N D D O W N T H E S T R E E T S PRISONERS STROLL ED, BANTERED WITH
T H E G U A R D S , A N D F O R M E D NEW FRIENDSHIPS W ITH OCCUPANTS OF
OTHER BARRACKS.
R E D C R O S S P A R C E L S C A M E AGAIN. ST. JOSEPH ’S DAY IT WAS . THIS
T I M E O N E A P I E C E . I T W A S ALMOST GLUTTONOU S TO POSSESS AN
E N T I R E B O X , C O F F E E , C I GARETTES, MEAT, BU TTER, CHEESE AND
C H O C O L A T E , A L L F O R O N E ’S SELF. YET IT WA S NOT A SELFI SH JOY,
W H I C H I S N E V E R S A T I S F Y ING ANYWAY, BUT A COMMUNITY REJ OICING.
M E R K Y F E R K Y S TO V E S B U R NED ALL DAY LONG NOW. BARTERING AND
T R A D I N G R E A C H E D A S T O C KMARKET LEVEL. FRI ENDS GOT TOGE THER TO
P A R T A K E O F O N E A N O T H E R ’S HOSPITALITY. I LOOK BACK NOW WITH
F O N D M E M O R Y T O T H E M A N Y INVITATIONS TEND ERED ME DURIN G THOSE
DAYS OF MARCH.
“ C O M E O N , F A T HE R , L E T ’ S HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE.”
I N D E E D , H A D I N O T R E C E IVED A BOX OF MY O WN I STILL CO ULD
H A V E B E E N T H E B E S T F E D MAN IN THE CAMP, SO GENEROUS W ERE MY
H U N D R E D S O F F R I E N D S I N ASKING ME TO SHAR E THEIR BOXES WITH
T H E M . W E L L R E M E M B E R E D ARE THE COFFEE SES SIONS W ITH COLONELS
J O H N N Y R A Y A N D J O E M A T THEWS, MAJORS GARN ER AND MCKEE,
D O C T O R S C H A R L I E S E R B E T AND GENE GALVIN, CAPTAINS MAX SHAVER
A N D C H A R L I E G I B B O N S , L TS. BOB FRASH AND T OM GALLOWAY. THE
L I S T C O U L D G O O N I N D E F INITELY.
T H E S W E E T E S T R E C O L L E C T ION OF IS A FEW E VENINGS SPENT IN
B A R R A C K S 9- 5 W H E R E S O ME THIRTY ENLISTED MEN LIVED.
S E R G E A N T S H U G H B R A D Y A ND RALPH NORDMAN, A ND PFC JACK ADAMS
W E R E T H E I N S T I G A T O R S . NOTHING STINGY ABO UT THAT CROWD .
“ C O M E O N , F A T H E R , A N O T HER CUP OF COFFEE. ” NOT LITTLE TIN
CUPS, BUT BIG MUGS.
“ A N O T H E R C I G A R E T T E , F A THER.”
“ N O T H A N K S , I ’ V E H A D E NOUGH.”
113
“ A W , C O M E O N , W E G O T L OTS OF ‘EM.”
M A Y G O D B L E S S T H E M A L L , THAT SPLENDID BU NCH OF GI’S.
T H E N T H E R E W A S C A P T A I N JOHN MADDEN (*) W HO BUNKED AND SHARED
E V E R Y T H I N G W I T H M E . N E VER DURING THOSE DAYS DID I GET NEAR A
S M O K E Y J O E S T O V E . H E D ID ALL THE COOKING FOR BOTH OS US.
E X P E R I M E N T I N G W I T H C U L INARY FORMULAS HE PREPARED SOME
D E L I C I O U S D I S H E S . A N O LD BULLY BEEF TIN W E TREASURED HELD
T W O H E A P I N G M U G S O F W A TER. TWO AND SOMET IMES THREE TI MES A
D A Y J OHN F E D H I S T I N STOVE WITH WOOD SHAVING TO HEAT WATER
F O R O U R C O F F E E O R M I L K . SOMETIMES I WOUL D BE OFF TO A NOTHER
B A R R A C K S A N D C O M E H O M E TO FIND JOHN PUTT ERING OVER TH E
S T O V E . “ I T H O U G H T Y O U WOULD LIKE SOME CO FFEE, FATHER. ” THREE
I N T H E A F T E R N O O N ( W H I C H WAS AN HOUR BEFORE MASS) , AND EIGHT
O ’ C L O C K I N T H E E V E N I N G (WHICH WAS AFTER THE STUDY CLU B
M E E T I N G ) W E R E S A C R O S A N CT COFFEE HOURS. A ND OUR SUPPLY DID
N O T R U N O U T . J O H N W A S PLAYING THE MARKET WITH CIGARET TES HE
DID NOT SMOKE.
S O I N C E S S A N T W A S T H E E XERCISE OF T HE GASTRONOMIC ART T HAT
T H E S T O V E S W E R E G O I N G LONG INTO THE NIGH T. THEN ONE D AY AT
A P P E L L A R E P R I M A N D F R O M GENERAL VON GOEC KLE WAS READ TO US
BY A GERMAN OFFICER:
“ T H E R E W I L L B E N O K O O - KING ON THE LEE -TLE KOO - KERS AFTER THE
LIGHTS ARE OUT.”
S T . J O S E P H H A D C E R T A I NLY ANSWERED O UR PRAYERS AND WE TH ANKED
H I M B Y L A R G E R N U M B E R S AT MASS AND MORE F ERVENT HOLY
C O M M U N I O N S . W E C O N T I N U ED TO SAY THE LITA NY FOR A CONT INUANCE
OF HIS FAVORS.
* SEE APPENDIX:
F A T H ER CAVANAUGH PHO TO AND INSCRIPTI ON T O
C A P T . JOHN MADD EN, JOHN MADDED JR., LETTER
R E G A RDING HIS FATHER ’S CAREER
T H E B L O C K C O M M A N D A N T S AW THE CROWD COMING OUT OF BARRACKS
8 -5 O N E A F T E R N O O N A F T E R MASS. WE HAD FOR S OME TIME GIVEN
L I T T L E T H O U G H T T O S E C R ECY IN HOLDING OUR AFTERNOON SE RVICE,
T H O U G H W E C O N T I N U E D T O HOLD MASS IN A DIFFERENT ROOM EVERY
D A Y . I T W A S A L W A Y S A B IG EVENT FOR THE PR ISONERS WHO
O C C U P I E D T H E P A R T I C U L A R ROOM WHERE MASS WAS SAID. THE
O B E R L A E U T E N A N T I N V E S T I GATED AND DISCOVER ED WE HAD JUS T
F I N I S H E D M A S S . H E S E N T FOR ME A FEW MINU TES LATER.
“ H O W O F T E N D O Y O U H A V E DIVINE SERVICE?” HE ASKED.
“ E V E R Y D A Y , ” W A S M Y B O LD REPLY.
“ D O E S G E N E R A L V O N G O E C KLE KNOW THAT?” HE ASKED.
114
“ I D O N ’ T C A R E W H E T H E R HE DOES OR NOT,” I ANSWERED.
“ I S H A L L H A V E T O I N F O R M HIM,” HE STATED HESITANTLY.
“ N O , L I E U T E N A N T , Y O U W ILL NOT HAVE TO SAY A WORD TO H IM.
T H I S H A S B E E N G O I N G O N FOR SIX WEEKS, AN D YOU HAVE JU ST
F O U N D I T O U T T O D A Y , A N D ONLY BY ACCIDENT . WE ARE CAUS ING NO
D I S T U R B A N C E ; W E A R E P L ANNING NO HARM TO ANYONE. WE JU ST HAVE
M A S S A N D C O M M U N I O N , S A Y SOME PRAYERS TO THE B LESSED V IRGIN
A N D T O S T . J O S E P H A N D THEN DISMISS. IT I S AGREEABLE W ITH THE
M E N I N D I F F E R E N T B A R R A CKS, AND WE ALL DE RIVE MUCH GOO D FROM
I T . W E E V E N P R A Y F O R Y OU AND THE GENERAL. ”
T H E O B E R L A U T E N A N T W A S TORN WITH INDECISI ON. THE NEXT FEW
D A Y S W E W E R E J U S T A L I TTLE MORE CAUTIOUS IN LEAVING T HE ROOM
W H E R E M A S S W A S S A I D . T HEN THE OBERLEUTENA NT SENT FOR ME
A G A I N . H E H A D S O M E G O O D NEWS. I TOLD GEN ERAL VON GOEC KLE
A B O U T Y O U R D I V I N E S E R V ICE EVERY AFTERNOO N. HE WAS VER Y GLAD
T O H E A R I T A N D A P P R O V E S OF IT HIGHLY.”
“ THA N K Y O U , S I R ” , I S A ID. “I WILL BE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE YOU
A N D H E R R G E N E R A L C O M E TO MASS ANY DAY WI TH US.”
W A S T H I S A V O L T E ( F A C E , CONTENANCE) OR H AD WE BEEN TO O
S U S P I C I O U S O F A H O S T I L E ATTITUDE TOWARD RELIGION ON T HE PART
O F T H E H I G H C O M M A N D O F HAMMELBURG PRISON? IT MAY WELL HAVE
B E E N T H A T T H E I M P E N D I N G DOOM OF NAZI GER MANY SOFTENED THE
P O L I C Y O F T H E W E H R M A C H T IN ITS TREATMENT OF US. YET I N
F A I R N E S S T O O U R C A P T O R S IT CANNOT BE SAI D THAT OUTSID E OF
T H E D E M A N D T O C E N S O R S ERMONS WE WERE OFFI CIALLY DENIE D THE
F R E E D O M O F W O R S H I P F O R WHICH WE FOUGHT.
A F T E R T H I S I N C I D E N T W E CHANGED OUR METHO D OF CONDUCTI NG MASS
F R O M T H E S E C R E C Y O F D I VERSE BARRACKS TO THE LARGE PUB LIC
H A L L I N T H E A D M I N I S T R A TION BUILDING. WE EVEN ADVERTIS ED MASS
ON THE BULLETIN BOARD.
T H I S B U L L E T IN B O A R D W AS AN INNOV ATION THAT CAME WITH COL.
G O O D E A N D H I S F A R -M A R C HING KRIEGIES. T HE COLONEL HAD A STA FF
O F O F F I C E R S A S S I G N E D T O SPECIFIC TASKS FO R THE GOOD O F
P R I S O N E R S . L T . C O L . C H ARLES WATERS WAS G -E; ON THE AR MY
S T A F F , D I R E C T O R O F P L A NS AND TRAINING; IN KRIEGIE
O R G A N I Z A T I O N , D I R E C T O R OF RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMEN T.
I N S T E A D O F H O L D I N G A B ULL -SESSION WITH ANYBODY THAT WOULD
L I S T E N T O Y O U R F A V O R I T E TOPIC OR HOBBY, YOU COULD NOW DRAW A
C R O W D O F I N T E R E S T E D - - - SUBJECT YOU MIGHT BE URGED TO TALK
A B O U T . J U ST A R R A N G E W ITH COL. WATERS FOR A TIME ON THE
L E C T U R E S C H E D U L E . Y O U AND YOUR SUBJECT W OULD BE ADVER TISED
TO THE ENTIRE CAMP.
T H E S C H E D U L E O F L E C T U R ES FOR A DAY MIGHT RUN LIKE THI S:
0 9 0 0 H R S . I R R IGATION OF CROPS
115
100
1100
1300
1400
1500
1600
H O W TO MAK E ICE CREAM
E C ONOMIC GEOGRAPHY
C H I LD PSYC HOLOGY
R O L LER COA STERS
G L E E CLUB
C A T HOLIC M ASS
B R I N G Y O U R OWN CHAIR S.
H A V I N G D A I L Y M A S S I N A SPACIOUS HALL WAS MUCH MORE IN
K E E P I N G W I T H T H E D I G N I TY OF THE RITUAL. AND MORE MEN
A T T E N D E D . T H E Y W E R E R E LIEVED OF THE EFFO RT OF HAVING TO
I N Q U I R E W H I C H B A R R A C K S WOULD HAVE MASS. THE BALMY DAY S OF
M A R C H F E E D T H E M F R O M T HE TORTURE OF TRYIN G TO KEEP WA RM, AND
A I D E D T H E M T O D E V O T E T HEIR MINDS TO SPIRI TUAL THOUGHT S.
O N M A R C H 1 6 T H L T . J O H N WEEKS WAS KILLE D BY A GUARD. IT WAS
T H E F I R S T D A Y W E H A D B EEN PERMITTED TO GO TO THE LATRINE
D U R I N G T H O S E P R O T R A C T E D AIR -RAID ALERTS. AS THE RAIDS WERE
B E C O M I N G L O N G E R A N D M O RE FREQUENT. COL. GOODE ARRANGE D WITH
G E N E R A L V O N G O E C K L E F O R THE PRISONERS TO GO TO THE LATRINE
W I T H T H I S P R O V I S I O N T H AT THEY GO ALONE A ND NOT IN GRO UPS.
T H E S I R E N A N N O U N C E D T H AT PLANES WERE NEA R ABOUT NINE O’CLOCK
T H A T L O V E L Y M O R N I N G . A LL OF US WERE CONFI NED TO OUR B ARRACKS
A N D W I S H E D W E C O U L D G E T OUT INTO THAT WA RM SUNSHINE. I WAS
P L A Y I N G B R I D G E I N A T O URNAMENT GAME IN B ARRACKS 11 -7.
S E V E R A L M E N F R O M B A R R A CKS 10 AND 11 HAD USED THE NEW
P R I V I L E G E A N D G O N E D O W N THE STREET, TURN ED RIGHT TO T HE
L A T R I N E A N D T H E N R E T U R NED. FROM THE WIND OWS SOME OF T HE
K R I E G I E S N O T I C E D T H A T THE GUARD A T THE GATE FIFTY FEE T FROM
T H E C O R N E R O F T H E B U I L DING, BUT ON THE O PPOSITE SIDE OF THE
B A R B E D W I R E , W A S M U T T E RING SOMETHING TO THE MEN AS TH EY
PASSED.
L T . W E E K S L E F T H I S R O O M ACROSS THE STREE T, WALKED DOW N TO
T H E C O R N E R W I T H H I S H A NDS IN HIS POCKETS . HE HAD JUST TURNED
H I S B A C K T O T H E G U A R D WHEN THERE WAS A S HOT. THE GUAR D HAD
L E V E L E D H I S R I F L E O N A STAND OF THE WIRE AND HIT WEEK S IN
B A C K O F T H E N E C K . W E H EARD THE RIFLE - SHOT AND LOOKED OUT THE
W I N D O W . A T T H E M O M E N T WE DID NOT KNOW WH O FIRED THE S HOT OR
A T WH A T . I M M E D I A T E L Y AN OTHER GUARD CAME RUN NING TO THE
F E N C E . T H E T W O W E R E G E STICULATING AND LO OKING TOWARD THE END
O F O U R B U I L D I N G . T H E R E WAS A HUBBUB IN A LL THE BARRAC KS.
“ D O N ’ T G O O U T S I D E ! ” W A S THE WARNING SOME ONE KEPT REPE ATING.
“WHAT HAPPENED?”
T H A T GU A R D F I R E D H I S RIFL E!”
116
“ D I D H E A I M A T A K R I E G IE?”
S O M E O N E C A M E F R O M T H E BACK OF OUR ROOM. “THEY SAY THE RE IS
A N O F F I C E R L Y I N G A R O U N D THE CORNER.” HE SAID.
W H E N I H E A R D T H A T , I W ENT TO THE BACK OF THE ROOM, JU MPED
O U T T H I S W I N D O W , A N D R AN ALONG THE EDGE OF THE BUILDI NG TO
T H E C O R N E R . F R O M T H E B ARRACKS BACK OF OUR S SOMEONE YE LLED,
“ H E Y , F A T H E R ! D O N ’ T G O OUT THERE!”
I W A S C O N C E A L E D F R O M T HE VIEW OF THE GUAR D AT THE COR NER,
B U T C O U L D S E E W E E K S L Y ING FACE DOWN, HIS HANDS STILL IN HIS
P O C K E T S , A N D A S T R E A M OF BLOOD TRICKLING FOUR OR FIVE YARDS
D O W N T H E G E N T L E S L O P E OF THE WALK. IT WA S NOT THE SIG HT OF
B L O O D T H A T F R I G H T E N E D ME, BUT THE WAY TH AT KRIEGIE BL OOD WAS
A C T I N G . N A T U R A L H E A L T H Y BLOOD DOES NOT F LOW LIKE MILK , BUT
C O N G E A L S A N D C O A G U L A T E S. “IS THIS THE CO NDITION ALL O F US
A R E I N ? ” I T H O U G H T T O MYSELF. I PEELED A ROUND THE COR NER AND
S A W T H A T T H E R E W E R E S E VERAL GUARDS NOW C ONGREGATED AT THE
G A T E . N O P W ’ S H A D C O M E OUT OF THE BARRAC KS. THERE WAS NO
D O U B T A B O U T W E E K S ’ B E I NG UNCONSCIOUS; MO ST PROBABLY H E WAS
D E A D.
“ H E Y , F A T H E R , G E T I N S I DE! DO YOU WANT TO GET SHOT?” S OMEONE
YELLED.
I C R E P T B A C K A L O N G T H E BARRACKS’ WALL, A ND CLIMBED BA CK
T H R O U G H T H E W I N D O W . A F TER CROSSING THE R OOM TO THE WI NDOWS
F R O M W H I C H W E C O U L D S E E THE GUARDS, I NO TICED COL. GO ODE AND
S E V E R A L O T H E R A M E R I C A NS WITH SOME GERMAN OFFICERS PASSING UP
T H E S T R E E T . I T W A S S A F E TO GO OUTSIDE NO W. I JUMPED O UT THE
B A C K W I N D O W A G A I N , R A N TO WEEKS AND ANOI NTED HIM. THE RE WAS
A H O L E I N T H E B A C K O F HIS NECK AT THE TO P OF THE SPIN E.
W H E N T H E A L E R T W A S O V E R, W EEKS WAS PICKED UP A ND TAKEN TO
T H E M O R G U E O N A S T R E T C HER. NEXT DAY GENE RAL VON GOECK LE
A P O L O G I Z E D T O C O L . G O O DE FOR THE ACTION OF THE GUARD, BUT
T H A T D I D N O T R E S T O R E L IFE TO A FALLEN HER O, NOR ERASE COLD
B L O O D E D M U R D E R . W E B U R IED WEEKS WITH MIL ITARY HONOR S.
S P E A K I N G O F F U N E R A L S , WE HAD SEVERAL OF THEM AT HAMME LBURG,
S E R B I A N A N D A M E R I C A N . ON FEBRUARY 5TH, L T. COLMAN DIE D OF
P N E U M O N I A I N T H E C A M P HOSPITAL. HE WAS T HE ONLY AMERI CAN
O F F I C E R T O D I E F R O M N A TURAL CAUSES DURIN G OUR STAY AT
H A M M E L B U R G. W E E K S A N D V ARION HAD BEEN SHOT.
F E B R U A R Y 1 7 T H I W A S S U MMONED TO CONDUCT THE FUNERAL O F PVT.
R O B E R T D . S I M M O N S O F C ARLISLE, OHIO, WHO DIED OF PNEU MONIA
I N T H E S T A L A G . H E W A S ONE OF SEVERAL AME RICAN ENLISTE D MEN
F R O M S T A L A G X I I I C T O DIE AT HAMMELBURG . SGT. TOOTHMA N, THE
M A N O F C O N F I D E N C E F R O M THE STALG MET ME AT THE PRISON GATE 117
H O U S E . A M A N O F C O N F I D ENCE, BY THE WAY, IN THE PARLAN CE OF
T H E G E N E V A C O N V E N T I O N , IS NOT A CROOK. B UT THE
R E P R E S E N T A T I V E O F A G R OUP OF PRISONERS O F WAR IN THEI R
D E A L I N G S W I T H E N E M Y O F FICIALS. I WAS ISSUED A PASS TO
I D E N T I F Y M Y S E L F A N D M Y MISSION. WITH TOO THMAN I WENT TO THE
C A M P H O S P I T A L W H E R E A DETAIL OF TWENTY - FOUR ENLISTED MEN
W E R E W A I T I N G . A G E R M A N NON - COM LED US TO THE RO OM WHERE THE
B O D Y O F S I M M O N S L A Y . I T WAS A MORTUARY CH APEL WITH A FEW
P O T T E D E V E R G R E E N S B E F O RE A WALL FRESCO O F CHRIST INSC RIBED
W I T H T H E W O R D S , “ I C H B IN DIE AUFERSTEHUNG UND DAS LEBEN” (I
A M T H E R E S U R R E C T I O N A N D THE LIFE). THE B ODY OF PRIVAT E
S I M M O N S L A Y O N A T A B L E WRAPPED IN BLANKE TS. ON THE FL OOR WAS
T H E W O O D E N C O F F I N I N W HICH HE WAS TO BE B URIED.
O U R I N S T R U C T I O N W E R E T O PLACE THE BODY IN THE COFFIN, NAIL
I T S H U T , A N D R E T U R N T H E BLANKETS TO THE GERMANS. THIS WE DID
W I T H T E N D E R C A R E R E A L I ZING THAT WE WERE DOING OUR BES T FOR A
H E R O T H A T H A D G I V E N H I S LIFE FOR THE CAU SE WE H ELD MOST
D E A R . T H E A R R A N G E M E N T S COMPLETED, SIX OF THE BURIAL P ARTY
L I F T E D T H E C O F F I N T O T HEIR SHOULDER AND W E FORMED THE
F U N E R A L P R O C E S S I O N . D O WN THE ADOLF HITLE R STRASSE WE SLOWLY
W A L K E D , I L E A D I N G T H E COLUMN WITH THE PU RPLE STOLE
F L U T T E R I N G A R O U N D M Y N EC K. IT WAS A BITTER C OLD DAY A ND
S N O W I N G . A B O U T E V E R Y F OUR HUNDRED YARDS W E HALTED TO ALLOW
S I X O T H E R M E N T O C A R R Y THE PRECIOUS BURD EN. AFTER WAL KING A
L I T T L E M O R E T H A N A M I L E, WE REACHED THE MILITARY CEME TERY.
T H E R E W E R E P L O T S A N D M ONUMENTS TO THE DEA D OF WORLD WAR I,
E N G L I S H , R U S S I A N , I T A L IAN, POLISH, AND G ERMAN SOLDIER S. AT
T H E F A R E N D W E R E S E C T I ONS WHERE THE VARI OUS NATIONS B URIED
T H E I R F E L L O W P R I S O N E R S OF THIS WAR. SIMM ONS’ GRAVE WA S THE
S E V E N T H I N T H E A M E R I C A N PLOT. ANOTHER GR OUP OF AMERIC AN
E N L I S T E D M E N H A D J U S T FINISHE D DIGGING THE GRAVE BEFO RE THE
C O R T E G E A R R I V E D . T H E Y STOOD AT ATTENTION IN A NEAT RA NK, AS
D I D T H E G E R M A N G U A R D S WHO ACCOMPANIED US , WHILE THE C OFFIN
W A S P L A C E D O N R O P E S A N D LOWERED INTO THE GRAVE. I REA D THE
F U N E R A L S E R V I C E F R O M T HE RI TUAL AND SPOKE A FEW WORDS OF
E N C O U R A G E M E N T T O T H O S E PRESENT. THEN THE GRAVE WAS FI LLED IN
A N D M A R K E D W I T H A W O O D EN CROSS.
I N T H E S A M E M A N N E R I B URIED SGT. LADISLAO LOERA OF NEW GULF,
T E X A S , O N F E B R U A R Y 2 3 R D, AND CPL. JOSEPH J. SHERNIGO, OF
W I N B E R , P E N N S YL V A N I A , ON MARCH 4TH .
O B E R L E U T E N A N T S C H M I D T B AUER SUMMONED ME T O THE BLOCK
H E A D Q U A R T E R S O N E A F T E R NOON IN MARCH TO T ELL ME THAT I WAS TO
R E P O R T T O T H E C A M P H E A DQUARTERS ON A MAT TER OF BUSINE SS.
W I T H S O M E U N C E R T A I N T Y I FOLLOWED THE FEL DWEBEL WHO WA S SENT
T O AC C O M P A N Y M E T O T H E FINE STONE STRUCTURE WHERE THE
I N T E R V I E W T O O K P L A C E . ON THE WAY I EXAMI NED MY CONSCI ENCE
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S O M E T H I N G L I K E A S C H O O LBOY WHO IS CALLED BY HIS
D I S C I P L I N A R I A N . I R E M A INED COMPLETELY IN THE DARK. AT THE
O F F I C E O F T H E W E H R M A C H T INTELLIGENCE BUR EAU A HAUPTMA N SAT
A T A L A R G E T A B L E C O V E R ED WITH THE MANILA ENVELOPES IN TO
W H I C H O U R C O N F I S C A T E D BELONGINGS HAD BEE N PLACED THE DAY WE
A R R I V E D A T H A M M E L B U R G . HE SPOKE ENGLISH AND BADE ME S IT
D O W N . H E P I C K E D U P A P LAIN WHITE ENVELOPE . IT WAS THE ONE ON
W H I C H I H A D M A R K E D T H E COO RDINATES OF THE GRAV E OF A GERMAN
S O L D I E R I H A D B U R I E D I N THE SIEGFRIED LIN E AND IN WHI CH I
H A D S E A L E D T H E H A L F O F HIS DOG -TAG. GERMAN DOG -TAGS HAD NO
N A M E S S T A M P E D O N T H E M , JUST A NUMBER AND A FEW LETTER S. THE
H A U P T M A N Q U E S T I O N E D M E F OR SPECIFIC DETAILS OF THE LO CATION
O F T H E G R A V E , T H A N K E D ME FOR HAVING BURI ED THE MAN AN D SAID
H I S R E L A T I V E S W O U L D B E NOTIFIED OF THE C IRCUMSTANCES OF HIS
D E A T H A N D B U R I A L . T H E BOY HAD BEEN WOUND ED WHILE ON A PATROL
N E A R O U R B A T T A L I O N A R E A THE NIGHT THE B ATTLE OF THE B ULGE
B E G A N . H E W A S B R O U G H T BY OUR MEDICAL AID MEN TO THE
B A T T A L I O N A I D S T A T I O N WHERE HE WAS TREAT ED BY DOCTOR DIAMON.
H I S D E A T H A N D B U R I A L O CCURRED DECEMBER 17 .
A F E W D A Y S A F T E R T H I S INTERVIEW MUCH OF THE MATERIAL
C O N F I S C A T E D B Y T H E G E R MAN A UTHORITIES AT THE SE ARCHING WHEN
W E A R R I V E D A T H A M M E L B U RG WAS RETURNED TO US. NOTEBOOK S HAD
P A G E S T O R N F R O M T H E M . PHOTOGRAPHS OF WIV ES AND SWEETH EARTS
W E R E S T A M P E D “ G E P R U F ” . BILLFOLDS WERE GI VEN BACK
C O N S I D E R A B L E S L I M M E R . I LOOKED INTO THE SECRET POCKET OF
M I N E A N D F O U N D M Y S E V E NTY DOLLARS UNTOUC HED. “THE TRE AT WILL
B E O N M E , W H E N W E G E T TO A PLACE WHERE W E CAN BUY FOO D,” I
T O L D T H E C R O W D I N B A R R ACKS 11 - 7.
A F T E R M A S S O N S T . P A T R ICK’S DAY I BAPTIZ ED LT. GERNOT T
J O S E P H P R I O R O F H U N T I N GBURG, INDIANA. A FAITHF UL MEMBER OF
T H E S T U D Y C L U B H E E M B R ACED THE CATHOLIC FAITH WITH A LIGHT
A N D H A P P Y H E A R T . I T W A S SIMPLE CEREMONY IN THE EMPTY ROOM OF
T H E A D M I N I S T R A T I O N B U I LDING. LTS. LEVENE WEIGEL AND J OHN
L O S H A C T E D A S S P O N S O R S ; THE NEWLY BAPTIZ ED JOSEPH HAS TWO
G O D F A T H ER S , S I N C E N O GODMOTH ER WAS AVAILABLE. LT . PRI OR MADE
H I S F I R S T C O M M U N I O N T H E NEXT DAY, PASSIO NS S UNDAY.
S T . J O S E P H ’ S D A Y , T H E 19TH, THE CULMINAT ION OF THE AP OSTOLIC
W O R K O F L T . J O S E P H S E R EMET OF WEST HARTF ORD, CONNECTI CUT,
C A M E I N T H E B A P T I S M A N D FIRST COM MUNION OF LT. WILBUR
B U S E H O W O F S A N A N T O N I O , TEXAS. JOE SEREM ET AND LAVENE WEIGEL
W E R E T H E S P O N S O R S O F T HE BAPTISM. WILBUR WAS HAPPY AN D SO
W A S J O E W H O H A D D O N E M OST OF THE INSTRUCT ING IN THE E LEMENTS
OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH.
T H E E V E N I N G T H A T W E B U RIED LT. WEEKS, COL.GOODE SEN T FOR ME
T O C O M E T O H I S R O O M S T RANGELY ENOUGH IT WAS THE SAME ROOM
F A T H E R B R E I N E R H A D U S E D TO BRING FATHER MADDEN AND ME
C O M M U N I O N D U R I N G T H E F IRST DAYS WE SPENT AT HAMMELBUR G . SOME
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I N C I D E N T I N C O N N E C T I O N WITH THE FUNERAL OF WEEKS HAD B ROUGHT
T O T H E C O L O N E L ’ S A T T E N TION THE FACT THAT FATHER MADDE N AND I
H A D R E F U S E D T O S U B M I T SERMONS FOR GERMAN CENSORSHIP.
“ I W A N T Y O U T O K N O W T H AT I HIGHLY APPROV E THE ACTION YOU TOW
PRIESTS TOOK.” HE SAID.
“ W E O N L Y D I D O U R D U T Y , SIT” I SAID.
“ C O M E O N A N D H A V E A C U P OF TEA WI TH ME, PADRE,” HE CH ANGED
H E S U B J E C T . T H E N O V E R T HE CUPS OF ENGLISH TEA AND ENGL ISH
C I G A R E T T E S W E D I S C U S S E D THE MURDER OF WE EKS AND THE M ORALE
OF THE CAMP.
“ K E E P U P T H E F I N E W O R K , PADRE,” WERE HIS PARTING WORD S AS I
L E F T T O C O N D U C T A M E E T ING OF THE STUDY CLUB.
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CHAPTER EIGHT
T H E L IBERATION OF HA MMELBURG
W E H A D A L A R G E C R O W D A T MASS ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25TH. I T WAS
P A L M S UN D A Y , B U T W E H AD NO PALMS TO DISTRIBUTE. FOR T HE
F I R S T T I M E I P R E A C H E D A SUNDAY SE RMON. “LET’S SANCTIF Y THE
C O M I N G W E E K A N D U N I T E OUR SUFFERINGS WIT H THE SUFFERI NG
C H R I S T , ” W A S T H E G I S T OF IT. I ANNOUNCED THAT WE WOUL D HAVE
S P E C I A L S E R V I C E S D U R I N G THE LAST DAYS OF HOLY WEEK AN D THAT
T H E D E T A I L S W O U L D B E P UBLISHED DURING THE WEEK. IT WAS MY
D E S I R E T O H A V E A M I S S I ON OR RETREAT IN P REPARATION FO R THE
F E A S T O F E A S T E R , B U T I HESITATED TO ANNOU NCE IT DEFIN ITELY,
S T U P I D L Y D O U B T I N G T H A T I COULD STAND THE STRAIN MYSEL F.
L T . A R T H Y U R H O E L L O F G REEN BAY, WISCONSIN , WAS ORGANI ZING A
C H O I R T O S I N G A T H I G H MASS ON EASTER; ANYONE WISHING TO SI NG
I N I T S H O U L D C O M E T O T HE REHEARSALS EACH AFTERNOON AT ONE
O’CLOCK.
O N TUE S D A Y M O R N I N G , T HE 27TH, WE DISTINCTLY HEARD THE SOUND
O F F I R E A R M S . M E N S T O O D ALONG THE BARBED WIRE FENCE AT THE
E D G E O F T H E C A M P L O O K I NG OUT OVER THE MEADOWS DOTTED WITH
G R A Z I N G F L O C K S O F S H E E P. ACROSS THE HILL S THEY SAW CO LUMNS
O F G E R M A N T R O O P S M A N E U VERING AND VEHICLE S AND AMBULAN CES
M O V I N G D O W N T H E R O A D S . BY NOON RUMOR WER E SPREADING T HAT AN
A M E R I C A N F O R C E W A S A P P ROACHING HAMMELBURG . THE RUMBLE OF
F U N S G R E W L O U D E R ; E V E N THOSE WITH POOR H EARING WERE S URE
T H E Y C O U L D D I S T I N G U I S H THE CALIBER OF TH E WEAPONS; MA CHINE
G U N S , B A Z O O K A S , M O R T A R S, TOMMY GUNS, PAN ZER FAUSTS, E TC.
C O L . G O O D E A N D I M E T O N THE HERMAN GOERIN G STRASSE AT TOW
O’CLOCK.
“ P A DRE , T H A T ’ S T H E W A Y A TANK BATTLE STARTS. I’VE HEA RD
E N O U G H O F T H E M T O K N O W . GENERAL PATTON’S BOYS ARE GET TING
C L O S E , A N D T H E G E R M A N S ARE GOING TO MOVE US OUT OF HE RE.
T H E Y F I R S T W A N T E D T O M OVE US AT FIVE O’CL OCK THIS MOR NING. I
G O T T H E M T O P U T I T O F F TILL EVENING. NOW I’M HOP ING T O HAVE
I T P O S T P O N E D T O F I V E O ’CLOCK TOMORROW MOR NING. IF WE CAN
S T A L L T H E M O F F L O N G E N OUGH, THE AMERICAN S WILL GET HE RE
B E F O R E T H E G E R M A N S M O V E US.”
T O M Y A M A Z E M E N T T H E C O LONEL ORDERED ME N OT TO GO. “YO U WON’T
B E A B L E T O S T A N D T H E M ARCH, PADRE.”
” B U T C O L O N E L , I T I S M Y DUTY TO GO;’ I MU ST STAY WITH THESE
M E N A S L O N G A S I A M A B LE.”
“ Y O U G O T O T H E H O S P I T A L THIS EVENING AND TELL MAJOR B ERNDT
T O P U T Y O U T O B E D . W H E N THE LIBERATING F ORCE GETS HER E, YOU
G E T W O R D T H R O U G H T O T H E AIR CORPS A S FAST AS YOU CAN TH AT A
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C O L U M N O F P R I S O N E R S I S MARCHING BY WOODE D ROADS IN TH E
S O U T H E A S T E R L Y D I R E C T I O N, AND TELL THEM, FOR GODS SAKE . NOT
TO STRAFE US.”
I R E P O R T E D T O T H E M E D I CS IMMEDIATELY AND TOLD THE MAJ OR THAT
I T W A S T H E C O L O N E L ’ S O RDER THAT I BE PUT TO BED IN TH E
H O S P I T A L . I W O U L D R E P O RT AFTER DARK. THE DOCTORS PUT MY NAME
O N T H E L I S T O F T H O S E W HO WERE TOO WEAK AN D SICK TO TR AVEL.
T H E A T M O S P H E R E A B O U T T HE CAMP WAS TENSE W ITH EXCITEME NT. THE
N O I S E O F B A T T L E G R E W L OUDER. THE INFANTRY OFFICER PRISONERS
W E R E C O N V I N C E D T H A T O U R FORCES WERE MAKI NG RAPID HEAD WAY
A G A I N S T W E A K O P P O S I T I O N.
T H E R E W A S G R E A T A C T I V I TY IN THE KITCHEN ALSO. AS THIS
E V E N I N G ’ S S O U P W A S T O BE OUR LAST AT HAMMELBURG , THE
S U P P L I E S T H A T W E R E O N HAND COULD BE USED UP POTATOES WERE
B E I N G PE E L E D F U R I O U S L Y ; CAN S OF MEAT WERE OPENE D; VEGETABLES
- EX C E P T T H E R U T A B A G A S - WERE BEING PREPARED.
T H R E E- TH I R T Y :
T I M E T O GET READY FOR MASS. I ST ARTED HEARING
C O N F E S S I O N S A N D W A S I N TERRUPTED AT TEN M INUTES TO FOU R BY A
S E R I E S O F S H O R T B L A S T S ON THE AIR - RAID SIREN. “ALL ME N STAY
I N T H E B A R R A C K S W H E R E YOU ARE!” THE COMM AND WAS SHOUT ED
A C R O S S T H E C O M P O U N D F R OM DOORS AND WINDO WS. A FEW CAM E
R U N N I N G A S F A S T A S T H E Y COULD TO GET O M ASS. FORTUNAT ELY
M A N Y H A D C O M E E A R L Y T O BE PRESENT AT THE LAST MASS IN OFLAG
X III B .
“ S I N C E N O M O R E C A N G E T HERE, I WILL STAR T MASS IMMEDI ATELY
A N D F I V E Y O U G E N E R A L A BSOLUTION BEFORE HO LY COMMUNION ,” I
S A I D . W H I L E I W A S V E S T ING SEVERAL SHOTS LANDED VERY C LOSE TO
T H E C A M P . I B E G A N T H E PRAYERS AT THE FOO T OF THE ALTA R WITH
T R E P I D A T I O N.
A T T H E G O S P E L A S H E L L EXPLODED IN OUR CA MP. WE ALL DR OPPED
F L A T O N T H E F L O O R , I U NDER THE TABLE WE U SED FOR AN A LTAR. A
F E W T E N S E M O M E N T S W A I T ING FOR ANOTHER RO UND TO HIT; B UT IT
D I D N O T C O M E . I S T O O D UP, TOLD THE MEN T O BE CALM (TH OUGH I
D I D N O T G I V E TH E M V E R Y GOOD EXAMPL E) AND TO REMAIN KN E ELING.
“ I F A N Y T H I N G H A P P E N S , JUST STRETCH OUT O N THE FLOOR. I’LL
G I V E Y O U G E N E R A L A B S O L UTION NOW.” WITH T REMBLING HAND S I
M A D E T H E S I G N O F T H E C ROSS OVER THE KNEEL ING CONGREGA TION.
A T T H E L A V A B O ( W A S H I N G OF THE HAND S) THE BUILDING SHO O K WITH
A N O T H E R E X P L O S I O N - A DIRECT HIT, IT SEE MED. AGAIN WE WERE
ALL PRONE ON THE FLOOR.
A F E W M O R E M O M E N T S O F TERRIFYING WAITING AND A DEAD S ILENCE.
I R E A L I Z E D I M U S T F I N I SH THE MASS QUICKL Y. I STOOD UP
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“ M E N , B E C A L M . ” I S A I D TO THE PROSTRATE FORMS. “I AM GOING
T O S H O R T E N T H I S M A S S A S MUCH AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT EVERYONE
M A Y G E T T O H O L Y C O M M U N ION; WE WILL HAVE ONLY THE
C O N S E C R A T I O N A N D C O M M U NION. THEN I WILL DISTRIBUTE HO LY
COMMUNION.”
F A C I N G T H E A L T A R I R E A D THE “HANC IGITUR -” PRAYER (FIRST TWO
W O R D S O F A P R A Y E R F R O M THE LATIN MASS ‘T HIS THEREFORE ...’.
I N T H E T E N S E N E S S O F T H E SITUATION THE WO RDS WERE PACK ED WITH
M E A N I N G . “ G R A C I O U S L Y A CCEPT, O LORD, THIS OFFERING OF OUR
S U B J E C T I O N T O Y O U . G I V E US PEACE TODAY. SAVE US FROM ETERNAL
D A M N ATI O N A N D N U M B E R US I N THE FLOCK OF YOUR CHOSEN O NES,
T H R O U G H C H R I S T O U R L O R D.”
T H E N T H E T W O F O L D C O N S E CRATION AND ELEVAT ION.
T H E R I N G I N G O F T H E B E L L WAS ACCOMPANIED BY ANOTHER EX PLOSION
I N T H E C A M P . Q U I C K L Y I SAID THE THREEFOLD , “DOMINE, N ON SUM
D I G N U S , ” “ O L O R D , I A M NOT WO RTHY THAT THOU SHOUL DST ENTER
U N D E R M Y R O O F , B U T O N L Y SAY THE WORD AND MY SOUL SHAL L BE
HEALED.”
T H E H O S T A N D C H A L I C E W ERE CONSUMED. ON TH E CORPORAL L AY THE
P I L E O F S M A L L P A R T I C L E S. FILLING THE PAT EN WITH THEM, I
T U R N E D T O T H E C O N G R E G A TION.
“ B E H O L D T H E L A M B O F G O D; BEHOLD HIM WHO TAKES AWAY TH E SINS
OF THE WORLD.”
B U R P , B U R P- B U R P W E N T A GERMAN G UN. PUT - PUT -PUT A MACHINE GUN
ANSWERED.
I B E G A N D I S T R I B U T I N G H OLY COMMUNION; EVEN HERE THE
C E R E M O N I E S W E R E M U T I L A TED. THE RUBRICS C ALL FOR TH E FORMULA
O F V I A T I C U M I N A S I T U A TION LIKE THIS, “R ECEIVE, BROTH ER, THE
V I A I C U M ( W H I C H M E A N S P ROVISION FOR A JOUR NEY) OF THE BODY OF
O U R L O R D J E S U S C H R I S T , WHO, WE HOPE, WIL L PRESERVE YO U FROM
T H E T R E A C H E R O U S E N E M Y AND BRING YOU TO E TERNAL LIFE. AMEN.”
T H E FO R M U L A W A S T O O L ONG TO REPEAT WITH EACH COMMUNIO N, AND
M Y T R E M B L I N G H A N D S M A D E ME FEAR DROPPING A CONSECRATE D HOST.
I G A V E H O L Y C O M M U N I O N AS FAST AS I COULD , WHILE THE M EN
P R E S S E D T O W A R D T H E S E M ICIRCLE AROUND THE ALTAR. THEY WERE
C O M P O S E D A N D O R D E R L Y , BU T I COULD NOT HELP N OTICING H OW THE
T E N S E N E S S O F F E A R R E L A XING THEIR FACES A S EACH ONE RE CEIVED
THE BODY OF CHRIST.
T H E R E W E R E A P P R O X I M A T E LY A HUNDRED MEN A T MASS. JUST AS I
F I N I S H E D T H E L A S T L I N E OF COMMUNICANTS, A TREMENDOUS SHOUT
O F J U B I L A T I O N R O S E F R O M THE WINDOWS ACROSS THE STREET. LOUD
T A L K I N G , S H O U T I N G A N D LAUGHING CAME FROM MEN WHO HAD RUSHED
F R O M T H E B A R R A C K S I N T O THE STREET. I LOO KED AT MY
C O N G R E G A T I O N ; T H E Y W E R E QUIET AND ABSORB ED IN THEIR
T H A N K S G I V I N G P R A Y E R S . WITH RELIEF I TURN ED TO THE ALT AR AND
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F I N I S H E D T H E M A S S . A F T ER MASS WE SAID TH E NOVENA TO O UR LADY
O F T H E M I R A C U L O U S M E D A L AND THE LITANY O F ST. JOSEPH. THEN I
T U R N E D T O T H E K N E E L I N G CROWD.
“ W H A T H A P P E N E D ? ” I A S K ED.
“FATHER, WE’RE FREE!!
WE’RE FREE! WE’RE LIBERATED! “
“ T H E G E R M A N G E N E R A L H A S SURRENDERED TO C OLONEL GOODE. ”
“ T H E S T A R S A N D S T R I P E S ARE FLYING FROM T HIS BUILDING. ”
I T W A S T H E R A I S I N G O F THE AMERICAN FLAG THAT OCCASION ED THE
S H O U T I N G F R O M T H E O T H E R BARRACKS AND WIT H IT WENT THE ORDER
TO CEASE FIRE.
M A J O R F R E D O S E T H S P O K E THE SE NTIMENTS OF CROWD: “ WASN ’T IT
W O N D E R F U L . W H I L E M A S S WAS GOING ON WE WE RE LIBERATED. YOU’RE
N O T A K E I E G I E A N Y L O N G ER, FATHER”
L T . P A U L M O Y N A H A N O F R OXBURY, MASS., WROT E ME OF THIS
I N C I D E N T M O N T H S L A T E R , “A PRETTY EMOTION AL MOMENT; NO THING
W I L L E V E N C O M P A R E W I T H YOUR ‘SHORT MAS S’ OF MARCH 27TH AT
H A M M E L B U R G. I S T I L L U SE THE WE LL -THMUBED PRAYER BOOK I HAD
T H E N , A N D B E L I E V E M E , FATHER, THE MASS H AS TAKEN ON A NEW
M E A N I N G F O R M E T H A T W I LL NEVER FADE.”
A S I S T O O D B E F O R E T H E ALTAR, STILL CLAD IN THE VESTME NTS AN D
H E A R I N G T H E S T O R Y O F T HE LIBERATION, AND AMERICAN TAN K
R U M B L E D T O A S T O P O N T HE STREET JUST OUTS IDE THE WIND OW.
L I B E R A T E D P R I S O N E R S C O RWDED AROUND IT. I T WAS A GRAND SIGHT.
B E T T E R S T I L L W A S T H E A PPEARANCE OF AMERIC ANS IN COMBA T
D R E S S , T H E T A N K E R S W I T H TH EIR STEEL HELMETS, A MUNITION
B E L T S , F I E L D J A C K E T S A ND BOOTS, AND WITH RIFLES IN TH EIR
H A N D S . T H E I R R U D D Y F A C ES AND LITHE BODIE S CONTRASTED
S T R A N G E L Y W I T H T H E D R A WM LOOKS AND EMACI ATED FRAMES A ND THE
D I R T Y C L O T H E R S O F T H E KRIEGIES. FROM THE WONDROUS REC ESSE S
O F T H E T A N K C A M E C A S E S OF K -RATIONS, WHICH WERE DISTR IBUTED
P R O D I G A L L Y T O T H E S K I N NY HANDS THAT REAH ED OUT FOR TH EM.
S L O W L Y I R E M O V E D T H E V ESTMENTS AND PACKED THEM AWAY FOR THE
L A S T T I M E I N T H E C A R D B OARD CARTON WHICH LT. WEIGEL, F AITHFUL
T O T H E E N D , S P I R I T E D AWAY TO THE ST ORE ROOM WHERE WE HA D
K E P T I T S I N C E W E B E G A N TO HAVE MASS IN T HE ADMINISTRA TION
B U I L D I N G . A S I S T E P P E D OUTSIDE THE BUILD ING A STRANGE SIGHT
C O N F R O N T E D M E . F R O M A L L THE WINDOWS OF T HE BUILDINGS FACING
W E S T , W H I T E S H E E T S W E R E DRAPED; ALSO ALONG THE BARBED WIR E
F E N C E S W H I T E S T R I P S W E RE HUNG. THESE WER E THE SURREND ER
F L A G S T H A T A M E R I C A N S A ND GERMAN ALIKE HAD HUNG OUT. IN THE
C O M P O U N D A M E R I C A N S A N D SERBS MINGLED TOG ETHER IN GROU PS AND
S H O U T E D T H E I R J O Y , S H O OK HANDS AROUND AN D AROUND. THE
F A M ILI A R S C E N E O F P R I SON ERS CARRYING THE TUB S AND CAN S OF
C H O W T O T H E V A R I O U S R O OMS FROM THE KITCH EN WAS ENACTE D FOR
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T H E L A S T T I M E . I B E G A N TO MAKE MY WAY AL ONG THE HERMA N
G O E R I N G S T R A S S E T O M Y BARRACKS.
T H E L A S T M E A L A T H A M M ELBURG WAS AN EVENT TO BE R EMEMB ER ED BY
T H E O L D G A N G I N B A R R A C KS 11 -7. MATTIE GIUFFRE DI VIDED THE
B R I M I N G P O T I N T O E Q U A L PARTS FOR US AND WE STOOD AROU ND THE
T A B L E S F O R T H E L A S T T I ME TOGETHER. AS US UAL I SAID GR ACE:
“ B L E S S U S , O L O N R D , A N D THESE THY GIFTS WHICH WE ARE ABOUT
T O R E C E I V E F R OM T H Y B O UNTY THROUGH CHRIST, OUR LORD - AND
T H A N K Y O U F O R D E L I V E R I NG US FROM OUR ENE MIES.”
“ A M E N ! ” T H E Y A L L S H O U T E D.
T H E S O U P W A S R I C H , S A T URATED WITH VITAMI NS AND THOROU GLY
S A T I S F Y I N G . W E S C A R C E L Y NEEDED TO TOUCH OUR RESERVE S UPPLY
O F R E D C R O S S F O O D T O F EEL FULL. HAD WE ACTU ALLY BEEN SERVED
A N O R M A L M E A L , W E C O U L D NOT HAVE DONE JU STICE TO IT; OUR
S T O M A C H S H A D S H R U N K S O MUCH. DURING SUPP ER WE RECEIVE D
M A R C H I N G O R D E R , N O T F R OM THE GERMANS, BU T FROM THE AM ERICANS
WHO LIBERATED US.
A S N I G H T W A S C L O S I N G I N WE FORMED A COLUMN OF F IVES ON THE
H E R M A N G O E R R I N G S T R A S S E AND PROCEEDED WI TH BLANKETS O N OUR
B A C K S , T H E E X T R A F O O D AND KEEPSAKES OF P RISON LIFE IN OUR
B U L G I N G P O C K E T S A N D I N THE MOTLEY ASSORT MENT OF CONTA INERS
W E C A R R I E D . I H A D A N O LD FLOUR SACK WHICH A SERB HAD GIVEN
M E F O R A T O W E L W H I C H C ONTAINED AN EXTRA P AIR OF SOCKS , A
W O O L E N S H I R T , A B A T H - T OWEL, MY BREVIARY A ND TWO OR TH REE
P O U N D S O F F O O D . C A P T A I N JOHN MADDEN BROU GHT THE REST OF OUR
F O O D A N D T H E O L D S M O K E Y JOE.
T H R O U G H T H E S E R B I A N C O MPOUND WE MOVED LI KE A TRIUMPHA L
P A R A D E , C H E E R E D A N D F A RWELLED BY THOSE S TALWART SOLDI ERS WHO
H A D M A D E O U R S T A Y A T H AMMELBURG SO INTERESTING AND S O
COMFORTING.
O N E O F T H E B U I L D I N G S T HAT WAS USED AS A R ECREATION HA LL BY
T H E S E R B S H A D R E C E I V E D DIRECT HIT AND WA S STILL BURNI N G. THE
F I R E T H R E W A R U D D Y G L O W ON THE FACES THA T SMILED FOR THE
L A S T T I M E O N U S . W E M A RCHED OUT OF THE P RISON STOCKAD E,
T H R O U G H T H E H O L E S M A D E IN THE FENCES BY THE TANKS.
W E C R O S S E D A F I E L D A N D THEN ASCENDED A H ILL ON TOP OF WHICH
A S T R A W S T A C K W A S F U R I OU SLY BURNING. NEAR TH E PYRE LA Y THE
C O R P S E S O F T H R E E G E R M A NS, MOST LIKELY TH E TEAM THAT M ANNED A
G U N E M P L A C E M E N T T H A T W AS COVERED BY THE S TRAW. A MILE OUT ON
T H E H I L L S F R O M T H E C A M P WAS THE MAIN BOD Y OF LIBERATI NG
F O R C E . T H E E X C I T E M E N T OF THE AFTERNOON A ND ESPECIALLY THE
E X E R T I O N O F C L I M B I N G T HAT HILL EXHAUSTED MOST OF US. BUT
T H E R E W E R E K-R A T I O N S A ND CIGARETT ES FOR US IN THE TAN KS THAT
E Q U A T E D L I K E G I A N T D U C KS ON TOP OF THE H ILL.
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A S F R E E M E N W E S A T D O W N ON THE DAMP EART H. THE CHILLY NIGHT
B E C A M E C O L D . T H E S H O T S FROM SMALL ARM S WERE FIRED IN THE
D A R K N E S S N E A R U S . T A L K ING AND LAUGHING C EASED. TENSEN ESS
C A M E O V E R U S A G A I N A N D WHEN WE SPOKE WE WHISPERED. IT WAS
T H E F I R S T F O R E B O D I N G O F TROUBLE AHEAD. OR DERS WERE PA SSED
A L O N G , “ N O S M O K I N G , N O LIGHTS”. THE FULL MO ON WAS OBSCURED
B Y C L O U D S , A N D O N L Y G L OWING EMBERS FROM THE BURNING B UILDING
A N D S T R A W S T A C K W E R E L EFT. TWO HOURS PASS ED AND STILL WE
SAT.
T H E N T H E T R U T H C A M E O U T. THIS TASK FORCE HAD COME SIX TY
M I L E S A H E A D O F T H E L I N ES TO LIBERATE WHA T WAS UNDERST OOD TO
B E 2 0 0 A M E R I C A N O F F I C E R PRISONERS AND BR ING THEM BACK IN THE
T A N K S . 1 6 0 0 C O U L D N O T POSSIBLY RIDE ON T HIRTY - FIVE TANKS
W H I C H W O U L D H A V E T O F I GHT THEIR WAY OUT AS THEY HAD F OUGHT
T H E I R W A Y I N T O E N E M Y T ERRITORY.
T H E R E W A S A C O U N C I L H E LD SOMEWHERE IN TH E HI LLS OF TH E
L I B E R A T E D C O L O N E L S A N D MAJORS WITH THE C OMMANDERS OF THE
T A N K F O R C E . T H E N I T W A S OVER THE DISAPPO INTING WORD W AS
BROUGHT DOWN TO US.
“ W E H A V E B E E N L I B E R A T E D AND ARE FREE. BU T UNTIL WE CA N GET
W I T H I N T H E A M E R I C A N L I NE EACH MAN IS ON HIS OWN. SIX TY MILES
I S T H E D I S T A N C E W E W I L L HAVE TO MAKE - WITHOUT FOOD A ND
S U P P L I E S , W I T H O U T T R A N SPORTATION, AND WE ARE IN A WEA KENED
C O N D I T I O N . H E N C E , I T I S THE OPINION OF TH E FIELD -GRAD E
O F F I C E R S T H A T A N Y M A N WHO THINKS HE CANN OT MAKE THE T RIP GO
B A C K T O T H E B A R R A C K S AND AWAIT DEVELO PMENTS. EACH MAN IS
F R E E T O D O A S H E T H I N G S BEST.”
I N D E S P E R A T E S I T U A T I O N S LIKE THESE A MAN DOES NOT ORD INARILY
A C T O N H I S O W N . H E L O O KS TO SEE WHAT HIS BUDDY WILL D O AND
THEY ACT TOGETHER.
“ W H A T A R E Y O U G O I N G T O DO?”
“ D O Y O U T H I N K W E C A N MAKE THE SIXTY M ILES?”
“ W I L L I T B E S A F E T O G O BACK TO OFLAG?”
S U C H Q U E S T I O N S A S T H E S E WERE IN THE MIND S AND ON THE LIPS OF
A L L . A H A L F- H O U R P A S S ED AND THER E WAS ONLY AIMLESS S TROLLING
A R O U N D T H E F I E L D . T H E TANKS SAT ON THE H ILLTOP, THEIR MOTORS
S I L E N T. G R A D U A L L Y T H E RETR EAT TO THE PRISON CA MP BEGAN. IN
S M A L L A N D L A R G E G R O U P S MANY OF THE LIBER ATED, NOW STI FF FROM
T H E I R R E S T O N T H E C O L D GROUND, AND SLOWL Y WOUND THEIR WAY
A L O N G T H E H I L L S I D E , P A ST THE DARKENED SI LOUHETTES OF THE
T A N K S A N D D O W N T H E H I L L. FR OM MY POINT OF VIEW THIS IS WHAT
S E E M E D T O B E H A P P E N I N G AND HENCE MY DUTY WAS CLEAR. I MUST
G O B A C K T O A N D S E E T H I S THING THROUGH WI TH THEM.
126
I N R E A L I T Y O N L Y A T H I R D OF THE LIBERATED RETURNED BEF ORE
O N E-TH I R T Y I N T H E M O R NIN G. MOST OF THE OTHER S REMAINE D F OR
T H E T I M E B E I N G I N T H E HILLS. ANOTHER THI RD RETURNED D URING
T H E R E S T O F T H E N I G H T AND EARLY DAWN. OF THE REMAININ G THIRD
V E R Y F E W W E R E N O T R E C A PTURED DURING THE NEST DAY OR T WO.
N O N E O F T H E T A N K S , I T IS SAID, GOT BACK TO THE AMERIC AN
LINES.
C A P T A I N J O H N M A D D E N A N D I REACHED THE GAPING HOLE LEF T BY A
T A N K I N T H E B A R B E D W I R E FENCE SHORTLY AF TER MIDNIGHT. AS THE
L I N E O F S T R A G G L E R S F O U ND ITS WAY THROUGH THE COMPOUND OF OUR
S E R B I A N F R I E N D S , T H E R E WASN’T AN ATMOSPH ERE OF TENSIO N; THE
J O Y O U S S P I R I T T H A T A N I MATE D THE SERBS WHEN WE MARCHED OUT
F I V E H O U R S B E F O R E W A S CHANGED TO SILENT GAZING AND
D E J E C T I O N . T H E R E W A S S CARCELY A WORD SPOK EN AS WE TRU DGED
A L O N G . I N T H E C O M P O U N D WE HAD INHABITED FOR OVER TWO MONTHS
A N A M E R I C A N O F F I C E R O N GUARD AT THE GATE TOLD US TO G O
D I R E C T L Y T O O U R B A R R A C KS AND REMAIN INSI DE. MADDEN AN D I
F O U N D O U R W A Y T O B A R R A CKS 11 - 7. WE WERE NEITHER T HE F IRST TO
A R R I V E T H E R E N O R T H E L AST OF THE OLD GROU P WHO HAD LI VED SO
H A P P I L Y T O G E T H E R . C O L . SEELEY WAS THE SE NIOR OFFICER OF
B A R R A C K S 1 1 . H E O R D E R E D ALL THE CONNECTING DOORS BETWEEN THE
R O O M S T O B E O P E N E D S O THAT WE WOULD HAVE INSIDE
C O M M U N I C A T I O N I N C A S E OF TROUBLE. NO ONE WAS TO REMOV E HIS
C L O T H E S I F H E L A Y D O W N TO SLEEP.
-------------------- --
“ P r i s o n e r o f t h e G e r m a ns” by Chaplain Mark R. Moore
P a g e 4 5 : “ O L D G L O R Y W A VES AGAIN”
“ I h e a r d s o m e o f m y c o mrades calling and as I looked out of
t h e d o o r I s a w a s c e n e that I shall never forget. The re in
f o r m a t i o n w a s t h e G e r m an General and his adjutant wit h a
w h i t e f l a g o f s u r r e n d e r. He was turning the camp over to the
A m e r i c a n s . B e s i d e t h e m I saw our Colonel (Col. Goode) and
o u r A d j u t a n t a n d t h e y had something I had not seen fo r some
t i m e . I t h a d b e e n s a v e d for just such an occasion. Th ere,
h e l d h i g h i n h e r r i g h t ful place, we beheld Old Glory waving
in the breeze.”
P a g e 4 7 : “ T I M E F O R D E C ISION”
“ W e w a l k e d p a s t t h e t a nks and on over the hill and we re
o r d e r e d t o s t o p a n d g e t down. After a wait we began t o sense
s o m e t h i n g w a s w r o n g a n d the word reached us the tanks would
n o t b e a b l e t o c a r r y s o many and we would all be left to do
127
w h a t w e t h o u g h t b e s t . Since most of the 1,500 were of ficers,
t h e d e c i s i o n s w e r e i n d ividual. -S o I r a n a n d c a u g h t u p with Stoney (Stonesifer) and 5 00
o t h e r s a n d w e w e n t b a c k into camp. I was so tired tha t I
w e n t t o m y o l d b u n k a nd even went to sleep.
---------------(FR. CAVANAUGH CONT.)
A N D T H E R E W E R E S I G N S O F TROUBLE. AFTER TH E LIBERATION AT
F O U R- TH I R T Y O ’ C L O C K A ND T HE SURRENDER OF OUR COMPOUND TO THE
L I B E R A T I N G T A S K F O R C E , THE GERMAN GUARDS HAD BEEN WIT HDRAWN
F ROM T H E S E R B I A N A N D A MERICAN ENCLOSURES. UNDER COVER OF
D A R K N E S S S O M E O F T H E S ERBS HAD GONE TO TH E MAGAZINE A ND
A R M E D T H E M S E L V E S . T H E Y HELD A FEW GERMAN OFFICERS AND
E N L I S T E D M E N H O S T A G E S IN ONE OF THEIR BU ILDINGS. THER E WERE
R E P O R T S T H A T T H E G E R M A NS WERE P REPARING FIGHT. WE S AT IN THE
D A R K F O R A N H O U R O R M O RE DISCUSSING THE SITUATION.
S E E A P P E N D I X 2 0 A : D O N PRELL’S LETTER ON HIS EXPERIENC E AFTER
T H E TASK FORCE BAUM ‘LIBERATION’.
2 0 B : H E R NDON INGE JR . ARTICLE ON TASK F O RCE
BAUM.
“ W E A R E N O T F R E E Y E T , FATHER.”
“ W E L L , L E T ’ S G E T S O M E SLEEP ANYWAY,” I S AID AND ROLLE D INTO
MY BUNK.
-------------------- “ P r i s o n e r o f t h e G e r m a ns” by Mark R. Moore
P a g e 4 1 : “ D A Y O F L I B E R ATION” (refers to Task Force Ba um and
t h e l i b e r a t i o n o f t h e camp on March 27 , 1945)
“ O n M a r c h 2 7 I h a d w r i tten, (diary) ‘Nothing unusual, ’ and
w h e n I w r o t e a g a i n o n April, I had to change it. Then I
w r o t e , ‘ I h e l d s e r v i c e under tank fire. Liberation an d
m a r c h e d o u t . ’ I t h a p p e ned like this. We had been hear ing
a r t i l l e r y s h e l l s f o r a week or more in the distance and then
i t s o u n d e d l i k e t a n k f ire.
O n M a r c h 2 7 , t h e G e r m a n General in charge told us we would
h a v e t o l e a v e c a m p M a r ch 28 at 5:00 a.m., but many do ubted
t h a t h e w o u l d m a r c h s o many of us out like that. -I f o u n d t h a t t h e C a t h o lics were going to have Mass and
s e v e r a l m e n s a i d t h e y wanted at least a prayer servic e so I
w e n t t o t h e S e n i o r C h a plain and the Colonel and got
128
p e r m i s s i o n t o h o l d t h e service which had been called off.
B o t h s e r v i c e s w e r e a t 3:45 p.m. -T a n k f i r e s o un d e d a l m o st like it was over the hill. We
r e m a r k e d t o o n e a n o t h e r, ‘Doesn’t that sound like mus ic?’
B u t i t w a s t i m e t o s t a rt services, so I went inside a nd
o t h e r s g a t h e r e d . C h a p lain Paul W. Cavanaugh was to co nduct
M a s s i n t h e r o o m b e s i d e ours. The Catholi c men were a lready
i n a n d t h e s e r v i c e w a s about to start.
I b e l i e v e w e h a d 2 5 0 t o 300 Protestant men for our se rvice
a n d I h a d a s k e d C h a p l ain Stonesifer to help me. Just as I
s t o o d u p t o b e g i n , I n oticed a flash to my right at t he
w i n d o w s a n d a n e x p l o s i on. The windows shook and every man
h i t t h e f l o o r . S i n c e w e didn’t have a pulpit I had pl aced a
p o o l t a b l e i n f r o n t o f the room and was standing behi nd it.
W h e n t h e e x p l o s i o n o c c urred, I started under it but t hose in
f r o n t h a d g o t t e n t h e r e first and I found s helter under the
o r g a n . I n a m o m e n t I l ooked up and saw Chaplain Matth ews , a
s i x-fo o t - f o u r- i n c h c h a plain from Minneapolis, Minnesota,
s t a n d i n g t h e r e . I h a d been told that he was the brave st
c h a p l a i n o n t h e l i n e a nd he had been in combat for so me
t i m e , s o I c r a w l e d o u t and stood beside him. I asked him
w h a t h e t h o u g h t w e o u g ht to do and he said to go ahea d with
t h e s e r v i c e . S o I s a i d , ‘Men, you may know more about shells
t h a n I d o b u t I t h i n k we are just about as safe here as
a n y w h e r e s o w e w i l l g o on with t he service.’ -T o m y l e f t w a s C h a p l a in Stonesifier
and I called on him to
l e a d i n p r a y e r . H a l f w ay through the prayer we had an other
e x p l o s i o n c l o s e b y a n d this time I made it first unde r the
p o o l t a b l e . W h e n I l o o ked out Stonesifer had dropped on his
k n e e s a n d h a d n o t m i s s ed a word. He was still going s trong,
-W h e n w e g o t o u t s i d e t h e guards had put up everything they
h a d t h a t w a s w h i t e s o the tanks would not shell the c amp too
m u c h . W e h e a r d t h a t t h e camp was surrounded and that the
A m e r i c a n s w o u l d s o o n b e in. The Catholic service was over
a n d I m a d e m y w a y t h r o ugh the crowd to Chaplain Cavan augh
a n d t o l d h i m w h a t h a d taken place. He said it was won derful
a n d w e m a d e t h e a n n o u n cement to his men before they w ent
o u t . I w e n t b a c k i n t o the room where we h ad had servi ces and
s i n c e w e w e r e o r d e r e d not to leave the building the m en were
s t i l l t h e r e a n d C h a p l ain Koskamp , at their insistence, was
l e a d i n g t h e m i n a p r a y er of thanksgiving. A number of the
men too were praying.
( C h a p l a i n K o s k a m p w a s killed during the bombing raid at
N u r e m b e r g o n A p r i l 4 , 1945)
-------------------129
(Fr. Cavanaugh cont.)
I W A S T H E R E B U T A F E W MINUTES WHEN I HEA RD A COMMAND, “GET
R E A D Y T O M A R C H . T H E G E RMANS HAVE TAKEN O VER AND ARE M ARCHING
U S O U T O F H E R E . B E R E A DY IN FIFTEE N MINUTES.”
A T O N E- T H I R T Y I N T H E M ORNIN G WE LINED UP QUIETL Y IN THE
H E R M A N G O E R I N G S T R A S S E - ABOUT FIVE HUNDRED A MERICANS UNDER
A G U A R D C O M P A N Y O F F O R TY OFFICERS AND ME N. SOME OF OU R
N U M B E R H A D P A S S E D T H E KITCHEN AND BROUGH T UP A FEW DI SHPANS
O F C O L D B O I LE D P O T A T O ES. WE STUC K THESE INTO OUR POC KETS AND
W E R E Q U I C K L Y O F F . T H R O UGH THE HEADQUARTE RS AREA OF TH E
P R I S O N G R O U N D S , D O W N T HE ADOLF HITLER STR ASSE, THEN O UT INTO
T H E O P E N C O U N T R Y T O T H E EAST. I WAS ON T HE MARCH THAT COL.
G O O D E H A D O R D E R E D M E N OT TO TAKE AND HE WAS NOT WITH US.
C O L . C . C . C A V E N D E R W A S THE SENIOR AMERIC AN OFFICER.
-------------------- P r i s o n e r o f t h e G e r m a n s” by Chaplain Mark R. Moore
Page 49: “MOVING DAY”
“ A t 3 : 3 0 a . m . M a r c h 2 8 , I was awakened and heard that the
G e r m a n s h a d re t u r n e d a nd were marching us out. -W e m a r c h e d p a s t a g r e a t number of German soldiers and
s t a r t e d o u r j o u r n e y w h ich lasted thirty -six days. The other
1 , 0 0 0 m e n w e r e r e c a p t u red, put on box cars and shippe d to
N u r e m b e r g a n d m a r c h e d eighteen days to camp at Moosburg.
-------------------- -
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CHAPTER NINE
WAY OF THE CROSS
I N T H E D A R K N E S S O F T H E EARLY MORNING HOU RS WE PLODDED ONCE
A G A I N A L O N G A G R A V E L R OAD. THE COMPARATIV E EASE OF LI VING
B E H I N D B A R B E D W I R E W A S REPLACE BY THE PR ISONERS’ MAR CH. FROM
O U R O W N E X P E R I E N C E W E KNEW THAT FORCED M ARCHING UNDER GUARD
W A S N O T A C O M F O R T A B L E WAY TO LIVE. THERE WAS A MIST I N THE
A I R A N D T H E C H I L L Y D A M PNESS DISHEARTENED US. JUST OUS TED THE
C A M P A R E A T O T H E E A S T A VOLKSTARM UNIT W AS BUSY WITH
P R E P A R A T I O N S FO R C O M B A T. ALONG THE SHOULDER OF THE RO AD , IN
C L U M P S O F T R E E S , A N D I N THE LEE OF KNOLLS AND RIDGES GROUPS
O F S O L D I E R S , H O R S E S , W AGONS, TRUCKS, AND ARTILLERY CA ISSONS
W A I T E D F O R T H E H O U R W H EN THE FIGHTING WO ULD BE RESUME D.
G E N E R A L V O N G O E C K L E H A D SURRENDERE D THE AMERICAN OFFI C ER
P R I S O N E R S T O C O L O N E L G OODE AND THE TASK F ORCE WHICH H AD
R E A C H E D H A M M E L B U R G . H E HAD NOT EVACUATED HIS TROOPS F ROM THE
R E S T O F T H E C A M P N O R A BANDONED THE DEFENS E OF THE SEC TOR. IT
I S N O T L I K E L Y T H A T H E HAD MUCH AUTHORITY IN THE TACTI CS THE
W E H R M A C H T W A S A D O P T I N G IN THIS CRISIS.
A N O T H E R M O T O R I Z E D U N I T TURNED FROM A SID E ROAD HEAD O N TO
O U R C O L U M N A S H O R T D I S TANCE FROM THE CAM P. WE WERE SH UNTED
T O T H E S I D E T O A L L O W T HE CONVOY TO PASS. IT MOVED SLO WLY.
S O M E V E H I C L E S M O M E N T A R ILY STOPPED AN D THERE WERE SHOR T
C O N V E R S A T I O N S I N U N D E R TONES BETWEEN OUR GUARDS AND TH E
T R O O P S I N C O N V O Y . T H E GERMANS APPEARED T O BE AS BEFUD DLED AS
W E W E R E . W H E N T H E R O A D WAS CLEAR WE PUSH ED OFF AGAIN. SMALL
P E B B L E S T O R T U R E D O U R T ENDER FEET. PEBBLES OF ANOTHER SORT
T O RTU R E D O U R M I N D S . “ WA S IT THE BETTER THIN G TO HAVE GONE
B A C K T O T H E O F L A G ? W O U LD IT NOT HAVE BEE N SAFER TO ST ICK
W I T H T H E A M E R I C A N T A N K S?”
O U R C O L U M N M O V E D S L U G G ISHLY FOR AN HOUR. A TEN MINUTE REST
A N D W E T R A M P E D F O R A N O THER HOUR. A SORT PAUSE, THEN O N
A G AIN . T H E F I R S T L I G H T OF DAWN WAS BREAKING THROUGH T HE
C L O U D S . G E R M A N A R T I L L E RY AND TANKS MOVED SWIFTLY PAST US ON
T H E I R W A Y T O H A M M E L B U R G. AT SIX O’CLOCK WE BEGAN TO H EAR THE
R U M B L E O F B A T T L E B E H I N D US, A TANK BATTL E THAT OCCURR ED NEAR
T H E P R I S O N C A M P T H I S M ORNING. AT LEAST SE VENTEEN AMER ICANS
W E R E K I L L E D . F A T H E R M A DDEN, WHO HAD REMA INED IN THE E NLISTED
M E N ’ S S T A L A G , B U R I E D T HEM A FEW DAYS LATE R.
S T A L A G X I I I C , B Y T H E W AY HAD NOT BEEN LIB ERATED BY TH E
A M E R I C A N F O R C E S T H A T H AD REACHED HAMMELBURG . IT REMAINED IN
E N E M Y H A N D S F O R A N O T H E R WEEK UNTIL THE E XPANDING FRON T OF
T H E T H I R D A R M Y M O V E D U P AND FREED THE ENT IRE AREA, IN CLUDING
Y U G O S L A V S , R U S S I A N S , F RENCH AND POLES.
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A T E I G H T O ’ C L O C K I T S T ARTED TO RAIN. WAL KING WAS A HA RDSHIP
N O W . B U T L I K E I N F A N T R Y TROOP, WHIC H MOST OF US WERE, W E
B E C A M E N U M B T O T H E P A I N AND CONTINUED SH UFFLING ALONG OVER
T H E S T O N Y H I G H W A Y . W E TURNED SOUTH ONTO A NARROW DIRT ROAD
I N T O R O L L I N G C O U N T R Y . UP THE SLIPPERY SL OPES THE GOIN G WAS
R O U G H A N D T H E C O L U M N S EEMED BARELY TO MOV E. BY TEN O’ CLOC K
W E H A D W A L K E D F O R E I G H T CONSECUTIVE HOUR S WITH ONLY F IVE OR
S I X R E S T P E R I O D S O F T E N MINUTES EACH. WE HAD HAD NO S LEEP
A N D N O F O O D H A D B E E N I SSUED US. OF COURSE , THE PACE W AS
S L O W , P R O B A B L Y N O T M U C H MORE THAN TWO MI LES AN HOUR. THERE
H A D B E E N L I T T L E T A L K I N G AMONG THE PRISONE RS.
T H E G U A R D S O C C A S I O N A L L Y MUTTERED THEIR G RIPES TO ONE
A N O T H E R . T H E Y W E R E E Q U IPPED WITH LONG HE AVY OVERCOATS AND A
F U L L K N A P S A C K ; A C O U P L E OF HAND GRENADES , WHICH WE CA LLED
“ P O T A T O M A S H E R S ” , A N D A MESS KIT WERE ST RAPPED TO THE IR
B E L TS. O V E R T H E S H O U L DER THEY CARRIED THEIR L ONG, HEA VY
R I F L E S . A L T H O U G H O U R P HYSICAL CONDITION W AS MUCH WEAK ER THAN
T H E I R S , T H E S E G U A R D S W ERE NOT THE BLUE - EYED, BLOND AP OLLOS
W I T H B R O A D S H O U L D E R A N D BARREL CHESTS WH OM WE HAD SEE N
B E H I N D B A R B E D W I R E I N THE PRI SONER OF WAR CAMPS I N TH E
U N I T E D S T A T E S . M O S T O F THEM WERE OLDER M EN, STOOP
S H O U L D E R E D , F L A T F O O T E D, UNFIT FOR LAST STAND FIGHTIN G.
M A R C H I N G A C O L U M N O F A MERICAN PRISONERS O F WAR WAS DE FINITE
H A R D S H I P F O R T H E M . B Y TEN O’CLOCK THEY W ERE MOROSE AN D
S U L L E N , SP L U T T E R I N G O NLY UNIN TELLIGIBLE IMPRECATI ONS TO
THEMSELVES.
W E L E F T T H E D I R T R O A D , CROSSED A SOGGY M EADOW AND ENT ERED A
W O O D S . I N L I T T L E G R O U P S WE WERE ASSIGNED PLACES TO RE ST ON
T H E W E T L E A F Y M O L D O F THE FOREST. GUARDS WERE POSTED AROUND
T H E P E R I M E T E R O F T H E WOODS. WE WERE T OLD THAT THIS WOULD BE
A L O N G R E S T , P O S S I B L Y T ILL EVENING. HUNGRY AND TIRED WE TOOK
O F F O U R S H O E S A N D R U B B ED OUR ACHING FEET . COLD BOILED
P O T A T O E S F R O M O U R P O C K ETS MADE THE BREAK FAST MOST OF US HAD.
A L O N G A W A G O N T R A I L S M ALL BONFIRES WER E BUILT TO BOIL WATE R
W H I C H W A S B R O U G H T T O U S FROM A NEIGHBORIN G FARM. CAPT AIN
M A D D E N , T H E W I S E P R O V I DER, HAD BROUGHT A LONG HIS SUPP LY OF
F O O D A N D E V E N H I S S M O K EY JOE STOVE. HE B OILED SOME WA TER AND
M A D E C O F F E E F O R U S . B U T FIRES HAD TO BE KEPT FROM SMU DGIN G.
S M O K E W O U L D R E V E A L O U R LOCATION AND PLAN ES MIGHT COME OVER
TO STRAFE US.
I T H O U G H T O F C O L . G O O D E’S INJUNCTION AND WONDERED HOW SOON
H E H I M S E L F O R S O M E O T H ER AMERICAN MIGHT GET THE INTEL LIGENCE
T O T H E A I R C O R P S T H A T A COLUMN OF PW’S W AS MARCHING B Y BACK
R O A D S T O T H E S O U T H E A S T . DURING THE DAY A PLANE OR TWO PASSED
L O W O V E R U S . W E W E R E N OT FIRED UPON. FORT UNATELY FOR US THE
A I R C O R P S W A S P R E V E N T E D FROM COMING OUT I N FORCE BECAU SE OF
THE OVERCAST.
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D U R I N G T H E L O N G R E S T T HE FIVE HUNDRED OF US WERE ORGA NIZED
B Y O U R S E N I O R A M E R I C A N OFFICERS. WE FORME D FOUR COMPA NIES,
E A C H W I T H A L I E U T E N A N T COLONEL IN COMMAN D. EACH COMPA NY WAS
D I V I D E D I N T O F O U R P L A T OONS, EACH PLATOON INTO THREE S QUADS.
L T . C O L . T H O M P S O N C O M M ANDED OUR COMPANY. MAJOR SANDA HELMS
B E C A M E O U R P L A T O O N L E A DER AND JOHN MADD EN CAPTAINED O UR
S Q U A D O F E I G H T M E N : L T S. SMOLKA, PRIOR, KEOUGH, LOSH, RUOFF,
K E S S I N G E R , J O N E S A N D M E. THE ARRANGEMENT WAS TO PROVE VERY
S A T I S F A C T O R Y I N A C C O U N TING FOR OUR OWN M EN AND IN THE
DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD.
S O M E P R I S O N E R S S L E P T O N THE DAMP CARPET OF THE WOODS. AT
T H R E E O ’ C L O C K W I T H T H E SKY STILL OVERCAS T WE STARTED
M A R C H I N G A G A I N ; T H E D A NGER FROM THE AIR WAS REMOTE. N OW IT
B E C A M E F O R T Y-F I V E M I N U TES WALK, F IFTEEN MINUTES REST. JUST
A T D A R K A T T H E E N D O F THE FOURTH HOUR WE CAME TO A SMALL
T O W N N A M E D S C H W A N K E N W ERTH . HERE WE STOPPED FO R THE NI GHT.
O N T H I S M I L L I O N D O L L A R TOUR OF BAVARIA W HICH WE PAID FOR IN
B L O O D S E A T A N D A C H I N G LIMBS WE WERE PROV IDED EXCELLEN T
A C C O M M O D A T I O N S F O R T H E NIGHT IN THE SPAC IOUS BARNS OF
B A V A R I A N F A R M E R S . T H R O UGHOUT THIS COUNTRY THE VILLAGES ARE
V E R Y T I N Y , P E R H A P S A F EW DOZEN HOMES PACK ED CLOSELY
T O G E T H E R , T H E N O P E N F I ELDS WITHOUT A FEN CE, NOT EVEN A SHED
F O R F A R M I M P L E M E N T S ; A MILE OR TWO AWAY A NOTHER VILLA GE. THE
C A T T L E L I V E D U N D E R T H E SAME ROOF AS THE PEASA NTS WHO OWNED
T H E M , U S U A L L Y A T T H E R EAR OF THE BUILDING . AT RIGHT A NGLES
T O T H E H O M E W A S A L A R G E BARN THAT HOUSED FARM MACHINE RY AND
B I N S F O R G R A I N A B O V E W AS A LOFT WHERE HAY AND STRAW WERE
S T O R E D . E A C H F A R M E R ’ S L- SHAPED ESTATE TOUCHE D HIS NES T -DOOR
N E I G H BOR ’ S S O T H A T T W O HOM ES FORMED A COURTYAR D IN THE
M I D D L E O F W H I C H W A S A REFUSE HEAP. IT IS SAID PERHAPS
S E R I O U S L Y T H A T M A N ’ S W EALTH IS MEASURED B Y THE FRAGRA NCE AND
S I Z E O F H I S M A N U R E P I L E. THE HAY LOFTS B ECAME THE “RO OM AND
B A T H ” F O R T H I S G R O U P O F AMERICAN TOURISTS SEEING BAVA RIA
UNDER DURESS.
O N E B A R N O R D I N A R I L Y F U RNISHED ENOUGH SPA CE FOR A COMP ANY,
S O M E T I M E S T W O C O M P A N I ES, SO THAT THE GU ARDS HAD ONLY TWO OR
T H R E E Q U A D R A N G L E S T O W ATCH DURING THE NIG HT. ARRIVING AT A
B A R N Y A R D , E A C H C O M P A N Y WOULD BE ASSIGN ED A LOFT, EACH
P L A T O O N I T S S P A C E A N D EACH SQUAD A SECTI ON MORE OR LE SS
R O O M Y E N O U G H F O R E I G H T MEN. IN THIS CROW DED CORNER, C APT.
M A D D E N W O U L D D E S I G N A T E EACH OF HIS SQUAD A FEW SQUARE FEET
O F S L E E P I N G S P A C E . A S WE CARRIED OUR OWN BLANKETS, WE WERE
A B L E T O M A K E A S O F T B ED ON T HE HAY OR STRAW. OCC ASION ALLY
S H E A V E S O F R A I N F U R N I S HED THE MATTRESSES , BUT EVEN TH ESE
W I T H A L I T T L E A R R A N G I N G COULD BE MADE AS COMFORTABLE AS A
S I M M O N S B E D . I N E V E R Y CASE THE BARNS WER E SOFTER SLEE PING
133
Q U A R T E R S T H A N T H E F L O O R OF BOX -CA R OR THIN PALLETS ON A
W O O D E N S H E L F I N A P R I S ON CAMP.
-------------------- ---“ P r i s o n e r o f t h e G e r m a ns” by Chaplain Mark R. Moore
P a g e 4 9 : “ T H I R T Y - S I X DAYS MARCH THROUGH GERMANY”
“ I n o u r g r o u p w e h a d a guard company of fifty officer s and
m e n . T h i s i s h o w t h e y worked. A forwarding party went ahead
a n d m a d e a r r a n g e m e n t s for us to sleep in barns. Then the
k i t c h e n t r u c k w o u l d c a tch up with them, get a stove o r two
a n d h a v e a s o u p c o o k e d by the time we arrived.”
-------------------- ---( F R . C A V A NA U G H C O N T . )
W E A R R I V E D A T S C H W A N K E NWERTH ACHING ALL OVER FROM THE FORCED
M A R C H . S I N C E T W O O ’ C L O CK THAT MORNING WE HAD BEEN ON THE
R O A D F O R T W E L V E H O U R S , NOT COUNTING THE FIVE HOURS RE ST IN
T H E W O O D S . W E W E R E K E P T STANDING FOR WHA T SEEMED A LO NG TIME
I N T HE M I D D L E O F T H E VILL AGE; THEN EACH COMPA NY - ABOUT 125
M E N - WA S T A K E N T O A BARN FOR THE NIGHT. THE B ARN OUR
C O M P A N Y W A S A S S I G N E D H AD A SINGLE ELECTRI C LIGHT IN T HE
L O F T . B Y I T S S O F T G L O W WE ARRANGED OUR S LEEPING QUART ERS AND
S P R E A D O U T B L A N K E T S O V ER THE H AY. IT WAS ONLY COMM ON SENSE
N O T T O S T R I K E M A T C H E S IN SUCH AN INFLAMM ABLE PLACE; H ENCE IN
T H E S E M I- D A R K N E S S M E N WERE ST EPPING ON ONE ANOTHE R OR
F A L L I N G I N T O T H E D E P R E SSIONS IN THE HAY.
W E W E R E S E R V E D A B R O T H OF POTATO SOUP. A LARGE VAT, U SED BY
T H E F A R M E R T O P R E P A R E FEED FOR HIS LIVESTOCK, WAS P LACED
O V E R A W O O D F I R E I N T H E FARMYARD. THE PO TATOES WERE C OOKED
A N D M A S H E D I N T H I S . I F IT HELD SIXTY GAL LONS EACH PRI SONER
R E C E I V E D A B O U T A P I N T OF SOUP - NOT VERY MUCH TO REC UPERATE
T H E E N E R G Y W E H A D E X P E NDED IN M ARCHING. WE LINED UP IN THE
R A I N A T T H E B I G P O T T O RECEIVE OUR PINT OF “HOT STUFF ” IN
T H E T I N C A N S W E C A R R I E D. THE AMERICAN RE D CROSS BOXES FOR
P W ’ S H A D N O T O N L Y S U P P LIED US WITH EXTRA FOOD AT HAMM ELBURG
B U T A L S O P R O V I D E D U S W ITH THE EATING UTEN SILS FOR TH IS
M A R C H . T H E C A N I N W H I C H A POUND OF POWDE RED MILK WAS SHIPPED
M A D E A N E X C E L L E N T S O U P BOWL FOR BARNYARD MESSING. THE POTATO
S O U P , I N S U F F I C I E N T T H O UGH IT WAS, SATISF IED US. IT WA S NOT
L O N G B E F O R E W E W E R E A L L FAST ASLEEP.
AT FIVE
TEA AND
CEASED,
FOR TWO
CROSSED
O ’ C L O C K T H E N E XT MORNING W E WERE SERVED A CUP OF HOT
A T D A Y B R E A K W E RE ON THE MARCH AG AIN. THE RAIN HAD
B U T T H E D A Y W A S CLOUDY. ALONG A BACK ROAD WE WALKED
H O U R S , T H E N C A ME TO THE MAIN RIV ER. THE BRIDG E WE
W A S P R E P A R E D F OR DEMOLITION ON A MOMENT’S NOT ICE,
134
F O R I N T H E C E N T E R L A Y TWO VERY LARGE BOM BS. WE ENTERE D THE
C I T Y O F S C H W E I N F U R T . T HIS CITY WE HAD S EEN BOMBED FRO M
H A M M E L B U R G . F A C T O R Y A R EAS AND SOME RESID ENCE DISTRICT S
S H O W E D T H E R E S U L T S O F TERRIFIC POUNDINGS , BUT THE HEA RT OF
T H E C I T Y S E E M E D U N T O U C HED. IT TOOK TWO HOUR S OF STEADY
P L O D D I N G T O G E T T H R O U G H SCHWEINFURT .
I T W A S H O L Y T H U R S D A Y . ALONG THE STREETS WE PASSED SOM E
C A T H O L I C C H U R C H E S ; P E O PLE WERE COMING IN OR GOING OUT FOR
T H E S O L E M N C O M M E M O R A T I ON OF THE LAST SUP PER. LITTLE G IRLS IN
W H I T E V E I L S A N D L I T T L E BOYS WITH WHITE COLLARS REMIND ED US
O F T H E H O L Y T H U R S D A Y P ROCESSIONS THEY WER E PARTICIPAT ING IN
T H A T M O R N I N G . F O R T H E MOST PART CIVILIAN S TOOK LITTLE HEED
O F U S , E V E N C H I L D R E N H ARDLY STOPPED IN TH EIR PLAY TO GAZE AT
T H E P R O C E S S I O N O F W E A R Y PRIS ONERS PASSING DOWN T HEIR MAIN
S T R E E T S . N U N S A N D P R I E STS LOOKED ON US W ITH COMPASSIO N AND
T H E N W E N T O N T H E I R E R R ANDS OF MERCY. ONL Y AT THE RAIL ROAD
C R O S S I N G S D I D W E S E E A NY WARLIKE PREPARAT IONS ALONG T HE
T R A C K S W E R E A R M E D S O L D IERS AND ON THE FR EIGHT CARS
A MMU N I T I O N A N D S U P P L I E S READY TO BE HAULED TO THE FRONTS.
O N C E O U T O F S C H W E I N F U RT WE WERE IN THE OPEN COUNTRY W ITH
T H O S E I N N U M E R A B L E L I T T LE VILLAGES. EARLY IN THE AFTER NOON WE
L E F T T H E R O A D A N D W E N T A HALF - KILOMETER INTO A WOO DS FOR A
T W O H O U R R E S T . A S T O N E ’S THROW FROM WHERE OUR SQUAD WAS
L O U N G I N G I N O T I C E D A G ROUP OF ENLISTED ME N WHO’S FACE S WERE
U N F A M I L I A R . I W E N T O V E R TO SPEAK WITH TH EM. THEY HAD BEEN
P R I S O N E R S I N S T A L A G X I II C AND HAD BEEN OUT ON AN ARB EIT
K O M M A N D O ( W O R K P A R T Y ) IN HAMMERLBURG THAT DAY T HE TANKS
A P P E A R E D O N A H I L L T O P AND THEIR GUARDS F LED. THE AMER ICAN
B O Y S W E R E P I C K E D U P A G AIN DURING THE NIG HT BY THE JER RIES
A N D J O I N E D T O O U R C O L U MN AS WE MARCHED A WAY FROM HAMM ELBURG .
I N T H A T C R O W D I M E T T W O GRAND NON - COMS WHO BECAME VER Y DEAR
A N D H E L P FU L F R I E N D S . SERGEANT S JIMMY MILLER OF LO UISV ILLE,
K E N T U C K Y , A N D W A L D O S M ITH OF LIMA, OHIO. THEY HAD WEL COMED
F A T H E R M A D D E N T O S T A L A G XIII C AND DID N OT TIRE OF TE LLING
M E W H A T A B L E S S I N G H E WAS TO THE ENLISTE D MEN THERE. JIMMY
A N D S M I T T Y H A D W I T H T H EM EVEN THEN A SUPPLY OF FOO D THEY HAD
P I C K E D U P I N H A M M E L B U R G AND WHICH THEY WERE CARRYING ALONG
I N A B L A N K E T . T H E Y G A V E ME A CAN OF SARD INES AND SOME
C I G A R E T T E S . F R O M T H A T DAY ON THEY SAW TO IT THAT I DI D NOT
G O H U N G R Y . B E F O R E M A N Y DAYS THEY WERE DE TAILED TO TH E MESS
C R E W A N D G E T O T R I D E A HEAD ON THE TRUCK T O THE DAY’S
R E N D E Z V O U S W H E R E T H E Y HELPED PREPARE OUR MEALS. WHEN JIMMY
O R S M I T T Y W E R E D I S H I N G OUT THE SOUP I NE VER LEFT THE LINE
W I T H O U T A F U L L C A N O F FOOD.
T H E G E R M A N G U A R D C O M P A NY HAD THREE VEHIC LES, A STA FF CAR, A
T R U C K , A N D A W A G O N . T H E STAFF CAR WAS US ED BY THE GER MAN
135
C O L O N E L T O G O A H E A D E A CH DAY AND COMMAND EER BARNS FOR US TO
S L E E P I N A N D P O T A T O E S FOR OUR RATIONS; T HE TRUCK CARR IED THE
I M P E D I M E N T A O F T H E G U A RDS AND THE POTS F OR COOKING. O UR MESS
O F F I C E R, M A J O R H A Z L E T T , WIT H FOUR OR FIVE ENLIS TED MEN WHO
D I D T H E C O O K I N G A L S O R OAD AHEAD ON THE TR UCK. THE WAG ON
B R O U G H T U P T H E R E A R O F THE MARCHING COLU MN, PICKED UP THOSE
W H O F E L L B Y T H E W A Y S I D E, AND CARRIED THE BAGGAGE OF T HOSE
WHO COULD BARELY WALK.
F R O M OUR R E S T I N G P L A C E IN THE WOODS WE MARCHED OFF AGAIN FOR
F I V E H O U R S U N T I L D A R K N ESS CAME ON AND WE WERE QUARTER ED IN
B A R N S A T H E R L H E I M . P O TATO SOUP AND BR EAD WERE GIVEN US TH AT
NIGHT.
G O O D F RI D A Y M O R N I N G W E WER E AROUSED BEFORE THE SUNRISE TO
C O N T I N U E O U R W A Y O F T HE CROSS. THIS D AY WE TRAVELED DEEPE R
I N T O C A T H O L I C B A V A R I A . EVERY STEP WAS PA INFUL ON THIS THIRD
D A Y O F F O R C E D M A R C H I N G , BUT AT EVERY CRO SSROADS AND O FTEN IN
B E T W E E N W E W E R E R E M I N D ED OF THE INFINITE LY MORE PAINF UL WAY
O F T H E C R O S S B Y W A Y S I D E CRUCIFIX ES AND SHRINES. THER E WAS
S I L E N C E I N T H E C O L U M N AS WE TROOPED ALON G AND MUCH PR AYING.
I T W A S A D A Y O F M E D I T A TION AND SUFFERING WITH CHRIST ON HIS
J O U R N E Y T O C A L V A R Y . A T THE CLOSE OF THE DAY WE ARRIVE D AT
T H E B A R N S O F O B E R S W A R Z BACH WHERE SEVERAL MEN RE MARKE D TO ME
W H A T I N S P I R A T I O N A N D E NCOURAGEMENT TO GOO N FOR ANOTHE R
K I L O M E T E R T H E Y O B T A I N E D FROM THE IMAGES OF CALVARY TH AT THEY
C O N T E M P L A T E D T H A T G O O D F RIDAY.
I R E M E M B E R H O W J O H N N Y LOSH NEAR ME IN TH E STRAW THAT NIGHT,
H I S F E E T A N D L E G S A C H I NG FROM THE MARCH, SAID, “I HAV E
L E A R N E D T O D A Y A L E S S O N I SHALL NEVER FOR GET; HOW CLOS E WE
C A N C O M E T O C H R I S T W H E N WE SUFFER AND HO W OUR SUFFERI NG
B E C O M E S E A S Y W H E N W E L OOK AT HIM.” JOHNNY WAS HAVING HIS
P U R G A T O R Y O N E A R T H . B E FORE A WEEK WAS UP HE MET HIS D EATH. I
H A V E N O DO U B T T H A T I N THAT DE ATH HE WAS WELCOMED BY T HE
C H R I S T W I T H W H O M H E S U FFERED.
A T N I G H T F A L L T H E F I R S T FOOD SERVED US BY THE JERRIES THAT
D A Y W A S A C A N O F S O U P WITH HORSEMEAT IN IT.
“ F A T H E R , C A N W E E A T T H E MEAT? IT‘S GOOD FRIDAY!” LT. EDWARD
C A S S I D Y O F M E D F O R D , M ASS. EXCLAIMED . YES, ED, WE NEED E VERY
B I T O F F O O D W E C A N G E T ,” WAS MY ANSWER. THE LAW OF TH E
C H U R C H R E G A R D I N G F A S T AND ABSTINENCE WER E NOT MADE FO R
S T A R V I N G K E I E G I E S . W E ARE EXCUSED; IF YO U HAVE ANY SC RUPLES,
I G I V E Y O U A D I S P E N S A T ION.
I T W A S A S O MB E R , L O N G - SUFFERING LET OF KRI EGIES THAT
S L U M B E R E D I N T H E H A Y L O FTS THAT GOOD F RIDAY NIGHT.
136
H O L Y S AT U R D A Y T H E S U N ROSE IN A CLOUDLESS SKY A S WE WERE
L E A V I N G O B E R S W A R Z A C H . FROST WAS ON THE G REEN FIELDS A ND THE
H O U S E H O L D G A R D E N S O F F LOWERS AND VEGETABL ES ALON G THE WAY.
W E W E R E I N A V A L L E Y O F THE STEIGER WALD NOW AND IT PR ESENTED
A N E W P I C T U R E T O U S . B ROAD AND OPEN, ABOU T FOUR MILES WIDE,
I T W A S L I T E R A L L Y D O T T E D WITH TINY VILLAG ES ABOUT A MI LE
A P A R T . B U I L D I N G S W E R E ALL MADE OF GRAY S TONE WITH RED TILE
R O O F S . A BO V E E A C H H A M LET ROSE THE SPIRE OF ITS CHU RCH.
W A L K I N G S E E M E D E A S I E R THIS MORNING BECAU SE NO DOUBT W E WERE
W E A R I N G O U T T H E M U S C L E PAINS WITH CONTIN UED USE OF OU R LEGS.
T H E S U N W A R M E D U S , D I S SOLVED THE FROST O N FIELDS AND
G A R D E N S , P E R K E D U P T H E GAY COLORED FLOWERS. THE BIRDS B EGAN
T O S I N G . B U T T H E C L O U D LESS SKY CAST A RE STIVE SHADOW UPON
O U R S P I R I T S . T H E W E A T H ER WAS PERFECT FOR FLYING AND N ONE OF
U S D O U B T E D T H A T O U R O W N AIR CORPS WOULD BE ON THE JOB AFTER
T H R E E D A Y S O F C L O U D S A ND RAIN. WHAT IF WE SHOULD BE M ISTAKEN
F O R A G E R M A N C O L U M N A N D STRAFED? WE PRAY ED FOR PROTEC TION
F R O M T H E T E R R O R S O F T H E SKY. I REALIZED THE ABSOLUTE
S I N C E R I T Y O F C O L . G O O D E’S REMARK, “AND T ELL THEM, FOR GOD’S
S A K E , N O T T O S T R A F E U S !” FROM HAMMELBURG WE HAD BROUG HT A
S U P P L Y O F C L O T H S A S L A RGE AS SHEETS. THE SE HAD BEEN T ORN
I N T O S T R I P S T W O F E E T W IDE IN SUCH SIZE TH AT THEY COUL D BE
S P R E A D O N T H E G R O U N D T O FORM THE LETTERS U S P W. EAC H MAN
W H O C A R R I E D A P I E C E O F THIS CLOTH KNEW W HICH BAR OF W HAT
L E T T E R I N T H E S I G N A L H E CARRIED.
S O M E T I M E I N T H E M I D D L E OF THE MORNING WE SIGHTED A FEW
P L A N E S O F F T H E H O R I Z O N TO OUR REAR. LOOK ING BACK TO T HE WEST
W E C O U L D S E E T H E M W H I R LING IN GRACEFUL C URVES AND NOW AND
T H E N S W O O P I N G O U T O F S IGHT. WE KNEW THEY WERE OUR OWN
F I G H T E R S O N R E C O N N A I S S ANCE AND NUISAN CE RAIDS. ALONG THE
O P E N R O A D S T H E R E W A S N O COVER AVAILABLE. WE SHUDDERED ALL
T H E M O R E A S T H E S O U N D OF THEIR MOTORS IN FORMED US THE Y WERE
G E T T I N G C L O S E R . A L O N E PLNE SWUNG AN ARD A MILEOR SO AWAY
F R O M U S , V E E R E D R O U N D AGAIN, AND HUMMED IN OUR DIRECT ION.
G U A R D S A N D P R I S O N E R S T OOK OFF TO THE OPEN FIELDS AND
D I T C H E S . T H E P A N E L S W E RE SPREAD OUT AND WE ALL LAY IN A
C R O U C H E D P O S I T I O N W A T C HING THE MANEUVERS OF THE PLANE . THE
P I L O T F L E W U P T O A H I G HER ALTITUDE, CIRC LED OFF, THEN TURNED
T O W A R D U S A G A I N . A G E R MAN GU ARD NEAR ME UTTERED SOMET HING
A B O U T L U F T G A N G S T E R S ( A IR GANGSTERS) AND GAVE US A WOR RIED
L O O K . L U F T G A N G S T E R W A S AM OPPROBRIOUS WO RD USED COMMO NLY BY
T H E G E R M A N S T O D E S I G N A TE THE FLIERS WHO - AS THEY SAID I N D I S C R I M I N A T E L Y B O M B E D WOMEN AND CHILDR EN, HOSPITA LS AND
CHURCHES.
O U T O F T H E W E S T C A M E A NOTHER PLANE. THE T WO NOW SWUNG HIGH
U P O V E R H E A D . T O G E T H E R THEY WHEELED AROUN D AND CAME DO WN
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B R O A D S I D E F O R A C L O S E R LOOK AT US. THERE COULD BE NO DOUBT
T H A T W E W E R E S P O T T E D ; BUT COULD THE PILO TS READ OUR S IGNAL?
A S THE Y F L E W I N P A R A L LEL TO THE ROAD WE HELD OUR BREA THS AND
P R A Y E D . W E F E L T S U R E T HEY WOULD OPEN UP T HEIR MACHINE GUNS
T O S T R A F E O U R C O L U M N . INSTEAD THEY SHARP LY TURNED, FL EW IN
L O W A G A I N , A N D T I P P E D THEIR WINGS IN SAL UTE. WE ALL S TOOD UP
A N D C H E E R E D , T H A N K F U L THAT WE WERE RECOG NIZED BY OUR OWN.
T H E G E R M A N G U A R D S M A D E NO PROTEST, AS OU R SIGNALS WER E THEIR
PROTECTION ALSO.
O N C E A G A I N D U R I N G T H E MORNING WE WERE LO OKED OVER BY THE AIR
C O R P S . W E W E N T T H R O U G H THE SAME NERVE RA CKING EXPERIE NCE OF
S P R E A D I N G T H E P A N E L S A ND WAITING FOR T HE STRAFING, FOR WE
D I D N O T K N O W W H E N S O M E TRIGGER HAPPY GUN NER MIGHT FAI L TO
S E E T H E S I G N O R M I S T A K E US FOR ENEMY TRO OPS.
B Y N O O N W E C L I M B E D W I T H RELIEF OUT OF TH E VALLEY INTO A
W O O D E D A R E A I N T H E E A T EN HILLS. WE LOOKE D BACK FROM T HE TOP
O F T H E H I L L O V E R A S C E NE OF PEACE AND TR ANQUILLITY. I
C O U N T E D T W E N T Y- O N E C H URCH STEEPLES IN TWENTY -ONE CLUS TERS OF
R E D R O O D S U P T H E L E N G T H OF THE VALLEY. I N THE EVERGRE ENS WE
W E R E S H I E L D E D F R O M T H E EYES OF PILOTS GA MING OVER THE REICH.
W E F E L T S E C U R E A N D L A UGHED AND TALKE D AGAIN.
W A L K I N G W A S S L O W A N D P AINFUL THAT AFTERNO ON ALONG SAN D
T R A I L S T H R O U G H T H E F O R EST. WITH THE FORM ATION OF AN O VERCAST
S K Y , T H E W I N D C A M E B I T INGLY COLD. WE WER E WEAK FROM H UNGER,
A N D O N L Y A F E W H A D S O M E SCRAPS OF BREAD TO EAT. LA TE IN THE
A F T E R N O O N W E W A L K E D A L ONG A CONCRETE HIG HWAY FOR FOUR
K I L O M E T E R S , T H E N A H A L F- KILOMETER OFF THE MA IN ROAD T O THE
V I L L A G E O F H E U C H E L H E I M . WE THREW OUR BLANK ETS OVER THE STRAW
I N T H E B A R N S A N D C O L L A PSED.
“ A N D T O M O R R O W I S E A S T E R” AND JOHN MADDEN EX CLAIMED.
I T W A S A N E A S T E R N O N E OF US WILL SOON FO RGET. HOLIDAY
S A T U R D A Y N I G H T W E R E C E IVED WONDERFUL NEWS . “WE ARE GO ING TO
S T A Y H E R E T I L L M O N D A Y AND WE’RE GETT ING RED CROSS BOX ES
TONIGHT.”
I T W A S A L M O S T U N B E L I E V ABLE UNTIL WE SAW THE GERMAN TR UCK
P U L L I N T O H E U C H E L H E I M LOADED WITH PACKAGES OF FOOD. BY THE
L I G H T O F T H E P A S C H A L M OON WE EACH RECEIVE D A BOX FOR
O U R S E L V E S A S T H E L A S T DAY OF MARCH FADED AWAY. ST. JO SEPH
M U S T H A V E S M I L E D I N H E AVEN AS HE LOOKED DOWN ON THE M ATERIAL
M E A N S H E H A D P R O V I D E D FOR US TO CE LEBRATE IN A MODEST WAY
T H E T R I U M P H A N D J O Y A N D RESURRECTION OF HIS FOSTER SO N.
H A U P T M A N S T A M M L E R , O N E OF THE OFFICERS O F THE GUARD C OMPANY,
W A S A C A T H O L I C . A F T E R RECEIVING THE NEWS THAT WE WOUL D REST
O N E A S T E R , I S E A R C H E D FOR HIM TO ASK THA T HE MAKE
138
A R R A NGE M E N T S F O R U S T O HA VE MASS IN THE VILLA GE CHURC H ON
E A S T E R- D A Y . H E P R O M I S E D TO DO WHAT HE COULD.
I T W A S D A Y L I G H T W H E N I AWOKE TO HEAR MEN CALLING: “FA THER
C A V A N A U G H ! H E R E I S A H EINIE WANTS TO SEE YOU.” IT WAS
S T A M M L E R . “ Y O U M A Y H A V E MASS IN THE CHUR CH AT ELEVEN
O ’ C L O C K . T H E P R I E S T D O ES NOT LIVE IN THI S VILLAGE. AL READY
H E H A S B E E N H E R E F O R M ASS. THE SACRISTAN OF THE CHURC H WILL
BE THERE TO HELP YOU.”
I S P R E A D T H E N E W S T O T HE KEIEGIES AND WAR NED THEM TO BE
R E A D Y W H E N T H E G U A R D S CAME TO CONDUCT TH EM TO THE CHURCH TWO
B L O C K A W A Y . W I T H L T S . TED GORNEY AND DOU GLAS O’DELL I MADE
M Y W A Y T O T H E C H U R C H W ITHOUT A GUARD. WAL KING DOWN TH E
S T R E E T S O F A G E R M A N V I LLAGE WITHOUT ARME D ESCORT WAS A NEW
E X P E R I E N C E F O R M E . T H E CHURCH, SMALL, BU T SOLIDLY BUI LT, WAS
D E D I C A T E D T O S T . J O S E PH. WHEN I STEPPED INSIDE AND KNELT
B E F O R E T H E B L E S S E D S A C RAMENT I THANKED T HE RISEN CHRI ST FOR
T H E S U F F E R I N G S W E H A D BEEN ALLOWED TO EN DURE WITH HIM . I
T H A N K E D H I M F O R H I S P A SSION AND RESURREC TION AND FOR THE JOY
W E W O U L D A L L H A V E I N C ELEBRATIN G HIS TRIUMPH WITH M ASS IN A
C H U R C H A N D A M E R I C A N F O OD IN A BARNYARD.
A S I L O O K E D A R O U N D T H E FIRST CATHOLIC CH URCH I HAD VI SITED
S I N C E T H E D A Y S B E F O R E OUR CAPTURE, I WON DERED HOW WE WOULD
G E T A L L T H E M E N I N . P R ESENTLY AN ELDERLY GENTLEMAN AN D LADY
E N T E R E D T H E C H U R C H A N D BOWED GRACIOUSLY TO US.
“ I C H B I N D E R P R I E S T E R ” WAS ALL THE GERMA N I SPOKE, BU T IT
W A S E N O U G H . B Y M E A N S O F SIGNS WE ARRANGED EVERYTHING FOR
M A S S . L A T E R A B O Y O F T WELVE WHO COULD SPE AK SOME ENGL ISH
A P P E A R E D . F R O M H I M W E LEARNED THAT THE C HURCH WA SEVEN
H U N D R E D Y E A R S O L D . M A Y BE AN EXAGGERATION , BUT IT’S PL EASANT
T O T H I N K T H A T I N T H E T HIRTEENTH CENTURY W HEN CATHOLIC EUROPE
W A S B U I L D I N G I T S G R E A T CATHEDRALS, THIS LITTLE GEM WA S ALSO
T H E M A N I F E S T A T I O N O F T HE FAITH OF THIS SI MPLE BAVARIA N
C O M M U N I T Y . A N C I E N T T O O WERE THE HEAVY GOLD VESTMENTS WHICH
T H E O L D L A D Y U N W R A P P E D FROM MUSTY CLOTHS FOR USE AT M ASS.
A T E L E V E N O ’ C L O C K E I G H TY MEN PARADED UND ER SIX GUARDS INTO
T H E L I T T L E C H U R C H A N D FILLED IT TO OVERF LOWING.
T E D A N D D O U G D R E S S E D I N BLACK SKIRTS THAT HUNG FROM
S U S P E N D E R O V E R T H E S H O ULDERS AND CLEAN W HITE SURPLICE S OVER
T H E I R D I R T Y S H I R T S . I VESTED IN AN IMMAC ULATE WHITE A LB AND
S P A R K L I N G C L O T H O F G O L D CHASUBLE. I ALSO HAD FOUND A BIRETTA
W I T H A H U G E B L A C K P O M - POM TO WEAR TO THE A LTAR. EVERYTHING
A B O U T TH E A L T A R W A S C LEAN AND NEAT, SUCH A CON TRAST TO THE
D I R T A N D G R I M E W E H A D GROWN ACCUSTOMED T O. EVERY HEAR T WAS
F I L L E D W I T H C O N S O L A T I O N AS MASS BEGAN. B EFORE THE CRE DO I
R E A D T H E E P I S T L E A N D G OSPEL FROM TED GORN EY’S SUNDAY MISSAL,
139
W H I C H H E H A D T R E A S U R E D T HESE MANY MONTHS OF PRISON LI FE.
THEN THE SERMON:
“M Y D E A R K R I E G I E S : - THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HATH
M A D E ; L E T U S B E G L A D A ND REJOICE IN IT.” AND EIGHTY P AIRS OF
E Y E S D A N C E D W I T H H A P P I NESS AND JOY.
“ W E H A V E A L O T T O B E H APPY ABOUT AND A LO T TO PRAY FOR. WE
R E J O I C E T H A T G O D H A S B LESSED US WITH THE PRIVILEGE OF MASS
T O D A Y . W E A R E E S P E C I A L LY GLAD THAT ST. J OSEPH HAS PRO VIDED
U S W I T H F O O D T O E A T , A ND WITH MASS IN A C HURCH THAT I S
D E D I C A T E D T O H I S N A M E . WE ARE HAPPY WITH CHRIST IN HI S
G L O R I O U S R E S U R R E C T I O N FROM THE DEAD. CHR IST HAS SUFFE RED AND
D I E D A N I N G L O R I O U S D E A TH, BUT NOW HE IS IN HEAVEN. HE IS
H E R E O N T H E A L T A R I N A STATE OF ETERNAL H APPINESS, AN D HIS
J O Y I S O V E R F L O W I N G I N T O OUR HEARTS. WE H AVE SUFFERED WITH
H I M D U R I N G T H E P A S T M O NTHS, AND ESPECIAL LY THIS PAST WEEK.
N O D O U B T I T H A S B E E N T HE LONGEST AND MOST PENITENTIAL LENT
W E H A V E E V E R L I V E D T H R OUGH. DURING THE P AST FOUR DAYS WE
H A V E S U F F E R E D O U R W A Y TO THE CROSS AND W E HAVE SUFFER ED WITH
T H E C H R I S T W H O W A S R E P RESENTED IN THE WA YSIDE CRUCIFI XES
T H A T FL A N K E D O U R L I N E OF MARCH. TODAY WE ARE HAPPY WI TH THE
H A P P I N E S S G O D W A N T S E V ERY SON OF HIS TO ENJOY. AND WE ARE
B E T T E R S O N S O F G O D B E C AUSE WE HAVE DRUNK DEEP OF THE CHALICE
O F S U F F E R I N G A N D S A N C T IFIED THAT SUFFERI NG BY DAILY P RAYERS
A N D O F F E R I N G O F I T T O HIM.
“ L E T U S O F F E R T H I S M A S S TOGETHER (I AM OFFERING IT FO R THESE
I N T E N T I O N S ) I N T H A N K S G IVING FOR THE SUFFERINGS AND DE ATH AND
R E S U R R E C T I O N O F J E S U S CHRIST; IN THANKSGIVING TO THE BLESSED
V I R G I N F O R H E R M O T H E R L Y PROTECTION OF US; IN THANKSGI VING
T O S T . J O S E P H F O R T H E FOOD HE HAS SENT US IN ANSWER T O OUR
PRAYERS.
“ W E H A V E M A N Y B L E S S I N G S ALSO TO ASK OUR LORD FOR. WE ASK HIM
T O C O N T I N U E H I S P R O T E C TION OF US, TO KEEP US FREE FRO M SIN,
T O H E L P U S T O B E B E T T E R MEN. THERE ARE OUR LOVED ONES , OUR
M O T H E R S A N D F A T H E R S , OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS, OUR WIVES AND
O U R C H I L D R E N , W H O N E E D OUR PRAYERS. THERE ARE OUR COM RADES
I N A R M S W H O A R E F I G H T I NG ON THE FRONTS, PERHAPS DYING TODAY
I N O R D E R T H A T W E M A Y B E LIBERATED. THERE ARE THE RULER S OF
N A T I O N S W H O N E E D T H E G UIDANCE OF THE HOLY GHOST TO ESTABLISH
PEACE IN THE WORLD.
“ E A S T E R I S T H E F E A S T O F PEACE - PEACE BETWEEN GOD AND MEN,
P E A C E B E T W E E N N A T I O N S , PEACE IN POLITICAL LIFE, PEACE IN
H O M E L I F E , A N D P E A C E I N THE HEART OF EVERY CHILD OF G OD.
L E T ’ S O F F E R T H I S M A S S AND HOLY COMM UNION THAT PEACE M AY COME
QUICKLY TO THE WORLD.
T H E R E W E R E T E A R S R U N N I NG DOWN SOME FACES, AND MY EYES WERE
N O T D R Y T H E M A S S W E N T ON. I GAVE GENERAL ABSOLUTION A ND ALL
140
R E C E I V E D H O L Y C O M M U N I O N. WE HAD BENEDICTION OF THE BL ESSED
S A C R A M E N T A N D T H E S I N G ING WAS WONDERFUL. THE INCENSE, THE
F L O W E R S , T H E C A N D L E S , THE COPE OF GOLD CLOTHE, THE SM ALL
M E D I E V A L C H U R C H A L L A D DED TO OUR SENSIBLE CONSOLATION . OUR
J O Y W A S O V E R F L O W I N G A S WE SANG, “HOLY GOD, WE PRAISE THY
NAME”.
T H E N W E W E N T B A C K T O T HE HAYLOFTS AND THE REFUS E PILES AND
C O O K E D A N D A T E A N D R E S TED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DA Y.
“ G O S H , F A T H E R , W E ’ L L N EVER FORGET THIS EASTER, AND
E S P E C I A L L Y T H A T M A S S ” WAS THE COMMENT I HEARD AGAIN A ND
AGAIN.
---------------------“ P r i s o n e r o f t h e G e r m a ns” by Chaplain Mark R. Moore
P a g e 5 1 : “ E A S T E R M O R N I NG SERVICE”
“ C h a p l a i n K o s k a m p a n d Curtis were elected to take the
W o r s h i p s e r v i c e . S t o n esifer and I conducted the Communion
s e r v i c e i m m e d i a t e l y f o llowing.
W e r e p r e s e n t e d t h e f o l lowing faiths: Dutch Reformed,
D i s c i p l e s o f C h r i s t , L utheran, and Nazarene.
----------------------(Fr. Cavanaugh cont.)
I N T H E A F T E R N O O N T H E A MERICAN AIR CORPS GAVE US ANOTH ER
S C A R E F O R A H A L F - H O U R . THREE PLANES FLEW AROUND THE AREA ON
A R E C O N N A I S S A N C E M I S S I ON. FROM THE PATTERN OF THEIR F LIGHT
W E CO U L D T E L L T H A T T H EY WERE SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING. WE HAD
O U R P A N E L S S P R E A D O N A SMALL KNOLL AWAY FROM THE BUIL DINGS,
B U T W E W E R E J U S T A S G L AD THAT THEY DID NOT COME NEAR ENOUGH
T O B E A B L E T O R E A D T H E M. PERHAPS IT WAS OUR FRIEND FR OM
Y E S T E R D A Y W H O W A S T R Y I NG TO KEEP TRACK OF OUR MOVEMENTS. IF
I T W A S H E D I D N O T F I N D US.
W E W E R E R O U S E D B E F O R E DAYLIGHT ON MONDAY, APRIL 2ND A ND
S E R V E D H O T W A T E R F R O M A N IRON VAT WITH WHICH WE MADE C OFFEE
F R O M T H E S U P P L Y W E H A D . WE WERE LINED UP AS USUAL THR EE
A B R E A S T A N D W E R E C O U N T ED. A FEW KRIEGIES WERE MISSING, BUT
W E R E S O O N F O U N D B A C K O F A BARN COOKING BREAKFAST. WHE N THEY
J O I N E D U S , A N O T H E R C O U NTING TOOK PLACE. AT LAST CAME THE
S I G N A L F O R M T H E R E A R O F THE COLUMN: “WIETER MARSCHERI N”
( F O R W A R D M A R C H ) . I T W A S RELAYED FROM GUARD T O GUARD U P THE
L I N E O F K R I E G I E S , B U T WE DID NOT START. THERE WAS SOM E
F U S S I N G A M O N G T H E G U A R DS AS AN OBERLAEUTENANT CAME DO WN THE
L I N E C H E C K I N G G U A R D S . IT SEEMED THAT SOME OF THEM WER E NOW
M I S S I N G . “ W I E T E R M A R S C HERIN” WAS SHOUTED FROM THE REA R A
S E C O N D T I ME . A M E R I C A N S TOOK UP THE COMMAND AND PARODIED IT,
“ C R A N K T H E M A C H I N E ! ” “ START THE ENGINE!” THEY SANG IN A
MONOTONE.
141
W E L E F T H E U C H E L H E I M B E FORE DAYLIGHT. UP ANOTHER VALLEY ALONG
A R O A D T H A T F O L L O W E D T HE RIVER LEVEL WE STROLLED THRO UGH
M A N Y V I L L A G E S A N D P A S S ED AS MANY CHURCH STEEPLES. IN THIS
V A L L E Y T H E T O W E R S W E R E MOORISH IN DESIGN AND THE TURR ETS
L O O K E D L I K E G I G A N T I C B LACK ONIONS PLACED ON TOP OF PI LLARS.
T H E R O A D W A S F A I R L Y C O NCEALED; THOUGH THE DAY WAS CLE AR, NO
A L L I E D P L A N E S W E R E O V E RHEAD, JUST ONE OR T WO LUFTWAFFE
P I L O T S F L E W L O W I N A N D OUT OF THE VALLEY. IN THE AFTE RNOON
W E T U R N E D F R O M T H E V A L LEY TO CROSS OVER A RANGE OF HI LLS.
A G A I N A L O N G C L I M B U P A SIDE ROAD. WALKING ON THE LEV EL HAD
B E C O M E A L M O S T A P L E A S U RE; HILLS WERE STILL A TORTURE FOR
M O S T O F US .
W H E N E V E R T H E R E W A S A H ILL TO CLIMB, I BECAME A STRAGG LER.
O F T E N I S L O W E D U P M Y P ACE TO SUCH A DEGREE THAT THE E NTIRE
C O L U M N G O T O U T O F S I G H T. BUT I WAS NEVER A LONE STRAG GLER.
O N G O I N G U P A H I L L T H E RE WAS ALWAYS SOME CHARITABLE K RIEGIE
W H O H E L P E D M E B Y C A R R YING MY PACK AND BLANKETS. THESE
S T U R D Y , T H I N K R I E G I E S WOULD HAVE BEEN WILLING TO CARR Y ME
H A D T H E Y T H E S T R E N G T H TO DO SO.
A T T H E E N D O F T H E L O N G CLIMB THIS EASTER MONDAY WE HI D AWAY
I N A F O R E S T F O R F O U R H OURS WHILE RAIDS AND STRAFING W ERE
I M M I N E N T . T HE A I R C O R PS WAS OUT IN FORCE DURING THE
A F T E R N O O N . S Q U A D R O N S O F HEAVY BOMBERS SPUN THEIR VAPO R
T R A I L S H I G H A B O V E U S L IKE SPIDERS IN THE SKY. FIGHTER PLANES
C A M E L O W E R B U T F R O M T H E DIRECTNESS OF THEIR COURSE WE KNEW
T H E Y W E R E N O T I N T E R E S T ED IN ANYTHING IN O UR VICINITY. DURING
T H E F O U R H O U R R E S T W E OPENED OUR RED CROSS BOXES, MAD E SOME
S A N D W I C H E S W I T H T H E B R EAD THAT HAD BEEN ISSUED US AND SMOKED
A M E R I C A N C I G A R E T T E S . W E WERE FORBIDDEN TO BUILD FIRES AS A
P R E C A U T I O N A G A I N S T T H E NOTICE OF OUR AIRMEN. SINCE WA LKI NG
N O L O N G E R D R E W F R O M U S THE LAST BIT OF PHYSICAL AND M ENTAL
E N E R G Y W E G O T T O G E T H E R IN LITTLE GROUPS TO COMPARE OU R
E X P E R I E N C E S A N D S P E C U L ATE ON THE DATE OF OUR LIBERATI ON.
T H E D I S T A N C E W E H A D W A LKED BECAME THE SUBJECT OF PLEA SANT
P O L E M I C S . S O M E S A I D W E W ERE A HUNDRED KILOMETERS FROM
H A M M E L B U R G, O T H E R T H A T WE WERE ANYWHERE FROM FIFTY ON UP.
O V E R M O S T O F T H E R O A D S WE TRAVELED STONE MARKERS MEAS URED
T H E D I S T A N C E S B E T W E E N POINTS IN KILOMETERS. WE ASKED THE
G U A R D S , “ W I E F I E L K I L O METER? (HOW MANY KILOMETERS?)” THEY
A L W A Y S H A D A N A N S W E R , BUT IT TURNED OUT THAT THEY WER E AS
M U C H I N T H E D A R K A S W E WERE ABOUT THE LOCATION OF THE NEST
S T O P P I N G P L A C E . E V E N W HEN THEY KNEW THE NAME OF THE O BSCURE
T O W N W H E R E W E W E R E T O STOP FOR THE NIGHT, THEY HAD LI TTLE
I D E A W H E R E I T W A S O R HOW FAR AWAY. IN THE EARLY EVENING WE
W A L K E D A L O N G A P L A T E A U TO THE TOWN OF WEISSENBURG . A CANFULL
O F P O T A T O S O U P , A R A T I ON OF BREAD, AND SPACIOUS HAYLO FTS
AWAITED US.
142
T U E S D A Y M O R N I N G W E L E F T WEISSENBURG BEFORE DAWN, CLIM BED
F A R T H E R U P T H E S T E I G E R WA LD BY DIRT ROADS WITH LOW
G R A D I E N T S . W E R E S T E D A GAIN DURING THE MIDDAY HOURS IN THE
C R I S P C L E A R A I R O F T H E HILLTOPS. SURROUNDED AS WE WER E WITH
F O R E S T O F E V E R G R E E N , T HERE WAS LITTLE FEAR OF DANGER FROM
A B O V E . I N T H E A F T E R N O O N WE BEGAN THE DESCENT OF THE R A NGE OF
H I L L S . W E P A S S E D A F E W HILL TOWNS AND SCATTERED HOUSE S ON
T H E H I L L S I D E S . L I T T L E CHILDREN FROM THIS BACKWOODS PA RT OF
B A V A R I A C A M E O U T T O W O NDER AT US AND TO GIVE US THE N AZI
S A L U T E , “ H E I L H I T L E R ! ” IN THIS OUT -OF -THE - WAY LOCATION THESE
Y O U N G S T E R S P R OB A B L Y K N EW LITTLE OF THE SUFFERINGS OF WAR.
W E S L E P T T H A T N I G H T I N VACH AFTER TRAVELING EIGHTEEN
K I L O M E T E R S B Y A C C U R A T E MEASUREMENT. IN PREPARING AN E VENING
S N A C K W I T H C A P T A I N M A D DEN AND LT. SMOLKA ON A BLANKET SPREAD
O U T I N A H A Y L O F T , I D R OPPED BY PENKNI FE IN THE HAY. SEARCH
I N T H E S E M I- D A R K N E S S WAS THE NEST THING TO LOOKING FOR A
NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK.
W E C O N T I N U E D D O W N G R A D E ON WEDNESDAY UNTIL WE CAME TO THE
M A I N R I V E R A G A I N . T H I S WE FOLLOWED INTO THE TOWN OF FURTH ,
T H E L A R G E S T T O W N I N W H ICH W REMAINED FO R THE NIGHT. H OWEVER,
E V E N T H E B I G T O W N S H A D THEIR BARNS AND HAYLOFTS; IN F ACT,
T H E O N E W E S T A Y E D I N W AS BIGGER AND BETTER THAN ANY W E HAD
S L E P T I N . T H E B A R N A T FURTH WAS A TRIPLE -DECKER AND T HE
U P P E R L O F T S W E R E R E A C H ED BY LADDERS. IT WAS NOT HOWEV ER
W I T H OUT I T S H A Z A R D S . IN THE DARKNESS THE WIDE OPENINGS WHERE
T H E L A D D E R S W E R E C O U L D EASILY BE MISSED OR FROM THE S LICK
S U R R O U N D I N G H A Y U N C O N S CIOUSLY SLID INTO. EVERYONE LOO KED FOR
A S A F E P L A C E T O S L E E P , WELL REMOVED FROM THE HOLES IN THE
FLOOR.
B I V O U A C K I N G I N A L A R G E TOWN BROUGHT WITH IT THE LIKELIHOOD
O F N I G H T A I R R A I D S . W E BANISHED THE THOUGHT OF WHAT M IGHT
H A P P E N I F A N E A R M I S S SHOULD NET OUR THREE -STORY HAYMOUND
B U R N I N G W I T H F I V E H U N D RED AMERICANS SOUNDLY SLEEPING. THERE
W E R E R U M O R S T H A T O U R M ARCH WAS COMIN G TO AN END AND T HAT WE
W O U L D B E T A K E N T O A P R ISON COMPOUND NEAR NUREMBERG. T HE FACT
I S T H A T T H E O R I G I N A L P LAN OF THE GERMANS WAS TO TAKE US TO
S T A L A G X I I I D O R S T A L A G LUFT 3, BUT THE NUREMBERG PRISONS
W E R E A L R E A D Y S O C R O W D E D THAT THE AUTHORITIES THERE RE F USED
TO TAKE US IN.
T H E M O R N I N G O F T H U R S D A Y, APRIL 5TH, WE GOT STARTED A T TWO
A . M . I N A D R I Z Z L E . T H R OUGH THE THINLY SETTLED AREA BE TWEEN
F U R T H AN D N U R E M B E R G W E MARCHED IN THE DARK, THEN INTO THE
N A Z I S T R O N G H O L D I T S E L F AT DAYLIGHT. WE DID NOT GO THR OUGH
T H E C E N T E R O F T H E C I T Y BUT ALONG THE EASTERN PART THR OUGH
T H E G R E A T I N D U S T R I A L D ISTRICT. WE SAW ENOUGH OF THE
D E S T R U C T I O N F R O M B O M B I NGS TO CONVINCE US THAT THE AIR
A T T A C K S O N G E R M A N C I T I ES WERE VERY EFFECTIVE. THE I.G .
143
F A R B I N I N D U S T R I E S W E R K WAS A SHAMBLES THAT HAD BEEN
P A R T I A L L Y C L E A R E D U P A ND AT LEAST PARTIALLY OPERATING AGAIN.
T H E P E O P L E W A L K E D T H E STREETS OR RODE BICYCLES. SHATT ERED
S T R E E T C A R S , B U S E S , A N D AUTO TRUCKS STOOD IN THE PLACE S WHERE
B O M B F R A G M E N T S H A D S M A SHED THEM.
C H I L D R E N W E R E C O N S P I C U OUS BY THEIR ABSENCE; EMPTY
P L A Y G R O U N D S A N D D E S E R T ED SCHOOLS. ALL CHILDREN HAD BE EN
E V A C U A T E D T O T H E C O U N T RY AREAS. IT WAS A CONTRAST TO THE
L I T T L E V I L L A G E S W E H A D PASSES THROUGH WHERE EVERY HOU SE WAS
B U L G I N G W I T H C H U B B Y G E RMAN YOUNGSTERS. THE OFFICER WH O SAID,
“ D O N ’ T T H E S E G E R M A N W O MEN DO ANYTHING ELSE BUT BEGET
C H I L D R E N ? ” R E V I S E D H I S OBSERVATION.
T H E R A I N H A D C E A S E D A N D THE SKIES WERE CLEARING AT EL EVEN
O ’ C L O C K A S W E R E A C H E D THE SOUTHEASTERN EDGE OF THE CI TY. IN
A S P A R S E C L U M P O F E V E R GREENS WE STOPPED FOR A BREA K.
“ T A K E A N H O U R T O E A T , ” WAS THE ORDER PASSED DOWN THE COLUMN.
A T T H E B A S E O F S O M E S P RUCE TREES OUR SQUAD SAT DOWN I N THE
W A R M S U N S H I N E , O P E N E D OUR RED CROSS BOXES AND LUNCHED . AFTER
A S M O K E W E S P R E A D O U T TO RELAX. WE WERE APPROXIMATELY AT THE
C E N T E R O F T H E G R O U P O F KEIEGIES WHO SPRAWLED A LOCK’S
D I S T A N C E I N E I T H E R D I R ECTION A FEW YARDS BACK FROM TH E ROAD.
A T 1 1 : 4 5 T H E F I R S T A I R RAID SIREN SOUNDED AND WE THOU GHT WE
M I G H T S T A R T M O V I N G . H E ARING THE WARNING IN THE PROXIM ITY OF
A N I N D U S T R I A L A R E A C A U SE SOMME TREPIDATION ALONG THE COLUMN.
“ L E T ’ S G E T G O I N G ! ” S E V ERAL SAID.
T H E H O U R O F R E S T W A S J UST ABOUT UP WHEN THE SIRENS SH RIEKED
A S E R I E S O F S H O R T B L A S TS. NOW WE COULD NOT MOVE. WE S AT UP
A N D L O O K E D A R O U N D . T O THE SOUTH OF US A RAILROAD ON A N
E L E V A T E D R O A D B E D R A N D IAGONALLY TO THE STREET NEAR WHICH WE
W E R E S I T T I N G . B E T W E E N US AND THE RAILROAD STRETCHED A LARGE
O P E N S P A C E T H A T W A S M O STLY SAND. NO HOUSES, NO VEGETA TION ON
I T . I T W A S M A R K E D H E R E AND THERE BY LARGE DEEP HOLES,
P R O B A B L Y S A N D P I T S ; S O ME OF THEM PERHAP S BOMB CRATERS . ON
T H E O P P O S I T E S I D E O F T HE RAILROAD WAS A LONG ROW OF F ACTORY
B U I L D I N G S , C H I M N E Y S A N D STORAGE TANKS.
S C A R C E L Y H A D T H E A L A R M SOUNDED WHEN CROWDS OF GERMANS , MANY
I N M I L I T A R Y U N I F O R M S C ARRYING RIFLES, BEGAN TO SWARM OVER
T H E R A I L R O A D E M B A N K M E N T AND RUN PERPENDICULAR TO THE
R A I L R O A D A S F A S T A S T H EIR LEGS WOULD CARRY THEM.
“ L O O K A T T H O S E J E R R I E S RUN”
“ H E Y , L O O K H E R E C O M E T HE PLANES” AND HIGH UP IN THE B LUE,
J U S T F L Y S P E C K S I N T H E SKY, APPEARED ONE FLIGHT AND TH EN
A N O T H E R O F F O U R T E E N B O MBERS EA CH.
“ T H E R E ’ S A T H I R D F L I G H T!”
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“ A N D H E R E C O M E S T H E F O URTH!”
T H E Y W E R E A P P R O A C H I N G IN CURVES, TWO OUT OF THE WEST, TWO
O U T O F T H E S O U T H . S T E A DFASTLY THEY MOVED IN FROM THE HORIZON
UP OVER OUR HEADS.
“ M Y G O D , W E ’ R E O N T H E TARGET!” SOMEBODY YELLED AS HE POINT ED
DIRECTLY OVERHEAD.
T H E T H I N W H I T E T R A I L S OF THE TARGET MARKERS WERE COMI NG DOWN
A L M O S T P E R P E N D I C U L A R L Y UPON US.
“ L E T ’ S R U N . ” B U T W H E R E COULD WE RUN TO? THERE WERE NO
S H E L T E R S N E A R , N O R E V E N HOLES CLOSE ENOUGH TO GET INT O.
I J U M P E D T O M Y F E E T , A ND YELLE D IN EITHER DIRECTION, “MAKE
A N A C T O F C O N T R I T I O N ! ” I REPEATED THE SHORT FORMULA O F
G E N E R A L A B S O L U T I O N F I R ST TO MY RIGHT AND THEN TO MY L EFT.
A S I D I D S O . . . B A N G ! B OOM, BOOM, BOOM!
B O M B S W E R E L A N D I N G O N THE FACTORIES ON THE OPPOSITE S IDE OF
T H E R A I L R O A D . I F E L L PRONE AND PULLED MY BLANKET OVER MY
HEAD AND BEGAN TO PRAY.
B A N G . . B A N G . . B A N G . . B A N G .. TO THE ACCOMPANIMENT OF MY
E J A C U L A T I O N S . “ H E A R T O F JESUS, SAY UNTO US, I AM YOUR
SALVATION.”
I C O U L D F E E L T H E E A R T H TREMORS ROLLING UNDER ME.
T H E B O M B S C O N T I N U E D T O LAND FOR A FEW MORE SECONDS; THEN A
LULL.
I L O O K E D U P . B I L L O W I N G CLOUDS OF SMOKE AND FLAME CAME FROM
T H E F A C T O R I E S . M E N W E R E STILL RUNNING AWAY LIKE PYGMI ES FROM
THE TARGET.
“ K E E P D O W N ! K E E P D O W N ! CAME A SCREAM.
A N O T H E R F L I G H T W A S M O V ING IN. THE ROAR OF AC K- ACK GUNS WAS
D E A F E N I N G A N D T H E S K Y WAS DOTTED WITH THE BLACK PUFFS OF
THEIR BURSTS.
T H U M P . . T H U M P . . T H U M P . . T HUMP.. THE SECOND FLIGHT WAS RE LEASING
I T S C A R G O O F D E S T R U C T I ON. THE BOMBS, THE ACK -ACK, THE
E X P L O S I O N S O F C H E M I C A L S IN THE MUNITIONS WORKS, ALL C OM BINED
I N T O A R E V E R B E R A T I N G T HUNDER OF DEMOLITION.
T H E T H R E E F O R M A T I O N S P ASSED OVER THE TARGET. THE CRAC KLING
S O U N D O F F I R E S A N D F A L LING WALLS WAS ADDED TO THE SUR GING
R U M B L E . “ T H I S M U S T B E THE END,” I THOUGHT AND PEEKED OUT
F R O M U N D E R T H E B L A N K E T AT THE ME N SPRAWLED OUT NEAR ME.
T H E R E W A S A S T R A N G E D A RKENING OF THE ATMOSPHERE. MADD EN,
S M O L K A , K E O U G H , P R I O R , LOSH, EVERYONE SEEMED TO BE CL INGING
T O T H E G R O U N D A N D T R E M BLING. THE EARTH BENEATH US SHO OK
A G A I N A S T H E F O U R T H F L IGHT EMPTIED THEIR BOMB - BAYS.
145
B Y N O W T H E A T M O S P H E R E WAS DUSTY AND HEAVY. FRAGMENTS OF
D E B R I S A N D S A N D W E R E L ITERALLY RAINING ON OUR SIDE OF THE
RAILROAD.
“ S T A Y D O W N ! T H E R E ’ S A FIFTH FLIGHT UP THERE.”
T H E B O M B S W E R E A L R E A D Y ON THEIR WAY DOWN.
B O O M . . . A G E Y S E R O F E A RTH AND SAND SPOUTED ON OU R SID E OF
THE TRACK.
BOOM..
B O O M . . . A N D E A C H T I M E WE FELT THE EXPLOSION WAS NEARE R
US.
TO
C L I C K , C L I C K , C L I C K , C L I C K. FIVE BOMBS LANDED ALMOST
S I M U L T A N E O U S L Y O N T H E AREA WHERE WE WERE. THE NOISE W AS
T E R R I F I C ; T H E H E A V I N G OF THE EARTH STAGGERING, A RAIN OF
S AND , G R A V E L , A N D D I R T CAME DOWN UPON US. MEN SCREAMED:
“DOCTOR! DOCTOR!”
------------------“ P r i s o n e r o f t h e G e r m a ns” by Chaplain Mark R. Moore
P a g e 5 3 : “ D E A T H U N D E R OUR BOMBERS”
“ O n A p r i l 5 w e w e r e m a rched near Nuremberg and were t aking a
t e n-m in u t e b r e a k . - A s w e f i n i s h e d w e h e a r d the air alarm and then saw ou r B 1 7 ’ s a n d B- 2 4 ’ s c o m i n g our way. We all hit the dirt and
w a i t e d . T h e f i r s t w a v e moved in and dropped their loa ds
a b o u t f i v e h u n d r e d y a r ds from us. -T h e s e c o n d w a v e h i t h e arer. -- The third moved in nea rer and
t h e n t h e f o u r t h a n d f i rth came quickly. -- The sixth wave
d r o p p e d b a c k o n o n e o f the other targets. The seventh wave
h i t t h e a m m u n i t i o n p l a nt again and must have had all
i n c e n d i a r i e s f o r t h e p lant caught on fired. -T h e e i g h t y w a ve s , i n s t ead of coming in from left to right,
c a m e i n f r o m t h e f r o n t . -A f t e r a f e w s e c o n d s I crawled out and looked around. I saw a
n u m b e r o f l i f e l e s s b o d ies. I wanted to run, hide fly, or
a n y t h i n g , t o g e t a w a y . -- The guards moved all of the a ble b o d i e d o ut a n d l e f t t hirteen of us there to care for the
146
w o u n d e d a n d d e c e a s e d - four chaplains, three medics and six
others.
--------------------(Fr. Cavanaugh cont.)
I Y A N K E D T H E B L A N K E T F ROM MY HEAD. THE THICK DUST AND
R A I N I N G S A N D M A D E E V E R YTHING DARK. I TOOK THE HOLY OI LS FROM
M Y P O C K E T , S T O O D U P A M ONG THE PROSTRATE FORMS AND FAL LEN
T R E E S A N D S T A R T E D T O W ORK. THERE WAS CONFUSION EVERYW HERE.
D E A D M E N L A Y A M O N G T H E INJURED. THOSE UNHURT REVIVED FROM
T H E I R F R I G H T , S T U N N E D TO FIND THEMSELVES ALIVE.
B E G I N N IN G W I T H T H E N E A REST MANGLED BODY I ANOINTED EV ERY
D E A D A N D P R O S T R A T E F O R M I COULD FIND. I RAN FROM ONE TO
A N O T H E R O N T H E S P U R O F THE MOMENT, NOT NOTICING WHERE I WAS
G O I N G N O R P A Y I N G A N Y A TTENTION TO THE SHOUTS THAT WER E MADE
A T M E . T H E T H U N D E R O U S INFERNO OF RAGING FIRES AND EXP LOSIONS
K E P T M A N Y M E N P I N N E D T O THE GROUND. THE TARGET HAD BE EN
G A S O L I N E D U M P S A N D A M M UNITION FACTORIES. SECTIONS THA T HAD
N O T R E C E I V E D D I R E C T H I TS WERE IGNITED BY THE HEAT AND
E X P L O S I O N S F R O M T H E P A RTS THAT DID.
I P A I D S L I G H T A T T E N T I O N TO THE IDENTITY OF THOSE WHOM I
A N O I N T E D . F E W W E R E R E C OGNIZABLE WHERE THEY LAY. THE F ARTHER
I W E N T T H E M O R E D E N S E THE DEAD AND DYING BECAME. I RE ACHED
T H E H E A D O F T H E C O L U M N . BY THEN EVERY ABLE MAN WAS UP AND
W O R K I N G W I T H T H E D E A D AND WOUNDED. I COLLEC TED MY SENSES FOR
A M O M E N T I N T H E M I D S T OF THE PANDEMONIUM.
“ I S U R E L Y H A V E M I S S E D SOME... “I THOUGHT, “...AND THE RE IS
T H E O T H E R H A L F O F T H E COLUMN.”
A Y A R D O R T W O F R O M T H E HEAD OF THE COLUMN LAY A MAN I N A
G E R M A N O F F I C E R ’ S U N I F O RM. IT WAS STAMMLER, CAPTA IN OF THE
G U A R D C O M P A N Y . R U N N I N G OVER I SAW THAT HIS HEAD WAS A LL BUT
S E V E R E D , A N D I A N O I N T E D HIM. HE WAS A CATHOLIC AND HA D BEEN
V E R Y D E C E N T T O M E A S A PRIEST.
T H R O U G H T H E F E R M E N T A N D TERROR I HURRIED; JUMPING OVE R
F A L L E N T R E E S A N D F A L L E N BODIES. TO ADD TO THE EXCITEM ENT, A
W A T E R- MA I N H A D B E E N B ROKEN AND THE BOMB CRATERS AND LOW
P L A C E S W E R E F I L L I N G U P WITH WATER. SOME WOUNDED MEN W ERE IN
DANGER OF DROWNING.
“ F A T H E R , C O M E A N D H E L P US GET THIS MAN OUT!” SHOUTED THREE
O F F I C E R S , W H I L E N E A R T HEM THREE OTHERS L OOKED ON STUP EFIED.
147
I S H O O K T W O O F T H E M O U T OF THEIR DAZE, “COME ON, GET BUSY!
H E L P T H E S E F E L L O W S H E R E. I HAVE OTHER WORK TO DO.”
I J A C K- R A B B I T T E D A L O N G THE DISORDERED LINES, PERHAPS
A N O I N T I N G A S E C O N D T I M E MEN WHO HAD BEEN MOVED. HOW M ANY
A N O I N T I N G T H E R E W E R E IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY, PERHAPS FIFTY,
P E R H A P S O V E R A H U N D R E D . EVENTUALLY I REACHED THE OTHE R END
O F T H E C O L U M N . T H E R E W ERE NOT SO MANY HURT IN THE PAR T OF
T H E A R E A . H O W E V E R , T W O GERMAN SOLDIERS WERE KILLED TH ERE.
S A T I S F I E D T H A T I H A D D ONE MY BEST FOR T HE DEAD AND DY ING
( T H O U G H I M U S T C O N F E S S THAT THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHE N I
H A V E H A D D O U B T S W H E T H E R I ANOINTED ALL; SO CONFUSED W AS THE
S I T U A T I O N ) I T U R N E D T O THE LIVING.
R U N N I N G T O T H E A R E A W H ERE THE BOMBS HAD FALLEN, I FOU ND THE
T R E E T O W H O S E R O O T S I HA D CLUNG DURING THE AGONIZING
D U R A T I O N O F T H E B O M B I N G. FIVE FEET AWAY LAY JON LOSH ON HIS
S T O M A C H . H I S B U D D Y , J I M KEOUGH, WAS SITTING BESIDE HI M.
J O H N N Y S M I L E D I N H I S P AIN, “HELLO, FATHER, I’M GLAD Y OU DID
NOT GET HIT.”
“ J O H N N Y G O T H I T I N T H E SIDE, FATHER. ” SAID JIM.
A N D I L O O K E D A T T H E B L OOD -STAINED SHIRT THAT HAD BEEN
W R A P P E D A R O U N D H I S A B D OMEN TO HOLD HIS VITALS IN.
I P A U S E D T O S P E A K W I T H HIM, GIVE HIM ABSOLUTION AGAIN AND
TRIED TO CONSOLE HIM.
“ D O Y O U T H I N K I ’ L L B E ALL RIGHT, FATHER?”
“ I S U R E H O P E Y O U W I L L BE, JOHNNY. WE’LL GET A DOCTOR HERE
F O R Y O U I N A F E W M I N U T ES.”
J O H N L O S H W A S H E R O I C I N HIS PATIENCE AND WAS WILLING TO HAVE
O T H E R S T R E A T E D B E F O R E HIM. DOCTOR DWORKIN CAME AND GA VE
D I R E C T I O N S N O T T O M O V E HIM UNTIL A LITTER COULD BE PR OCURED.
J O H N L A Y ON H I G H E R G R OUND AWAY FROM THE RUNNING WATER AND
W A S N O T M O V E D U N T I L A N HOUR LATER A LITTER ARRIVED TO PLACE
H I M O N . H E H A D B E E N A MODEL CATHOLIC BOY DURING THE M ONTHS
O F O U R I M P R I S O N M E N T A N D WAS A DAILY COMMUNICANT WHEN HE
C O U L D G E T T O M A S S . A F EW DAYS LAT ER HE DIED IN THE BRITISH
H O S P I T A L F O R P R I S O N E R S OF WAR NEAR NUREMBERG .
T H E N T H E R E W A S D O U G L A S O’DELL. I FOUND HIM SITTING ON A BOMB
C R A T E R W H I L E T W O M E N A PPLIED A DIRTY TORN SHIRT SLEEV E AS A
T O U R N I Q U E T A B O V E H I S K NEE. THE REST OF HIS LEG LAY A COUPLE
O F YA R D S A W A Y . “ W E L L , FATHER, IT LOOKS LIKE I’M NOT GOING TO
M A K E I T . ” H E S M I L E D A S HE POINTED TO HIS SEVERED LIMB ,
“ T H A T ’ S P A R T O F M E O V E R THERE.” BUT DOUG DID MAKE IT. HE
R E C O V E R E D A N D G O T B A C K TO THE STATES AND NOW WALKS WI TH AN
A R T I F I C I A L L E G . A F T E R GETT ING HIS PROSTHESIS AT WALTE R REED
H O S P I T A L H E W R O T E M E : “I’LL NEVER BE ABLE TO THANK YO U
E N O U G H F O R P U T T I N G M E AT EASE AFTER I WAS IT.” DOUG, YOU
H A V E F E L T M O R E S E C U R E WITH ME THERE, BUT I SHALL NEVE R
148
F O R G E T T H E C O U R A G E W I T H WHICH YOU INSPIRED ME BY THE
S INC E R I T Y O F Y O U R S M I LE AND THE CALMNESS OF YOUR VOICE.
A N O T H E R B O M B C R A T E R W A S ABOUT EIGHT FEET DEEP AND THE SIDES
W E R E S T E E P . I N T H E W A T ER THAT WAS SEEPING INTO THE HO LD
S E V E R A L V A L I A N T S O U L S WORKED TO REMOVE A DEAD MAN AND TWO
W O U N D E D . T H E W O R K W A S HARD AS THE WALLS OF SAND WERE
S L I P P E R Y . F R O M T H I S C R ATER I MEASURED WITH MY EYE THE
D I S T A N C E T O W H E R E I H A D LAIN. IT WAS ABOUT SIXTEEN YA RDS.
W H Y W E W E R E N O T A L L K I LLED WITHIN THAT RADIUS IS EXPL AINED
B Y T H E S A N D Y C O N D I T I O N OF THE TERRAIN. THE BOMBS PENE TRATED
D E E P A N D T H U S L E S S E N E D THE LATERAL FRAGMENTATION . NE AR THAT
H O L E W E R E S E V E R A L T R E E S SPLINTERED AND GNARLED BY THE BOMBS,
S O M E B R O K E N O F F , O T H E R S WITH THEIR TOPS BENT TO THE G ROUND.
I N T H A T T A N G L E W E R E T H REE MORE WOUNDED WHO WERE HAZAR DOUS TO
E X T R I C A T E B EC A U S E O F THE WEIGHT OF THE TREES AND THE RUNNING
W A T E R . T H E R E A L S O W E R E TWO HORSES WHICH HAD BEEN HITC HED TO
A W A G O N T H A T H A D P U L L E D UNDER THE TREES AT THE TIME O F THE
A L E R T . B O T H A N I M A L S L A Y DEAD AND SPLATTERED ABOUT. TH ERE
W E R E F O U R M O R E B O M B C R ATERS IN THE AREA, MANY MORE MA NGLED
T R E E S , A N D P O O L S O F B L OODY WATER. WITH SUPREME EFFORT THE
D E A D A N D I N J U R E D W E R E REMOVED FROM THAT LOCATION TO T HE
ROAD.
C A P T A I N J O H N M A D D E N C A ME UP TO ME, “FATHER, ONE OF TH E
P R O T E S T A N T C H A P L A I N S H AS BEEN KILLED AND THE OTHERS WANT YOU
T O C O M E O V E R H E R E . ” I WENT WITH JOHN TO THE SITE WHER E
C H A P L A I N K O S K A M P L A Y . CHAPLAINS MOORE, CURTIS, AND
S T O N E S I F E R W E R E W O R K I N G OVER HIM AND HAD JUST IDENTIF IED
H I M . H I S F A C E W A S C H A R RED AND WHEN FIRST THE CROSS WA S
N O T I C E D O N H I S S H I R T - C OLLAR, THEY HAD SAID, “OH, IT’S FATHER
CAVANAUGH.”
“ N O , I T I S N ’ T F A T H E R C AVANAUGH,” SAID JOHN MADDEN. “H E IS
O V E R T H E R E G I V I N G T H E LAST RITES TO THE WOUNDED.”
“ W E L L , P L E A S E A S K H I M TO COME OVER HERE,” THEY SAID.
A S I S T O O P E D T O A N O I N T HIM THE MARK OF THE OILY C ROSS ON HIS
S O O T- CO V E R E D F O R E H E A D WHERE I HAD ALREADY DONE SO WAS
PLAINLY VISIBLE.
---------------------“ P r i s o n e r o f t h e G e r m a ns” by Chaplain Mark R. Moore
P a g e 5 5 : “ B U D D Y , F A R E W ELL”
“ I w a s p u t i n c h a r g e a nd it never occurred to me that I was
s e n ior c h a p l a i n u n t i l I reached down for a dog tag. When I
h e l d i t i n m y h a n d I r ead, ‘ Rowland A. Koskamp .’I dropped it
o n h i s c h e s t a n d t o o k hold of the left side of his sh irt
c o l l a r . T h e r e w a s t h e cross! I looked into the face a nd
s u r e l y e n o u g h t h e r e w a s Cha plain Rowland A. Koskamp ! -149
I h a d t h e p e r s o n a l b e l ongings of twenty -four officers who
had been killed. -T w e n t y- f o u r o f f i c e r s w ere killed the first day. We he ard
t h a t f i v e d i e d t h e n e x t day. Three Germans also were killed.
-----------------------
150
T H E F O L L O W I N G A R E P O RTIONS OF TWO DOCUMENTS OBTAINED FROM
THE
NATIONAL ARCHIVES
- - - --------------------
SECRET
EXTRACT
AIR INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY NO. 76 FOR WEEK ENDING 22
APRIL, 1945
INDUSTRIAL TARGETS
NUREMBERG:
TH E M A R S H A L L I N G Y ARD, THE SIEMENS ELECTRICAL PLAN T, THE
M . A . N . W O R K S , A N D G A S W ORKS WERE ALL TARGETS FOR EIGHT H AIR
F O R C E H E R E O N 5 A P R I L WHEN 309 B -17S UNLOADED OVER 900 TONS,
A N D P H O T O S S H O W M O S T O F THE BOMBS TO HAVE FALLEN IN T HE
S O U T H E R N P A R T O F T H E TOWN DAMAGING ALL THESE ESTABLIS HMENTS.
T H E S I E M E N S W E R K S S U F F ERED THE MOST SEVERE DAMAGED, W ITH
F I V E L A R G E W O R K S H O P S A ND SEVEN MAIN SHOPS IN THE ELEC TRICAL
E Q U I P M E N T P L A N T , D A M A G ED SEVERLY.
- - - - - - - ------------------------
CONFIDENTIAL
10 APRIL 1945
IMMEDIATE INTERPRETATION REPORT NO. K. A223
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
L OCALITY: NUREMBERG
M A I N R A I L W AY STATION AND GOODS YARD.
R A I L W A Y M A RSHALLING YARD.
R A I L W A Y W O RKSHOPS.
S O U T H S T A T ION AND GOODS DEPOT.
E L E C T R I C A L EQUIPMENT WORKS OF SIEMENS,
S C H U C K E R T WERKE A.C.
T R A N S F O R M E R WORKS OF SIEMENS SCHUCKERTWER KE A.G.
M . A . M . W O R KS.
GAS WORKS.
TOWN.
P E R I O D C O V E R E D: B E T W E E N 1030 A HRS. ON 21 MAR 1945
A N D 1500 B HRS. ON 9 APR 45.
151
A T T A C K:
DATE
U.S. 8TH AIR FORCE
S.A.
5 APRIL 1945 3506
REPORTED W EATHER
8/10 CLOUD TO CLEAR
P R O V I S I O N A L S T A T E M E N T ON DAMAGE :
MO S T O F T H E B O M B S FELL IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF TH E TOWN
A N D A L L T H E P L A C E S L I S TED ABOVE HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. MA NY RAIL
T R A C K S W E R E O B S T R U C T E D BY CRATERS BUT AT THE TIME OF
P H O T O G R A P H Y , 4 D A Y S A F TER THE ATTACK, REPAIRS ARE ALM OST
C O M P L E T E . L A R G E N U M B E R S OF LABOURERS ARE SEEN WORKING ON THE
F E W C R A T E R S L E F T I N T H E MAIN YARDS. THE HEAVIEST DAMA GE IS
S E E N W O R K I N G O N T H E F E W CRATERS LEFT IN THE MAIN YARD S. THE
H E A V I E S T D A M A G E I S S E E N IN THE TWO WORKS BELONGING TO
S I E M E N S S C H U C K E R T W E R K E A.G. FIVE LARGE WORKSHOPS IN T HE
T R A N S F O R M E R W O R K S A N D SEVEN MAIN SHOPS IN THE ELECTRI CAL
E Q U I P M E N T S H O P S A R E S E VERLY DAMAGED.
( F O L L O W I N G L I S T S T H E L OCATIONS A - I, SEEM ABOVE AND THE
D A M A G E O B S E R VE D . )
FOR EXAMPLE I. TOWN
MU C H N E W D A M A G E I S SEEN TO BUSINESS/RESIDENTIAL
P R O P E R T Y I N T H E S O U T H E RN HALF OF THE TOWN BUT THERE A RE NO
L A R G E A R E A S O F N E W D E V ASTATION AS THE BOMBS HAVE FALL EN IN
A L R E A D Y S E V E R L Y D A M A G E DISTRICTS. INDUSTRIAL PREMISES
I M M E D I A T E L Y W E S T O F T H E MAIN STATION GOOD YARD ARE SE VERLY
DAMAGED.
(Father Cavanaugh’s manuscript continues)
152
W I T H I N A N H O U R A F T E R T HE BOMBING THE GUARDS GATHERED THE
L I V I N G T O G E T H E R A N D M A RCHED THEM OFF - A COLUMN OF FO UR
H U N D R E D . F I F T E E N O F U S STAYED TO CARE FOR THE WOUNDED AND
T H E D E A D , T H R E E D O C T O R S, FOUR CHAPLAINS, AND SEVEN LI NE
O F F I C E R S . T H E W O U N D E D NEEDED OUR ATTENTION FIRST. A T RUCK
A N D T R A I L E R C A M E F R O M NUREMBERG AND TRANSPORTED AS MA NY AS
C O U L D B E C A R R I E D I N O N E LOAD TO A GERMAN HOSPITAL. SO ME
G E R M A N R E D C R O S S W O M E N CAME WITH SYRETTES OF MORPHINE AND
S T E R I L E B A N D A G E S T O A D MINISTER WHAT FIRST AID THEY CO ULD.
L A T E R T W O M O R E O P E N T R UCKS ARRIVED FROM THE BRITISH P RISONER
O F W A R H O S P I T A L T O R E M OVE THE WOUNDED. WITH THEM CAME
C A P T A I N FR A N K R . L A U V ETZ OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA, WHO HAD BEEN
W I T H U S F O R A F E W W E E K S AT HAMMELBURG BEFORE BEING
T R A N S F E R R E D T O N U R E M B E RG TO DO MEDICAL WORK. HE HAD B ROUGHT
S P L I N T S , L I T T E R S , A N D BANDAGES. WE LOADED THE TRUCKS WITH
T H E M O S T S E R I O U S L Y W O U NDED. SOME TWENT Y OR MORE INJURED MEN
S T I L L R E M A I N E D . W E G A T HERED THEM TOGETHER IN A GRASSY SPOT,
C O V E R E D T H E M W I T H B L A N KETS AND TRIED TO MAKE THEM
C O M F O R T A B L E A S P O S S I B L E.
W E F I N A L L Y T U R N E D T O T HE DEAD. TWENTY -FOUR BODIES WERE LINED
U P I N O R D E R L Y R O W S O N THE GRASS, IDEN TIFIED, AND TAGGED.
C H A P L A I N S M O O R E , C U R T I S AND STONESIFER DID THE GRAVES
R E G I S T R A T I O N W O R K H E R E ; THEY REMOVED BILLFOLDS AND KE EPSAKES
T H A T T H E M E N H A D H A D O N THEIR PERSONS AND MADE A RECO RD OF
THEIR DEATHS.
A L L T H I S T I M E T H E A M M U NITION FACTORY AND DUMPS KEPT BLAZING
V I O L E N T L Y . C O L U M N S O F BLACK SMOKE ROSE INTO THE SKY;
T H U N D E R I N G E X P L O S I O N S OF CHEMICALS INTERRUPTED OUR WO RK AND
T E R R O R I Z E D U S . O C C A S I O NALLY FRAGMENTS FROM THE EXPLOS IVES
LANDED NEAR US.
A F T E R F O U R O ’ C L O C K A N O THER TRUCK CAME TO REMOVE THE S COR E OR
M O R E O F L E S S S E R I O U S L Y WOUNDED. WE COMBED THE BOMBED AREA
F O R T H E L A S T T I M E T O M AKE SURE THAT NO ONE WAS MISSED . TWO
C A R D B O A R D B O X E S T H E S I ZE OF BUSHEL BASKETS WERE FILLE D WITH
H U M A N P A R T S , L E G S , F E E T, ARMS AND CHUNKS OF FLESH. WE PLACE
T H E S E N E A R T H E R O W S O F DEAD THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE PROPER
BURIAL.
O U R W O R K W A S D O N E . F O R THE FIRST TIME WE REALIZED HOW
F A T I G U E D W E W E R E . U N T E ROFFICER BERGMAN, A SERGEANT OF THE
G U A R D S , A S K E D M E F O R A CIGARETTE. “YES, HERE, TAKE AL L YOU
W A N T , B U T G E T M E A D R I NK OF WATER .” I HANDED HIM AN OPENED
P A C K O F C I G A R E T T E S A N D SLUMPED TO THE GROUND. BERGMAN SOON
B R O U G H T T H E W A T E R A N D REVIVED ME. HE SAT DOWN ON THE GRASS
B E S I D E M E A N D W E L O O K E D OVER THE SCENE OF CARNAGE. EA CH OF
U S F O U N D N O W O R D S T O S AY. ONE OF THE DOCTORS CAME OVE R,
“ W H A T A B O U T T H E B U R I A L OF OUR DEAD?” “WE ARE TOO WEAK TO DIG
153
G R A V E S , ” I S A I D . “ B E S I DES, THIS IS NO PLACE FOR EVEN A
TEMPORARY CEMETERY.”
S O M E C I V I L I A N S C A M E T O MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUNE RAL.
T H E Y A S S U R E D U S T H A T O UR DEAD WOULD BE GIVEN A REVERE NT
B U R I A L . N E X T D A Y S O M E AMERICAN PRISONERS WHO WERE IN THE
A R E A B U R I E D T H E M I N S U DFRIEDHOF CEMETERY IN NUREMBERG .
L T . J A M E S A . S A I L E R O F CINCINNATI WAS WITH A COLUMN O F EX H A M M E L B U R G E R S A N D A I R CORPS PRISONERS WHO WERE MARCHE D OUT
O F S T A L A G L U F T 3 . T H I S STAL AG WAS NOT MORE THAN TWO MILES
F R O M T H E S C E N E O F T H E BOMBING AND THE KRIEGIES HAD NO T
M A R C H E D F A R W H E N T H E M IDDAY RAID TOOK PLACE. THEY TIM ED ITS
D U R A T I O N A T F O R T Y -F I V E MINUTES. SOME OF THEM SAID THAT IT
W A S T H E H E A V I E S T R A I D THEY HAD EVER WITNESSED. PROBA BLY SOME
O F T H E A T T A C K S O N T H E RUHR DISTRICT AND BERLIN WERE H EAVIER
I N P O I N T O F N U M B E R O F PLANES USED, BUT THIS STRATEGIC RAID
O N N U R E M B E R G A T H I G H N OON ON APRIL 5TH MAY WELL HAVE HAD
M O R E A M E R I C A N S C L O S E T O THE SIDELINES THAN ANY OTHER RAID.
A T F I V E O ’ CL O C K W E W E ARY AMERICANS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER BY
T H E S I X G U A R D S W H O H A D STAYED WITH US. WE WERE SILENT AND
P E N S I V E A S W E M O V E D A W AY FROM THE ROWS OF DEAD DOWN T HE ROAD
T O T H E S O U T H . C H A P L A I N S MOORE AND STONESIFER AND I WA LKED
ALONG TOGETHER.
“ W E T H R E E H AV E G O N E T HROUGH MUCH SUFFERING TOGETHER,”
R E M A R K E D M A R K M O O R E . “ WE WERE IN THE SAME CLASS IN
C H A P L A I N S ’ S C H O O L , S E R VED IN THE SAME DIVISION, WERE
C A P T U R E D A T T H E S A M E T IME, HAVE BEEN KRIEGIES IN THE SAME
CAMPS.”
A F T E R A T U R N T O T H E R I GHT WE REACHED THE AU TOBAHN TO MUNICH
A N D T H E A U S T R I A N F R O N T IER, A MAGNIFICENT HIGHWAY FOUR LANES
E A C H W A Y W I T H A P A R K W A Y IN THE MIDDLE. IT WAS ALL BUT DEVOID
O F T R A F F I C . T O O U R R I G HT WAS THE HUGE ENGINEERING PRO JECT OF
T H E A N T I- A I R C R A F T S I T ES BUILT FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE CITY .
T H E E V E N I N G W A S C L E A R AND WARM AS WE PULLED OUR TIRED FEET
A L O N G . F O U R T I M E S W E T OOK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT THE
S O U N D O F P L A N E S A P P R O A CHING, FRIGHTENED AT THE DANGER OF
STRAFING.
T W O O P E N T R U C K S S P E D S OUTH, PILED HIGH WITH HOUSEHOLD GOODS,
M A T T R E S S ES A N D B E D D I N G, ON TOP OF THE CHATTELS, CLUNG A
D O Z E N N U N S W I T H T H E I R WIMPLES FLAPPING IN THE WIND. H AD
T H E I R C O N V E N T B E E N B O M BED OUT? OR WERE THEY DRIVEN BY PENURY
A N D T H R E A T O F S T A R V A T I ON TO SEEK REFUGE ELSEWHERE?
W H A T E V E R T H E O C C A S I O N FOR THIS UNCONVENTI ONAL MOVEMEN T OF A
N U N N E R Y A T T H E H O U R O F VESPERS ACROSS OUR PATH THERE FLASHED
154
A G L I M P S E O F O N E O F T H E MINOR TRAGEDIES IN THE VAST
CATASTROPHE OF EUROPE.
A F T E R T H R E E H O U R S O F V ERY SLOW WALKING, THE LAST HOUR
T H R O U G H A W O O D E D A R E A ON A WAGON RAIL, WE ARRI VED AT THE
B A R N S O F F E U C H T . A C U P OF COFFEE WAS ALL THAT I WANTED. THEN
I T H R E W M Y S E L F O N A B E D OF STRAW AND FELL ASLEEP - OH
B L E S S E D S L E E P , A F T E R T HE HARROWING EXPERIENCES OF THA T DAY.
155
CHAPTER TEN
B A V A R I A N TRAIL OF AMERICAN TIN CANS
F E U C H T I S A M O D E R N I Z E D TOWN WITH SHOPS, STORES, FACTO RIES
A N D A P A R T M E N T B U I L D I N G S. LYING, AS IT DOES, A FEW KIL OMETERS
D I R E C T L Y S O U T H O F N U R E MBERG, I SUPPOSE IT COULD BE CA LLED A
S U B U R B O F T H A T C I T Y . T HE SHED WHERE OUR COMPANY WAS L ODGE D
F O R T H E N I G H T W A S N O T A CATTLEBARN BUT A STORE HOUSE FOR
H I G H W A Y C O N S T R U C T I O N M ACHINES. IT WAS RATHER NEW AND CLEAN,
A N D W H A T L I T T L E S T R A W THERE WAS TO BED DOWN THE FLOOR CAME
F R O M B A I L S T H A T W E R E S TACKED TO THE SIDE. THIS SHED W AS SET
B A C K A B O U T F O R T Y Y A R D IN A NARROW ALLEY ONTO WHICH OPENED
T H E D O O R S O F P O O R E R C L ASS FAMILY DWELLINGS.
W H E N I A W O K E F R O M T H E HEAVY AND BLESSED DREAMLESS SLE EP,
F O L L O W I N G T H E B O M B I N G , IT WAS ALREADY LIGHT. IN THE A LLEY
G E R M A N C H I L D R E N M I N G L E D WITH THE KRIEGIES. ALREADY AN D
B E G G I N G H A D A L R E A D Y B E GUN. SOME KRIEGIES HAD EVEN SUC CEEDED
I N B E G U I L I N G T H E H A U S F RAUS ALONG THE ALLEY TO INVITE THEM
I N T O T H E I R K I T C H E N S F O R BREAKFAST. WHERE THE ALLEY OP ENED
I N T O T H E P U B L I C S T R E E T TWO GUARDS WERE POSTED. BUT TH EY WERE
E I T H E R T O O D I S H E A R T E N E D OR TOO KINDHEARTED TO KEEP THE
K R I E G I E S W I T H I N T H E C O NFINES OF THE ALLEY.
B Y B R I B E R Y , P E R S U A S I O N, OR GUILE AMERICANS WERE GETT ING
P A S T T H E G U A R D S A N D “ O PERATING” IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD F OR
F O O D . “ I ’ M H U N G R Y , ” I SAID TO JOHN MADDEN AND NORMAN SMOLKA
I N T HE S H E D . ” H A V E Y O U ANYTHING IN YOUR BOXES? I LOST ALL THE
F O O D I W A S C A R R Y I N G A T NUREMBERG.” JOHN AND SMOLKY SH ARED
S O M E O F T H E I R F O O D W I T H ME AND WE SAT ON THE FLOOR DR INKING
C O F F E E A N D E A T I N G C H E E SE SANDWICHES WHILE I ANSWERED ALL
T H E I R Q U E S T I O N S A N D T O LD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED AFTER THEY
L E F T T H E S P O T W H E R E W E HAD SAT DOWN TOGETHER THE NOON
BEFORE.
T H E F E W O F U S W H O H A D REMAINED BEHIND WHEN THE GERMAN S
M A R C H E D O F F T H E M A S S O F PRISONERS HAD WHAT DEFINITE
I N F O R M A T I O N W A S A V A I L A BLE ON AMERICAN CASUALTIES OF THE
B O M B I N G . C H A P L A I N M A R K MOORE AND MADE AN ACCURATE LIS T OF
T H E D E A D , A N D I H A D S U CCEEDED IN COMPILING A PARTIAL LIST OF
T H E W O U N D E D T H A T W E R E TAKEN TO THE GERMAN AND BRITISH
HOSPITALS.
T H E F I R S T T R U C K H A D G O NE BEFORE WE THOUGHT OF DRAWING UP A
R O S T E R ; H E N C E O U R L I S TING OF THAT LOAD WAS MADE FROM MEMORY
A N D T H E R E P R O B A B L Y W E R E OTHERS WHO ESCAPED OUR NOTICE BEFORE
B E I N G C A R R I E D A W A Y . T W ENTY - FOUR AMERICANS AND THREE GERMANS
W E R E P I C K E D U P D E A D . B ETWEEN FORTY AND FIFTY WERE TAK EN TO
H O S P I T A L S I N M O R E O R L E SS SERIOUS CONDITION. PROBABLY FIFTY
O T H E R S , W H I L E S T I L L A B LE TO WALK, HAD MINOR CUTS AND
156
B R U I S E S . I S P E N T M O S T OF THE MORNING DISCUSSING THE B OMBING
A N D S H O W I N G T H E L I S T O F DEAD AND WOUNDED TO GROUPS IN THE
SHED.
A F E W B L O C K S A W A Y T H E R E WAS A DISPENSARY WHERE THOSE WHO
D E S I R E D T H E A T T E N T I O N OF A DOCTOR COULD BE TREATED. S OME
R E T U R N E D W I T H T H E I R H E ADS OR HANDS IN CLEAN WHITE BAN DAGES.
B Y N O O N I T B E C A M E E V I D ENT THAT THE GERMANS WERE IN A
Q U A N D A R Y A S T O W H A T T O DO WITH US. THE ORIGINAL PLAN WAS
T H A T W E W E R E T O B E I M P RISONED AT ONE OF THE TWO AMERICAN
C O M P O U N D S J U S T A M I L E OR TWO SOUTH OF THE SITE WHERE WE WERE
B O M B E D , B U T T H E S E L A G E RS WERE BEING EVACUATED AND THE
P R I S O N E R S M A R C H E D O U T ON THE COUNTRY ROADS IN COLUMNS LIKE
O U R O W N . W I T H T H E R U S S IANS CLOSING IN TO THE NORTHEAST AND
T H E A M E R I C A N A N D B R I T I SH FORCES TO THE NORTHWEST THE ONLY
D I R E C T I O N O P E N W A S T H E SOUTH.
T H E R E A S O N F O R T H E D E L AY IN MOVING US I DO NOT KNOW, NOR WAS
T H E R E A N Y I N F O R M A T I O N AVAILABLE AS TO HOW SOON WE WOU LD BE
O N T H E M A R C H A G A I N . S I GNS OF THE IMMINENT DEBACLE OF THE
N A Z I R E G I M E A N D N A T I O N AL CHAOS APPEARED IN THE UTTERL Y
F O R L O R N F A C E S O F T H E G UARDS AND THE CONCILIATORY TREA TMENT
B E S T O W E D O N U S B Y T H E I R OFFICERS. THE TRUCK WAS DISPA TCHED
T O T H E P R I S O N A R E A N E A R NUREMBERG TO FETCH US RED C ROSS FOOD
P A C K A G E S . T O W A R D E V E N I NG WE EACH RECEIVED A FULL BOX AND
P A R T O F A N O T H E R . T H E S E ARRIVED JUST AFTER WE HAD BEEN SERVED
A S U B S T A N T I A L L Y T H I C K SOUP OF POTATOES AND MEAT FROM A
W A S H T U B I N T H E A L L E Y . CIVILIANS WERE ANXIOUS TO TRADE BREAD
A N D O T H E R S O LI D F O O D F OR CIGARETTES AND COFFEE. A BLACK
M A R K E T F L O U R I S H E D A T T HE ENTRANCE TO THE ALLEY AND, W HEN
T H A T B E C A M E C A M E T O O E MBARRASSING TO THE GUARDS, OVER THE
W O O D E N F E N C E S A L O N G T H E SIDE STREETS.
S O M E T I M E D U R I N G T H E D A Y THE AMERICANS REORGANIZED AND
C O M P ILE D N E W R O S T E R S OF OUR NUMBERS. COL. CAVENDER WAS
I N J U R E D I N T H E B O M B I N G AND WAS NO LONGER WITH US. IN HIS
P L A C E , C O L . P A L M E R , P A RATROOPER, TOOK OVER THE
R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S O F S E NIOR AMERICAN OFFICER. COL. THO MPSON,
O U R C O M P A N Y L E A D E R , H A D ALSO DROPPED OUT. MAJOR SANDA HELMS
M O V E D U P F R O M P L A T O O N LEADER TO COMPANY COMMANDER. IN OUR
S Q U A D O F E I G H T M E N , L T . JOHN LOSH WAS THE ONLY MAN MI SSING.
D A R K N E S S C A M E O N A N D A LL FIRES THAT HAD BEEN BUILT IN THE
A L L E Y O R T H E Y A R D S W E R E ORDERED EXTINGUISHED. IT WAS STILL
U NDE C I D E D W H E T H E R W E WOULD MOVE ON OR REMAIN IN FEUCHT FOR
A N O T H E R N I G H T . W E A L L WERE SATISFIED TO SLEEP OUT THE SECOND
N I G H T I N T H E S A M E S H E D S.
O N S A T U R D A Y M O R N I N G , A PRIL 7, THE GERMANS MADE UP THE IR
M I N D S T O M O V E U S S O U T H WARD. IN THE MORNING THEY BROUG HT US A
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T U B O F H O T W A T E R W I T H WHICH WE MADE COFFEE IN INDIVID UAL
C U P S A N D B R E A K F A S T E D F ROM OUR RED CROSS BOXES. BY NOO N OUR
R E O R G A N I Z E D C O L U M N , R E DUCED IN ROUND NUMBERS FROM 500 TO 400
P R I S O N E R S O F W A R , W A S ON THE ROAD AGAIN.
W E W E N D E D L E I S U R E L Y U N DER CLEAR SKIES ON UNFREQUENTED ROADS,
P A S S E D S C A T T E R E D F A R M HOUSES ALONG THE WOODED HILLS. THE
T E R R A I N S L A N T E D G E N T L Y UPWARD. WE WERE IN THE FRANKIS CHE
A L B , A L O N G R A N G E T H A T REACHES OUT ACROSS BAVARIA LIK E A
F I N G E R F R O M T H E S W I S S ALPS. AS WE RAMBLED ALONG WE RE ALI ZED
T H A T W E W E R E N O T T H E F IRST COLUMN OF PRISONERS OF WAR TO
P A S S T H I S W A Y . E V E R Y F EW KILOMETERS ALONG OTHERWISE C LEAN
A N D R U B B I S H L E S S R O A D S I DES WERE SCATTERED FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED
Y A R D S S A R D I N E C A N S , C H EESE BOXES, MILK TINS, CHOCOLAT E AND
C I G A R E T T E W R A P P E R S F R OM AMERICA. WE RESTED PERIODICALLY
U N D E R C O V E R O F W O O D S A ND STREWED SOME MORE DEBRIS ALO NG THE
T R A I L A S W E “ B A S H E D ” T HE CONTENTS OF RED CROSS BOXES AND
D I S C A R D E D T H E T I N C A N S . SIXTEEN KILOMETERS WERE PACED OFF
F R O M FE U C H T T O B U C H W H ERE AN OLD BARN ALMO ST BURSTING WITH
H A Y W A S C O M M A N D E E R E D F OR US.
T H E S L E E P I N G Q U A R T E R S WERE RATHER CROWDED, BUT THE BA RN WAS
I N A C E N T R A L L O C A T I O N IN BUCH WHERE TRADING WITH THE
C I V I L I A N P O P U L A T I O N W A S FAVORABLE. I FOUND JIM KEOUGH OF
P H I L A D E L P H I A S I T T I N G O N THE FLOOR OF TH E BARN WITH A FAR
A W A Y L O O K I N H I S F A C E . “FATHER, DO YOU WANT SOME BREA D?” HE
U N S E L F I S H L Y A S K E D M E . “HOW MUCH HAVE YOU GOT, JIM?”
“ P L E N T Y ! I M A D E S O M E G OOD TRADES TONIGHT AND DID WELL . COME
O N , F A T H E R , H A V E S O M E GOOD CIVILIAN BREAD.” AND HE PU LLED
O U T A L AR G E R O U N D L O A F OF WHOLE WHEAT BREAD. WITH SOME JELLY
H E H A D W E M A D E S A N D W I C HES AND IN THE DANK CORNER OF T HE BARN
T A L K E D A B O U T O U R B U D D Y , JOHN LOSH. PERHAPS IT WAS THA T DAY
THAT JOHNNY DIED.
W E Q U I T B U C H O N S U N D A Y MORNING AT SIX O’CLOCK. IT WAS THE
F I R S T SU N D A Y A F T E R E A STER AND I HAD HOPED WE MIGHT STAY IN
T H E T O W N L O N G E N O U G H T O ARRANGE A MASS. THERE WAS A S LIGHT
H A Z E I N T H E A T M O S P H E R E AND A LIGHT FROST ON THE GROUN D THIS
C R I S P , C H I L L Y M O R N I N G . WE PASSED A FEW PEOPLE TRUDGIN G ALONG
T H E R O A D S O N T H E I R W A Y TO MASS. FARTHER OUT IN THE HILLS
F A M I L I E S I N H O R S E D R A W N BUGGIES WERE RIDING TO CHURCH .
A C R O S S T H E F I E L D S W E S AW THE SPIRES OF DISTANT CHURCH ES
P O I N T I N G U P F R O M T H E D EPRESSIONS IN THE LANDSCAPE AND WE
H E A R D T H E C H U R C H B E L L S RINGING THE HOUR OF MASS.
W E RES T E D F O R F O R T Y - F I VE MINUTES IN A SCRAGGY WOODS FOR
B R E A K F A S T . S M O L K Y , M A D DEN AND I ATE SARDINE SANDWICHE S AND
R A W O N I O N S , A R A T H E R S ATISFYING BREAKFAST. WE REACHED A
P L A T E A U W H E R E T H E V I L L AGES WERE FEW AND WIDELY SCATTE RED.
T H E R E W E R E C L U M P S O F F OREST THR OUGH WHICH RAN WAGON T RAILS.
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A L O N G T H E M W E R E T H R O W N AMERICAN TIN CANS, AS YET UNRU STED BY
R A I N S ; T H E Y R E M I N D E D U S AGAIN THAT OTHER COLUMNS OF K RIEGIES
W E R E N O T F A R A H E A D O F US.
A T E L E V E N O ’ C L O C K W E C AME DOWN INTO THE TOWN OF
S E L I G E N P O R T E N, I N W H I C H THERE IS AN ANCIENT CISTERCIA N
M O N A S T E R Y A N D A M O R E R ECENT ABBEY - CHURCH. WE HALTED F OR A
F E W M I N U T E S I N T H E M I D DLE OF THE VILLAGE. I PRAYED TH AT
A C C O M M O D A T I O N S M I G H T B E FOUND FOR US HERE SO THAT WE COULD
H A V E M A S S I N T H E B E A U T IFUL CHURCH. INSTEAD WE MOVED O N FO R
T H R E E K I L O M E T E R S O U T I NTO THE COUNTRY TO A FARM WHICH
B E L O N G E D T O T H E S A M E M ONKS. ON THIS FARM WAS THE LARG EST
B A R N W E H A D S E E N , S O L ARGE THAT IN THE HAYLOFT THERE WAS
A M P L E R O O M F O R 4 0 0 O F US TO SLEEP. BESIDE THE BARN WE RE FOUR
S M A L L D W E L L I N G S A N D A VER Y TINY CHURCH.
“ F A T H E R , D I D Y O U S E E T HE CHURCH? CAN WE HAVE MASS? TO DAY IS
SUNDAY.”
I V I S I T E D T H E L I T T L E B UILDING SET APART ON A KNOLL TO SEE IF
I T W E R E E Q U I P P E D F O R M ASS. THE CHAPEL WAS DEDICATED T O THE
M Y S T E R Y O F T H E S C O U R G I NG OF CHRIST AT THE PILLAR. OVER THE
A L T E R W A S A G R A C E L E S S STATUE OF CHRIST CHAINED TO THE
P I L L A R . A L O N G T H E S I D E WALLS WERE ABOUT TWO DOZEN EIG HT -BYT E N I N C H D R A W I N G S , A L L OF THE SCOURGING. EACH WAS DAT ED WITH
T H E Y E A R O F I T S E R E C T I ON, RUNNING BACK TO THE SEVENTE EN
H U N D R E D S - V O T I V E O F F E RINGS OF PIOUS PEOPLE. THE SANCTUARY
W A S V E R Y S M A L L . O N E I T HER SIDE OF THE NARROW AISLE WE RE FIVE
P E W S T H A T W O U L D S E A T T HREE PEOPLE EACH. A VESTING TAB LE WAS
O N O N E S I D E O F T H E F R O NT DOOR AND A CONFESSIONAL ON T HE
OTHER.
“ W E L L , W E C A N ’ T G E T T H EM ALL IN HERE,” SAID TED GORNE Y WHO
WAS WITH ME.
“ T H E L A T E C O M E R S C A N S TAND OUTSIDE. THEY MAY LEARN TO COME
EARLY FOR MASS.”
E V E R Y T H I N G N E C E S S A R Y F OR MASS WAS THERE EXCEPT THE WI NE AND
H O S T S . H A U P T M A N M I N N E R , A CATHOLIC OF THE GUARD COMPA NY, WHO
W A S B E C O M I N G F R I E N D L I ER SINCE I ANOINTED HIS FRIEND HAUPTMAN
S T A M M E R L , S A I D H E W O U L D CONTACT THE MONKS AT THE ABBE Y IN
S E L I G E N P O R T E N. H A P P I L Y A CISTERCIAN BROTHER WAS ON THE FARM
F E T C H I N G A W A G O N L O A D OF POTATOES AND HE PROMISED TO SEND
S O M E W I N E A N D H O S T S F R OM THE MONAS TERY FOR MASS.
“ T E L L H I M W E W A N T T O H AVE MASS THIS AFTERNOON, SUNDAY .” I
T O L D M I N N E R , T O M A K E S URE THE GOOD BROTHER UNDERSTOOD THE
URGENCY.
L A T E I N T H E A F T E R N O O N A MONK IN HIS WHITE HABIT WITH BLACK
S C A P U L A R A N D W A L K I N G S TICK WAS SIGHTED COMING UP THE DUST Y
R O A D T O T H E F A R M H E B R OUGHT WITH HIM THE WINE AND HOS TS FOR
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T H E M A S S I C E L E B R A T E D AT SIX O’CLOCK THAT EVENING. FA THER
T H E O B A L D K N E L T I N T H E SANCTUARY AND THE MEN PACKED TH E
C H U R C H E V E N T O O V E R F L O WING.
IT WAS
GOSPEL
ON THE
“PEACE
A D E V O T I O N A L M A SS AND I SAID A FEW WORDS ON THE
O F T H E D A Y - T H E APPEARANCE OF CHRIST TO THE APOSTLES
E V E N I N G O F T H E FIRST EASTER AND HIS GREETING T O THEM,
BE TO YOU.”
T H A T E V E N I N G W E L E A R N E D WE WERE TO STAY HERE ANOTHER DAY.
“ L E T ’ S S T A Y A W E E K , ” W AS MY SUGGESTION.
“ L E T ’ S S T A Y T O T H E E N D OF THE WAR,” SAID LT. SMOLKA. “NOBODY
W I L L E V E R F I N D U S H E R E .”
“ Y E S , T H E W A R W I L L B E OVER AND WE WON’T KNOW IT,” CAP T.
MADDEN SAID.
T H E P L A C E W A S T R U L Y A SECLUDED SPOT UP IN THE MOUNTAI N
R E G I O N , B U T , A S H A U P T M AN MINNER EXPLAINED TO ME, WE C OULD
N O T S T A Y M A N Y D A Y S I N ONE SPOT BECAUSE OF THE FOOD PR OBLEM.
F O U R H U N D R E D U N E X P E C T E D GUESTS WOULD EAT UP THE POTAT O
S U P P L Y O F A N Y S M A L L V I LLAGE EVEN WITH THE SLIM RATION S WE
WERE FED.
T H E N E X T M O R N I N G , W E H AD MASS AGAIN AT NINE O’CLOCK. IT WAS
T H E T R A N S F ER R E D F E A S T OF THE ANNUNCIATION. ANNUALLY
C E L E B R A T E D O N M A R C H 2 5 TH, WHICH THIS YEAR HAPPENED TO BE
P A L M S U N D A Y , T H E F E A S T WAS POSTPONED UNTIL AFTER THE EASTER
O C T A V E . ‘ T W A S A N O T H E R FEAST OF PEACE AND I PREACHED A SHORT
S E R M O N O N H O W P E A C E W A S RESTORED BETWE EN GOD AND MAN BY THE
I N C A R N A T I O N O F H I S D I V INE SON. I URGED THE MEN TO REC EIVE
H O L Y C O M M U N I O N F O R P E A CE, NOT ONLY THE PEACE THAT FOL LOWS
T H E O R D E R T O C E A S E F I R E, BUT A JUST AND LASTING PEACE FOR
T H E W O R L D . F A T H E R T H E O BALD WAS PRESENT FROM THE ABBEY . AFTER
M A S S H E T O L D M E I N L A T IN THAT THE FATHER ABBOT WISHED TO
I N V I T E M E T O D I N E W I T H THE COMMUNITY AT NOON. I LAUGH INGLY
T H A N K E D H I M A N D T H E A B BOT, BUT EXPLAINED THAT I WAS A
P R I S O N E R O F W A R A N D W O ULD NOT TAKE THE CHANCE OF GOIN G THREE
K I L O M E T E R S I N M I D D L E O F THE DAY ALONE. I PICTURED HOW SWEET
I T W O U L D B E T O E A T I N A RELIGIOUS HOUSE AGAIN AND ON THIS
D A Y T O O , T H E F E A S T O F THE ANNUNCIATION.
I W A S R E S I G N I N G M Y S E L F TO EATING SOUP OUT OF A TIN C AN WHEN
H A U P T M E N M I N N E R C A M E R UNNING UP EXCITEDLY.
“ D O Y O U W A N T T O G O T O THE MONASTERY FOR DINNER?”
“ O F C O U R S E I D O , ” I S M ILED.
“ I W I L L G O W I T H Y O U A S YOUR GUARD.”
“FINE, I’LL GO.”
I Q U I C K L Y G O T T O G E T H E R SOME CLEANING EQUIPMENT. I SHA VED,
W A S H E D M Y H E A D , A N D T R IED TO CLEAN MY DIRTY CLOTHES A ND
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S H O E S . F O R T H E F I R S T T IME I BECAME EMBARRASSED AT MY
F I L T H I N E S S . W A L K I N G M U D ROADS, SLEEPING IN BARNS, EAT ING IN
A W K W A R D S I T U A T I O N S , N O T TO MENTION THE SOOT FROM THE SMOKEY
J O E S T H A T S T I L L S L U N G TO US, ALL CONSPIRED TO MAKE US FEEL
A T H O M E W I T H T R A M P S A N D VAGRANTS. NOW SUDDENLY T BE INVITED
T O D I N E I N A M O N A S T E R Y - THE VERY THOUGHT OF WHICH SU GGESTS
C L E A N L I N E S S - F I L L E D M E WITH SHAME. I SCRUBBED HARD, BUT WAS
N O T T O O S U C C E S S F U L I N MY EFFORTS. IN SPITE OF MY SQUA LID
A P P E A R A N C E I S E T O F F F OR THE CISTERCIAN ABBEY WITH HA UPTMAN
M I N N E R I N T H E S P R I N G SUNSHINE.
“ H E Y , F A T H E R , W H E R E A R E YOU GOING?” SOME SOLICITOUS K RIEGIE
C A L L E D T O M E D O W N T H E ROAD.
“ I ’ L L B E B A C K . D O N ’ T W ORRY ABOUT ME.”
A T T H E D O O R O F T H E C H U RCH FATHER THEOBALD MET US AND SHOWED
U S T H E N E W A B B E Y - C H U R CH AND THE OLD CLOISTER WH ERE
C I S T E R C I A N N U N S H A D S U NG THE MIDNIGHT PRAISES OF THE LORD AS
L O N G A G O A S T H E T H I R T E ENTH CENTURY. THE PART OF THE B UILDING
O N C E O C C U P I E D B Y T H E N UNS WAS NOW AN HISTORIC RELIC
P R O T E C T E D B Y A G O V E R N M ENT COMMITTEE FOR THE PRESERVAT ION OF
HISTORICAL MONUMENTS.
W E E N T E R E D T H E M O N K S ’ CLOISTER AND PRECEDED TO FATHER
A B B O T ’ S R O O M . H I S D E S K WAS PILED HIGH WITH LETTERS, H IS
T A B L E W I T H M A G A Z I N E S A ND PAPERS, AND HE WALLS WITH SH ELVES
O F B O O K S . T H E A B B O T W A S AN ASCETIC LOOKING PRIEST WIT H BLACK
B E A R D . I T O L D H I M I H A D TO COME ALL THE WAY ACROSS GERMANY
T O M A K E M Y F I R S T A C Q U A INTANCE WITH A CISTERCIAN ABBOT . I
E X P L A I N E D I N L A T I N H O W PLEASED I WAS TO COME AND HOW KIND OF
H A U P M A N M I N N E R T O B R I N G ME.
“ B O N U M E T J U C U N D U M E S T HABTARE FRATRES IN UNUM,” SAID THE
A B B O T . ( B E H O L D H O W G O O D AND HOW SWEET IT IS TO LIVE AS
BROTHERS IN UNITY)
( * ) S E E A P P E N D I X : L . M A RTIN JONES LETTER
F A T H E R T H E O B A L D S P O K E LATIN FLUENTLY; FATHER ABBOT HA D SOME
D I F F I C U L T Y B U T M A N A G E D TO REMEMBER SOME VERSES FROM T HE
P S A L M S . I E X P L A I N E D T H AT I WAS AN AME RICAN JESUIT PRIEST.
“ Q U O M D O C A N T A B I M U S C A N TICUM DOMINI IN TERRA ALIENA.” (HOW
W I L L W E S I N G A S O N G T O THE LORD IN A FOREIGN LAND)
T H A T I H A D B E E N A P R I S ONER AT BAD ORB AND AT HAMMELBU RG
W H E R E W E W E R E L I B E R A T E D FOR A SHORT TIME.
“ L A Q U E U S C O N T R I T U S E S T , E T NOS LIBERATI SUMUS.”
161
( T H E T R A P I S D E S T R O Y E D AND WE ARE FREE)
T H A T W E H A D B E E N W A L K I NG FOR TWO WEEKS FROM HAMMELBUR G.
“ B E A T I I M M A C U L A T I I N V I A.”(BLESSED ARE THE PURE AS THE Y
TRAVEL THEIR WAY)
T H A T W E H A D L O S T T W E N T Y - SEVEN MEN IN A BOMBING.
“ R E Q U I E S C A N T IN P A C E . ” (MAY THEY REST IN PEACE)
T H U S I T W E N T O N . T H E B ENIGN OLD MAN HAD A QUOTATION F OR
E V E R Y T O P I C . T H E N W E W ENT TO DINNER. TWELVE OF US SAT AT THE
T -SH A P E D T A B L E , S I X B ROTHERS, THREE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE
S T E M ; T H E A B B O T , T H E T HREE CISTERCIAN PRIESTS, HAUPTMAN
M I N N E R A N D I O N T H E C R OSS -BAR.
R E M E M B E R I T W A S A F E A S T DAY, A DAY OF SPECIAL MEALS I N EVERY
R E L I G I O U S C O M M U N I T Y . A FTER FATHER THEOBALD READ THE G OSPEL
O F T H E D A Y I N L A T I N , T HE ABBOT SAID, “DEO GRATIAS” (T HANKS
B E T O G O D ) A N D W E B E G A N A CROSS FIR E OF CONVERSATION IN
L A T I N , G E R M A N A N D E N G L ISH. MINNER COULD NOT UNDERSTAN D THE
L A T I N , I F A I L E D T O G R A SP THE GERMAN, AND THE MONKS MI SSED
T H E E N G L I S H . H O W E V E R W E ENJOYED OURSELVES. FIRST A BR OTHER
B R O U G H T I N A L A R G E T U R EEN OF POTATO SOUP, THE LIKE OF WHICH
W E H A D B E E N S E R V E D D A I LY. BUT TO SIT AT A CLEAN TABLE AND
E A T F R O M P O R C E L A I N D I S HES MADE THE SOUP TASTE MUCH BE TTER
T H A N H A V I N G I T D U M P E D INTO A TIN CAN FROM AND IRON PO T AND
E A T E N A T T H E E D G E O F A BARNYARD. THEN CAME A SMALL PO RTION
O F R O A S T P O R K , B O I L E D POTATOES AND CARROTS. THERE WAS A
S L I C E O F B R E A D F O R E A C H AT HIS PLACE AT TABLE. NO DES ERT, NO
W I N E , N O C O F F E E , N O T E VEN A GLASS OF WATER.
Y E T F O R A L L M Y D U B I O U S LY MERITORIOUS FASTING OF THE P AST
M O N T H S , I T W A S M O R E T H AN I COULD EAT. IT PROVED WHAT I HA D
B E E N T E L L I N G M Y F E L L O W STARVELINGS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS , “IT’S
N O T T H E L A C K O F F O O D N OW THAT WILL DO US PERMANENT IN JURY,
B U T T H E A B U N D A N C E O F G OOD FOOD THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER
WE ARE LIBERATED.”
A T T H E C O N C L U S I O N O F T HE MEAL, STILL SITTING AT THE T A BLE,
F A T H E R A B B O T A N D H I S C OMMUNITY BID FAREWELL TO US; A STRANGE
P L A C E , I T H O U G H T , T O S AY GOOD - BYE TO GUESTS. WE STOOD UP AT
T A B L E F O R T H E G R A C E A F TER MEALS, INSTEAD OF THE LAUDA TE, THE
A B B O T I N T O N E D T H E M I S E RERE, SLIPPED HIS COWL OVER HIS HEAD
A N D L E D T HE P R O C E S S I O N OF HIS COMMUNITY INTO THE CHURCH TO
S I N G T H E P R A I S E S O F G O D. HAUPTMAN MINNER AND I STOOD AT OUR
P L A C E S I N T H E E M P T Y R E FECTORY.
“ W E L L , ” H E S H R U G G E D H I S SHOULDERS, “SHALL WE O BACK T O THE
B A R N ? ” M I N N E R A N D I W A L KED OUT OF THE MONASTERY INTO T HE WARM
S U N S H I N E O F T H E A F T E R N OON. HE WAS AS DELIGHTED WITH T HE
162
V I S I T A S I W A S . W E B E M OANED TOGETHER THE WICKEDNESS O F THE
W O R L D A N D T H E H O R R O R S OF WAR. HE TOLD ME HOW HE HAD B EEN A
S C H O O L T E A C H E R I N V I E N NA AT THE TIME OF HITLER’S RISE TO
P O W E R . E V E N I N 1 9 3 1 H E FORESAW THE CRISIS THAT THE NATIONAL
S O C I A L I S T P A R T Y W O U L D PRECIPITATE AND SAID, “WE SHALL HAVE
A N O T H E R W A R . ” A S K E D A B OUT THE PRESENT SITUATION, HE
P R E D I C T E D T H A T T H E W A R WOULD END IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS; THEN
W O U L D C O M E T H E C O L L A P S E OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE AN D CHAOS. HE
H A D A C L E A R I D E A O F W H AT THE RUSSIAN VICTORY WOULD ME AN FOR
EUROPE.
I N T H E S H A D O W O F T H E B IG BARN THAT AFTERNOON I WAS BO MBARDED
W I T H Q U E S T I O N S “ F A T H E R , WHERE WERE YOU? DID YOU GET A NYTHING
T O E A T ? D I D Y O U A S K T H E MONKS FOR SOME BREAD?” I DESC RIBED
T H E C H U R C H , T H E A N T I Q U ITY OF THE NUNNERY, THE CONVERS ATION
W I T H T H E A B B O T , A N D T H E MENU WE HAD FOR DINNER. “I HA D
T H O U G H T O F A S K I N G F O R SOME BREAD, BUT WHEN I SAW THE POVERTY
O F T H E M O N K S A N D T H E S CARCITY OF BREAD, I WAS ASHAMED TO DO
S O . A F T E R A L L , W E A R E EATING FAIRLY WELL RIGHT NOW AND WON’T
B E P R I S O N E R S T O O M U C H LONGER. THINK OF WHAT WE HAVE T O GO
H O M E T O ! B U T T H E S E P E O PLE WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE ON
I N A D E Q U A T E R A T I O N S F O R A LONG TIME TO COME.
W E P A S S E D O U R S E C O N D N IGHT IN THE MONKS’ BARN. AFTER
B R EAK F A S T O N T U E S D A Y WE DEPARTED FOR THE SOUTH.
T H E C O U N T R Y S I D E W A S R U GGED AND SOME HILLS WERE STEEP, BUT
O U R P A C E W A S P O K Y A N D THE REST PERIODS LONG. ONLY ONC E WERE
W E H U R R I E D A T A L L A N D THAT WAS WHEN WE HAD TO CROSS A BALD
K N O B O N W H I C H W E M I G H T EASILY HAV E BEEN SIGHTED FROM THE
A I R . O N C E W E P A S S E D A CAMP WHERE HITLERJUNGEND WERE I N
T R A I N I N G . A C L O S E -U P V IEW REVEALED THEM TO BE MERE BOYS
S C A R C E L Y I N T H E I R T E E N S, AND THEIR INSTRUCTORS SEEMED NOT
M U C H O L D E R . T H E Y W E R E UNDERGOING MILITARY TRAINING IN THE
N A Z I TR A D I T I O N . P O O R KIDS! THEY HAD NEVER KNOWN ANYTHING BUT
W A R A N D P R E P A R A T I O N F O R WAR. AND WHAT A LEGACY THEIR
G E N E R A T I O N W A S S O S O O N TO INHERIT.
A K I L O M E T E R B E Y O N D T H E CAMP, RESERVATIONS IN SEVERAL BARNS
H A D B E E N M A D E F O R U S . THE GUARD WERE NOT STRATEGICAL LY
P L A C E D , S O T H A T E X I T T O THE NEIGHBORING HOUSES WAS EA SY. I
M E T A G R O U P O F C H I L D R E N ALONG A BACK STREET AND TRIED TO
T A L K W I T H T H E M . I N M Y FALTERING GERMAN I TOLD THEM I WAS A
P R I E S T A N D A S K E D I F T H EY HAD A PASTOR IN ERASBACH . LA TER, IN
T H E G A T H E R I N G T W I L I G H T I WAS SUMMONED TO THE SAME SPOT BY A
C R O W D O F T O W N S F O L K , C H ILDREN AND THE VILLAGE PRIEST. I
T A L K E D W I T H T H E M F O R H ALF AN HOUR WHILE THE PRIEST
I N T E R P R E T E D I N L A T I N F OR US. BEFORE I LEFT THEM TWO W OMEN
B R O U G H T M E S O M E E G G S , AND AFTER DARK THE PRIEST O F HI S OWN
A C C O R D A S K E D A G U A R D T O BRING ME TO HIS HOUSE A BLOCK AWAY.
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T H E R E H E S H O W E D M E H I S CHURCH AND PRESENTED ME WITH A LARGE
S I Z E D L O A F O F W H E A T B R EAD AND A RING OF WUERST.
T H E G R E A T P R O B L E M H E W ANTED TO TALK OVER WITH ME WAS THIS.
“ W H A T S H O U L D W E D O W H E N THE AMERICAN FORCES ARRIVE” I TRIED
T O A L L A Y H I S F E A R S O F A BARBARIAN ATTACK. “WHEN THE F IGHTING
I S G O I N G O N , G O T O Y O U R CELLARS AND STAY AWAY FROM YO UR
C H U R C H , F O R V E R Y O F T E N THE CHURCH STEEPLES ARE USED T O ZERO
I N T H E G U N S . W H E N T H E FORCES COME INT O YOUR TOWN, TREAT THEM
C I V I L A N D Y O U W I L L F I N D THAT THEY WILL DO YOU NO HARM . IT IS
N O T L I K E L Y T H E Y W I L L A SK FOR MUCH, BUT WHAT THEY ASK, GIVE
W I L L I N G L Y . ” “ W H A T A B O U T OUR WOMEN AND NUNS?” HE ASKED
ANXIOUSLY.
“ T H E A M E R I C A N S O L D I E R S WILL NOT HARM YOUR GIR LS AGAIN ST
T H E I R W I L L , ” I A S S U R E D HIM. “AND YOUR SISTERS NEED NO T FEAR.
A M E R I C A N S A R E R E S P E C T F UL OF RELIGION AND THOSE WHO RE PRESENT
I T . ” H E W A S S O R E L I E V E D AND SHOWED HIS GRATITUDE BY W HAT HE
G A V E M E . I T R U S T T H A T THE AMERICAN TROOPS WHO SHORTLY
A R R I V E D AS C O N Q U E R O R S LIVED UP TO THE REPUTATION I
ESTABLISHED FOR THEM.
O N T H E M O R N I N G O F T H E 10TH OUR WANDERING COLUMN WENT SOUTH
F I F T E E N K I L O M E T E R I N T HE RAIN TO KEVENHULL . ON THE WAY WE
P A S S E D T H R O U G H A W A L L E D CITY. WITH ITS BATTLELMENTED
A R C H W A Y S , N A R R O W C O B B L ESTONE STREETS, ITS CENTRAL COURTYARD
F L A N K E D B Y C L O S E L Y P A C KED STORES AND RESIDENCES, IT L OOKED
L I K E A H O L L Y W O O D L O C A T ION FOR A MEDIEVAL DRAMA. ‘SS’T ROOPS
I N T H E R E M O D E R N U N I F O R MS SEEMED OUT OF COSTUME. KNIGH TS IN
A R M O R A N D L A D I E S I N R U FFLES AND FARTHING ALES WOULD HA VE
S E E M E D V E R Y M U C H I N P L ACE.
A T KE V E N H U L L I M E T A N O THER PRIEST, FATHER STROBEL, AND IN
C O M P A N Y W I T H S E R G E A N T BERGMAN OF THE GUARDS VISITED H IS
H O M E . H E G A V E M E A L O A F OF BREAD, SOME SPEC (A KIND O F
B A C O N ) A N D M O S T A C C E P T ABLE OF ALL A BAG OF SALT. OUR SQUAD
ENJOYED THE EXTRA FOOD.
K E V E N H U L L W A S A V E R Y DIRTY VILLAGE. THE HOMES WERE POOR
L O O K I N G A N D T H E Y A R D S AND STREETS HAD THAT DINGY APPE ARANCE
S O C H A R A C T E R I S T I C O F T HE DAMP, DARK DAYS OF EARLY SPR ING. WE
S T A Y E D I N T H E T O W N F O R TWO NIGHTS.
O N A C C O U N T O F T H E O V E R CAST THERE WAS NO ACTIVITY IN T HE AIR.
W E B U I L T S M A L L F I R E S I N THE BARNYARDS TO COOK FOOD FO R
O U R S E L V E S . K R I E G I E S , I N THEIR CHRONIC SEARCH FOR FOOD , FOUND
A N E W S O U R C E O F S U P P L Y . IN MANY OF THE BAVARIAN BARNS THERE
W E R E B I N S O F G R A I N - W HEAT, MILLET, OATS, AND BLEI. WHAT ITS
P U R P O S E W A S N O O N E E X A CTLY KNEW OR BOTHERED VERY MUCH .
P O S S I B L Y I T W A S S A V E D FOR SEED, MAYBE FOR FEEDING LIV ESTOCK
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A N D C H I C K E N S . W H E N T H E GRAIN WAS GROUND IN THE FARMER ’S
P O W E R M I L L ( W H I C H W E H AD TO OPERATE BY HAND) A MIXTUR E OF
F L O U R A N D C H A F F C A M E O UT AT THE BOTTOM. THIS WHOLE GR AIN
C E R E A L C O O K E D I N P O U N D TINS WITH A LITTLE SALT. SUGAR AND
P O W D E R E D M I L K M A D E T H E TASTIEST BREAKFAST FOOD WE HAD EVERY
E A T E N . I N F L A V O R I N G S U CH CULINARY PRODUCTIONS FATHER
S T R O E L ’ S S A L T W A S M O S T APPRECIATED. POTATOES TOO WERE
A V A I L A B L E T O T H E I N Q U I SITIVE EXPLORERS OF CELLARS AND SHED,
W H I L E C R E A T I V E I M A G I N A TION SUGGESTED WAYS OF PREPARIN G THEM
F O R S O M E T I M E N O W T H E S TRICT CUSTODY OF THE GUARDS WAS
S O M E W H A T R E L A X E D . S O M E GUARDS WERE MORE IN DIFFERENT THAN
O T H E R S I N E N F O R C I N G T H E REGULATIONS THAT KRIEGIES STA Y
W I T H I N T H E L I M I T S O F T HE BARNYARDS ASSIGNED THEM. PRO VIDED
A M E R I C A N S D I D N O T A P P E AR TO BE ENTIRELY CONTEMPTUOUS OF THE
R E G U L A T I O N S T H E G U A R D WINKED AT THEIR VISITING THE HO MES OF
G E R M A N F A M I L I E S I N P U R SUIT OF FOOD. AMERICANS OF COUR SE WERE
A C U R I O S I T Y T O M O S T F A MILIES IN THESE POOR MOUNTAIN V ILLAGES
A N D S O M E O F T H E M M A D E CAPITAL OF THIS TO PROFIT FROM THE
H O S P I T A L I T Y O F T H E S E G OOD SIMPLE PEOPLE. THE PEOPLE
T H E M S E L V E S W E R E G E N E R O US; ONLY T HEIR POVERTY KEPT THEM FROM
G I V I N G U S M O R E T H A N T H EY DID.
I N O N E O F T H E B A R N Y A R D S OF KEVENHULL I MET A MIDDLE -AGED
F R A U W H O S P O K E A L I T T L E ENGLISH. SHE TOLD ME SHE HAD A SON
W H O W A S P R I S O N E R O F W A R IN THE UNITED STATES. HE HAD WRITTEN
H E R T H A T H E W A S W E L L T AKEN CAR OF AND THAT THE FOOD,
S H E L T E R , L I V I N G C O N D I T IONS WERE WHOLESOME. SHE HAD HE R
D O U B T S A B O U T T H E T R U T H OF HIS STATEMENTS. I TOLD HER OF MY
O W N E X P E R I E N C E W I T H G E RMAN PRISONERS IN ONE OF OUR CA MPS AND
A S S U R E D H E R T H A T A L L H E SAID WAS TRUE. TEARS CAM E TO HER
M O T H E R L Y E Y E S , T E A R S O F JOY THAT HER SON WAS WELL PRO VIDED
F O R . T O S H O W H E R A P P R E CIATION SHE GAVE ME A LOAF OF B READ.
P O O R L I T T L E M O T H E R ! H O W DIFFERENT WAR LOOKS FROM THE POINT
O F V I E W O F T H E I N D I V I D UAL WHOSE LITTLE WORLD IS ENCOM PASSED
B Y T H E C O NF I N E S O F A N OBSCURE VILLAGE AND THE AFFECTIONS OF
HUMBLE FAMILY LIFE.
T H O U G H T W E N E V E R S I G H T ED ANOTHER COLUMN OF PRISONERS, THEIR
P R E S E N C E I N T H E V I C I N I TY CONTINUED TO MAKE IT EVIDENT BY THE
T I N C A N S A N D F O O D W R A P PERS SCATTERED ALONG THE ROADS. WE HAD
F U RTH E R C O N F I R M A T I O N FROM THE AIR - CORPS KRIEGIES WHO WERE
A L M O S T D A I L Y J O I N I N G O UR COLUMN. THEY HAD BE IMPRISON ED IN
S T A L A G L U F T 3 N E A R N U R EMBERG, BUT EVACUATED DURING TH E FIRST
W E E K I N A P R I L . T H E Y H A D FOUND IT EXCITING TO SLIP PAS T THE
G U A R D S O F T H E L A R G E B O DY OP PRISONERS TO SCROUNGE FOR FOOD
I N N E A R B Y V I L L A G E S . O N E OF THESE WHO BECAME A FRIEND OF MINE
W A S L T . H O W A R D F I S H O F MINNEAPOLIS. HE HAD BEEN SHOT DOWN
O V E R V I E N N A I N J A N U A R Y AND IN SPITE OF A WOUND IN HIS FOOT,
H A D D O N E C O N S I D E R A B L E WALKING IN AUSTRIA AND BAVARIA.
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A T KE V E N H U L L, H E S N E A KED PAST THE GUARDS INTO TOWN WHERE HE
M E T A P O L I S H G I R L N A M E D ANNA. SHE WAS ONE OF THE MANY POLISH
W O M E N W H O M W E S A W D O I N G HEAVY FARM WORK IN PLACE OF T HE
G E R M A N M E N W H O W E R E F I GHTING FOR DER FUEHRER. ANNA WA S
T W E N T Y YE A R S O L D A N D HAD BEEN A FORCED LABORER FOR ALMOST
S I X Y E A R S . W H I L E S H E W AS SURREPTITIOUSLY GETTING LT. FISH
S O M E F O O D , A C O U P L E O F GERMAN OFFICERS CAME NEAR. ANN A HID
F I S H I N A C U B B Y - H O L D WHILE THE OFFICERS STOPPED AT THE
H O U S E ; T H E N A F T E R T H E Y WERE GONE S HE SENT THE AIRMAN OFF
W I T H A G O O D M E A L A N D A LOAF OF BREAD.
O N F R I D A Y T H E T H I R T E E N TH WE TRAVELED SIXTEEN KILOMETE RS FROM
K E V E N H U L L T O Z E L L . S T ILL IN THE FRANKISCHE ALB WE CLIMBED
S O M E V E R Y R O U G H H I L L S . MANY KRIEGIES WERE FORCED TO S TRAGGLE
B E H I N D T H E C O LU M N . E V E N THE WAGON WHICH ALWAYS BROUGHT UP
T H E R E A R H A D D I F F I C U L T Y ON THE SHARP ASCENTS. THE HOR SES
W E R E W E A R I N G O U T A N D C OULD NOT PULL A LOAD OF WORN -OUT
K R I E G I E S U P T H E H I L L S . EVERYONE HAD TO CLIMB ON HIS O WN
P O W E R , B U T B Y S L O W S T A GES ALL HILLS WERE SUC CESSFULLY
S U R M O U N T E D . S O M E T I M E D URING THE DAY THE GUARDS BROUGH T US
T H E N E W S T H A T P R E S I D E N T ROOSEVELT HAD DIED. WE REFUSE D TO
B E L I E V E I T . A T Z E L L I MET THE PARISH PRIEST, FATHER X AVER
M A Y E R , W H O T O L D M E T H E REPORT WAS TRUE. I BELIEVED HI M AND
T O L D H I M W E MU S T P R A Y FOR THE DEAD PRESIDENT AND FOR HIS
S U C C E S S O R , M R . H A R R Y T RUMAN.
F A T H E R M A Y E R W A S P L E A S ED TO HAVE US OFFER MASS IN HIS
C H U R C H , A N D W E W E R E H A PPY TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRAY
F O R O U R D E A D C O M M A N D E R IN CHIEF. I ANNOUNCED THE MASS IN ALL
T H E B A R NY A R D S W H E R E K RIEGIES WERE CONFINED AND INVITED
E V E R Y O N E T O T H E S E R V I C E AS A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE PRES IDENT,
T H E C E R T A I N T Y O F W H O S E DEATH I CONFIRMED IN THE MINDS OF
M A N Y . A L A R G E N U M B E R T URNED OUT FOR THE MASS. THE CHU RCH WAS
B I G E N O U G H T O H O L D T H E M ALL. FA THER MAYER ASSISTED IN THE
S A N C T U A R Y A N D M A R V E L E D AT THE DISPLAY OF AMERICAN DEV OTION.
A S T H E R E W A S A S O U P A B OILING IN THE BIG POT I DID NOT DETAIN
T H E M W I T H A L O N G S E R M O N.
W E S T A Y E D T W O N I G H T S I N ZELL . IT RAINED MOST OF SATURDAY,
T H E F U L L D A Y W E S P E N T T HERE. A RAW WIND BLEW FROM THE SOUTH
A N D C H I L L E D U S , T H O U G H WE STILL WORE OUR HEAVY CLOTHE S.
U N M I S T A K A B L E P R O O F T H A T THE GERMANS WERE NOT IN A HUR RY TO
G E T U S A N Y W H E R E W A S T H E DESULTORY COURSE OUR JOURNEY HAD
RECENTLY TAKEN.
W E W E R E M O V E D O N L Y E V E RY OTHER DAY NOW AND FOR COMPAR ATIVELY
S H O R T D I S T A N C E S . I R E C ALLED WHAT HAUPTMAN MINNER HAD TOLD ME
A B O U T A L A R G E C R O W D O F PRISONERS EATING UP THE POTATO SUPPLY
O F A V I L L A G E . T H E C I V I LIAN WHO FURNISHED OUR FOOD AT THE
O R D E R O F T H E M I L I T A R Y WERE SAID TO HAVE BEEN G IVEN RECEIPTS
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W H I C H C O U L D B E R E D E E M E D AT THE NATIONAL BANKS. NO FAR MER WAS
G U L L I B L E E N O U G H T O B E L IEVE THAT THE VOUCHERS OF THE T OPPLING
N A Z I W A R M A C H I N E W O U L D BE HONORED BY THE BANKERS. SOM E EVEN
F E A R E D T H E R E T A L I A T I O N THEY MIGHT SUFFER IF THEY ATTE MPTED
T O R E C L A I M T H E V A L U E O F THE CONSCRIPTED FOOD STORES.
E A R L Y S U N D A Y M O R N I N G W E LEFT ZELL TO MARCH ABOUT TEN
K I L O M E T E R A C R O S S A M O U NTAIN RANGE. “FIVE KILOS UP AND FIVE
K I L O S D O W N , ” W A S T H E W AY SOMEONE PUT THE DISTANCE IN HIS
L O G . T H E G U A R D S A T T H E HEAD OF THE COLUMN PICKED THEI R WAY
A L O N G M O U N T A I N T R A I L S FOLLOWING THE GENERAL DIRECTION OF A
H I G H T E N S I O N L I N E . B Y TEN O’CLOCK WE WERE IN SCHAFAHI LL ,
W H E R E W E H A D T O S T A N D IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET UNT IL THE
B U R G O M A S T E R A N D T H E C O MMANDANT OF THE GUARD COMPANY D EC IDED
W H I C H B A R N S W O U L D B E U SED AS TEMPORARY PRISONS. WHEN THE
D E C I S I O N W A S M A D E W E W ERE LED BY COMPANIES INTO SMALL BARNS
W I D E L Y D I S T R I B U T E D T H R OUGH THE TOWN HERE WE BECAME AW ARE
T H A T T H E G U A R D S W E R E W EARING OUT AND BECOMING STILL M ORE
D I S C O U R A G E D . T H E N E W S OF THE APPROACHING END OF THE WAR
D A M P E N E D T H E I R S P I R I T S . MARCHING WAS DIFFICULT FOR TH ESE
R E L U C T A N T S O L D I E R S , P E RHAPS MORE SO THAN FOR US, FOR THEY
H A D T O C A R R Y T H E I R H E A VY RIFLES AND KNAPSACKS WITH
A M M U N I T I O N A N D “ P O T A T O MASHERS”.
W E H A D A R E P O R T T H A T G ENERAL EISENHOWER HAD ANNOUNCED THE
J U N C T I O N O F T H E A M E R I C AN AND RUSSIAN FORCES SOUTH OF BERLIN,
F R O M T H E E A S T A N D T H E WEST THE ALLIED ARMIES WERE MAK ING
R A P I D P R O G R E S S A N D I T WAS ONLY A MATTER OF DAYS BEFOR E THE
T O T A L C O L L A P S E W O U L D C OME.
A M E R I C A N K R IE G I E S W E R E QUICK TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE
G U A R D S ’ L A X I T Y . A S O U R OWN SUPPLIES WERE RUNNING LOW, ANY
M E A L S O R H A N D O U T S F R O M THE SIMPLE PEOPLE OF THE TOWNS WERE
EXTREMELY WELCOME.
T H A T S U N D A Y A F T E R N O O N I VISITED THE CHURCH ABOUT A BL OCK
A W A Y F R O M O U R B A R N F O U ND THE CARETAKER, AND ARRANGED TO SAY
M A S S . W O R D W A S S E N T T O THE VARIOUS BARNS AND FOR THE THIRD
C O N S E C U T I V E S U N D A Y T H E CATHOLIC MEN WERE ABLE TO FULF ILL
T H E I R O B L I G A T I O N O F H E ARING MASS. WE STAYED IN SCHAFAHILL
F O R T W O D A Y S . O N O N E O F THE DAYS WE HAD A LIGHT SNOW.
A T F I V E O ’ C L O C K T U E S D A Y MORNING WE MARCHED AGAIN. IT WAS A
C L E A R C O L D M O R N I N G . A L LIED PLANES WERE OUT IN FORCE, NOT IN
S E R R A T E D E C H E L O N S W I T H TARGETS IN THE BIG CITIES, BUT ON
N U I S A N C E R A I D S O V E R T H E ENTIRE COUNTRY. OUR LINE OF M ARCH
B E G A N A N D C O N T I N U E D T HROUGH A FOREST. THREE TIMES WE TOOK TO
T H E W O O D S O F F T H E H I G H WAY TO HIDE FROM PLANES OVERHEA D. THE
R O A D D E S C E N D E D A B R U P T L Y OFF THE HIGHLANDS DOWN THROUG H ROCKY
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C U T S U N T I L A T N O O N W E EMERGED FROM THE FOREST ONTO A
B E A U T I F U L H I G H W A Y T H A T SKIRTED THE DANUBE RIVER.
T H E D A N U B E W A S “ B L U E ” AS IT TUMBLED AROUND AN OX -BOW TURN
A G A I N S T H I G H P E R P E N D I C ULAR BLUFFS OF LIMESTONE. ON TH E
O P P O S I T E S A N D Y S H O R E C LOSE TO THE RIVER STOOD AN OLD
M O N A S T I C C H U R C H A N D C L OISTER, NOW USED AS A REST HOUS E FOR
G E R M A N O F F IC E R S . A L L OF US CROWDED ONTO THE HIGHWAY TO GAZE
A T T H E G R E A T W A T E R W A Y OF CENTRAL EUROPE. THE SURPRISI NG
T H I N G T O U S W A S T H E S P EED OF THE CURRENT. THOUGH IT W AS ONLY
A B O U T A H U N D R E D Y A R D S WIDE AT THIS POINT, THERE WAS A N
A S T O N I S H I N G V O L U M E O F WATER RUSHING PAST US. THE SCEN IC
C O N C R E T E R O A D A T T H E B ASE OF THE CLIFFS MADE A WIDE G RACEFUL
A R C A R O U N D T H E B E N D I N THE RIVER. THE SUN WAS HIGH IN THE
H E A V E N S A N D I L L U M I N E D EVERY DETAIL OF THE VIEW. OUR S PRITES
L I F T E D W I T H T H E G R A N D E UR OF THE PICTURE BEFORE US, FO R I T
R A I S E D U S - M O M E N T A R I LY AT LEAST - THOUGHTS OF FREEDO M,
BEAUTY, AND PEACE.
N E I T H E R U P N O R D O W N T H E DANUBE, AS FAR AS WE COULD SE E, WAS
T H E R E A B R I D G E . T H E G E RMAN OFFICERS SEEMED BAFFLED AS TO
W H A T T O D O W I T H U S . T H EY HELD A CONSULTATION; THEY OR DERED
U S TO M O V E A L O N G T H E HIGHWAY TO OUR RIGHT, WHICH WAS UP
S T R E A M . A S W E P R O C E E D E D IN THE BRIGHT SUNSHINE, WE AD MIRED
T H E P L A Y O F C O L O R S - T HE BLUES OF THE RIVER, THE GREENS OF
T H E F I E L D S B E Y O N D , T H E GRAYS OF THE STONE WALLS, AND THE
S O F T B R O W N S O F T H E B U I LDING S AND ROOFS OF THE MONASTERY
A C R O S S T H E R I V E R . A H A LF -KILOMETER UP THE RIVER THE B LUFFS
T A P E R E D O F F T O A S T E E P TREE -COVERED SLOPE. UP UNDER THE
T R E E S W E S T O P P E D F O R A N HOUR’S REST.
A R E S T W A S N E E D E D , F O R WE HAD BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR SE VEN
H O U R S A N D H A D A L R E A D Y COVERED TWENTY KILOMETERS, THE LONGEST
D I S T A N C E W E H A D W A L K E D DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL. ALT HOUGH
I T W A S M O S T L Y D O W N H I L L, SUCH WALKING WAS MORE EXHAUS TING
T H A N O V E R L E V E L ; S T R E T CHES. OUR FOOD SUPPLY WAS GETTI NG LOW;
I T H A D B E E N E L E V E N D A Y S SINCE A RE D CROSS BOX HAD BEE N GIVEN
U S . N O F I R E S C O U L D B E BUILT ON THE SLOPE FOR FEAR OF
A T T R A C T I N G T H E A T T E N T I ON OF PILOTS WHO CONTINUED TO F LY OVER
A T I R R E G U L A R I N T E R V A L S . THERE WAS MUCH SPECULATION DU RING
T H A T H O U R A S T O W H A T D ISPOSITION WOULD BE MADE OF US. WOU LD
T H E Y T A K E U S A C R O S S T H E DANUBE? SHOULD WE REFUSE TO G O?
C O U L D W E P E R S U A D E T H E M TO KEEP US ON THIS SIDE OF THE RIVER
I N O R D E R T O M A K E T H E D AY OF OUR LIBERATION NEARER? AF TER
A L L , T H E W A R W A S L O S T , SO WHAT WAS THE USE OF KEEPING US
P R I S O N E R S A N Y L O N G E R . E VENTUALLY THE AMERICAN FORCES WOULD
CATCH UP WITH US.
D U R I N G T H E A F T E R N O O N W E CROSSED THE RIVER. WE WERE TA KEN OUT
O F T H E W O O D S I N G R O U P S OF SIXTY, MARCHED A HALF - MILE UP THE
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R I V E R A N D F E R R I E D A C R O SS THE SWIFT CURRENT. THE FERRY WAS A
V E R Y I N G E N I O U S C O N T R I V ANCE THAT COULD ONLY BE USED IN
C O N J U N C T I O N W I T H A S T R ONG FORCE. ACROSS THE RIVER WAS STRUNG
A H E A V Y S T E E L C A B L E T E N FEET ABOVE THE WATER. TO THIS WAS
F A S T E N E D A R E C T A N G U L A R BARGE. THE FORCE OF THE WATER AGAINST
T H E L O N G R U D D E R I N T H E STERN OF THE BOAT S UPPLIED THE POWER
F O R I T S M O V E M E N T . S I X OR EIGHT CROSSINGS WERE MADE BE FORE
A L L W E R E O N T H E S O U T H E RN SIDE.
I N T H E C R O S S I N G M A D E B Y OUR PLATOON A TEAM AND WAGON CAME
A L O N G W I T H U S . T H E F E R RY PILOT WAS A GIRL OF SIXTEEN WHO
M A N I P U L A T E D T H E R U D D E R WITH SUCH SKILL THAT THE HORSES DID
N O T E X H I B I T T H E S L I G H T EST SIGN OF FRIGHT OR PANIC WHI CH
C O U L D E A S I L Y H A V E R E S U LTED IN THE CAPSIZING OF THE BA RGE AND
T H E L O S S O F T H E S I X T Y OF US IN THE RUSHING CURRENT. T HE
F E R R Y E A S E D I N T O T H E R UNWAY ON THE OPPOSITE BANK WHER E
T ROO P S A N D H O R S E S S T E PPED ASHORE.
W E W E R E L E F T U N D E R T H E IMPRESSION THAT WE WOULD CONTI NUE OUR
M A R C H S O U T H O F T H E D A N UBE THAT DAY. MANY OF US WERE
E X C E E D I N G L Y T I R E D A N D EXHAUSTED AFTER THE TWENTY KILO METER
D O W N H I L L W A L K . I T H A D ALSO WARMED UP CONSIDERABLY DURING
T H E D A Y A S S O O F T E N H A PPENS IN THE EARLY SPRING. SPRI NG
F E V E R A T T A C K E D U S I N E ARNEST. WE SAT DOWN AT THE ROAD SIDE
A N D C O M P L A I N E D T O A G U ARD THAT WE WERE TOO WEARY TO W ALK ANY
M O R E . T H O U G H H E L O O K E D BEDRAGGLED HIMSELF AS HE CARRI ED HIS
H E A V Y O V E R C O AT A N D R I F LE, HE HAD NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO PROD
U S O N . H A P P I L Y I T W A S SCARCELY A KILOMETER TO THE TOW N OF
W E L T E N B E R G W H E R E W E L ODGED IN BARNS ALONG THE PAVED ROAD
T H A T L E D T O T H E F E R R Y ACROSS THE DANUBE. BEHIND THE B ARNS
W A S A N O P E N G R A S S Y S P O T EXPOSED TO T HE WARM AFTERNOON SUN.
H E R E W E S P E N T S O M E L A Z Y HOURS DELOUSING OURSELVES.
H I T H E R T O I N T H I S N A R R A TIVE I HAVE NOT MENTIONED THE L ICE.
T O W A R D T H E E N D O F F E B R UARY WE BEGAN TO NOTICE THEM IN OUR
C L O T H E S A N D T O F E E L T H EM WHEN WE SAT OR LAY QUIET. AS LONG
A S W E KE P T M O V I N G T H E Y CAUSED US NO INCONVENIENCE, BUT WHEN
W E W E N T T O B E D T H E N T H EIR FIELD DAY BEGAN. USUALLY WE WERE
T I R E D E N O U G H T O S L E E P IN SPITE OF THE CREEPY FEELING WE FELT
A L L O V E R U S . W A S H I N G T HE CLOTHES DID NOT DESTROY THEM ;
S H A K I N G A N D A I R I N G U N I FORMS DID NOT FREE THEM; THE ONLY
E F F E C T I V E M E A N S W E F O U ND OF RIDDING OURSELVES OF THEM WAS TO
S M A S H T H E M I N D I V I D U A L L Y BETWEEN THE THUMB NAILS. IF T HE
T E M P E R A T U R E A N D T I M E A LLOWED, WE WOULD REMOVE OUR CLO THES
A N D W O R K A L O N G T H E S E A MS SQUASHING THE EGGS AND INSE CTS. FOR
M O S T O F U S T H E T I M E T H US SPENT WAS REWARDED WITH ONE OR AT
M O S T T W O N I G H T S O F S C R ATCHLESS SLEEP, FOR THE COLONIE S OF
L I C E W E C A R R I E D W I T H U S MULTIPLIED SO RAPIDLY. IT WAS
P R A C T I C A L L Y I M P O S S I B L E TO KILL ALL THE EGGS AND BUGS.
B E S I D E S W E A L L C A R R I E D THEM IN OUR CLOTHES AND IT WOULD HAVE
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B E E N N E X T T O I M P O S S I B L E TO KEEP FROM PICKING THEM UP IN THE
E N V I R O N M E N T I N W H I C H W E LIVED.
B A R T E R I N G A N D B E G G I N G IN WELTENBERG WAS HAMPERED BY T HE
P R E S E N C E I N T H E T O W N O F GERMAN SOLDIERS WHO WERE NOT
R E S P O N S I B L E F O R O U R C USTODY. NOT ONLY WERE THE KRIEGIES
A W A R E O F T H E D A N G E R O F WANDERING ABROAD AND MEETING A N
S S . T R O O P E R I N S O M E O B S CURE SPOT BUT OUR GUARDS ALSO W ERE
M O R E A L E R T T O C H E C K A STRAYING KRIEGIE IN ORDER NOT T O
B E T R A Y T H E I R D E S P O N D E N CY BEFORE THOSE WHO STILL H AD A LAST
DITCH BATTLE TO FIGHT.
C I V I L I A N S H O W E V E R I N T HEIR CURIOSITY GATHERED ALONG T HE HIGH
B O A R D F E N C E T H A T S E P A R ATED US FROM THE STREET. SOME O F THEM
E N G A G E D I N B A N T E R A N D THEN IN BARTER WITH THE AMERICA NS. LT.
K E S S I N G E R F O R O N E C O N T RIVED TO GATHER A FEW POCKETS F ULL OF
O N I O N S B Y G I V I N G C H I L D REN LITTLE PIECES OF SOAP FOR A
H A N D F U L O F O N I O N S . I T WAS QUITE A GAME UNTIL SOME
P A R S I M O N I O U S M O T H E R S D ISCOVERED THE SUDDEN DEPLETION OF
THEIR ONION BINS.
J U S T A T T W I L I G H T C A P T A IN JOHN MADDEN AND I WERE USING THE
L A S T B I T O F D A Y L I G H T T O ARRANGE OUR BLANKETS IN THE L OFT. A
G R E A T S H O U T W E N T U P F R OM THE PRISONERS IN THE BARNYAR D. IT
W A S H O U T O F J O Y A N D E X ALTATION. THE NEWS SPREAD LIKE
L I G H T N I N G , “ H E R E C O M E TWO WHITE ANGELS!” I SAID TO JO HN,
“ N O W W H A T D O Y O U T H I N K OF THAT? TOMORROW IS THE FEAST OF THE
P A T R O N A G E O F S T . J O S E P H.” WE JOINED THE CROWD OF EXCI TED
K R I E G I E S A T T H E G A T E O F THE FARMYARD AND WATCHED THE TWO
V E H I C L E S P A I N T E D E N T I R ELY WHITE LOOM OUT OF THE DUSK. THEY
D R E W U P A L O N G S I D E U S O N THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED. THEY WERE
T W O G E R M A N A M B U L A N C E S , THE FIRST CARS OF A LARGE CONV OY
W H I C H P A S S E D T H R O U G H W ELTENBERG DURING THE NIGHT. TROOPS AND
H E A V Y A R M A M E N T W E R E M O VING UP TO ESTABLISH A LINE OF DEFENSE
S O M E W H E R E N O R T H O F T H E RIVER. ALL NIGHT LONG THE GRIN DING OF
B R A K E S A N D S H O U T I N G O F ORDERS WENT ON IN THE STREET O UTSIDE
T H E B A R N . I N T H E S E C L O SING DAYS OF THE WAR THE GERMAN S MOVED
T H E I R T R O O P S A N D V E H I C LES BY NIGHT, CAMOUFLAGED THEM BY DAY
OR HID THEM IN FORESTS.
W E H A D C R O S S E D T H E D A N UBE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN REGENSBUR G AND
I N G O L S T A D T.
E A R L Y T H E N E X T M O R N I N G IT WAS EVIDENT THAT OUR GUARDS WERE
N O T A T E A S E I N T H E P R E SENCE OF COMBAT UNITS. UNCEREMO NIOUSLY
W E W E R E H U R R I E D O U T O F WELTENBERG BEFORE SIX O’CLOCK. A
F O R C E D M A R C H O F E I G H T E EN KILOMETERS BROUGHT US INTO R OLLING
C O UNT R Y A N D O U T O F T H E PRECINCTS OF NAZI DEFENSE ACTIVITY.
O N O U R W A Y W E S A W I N T HE BARNYARDS OF SMALL TOWNS WEH RMACHT
T R U C K S A N D K I T C H E N S C A REFULLY CONCEALED. THROUGH THE OPEN
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B A R N D O O R S W E C O U L D S E E GERMAN SOLDIERS SLEEPING DURI NG THE
D A Y O N T H E H A Y A N D S T R AW AS WE WERE ACCUSTOMED TO DO AT
N I G H T . O U R L O N G M I S S H A PEN COLUMN WANDERED ACROSS SOME FIELDS
O V E R A S L I G H T E L E V A T I O N AND CAME INTO A RESTFUL LOOKI NG
V A L L E Y W H E R E L A Y T H E C LEAN LOOKING TOWN OF HELCHENBACH . IT
W A S A C L U S T E R O F N O T M ORE THAN FIFTY WHITE STU CCO HOUSES
E A C H S U R R O U N D E D B Y A W HITE PICKET FENCE. SPRING WAS
B U R G E O N I N G I N T H E L I T T LE GARDEN - PLOTS AND ON THE TREES. A
H A L F M I L E A C R O S S T H E M EADOWS THROUGH WHICH GURGLED A LITTLE
S T R E A M R E S T E D A G R O U P OF BUILDINGS - THREE LARGE BARNS AND
T W O C O M F O R T A B L E D W E L L INGS. ROOMY SLEEPING QUARTERS WERE
S U P P L I E D U S B Y T H E B A R NS, LOCATIONS FOR FIRES BY THE OPEN
S P A C E S A R O U N D T H E M , A N D PLEASANT LOUNGING SPOTS BY TH E
G R A S S Y K N O L L S T H A T W E R E EXPOSED TO THE SUN. WE STAYED AT
H E L C H E N B A C H F O R T H R E E DAYS AND TWO NIGHTS.
G RAI N A N D P O T A T O E S W E RE OPENLY GIVEN US THE PEASANTS. THE
M I L L I N O N E O F T H E B A R NS WAS KEPT CONSTANTLY TURNING. THE
K I T C H E N I N O N E O F T H E HOMES WAS TURNED OVER TO US DUR ING
P A R T O F T H E D A Y A N D A FEW OFFICERS APPOINTED TO SEE T O THE
C O O K I N G O F T H E C E R E A L S AND POTATOES THAT WERE BROUGHT IN
P O U N D T I N S A N D W E R E L I NED UP ON THE STOOP AT THE KITC HEN
D O O R . T H E T H R E E D A Y S A T HELCHENBACH WERE LIKE A PICNI C. WE
H A D N O T W A T E R S E R V E D U S TWICE A DAY (IN THE MORNING A ND IN
T H E E V E N I N G ) F O R M A K I N G COFFEE AND ONCE EACH AFTER NOON A
T H I C K S O U P A N D B R E A D W ERE ISSUED. WHEN NOT EATING OR
P R E P A R I N G S O M E T H I N G T O EAT THERE WAS TIME SPENT IN GO ING
O V E R O U R C L O T H E S S Q U E E ZING LICE.
O N T H E S E C O N D D A Y I A R RANGED THROUGH HAUPTMAN MINNER TO MEET
F A T H E R F U Z G E O R G , T H E PARISH PRIEST WHO MINI STERED TO THE
S U R R O U N D I N G V I L L A G E S A ND WHO HAD COME TO HELCHENBACH THAT
D A Y . W E H A D M A S S A T E L EVEN O’CLOCK IN THE TIDY LITTLE CHURCH
I N T H E M I D D L E O F T H E V ILLAGE. AFTER MASS I TALKED WIT H
P R I E S T A N D M I N N E R I N T HE SUN - WARMED CHURCHYARD UNTIL I BEGAN
T O F E E L H U N G R Y ; T H E N STROLLED BACK TO THE GROUP OF BUILDINGS
O N T H E H I L L S I D E T O F I N D SOMETHING TO EAT. AFTER GETTI NG SOME
C E R E A L C O O K E D I N T H E K ITCHEN I WAS SITTING IN THE SUN
C H A T T I N G W I T H A G R O U P OF KRIEGIES, FOUR AIRMEN WHOSE NAMES
I ’ V E F O R G O T T E N , B U T W H O CALL ED ONE ANOTHER “DUKE, HERKY,RICK
A N D S M I T T Y ” . T H E V I E W UP THE VALLEY WAS ENCHANTING.
T W O M I L E S A W A Y A P L A C I D RED -ROOFED VILLAGE WITH TWO RED
B R I C K C H U R C H S T E E P L E S PRESENTED A PICTURE OF PEACE. O N THE
W H I T E L I M E S T O N E R O A D L EADING TO THE VILLAGE A FEW WAG ON S AND
P E O P L E O N B I C Y C L E S L A Z ILY MOVED ALONG. WE ALMOST FORG OT
T H E R E W A S A W A R O N , B U T WE WERE SOON REMINDED OF THE FACT.
S Q U A D R O N S O F H E A V Y B O M BERS APPEARED OUT OF THE SOUTHW EST AND
F L E W H I G H A B O V E U S . A SHOWER OF “CHAFF” GLISTENED IN THE
S U N L I G H T . T H I S W A S T H E TINFOIL STRIPS DROPPED FROM THE
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P L A N E S T O O U T W I T T H E G ERMAN RADAR. KNOWING THAT SUCH FLIGHTS
W E R E N O T O N T H E I R W A Y TO TARGETS IN COUNTRY DISTRICTS WE
W A T C H E D T H E M W I T H O U T T REPIDATION. A SAFE DISTANCE TO THE
E A S T A N D N O R T H O F U S L AID THE CITIES OF REG ENSBURG AND
I N G O L S T A D T. T H E S E W E R E THE OBJECTIVES OF THE MISSION THAT
A F T E R N O O N . T H E B O M B E R S CIRCLED FOR THE RUN IN; THE SI LVER
F I S H P L U N G E D O N T H E T A RGETS; BILLOWING CLOUDS OF BLAC K SMOKE
R O S E I N T O T H E A I R A N D A FEW MOMENTS LATER WE DISTINC TLY
H E A R D T H E L O W R U M B L E OF THE EXPLOSIONS. AN HOUR OR TWO AFTER
T H E B O M B I N G R E C O N N A I S S ANCE PLANES FLEW OVER THE CITIE S. IN
T H E D I R E C T I O N O F I N G O LSTADT SOME LUFTWAFFE PLANES CAME UP TO
M E E T T H E M . T H E R E W A S A DOG - FIGHT OR TWO AND A COUPLE OF
P L A N E S W E N T D O W N I N S M OKE.
W E WE R E N O W O N L Y A D A Y’S MARCH FROM MOOSBURG , WHERE T HERE
W E R E L A R G E S T A L A G S O F ALLIED PRISONERS AND UPON WHICH MANY
C O L U M N S O F P R I S O N E R S L IKE OUR OWN WERE CONVERGING. MOOSBURG
W A S A L S O A D E P O T F R O M WHICH RED CROSS PARCELS WERE
D I S T R I B U T E D T O P R I S O N CAMPS. O UR GERMAN COMMANDERS HA D
M O T O R E D T O M O O S B U R G , S EEN THE CROWDED CONDITIONS AND DECIDED
T O K E E P U S O N T H E M O V E . IT WAS PROBABLY JUST AS AGREE ABLE TO
T H E M A S I T W A S T O U S . HOWEVER WE WANTED A SUPPLY OF A MERICAN
F O O D . C O L O N E L H U F F , O N E OF OUR SENIOR KRIEGIES M ADE A TRIP
I N T H E W A G O N T O M O O S B URG ON THE 19TH BUT WAS UNABLE T O GET
T H E L O A D O F P A R C E L S . T HE TRIP PROVED PROFITABLE NONET HELESS,
F O R O U R P R E S E N C E I N T H E NEIGHBORHOOD AND OUR LOCATION BECAME
KNOWN TO THE
I N T E R N A T IONAL RED CROSS WORKERS AND THE Y
C O N T A C T E D U S T W O D A Y S LATER.
A F T E R N I G H T F A L L O N T H E 20TH WE WERE SITTING AROUND QU ITE
C O N T E N T E D T O R E M A I N H E RE TILL THE END OF THE WAR AND
D I S C U S S I N G H O W M A N Y M O RE DAYS IT WOULD BE UNTIL WE WE RE
L I B E R A T E D , W H E N W O R D C AME THAT WE WOULD CONTINUE OUR JOURNEY
B Y N I G H T.
A T E L E V E N O ’ C L O C K A S W E FORMED ON THE COUNTRY LANE, A BODY
O F T R O O P S M A R C H E D U P I N THE DARK AND STOOD NEAR US, S EVERAL
H U N D R E D O F T H E M . T H E Y WERE TO OCCUPY THE BARNS WE WER E
V A C A T I N G . S O M E S A I D T H EY WERE RUSSIANS. WHATEVER THEY WERE
T H E Y H A D S O M E P R I O R I T Y OVER US. WE MOVED OUT, STOPPED
F I F T E E N M I N U T E S O U T O F EACH HOUR UNTIL SUNRISE, WITH AN
H O U R ’ S R E S T B E T W E E N T H REE AND FOUR O’CLOCK DURING WHI CH WE
B E C A M E C H I L L E D A N D S T I FF FROM THE NIGHT AIR AND DAMP GROUND.
I N T H E F I R S T L I G H T O F THE NEXT DAY, THE 21ST OF APRIL , WEARY
A N D A C H I N G A S W E W E R E FROM MARCHING AND LOSS OF SLEEP WE
E N C O U N T E R E D O U R G E R M A N TRUCK LOADED WITH RED CROSS PA RCELS.
E A C H O F U S R E C E I V E D T O W BOXES, TWENTY -TWO POUNDS OF
C O N C E N T R A T E D F O O D . T H E TEMPTATION WAS GREAT TO DROP O NE OF
T H E M B Y T H E R O A D S I D E , BUT WE MANAGE TO HOLD ON TO THEM UNTIL
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W E F I N I S H E D T H E N E X T E XCRUCIATING KILOMETER AND THREW
O U R S E L V E S A N D T H E F O O D IN THE HAY AT BOGANHAUSEN .
A F E W H O U R S ’ S L E E P R E V IVED US AND WE FEASTED THAT DAY ,
K N O W I N G T H A T T H E M O R E WE ATE THE LIGHTER OUR PA CKS WOULD BE.
I T R I E D T O H A V E M A S S T HAT AFTERNOON AND DID SUCCEED I N
V I S I T I N G T H E C H U R C H W I TH SERGEANT BERGMAN AND MEETING THE
P A S T O R , B U T T H E E X C U S E WAS GIVEN THAT THERE WERE NO G UARDS
A V A I L A B L E T O A C C O M P A N Y THE MEN TO THE CHURCH A HALF -MILE
A W A Y . I T I S A P I T Y W E COULD NOT HAVE HAD THE SERVICE BECAUSE
O F T H E H U M A N I N T E R E S T THE CHURCH. IN THE SANCTUARY WE RE
S E V E N E L A B O R A T E R E L I Q U ARIES CONTAINING THE SKULLS OF MARTYRS
- ON E O F T H E M T H E H E A D OF ST. VALENTINE. AN ORNATE SHRINE TO
S T . C O N R A D O F P A R Z H A M , ONE OF THE TWO GERMANS CANONIZ ED
S I N C E T H E R E F O R M A T I O N , AND AN ALTAR DEDICATED TO THE BLACK
M A D O N N A O F A L T O P T T I N G WHERE BROTHER CONRAD LIVED. ST .
C O N R A D W A S A C A P U C H I N LAY -BROTHER AND HIS PICTURE REM INDED
M E O F M Y T W O C A P U C H I N FRIENDS, FATHER ALAN MADDEN AND FAT HER
E R L U I N B R E I N E R . I S A I D A PRAYER FOR THEM AND HOPED TH AT THEY
W E R E S T I L L U N H A R M E D . I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO PREACH FRO M THE
V E R Y H I G H P U L P I T W H I C H WAS REACHED BY A COVERED STAIR CASE
O U T S I D E T H E C H U R C H W A L L.
A F T E R A R E S T F U L S L E E P ON THE SOFT STRAW WE LOAD ED UP OUR
H E A V Y P A C K S F O R T H E M A RCH NEXT DAY. FORTUNATELY FOR M E, MY
F R I E N D J I M M Y M I L L E R T O OK PITY ON ME AND CARRIED TWENT Y -TWO
P O U N D S O F M Y F O O D S U P P LY ON THE TRUCK WITH HIM. THE D ISTANCE
W E C O V E R E D T H A T D A Y W A S MERCIFULLY SHORT, TEN KILOMET ERS TO
A L I T T LE M O U N T A I N T O W N WITH A LONG EUPHONIC NAME
M A R G A R E T H E N R I E D . H E R E WE STAYED FOR FIVE DAYS AND FIV E
N I G H T S . O U R A C C O M M O D A T IONS WERE SATISFACTORY AS
A C C O M M O D A T I O N S W E N T A N D, MOST CONSOLING TO US CATHOLI CS, A
C H U R C H W A S J U S T N E X T D OOR TO OUR BARNS. DURING THOSE DAYS WE
H A D M A S S T H R E E D A Y S I N A ROW. I ALSO BAPTIZED LT. FRE D
G I G G E Y , O F W A T E R T O W N , MASS. AND ENTERED HIS NAME IN T HE
M U S T Y B A P T I S M A L R E G I S T ER. TED GORNEY AND DICK HEIL WE RE
SPONSORS.
O N T H E L A S T D A Y A B O U T THE MIDDLE OF MASS THE CHURCH S HOOK
A N D T H E W I ND O W S R A T T L ED FROM AN EXPLOSION NOT FAR OFF. A FEW
S E C O N D S L A T E R A N O T H E R LOUD REPORT AND VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE
B U I L D I N G . I M O M E N T A R I L Y STOPPED THE MASS, TURNED TO M Y
C O N G R E G A T I O N A N D S A I D , “STAY WHERE YOU ARE. WE ARE AS
P R O T E C T E D H E R E I N C H U R CH AS WELL AS ANYWHERE.” AFTER MASS WE
L E A R N E D T H A T A P L A N E H AD PASSED NEAR AND DROPPED TWO BOMBS
S O M E W H E R E I N T H E V I C I N ITY, BUT WE NEVER FOUND OUT WHA T THE
TARGET WAS.
T H E D A Y T H E I N T E R N A T I O NAL RED CROSS SENT US THE TWO P ARCELS
O F F O O D A P I E C E , S O M E O N E ASKED FOR DDT PO WDER TO COMBA T THE
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L I C E . T H E R E Q U E S T W A S HEEDED AND TO MARGARETHENRIED CASES OF
T H E M I R A C L E I N S E C T I C I D E WERE SENT. EACH OF RECEIVED A SMALL
C A N O F I T . W E G E N E R O U S LY SPRINKLED OUR CLOTHES AND OU R
B L A N K E T S A N D F O R T H E F IRST TIME IN TEN WEEKS OR MORE FELL
A S LEE P K N O W I N G T H A T T HE LICE WOULD NOT RUN THEIR RACES
TONIGHT.
M A J O R H E L M S B O R R O W E D A CLIPPERS AND SHEARS AND PRACTI CED THE
T O N S O R I A L A R T O N U S . W ITHIN THE PAST FEW WEEKS WHILE OUR
D I E T I M P R O V E D O U R H A I R STARTED TO GROW AGAIN. ONE OF THE
E F F E C T S O F T H E S T A R V A T ION DIET WAS THE RETARDING OF HAIR
G R O W T H . T H O S E W H O O R D I NARILY SHAVED EVERY DAY FOUND T HAT
T W I C E A W E E K W A S O F T E N ENOUGH FOR THE FUSSIEST INDIVI DUALS.
A H A I R C U T W A S A L U X U R Y IN PRISON LIFE, BUT AS IT HAPP ENED
N O T M A N Y W O R R I E D A B O U T THE LACK OF FACILIT IES.
T H E S E W E R E T H E D A Y S W H EN THE HAUSFRAUS OF MARGARETHENRIED
W O R K E D O V E R T I M E C O O K I N G CEREALS AND PUDDINGS AND MEAT LOAF
F R O M O U R A M P L E S U P P L Y OF FOOD. AMERICAN CANS WERE STR EWN
E V E R Y W H E R E . T Y P I C A L L Y AMERICAN WE DROPPED THEM WHEREV ER
T H E I R U S E F U L N E S S E N D E D ; KLIM, MILKO AND DAIRY MAID CANS;
S P A M , P O R K A N D B E A N S , AND ARGENTINA BEEF CANS; KRAFT CHEESE
B O X E S ; D O M I N O S U G A R A N D CALIFORNIA PRUNES AND RAISIN
W R A P P E R S ; A L L- C O F F E E , BARRINGTON HALL, NESCAFE AND HASTY
M A I D C O F F E E C A N S ; C H E S TERFIELD, CAMEL, RALEIGH, M ARVE LS, AND
O L D G O L D C I G A R E T T E P A C KAGES; AND ALL SORTS OF OTHER
CONTAINERS.
“ F A T H E R , S O M E D A Y Y O U WILL HAVE TO WRITE A BOOK ABOUT THIS
M A R C H , ” R E M A R K E D C A P T A IN JOHN J. MURPHY OF CHICAGO TO ME.
“ Y E S , ” I S A I D , “ A N D T H E TITLE OF IT MIGHT WELL BE THE
B A V A R I A N T R A I L O F T H E AMERICAN TIN CANS’”.
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CHAPTER ELEVEN
“ D ER KEIEG IST KAPUT”
F A T H E R K A R L G O T Z , T H E PASTOR IN CHARGE OF SEVERAL VIL LAGES
I N T H E N E I G H B O R H O O D O F MARGARETHENRIED, WALKED OVER T HE
H I L L S F R O M H I S H O M E T O PAY US A VISIT ON THE AFTE RNOO N OF
T H R U S D A Y , A P R I L 2 6 T H . HE WAS A TALL, MIDDLE - AGED MAN WHO
W O R E A F R O C K C O A T A N D HEAVY GOLD WATCH CHAIN. IN THE WARM
S P R I N G S U N S H I N E W E T A L KED IN LATIN FOR AN HOUR. FROM HIM I
L E A R N E D T H A T T H E A M E R I CAN FORCES HAD JOINED WITH THE
R U S S I A N S A T T H E O D E R R IVER, AND THAT SOME OF GENERAL
P A T T O N ’ S U N I T S W E R E A D VACING BY POWERFULL DRIVES INTO
SOUTHERN GERMANY.
O N L Y TOKEN RESISTANCE WAS BEING OF FERED
A T S C A T T E R E D P O I N T S . I T WOULD ONLY BE A MATTER OF HOU RS
U N T I L M O O S B U R G , T H E C E NTRAL CITY OF THIS AREA, WOULD B E
T A K E N . A T M O O S B U R G T H E RE WERE LARGE CAMPS FOR PRISONE RS OF
W A R , F R E N C H , E N G L I S H , POLES, RUSSIANS, ITALIANS AND S LAVS,
I N A D D I T I O N T O A G R E A T NUMBER OF AMERICANS. VERY SOON YOU
WILL BE FREE.
“
T H A T E V E N I N G W E D I S T I N CTLY HEARD CANNONADING IN THE
D I S T A N C E. I T D E P E N D O UR CONVICTION THAT IT WAS ONLY A MATTER
O F T I M E N O W B E F O R E O U R LIBERATING FORCES WOULD ENCOMP ASS US.
W E C E L E B R A T E D I N A N T I C IPATION BY MAKING HEAVY INROADS ON OUR
F O O D S U P P L Y . M A N Y K R I E GIES GAINED ENTRANCE TO CIVILIA N HOMES
A N D H A D A M E A L . O T H E R S TALKED IN GROUPS ABOUT THE FUTURE,
T H E T R I P S T H E Y W O U L D M AKE, THE PLACES THEY WOULD EAT, AND
T H E H O M E S T H E Y W O U L D B UILD. BARTERING AND TRADING TOO K
S E C O N D P L A C E T O T H E P O LYGLOT DISCUSSION OF IMPENDING VICTORY
O F T H E A L L I E S . F O R T H E FIRST TIME I HEARD TH E EXPRESS ION,
“DER KRIEG IST KAPUT.
“ T H E G E R M A N W O R D “ K A P U T” HAD BEEN FAMILIAR TO US FOR A LONG
T I M E . T H E Y U S E I T C O N S TANTLY. IT SCARCELY HAS AN EQUI VALENT
I N E N G L I S H , F O R I T S M E ANING COVERS A WIDE EXTENSION F I N I S H E D , D O N E F O R , B R OKEN, USED UP. IN MANY USAGE’S IT
C O R R E S P O N D S T O O U R S L A NG EXPRESSION “BUSTED”. IN THE PHRASE
“ D E R K R I E G I S K A P U T ” I T MEANS “THE WAR IS UTTERLY LOS T.”
O U R R E T E N T I O N B Y T H E E NEMY, IF IT COULD STILL BE CALL ED
S U C H , E N T E R E D I T S F I N A L PHASE - FIVE DAYS OF SUSPENSE, TENSE
M O M E N T S , HI G H H O P E S , CAREFREE HOURS, CONTRADICTIONS OF ALL
S O R T S . B E C A U S E W E H A D ALREADY OVERTAXED THE FOOD SUPP LY OF
M A R G A R E T H E N R I E D , W E W ERE COMPELLED TO MOVE; ALSO IT SEEMS,
O R D E R H A D C O M E F R O M H I GHER HEADQUARTERS TO KEEP THIS
C O N T I N G E N T O F 4 0 0 A M E R ICAN OFFICERS IN NAZI HANDS AS LONG AS
P O S S I B L E . G E N E R A L V O N KESSELRING WAS COMMANDING THE D YING
175
E F F O R T S I N B A V A R I A . A BODY OF AMERICAN OFFICERS MIGHT PROVE
A N A S S E T T O H I M I N T H E DEATH AGONY OF A VANISHING EMP IRE.
I N P O U R I N G R A I N O U R C O LUMN TOOK THE GRAVEL ROAD OUT O F
M A R G A R E T H E N R I E D E A R L Y FRIDAY, APRIL 27TH. BY MIDMORNING THE
R A I N H A D S T O P P E D , B U T OFF IN THE DISTANCE THE BOOMING OF
A R T I L L E R Y F I R E I N C R E A S ED. OUR GUARDS WERE INDIFFERENT ,
P E R H A P S H O P E L E S S L Y D E S PONDENT, IN THEIR DUTY OF KEEPI NG US
T O G E T H E R . O U R P R O G R E S S L ACKED ANY SEMBLANCE OF FORMAT ION,
F O R I T S T R U N G O U T I N D ETACHED GROUPS WITH LONG GAPS I N
B E T W E E N . I N T H E S M A L L VILLAGES WOMEN AND OLD MEN FLOC KED OUT
T O T A L K W I T H O U R G U A R D , WHO SEEMED TO WELCOME THE
D I S T R A C T I O N . T H E Y C O N F IRMED THE NEWS, AND TO MANY GER MAN
H E A R T S , “ D E R K R I E G I S T KAPUT.”
I W A S F E E L I N G S I C K T H I S DAY, NOT SO MUCH FROM HUNGER AS FROM
T H E R I C H F O O D A T M A R G ARETHENRIED . I WAS STRAGGLING ALONE.
A H E A D O F M E W A L K E D A L ITTLE GUARD WITH A RIFLE TALLER THAN
H I M S E L F . H E W A S F I F T Y YEARS OLD AND LESS ABLE TO WALK THAN I
W A S . A T A T U R N I N T H E ROAD HE SAT DOWN AND WAITED FOR ME. AS
I S H U F F L E D U P M E M O T I O NED TO ME TO SIT BESIDE HIM. AF TER I
D I D S O , H E S A I D , “ W O L LEN SIE COFFEE?” “YA, YA. HABEN SIE
COFFEE?”
B Y H I S T A L K A N D H I S G E STURES HE CONVEYED TO ME THAT THE
G U A R D F O L L O W I N G A S H O R T WAY BEHIND WAS “NIX GUT”. I W AS TO
P R E T E N D T H A T I W A S Q U I TE SICK AND UNABLE TO PROCEED. THE
G U A R D A P P R O A C H E D , S T O P PED A MOMENT TO CONVERSE WITH M Y NEW
F O U N D P A T R O N . I T W A S N OT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO PLAY THE PART
O F A D I S A B L E D W A L K E R . I MADE A WRY FACE AND EMITTED A STAGE
M O A N . T H E G U A R D W H O W A S “NIX GUT” WENT ON; I BRIGHTEN ED UP
A N D S A I D , “ W E L L , W H A T DO WE DO NEXT?”
“ K O M M E N S I E ! ” A N D W E W ERE OFF DOWN THE ROAD TOGETHER. THE
N E X T V I L L A G E W A S S C A R C ELY A HUNDRED YARDS AWAY. MY GU ARD L ED
T H E W A Y T O T H E F I R S T H OUSE. AS THE DOOR WAS OPEN, WE STEPPED
I N T O A H A L L W A Y . T H E D O ORS OF THE SEVERAL INNER ROOMS WERE
C L O S E D . T H E R E W A S A C H AIR IN THE HALL ON WHICH MY FRI END
T O L D M E T O S I T . W H E N N O ONE APPEARED TO INQUIRE WHO W E WERE,
H E B E G A N R A P P I N G O N T HE DOORS. AT THE END OF THE HALL AN
E L D E R L Y W O M A N C A M E O U T . I UNDERSTOOD FROM THE CONVERS ATION
T H A T T H E G U A R D W A S T E L LING HER I WAS A SICK PRIEST WH O
N E E D E D S O M E C O F F E E . D U RING THIS EXPLANATION A WELL BU ILT MAN
O F A B O U T T H I R T Y Y E A R S IN A DISHEVELED ST ATE ISSUED FR OM
A N O T H E R R O O M , G A V E S O M E PEREMPTORY ORDERS, THEN WENT UP THE
S T A I R S A T T H E F A R E N D OF THE CORRIDOR. THE LADY TOOK US INTO
H E R K I T C H E N W H E R E I S A W THE UNIFORM OF A SCHUTZSTAFFE LN
O F F I C E R S L U N G A C R O S S T HE BACK OF A CHAIR AND A RIFLE IN A
C O R N ER. I H O P E D T H A T THE MAN UPSTAIRS WOULD NOT SOON REGAIN
T H E F U L L U S E O F H I S W I TS. IN A NEAT AND TIDY KITCHEN, WHICH
176
W A S A D O R N E D W I T H P I O U S PICTURES AND A CRUCIFIX, THE L ADY PUT
T H E P O T O N T H E S T O V E A ND PREPARED SOME SANDWICHES WHI LE THE
G U A R D R E H E A R S E D T H E S A D TALE, “DER KRIEG IST KAPUT.” A HALF H O U R L A T E R W E L E F T T H E HOUSE REFRESHED, WALKED THROUG H THE
T O W N T O G E T H E R , T H E N S T OPPED AT THE LAST HOUSE ON THE
O P P O S I T E S I D E O F T O W N FOR ANOTHER SNACK AND A RETELLI NG OF
THE SAME STORY.
K R I E G I E S A N D G U A R D S S T ILL S AUNTERED ALONG MUNCHING THE FOOD
T H E Y H A D A C Q U I R E D . M Y MAN FRIDAY - HE SEEM TO HAVE BE COME MY
P E R S O N A L B O D Y G U A R D - S TOPPED FARTHER ON TO TALK WITH A GROUP
O F T H R E E W O M E N W H O P R O VIDED EACH OF US WITH A THINK S ANDWICH
O F B R E A D A N D M E A T . R A M BLING ALONG EACH O F US TRIED TO OUTDO
T H E O T H E R I N S E T T I N G T HE SLOWER PACE. EVENTUALLY WE A RRIVED
A T T H E D A Y ’ S H A L T I N G P LACE, UNTERMARCHENBACH . IN SPIT E OF
O U R S T R A G G L I N G W E W E R E NOT THE LAST BY ANY MEANS TO A RRIVE.
S I X H O U R L A T E R A M E R I C A NS AND GERMANS ALIKE WERE STILL
C A T CHI N G U P W I T H T H E UNIT. THOSE WHO HAD ARRIVED EARLY TOOK
A D V A N T A G E O T H E O P P O R T UNITY TO “OPERATE” IN THE NEIGH BORING
V I L L A G E S . H O W A R D F I S H , FOR EXAMPLE, HAD A MEAL THAT I NCLUDED
E G G S A N D M E A T A N D B R O U GHT BACK WITH HIM A LARGE AMOUN T OF
B R E A D , C H E E S E A N D T O W BOTTLES OF WINE. “ALL THE WINE SHOPS
A R E G I V I N G A W A Y T H E I R WINES BEFORE THE AMERICAN TROOP S
COME.”
F R E D G I G G E Y A N D C H A R L I E NIETMAN WENT TO A VILLAGE A
K I L O M E T E R O R S O A W A Y T O “SCROUNGE FOR FOOD.” THEY RET URNED
W I T H T H I R T Y- T W O O D D A ND VARIED -SHAPED PIECES OF BREAD
R A N G I N G F R O M L I G H T G R A Y IN COLOR TO THE STANDARD BLAC K;
A D D E D T O T H E S E W E R E A BOX OF SACCHARINE TABLETS, A BA G OF
S A L T , T H I R T E E N E G G S A N D A HALF BOTTLE OF RARE GERMAN
S C H N A P P S . I N A D D I T I O N THEY HAD BEEN SERVED A MEAL OF
SAUERKRAUT AND SAUSAGE.
L T . G A R N E T T P R I O R A P P R OACHED A COTTAGE IN UNTERMARCHENBACH
A N D C O U R T E O U S L Y R A P P E D ON THE DOOR. WHEN THE LADY OF THE
H O U S E O P E N E D I T , H E M A DE HIS PROPOSAL, “SEIFE FUR BRO T”
( S O A P F O R B R E A D ) ? T H E LADY WAS HESITANT AND SEEMED NO T TO
C O M P R E H E N D . G A R N Y R E P E ATED HIS REQUEST. FROM THE INTERIOR OF
T H E K I T C H E N C A M E A V O I CE WITH A BROOKLYN ACCENT, “NO, WE
D O N ’ T W A N T A N Y S O A P T O DAY. COME AROUND SOME OTHER TIM E.”
C A P T A I N G O U L D H A D A R R I VED BEFOREHAND AND CURRIED FAVO R
WITHIN.
T H A T N I G H T T H E G U A R D C OMPANY BROKE INTO THE LOCAL BAR - ROOM
A N D K A P U T T E D A F I F T Y L ITER BARREL OF SCHNAPPS. OUR BA RNYARD
H O S T E L W A S L E F T U N P R O T ECTED, BUT WE SLEPT AS SOUNDLY AS
E V E R . T H E F O L L O W I N G M O RNING, SATURDAY APRIL 28TH, WE WERE
N O T S E R V E D H O T W A T E R F OR BREAKFAST, BUT TOOK TO THE R OAD
F A S T I N G . OU R G U A R D S - SYMBOLS OF OUR BONDAGE - FELL OUT
177
S T A G G E R I N G . T H E R E W A S SOME DELAY IN GETTING STARTED O N THE
T W E N T Y- T W O K I L O M E T E R T REK DUE TO THEIR HANG - OVER, BUT
A M E R I C A N S O B L I G I N G L Y C ARRIED THE RIFLES OF THE MORE
I N E B R I A T E D O N E S A N D T H E DAY’S MARCH WAS ON. W HEN THEY
R E C O V E R E D T H E I R W E A P O N S, THERE WERE NO CARTRIDGES IN THEM.
T H E J O U R N E Y S T A R T E D I N A DRIZZLE; THE RAIN INCREASED IN
I N T E N S I T Y A S T H E M O R N I NG LENGTHENED. IN PEAT BOGS ALO NG THE
W A Y W E R E S T E D P E R I O D I C ALLY. THE PACE WAS FASTER THAN USUAL
A N D M O R E A N D M O R E O F U S FELL BEHIND. BUT THE REAR - GUARD WAS
L E S S T O L E R A N T T H A N U S U AL WITH THE STRAGGLERS AND WERE FIRM
I N P U S H I N G T H E M A L O N G . ARTILLERY FIRE NOT FAR BEHIND US MADE
T H E G U A R D S N E R V O U S ; F O R THE MOMENT IT RENDERED AMERIC ANS NOT
QUITE SO NONCHALANT.
W E C ROS S E D A C O N C R E T E BRIDGE WITH LONG APPROACHES OVER A
C A N A L . A T L E A S T I T L O O KED MORE LIKE A MAN - MADE WATERWAY THAN
T H E N A T U R A L C O U R S E O F A RIVER, FOR IT HAD A CONCRETE BOTTOM
A N D S I D E S A N D R A N A L O N G A STRAIGHT LINE THAT WAS BANK ED WITH
L E V E E S . T H E W A T E R W A S CLEAR AND GREEN, BUT THE FLOW
S L U G G I S H . S O M E W H E R E I N THIS PART OF GERMANY WE CROSSE D THE
I Z A R R I V E R , B U T T H I S C ANAL DID NO CORRESPOND TO THE
D E S C R I P T I O N I N T H E O L D ELOCUTION PIECE,
D A R K AS WINTER WAS THE FLOW
O F I ZAR ROLLING RAPIDLY.
O N T H E B R I D G E O X - D RA W N WAGONS WERE HURRYING MILITARY
E Q U I P M E N T T O T H E N O R T H . IN THE DIKES ALONG THE FAR SI DE OF
T H E C A N A L S O L D I E R S A N D CIVILIANS WERE BUSILY SETTING UP
M A C H I N E-G U N E M P L A C E M E NTS, EVIDENT PREPARATION FOR
R E S I S T A N C E . O N T H E C E N TRAL SPAN DEMOLITION BOMBS WERE IN
R E A D I N E S S T O L O W U P T H E BRIDGE.
B E Y O N D T H E C A N A L T H E C OLUMN RESTED. IN THE TEEMING RA IN THE
V A N G U A R D W A I T E D F O R S O ME EVIDENCE OF THE REAR OF THE LONG
D R A W N F I L E O F S T R A G G L E RS.
T H E M I S E R A B L E R A I N I N T ENSIFIED THE UTTER DEJECTION OF THE
G U A R D S A N D T H E U N E A S I N ESS OF THE PRISONERS. THE MANIFEST
H A S T E T H A T C H A R A C T E R I Z ED THE ACTIVITY AT THE CANAL WA S PROOF
E N O U G H T H A T A L O C A L S K IRMISH WAS EXPECTED SOON.
T H I S H A L T I N T H E R A I N TOOK PLACE JUST OUTSIDE OF WART ENBURG ,
N O T A V I L L A G E , B U T A S MALL CITY SIMILAR TO OUR A MERIC AN
R U R A L T O W N S . I T H A D A WIDE MAIN STREET, STORES, SHOPS , FIVE
A N D S I X S T O R Y C O M M E R C I AL BUILDINGS. THERE WAS TENSENE SS
A B O U T T H E T O W N S F O L K A S THEY RUSHED FROM PLACE TO PLA CE AND
P A U S E D M O M E N T A R I L Y T O LOOK AT US. GUARDS WERE SO LAX IN
T H E I R D U T Y T H E Y P R A C T ICALLY LEFT US TO OURSELVES. THE BEER H A L L S W E R E C R O W D E D , F O R THE PROPRIETORS WISHED TO CLE AR
T H E I R S T O C K S B E F O R E T H E AMERICAN OCCUPATION. MANY KRI EGIES
178
O B T A I N E D A M E A L I N T H E HOMES ALONG THE ROUTE AND AT S OME
P O I N T S W O M E N W E R E O U T AT THEIR FENCE GATE S WITH PITCH ERS OF
M I L K A N D C O F F E E . E V E R Y WHERE THE LOUD WHISPERS ECHOED, “DER
K R I E G I S K A P U T . ” A T N O ON A VIOLENT EXPLOSION NOT FAR BEHIND
U S M A R K E D T H E D E S T R U C T ION OF THE BRIDGE WE HAD LATELY
CROSSED.
T H E W A L K T H R O U G H W A R T ENBURG WAS INTERESTING ENOUGH, B UT
B E Y O N D T H E T O W N W A L K I N G BECAME A TORTURE AGAIN. I REM EMBER
S I T T I N G D O W N O N A S T O N E BALUSTRADE IN MY HEAVY WET CL OTHES
W O N D E R I N G W H E T H E R I C O ULD GO ANOTHER KILOMETER. BUT N O
M A T T E R H O W H A R D T H E G O ING BECAME, WE SAID, “WE CAN AL WAYS DO
O N E M O R E K I L O M E T E R . ” S O IT TURNED OUT THIS DAY FOR ME.
W E T U R N E D O F F T H E C O N C RETE HIGHWAY INTO A SIDE ROAD T HAT WAS
A S L I P P E R Y M A S S O F M U D AND WATER. AT THE ROAD JUNCTIO N THERE
W A S A P L A T F O R M S U C H A S WE SEE IN OUR RAILROAD TOWNS, WITH
S E V E R A L T E N- G A L L O N M I LK CANS ON IT. THE KRIEGIES SOON
D I S C O V E R E D T H A T T H E C A NS WERE FULL OF MILK AND TWO OR THREE
H I L A R I O U S L Y S E T T H E M S E LVES UP AS BUSS BOYS AT THE ROA DSIDE
R E F R E S H M E N T S T A N D , F I L LING OUR CUPS AS WE PASSED BY. “FRESH
MILK, ALL FOR FREE!”
N O R M A N S M O L K A A N D I S T EPPED INTO A FARM H OUSE WHERE R USSIAN
S L A V E S ( F O U R B O Y S A N D TWO GIRLS) WERE HAVING COFFEE A ND
B R E A D A R O U N D A K I T C H E N TABLE. THEIR OVERSEERS WERE OF F TO
T O W N , P R O B A B L Y T O S A V E WHAT THEY COULD FROM THE COLLA PSE
T H A T W A S I M M I N E N T . A R EST AND A WARM DRINK QUICKLY MA DE US
F O R G E T O U R P A I N S A N D W E WERE OFF AGAIN IN THE MUD AND RAIN.
H I D D E N U P I N T H E H I L L S AWAY FROM THE PATHS OF HEAVY T RAFFIC
W A S H I N T E R A U R B A C H , A L ITTLE VILLAGE OF A DOZEN HOUSES AND A
SMALL CHURCH.
H I N T E R A U R B A C H, A L I T T L E VILLAGE OF A DOZEN HOUSES AND A
S M A L L C H U R CH . T H E B A R NS WERE SPACIOUS AND THE SUPPLY OF
P O T A T O E S G O O D . W E S P E N T THE AFTERNOON TRYING TO DRY O UT,
H O P I N G T H A T T H I S W O U L D BE THE LAST POINT OF INTEREST IN OUR
B A V A R I A N T O U R . T H A T S A TURDAY NIGHT PASSED PEACEFULLY ENOUGH;
T H E N O I S E O F B A T T L E H A D CEASED EX CEPT FOR THE OCCASIONAL
RUMBLE OF A HEAVY GUN.
L O D G I N G A S W E W E R E U N D ER THE VERY SHADOW OF THE CHURC H IT
W A S O N L Y R I G H T T H A T W E HAVE SUNDAY MASS. NO PRIEST LI VED IN
T H E H A M L E T , B U T I F O U N D THE OLD LADY WHO WAS THE KEEP ER OF
T H E K E Y S T O T H E C H U R C H . SHE WA S SO DELIGHTED TO HAVE A
P R I E S T C O M E O N S U N D A Y THAT SHE BEGGED WE DELAY MASS U NTIL
S H E C O U L D A S S E M B L E T H E CIVILIAN CONGREGATION. WE SET THE
H O U R A T E L E V E N O ’ C L O C K AND FOR THE FIRST TIME I SAID MASS
W I T H P R I S O N E R S , S O L D I E RS AND CIVILIANS PRESENT. THE C HURCH
W A S D E D I C A T E D T O S T . S ABASTIAN, PATRON OF SOLDIER AND
P R O T E S T E R A G A I N S T P E S T ILENCE. THIS LITTLE COMMUNITY H AD
179
C H O S E N I T S P A T R O N S W I T H A PRACTICAL BENT. THERE WERE STATUES
O F S T . I S I D O R E , P A T R O N OF OCULISTS, ST. FLORIAN, PREV ENTOR
O F F I R E S , A N D S T . D A S M AS, THE GOOD THIEF. THE GUARDS,
C I V I L I A N S A N D P R I S O N E R S “FRATERNIZED” IN THE CHURCHYA RD
A F T E R M A S S . “ D E R K R I E G IST KAPUT.”
T H A T S U N D A Y A F T E R N O O N THE AMERICAN FORCES WERE ON THE MOVE
A G A I N . G E R M A N A R T I L L E R Y UNITS WERE MANEUVERING IN THE HILLS
A R O U N D U S , S E T T I N G U P THEIR HIGH CALIBER GUNS. NOT TOO
D I S T A N T C O N C E N T R A T I O N S OF FIRE SOUNDED AND CAME NEARE R AS
T H E N I G H T C L O S E D I N . A FTER DARK, FIRING STARTED FROM THE
A D J A C E N T H I L L S , A N D W E SURMISED THAT THE CANAL WAS BE ING
C R O S S E D I N S P I T E O F T H E DESTROYED BRIDGE. THE GUARDS LOOKED
U N E A S Y A S T H E Y T O O K U P THEIR POSTS AND SEEMED TO BE M ORE
I N T E N T I N P O N D E R I N G T H EIR OWN SAFETY AND ESCAPE THAN IN
G U A R D I N G U S . K R I E G I E S GATHERED IN GROUPS TO DISCUSS T HEIR
O W N P L A N S O F A C T I O N T H EN AS THE TEMPO OF THE FIRING
I N C R E A S E D T H E O R D E R C A ME, “HURRY UP! WE’RE MOVING OUT
I M M E D I A T E L Y . ” W E P U S H E D UP A STEEP VALLEY OVER MUDDY FIELDS,
T H E L E A D E R S O F T H E C O L UMN PICKING THE WAY IN THE DARK NESS.
A L L O F U S W E R E A L E R T T O THE DANGER WE WERE IN, AND AL L THE
A M E R I C A N S W E R E A W A R E T HAT THIRTY OF OUR NUMBER HAD ST AYED
B E H I N D , E X P E C T I N G T O H IDE OUT UNTIL THE TERRITORY WAS
O V E R R U N . F O R T H R E E H O U RS WE PACED OFF THE KILOMETERS ALONG
A N O P E N P L A T E A U M O V I N G AWAY FROM THE SCENE OF BATTLE. AT ONE
O ’ C L O C K I N T H E M O R N I N G OF THE LAST DAY OF APRIL WE
A P P R O A C H E D A C H U R C H W I TH IT STEEPLE RISING INTO THE SKY
A G A I N S T A W A N I N G M O O N . THE CLEAR TONE OF THE BELL RAN G OUT
T H E H O U R O F O N E A S W E SAT IN THE CHILLY AIR A HUNDRED YARDS
A W A Y . A H A L F-H O U R L A T E R THE CHURCH LIT UP AND THE ROMANESQUE
A M B E R W I N D O W S M A T C H E D THE PALE YE LLOW OF THE MOON. A PICTURE
O F P E A C E ; B U T T H E R E W A S WAR NOT FAR FROM THAT SCENE. GUNFIRE
A N D R O C K E T B U R S T S B R O K E THE SILENCE OF THE SPRING NIG HT.
W E W E R E T A K E N I N T O T H E CHURCH, THE FIRST TIME A CHURC H HAD
B E E N U S E D B Y U S A S A S HELTER FOR THE NIGHT.
“ W E AR E G O I N G T O S T A Y HERE UNTIL DAYLIGHT AND THEN MARCH
A G A I N . E V E R Y O N E I S T O BE CAREFUL NOT TO DAMAGE THE BE NCHES
A N D A L L M U S T K E E P A W A Y FROM THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH B EYOND
T H E R A I L I N G . ” T H E S E W E RE THE ORDERS. THE CATHOLICS KN ELT
D O W N T O S A Y A P R A Y E R . I ENTE RED A PEW WITH CAPTAIN MADDEN
A N D T H E R E S T O F O U R S Q UAD. ALL WAS SUBDUED, YET IT SE EMED
A L M O S T S A C R I L E G I O U S T O ME TO TRY TO SLEEP IN A CHURCH . I SAT
O N A B E N C H A N D C O U L D N OT EVEN SIT COMFORTABLY.
“ D I D Y O U E V E R S I T I N S UCH UNCOMFORTABLE PEWS?” I ASKE D.
“ T HAT ’ S W H A T W E ’ V E B E EN TRYING TO TELL YOU, FATHER. DON’T
Y O U R E M E M B E R U S T E L L I N G YOU NOT TO PREACH LONG IN THE SE
C H U R C H E S ? A L L T H E J E R R Y CHURCHES ARE LIKE THIS.”
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A P R I E S T C A M E I N T O T H E SANCTUARY VESTED IN SURPLICE A ND
S O L E , A N D A C C O M P A N I E D BY TWO LADIES CARR YING CANDLES. HE
R E M O V E D T H E B L E S S E D S A CRAMENT FROM THE TABERNACLE.
“ I ’ M G O I N G T O T R Y T O S EE THAT PRIEST,” I SAID. AND I
S C R A M B L E D F R O M T H E P E W AND OUT THE DOOR OF THE CHURCH . GOING
T O T H E S A C R I S T Y , I F O U ND IT DARK, BUT A COUPLE OF MEN
O U T S I D E T O L D M E T H A T T HE PRIEST HAD GONE OVER TO HIS HOUSE.
T H E R E S I D E N C E W A S B A C K OF THE CHURCH AND EACH DOOR WA S
G U A R D E D B Y A G E R M A N S O LDIER. THE GUARD AT THE FRONT D OOR
K N E W M E A N D A L L O W E D M E TO KNOCK. FATHER GEORG FALTERM EIER
R E C E I V E D M E K I N D L Y , T O OK ME TO HIS KITCHEN WHE RE HIS
H O U S E K E E P E R B R O U G H T O U T A BOTTLE OF WINE AND SOME ROL LS. THE
P R I E S T W A S C A L M I N H I S JUBILATION BUT THE HOUSEKEEPER DANCED
A S S H E S P O K E O F T H E C O MING OF THE AMERICAN FORCES. “I N TWO
D A Y S A M E R I C A N S W I L L B E HERE,” SHE EXCLAIMED DELIGHTED LY.
T H E Y O F F E RE D M E A C O U CH IN THE KITCHEN TO SLEEP ON. I
A C C E P T E D I T G L A D L Y A N D LAUGHED AT THE THOUGHT OF MY P ALS
T R Y I N G T O S L E E P I N T H O SE AWKWARD PEWS.
“ D O Y O U H A V E M A S S I N T HE MORNING, FATHER?” I ASKED.
“ O H Y E S , A T E I G H T O ’ C L OCK,” SAID FATHER FALTERMEIER.
“ W H E N DO Y O U G E T U P ? ”
“SIX O’CLOCK.”
“ W E L L B E S U R E T O C A L L ME BECAUSE WE WILL BE LEAVING E ARLY.”
T H E N T H E Y B I D M E G O O D N IGHT, AND I LAY MYSELF AND ALL MY LICE
D O W N O N T H E S O F A A N D F ELL ASLEEP.
I T W A S B R O A D D A Y L I G H T WHEN I OPENED MY EYES AND SAW T HE
H O U S E K E EP E R M O V I N G A B OUT THE KITCHEN. SHE HAD BEEN THERE FOR
S O M E T I M E W O R K I N G Q U I E TLY, FOR THE WOOD FIRE HAD BEEN
L I G H T E D , T H E C O F F E E B O ILED, AND THE TABLE SET FOR BRE AKFAST.
I S A T U P W I T H A S T A R T , AND SHE LAUGHED AT MY BEWILDER MENT.
“ H A V E T H E A M E R I C A N S G O NE?” I ASKED EXCITEDLY.
“ N O . T H E Y A R E S T I L L H E RE, YOU HAVE TIME TO EAT SOME
BREAKFAST.”
S H E F I X E D M E S O M E E G G S , TOAST AND COFFEE; THEN WENT O UT THE
K I T C H E N D O O R A N D L E F T ME ALONE. IN A FEW MINUTES SHE
R E T U R N E D A N D A S T O U N D E D ME WITH HER PERPLEXING REMARK, “DIE
K I R C H E I S T S C H T E E N K E N - SCHTEENKEN. OU! OU!”
I U N D E R S T O O D W H A T S H E MEANT WHEN I WENT OVER AND LOOK ED IN.
T H E S T E N C H W A S H O R R I B L E. THIS CROWD OF UNWASHED HUMAN ITY HAD
C O M E I N T O A C L O S E D B U I LDING AFTER SPENDING OVER FOUR WEEKS
L I V I N G W I T H A N I M A L S . F OUR H UNDRED ALIENS EATING BREAKFAST
O U T O F D I R T Y C A R D B O A R D BOXES AND TIN CANS WAS A SIGHT FOR
A N G L E ’ S T O B E H O L D . H O W EVER, IT DID NOT STOP FATHER
F A L T E R M E I E R F R O M S A Y I N G MASS FOR HIS PEOPLE. SOME TWE NTY 181
F I V E O L D F O L K S A N D A F EW CHILDREN CAME FOR MASS AND W ERE
A SSI G N E D P L A C E S T O K N EEL IN THE SANCTUARY.
M A S S B E G A N A N D T H E C O N GREGATION, PRISONERS AND CIVILI ANS,
A S S I S T E D R E V E R E N T L Y . M Y GOOD CATHOLIC BOYS KNEW THEY COULD
G O T O H O L Y C O M M U N I O N , EVEN DURING BREAKFAST IN THIS C ASE,
A N D F F E W D I D S O . I A L SO RECEIVED HOLY COMMUNION, HES ITATING
T O S A Y M A S S B E C A U S E O F THE UNCERTAINTY AS TO WHEN WE WOULD
M O V E . A F T E R M A S S I R E T URNED TO THE PARISH HOUSE AND H AD
A N O T H E R B R E A K F A S T W I T H THE PASTOR. IT WAS NINE O’CLOC K WHEN
THE MOVEMENT STARTED.
T H E G U A R D S W A R N E D U S A T THE BEGINNI NG OF THE MARCH NO T TO
A T T E M P T T O R U N A W A Y . T HIRTY OF THE MEN, THEY SAID, WH O
S T A Y E D B E H I N D A T W A R T ENBURG TWELVE HOUR BEFORE HAD BEEN
K I L L E D . T H E S T O R Y W A S TOO PREPOSTEROUS TO BELIEVE; NO R WAS
I T T R U E , A S W E L E A R N E D LATER. THE FACT IS THAT THOSE THIRTY
- - -“DER KRIEG IST KAPUT.”
I N N I N G I S T H E N A M E O F THE TOWN WHERE WE HAD SPENT THE NIGHT.
W E R E A C H E D A W I D E H I G H WAY OT THE SOUTH AFTER WALKING A
K I L O M E T E R . A L O N G T H I S ROAD CAPTAIN MADDEN SAW A SMALL WAGON
L I K E T H E T O Y S C H I L D R E N PLAY WITH IN OUR CITY STREETS. HE AND
S M O L K A A N D I P U T O U R P ACKS IN IT AND TOOK TURNS PULLI NG THE
V E H I C L E A L O N G T H E R O A D . A GUARD WAS ABOUT TO TAKE IT FROM
U S , B U T M A D D E N B R I B E D HIM TO LET US KEEP IT BY OFFERI NG TO
C A R R Y H I S P A C K A L S O . B EFORE LONG WE HAD CARTS AND
W H E E L B A R R O W S A N D S L E D S ALL ALONG THE COLUMN. WE CALLED THEM
OUR CONVOY.
A T W O H O U R W A L K B R O U G H T US TO TAUFKIRCHEN WHERE THE ROAD
B L O C K S W E R E B E I N G C L O S ED AND PREPARATIONS MADE FOR
R E S I S T A N C E . T A U F K I R C H EN WAS ANOTHER LOCAL METROPOLIS WITH
F I V E S T O R Y B U I L D I N G S A ND A COMMERCIAL DISTRICT. A COMBAT
U N I T W I T H A F E W T A N K S AND MOTORIZED EQUIPMENT SIGNIFI ED THAT
T H E P L A C E W O U L D A L L I N TO AMERICAN CONTROL ONLY AT THE PRICE
O F B L O O D . A L A R G E H O S P ITAL, PROBABLY A CONVERTED SANI TARIUM,
S E T B A C K F R O M T H E S T R E ET IN A LANDSCAPE OF BEAUTIFUL LA WNS
A N D S H A D E T R E E S . F R O M ITS ROOFS AND WINDOWS FLEW GREA T WHITE
B A N N E R S W I T H R E D C R O S S ES, THE SIGN OF ITS IMMUNITY. W E WERE
T O S E E T A U F K I R C H E N A G A IN.
T H E H E A V Y C L O U D B A N K S HAD BLOWN AWAY AND LEFT THE SKY FAIRLY
C L E A R A S W E S T R O L L E D O UT ON THE HIGHWAY AGA IN.
R E C O N N A I S S A N C E A N D C O M BAT PLANES FLEW OVER THE LOCALI TY. WE
W E R E A W A R E T H A T A M A R C HING COLUMN ON A GRAY COLORED O PEN
R O A D W A S P L A I N L Y V I S I B LE TO THEM. REMEMBERING THAT TH IS WAS
N O W A C O M B A T Z O N E , W E HAD TWO HAIR -RAISING SCARES WHE N THE
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P L A N E S S W O O P E D L O W A S THOUGH COMING IN TO STRAFE US.
C O N T R A R Y T O T H E O R D E R SS SAID TO HAVE ORIGINATED WITH
G E N E R A L V O N K E S S E L R I N G , THE PANELS U S P W WERE SPREA D OUT.
W E J U M P E D I N T O T H E D I T CHES. AFTER THE SECOND HORRIFYI NG
T H R E A T T W O F I G H T E R S S W UNG AROUND AGAIN AND TIPPED THEIR
W I N G S T O L E T U S K N O W T HEY RECOGNIZED US. WITH CONSIDE RABLE
R E L I E F W E M O V E D O F F T H E HIGHWAY TO A SETTLEMENT NAMED
M O L T E N . F R O M T H E S A F E CONCEALMENT OF BARNS WE WATCHED THE
P L A N E S M A N E U V E R I N G I N THE AIR AROUND US. HOPE OF AN E ARLY
R E L E A S E L I F T E D O U R M O R ALE. “ANY DAY NOW WE WILL BE FREE.”
T H E S O U P S U P P L I E D U S T HAT EVENING WAS RATHER THIN AND WE
R E C E I V E D N O B R E A D . K R I EGIES GRIPED, OF COURSE, BUT TU RNED
T H E I R A T T E N T I O N T O G A T HERING AND COOKING FOOD OF THEI R OWN.
A G E N E R O U S S U P P L Y O F F UEL LAY IN A WOODPIL E NEAR ONE OF THE
B A R N S , S O T H A T B Y T W I L IGHT BONFIRES WERE BLAZING FURI OUSLY.
A F I T F U L W I N D B L E W . O N E FIRE GOT OUT OF CONTROL AND S PREAD
T O A N U N O C C U P I E D H E N H OUSE. A CORPS OF FI REFIGHTING K RIEGIES
W A S O N H A N D T O E X T I N G U ISH THE BLAZE BEFO RE MUCH DAMAG E WAS
D A N E . A C R E S T F A L L E N G U ARD LOOKED ON INDI FFERENTLY AND
M U T T E R E D S O M E T H I N G T H A T SEEMED TO MEAN “ GO AHEAD AND BURN
T H E T O W N , A N D S E E I F I CARE.” STRANGE SIG N OF OUR IMP ENDING
F R E E D O M W A S T H E L E S S E N ING OF THE NUMBER OF GUARDS AND THE
A P A T H Y O F T H O S E W H O H E LD ON. YET AS LONG AS W E CONTIN UED TO
P L A Y A T T H I S P H A S E O F WARFARE OUR GUARDS WERE OUR PRO TECTION
S H O U L D G E R M A N F I G H T I N G UNITS COME UPON U S, AND WE WER E THEIR
P R O T E C T I O N I N C A S E A M E RICAN FORCES OVERR AN OUR LOCATI ON. AN
O C C A S I O N A L B O O M I N G O R CRACK BEYOND THE HORIZON KEPT U S
C O N S C I O U S O F T H E F A C T THAT ACTUAL FIGHTI NG MUST COME MUCH
C L O S E R B E F O R E W E C O U L D BE FREE.
A S I F T H E W E A T H E R T O O WERE DRAWN INTO TH E INCONSISTEN CIES OF
T H O S E L A S T D A Y S O F T H E WAR, THE MONTH OF MAY WAS GREE TED
N E X T M O R N I N G W I T H A B L INDING SN OWSTORM AND BITING W IND.
A R O U S E D B E F O R E D A W N W E SET OUT INTO THE TEETH OF THE
B L I Z Z A R D A T F I V E O ’ C L O CK. ALONG A WINDSW EPT RIDGE THE STORM
M A D E W A L K I N G V E R Y U N C O MFORTABLE. FURTHER MORE WE REALI ZED THE
J E R R I E S W E R E M A K I N G A SNEAK MOVE AWAY FR OM THE DIRECT ION WE
H A D B E E N G O I N G . T W E N T Y KILOMETERS IN EIG HT HOURS, WHI CH WAS
F A I R E N O U G H M A R C H I N G U NDER THOSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, BROUGHT
U S T O OB E R T A U F K I R C H E N . THIS WAS A TYPICAL GERMAN VILLAGE
B U I L T A R O U N D A G O R G E O U S BYZANTINE CHURCH .
T H E S N O W H A D C E A S E D T O FALL WHEN WE ARRIVED THERE AND THE
V I S I B I L I T Y I M P R O V E D G R EATLY. I WENT TO T HE CHURCH AND PRAYED
T O O U R B L E S S E D M O T H E R THAT SHE WOULD PRO TECT US JUST A FEW
D A Y S M O R E . T H E T I M E O F OUR LIBERATION WA S SURELY AT H AND,
B U T W I T H I T C A M E T H E D ANGER OF BEING CAUG HT BETWEEN THE
L I N E S O R I N T H E C R O S S - FIRE OF OPPOSING ARM IES.
183
“ T H I S I S Y O U R M O N T H , D EAR MOTHER; BRING U S ALL UNHARM ED INTO
T H E H A N D S O F O U R O W N C OUNTRYMEN AND SEND PEACE TO THE
WORLD.”
T H E P A S T O R O F T H E C H U R CH, FATHER OBERMEI ER, FOUND ME
K N E E L I N G I N T H E C H U R C H . HE INVITED ME TO HIS HO USE. I WENT
W I T H H I M A N D H A D S U P P E R WITH HIMSELF AND A LITHUANIAN
R E F U G E E P R I E S T W H O W A S HIDING OUT IN THA T PART OF BAV ARIA.
W H I L E W E W E R E E A T I N G , ARTILLERY FIRE LAN DED CLOSE TO THE
VILLAGE.
“ W H A T A B O U T T H E C H U R C H ?” SAID FATHER OBE RM EIER.
- - - - - -TH A T H I S C H U R C H WOUL D NOT BE HIT. I SINC ERELY HOPED IT
W O U L D N O T . H E C A N C E L E D HIS SERVICES FOR THE EVENING, (DIE
M A I A N D A C H T ) , T H E M A Y - D EVOTIONS IN HONOR O F THE MOTHER OF
G O D , W H I C H A R E S O P O P U LAR WITH THE BAVAR IAN CATHOLICS .
B E F O R E D A R K T H E S O U N D S OF BATTLE INCRE ASED AND I RETURNED TO
M Y A P A R T M E N T I N T H E B A RN. HERE THERE WAS GREAT EXCITE MENT
A N D N O L I T T L E T R E P I D A T ION ON ACCOUNT OF THE FIRING TH AT
C O N T I N U E D T O G R O W L O U D ER.
“ S O U N D S L I K E T A N K S T O ME,” SAID CAPTAIN MADDEN.
G E R M A N T R O O P S W E R E M O V ING HURRIEDLY THROUGH THE VILLA GE, AND
C O N V O Y S W E R E R U M B L I N G ALONG THE ROADS IN THE NIGH. NO NE OF
U S T R I E D T O S L E E P . T H E FIRING CONTINUED INTERMITTENTL Y AND
S H E L L B U R S T S C O U L D B E SEEN THE NORTHERN SKY. A FEW RO UNDS
L A N D E D V E R Y C L O S E T O O BERTAUFKIRCHEN. ABO U T MIDNIGHT WE WERE
T O L D T O G E T R E A D Y Q U I C KLY, FOR THE GUARD WERE GOING T O MARCH
U S A W A Y D U R I N G T H E N I G HT. WE GATHERED OU R FEW CHATTEL S
T O G E T H E R ( C A P T A I N M A D D EN STILL HAD HIS W AGON) AND NOT
U N W I L L I N G L Y W E L E T T H E GERMANS LEAD US D OWN A VALLEY ROAD
I N T O A F OR E S T . T H E S N OW WAS D EEP AND PLODDING ALO NG I N THE
D A R K W I T H T H E S K Y L I G H TING UP BEHIND US WITH SHELL BU RSTS
W A S O M I N O U S . T H E S N O W , WET AND STICKING TO THE TREE T OPS,
F E L L D O W N O N U S I N L U M PS WHEN THE WIND S TIRRED THE BR ANCHES.
O N E V A L L E Y O P E N E D I N T O ANOTHE R AS WE WENT ALONG. WE W ERE
D E S C E N D I N G L O W E R A N D L OWER INTO A WIDE RI VER BASIN. O UR
SPIRITS WERE TENSE.
A T D A Y L I G H T O U R L E A D E R S SIGHTED A DETACH MENT OF VEHIC LE,
T A N K S A N D T R O O P S I N B A TTLE FORMATION MOV ING THROUGH A
C L E A R I N G A F E W H U N D R E D YARDS AHEAD. WORD WAS PASSED B ACK TO
G E T I N T O C O N C E A L M E N T , TO REMAIN QUIET, A ND NOT TO STR IKE ANY
M A T C H E S . T H E T E N S E N E S S GREW. IT WAS DISC OVERED THAT T HE
C O L U M N W A S G E R M A N . T H A T INTENSIFIED OUR ALARM. WHAT I F IN
T H E M O R N I N G M I S T T H E Y SHOULD MISTAKE US FOR COMBAT
A M E R I C A N S / F O R T U N A T E L Y THEY IDE NTIFIED US BEFORE FI RING AND
W E W E R E S A F E F O R T H E H OUR. WHEN THE TASK FORCE HAD MO VED
A C R O S S O U R P A T H , I T W A S DAYLIGHT. WE HAD MADE A FORTY - FIVE
184
M I N U T E H A L T , W H I C H P R O VED TO BE THE TIME ELEMENT THAT SAVED
U S F R O M A L O N G E R C A P T I VITY.
W E E M E R G E D F R O M T H E F O REST ONTO THE MUNICH -PASSAU HIGHWAY ON
W H I C H S O M E G E R M A N M I L I TARY TRAFFIC WAS M OVING. WE STA RTED
W E S T O N T H E A U T O B A H N S TRINGING OUT IN A L ONG FILE ON THE
E D G E O F T H E R O A D . T H E CEILING OF CLOUDS WAS BEGINNING TO
L I F T . L O W F L Y I N G P L A N E S, SHOULD THEY APPEAR, WOULD FI ND US
A N E A S Y T A R G E T . T H E R E WAS SOME RELIEF AS WE APPROACHE D A
G R O U P O F B U I L D I N G S W I T H GIANT RED CROSSE S ON THE ROOF S, AND
O R P H A N A S Y L U M O U T I N A N AREA BY ITSELF. L ESS THAN A
K I L O M E T E R B E Y O N D W E T U RNED OFF THE HIGHW AY ONTO A NA RROW
S I D E R O A D T O T H E S O U T H . THIS ROAD SKIRTE D A WOODS. TH E
G U A R D S T R I E D I N V A I N T O GET US ALL TOGETH ER UNDER THE TREES.
M A N Y A M E R I C A N S W E R E S T RAGGLING AND STOPP ING ALONG THE SIDE
O F T H E A U T O B A H N . N O T O NLY THE LAGGARDS, B UT ALL THE R EST OF
U S W E R E I N T E R E S T E D I N DISCOVERING TH E LOCAL DISPOSITI ON OF
T H E F I G H T I N G F O R C E S . A N AMERICAN ARTILLER Y LIAISON PL ANE
F L E W A T L O W A L T I T U D E O UT OF THE NORTH, ZI GZAGGED OVER THE
H I L L S A N D F O R E S T S , T H E N DISAPPEARED IN T HE DIRECTION WHENCE
I T H A D C O M E . A D E N S E C OLUMN OF SMOKE B EGAN TO BILLOW UP FR OM
T H E W O O D E D A R E A W H E R E WE HAD SIGHTED THE GERMAN
C O N C E N T R A T I O N O F T R O O P S AND VEHICLES.
“ T H E Y M U S T B E D E S T R O Y I NG THEIR EQUIPMENT ,” AND AMERIC AN
O F F I C E R S U R M I S E D . “ T H E Y KNOW THEY’RE LIC KED. AMERICAN TANKS
C A N ’ T B E V E R Y F A R B E H I ND US.”
------------------“ Pri s o n e r o f t h e G e r m ans” by Chaplain Mark R. Moore
P a g e 5 9 : “ S I G N S O F T H E END”
W e k n e w t h a t t h e e n d w as near because we could hear t ank and
a r t i l l e r y f i r e o n e i t h er side. -W h e n w e a r r i v e d a t G a r s on the Inns River, we sto pped . They
w e r e g o i n g t o m a r c h u s across. Our colonel told us to be
h a r d t o f i n d , a n d w e d isappeared.
-------------------(FR. CAVANAIGH CONT.)
“ P L E A S E , W E M U S T B E M O VING ON,” SAID A S ERGEANT OF TH E
G U A R D S W I T H A N U N U S U A L POLITENESS THAT B ETRAYED THE
I N S T A B I L I T Y O F H I S P O W ER TO COMMAND.
185
W I T H E X A S P E R A T I N G S L O W NESS THE KRIEGIES BEGAN TO DRIF T ALONG
T H E S N O W- C O V E R E D R O A D . NOT MU CH MORE THAN A MILE DIRE CTLY
A H E A D A N D D O W N I N A V A LLEY A TREMENDOUS EXPLOSION THO ROUGHLY
D I S C O N C E R T E D U S . W H I T H ER WERE WE HEADING? ONLY A SMAL L
A M O U N T O F W H I T E S M O K E ROSE UP TO GIVE US THE EXACT BE ARING
O F T H E D E M O L I T I O N A F E W PRISONERS STOPPE D IN THEIR TR ACKS TO
A W A I T F U R T H E R D E V E L O P M ENTS; THE OTHER MO VED ON CAUTIO USLY
F O R A S H O R T D I S T A N C E A ND CAME TO THE BROW OF A STEEP
D E SCE N T . H I D D E N U N D E R T HE PITCH OF THE HILL SIDE WAS A LITTLE
T O W N O F G A R S -A M - I N N. A S WE CAME TO THE EDGE OF THE SH ARP
S L O P E O V E R L O O K I N G T H E TOWN WE SAW THAT I T WAS AN OPEN CITY.
A L L T H E L A R G E R B U I L D I N GS HAD WHITE ROOFS WITH RED CRO SSES.
A T T H E B O T T O M O F T H E V ALLEY, ANOTHER HUNDR ED FOOT DROP BELOW
G A R S , F L O W E D T H E I N N R IVER, BROAD, SMOOTH AND DEEP. THE INN
R I V E R MA R K S T H E B O U N D ARY B ETWEEN BAVARIA AND T HE NATIONAL
R E D O U B T . A T T H A T T I M E THE REDOUBT WAS A PLACE WE FEAR ED TO
E N T E R , F O R T H E R E W E R E RUMORS THAT HITLER WAS WITHDRAW ING
W I T H A N A R M Y I N T O T H E CRAGGY REGION AROU ND BERCHTESGA DEN FOR
H I S L A S T S T A N D . A B A G OF AMERICAN OFFICE RS WOULD HAVE BEEN A
V A L U A B L E P R I Z E T O H O L D AS HOSTAGES.
W E C O M M E N C E D T H E D E S C E NT INTO GARS . ON THE ROAD JUST S HORT
O F T H E V I L L A G E , W E S T O PPED AND WERE ARRA NGED IN RANKS ; THEN
M A R C H E D I N T O T H E T O W N WITH SOME SEMBLANC E OF FORMATIO N. THE
C O L U M N H A L T E D A G A I N I N THE MIDDLE OF A N ARROW STREET OF THE
P R E T T Y G E R M A N V I L L A G E . THE PEOPLE, WITH ANXIOUS LOOKS ON
T H E I R F A C E S , W E R E G A T H ERING AT DOORSTEP S AND WINDOWS. WE
S O O N F O U N D O U T T H E C A U SE OF THEIR APPREH ENSION AND OF OUR
O W N D E L A Y . W O R D W A S Q U IETLY AND CAUTIOUS LY PASSED FRO M
KRIEGIE TO KRIEGIE.
“ T H E J E R R I E S C A N N O T T A KE US ACROSS THE R IVER BECAUSE THE
B R I D G E H A S J U S T B E E N B LOWN UP. DO WHAT YO U CAN TO SCATTER
T H R O U G H T H E T O W N S O T H EY WILL HAVE TROUB LE ROUNDING U S UP.
C O L . P A L M E R S A Y S W E W I LL STAY HERE AS LO NG AS WE CAN. ”
I S T O O D W I T H T H E R E S T IN THE MIDDLE OF T HE STREET. GR ADUALLY
T H E N E A T F O R M A T I O N B E G AN TO DISINTEGRATE AS KRIEGIES
C A S U A L L Y S T E P P E D O U T OF SIGHT. I FOUN D MYSELF IN FRONT OF A
T W O-ST O R Y S T O N E H O U S E WI TH THE MONOGRAM OF T HE SOCIET Y OF
J E S U S W O R K E D I N M E T A L ON THE DOOR. TOW P RIESTS WERE L OOKING
O U T O F A N U P P E R W I N D O W . PERHAPS THIS IS A JESUIT HOUS E, I
T H O U G H T . I Q U I C K L Y M O U NTED THE STEPS AND RANG THE BELL. T HE
D O O R O P E N E D I M M E D I A T E L Y AND I QUICKLY SL IPPED INSIDE. THERE
I W A S C O N F R O N T E D B Y A NUN.
“ I C H B I N P R I E S T E R . . . K A THOLICHER...JESUIT A.” I EXCLAIM ED.
T H E S I S T E R L O O K E D A T M E FOR A MOMENT IN S URPRISE; THE N SHE
L A U G H E D . “ O H F A T H E R , C OME IN! ” SHE SPOKE IN PERFE CT E NGLISH.
“ W E A R E G L A D T O H A V E Y OU COME. COME UPSTA IRS TO SEE T HE
F A T H E R S . ” “ I S T H I S A J ESUIT HOUSE?” I ASK ED HER.
186
“ N O . T H E F A T H E R S H E R E ARE REDEMPTORISTS. BUT YOU ARE A
J E S U I T ? ” “ Y E S . F R O M C H ICAGO.”
“ O U R F O U N D E R I S A J E S U IT.” SHE SA ID WITH EVIDENT PRID E.
“ S O I S O U R F O U N D E R . ” I SAID. “WHO IS YOUR FOUNDER?”
“ F A T H E R R U P E R T M A Y E R . HAVE YOU EVER HEAR D OF HIM?
“ T H E G R E A T O R A T O R O F M UNICH, WHOM HITLER PUT IN
C O N C E N T R A T I O N C A M P ? ” “ YES. YOU KNOW ABOUT HIM.”
“ W H A T I S T H E N A M E O F Y OUR CONGREGAT ION?” I ASKED HER.
“ S I S T E R S O F T H E H O L Y F AMILY.”
U P S T A I R S T H R E E R E D E M P T ORIST PRIESTS SEEM ED TO BE EQUA LLY
A L A R M E D A B O U T T H E B L O W ING UP OF THE BRID GE AND THE AR RIVAL
O F A M E R I C A N S I N G A R S . THEY WERE SURPRISE D THAT I SHOU LD HAVE
C O M E I N T O T H E I R H O U S E AS A PR ISONER.
“ T H A T ’ S A L L R I G H T , F A T HERS. DON’T WORRY. THE GUARDS K NOW ME.
I W I L L S T A Y W I T H Y O U O NLY A SHORT TIME.”
S I S T E R P A S C H A L I S , W H O HAD OPENED THE DOO R TO ME, ASKE D IF I
W A N T E D S O M E T H I N G T O E A T.
“ Y E S , I W I L L T A K E A M E AL.”
S O O N S H E B R O U G H T A C A K E (ONE OF THOSE SUGARLESS POUN D
C A K E S ) , A B O W L O F S O U P , SOME BREAD AND C HEESE. IT WAS A JOY
T O B E S O H O S P I T A B L Y E N TERTAINED. THE FAT HERS RECOVERE D FROM
T H E I R D I S M A Y A T H A V I N G AN AMERICAN SOLDI ER AT THEIR T ABLE.
W E T A L K E D F R E E L Y I N A THREE LANGUAGE CON VERSATIONS, L AT IN,
G E R M A N A N D E N G L I S H . S I STER PASCHALIS COM MUNICATED HER GAIETY
A N D J O Y T O A L L O F U S . BEFORE I HAD FINIS HED MY LUNCH, SHE
B R O U G H T M E A L A R G E P A P ER BAH OF SANDWICH ES. “THESE AR E FOR
Y O U R F R I E N D S , ” S H E S A I D. BUT MY FRIENDS WERE AT THE D OOR.
S M O L K A A N D M A D D E N C A M E IN TO TELL ME THAT SOME OF THE
S T R A G G L E R S H A D M A D E C O NTACT WITH THE 80T H DIVISION AN D THAT
A T A S K F O R C E W A S B E I N G SENT TO LIBERATE US.
T H E A L L C O N V I N C I N G P R O OF THAT LIAISON HA D BEEN ESTABL ISHED
B E T W E E N A M E R I C A N P R I S O NERS AND FRONT LIN E TROOPS WAS T HE BOX
O F K I N G E D W A R D C I G A R S WHICH LT. A.C.STEI N OF CLEVELAN D
B O U G H T W I T H H I M I N T O G ARS. SMOLKA WAS TOO EXCITED TO STAY IN
T H E R E D E M P T O R I S T H O U S E . HE TOOK THE BAG OF SANDWICHES AWAY
W I T H H I M , W H I L E M A D D E N STAYED FOR SOUP A ND CAKE.
A F T E R H E F I N I S H E D A N D TO STALL FOR MORE TIME, I SAID,
“ S I S T E R , L O O K H O W D I R T Y WE ARE. WE HAVE NOT HAD A BAT H FOR
O V E R T H R E E M O N T H S . ” “ Y ES FATHER, I WILL HEAT THE WATE R.”
C A P T A I N M A D D E N A N D I H AD A BATH AND SISTE R GAVE US SO ME
C L E A N S O C K S . W I T H T H E EXCEPTION OF SOCKS AND UNDERWEA R I
W O R E T H E S A M E C L O T H E S WHICH I HAD PUT ON THANKSGIVING DAY.
A N D S I N C E L A N D I N G O N T HE CONTINENT DECEMB ER FIRST I H AD
187
S C A R C E L Y S P E N T A N I G H T THAT I DID NOT SL EEP IN THEM. THE
B A T H W A S F O R E T A S T E O F BETTER THINGS TO C OME. FOR GOOD
M E A S U R E W E S P R I N K L E D D DT P OWDER OVER THE BATHR OOM FLOOR.
F R O M O U R H O S T S W E L E A R NED ABOUT THE TOWN OF GARS . ONE OF THE
F I N E S T B Y Z A N T I N E C H U R C HES OF GERMANY WAS LOCATED HERE . NEXT
T O I T W A S A L A R G E S E M I NARY OF THE CONGRE GATION OF THE MOST
H O L Y R E D E E M E R . I T H A D FORMERLY HOUSED TH REE HUNDRED
S T U D E N T S , B U T N O W W A S USED AS A HOSPITAL . NO COURSES WERE
B E I N G T A U G H T B E C A U S E O F LACK OF STUDENTS. THERE WERE ALSO
T O W O T H E R H O S P I T A L S I N THE TOWN CONDUCTE D BY TWO DIFF ERENT
S I S T E R H O O D S . T H O S E T H R EE HOSPITALS EXPLA INED THE REAS ON FOR
T H E R E D C R O S SE S O N T H E ROOFS OF T HE BUILDINGS.
S M O L K A C A M E A G A I N T O T ELL US THAT THE GER MANS WERE TR YING TO
R O U N D U S U P , B U T T H A T OUR OWN MEN WERE W ELL SCATTERED ABOUT
T H E T O W N . I T S E E M E D T O THE GERMAN SOLDIE RS THAT A BOT TLE WAS
A T H A N D . T H E Y W E R E T E N SE AND EXCITED, N O DOUBT BECAUS E THEY
K N E W O N L Y T O O W E L L T H A T THEY WOULD SOON EXCHANGE PLAC ES WITH
U S A N D T H E M S E L V E S B E C O ME PRISONERS. OF W AR. AFTER THR EE
O ’ C L O C K T H E Y M A D E N O F URTHER EFFORT TO GU ARD US. THEY TOO
W O U L D E N J O Y T H E B R I E F MOMENTS OF FREEDOM THAT REMAINE D TO
T HEM E A T I N G A N D D R I N K I NG AND VISITING WENT ON THROUGHOUT THE
E N T I R E V I L L A G E . A M E R I C ANS AND GERMANS FR ATERNIZED OVE R CUPS
O F C O F F E E A N D M U G S O F BAVARIAN TEA, WAIT ING FOR THE E ND.
A T H A L F P A S T F O U R O ’ C L OCK A CONVOY OF TE N AMERICAN TA NKS
L U M B E R E D D O W N T H E S T E E P SLOPE INTO GARS. N OT A ROUND WAS
F I R E D . S H O U T S O F J O Y W ENT UP ALL OVER THE VILLAGE. “WE’RE
LIBERATED!”
“ W H A T O U T F I T D O Y O U B E LONG TO?” THE TANK ERS WERE ASKE D.
“ T H E 1 4 T H A R M O R E D D I V I SION”
-----------------“ Pri s o n e r o f t h e G e r m ans” by Chaplain Mark R. Moore
P a g e 5 9 : ” L I B E R A T I O N ” ( May 2, 1945)
“ C o n t a c t w a s m a d e w i t h the 14th Armored,
------------------(FR. CAVANAUGH CONT.)
T H E I R A I R R E C O N N A I S S A N CE HAD SPOTTED US AND THEIR TAN KS HAD
A R R I V E D B E F O R E T H E 8 0 T H DIVISION COULD G ET TO US.
A L L T H R O U GH T H E T O W N THERE WAS JUBILATION ON THE PA RT OF
G E R M A N S A N D A M E R I C A N S ALIKE. THE REDEMPT ORISTS IN THE
S E M I N A R Y W E R E S E R V I N G MEALS TO OUR MEN A ND OFFERING T HEM
U T I L I T I E S T O C O O K T H E FOOD THEY HAD WITH THEM. THE SI STERS
I N T H E H O S P I T A L S W E R E DOING THE SAME FO R THE MEN WHO DROPPE D
I N T H E R E . I N T H E H O M E S OF THE PEOPLE AME RICANS WERE
P A R T A K I N G O F T H E H O S P I TALITY OF THE TOWN SFOLK AND GIV ING
188
T H E M I N R E T U R N R E A L C O FFEE WHICH THEY HA D NOT TASTED IN
YEARS.
C A T H O L I C S , A M E R I C A N S A ND GERMANS, WERE VI SITING THE G REAT
C H URC H , T H E M O S T B E A U TI FUL OF ALL THE BYZAN TINE STRUCTURES
W E H A D S E E N , T O T H A N K GOD FOR LIBERATION AND PROTECTI ON OF
THE CITY.
I N T H E M O N A S T E R Y A T S U NDOWN FATHER WEISH AUPT CANDIDLY STATED
T H E F E E L I N G S O F T H E G E RMAN COMMON PEOPLE : “FATHER, TH IS IS
T H E D A Y O F Y O U R L I B E R ATION AND OURS. WE ARE FREED F ROM
T W E L V E Y E A R S O F T H E D E NIAL OF FREEDOM, J USTICE AND OF
TRUTH.”
189
AFTERMATH
W I T H T H E C A P I T U L A T I O N OF GARS - AM -INN WE CEASED TO BE
K R I E G S G E F A N G E N E R A N D P OSSESSED THE FREEDO M OF T HE CITY. THE
T A N K E R S C O M M A N D E E R E D Q UARTERS FOR THE NIG HT, BUT ORDE RED THE
E N T I R E L I B E R A T E D A M E R I CAN TO SLEEP IN BA RNS NEAR ONE OF THE
H O S P I T A L S . I H A D T O D E CLINE THE OFFER OF A BEDROOM FR OM THE
R E D E M P T O R I S T S B E C A U S E ARMY TRUCKS WERE E XPECTED TO EV ACUATE
U S DU R I N G T H E N I G H T .
T H E N E X T M O R N I N G , M A Y 3RD, HOWEVER, FOUN D US STILL IN GARS.
T H E V E H I C L E S H A D B E E N DELAYED. THEY ARRI VED LATE IN T HE
M O R N I N G A N D W E W E R E L O ADED IMMEDIATELY. BUT NOT BEFOR E WE
A L L H A D E A T E N A T L E A S T TWO GOOD BREAKFAS TS AND GATHER ED OUR
R EMA I N I N G S U P P L I E S O F AMERICAN RED CROSS F OOD TO GIVE TO THE
S I S T E R W H O H A D B E E N S O KIND TO US.
W E S A W T H E G E R M A N G U A R DS, WHO HAD RESTRA INED US WITH RIFLES
F R O M T H E N I G H T W E L E F T HAMMELBURG, MARCH ED AWAY DESPO ILED OF
T H E I R A R M S U N D E R A M E R I CAN MP’S TO BECOME PRISONERS OF WAR.
T H E L I T T L E G U A R D W H O H AD TAKEN PITY ON ME WHEN I WAS
S T A G G E R I N G U N D E R T H E S TRAIN OF CLIMBING H ILLS WAS TOO
F O O T S O R E T O W A L K . T H E LAST TIME I SAW HI M HE WAS SITT ING
I N S I D E A N A M E R I C A N H A L F- TRACK EATING K - RATIONS WITH A NOISY
C R E W O F T A N K ER S . H E S M ILED AS HE WAVED GOOD - BYE TO ME .
O U R C O N V O Y O F T R U C K S W AS OFF UP THE HILL. FROM THE PEAK WE
L O O K E D D O W N A T T H E B R O KEN BLASTED BRIDGE - STRIKING SYMBOL
O F T H E T O P P L I N G N A Z I T YRANNY.
W E R E T R A C E D M A N Y O F T H E ROADS WE HAD WAL KED DURING TH E LAST
D A Y S OF O U R C A P T I V I T Y . AT TAUFKIRCHEN WE STOPPED TO CHANGE
V E H I C L E S A N D W E R E D E L A YED AN HOUR. THE Q UIET AND WELL KEPT
C I T Y W E H A D P A S S E D T H R OUGH THREE DAYS BE FORE WAS NOW A
B A T T L E S C A R R E D S I T E . T HE LEVEL ROADS HAD BECOME ROUGH AND
R U M P L E D A N D F U R R O W E D W ITH DISA BLED TANKS AND BURNE D OUT
T R U C K S . T H E S T O N E B U I L DINGS WERE SCRATCH ED WITH RIFLE AND
M A C H I N E G U N F I R E . A F E W FRAME BUILDINGS WERE SMOLDERI NG
HEAPS OF ASHES.
W I T H I N A H A S T I L Y C O N S T RUCTED WIRE ENCLOS URE, THOUSAND S OF
G E R M A N T R O O P S , N O T P R I SONER OF WAR, WERE MILLING AROU ND AND
C O O K I N G O V E R S M A L L B O N FIRES. AMERICAN DO UGHBOYS PATRO LLED
T H E S T R E E T S A N D F I L L E D THE BEER HALLS. F OR BRAVARIA T HE WAR
W A S O V E R . M U N I C H H A D FALLEN ON THE LA ST DAY OF APRIL AND AL
R E S I S T A N C E C E A S E D . N O T TILL FIVE DAYS LA TER, HOWEVER, ON V - E
D A Y , M A Y 8 T H , W E R E H O S TILITIES OFFICIALL Y OVER IN EUR OPE.
W E M O T O R E D T O M O O S B U R G WHERE AN ESTIMATED 7 0,000 RECOVERED
A L L I E D P R I S O N E R S , R U S S IANS, YUGOSLAVS, I TALIANS, FREN CH,
E N G L I S H , P O L E S , A N D A M ERICANS, WERE CELE BRATING THEIR
190
R E D E M P T I O N A N D V I C T O R Y . IN WHAT WAS LABELED A C HEESE
F A C T O R Y , B U T I N R E A L I T Y A STORE HOUSE FO R AIRPLANE PA RTS, I
C E L E B R A T E D T H E M A S S O F LIBERATION WITH A MASS - KIT BORROWED
F R O M F A T H E R M C V E I G H , A N ENGLISH PRIEST WH O HAD JUMPED WITH
T H E B R I T I S H A T A R N H E M . AT MOOSBURG WE RE CEIVED A NE W
D E S I G N A T I O N . I N S T E A D O F KRIEGIES WE WERE CALLED RAMP’ S
( A B B R E V I A T I O N F O R R E P A TRIATED ALLIED MIL ITARY PERSONN EL).
T H E A M E R I C A N R A M P ’ S W E RE FLOWN IN B -17’S AND C -47’S TO
R H E I M S A N D R A M P C A M P , NEAR ST. VALERY EN CAUS . HERE W ERE
T H O U S A N D S A N D T E N S O F THOUSAN DS OF AMERICANS FROM THE
S T A L A G S A N D D U L A G S A N D LAZARETS OF LIMBURG , BAD ORB ,
Z I E G E N H E I M, N U R E M B E R G , SZUBIN , SAGAN , NEUBRANDENBURG ,
M O O S B U R G, A N D M A N Y O T HER GER MAN OWNS. THEY WERE SHOWE RED,
D O C T O R E D , C L O T H E D , B A N QUETED AND ENTERTA INED AS LONG LOST
B R O T H E R S.
T R A N S P O R T S A N D L I B E R T Y SHIPS WERE OVERLO ADED A LEHAVR E TO
B R I N G T H E M H O M E - H O M E TO AMERICA, TRU LY THE LAND OF
F R E E D O M , F R E E D O M F R O M WANT AND FROM FEAR , FREEDOM OF SPEECH
A N D O F R E L I G I O N . T H E A MERICA WHICH, IN SP ITE OF WARTI ME
R E S T R I C T I O N S , A B O U N D E D IN GOOD FOOD, AND THE C ONVENIENCES
A N D L U X U R I E S O F L I F E . THE AMERICA WHICH WAS FAR REMOV ED FROM
M E C H A N I Z E D C O L U M N S A N D TERROR IN THE SKI ES. THE AMERI CA
W H O S E R O S T R U M S , R A D I O S , AND PRESSES ARE FREE MEANS OF
C O M M U N I C A T I O N A N D O P E N TO THE EXPRESSION OF EVERYONE’ S
P R I V A T E O P I N I O N . T H E A MERICA, WHOSE CHURC HES WELCOME ALL WHO
W O U L D W O R S H I P T H E G O D WHO MADE US, AND T HANK HIM FOR HIS
B L E S S I N G S , T H E A M E R I C A WHOSE FUNDAMENTAL GOODNESS THE
K R I E G I E S H A D L E A R N E D T O APPRECIATE AND WH OSE SECURITY THEY
H E L P E D T O P U R C H A S E E V E N WITH THE COLD AND HUNGER AND LICE OF
NAZI PRISONS.
L.D.S.
191
ITINERARY OF CHAPLAIN PAUL W. CAVANAUGH
OCT.12, 1944
14
20
29
-
- L E F T C AMP ATTERBURY (INDIANA)
A R R I V E D A T STAGING AREA NEAR TAUNTON, MA SS
S A I L E D F R OM NEW YORK ON AQUITANIA
F E A S T O F CHRIST THE KING. LANDED AT GURO CK,
S C O T L A N D , IN FIRTH OF CLYDE
31
A R R I V E D G UITING POWER, LITTLE VILLAGE IN
C E N T R A L E NGLAND.
N O V . 5 - M O V E D T O F A I R FORD, ENGLAND
15 - M O V E D T O S T O W - ON- THE - WOLD. VISITED HEYTHROPE ,
O X F O R D , C A M B R I DGE. SPENT 5 HOURS IN LONDON.
T R A V E L E D B Y J EEP TO MANY PLACES IN CENTRAL
E N G L A N D , M I N I STERING TO MEN OF OUR REGIMENT.
D E C . 1 - L A N D E D I N L e H AVRE FRANCE
2 - 8
B I V O UACKED NEAR SAN LAURENT, NORMAND Y
8 - 10
T R A V ELED IN CONVOY THROUGH FRANCE
B E L G IUM AND INTO THE ZIEGFRIED LINE.
1 0 - 1 8 L I V E D IN A GERMAN PILLBOX
19
C A P T URED
23
B O M B ED IN R.A.F. AT LIMBURG
25
A R R I VED AT BAD ORB
( F I R ST PRISON I WAS IN.)
JAN.8
S A I D M A S S FOR FIRST TIME SINCE CAPTURE.
11 M O V E D TO SECOND CAMP NEAR HAMMELBURG
FEB.2
G O T M A S S KIT AND ABLE TO SAY MASS DAILY
U N T I L M A R CH 27.
MAR.27
A T T A C K O N HAMMELBURG BY AMERICAN TANKS.
N O L IBERATION.
28
( 2 A . M . ) BEGINNING OF 5 WEEKS WALK THRU
BAVARIA.
APR. 1
E A S T E R . F IRST MASS ON THE MARCH. SAID
M A S S 1 0 O UT OF 35 DAYS.
5
B O M B E D B Y AMERICAN PLANES AT NURNBURG.
5 0 0 P O U N D ER LANDED 20 YARDS FROM ME, - B UT
D I D N O T G ET A SCRATCH.
MAY 3
L I B E R A T E D BY AMERICAN TANKS AT GARS am I NN
2 0 M I L E S EAST OF MUNICH.
MAY 6
MUNICH
18
PARIS
22
RHEIMS
24
S T . V A L L E RY (St. Valery en Caux - near
D i e p p e o n English Channel)
JUNE 21 L A N D E D I N BOSTON, MASS.
192