About Letter 189

In the midst of battle Bill remarkably draws a pass to Paris. He says that "maybe it's only because I've just come off the lines, but Paris seems to be all it was ever claimed to be......there's only one place I'd rather be and that is home." In addition to "seeing almost all the important sights" Bill has a number of photos taken and an artists sketch, all of which he plans to send home.

Letter 189-April 20, 1945

April 20, 1945
(Paris, France)

Dear Mudder and Dad,

You said that there would be a blank spot in the mail from me and I guess this breaks it. I really can’t remember myself how long it’s been. This war is like that. A person seems to lose thought of everything. You know what the situation is from the newspapers. I don’t see how this damn thing keeps going but it does. I can’t make heads of tails of it.

Anyway I’m in Paris in the spring. “April in Paris.” This sounds romantic doesn’t it? I was fortunate enough to draw a pass for Paris last week and I must say it came at a wonderful time. I was getting so fed up that I almost blew my top. My outfit all feel that way.

Maybe it’s only because I’ve just come off the lines, but Paris seems to be all it was ever claimed to be. It’s broad tree-lined streets, perfumed atmosphere, its millions of apparently worthless but charming people—it’s all here.

There are automobiles everywhere and at night the city is lit up as if there never was such a thing as war. In fact all of Paris is out at night. I do believe that there are more people around at night than in the daytime. There’s only one place I’d rather be and that’s home.

I went on a tour yesterday and had this picture taken in the “Place de Concorde.” Where we stand is the spot where the guillotine stood during the Revolution. Just out of the picture, on the left is the American embassy. In front of us is the famous Egyptian obelisque of Luxor and beyond is the Seine and the Chambre of Deputies. I’m standing in approximately the center of the third row. We saw almost all the important sights. The Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, I think, were the least impressive. The Arc d` Tromphe was impressive. We paid our respects to France’s “Unknown Soldier.” Napoleon’s Tomb, I believe, was the most impressive of all. The church was built in the 17th. century. The windows are made in such a way that there is sunlight in the church even on a cloudy day. I couldn’t swear to that, however, since the day was beautiful.

I’ve had some pictures taken while I was here. I don’t know how long they’ll be but they’ll be along anytime.

An artist here drew a fair sketch of me the other day. I’ll send that along too.

I’ll try to write again tomorrow.

Best Love,
Bill

Between the Lines: Bill in Combat March 25-April 5, 1945

From the 26th to the 31st of March Able Company waits in Maudach while Mannheim, across the Rhine is cleared by Patton’s 3rd and 45th Infantry Divisions. Meanwhile, a pontoon bridge is thrown up across the Rhine. Once these tasks are completed the race is on. The pressure from Patton’s forces causes the Jerries to withdraw southeastward. The delay caused by the bridge building task gives the enemy sufficient time to reorganize along the Neckar River. The night of March 31st is spent by A Company in a German barracks disguised as a hospital.

The forest south of Ostersheim, where the barracks is located, is cleared the next morning and Reilingen is occupied that night. It now becomes A Company’s task to maintain the right flank of the Seventh Army front. At Reilingen contact is made with the First Company of Free French Fusileers and the attack swings eastward. In quick succession, on successive days and with no opposition, the Frankfort-Karlsruhe autobahn at Walldorf is breached and the town of Steinfurt, an outpost of the German defenses along the Neckar is occupied.

Schweigern is a little town on the rail and road route from Mannheim to Heilbronn. It is approached from Steinfurt along a macadam road which is graded for perhaps a mile before it enters the valley floor west of the town limits. Most of this grade is flanked by wooded ground which rolls downward half way to the bottom and then cuts away into plowed fields and tree-lined lanes. If Schweigern were to be held, the defense could be organized in either of two ways: the woods flanking the road at its graded approach could be enveloped; or the town could be fortified by utilizing automatic weapons on the good fields of fire offered by the ploughed ground and lanes.

Able Company, light tanks, and TD’s halt a mile short of the woods in front of the town and proceed to probe ahead without a general commitment of any great part of the Company strength. Three light tanks and two armored cars of the Reconnaissance Troops are sent ahead into the grade. They draw small arms fire from the south side of the woods. The fire, along with enemy roadblocks, prevents the probing party from going more than halfway into the woods.
Based on previous experience with enemy tactics it is decided to send a platoon ahead under 81 mm. mortar protection in an attempt to force an avenue through the wooded terrain to the edge of the open ground where tanks can be used. The First Platoon goes ahead on this mission, heading into the woods north of the road and encounters no initial resistance. The remainder of the Company follows up. C Company in the rear of Able takes to the woods from which the small arms fire had come. No Jerry resistance is encountered until the cleared ground before Schweigern is reached. Then harassing direct fire from 88’s commences, and although few or no casualties are taken, the morale effect that only direct 88 fire can inflict is felt.

With the first phase of the operation complete the men of Able Company must “sweat out” the enemy artillery while waiting for the friendly tanks to arrive. Upon the arrival of the tanks the First Platoon commences the attack on the town of Schweigern. No more than three light tanks materialize to support the advance and it is inspiring to watch the First Platoon spread out down the open slope toward the town with three insignificant but very courageous looking little tin boxes with 37 mm pea shooters scattered along the column. Schweigern is entered without resistance, and the medium tanks, when they finally appear are of considerable value to the defensive organization of the town. Able Company and the three light tanks hold Schweigern that afternoon and into the evening when finally C Company, suffering heavy casualties, is able to force the right side of the highway and enter the town.

About Letter 188

Bill writes from the comforts of a house. With continued good war news he opines that "I can't see how or why these Jerries manage to hang on. Evidently they believe their own propaganda and think that if we capture them we will slit their throats." Bill is in the last stages of a lingering cold and adds that the only thing that seems to cure his coughing spells is "a cigarette-strangely enough."

Letter 188- April 5, 1945

April 5, 1945
(Germany)

Dear Mudder and Dad,

This letter will have to go “free” as I’ve got no V-Mails or airmail stamps, but most fellows say that these get there about as quick as any. I doubt it but it’ll have to do.

I haven’t received any letters from you for several days but I guess it’s just a normal delay. Such big things are going on that it’s a wonder that anything is running smoothly. I don’t get to see a paper for 3 days and I’m so far behind the news that it’s pitiful. I can’t see how or why these Jerries manage to hang on. Evidently, however, they believe their own propaganda and think that if we capture them we will slit their throats. Wot a life. It’s a sad thing when the only people one ever runs across are a bunch of “jerks”. That’s Germany; a few rats and 90,000,000 jerks. I repeat, “wot a life.” To quote our beloved President, “Ah hate woah.”

That’s enough corn for the present so let’s proceed with the letter. I’m getting over the damnedest cold I ever had in my life. It was a cold to end all colds. I’d get coughing spells and darn near choke to death before I was through. The only thing that seemed to do any good is a cigarette—strangely enough. I have “beaucoup” cigarettes by the way. I have 2 unopened packs of butts in my pocket right now, heh! Heh! I can see you drooling now. A fiend ain’t I! Anyhoo, to get back to my ailment; it’s pretty well broken up now.

I wonder what it is like to be home now. It won’t be long ‘till I’ve been overseas a year. Gee! I’ll probably look like an immigrant when I get back. You know, “no spikka da Englush.” No kidding though. I’m getting awfully homesick. It’s worse here in Germany where no one can talk to the civilians.

We’re having nasty weather today, but I’m in a house and that helps matters immeasurably.

I got quite a kick out of our “assets” in German utilities. Hot stuff. Here I am putting the skids under our own dough. I’m glad that the rest of the money is in somewhat better shape.

Well, I’ll close now. I’d like to get a letter off to Jess before dark.


Best Love,
Bill

About Letter 187

Bill says "I've been pretty busy as you can see from the papers". He notes that he is sending home a box of Nazi souvenirs that "I've picked up in my wanderings". It includes 3 belt buckles, 2 breast emblems, shoulder flap, collar patch, various campaign ribbons, metal wreaths, postcards, among other collectables.

Letter 187- April 2, 1945

April 2, 1945
(Germany)

Dear Mudder and Dad,

I suppose that you’re surprised to hear from me. I’m surprised myself. I’ve been pretty busy lately as you can well see from the papers. Now it seems at least possible that the damn war could be over before too long. In fact, it could be over before you receive this letter. I hope, I hope.

I received 3 letters dated March 13, March 17 and October “sumthin”. I wonder where that last one was hiding all this time. As the French say, “Cest la guirre”. I’ve said that before, haven’t I?

At this time I’m sending home a box of souvenirs that I’ve picked up in my wanderings. There’s nothing that amounts to much but I think it’ll interest you. As follows: First there’s the little Nazi pennant. I don’t know where it came from. One of the fellows in my squad found several of them. Then there’s the green and silver tassel from an officer’s sabre—left behind in one of the Jerries speedier retreats. Later I hope to obtain an entire sword. There are 3 belt buckles, each of them different. The dull metal one is Luftwaffe. The O.D. buckle is regular army and the shiny one is Hitler Jugend or Hitler Youth. There are 2 breast emblems. The green on white cloth eagle is regular army and the other Luftwaffe. Next there is a shoulder flap and collar patch. The silver shows our “caput” friend was a buck sergeant and the pink piping shows that he was a member of an armored infantry outfit. I don’t know what the campaign ribbons represent—probably honorable mention for kicking some defenseless civilian in the face. The same goes for the red, white and black ribbon. The metal wreaths, pips and eagles are from Nazi officers caps. I don’t know exactly what the rest is, but the Cross of Lorraine is Free French. The postcard’s of “Unsere” “Wehrmacht” I also thought interesting. I thought I’d send all this stuff home so that Daddy can pass it out to the kids at school if he likes.

Best Love,
Bill