24 August, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

24 August, 1944         1330

Dearest sweetheart –

First of all – note my new APO number of 230. You may or may not remember that one time in England I wrote you that that would be our new number and a few days later it was changed. Well – it is now official and apparently permanent – so start using it, dear. It has no significance whatsoever and our situation is unchanged.

This morning I decided to go out to one of the line batteries and stay for a few days. I’ll then return to battalion and stay awhile and then visit another battery – etc. It will give me a chance to see how things are going and be a change from the hum-drum of headquarters. Right now I’m at A Battery – which is in fact only about 8 kilometers (5 miles) from battalion. I had lunch here and have already seen a couple of sections. I was all ready to relax for the afternoon but just received a call from the battalion that a civilian came in looking for an M.D. From what I could gather by phone – a woman must be having a miscarriage or an abortion. By the way, dear – you do know the difference, don’t you? If not – medically speaking, an abortion is loss of pregnancy in the 1st 3 mos., miscarriage – in the middle 3 mos., and premature labor – in the last 3 months. Anyway – as soon as I finish writing this – I’ll go back to battalion and see how I can help, but I’ll return here again afterwards.

This postcard was enclosed in a letter.
Perhaps Greg passed through Mortagne-sur-Orne
(now called Mortagne-au-Perche) on his way to A Battery.

CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE

Postcard of Mortagne-sur-Orne, Notre Dame Church


Notre Dame Church today.
This photo belongs to Dominique Pipet's Flickr Photostream


Postcard of La Chapelle-Montligeon
...and the same today

Yesterday, darling, you remember I told you my radio needed some repairing. It seemed that the battery was dead – and it was. I had brought along an extra one from England – but we didn’t have to use it. The boys had found a German truck with some batteries in it and I now have nine batteries (German) just the right voltage for my set. I do hope, sweetheart, that I return home long before I can use more than one or two of them.

The news has certainly been staggering of late and I’ll bet it must be a pleasure listening to the radio or reading the papers these days. Close as we are to things – we still get the same kick out of it too and every day seems full of more surprises. The news of Paris’s liberation was an amazing tonic for the French people – and although I personally wasn’t a witness to it – the people around here really went wild. They dug up (literally) bottles of fine champagne and wines and many a Frenchman was pretty high last night. And the collapse of Romania certainly is a good omen – for us. If it can only all end up in an early cessation of the damn thing and a speedy return home, darling, it will be wonderful. For certain it is that the agony of waiting is just that – agony. There doesn’t seem to be an earthly reason why I should be away from you, delaying our start in life – and yet here I am sitting here killing time. When I get to thinking of it for any length of time – it becomes almost maddening – and then I push it from my mind for awhile and try to forget. I have a feeling though that from here in – it will be quicker than we dared hope – and I certainly hope I’m not wrong in that feeling. I’ll close now, Sweetheart – I love you and want you more each day! Will write tomorrow; Until then – love to the folks and

All my deepest love

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about The Collapse of Romania

News certainly traveled quickly on the front. Greg mentioned the collapse of Romania the day after it occured. From Wikipedia comes this information:

On 13 April 1939, France and the United Kingdom had pledged to guarantee the independence of the Kingdom of Romania. Negotiations with the Soviet Union concerning a similar guarantee collapsed when Romania refused to allow the Red Army to cross its frontiers. In September 1940, the pro-German anti-Bolshevik régime of Prime Minister Marshal Ion Antonescu staged a coup d'état against King Carol II, whom the Marshal claimed to be "anti-German". Antonescu suspended the Constitution, dissolved the Parliament, and re-installed the 18-year-old Michael as King by popular acclaim. On 22 June 1941, Germany launched "Operation Barbarossa", attacking the Soviet Union on a wide front. Romania joined in the offensive and fought side by side with the Germans onward to Odessa, Sevastopol, Stalingrad and the Caucasus. The Romanian contribution of troops was enormous. The total number of troops involved in the Romanian Third Army and the Romanian Fourth Army was second only to Nazi Germany itself. The Romanian Army had a total of 686,258 men under arms in the summer of 1941 and a total of 1,224,691 men in the summer of 1944.

By 1944, the Romanian economy was in tatters because of the expenses of the war, and destructive Allied air bombing throughout Romania, including the capital, Bucharest. In addition, most of the products sent to Germany were provided without monetary compensation. As a result of these "uncompensated exports", inflation in Romania skyrocketed, causing widespread discontent among the Romanian population, even among groups and individuals who had once enthusiastically supported the Germans and the war. On 23 August 1944, just as the Red Army was penetrating the Moldavian front, King Michael led a successful coup with support from opposition politicians and the army. King Michael, who was initially considered to be not much more than a figurehead, was able to successfully depose the Antonescu dictatorship.

King Michael
A great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria
by both of his parents,
and a third cousin of Queen Elizabeth II

The King then offered a non-confrontational retreat to German ambassador Manfred von Killinger. But the Germans considered the coup "reversible" and attempted to turn the situation around by military force. The Romanian First, Second (forming), and what little was left of the Third and the Fourth Armies (one corps) were under orders from the King to defend Romania against any German attacks. King Michael offered to put the Romanian Army, which at that point had a strength of nearly 1,000,000 men, on the side of the Allies.

This resulted in a split of the country between those that still supported Germany and its armies and those that supported the new government, the latter often forming partisan groups and gradually gaining the most support. To the Germans the situation was very precarious as Romanian units had been integrated in the Axis defensive lines: not knowing which units were still loyal to the Axis cause and which ones joined the Soviets or discontinued fighting altogether, defensive lines could suddenly collapse.

In a radio broadcast to the Romanian nation and army on the night of 23 August, King Michael issued a cease-fire, proclaimed Romania's loyalty to the Allies, announced the acceptance of an armistice (to be signed on September 12) offered by Great Britain, the United States, and the USSR, and declared war on Germany. The coup accelerated the Red Army's advance into Romania, but did not avert a rapid Soviet occupation and capture of about 130,000 Romanian soldiers, who were transported to the Soviet Union where many perished in prison camps. The armistice was signed three weeks later on 12 September 1944, on terms virtually dictated by the Soviet Union. Under the terms of the armistice, Romania announced its unconditional surrender to the USSR and was placed under occupation of the Allied forces with the Soviet Union as their representative, in control of media, communication, post, and civil administration behind the front. It has been suggested that the coup may have shortened World War II by up to six months, thus saving hundreds of thousands of lives.

As the country declared war on Germany on the night of 23 August, border clashes between Hungarian and Romanian troops erupted almost immediately. On 24 August German troops attempted to seize Bucharest and suppress King Michael's coup, but were repelled by the city's defenses, which enjoyed some support from the United States Air Force. Ambassador von Killinger, a Navy officer who had been representing the Third Reich in Romania since 1941, chose suicide over being handed to the Soviets.

Other Wehrmacht units in the country suffered severe losses: remnants of the Sixth Army retreating west of the Prut River were cut off and destroyed by the Red Army, which was now advancing at an even greater speed, while Romanian units attacked German garrisons at the Ploieşti oilfields, forcing them to retreat to Hungary. The Romanian Army captured over 50,000 German prisoners around this time, who were later surrendered to the Soviets. The Romanian Army ended the war fighting against the Wehrmacht alongside the Red Army in Transylvania, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Austria and Czechoslovakia, from August 1944 until the end of the war in Europe. In May 1945, the First and Fourth armies took part in the Prague Offensive. The Romanian Army incurred heavy casualties fighting Nazi Germany. Of some 538,000 Romanian soldiers who fought against the Axis in 1944-45, some 167,000 were killed, wounded or went missing.

23 August, 1944

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 403 % Postmaster, N.Y.

France

23 August, 1944         0945

Wilma darling –

A shortie today – for reasons of entertainment and morale –– : my radio went phooey last night and if I can get the radio repair man to look at it now – I might get it fixed. Otherwise he leaves soon and generally doesn’t get back until dark.

Yesterday was a nice warm day again, sweetheart, and we went looking for a shower point. As usual – when we got to the spot – they had moved out – so we went looking for a creek, river or anything where we could wash up. We found a swell pond and had a swim and tried to wash up – but as usual with ponds – we ended up dirtier than when we started.

Today – if I can get my radio fixed – and out of the way – I’ll do some washing and then I’ll be ready for the next drive – whenever that may be. All else is well darling – except my love for you which can only be expressed as excellent, tops or the ‘ne plus ultra’. I do love you strongly, dearest – is what I’m trying to say – and in any language – you must know what I mean! Love to the folks, dear and

All my everlasting love ––

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about The Freckleton Disaster

This information, including photographs, was excerpted from the Freckleton Disaster web site posted by the Lancashire Aircraft Investigation Team (Copyright © Russell Brown & Nick Wotherspoon 2007)

At 1030 hours on Wednesday 23 August 1944, a B-24 Liberator named CLASSY CHASSIS II was cleared for take-off from Warton Airfield. The plane had been brought to the U.S. 8th Army Air Force's huge Base Air Depot (BAD) 2 for refurbishment prior to being allocated to the 2nd Combat Division. On this day, she was being test-flown before resuming service and this task fell to 1st Lieutenant John A. Bloemendal, one of BAD 2's regular test pilots, with T/Sgt Jimmie Parr as co-pilot and Sgt Gordon Kinney as flight engineer. The take-off was uneventful and the B-24 headed out over the Lancashire countryside, accompanied by a second B-24, being test-flown by 1st Lieutenant Pete Manassero. Over the radio, Bloemendal called Manassero's attention to the cloud formation towards the South-Southeast. It was a very impressive sight and looked like a "thunderhead" according to Manassero.

1st Lt. John A. Bloemendal, Test Pilot

Less than five minutes after the B-24s left, a telephone call reached the base from Base Air Depot 1, at Burtonwood, warning of a violent storm approaching the Preston area and immediately an order was issued recalling both aircraft. By the time the two B-24's arrived back over Warton, the storm was at its height. Witnesses relate the rain was so heavy that it was impossible to see across the road. Thunder and lightning rolled across the sky and the wind was of such ferocity as to uproot trees and smash hen cabins on a nearby farm. A contemporary local newspaper reported a trail of destruction across the Northwest; Hutton Meteorological Station, which was fairly clear of the storm, recorded wind velocity of nearly 60 m.p.h., with water spouts being observed in the Ribble estuary, and flash flooding in Southport and Blackpool. Radio conversations monitored by Warton's tower indicated that the two B-24 pilots had abandoned their attempts to land and were heading North to hold clear until the storm abated.

Manassero was flying on Bloemendal's right wing approximately 100 yards away. This is what he reported:

"As we drew near the field, I drew further out to be in position to land (as) number two. We let down to 500 feet and about four miles Northwest of the field we encountered rain and it became heavier with less visibility as we neared the approach to Runway 08. On the base leg position Lt Bloemendal let down his gear (sic) and I did the same. Shortly after this I lost sight of Bloemendal's aircraft. As I flew over Lytham, I started a left turn to start the approach. At this time I heard Lt Bloemendal notify "Faram" [Control] that he was pulling up the wheels and going around. I was then over the wash (sic) and could not see the ground and had to fly on instruments. I then called Lt Bloemendal and told him we had better head north and get out of the storm. He answered "OK". I then told him I would take a heading of about 330 degrees... He said "Roger." That was the last I heard from Lt. Bloemendal. I flew about four or five minutes on a heading of about 330 degrees before breaking out of the storm. I then called Lt Bloemendal and asked if he was OK, and did not get a reply."

The B-24's fate had been sealed; already flying low to the ground with it's wings now near vertical, the B-24 ripped the top off a tree, shed it's right wingtip as it chopped off the corner of a building, leaving the rest of the wing ploughing along the ground through a hedge. The 25-ton bomber carried on, partly demolishing three houses and the "The Sad Sack" Snack Bar. It's momentum continued, took it across Lytham Road and finally ended as it disintegrated in the crash. Part of the plane destroyed the infants' wing of Freckleton Holy Trinity School and the whole area burst into a sea of flames as 3,000 gallons of fuel from the ruptured tanks ignited. The clock in one classroom stopped at 10:47 a.m.

CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE

Staff at the"Sad Sack" Snack Bar
and the Snack Bar after the crash.

Just as suddenly as it began, the severest thunderstorm the Base - and many of the villagers - had ever experienced, was gone. From the smouldering remains of the infants' classroom only three youngsters emerged alive, 35 children and two teachers having died. Those sheltering from the storm in the "Sad Sack" Snack Bar stood no chance as the building took the full force of the impact and rescuers found the bodies of six USAAF and four RAF personnel along with several civilians amongst thedebris. Several of the more seriously injured victims died during the following week and when the formal inquest into the tragedy opened on September 8th 1944, the total death toll was 61.

CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE

Flames from the wrecked school room
and an image of the losses.

The official report into the crash summarized that the exact cause was unknown, though it was the opinion of the Investigating committee that the pilot made an error in his judgment of the violence of the storm. They concluded that Lt. Bloemendal had not fully realized the danger until he made his approach to land, by which time he had insufficient altitude and speed to maneuver given the violent winds and downdrafts he must have encountered during his attempt to withdraw from the area. It was also thought possible that structural failure may have occurred in the extreme conditions, though it was noted that the aircraft was so completely destroyed as to make any such investigation impossible.

22 August, 1944 (to her parents)

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 578 % Postmaster, N.Y.

France

22 August, 1944

Dear Folks –

I’m sure I can’t possibly write you a thing in the line of news that Wilma hasn’t already told you – but nevertheless I like to keep in touch with you directly.

The news certainly is good here and we are all hoping we’ll be back in due time. It’s hard to see what’s keeping the Germans going – unless it’s the fear that they’ll all be shot or tortured if they surrender. Some of the prisoners have told us that. Even my battalion has captured a good number of them.

Wilma seems to be enjoying her Red Cross work and I think the contacts she’s making are very nice to have. I hope she soon gets paid for her splendid efforts.

Well – that’s all for now. My best regards to the family and take care of yourselves.

Love

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about The Liberation that Wasn't

From the Second World War blog site comes this story:

On Tuesday 22 August 1944 Paris - which had been occupied by the German forces since June 1940 - was 'liberated'. Or, at least, much of the world believed Paris had been liberated after hearing it announced on the radio news and reading it in the newspapers. However, particularly in wartime it is not always wise not to believe everything one hears in the news!

On 22 August 1944 Charles Collingwood, one of the war correspondents from the American CBS was at Twelfth Army Group Headquarters in France. While there, he happened to speak with the American General Omar Bradley who told him the FFI (French Resistance Forces) had risen in Paris and it looked as though the 2nd French Armoured Division would liberate the city. General Bradley did not, however, specify when the 2nd Armoured might do the liberating.

Nevertheless, not wishing to be 'caught out' by missing a despatch deadline about the Allies liberating Paris Charles Collingwood used his new but experimental CBS tape recorder to record the liberation, which he would send over on the next flight. The news report would then be ready and waiting in London and all ready to be broadcast to Europe and the world:

"The 2nd French Armoured Division entered Paris today after the Parisians rose as one man to beat down the terrified German troops who had garrisoned the city ....."

The recording was then enclosed and sent off to the SHAEF censors and duly despatched to London.

However, when the tape recording arrived in London nobody had actually checked to confirm the 'liberation' had actually taken place or not. The CBS office in London believed the statement had been cleared by the censors and was actually true! Consequently, the news was released to the BBC and they made the following 'important announcement':

"Paris has been liberated. I repeat, Paris has been liberated."

As news like this usually does, it spread around the world in no time at all. It made the late editions of the New York newspapers, in Washington President Roosevelt said the news was ".... an ebullient passage of total victory." King George VI sent a personal message of congratulations to the Head of the Free French General De Gaulle. The British Cabinet minister (and future Prime Minister) Anthony Eden proposed a toast to his French counterpart in London, M René Massigli.

Except, the news about the 'liberation' was not actually true! Yet, with events moving towards that outcome SHAEF, who knew truth and that the FFI was still fighting the Germans for control confirmed the bulletin was correct. Hence because of the BBC announcement almost everyone around the world, apart from those living in Paris and the German High Command, believed that Paris was free.

22 August, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 403 % Postmaster, N.Y.

France

22 August, 1944          1010

Dearest sweetheart –

Well it looks as if it may clear up this morning, and that will be very welcome. We’re all just a little bit damp and soggy. Yesterday – we all stayed “put” – since there was no point in doing much traveling around. In the p.m. we played poker. It was an ideal day for that. I lost – but I guess I’m still ahead of the game because last month I actually sent home more than my salary. The poker we play – is not monotonous because we play dealer’s choice. The result is we play draw poker, stud, 7 cards – deuces wild, Woolworth (5’s and 10’s wild); baseball (3’s and 9’s wild, but if you get a 3 – you have to match the pot; a 4 gives you a free card down); one-eyed jacks and split-whiskered Kings wild – etc. etc. It’s a lot of fun and helps pass the time.

In the evening I got 3 more letters from you sweetheart – the 31st July 1 August and 11th August. All were very welcome, I can assure you, dear, because on the whole – it was a rather blue day. One thing that made me laugh particularly was the drawing of you with your new hair-do. My goodness, dear, are you trying to discourage me? What a fiancée! What a scowl! Oh well – it is just a sketch – but darling – make the next one smiling!

Say – you mentioned a long time ago the song “I Love You”. It meant nothing to me then except for the sentiment, of course. Last nite I heard a Fred Waring 15 minute program and he announced the next number as “I Love You” and then someone sang it. The next few words were or are “so take it from there”. Is that the song you refer to? If so – I had heard it in the States. I believe Betty Grable sang it in some picture – perhaps “Coney Island”. Anyway I liked it then and I can understand why it became a hit. We’re having considerable difficulty now in getting good reception from England. We’re pretty far in-land and of course the nearer we get to Germany – the more effective their jamming becomes. Most recently we’ve been tuning in on Radio Algiers. It comes in fairly well and has some good newscasts.

Your letter of the 11th of August, sweetheart, mentions the possibility of your coming down with a cold or sore throat. I hope you were able to ward it off, dear. I can’t understand why you should be so susceptible to them, anyway – especially after having gone to the trouble of having that tonsil tab removed. I guess you’ll have to build up an immunity from “association” with me. I use the word “association” in lieu of something else, dear.

Concerning France itself, dear – there’s very little to write that you’re not finding out in the papers, on the radio, and I suppose in the news reels. I can tell you this, perhaps, that almost every picture you’ve seen – I have seen in the real. If our outfit hasn’t actually been there – I have managed to see it myself in my various travels on my own. Needless to say – it’s been something I’ll never be able to forget. I haven’t been in a combat area so very long, dear, but I have been here long enough to know that it won’t affect me. So many times people have said that war does this or that to a fellow, changes him, hardens him etc. etc. I don’t see how I’m any different than I was before coming here and if the Lord can continue to spare – I won’t change. I left the U.S. and then England loving you, wanting to return to marry you, to start practicing, to live my life with you; I still want that with all the energy I have and with all the delicacy of feeling a person can have. War hasn’t taken the edge off anything, sweetheart. On the contrary – it has sharpened it – and for that I’m glad.

That’s all for now, darling; I’ve got to write the folks and then do a couple of things. Until tomorrow, dear – so long. Love to the folks and

All my deepest love

Greg

21 August, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 403 % Postmaster, N.Y.

France

21 August, 1944         0930

Dearest darling Wilma –

Today is the first bad day in about 3 weeks and so we’re not complaining too much. Ordinarily when it’s like this, dear, you can hardly find a place that’s comfortable – let alone find a spot dry enough to write in. But that is another advantage of this little German car that I have. It has a nice canvas top – not too much unlike the one I had on the Buick. The jeep top is practically useless when it rains, but this one comes down on the sides and is very low anyway – so that it gives very good protection. So that’s where I am this morning, It’s comfortable here and quiet. Most of the fellows have gone back to sleep – but that’s one habit I’ve never cultivated.

Trying to describe the German car reminds me to tell you, darling, that I’m taking more snapshots now of various things I see. I believe I told you I was able to buy about 10 rolls of film to fit my camera. How I’ll get them developed – I haven’t the faintest idea, dear. There are no civilian facilities, and if I send them to the Signal corps – they retain the privilege of impounding for the duration any roll of film that has a picture in it containing military material. I now have 3 rolls taken and I’ll just hang on to them. I don’t think they’ll spoil.

Yesterday, as I wrote you, I went after a pair of combat shoes. I ended up by traveling about 130 miles – but I got them. They are not particularly good looking shoes – but darned serviceable and that’s what counts. I got very homesick when I noticed a Boston trademark stamped inside. Gosh – it was a beautiful Sunday and all I could think of was last summer. I don’t quite remember when you went back to school – I think it was about the 2nd of September – or thereabouts. I remember your telling me of your early return to school and how badly I felt immediately – because I thought I might not get to see you of a weekend – and when you think of it, darling, you must have been quite an attraction. It meant not going home to see my folks. I think they are the ones who deserve the credit, though, because much as they wanted to see me – they never said a word except that they were glad I knew a nice girl and was spending nice week-ends. And you certainly tore back and forth from Holyoke to Boston those first couple of months at school – it’s a wonder your folks didn’t object. It was all so wonderful – short as our courtship was, darling. I know that after we’re married – I’ll go on courting you – because I don’t want anyone pointing at us as we’re walking down the street and saying “Look at them – they had an awfully short courtship!” Of course, sweetheart, that is only one of the reasons why I’ll continue to court you.

Oh – I almost forgot to mention that McDermott fellow. If it’s the one I think it is – I know him fairly well – and his father – much better. The one I know comes from Salem, his dad is on the staff; Mac came to Edwards and was there only a short while before coming overseas – I think – with the 550th, but I’m not sure. I had run into him at Edwards – but never quite got to see him in England or France. I’ll keep a lookout for him now that I know he’s attached to the air force – or at least – his battalion.

Well – sweetheart – I’ll have to cut this short – it’s starting to get wet – even in here and I don’t want to get this messed up. I haven’t told you in so many words yet that I love you deeply – sweetheart, and miss you ever so much. This damned war seems interminable sometimes – but one fine day it will be over and I’ll be coming back to you to love you hard and long and forever. Just keep hanging on, darling.

So long for now, then – love to the folks – and

My everlasting love, sweetheart –

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about Mont Ormel Ridge (Hill 262) - Part 2

CLICK ON MAP TO ENLARGE

Continuing from "Hill 262" on Wikipedia:

Further German attacks were launched during the morning both from inside the pocket along the Chambois–Vimoutiers road, and from the east. Raids from the direction of Coudehard managed to penetrate the Polish defenses and take captives. The final German effort came at around 1100 — SS remnants had infiltrated through the wooded hills to the rear of the 1st Armored Regiment's dressing station. This "suicidal" assault was defeated at point-blank range by the 9th Infantry Battalion with the 1st Armored Regiment's tanks using their anti-aircraft machine guns in support. The machine guns' tracer ammunition set fire to the grass, killing wounded men on the slope. As the final infantry assaults melted away, the German artillery and mortar fire targeting the hill subsided as well. The Canadian Grenadier Guards reached the ridge just over an hour later, having fought for more than five hours and taking out two Panthers, a Panzer IV, and two self-propelled guns along their route. By 1400, with the arrival of the first supply convoy, the position was relieved. The Falaise pocket was considered closed by the evening of 21 August, with around 50,000 Germans trapped inside.

The quite compelling account of Colonel Pierre Sévigny, then a Canadian artillery observation Captain attached to the 1st Polish Armored Division, appears in BBC's WWII People's War as translated by Jim Dillon from the book Dans la tourmente de la guerre, by M. l'abbé Marcel Launay. It is worth going to the BBC site to read the account from 19-21 August. The portion describing 21 August is copied here:

Canadian Colonel Pierre Sévigny

Nearly 4 in the morning, Monday, August the 21st

A shaft of moonlight lit the clearing in front of me: shadows! Immediately came a burst of machine-gun fire. A quarter of an hour later, a new attack! We were losing a lot of men, among them two of the Polish lieutenants: there was only one left!

Half an hour later it was dawn. I went to sleep literally standing up. Suddenly my signaller woke me and I started: “Captain, I can hear our tanks!”

There was no possible mistake! They must have been very close, perhaps 600 meters to the west, and I could clearly distinguish the two, green flares. Between them and us, however, on the side of the hill lay a small, thick wood and the Germans were still in it. What were we to do? If our friends bumped into resistance the likelihood was that they would pull back and look for another way. No hesitation! We had to attack and link up with our relief no matter what it cost.

Immediately I gathered the men. They all agreed: we had to take the enemy by surprise. Luckily his attention was diverted by the noise of the tanks! At the blast of a whistle we went forward! We advanced quickly despite branches, craters and the SS. Nothing could stop the wrath of the Poles. The Polish lieutenant was in front of me: I saw him fall, hit in the forehead by a bullet. At the same time, from behind a tree, a soldier aimed his carbine at me: I threw myself to one side as he fired: he missed and was instantly bayoneted. A bullet grazed my left shoulder: it was nothing, and we reached the bottom of the hill to see six Shermans firing on us! They finally recognized us and, with our strength increased, we were soon climbing back up that famous Hill 262.

When we reached the Command Post the Polish major greeted us, he was shaking with emotion and I became part of a scene of delirious joy. We laughed, we wept, we embraced each other. The soldiers told long stories in Polish to the Canadians who understood not a word but nevertheless burst into peals of laughter!

Our victory was total, but at a terrible price: only seventy Poles survived the slaughter unhurt: I was the only officer still able to stand!

The Poles now call that hill “Maczuga”, which means “The Mace”. And that is it exactly: the battle of “Maczuga” hill was the final, crushing blow which broke German power.

One balance-sheet of this fearful confrontation (and there are many different numbers suggested):

The Poles, who went into this fight with eighty-seven Sherman tanks against all the remaining weaponry of the German Seventh army surrounded on the plain of Tournai, Aubry, St-Lambert, lost 325 dead, 16 of whom were officers, 1,002 wounded and 114 missing. Eleven tanks were destroyed.

The Germans had about 2,000 killed, 5,000 taken prisoner, including a general, six colonels and 80 officers. They left on the battlefield 55 tanks, of which 14 were Panthers and 6 Tigers, 44 guns and 152 armored vehicles, 359 vehicles of all types were destroyed.

The World War II Database's Normandy Campaign, Phase 2 by C. Peter Chen reports:

Before the Allies closed the pocket, the death and destruction dealt against the German Army was horrifying even though a number of Panzer divisions were able to escape from the envelopment. "The battlefield at Falaise was unquestionably one of the greatest 'killing fields' of any of the war areas", Eisenhower noted in his memoirs.

Forty-eight hours after the closing of the gap I was conducted through it on foot, to encounter scenes that could be described only by Dante. It was literally possible to walk for hundreds of yards at a time, stepping on nothing but dead and decaying flesh.

The smell was all-pervading and overpowering. It was so strong, in fact, that pilots of light artillery observation aircraft flying over the area reported that the stench affected them even hundreds of feet in the air.

CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE

Eight infantry divisions and two Panzer divisions were captured as German resistance in the pocket died down. The nightmarish narrow escape route was later named the "Corridor of Death" by the Germans who survived it.

20 August, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 403 % Postmaster, N.Y.

France

20 August, 1944

Sweetest girl –

Yes we both have been good at writing – and if I’ve ever complained, darling, it was not at your writing – but at the service. And when you come down to it – there’s been little reason to complain. It does amaze me the way we do manage to get mail at all. Sometimes our mail clerk makes a 50 mile trip to the rear – to get mail – or 100 miles round trip.

Yesterday I got 3 letters – all from you and all so wonderfully pleasant. You do tell me – and in so many ways, sweetheart, that you love me – and I hope that I’m making myself as clear to you. Certainly my life is wrapped up inexorably and inextricably with yours, dear – and that we’ll be happy together – I don’t doubt at all. I’m sure of it.

One of your letters mentioned Stan and then I suddenly remembered the Wilcoff girl. The name had not meant a thing to me and apparently – neither did her face; but when you mentioned Youngstown, steel and millionaires – I remembered it all. I did meet her at Irv’s house – I believe it was a Saturday p.m. after a game at the Stadium. There must have been 20 couples there that p.m. As I remember it I went to the game – stag and later dropped over to see Irv and Verna. As I recall it further – I was told the “qualifying” points of Betty W. and rather urged to pay a little attention. She too had no date and had I cared to stay around – I could have gone out with them that evening. I stayed around about one or one and ½ hours and then said I had to return to Salem. Now – remember, darling, I’ve been in the Army 2 years and I may be all confused about time. As a matter of fact it seems to me this all happened when I was at Edwards in ’42. Anyway – I do remember that I didn’t find her the least bit attractive – millions or otherwise. She made very little impression upon me and that was that.

So that’s the Wave Stan has been taking out? You know, dear, sometime later – I saw Stan and he asked me why I hadn’t taken her out, pointed out her assets etc. I told him what I thought and he laughed and agreed. Well – it just goes to show how much he’s changed. About one thing I have no doubt – and that is that he’s looking for security; he made that clear when he took out what’s-her-name, I can’t seem to think of it now; you know – when the 4 of us went out together. I’m sorry for Stan – and more so for the girl, because if he does follow this up – and very apparently he is – he’s not marrying for love – and what you say about his being a good husband – may not be. I hope I’m wrong. One thing is sure though – if he does marry a rich girl – he’ll have one swell time, because Stan does know how to live. Anyway, I’ll beinterested in how he makes out.

I was sorry to hear about your spending a hot Sunday at home when you might have been at the beach with the folks. I agree with you 100% about disliking crowds, crying babies and lunch boxes – but it would have been cooler. I’m sure Mother A wants you and why she didn’t invite you – I don’t know – except that in fact she thought you’d come over anyway. Well, I hope before the summer is over, you get over a few times. Boy – I hate the hot weather also – although I can manage to keep going. But I am thankful that we’ve had no hot weather. It’s been mild and luke warm and very livable.

I was glad to read about Mary’s new teeth and the fact that she liked them so well. Lawrence had written me about it – and the truth is – he said he wasn’t too satisfied with them. Apparently there had been some difficulty because of occlusion – or some such thing. As long as she likes them – that’s all that matters, I guess.

Well – darling – I’ll have to close now – I’m going to a town about 30 miles off to try and buy some combat shoes. I have one pair, but this is a new style and will do away with my need for leggings. The country here is really pretty and I enjoy driving through it. Incidentally I still have that German car. We have large Red Crosses and U.S.A.’s painted over it and it comes in handy when we’re pinched for space.

Until tomorrow then, Sweetheart, so long. Remember, dear, that I love you more than anyone in the world and dream only of you and me as married happily together and doing the things we want to do in life – also together.

Love to the family and

All my love, darling

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about Mont Ormel Ridge (Hill 262) - Part 1

CLICK ON MAP TO ENLARGE

Hill 262N and 262S in the dark brown areas
with Mont-Ormel in the center

From Wikipedia comes this information:

Northeast of Chambois overlooking the Dives River valley, an elongated, wooded ridge runs roughly North to South above the village of Coudehard. The ridge's two highest peaks — Points 262 North (262N) and 262 South (262S) — lie on either side of a pass within which the hamlet of Mont-Ormel, from which the ridge takes its name, is situated.

View of Mont-Ormel from "Hill 262" today

Of the approximately 20 German infantry and armored divisions trapped in the Falaise pocket, around 12 were still operating with a degree of combat-effectiveness on 19 August 1944. As these formations retreated eastwards they fought desperately to keep the jaws of the encirclement — formed by the Canadians in Trun and St. Lambert, and the Poles and Americans in Chambois — from closing. German movement out of the pocket throughout the night of 19 August cut off the Polish battlegroups on the north side of the Mont Ormel ridge. Lacking sufficient means to either seal the pocket or fight their way clear, the Poles decided that the only chance of survival for their force was to hold fast until relieved. Although the Polish soldiers on Point 262N could hear movement from the valley below, without possession of Point 262S they were unable to interfere with the large numbers of German troops slipping past the southern slopes of the ridge.

As it grew light on 20 August, Lieutenant-Colonel Zdzisław Szydłowski, commanding the 9th Infantry Battalion, prepared to fulfill his orders of the previous day for an attack across the road towards Point 262S. However, hampered by the wreckage littering the pass, the attack soon bogged down in the face of fierce German resistance.

Wreckage of a German convoy

Field Marshal Walther Model, who upon succeeding von Kluge two days earlier had authorized a general withdrawal, ordered elements of two SS Panzer Divisions — located outside the pocket — to attack Hill 262. After an hour and a half, they were beaten back by the Polish forces. Meanwhile, from within the pocket, German formations seeking an escape route were filtering through gaps in the Allied lines between Trun and Chambois, heading towards the ridge from the west. The Poles could see the road from Chambois choked with troops and vehicles attempting to pass along the Dives valley and subjected them to an hour-long bombardment, breaking them up and scattering their infantry.

Around midday the Germans opened up an artillery and mortar barrage that caused casualties among the ridge's defenders and would last for the entire afternoon. By mid afternoon about 10,000 German troops had escaped the pocket through a corridor past Point 262N cleared by units of several Panzer divisions. Although another early afternoon German assault on the ridge was eventually repulsed, with a large number of prisoners being taken and artillery again causing significant casualties, the Poles were being gradually pushed back. However, they managed to retain their grip on Point 262N and, with well-coordinated artillery fire, continued to exact a toll on German units traversing the corridor.

Exasperated by the casualties to his men, German Seventh Army commander Oberstgruppenführer (General) Paul Hausser ordered the Polish positions to be "eliminated". By 1700 the attack was at its height and the Poles were contending with German tanks and infantry inside their perimeter. The integrity of the position was not restored until 1900, by which time the Poles had expended almost all their ammunition leaving themselves in a precarious situation. A 20-minute ceasefire was arranged to allow the Germans to evacuate a large medical convoy, after which fighting resumed with redoubled intensity.

Earlier in the day Canadian Lieutenant-General Guy Simonds had ordered his troops to "make every effort" to reach the Poles isolated on Hill 262, but at "sacrificial" cost the remnants of the German 9th SS Panzer and 3rd Parachute Divisions had succeeded in preventing the Canadians from intervening. Dangerously low on supplies and unable to evacuate their prisoners or the wounded of both sides — many of whom received further injuries from the unremitting hail of mortar bombs — the Poles had hoped to see the Canadian 4th Armored Division coming to their rescue by evening. However, as night fell it became clear that no Allied relief force would reach the ridge that day. Lacking the means to interfere, the exhausted Poles were forced to watch as the remnants of the Panzer Corps left the pocket. Fighting died down and was sporadic throughout the hours of darkness; after the brutality of the day's combat both sides avoided contact although frequent Polish artillery strikes continued to harass German forces retreating from the sector.

Lieutenant-Colonel Aleksander Stefanowicz of Poland's 1st Armored Regiment, himself wounded during the day's fighting, struck a fatalistic note as he addressed his men on the evening of 20 August:

Gentlemen. Everything is lost. I do not believe [the] Canadians will manage to help us. We have only 110 men left, with 50 rounds per gun and 5 rounds per tank... Fight to the end! To surrender to the SS is senseless, you know it well. Gentlemen! Good luck – tonight, we will die for Poland and civilization. We will fight to the last platoon, to the last tank, then to the last man.

19 August, 1944

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 403 % Postmaster, N.Y.

France

19 August, 1944            1400

Dearest sweetheart –

For some reason or other – Saturdays seem to be very busy. For one thing – our weekly report is due on Sat. Yesterday I got one letter from you, also letters from Lawrence, Florence B. and the Salem Hosp. Florence is getting to be quite a correspondent and it’s very sweet of her to keep writing. I’m anxious to get to know her better when I get home. Which reminds me – your last letter sounded a trifle blue, darling – for which I can’t blame you. I wonder how you can sound so cheerful so often. I don’t know what I can write to make you feel a bit better, sweetheart, except to say that I miss you terribly and I too, resent very much having to be separated from you. Darling I love you very much and I hate the time that we’re wasting, but what can we do? We must be thankful that at least we’re winning the war. Just think what it would be like if we weren’t. We’re all optimistic about things over here. The Heinies are really in an awful mess right now.

You must really be desperate, darling, mentioning what you did about the ARC. I laughed, dear, although – don’t get me wrong – I love you for thinking of it. But it would never work out – and as you say, the idea does not appeal to me particularly. Perhaps I’ll change later. My CO, by the way is a reasonable man and takes considerable stock in the R.C. Have to stop now, sweetheart. Hope all is well at home. Love to the folks and

My sincerest love

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about Günther Adolf Ferdinand “Hans” von Kluge
(30 October 1882 – 19 August 1944)


Günther "Hans" von Kluge

Günther von Kluge was a German military leader, born in Posen into a Prussian military family. Kluge rose to the rank of Field Marshal in the Wehrmacht. His nickname among the troops and his fellow officers was "der kluge Hans" (“Clever Hans”). "Hans" was not part of his given name, but a nickname acquired early in his career in admiration of his cleverness, as "klug" is German for "clever". The nickname was a reference to "Clever Hans", a horse which became famous for its apparent ability to do arithmetic.

During World War I, he had been a staff officer and in 1916 had been at the Battle of Verdun. By 1936 he was a lieutenant-general, and in 1937 had taken command of the Sixth Army Group. Von Kluge disliked Hitler's gangster-like Nazi entourage and was appalled at the persecution of the Jews. He was among those many officers of the General Staff who feared Hitler's warmongering would lead Germany to disaster. But like others, von Kluge soon succumbed to Hitler's spell.

Between June and July of 1944, during the invasion of Normandy by Allied forces, Erwin Rommel had commanded Army Group B under Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt. Rommel had been charged with planning German counterattacks intended to drive the Allied forces back to the beaches. On 2 July, von Kluge had replaced Rundstedt, because Rundstedt was advocating negotiation with the Allies. Two weeks later, Rommel had been wounded and von Kluge had taken over as commander of Army Group B as well.

Von Kluge found that German forces moving towards Normandy were constantly being attacked by Allied fighter-bombers. The climax came with U.S. tanks advancing towards Granchiel and Avranches. "The enemy air superiority is terrific and smothers almost every one of our movements," phoned Field Marshal von Kluge to General Warlimont, Hitler's personal representative in the West. "Every movement of the enemy is prepared and protected by its air force. Losses in men and equipment are extraordinary." Von Kluge himself was not immune to personal danger. In July, USAAF Group Commander Colonel Howard F. Nichols and a squadron of his 370th Fighter Group's P-38 Lightnings blasted von Kluge's headquarters, skipping a 500-pound bomb right through the front door. The blast killed several men, though von Kluge was not present at the time.

Later in July, von Kluge had been approached by Henning von Tresckow to join in the plot to overthrow Hitler. He refused, but was kept informed about the conspiracy. After the failed July Plot the Gestapo informed Hitler of their suspicions that von Kluge was now unreliable. As the Normandy front unraveled, von Kluge desperately tried to convince Hitler to withdraw the western armies back to the Rhine and hold the line there, but Hitler refused to yield an inch of territory.

On August 15, as British and American armies cut deep into the forces of Army Group West, von Kluge decided after all to contemplate surrender and left his headquarters all day. At fuehrer headquarters, an American radio transmission was intercepted asking for von Kluge's whereabouts. Hitler immediately suspected von Kluge of attempting to negotiate an armistice and called it the worst day of his life. Dr. Udo Esche, Kluge's son-in-law later told Allied interrogators that von Kluge had contemplated surrender and "went to the front line but was unable to get in touch with the Allied commanders." George Pfann, secretary to General Patton, later revealed that Patton had also vanished the same day and that the American general had tried to make contact with a German emissary who had not appeared at the appointed place. Montgomery's Chief of Intelligence also confirmed that von Kluge was reported missing and that he warned his general that they might receive a message from Kluge at any moment.

When asked by fuehrer headquarters about his being out of touch for an entire day, von Kluge replied he had gone off to meet with General Paul Hausser and General Heinrich Eberbach. He went on to say that his radio car had been destroyed by fighter-bombers, and that he had spent the time hiding in a ditch. A suspicious and livid Hitler rebuffed von Kluge's story and sacked him immediately. He replaced him with a fanatical Nazi - Field Marshal Walter Model. On the 17th of August, Field Marshal Model arrived with a letter relieving von Kluge of his command. The war was over for him.

Von Kluge started his journey back to Germany on the 19th of August. He appeared to suspect an ill fate upon his return and ordered his driver to stop at Metz, where he had fought some of his WWI battles. He spread a blanket on the ground and took his own life with a cyanide capsule. He left the following farewell letter to Hitler:

"When you receive these lines I shall be no more.... I do not know if Field Marshal Model, who has proved himself in all respects, will be capable of mastering the situation. I hope so with all my heart. If that is not to be the case and if the new weapons - especially air weapons, which you are eagerly awaiting, are not to bring you success, then, my Fuehrer, make up your mind to finish the war. The German people have endured such unspeakable sufferings that the time has come to put an end to their terrors. There must be ways to arrive at this conclusion and, above all to prevent the Reich from being condemned to the hell of Bolshevism....I have always admired your greatness and your iron will to maintain yourself and National Socialism. If your destiny overcomes your will and your genius, it will be because Providence has willed it so. You have fought a good and honorable fight.

History will bear witness to this. If it ever becomes necessary, show yourself great enough to put an end to a struggle which has now become hopeless.

I depart from you, my Fuehrer, as one who stood nearer to you than you perhaps realized, in the consciousness that I did my duty to the utmost."

Hitler reportedly handed the letter to Alfred Jodl and commented that “There are strong reasons to suspect that had not von Kluge committed suicide he would have been arrested anyway.” He had von Kluge quietly buried with Military pall bearers, but no Military honors. He was officially pronounced dead from a cerebral hemorrage.