19 September 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Belgium

19 September, 1944       1835

My dearest darling –

I’ll have to write swiftly because it will be dark soon – and then complete blackout. This is so much different than maneuvers – by the way, dear. A stray or careless lighting of a match or lighter is often fatal here. The boys take no chances. They shoot and ask questions afterwards – particularly in the region where we’re at now – but don’t worry, darling. I’m taking good care of myself.

I was busy all day today, dear, and that accounts for my getting started so late in writing. Tomorrow I go to another battery for a 3 day inspection – and that should end my traipsing around for a spell. The territory around here is very beautiful and scenic – but one doesn’t travel along with the reckless abandon which was characteristic up to now. You have to watch out.

On the whole – things have been quite quiet and easy for us of late – and we’re satisfied. What we don’t like at present is the early approach of darkness. It gets dark about 1900 and there just isn’t anything to do. Our medical tent blacks out fairly well – but with candle light. You can’t read or write very well with that and if several get into the tent – it soon gets stuffy. The only alternative then – is to go to bed – and gosh, darling, I can’t go to bed that early – i.e. – not alone. I bet when I get home and we’re married – that I beat you to bed every night – unless I’m on a call! Some of the fellows just thrive on this 10-12 hours of sleep, but I can’t. About six or seven hours – and I’ve had enough. Well – soon the war will be over, sweetheart – and it won’t make any difference. The end seems so near and yet so far at times. When it really comes – it will be difficult to believe – but come – it must soon, I feel. And with it – a better chance of returning home soon to you dear. Gosh – just to be with you and talk to you and look at you would be all I want for awhile. I would tell you how much I love you, darling and how hard it was living away from you all these months. It will be so satisfying to be able to tell you in person though.

Sweetheart – it’s getting dark quickly so I’d better close. The enclosed snaps, dear, make 28 that I’ve sent. I hope you’re receiving them. I see no reason why not – since they are of little ‘military value’.

Good nite for now, dearest, my love to the folks – and

All my sincerest love

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about "A Bridge Too Far"
Operation Market Garden - Part III

The story of the third day of Operation Market Garden was written on the web site "Remember September '44"

British 1st Airborne Division

The 1st and 3rd battalion, the South Staffords and the KOSB tried to reach the isolated 2nd battalion at the bridge. Heavy fights took place and the British troops suffered severe losses, their remaining forces pressed by advancing German tanks to retreat towards Oosterbeek. It was getting harder for the 2nd battalion to hold their position at the bridge. Every day casualties increased. The advance by the 4th Parachute Brigade was stopped north of Oosterbeek. Around 1700, the British withdrew towards Wolfheze. During this withdrawal, they had to cross open terrain covered by heavy German fire. Many soldiers were killed. At that moment, gliders carrying the Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade’s equipment started landing on open terrain. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, German Messerschmitt fighters appeared and between these and German ground shelling most of the gliders and equipment were destroyed. Meanwhile, the German forces were still increasing in number. Then the British were attacked from the west. Supply was another problemas the zone where the supplies were dropped was in German hands. As a result, the British ended up with only 10% of the supplies dropped. Meanwhile, at the Arnhem bridge, Colonel Frost waited in vain all day for reinforcements.

U.S. 82nd Airborne Division

In the morning, the first contact was made with the XXX Corps by the 504th Regiment. Around 0900 the vanguard of the Guards Armoured Division arrived at Grave. The main force of the XXX Corps arrived three hours later. Browning and Gavin met at Overasselt and decided that an assault on the bridge should be carried out today. The 504th Regiment left some men behind to defend the secured bridges. The rest went to Nijmegen with the Grenadier Guards and launched an attack on the bridge. The Germans defending the bridge were reinforced by elements of the 10th SS Panzer Division which had crossed the canal at Pannerden. The attack was stopped by heavy German resistance. Gavin came up with a plan because the bridge had to be taken as soon as possible, especially since the XXX Corps had arrived. The following day men of the 504th Regiment would cross the Waal river and attack the bridge from the rear. The 505th Regiment and the Guards Armoured Division would simultaneously attack the south ramp of the bridge This plan could not be carried out until the next day because the boats needed for the crossing were still in the rear of the slowly advancing British XXX Corps and had to be brought to Nijmegen first. The 505th Regiment defended the area Groesbeek-Mook. They withstood several German attacks and still retained control over the area. The third lift practically didn't arrive. Because of the bad weather in England the airborne forces couldn't take off. Only the C-47's carrying the supplies were able to fly to the Netherlands, but almost none of the supplies were recovered.

U.S. 101st Airborne Division

Near Veghel the 501st Regiment was attacked by German paratroopers. They were forced to retreat, but they were able to withstand the assault. More infantry arrived at the landing zone and were used both to defend the landing zone and to support the troops at Best, where the men of the 502nd Regiment had been fighting since early morning. With these new reinforcements and the support of British tanks, the Germans were defeated late afternoon, capturing about 1,000 German soldiers. The 506th Regiment patrolled positions west and east of Eindhoven with British. Suddenly, Panther tanks approached Son and opened fire at the town, including the Bailey bridge. This was a serious threat to the corridor. Luckily, a 57-mm anti-tank gun, just moved from the landing zone, eliminated some of the tanks before they caused any real damage. The other tanks retreated and the corridor was saved again. That night the Luftwaffe bombed Eindhoven killing more than 200 and injuring 800 of its inhabitants, turning exuberance into grief and mourning. The attack delayed XXX Corps for several hours.

British XXX Corps

The Royal Engineers worked continuously on the Bailey bridge across the Wilhelmina canal and were done by early in the morning. The Grenadier Guards’ Sherman tanks leading the XXX Corps were the first to cross this bridge. They advanced directly towards Veghel where they linked up with the U.S. 101st Airborne Division’s 501st Regiment. Although the Americans took the bridge across the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal intact, some tanks had to cross the canal by a temporary wooden bridge (constructed by Airborne engineers) because the secured drawbridge was too narrow. At 0900, the second link up was made. Scout cars reached the 82nd U.S. Airborne Division at Grave. An hour later, British XXX Corps tanks crossed the Grave bridge and headed for Nijmegen. Now that Nijmegen was reached, a constant flow of vehicles of XXX Corps came through the corridor south of Nijmegen until September 22nd. The shortest way from Grave to Nijmegen was over the Maas-Waal canal bridge known as the Honinghutjes bridge, but it was badly damaged in earlier fights between the American paratroopers and the Germans making it unsuitable for British tanks. The XXX Corps had to cross the Maas-Waal canal at Heumen and continue to Nijmegen. When the Grenadier Guards reached Nijmegen an Anglo-American assault was launched to gain control over the bridges at Nijmegen but it failed.

From cgmiki on YouTube:

18 September 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Belgium

18 September, 1944        1130

Dearest fiancée –

I just got back from New Year’s services at a nearby hospital and I enjoyed it very much. There was only a small group of us – but a Captain from N.Y. carried on very well and we went through the whole series of prayers – there’s something about praying that is satisfying – and when the Services were over – I felt a great deal closer in spirit to you and the families. The Lord has been good to us darling, to have kept us for each other, despite the distance separating us and the dangers involved. I prayed today that He continue to favor us by watching over us.

Strangely enough, dear, the hospital I visited today was one which came overseas with us from N.Y. They were on the same ship – which, by the way, if I haven’t told you already, dear, was the Aquitania. I met 2 of the fellows who had occupied the same state-room as I and we had a nice chat – reminiscing. They spent all their time in England in one spot and landed in France about 10 days after we did – but this is the first time I’ve run into them. If we stay close to them for awhile – I’m going to see if they can use some more help.

Last nite it was cold and rainy and really quite miserable outside. But we had pitched our Medical Tent, made it light proof and lighted some candles. We have a gasoline lantern for it but it is not working at present. Well – you’d be surprised how warm candles can make a tent. We called the Colonel in and we had a swell game of bridge. It was the first time any of us had played since way back in the early days at England. The colonel – by the way – is a cracker-jack player and I’ve picked up quite a bit from him.

You wrote in one of your letters that you wondered if I ever felt that you were beside me when I was walking or riding etc. Do I ever? Always, sweetheart, and that’s why I’ve said so many times before that when I return – it will be the most natural thing in the world – being with you. I have imagined you close to me – so many times and in such varied circumstances – that I’ll be surprised when you don’t recall an incident here or there that I tell you about. You certainly are in my mind darling, regardless of the circumstances.

By now you should be well acclimated to your position and I hope you continue to find it interesting and time-absorbing. Remember when you were working at the department store, dear? I’m glad you didn’t follow that up. Gee – it seems like ages ago when you were writing me about it.

The pictures enclosed – darling – make 21 I’ve sent – and I hope you’re enjoying seeing them – as much as I enjoyed taking them. Each one will be the center of some incident I can recall and tell you about – when this is finally all over.

I’ll stop now, sweetheart. I hope things are going along well at home and I hope you’re seeing my folks more often again. Until tomorrow, dear, so long – love to the folks and

All my deepest love

Greg.

* TIDBIT *

about "A Bridge Too Far"
Operation Market Garden - Part II

In all, 35,000 men and equipment, such as jeeps and guns, had to be transported for Operation Market Garden. Such a large number of men could not be brought to their targets in just one day. Only one airlift per day was feasible. It would take 2 or 3 days to bring all the men and their equipment to their destinations. This would reduce the surprise effect, but there was no other choice.

On 18 September 1944, the clear blue sky over Holland was darkened by seemingly endless serials of Allied transports, bombers, and gliders. Over 1,300 C-47 transports, 340 Stirling bombers, and 252 B-24 bombers thundered toward the drop and landing zones. Nearly 900 fighters provided escort; over 1,200 gliders packed with vehicles, artillery, and men completed the vast air fleet. The 252 B-24s lumbered over the drop zones at 50 to 800 feet, each attempting to drop two tons of supplies. Over 20 escort fighters were shot down; 11 bombers went down and another 120 were damaged.

The story of the second day of Operation Market Garden was written on the web site "Remember September '44"

British 1st Airborne Division

Over the 1st Airborne’s drop zones, the sky was filled with parachutes and gliders - and it was filled with bullets and exploding shells from concentrated German fire. The Germans had the landing zones covered with machine gun, mortar, and artillery fire. The situation was chaotic; but by some miracle, most of the paratroopers survived to take positions on the 1st Division's perimeters. The situation was not improved when the vast majority of supplies fell into the waiting hands of the Germans. At about 0930, a squadron of the 9th SS Panzer Division made an attempt to cross the Arnhem Bridge from the south and were crushed by the British troops. The road was full of burning wrecks and dead soldiers.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Arnhem Bridge looking south to north
after the unsuccessful German rush
on 18 September 1944

The Germans started to press the 2nd battalion with mortars and artillery. Frost was still isolated from the rest of the forces and ammunition and medication began to run down. The 3rd battalion had left Oosterbeek in the morning and was heading for the same road the 2nd battalion had followed. Later, the 1st battalion would do the same. Fire from guns of the 10th SS Hohenstaufen Division stranded both units near the St. Elisabeth Gasthuis (a temporary care center for wounded British soldiers). The British spread out in all directions. Due to fog in England, the 2nd day of landings in Arnhem took place later in the afternoon than planned. The 4th Parachute Brigade brought 1st and 3rd battalions reinforcements. The 11th battalion of the newly arrived brigade was sent to assist the 2nd battalion at the Arnhem bridge but was heavily attacked by the Germans and forced to retreat. Frost's 2nd battalion was still alone.

U.S. 82nd Airborne Division

Of the 454 gliders assigned to the 82nd’s landing zones, 385 landed safely, delivering almost 1,800 artillerymen, 177 jeeps, and 60 guns. During the night, the 508th Regiment had attempted to seize the Nijmegen Bridge several times, but every time their attack got bogged down. A patrol of the 508th went back to the town's post office after a tip from some civilians that the igniter of explosives on the bridge was located there. They entered and destroyed anything that looked suspicious, but then found themselves surrounded by the Germans. They were stuck there for three more days.

Waalbrug Bridge over the Waal River in
Nijmegen, Netherlands before the War

The 82nd Division still had to prevent the Germans from recapturing those targets taken on the 17th. The 504th Regiment patrolled between Grave and Nijmegen and along the Maas-Waal canal, and together with the 508th Regiment they captured another bridge across the Maas-Waal canal, between Grave and Nijmegen. Meanwhile, a ragtag German force launched an assault on the landing zones. The 505th Regiment was attacked out of the Reichswald forest, but regained control of that landing zone around noon. However, some 500 German soldiers managed to advance and occupy the vital landing zone at Groesbeek. Priority number one shifted from the bridge at Nijmegen to the landing zone at Groesbeek because the second lift, bringing more artillery and infantry, was due to arrive at 1300. Reserves were put into action and men had to come all the way back from Nijmegen to support the men in Groesbeek. The Americans were outnumbered, but by 1400 the landing zone was back in their hands. Fortunately, the second lift had been delayed by fog so Gavin's men arriving around 1430 were able to land on the cleared zones. American “Liberator” bombers dropped supplies, 80 per cent of which were salvaged.

U.S. 101st Airborne Division

Of the 450 gliders assigned to the 101st’s landing zones, 428 landed safely. General Taylor’s force was bolstered by the nearly 2,700 men added to his ranks, along with much-needed vehicles and ammunition. The American positions at Veghel (501st Regiment) and St. Oedenrode (502th Regiment) were attacked several times by German troops, but all attacks were warded off. With the Son bridge destroyed, the bridge at Best had become the main target. The 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 502nd Regiment were sent to Best but the Germans were stronger and the two battalions were forced to take a defensive position. In spite of their stronger positions the Germans must have been afraid of losing the bridge because around 1100 the bridge was blown up. The 506th Regiment marched on towards Eindhoven. When they reached the outskirts of Eindhoven they were attacked. By approaching the city from different sides they put the attacking guns out of action. Bridges across the Dommel were taken without any fights and road blocks were set up. Around noon the first contact between the U.S. 101st Airborne Division (Market) and the British XXX Corps (Garden) was made. Armored cars had approached Eindhoven from the west. In the south the main force was held up by German resistance in Aalst but by nightfall contact was made between the paratroopers and the main force. Eindhoven was liberated. The 327th Glider Regiment landed providing reinforcement. Supplies were dropped by American Liberators, but only half were recovered.

Easy Company of the 101st Airborne in Eindenhoven
on 18 September 1944

From cgmiki on YouTube:

17 September 1944

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Belgium

17 September, 1944      1800

Dearest darling Wilma –

Happy New Year to you sweetheart, – and to the family – and I hope this is the last one we have to spend apart from one another. Somehow dearest, I miss you awfully on the Holidays – and tonight is no exception. I sure could kiss and hug you to a fair-thee-well or is it fare-thee-well? In any respect – I’d love to be doing just that right now, dear – and very, very hard!

Excuse the V-mail, darling. This time it is not due to being hurried – but to the weather – which all day has been unpleasant. I waited until now – but I finally had to start because it will be dark soon. We went back on the old time – last nite and it now gets dark early

I will be unable to attend services tonite – but I’ll do my darndest to go tomorrow and do some real concentrated praying – for you, your folks and family – and mine. Until later – sweetheart – I’ll say ‘so long’ – and remember, dear – my sincerest and everlasting love is yours alone –

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about "A Bridge Too Far"
Operation Market Garden - Part I

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

Drop sites and Starting Points

Most of the writing about Operation Market Garden was written on a site called "Remember September '44".

In early September 1944, Montgomery, in order to maintain the momentum of the Allied movement from Normandy towards Germany, conceived an operation to outflank the German "West Wall" defensive line. Montgomery persuaded Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower that his daring plan of forcing a narrow corridor from Eindhoven northward to Arnhem and establishing a bridgehead across the Rhine River held the promise of causing a German collapse by the end the year. Montgomery's Operation Market-Garden, the biggest airborne operation in our history, consisted of two parts.

The Market part of Montgomery's operation was to lay a carpet with the First Allied Airborne Army to seize seven canal and river bridges in Holland as well as the very important bridge, in terms of supply across the lower Rhine, at the town of Arnhem. The Garden part of the operation was to have the British XXX Corp's Armored Division rapidly move 60 miles along the narrow corridor crossing to secure the captured bridges and join the airborne forces in Arnhem

Three main advantages were expected to be achieved:

• Cutting the land exit of the Germans remaining in western Holland,
• Outflanking the enemy's frontier defences, the West Wall or the Siegfried Line, and
• Positioning British ground forces for a drive into Germany via the North German plain.

The 17th of September was the so called "Day Zero" of the operation. Before the actual airborne landings took place the Allies bombarded German positions so that the paratroops could be dropped with less risk. Around 0900 in the morning the air-raid warning sounded in Arnhem. The 2nd Tactical Air Force bombed German barracks and anti-aircraft positions.

British 1st Airborne Division

From airfields in the U.K. paratrooper units from the First British Airborne Division, including the Polish 1st Parachute Brigade, left in 145 U.S. transport planes and 358 British tow planes towing 354 Gliders all to land near Wolfheze. the British 1st Airborne Division had to secure the bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem.

First British Airborne Division's Operation

Major Gough’s Reconnaissance Squadron was ordered to occupy the Arnhem bridge by following a path along the railway, but ran into Sturmbahnführer Kraft’s training battalion near the railroad and the Wolfhezerweg. Meanwhile, the 1st Parachute Brigade's three battalions continued their advance towards Arnhem, each battalion by a different route. Lt. Col. John Fitch’s 3rd battalion followed the 'Tiger' route. Near Hotel de Bilderberg, they came upon Kraft's battalion. Due to this hold-up they didn’t reach Hotel Hartenstein until after sunset. Lt. Col. John Frost’s 2nd battalion followed the 'Lion' route. They were delayed in Oosterbeek by a welcome from the Dutch people and arrived at the railroad bridge too late. The Germans had blown it up. Then they were attacked by German machine-guns and armored cars. B-Company started to fight back, while A-Company continued their advance. The second target, the pontoon bridge, was partly down so they couldn't reach the southern bank of the river. Finally, they were able to reach the last target, Arnhem’s traffic bridge. But they could only take the northern access road and failed to cross the bridge because of SS groups defending the bridge’s southern access road. Now 2nd battalion’s approximately 600 men were surrounded and cut off. Lt. Col. David Dobie’s 1st Battalion followed the 'Leopard'. There they had to fight the 9th SS Panzer Division and suffered many losses. They heard that the 2nd battalion had reached the bridge, so they deviated from their planned route and went southwards but failed to join up with them. Like the 3rd Battalion they only reached the outskirts of Arnhem.

U.S. 101st Airborne Division

The American 101st Airborne Division was transported by 424 U.S transport planes and 70 towing planes with gliders. The U.S. 101st Airborne Division had its drop zone near Eindhoven, Best, Son, St-Oedenrode and Veghel. The 101st had to secure the bridge over the Wilhelmina canal in Son, the bridge over the Dommel in St-Oedenrode and the bridges over the Aa and Zuid-Willemsvaart canal near Veghel.

American 101st Airborne Divisions' Operation

501st Regiment of the 'Screaming Eagles' jumped near Veghel. By 1700, they had captured two bridges intact and set up a strong roadblock south of Veghel near the village of Eerde. Their operation was accomplished successfully. The 502nd Regiment landed in the triangle of Son-Best-St. Oedenrode. They encountered some light resistance at St. Oedenrode, but the bridge across the Dommel was taken intact. Another target of the 502nd Regiment was the bridge near Best. If this bridge could be taken General Taylor would hold two bridges across the Wilhelmina Canal; this one and another at Son. Taylor was told that only a few German units were settled at Best. Since the bridge was only a secondary target only one company was sent. They ran into strong resistance. Reinforcements were sent, but the battle ceased when the night fell. The 506th Regiment was to take the most important bridge in the Eindhoven-area, the swing bridge at Son. Immediately after landing, the three battalions approached the town in two ways. The first battalion was in front and went southwards. The rest of the 506th Regiment followed the main road through Son. It took about an hour to eliminate German resistance before they could advance. It was an hour too long. The Germans had had the time to blow up the Son bridge. Two other bridges had been blown up by the Germans several days earlier. A footbridge was constructed and a defense line was set up south of the Wilhelmina canal. Eindhoven, which according to the plan had to be taken this day, was not reached.

U.S. 82nd Airborne Division

The American 82nd Airborne Division left in 480 U.S transport planes and 50 towing planes with their gliders. The bridges over the Maas at Grave and the Waal at Nijmegen were the targets of the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division; they were dropped near Groesbeek and Overasselt.

American 82nd Airborne Division's Operation

The drop zones chosen for the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division were rather far away from the selected targets because German anti-aircraft guns were near the bridges. Troops of the 505th Regiment entered Groesbeek and continued towards the Maas-Waal canal bridges. 504th Regiment landed near Overasselt. The 2nd battalion landed to the south at Grave, 700 meters from one of the bridges that had to be taken. They surprised German troops and took the bridge with hardly any resistance. The rest of the 504th Regiment had to take the bridges over the Maas-Waal canal. They succeeded in securing the Heumen bridge and made contact with the 505th Regiment. The two other bridges were blown up by the Germans just before the arrival of the American troops. It had been hoped that all bridges over the canal could be secured, but one bridge was enough to ensure the advance of the XXX Corps. Now only one target remained, the bridge at Nijmegen. German troops prevented the Americans from taking that bridge. However, the Americans succeeded in blocking Nijmegen’s access roads. The 82nd Airborne Division’s first day was successful. All of its objectives, except one, had been achieved.

British XXX Corps

Meanwhile, the British XXX Corps Armored Division began their advance from the South. Both the XII Corps and the VIII Corps were to give side cover to the advancing XXX Corps. This corridor (the red line on the map) was named 'Hell's Highway' because the route was very poor. There was only one road leading to Valkenswaard and Eindhoven which made the whole operation very difficult. Just over the Belgian-Dutch border the advance got bogged down because of German anti-tank guns. In no time several Sherman tanks were knocked out of action. Only after help from RAF Typhoon fighter-bombers did the British succeed in crushing the German resistance. The advance continued slowly, and on Operation Market Garden’s first day, the XXX Corps only reached Valkenswaard, not their intended target, Eindhoven. Operation Garden was already behind schedule.

From cgmiki on YouTube:

16 September 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Belgium

16 September, 1944      1300

Dearest sweetheart –

I started to write you a V-mail because we’re off on a storm again – but we’ve been delayed for 30 minutes – so I started this. If I end abruptly, dear, you’ll know why.

I received one more letter from you – 22 August and very sweet and sentimental. We do see eye to eye, dear – and I don’t see how we can miss hitting off a very happy life together.

Yesterday p.m. I went looking for a radio and believe it or not, I found one. They are scarcer than anything you can imagine – especially battery sets. I found one – an R.C.A. and it plays well. I had to pay 4000 francs for it – that’s $80.00 and I’ve already been offered $20.00 profit by at least 3 different men. I’ve already written you I believe, darling, that I asked my father to get me one. If he has already done so – it is all right – because I can get rid of this one without any trouble at all. And besides – this one I have is for battery only and he may send me the combination type.

You know, dear, I got a good laugh in one of your recent letters. You mentioned you had been discussing things with Nin one day and of all things to discuss you mention the subject of arguments. What struck me funny was your decision that they are nice to have because making up is such good fun. I think you’ve hit on something there, sweetheart – and no doubt we’ll have our arguments, too. The only thing you didn’t mention – was a time limit. That’s important. First we have the argument, then a time limit for pouting – depending on what we were arguing about – and then – oh boy, we enjoy the end of the argument!

Oh – the enclosed post-card picture was taken by the proprietor of the place where I had my work done. He also give me a picture of Hitler superimposed riding on a Pig and made me promise I’d put it in the window of the jeep – which I did of course. The other snaps are from back in France and should make a total of 15 I’ve sent you. Let me know, darling, as you receive them. I have a total of 52, I believe, to send. That’s all I had on hand.

Hello, dear! Love from Liège, Belgium - September 1944
[Greg is in the passenger seat.]

My sincerest love,

Greg

P.S. Love to the folks –

G.

Route of the Question Mark


[CLICK ON MAP TO ENLARGE]

(A) Romsee to (B) Welkenraedt (17 Miles)
11 to 16 September 1944

September 16... Welkenraedt. A Nazi plane, shot down in a dog fight, almost crushed our field, and the Belgian farmers tried to spread manure all over our area to fertilize it, and the days were getting shorter, so we'd listen to the BBC nine o'clock news on Capt RENKIN'S radio and then go to bed.

* TIDBIT *

about Humanizing...

Two soldiers were mentioned in today's excerpt from The Route of the Question Mark. Here is a little about each.

The Nazi Pilot

The Nazi plane shot down was flown by Obergefreiter Hermann Hillebrand, who was reported to be Killed-In-Action during aerial combat "with a P-47 or a P-38" at Schinnen, by Welkenredt, Belgium, 16 kilometers southeast of Aachen. He was buried at Lommel, Belgium. He had been flying a Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-8.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

Hillebrand had been awarded the "Fighter Operational Clasp in Bronze". The "Bronze" clasp was awarded to German aviators for 20 operational flights.

Here is a picture of that clasp (shown in silver)

The man with the radio

William Stewart Renkin, a general contractor and architectural draftsman, was born June 16, 1913 in Pittsburgh, PA. He served in the African/Middle East Campaign as well as the European Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes and Rhineland Campaigns and was awarded 6 Battle Stars and the American Defense Medal. He was married to Genevieve Conklin in New York in 1942 and had three children: William M., Elizabeth "Betty" and Genevieve "Jenne". A 20-year veteran of the U.S. Army, Renkin retired as captain for the 213th Regiment, Coastal Artillery. William S. Renkin died in February of 1979 in Lancaster, PA.

Here is a picture of William Stewart Renkin

William's son, William Matthew Renkin, born in October of 1946, was the last of eight generations, all with the first name of William, to serve in the U.S.Army. He served for thirty years, from two tours in Vietnam to a Pentagon position in computer mapping for Desert Storm. Master Sgt. Renkin died in July of 2005 at the Lebanon VA Medical Center, following a brief illness.

Here is a picture of William Matthew Renkin

William S. Renkin's daughter, Betty, retired from the U.S. Army as a Sergeant. His other daughter, Jenne, is a former nurse's aide, a published author of some of the local history of Lancaster, PA and one of the original guides for the Historic Lancaster Walking Tour, begun in 1975.

15 September 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Belgium

15 September, 1944       0950

My dearest sweetheart –

Nothing pleases me much more these days than letters from you in which you plan for the future. I do the same and it’s so comforting to realize that we think alike along important lines. The fact is we have several things already settled – and despite the fact that I’ve been away a long time, we were engaged through the mails etc. – we are closer and more settled than a good many couples who have known each other for years, got engaged and then wonder – what next? I’ve known dozens of such instances and so must you, no doubt.

Starting from the beginning – let’s take stock – so to speak. I know I love you, need you, want you and I’m positive you’re the kind of wife I’ve always wanted. You feel that I’ll make a good husband and I know you love me, dear. Well – that’s a good beginning and a necessary one. A good many couples get that far. How do we differ? Well – sweetheart – in the 1st place, I’ve got a job – or profession. That’s very important – because we’ve got to live and we’ll assume the job will give us security. I’ve had a crack at it and despite the war – it won’t be like starting new. What else? Well – we know where we’re going to settle down – i.e. – in Salem – so that’s another thing we don’t have to ponder over.

As I see it, darling, we have to decide the following: the actual date of our marriage, the actual spot where we’ll live and the site of my office – and dammit – that shouldn’t be too tough to take care of. And with those things settled we can sail right into a long and happy lifetime together.

I’ve analyzed the situation in matter of fact terms, I know – dear – but I see no harm in that. I just want you to feel that when you’re planning things – that you’ve got something to back up your planning. All we need now, sweetheart, is an end of the war and a speedy return home!

The enclosed snaps, dear, speak for themselves – and don’t tell me I cut my hair too short! A good many of us, by the way, have gone all summer with hair practically all off.

Darling – of course I was jealous when I read about your ‘date’ – but as long as he’s going to China or some place – I don’t mind too much. I guess you know I’m a jealous sort of person, dear – but with reason, I hope. I believe you once told me you were jealous by nature – although you’ve never actually shown it to me.

Although I don’t know Mr. Tofias – I’m very sorry to read about his heart trouble. He undoubtedly had more than just angina – probably a Coronary Thrombosis. From what you’ve written about him in the past – he sounds like a pretty swell guy – and I do hope that for his own sake and that of his family – he pulls thru. Who is taking care of him, by the way?

I had gathered in the past that Nancy and the Rowes didn’t hit it off too well. That’s too bad – of course I’ve known about Verna and the Fines right from the start. Verna made Irv feel quite badly in the early days – by the way she treated – or responded to his folks. No doubt there are two sides to the story – but it’s unfortunate nevertheless. I do hope and pray our set-up will be different. I kind of think it will. I’m not too difficult to get along with, neither are you – and neither are our folks. In addition to all that – we’ll be 20 miles away – which for most young couples – is a good thing. Anyway – that’s one thing I’m not worrying about, dear.

Darling – I’ll have to stop now and do some work. I’ve got to hand in a report on my 3 day inspection with C Battery. Keep your spirits up, sweetheart, enjoy your job while it lasts – because I’ll be coming home and taking you away from it one of these days – and then we’ll be together for always. Love to the folks and

All my sincerest love,

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about The Rhineland Campaign Plans

The red dashed line shows the Allied position on 15 September 1944.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

The red colored areas show the Siegfried Line.
The long blue river from Holland to Switzerland is the Rhine.
Allied Armies and Generals are in Blue Boxes, Germany's are in Red.

From Rhineland, a U.S. Army Center for Military History brochure written by Ted Ballard comes this information:

In September 1944, the long-awaited final victory over Nazi Germany seemed close at hand for the Allies. In the East, the Red Army moved inexorably towards the German frontier. In the skies over the Third Reich and the occupied countries, Allied air power wreaked havoc on the Wehrmacht, German industry, and lines of communication. In the West, three Allied army groups stretched from the North Sea to Switzerland-poised for the final assault against the Nazi homeland.

The mood in General Dwight D. Eisenhower's Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), was almost euphoric. General Eisenhower's intelligence officer predicted that victory in Europe was "within sight, almost within reach." The First Army chief of intelligence was even more optimistic, declaring that it was unlikely that organized German resistance would continue beyond 1 December 1944. Others, however, believed that the Germans remained unbeaten. Col. Oscar W. Koch, the Third Army intelligence officer, was convinced that the German Army, far from being routed, was playing for time and preparing for a "last-ditch struggle in the field at all costs."

Events soon proved Koch correct. Instead of a quick dash into the heart of Germany, what awaited General Eisenhower's armies was an exhausting campaign in horrid weather against a foe whose determination was steeled by the belief that he was fighting for the very survival of his homeland. As SHAEF plotted its next moves, 200,000 workers frantically labored to strengthen the German West Wall defenses, and the Wehrmacht prepared to contest the Allied advance in places like Arnhem, Aachen, the Huertgen Forest, Metz, and the foothills of the Vosges Mountains. The Rhineland Campaign was about to begin.

Montgomery, Bradley, and Patton agreed that the enemy was in disarray and that the time was ripe to exploit his confusion with bold action. Montgomery argued for "one really powerful and full-blooded thrust toward Berlin," by his army group, as a quick, sure way to end the war. To support his coup de grace, the British commander wanted Eisenhower to halt operations in the south and concentrate all available resources in the 21 Army Group. Bradley and Patton, equally anxious to make the main Allied effort, wanted to rush three corps across the Rhine near Wiesbaden, Mannheim, and Karlsruhe to force a rapid conclusion to the conflict. Eisenhower, in personal command of the forces on the European continent since 1 September, remained unconvinced that victory would be so simple. Worried that Germany still had substantial reserves, he believed that a single "pencil like thrust" into the German heartland would certainly be destroyed; instead, Eisenhower favored stretching the enemy everywhere. Enemy resistance, he pointed out, had clearly stiffened as the Allies approached the German frontier, and Allied logistical difficulties had become steadily more critical.

The rapid advance had taken its toll on both men and materiel, while the absence of a major port in the north created severe shortages, particularly in fuel. Indeed, the drive toward Germany was clearly stalling for want of adequate logistical support. Most of the supplies and reinforcements for Eisenhower's forces were still coming ashore across the invasion beaches, a precarious situation given the vulnerability of these unsheltered facilities to bad weather in the English Channel. Although the excellent port of Antwerp had been captured virtually intact on 4 September, it remained unusable because the Germans still controlled the Schelde estuary, the sixty-mile-long waterway that linked Antwerp with the sea, and thus blocked access to the harbor. The Mediterranean French ports had also fallen into Allied hands, but would take time to rehabilitate, as would the entire French rail and road system. With fuel and ammunition running critically short, Allied offensive power was limited.

Eisenhower directed that Montgomery, recently promoted to field marshal, take his 21 Army Group, along with part of the U.S. 12th Army Group and the First Allied Airborne Army, and push over the Rhine in the north. He charged the 12th Army Group (composed of the First, Third and newly operational Ninth Armies) with capturing Brest (in western France) and executing a limited attack to divert German forces southward until Montgomery had established his bridgehead over the Rhine. After the northern bridgehead was secured, the Third Army would advance through the Saar Valley and establish its own crossing sites. Eisenhower also tasked Montgomery to clear the approaches to Antwerp, thereby opening that vital port for Allied use. After securing the bridgeheads across the Rhine, the Allies would seize the Ruhr and concentrate forces for the final drive into Germany.

14 September 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Belgium

14 September, 1944       1100

Dearest sweetheart –

First of all I answer your most recent letter 1st. I received a whole harvest of mail from you yesterday – the last dated 5 Sept. I think Drew Person will be wrong, darling, although the Lord knows – there’s no reason why the Germans should still be fighting. They are hopelessly licked. But Hitler will not quit unless I miss my guess. He will have to be destroyed 1st – either by himself or by someone else. Now – darling – “them’s” my news and mine alone. You know Army officers are not supposed to express military news unless they are entirely personal.

Secondly – and I should have put this first – Congratulations on your job. I knew you’d get it – if it were at all available. For I figured they must like you pretty well at R.C. – and why not? Anyway, dear, I am glad and I know it must be very satisfying to you to realize that you’re getting paid for your effort. And 37 bucks – to be common – is darn good salary. Hell – it’s about as much as I’m making! I really am happy for you, though, sweetheart – and proud, too!

By the way – the enclosed shots are the first I was able to get. I’ve got more – but I’ll send them out a few at a time. They ought to make a good scrapbook after the war. If my folks want any – you can give them the negatives – although most of them are just snaps of scenes in passing through. They were taken in all sorts of weather and conditions and a good many won’t come out – I know. Incidentally – if my hair seems worse than when you remember it, darling, it’s because I wear it practically clipped to the skin all the time. It’s much cleaner when you’re in the field. I don’t know how much of it will grow out – but that will really be something to look forward to!

The jeep “Wilma” – has as yet been unduplicated throughout France and Belgium. There just ain’t two like you, dear! The German car has not had a name painted on it. If we ever get some paint – its name will be “Wilma, Too.”

I got letters from Mary, Bea Caplan, Irv Fine, the Reverend Bill from Sherborne, a girl I met at his house, and a very sad one from Mrs. Kerr in Salem. Her daughter Arlene’s husband, died as a result of a fall. He was due to be inducted some time in Sept. It was a terrible blow to the family and I have to write a letter of condolence to them today. Gosh – sometimes you’re safer in a war zone!

I’m glad Labor Day week-end is over and my folks are back. My father’s last letter said that they hadn’t been in contact with you as much as before because of the lack of telephone. Now you can keep in closer contact with them again and they with you, dear.

Your dreams of our future together, darling, are wonderful – and jibe wonderfully with mine. There isn’t a thing I can find fault with in your plans – and I, too, hope we can get married as soon as I get back – in the Army or out. And then we’ll love, love and love!

I’ll stop now, darling – a couple of things to do and I’ll write again tomorrow. My love to the family and

All my everlasting love to you

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about Breaching the Siegfried Line

From Mission Accomplished - The Story of the Campaigns of the VII Corps (published in Leipzig, Germany by J.J. Weber in 1945):

Under orders to reconnoiter the defenses of the Siegfried Line, the 3d Armored and 1st Infantry Divisions crossed the border into Germany on September 12th, reached and probed the outer line of fortifications. On the following day, the entire VII Corps threw its weight northeast to crack the defenses of the world-famed West Wall in the area south of Aachen. Enemy delaying action was determined, but was soon overcome, and our tanks and infantry moved through the rows of tank traps into the pillbox defenses. Here the enemy fought stubbornly from as many pillboxes as he could find personnel to man, but many of the fortifications were found undefended, their machine guns still in place. This, then, was the decisive effect of our intercepting the German Seventh Army back at Mons. The German soldiers who were meant to man those guns and defend those bunkers were now on their way to Allied prisoner of war camps, their part in the fighting finished, their job left undone.

By the 15th, VII Corps units had penetrated the Siegfried Line in three places and were advancing inside the defenses south and east of Aachen. Resistance was scattered but determined. The enemy was doing his best to bolster his defenses, but he couldn't stop the VII Corps. In fact, it took a much more powerful factor to halt that drive, but halt it did.

13 September 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Belgium

13 September, 1944     1200

Dearest darling Wilma –

At last two letters from you – dated Aug 27th and 28th – and I was interested in your comments on the Germans and their tactics. You cannot imagine darling just how rotten they were until you speak to people who were a witness to the atrocities. I won’t go into details – because I don’t like to write such things – but it was terrible. And you can understand after a while how these people hate the Germans with such intensity. Last nite we were coming thru town at dusk; A crowd was gathered around a truck carrying a man with hands held high. There was jeering and taunting and I stopped to ask what was going on. The man was a collaborateur who was a tip-off man for the Gestapo. I asked what they were going to do to him and a woman said “What does one do to a traitor?” They were taking him off to shoot him and I didn’t feel the least bit sorry for him. The poor Belgians were having enough trouble as it was without having to put up with their own traitors.

Belgian Resistance workers
with a Nazi collaborator

In that connection – I met two Jewish gentlemen yesterday p.m. I was surprised because I didn’t think there were any around – but this is a big city. Both showed me their identification cards – stamped with a large Jűde on it and their yellow stars of David which they had now taken off their coats. Again – the stories they told were horrible and they couldn’t speak too highly of the Belgians and how wonderful they had been in trying to protect them and others who were chased all over their country.

I finally found a place that develops films and I hope I can get some of my rolls done. I believe I have almost 7 of them and undoubtedly some of the pictures won’t come out because some were taken from a moving jeep, or on cloudy days etc. – but I hope enough of them come out to make it worth while. If they do – I’ll send them thru to you a little at a time, darling, so that if a letter goes astray for one reason or another – we won’t lose them all. I’ll send the negatives along too and you can give a set to my folks and they’ll be able to develop whichever they please. This planning may be a bit premature – but I hope not.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

"Pontoon Bridge at Liège, Belgium at site of destroyed bridge -
taken from back of jeep - after crossing. September 1944
City (350,000) is divided by the Meuse River."


"Another one of the destroyed - but not completely
down - bridges at Liège. September 1944"


"Another Cathedral - I don't know where"

You have been seeing a lot of Verna – haven’t you? I’m glad you like her – because she is a difficult person to know. Apparently she likes you too or she wouldn’t be spending so much time with you, dear. Of course – I can understand that. As for 20 years from now and your being young to me – have no fear about that, sweetheart. There’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll always love you. I am the sort of person who really loves one person and that person is you, darling. That’s all I want and need.

Although you painted a pretty tough picture of Irv (Nin’s husband) having a hard time with his 12 days off – forgive me, darling, if I don’t feel too badly. After all – he will get his 12 days off. We don’t get leaves here – and now I’m speaking for all the men and officers – not for myself. It’s they I feel sorry for. I ride around a great deal, see a lot, get a chance to look into some shops etc. – and it all must sound quite nice. It is, dear, but only for me – because I happen to be the battalion surgeon and get off on the slightest pretext. The colonel never questions my going and I do just about what I want and when. It is not so for the others. They have been stuck at the C.P. ever since we landed and the only towns they have seen are the ones we pass in convoy – and of course – we travel right on through. Without trying to be mean about it all – have Irv see the Chaplain and get a T.S. slip. Now – don’t I sound like a gruff old b- d. I’m not really, dear – so forgive me?

I should close now and go get some lunch or I’ll miss it altogether. It was swell hearing from you again, darling, and to read that you still love me. I do love that thought. I can say, only, that my own love for you deepens with every passing day – and as far as our future in my mind is concerned – it is a “fait d’accomplis”. It certainly will be wonderful – darling and I’m living for that. For now, love to the folks and

All my sincerest love

Greg

P.S. Enclosed is to supplement your reading of “Paris Underground”. It is real. Note the satire of the address of the “Libre Belgique”. It was headquarters for the Gestapo and the publisher “Peter Pen” – was poking fun.

Love

G.