21 October 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Germany

21 October, 1944       1000

Good Morning – Sweetheart!

I can’t remember everything I’ve written the past few days, but what I can recall is that I’ve been on the gloomy side of the fence, dear, – and that shouldn’t be. So today – despite the fact that sick call is still on, and people are coming in and out getting pills – I’m writing in the morning when my spirits are generally better. And I do feel better today, darling, and not because the weather has changed, because it hasn’t, damn it! If Hitler had a secret weapon, I’m sure it was the weather, because it sure has favored the enemy.

Say – I meant to tell you something – Remember when I wrote you about staying at the Prince’s place in Belgium? Well one of our officers – from Davenport, Iowa – wrote his folks about it too; his mother told a neighbor, the neighbor told a reporter, the reporter put the story, with elaborations, into the Davenport papers and before it was all over – the Chicago Daily news had a story on it. I saw the clipping – and darned if it didn’t read well. That was a good spot though and one I’ll remember. You should have a picture of the place by now.

I just noticed, dear, as I was writing, that covering the table on which I’m writing – is an August 31st copy of the Daily Hampshire Gazette – which Sgt. Kirby gets. I see items about Hadley, Holyoke, Easthampton etc. Ruby’s Furniture Company, for example, of Holyoke, etc. – is opening another store. Gosh – it was this time of the year that I was seeing so much of you and learning to love you by leaps and bounds! They were happy days, darling, but always clouded by the thought of my leaving any day. And leave I did. I’m glad that chapter of our lives is behind us – because it was a difficult one. I like to think that the greatest part of our hardships are behind us – although only a fool would really believe that. We’ve got life to face together, getting started, making an income, raising a family, and doing a great many other things – but the one big, tremendous difference is that we’ll do those things together and together we can face things so much better than when alone. You know, dear, I think a great deal about the time when we’re actually settled and I’m waiting for a practice to develop. And waiting is the correct word. I was never afraid of it when I was single – because a single person needs so little. I’m not afraid now, either, for that matter – but I can’t help thinking about it. Being a doctor is funny business; you just can’t bubble over with enthusiasm, pep and drive – like a salesman or a business man; you just have to “sweat” it out. That’s why I’m glad I had at least 2 years of building in Salem. I won’t be a stranger and some patients are bound to come back. And it will be so much more fun with you to help me, with you to come home to, to go out with and to plan my time off with. That’s why I get so fed up with all this here; I want to get going!! No more, I won’t go farther – because my mood is good today, sweetheart.

I’ll have to stop now, dear and do a little work. Didn’t hear from you yesterday – but no one received mail and that’s a little consolation. Hope you’re being kept busy and hope all is well at home. My love to the folks, darling –

and

My sincerest love

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about The Battle of Aachen in Early October
(Conclusion)

The content below was excerpted from two sources, Wikipedia and a former blog called "Festungen-Third Reich." (Fortress cities of Germany's Third Reich).

On 12 October, some 5,000 German defenders in Aachen, supported by assault guns and tanks, launched a major counterattack against the American 30th Infantry Division. The German attack was disrupted due to an incessant Allied artillery barrage and by well placed American anti-tank defenses and armored assets. Two German infantry regiments counterattacked against the 1st Infantry Division. On 13 October, troops of the 26th Infantry Regiment assaulted the city proper. The fighting was bitter, with the U.S. infantry accompanied by tanks and self-propelled artillery to knock out German armor and reduce strong points. Fighting was house-to-house. Infantry blasted holes in the outer walls of buildings with bazookas and then cleared resistance room by room with small arms and hand grenades. Many SS troops died at their posts rather than surrender.

On 15 October, the Germans again counterattacked against the 1st Infantry Division, in an effort to widen the gap between the two American pincers; the bulk of the German forces were destroyed by artillery and air support, although a number of heavy tanks managed to break through American lines and were only stopped after continued air support. The 30th Infantry Division, with elements of the 29th Infantry and 2nd Armored divisions, continued its push southwards and finally outflanked the German defenses, allowing the 30th and 1st Infantry Divisions to link up on 16 October.

When German troops west of Aachen tried to relieve the siege in hastily organized counterattacks, American artillery beat them back. Aachen was completely surrounded, and gradually the German defensive position shrank to a small section of the western part of the city. Success in Aachen was then measured by the number of houses captured, as the advance proved to be sluggish. To cope with the thick walls of the older buildings in the city, the 26th Infantry Regiment used howitzers at point blank range to destroy German fortifications. The howitzer allowed infantrymen to advance from building to building without having to enter the city's streets, where they could be pinned down by enemy fire. Pinned on the surface by Allied aircraft, German infantrymen used sewers to deploy behind American formations to attack them from the rear.

On 18 October, the 3rd Battalion of the 26th Infantry Regiment prepared to assault the Hotel Quellenhof, which was one of the last areas of resistance in the city. American tanks and other guns were firing on the hotel, which was the city's defense headquarters, at point blank range. That night, 300 soldiers of the 1st SS Battalion was able to reinforce the hotel and defeat several attacks into the building. A violent German counterattack managed to overrun a number of American infantry companies outside of the hotel, and temporarily released pressure off the Hotel Quellenhof before being beat off by concerted American mortar fire.

The following news photos (with descriptions), taken between 18 and 20 October 1944 in Aachen, belong to The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. They were found among PhotosNormandie's photostream on "flickr", The Allison Collection of World War II Photographs.

CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE

Two events then aided the final advance. First, to lessen front line infantry casualties, remaining German strongpoints were barraged with the heavy-artillery firepower of 155-millimeter (6.1 inch) guns. Second, to assist the 1st Infantry Division, a V Corps sector battalion was brought in to close a gap between forward 26th Infantry Regiment elements within the city. The defensive mission of this new battalion was changed 19–20 October to closely support the urban assault. On 21 October 1944, soldiers of the 26th Infantry Regiment, supported by the reinforced battalion of the 110th Infantry Regiment finally conquered central Aachen. That day also marked the surrender of the last German garrison, in the Hotel Quellenhof, ending the battle for the city.

The Battle of Aachen had cost both the Americans and Germans dearly. U.S. forces took some 12,000 German prisoners, and thousands more Germans were killed. Several hundred civilians also died. U.S. losses of 3,700 men (3,200 from the 30th Infantry Division and 500 from the 1st Infantry Division) were also high, particularly among experienced riflemen.

During the conflict the Germans had developed a respect for the fighting ability of American forces, noting their capability to fire indiscriminately with overwhelming amounts of artillery fire support and armored forces. However, German resistance at Aachen (as well as Operation Market Basket) had prevented a quick Allied crossing of the Rhine and bought Hitler time to strengthen his West Wall defenses as he planned for what would become known as "The Battle of the Bulge".

Remarkably, amidst all the ruin and destruction, Aachen’s magnificent medieval cathedral survived.

20 October 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Germany

20 October, 1944        1600

My darling –

No mail again today but I still have a couple of more of yours as yet unanswered. There have been some fellows in the outfit who have received mail within 10 days – recently. My best time in Germany has been 12 days.

Last night was another night of card playing – poker, and this time I won 100 marks. You must think, darling, as you read my letters telling you that I play cards night after night – that I’m living a pretty unproductive existence. I agree, but what in the world else can a fellow do? I read whatever Medical journals I receive – I still subscribe to the New England Journal of Medicine – but on the whole I must admit that my time is being wasted. Before I was in the Army I didn’t play cards more often than about once in two or three months – and now it seems as if we’re at it about 5 nights out of 7. It gets me down when I stop to think about it – but I don’t know what to do about it. Unfortunately – the days are mostly the same. This afternoon, for example, I saw another movie – “First Comes Courage” with B. Ahearne and Merle Oberon, another one of those damned Norway Nazi-occupied country pictures. But we take them as they come. The whole thing is such a paradox at times – sitting in an old barn watching a movie while the noise outside is sometimes deafening, as it was this afternoon. And in a picture like today’s – the situation is even crazier with explosions and shootings going on on the screen.

I guess I’m feeling kind of bitchy about things – so excuse me sweetheart. I get so goddamned fed up with my stagnancy and the waste of it all. In all my life, dear, most of the time I was doing something, – studying, practicing, gaining all the time and here I am in an unavoidable rut with my hands completely tied. Most of the fellows don’t seem to mind – but it has me down. Perhaps the overall picture will make my life richer – but from my present point of view – I don’t see it. If I didn’t have your love to think of and dream about, darling, I’m afraid I’d become incontrovertibly introspective. You’ve been such a wonderful help – that no matter how often I tell you, dear, I’ll never be able to tell you enough. You must always remember too, darling, that it is not just the idea of the thing, not the fact that I have someone to come home to – but that I have you, someone I love and who loves me. There’s all the difference in the world between the two ideas. You can’t hear me tell you I love you, dear, but you can read not only the direct words, but every thought – and I know you realize by now that my love for youis sincere, warm, deep and what is most important – it is and will be – for you alone. That’s why I hated so much to write – as I did the other day – that perhaps it might be good for you if you went out on a date now and then. I told you I’d hate the thought, sweetheart – and I meant it, but I do want you to be as happy as possible while I’m away and not find the waiting too unbearable; I don’t want you to be bored, dear, with the thought that you are inactive while there is activity going on around you. In my case – there’s not a damned thing to do about it anyway – and I wouldn’t want to. War is exciting enough as it is. I know you may become angry over some of the things I’m writing, but believe me, darling, I write it with sincerity and feeling and not as a challenge. You must believe me, too, and I know that when you think it over – you will. You’ll have to if you can think back to a year’s letter writing and all I’ve tried to tell you about my affection, and love for you in that year. The fact is I want you as I’ve wanted no one else before in my life; I want to love you – as my wife – and live my life with you – and take it from me – sweetheart – I’m going to have you!

No more of that for now. I guess I shouldn’t write like that, but you can understand. how I feel at times, dear. The weather, the slowness of things, my staleness in things medical, my inability to express my love except by the written word – they all have me down a bit – I confess; but I’ve been down before and up again and I already feel better just having written you. This thing will end and then I’ll be coming home –

All for now, dear; my love to the folks – and

My everlasting love to you

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about "The Return"

On 20 October 1944, MacArthur returned.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur, center, is accompanied by his officers and
Philippines President in Exile, far left, as he wades ashore during
landing operations at Leyte, October 20, 1944. To his left is
Lt. Gen. Richard Sutherland, his chief of staff. (AP Photo/U.S. Army)

Directly from This Day in History on the History.com website, comes this:

The son of an American Civil War hero, MacArthur served as chief U.S. military adviser to the Philippines before World War II. The day after Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941, Japan launched its invasion of the Philippines. After struggling against great odds to save his adopted home from Japanese conquest, MacArthur was forced to abandon the Philippine island fortress of Corregidor under orders from President Franklin Roosevelt in March 1942. Left behind at Corregidor and on the Bataan Peninsula were 90,000 American and Filipino troops, who, lacking food, supplies, and support, would soon succumb to the Japanese offensive.

After leaving Corregidor, MacArthur and his family traveled by boat 560 miles to the Philippine island of Mindanao, braving mines, rough seas, and the Japanese navy. At the end of the hair-raising 35-hour journey, MacArthur told the boat commander, John D. Bulkeley, "You've taken me out of the jaws of death, and I won't forget it." On March 17, the general and his family boarded a B-17 Flying Fortress for northern Australia. He then took another aircraft and a long train ride down to Melbourne. During this journey, he was informed that there were far fewer Allied troops in Australia than he had hoped. Relief of his forces trapped in the Philippines would not be forthcoming. Deeply disappointed, he issued a statement to the press in which he promised his men and the people of the Philippines, "I shall return." The promise would become his mantra during the next two and a half years, and he would repeat it often in public appearances.

For his valiant defense of the Philippines, MacArthur was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and celebrated as "America's First Soldier." Put in command of Allied forces in the Southwestern Pacific, his first duty was conducting the defense of Australia. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, Bataan fell in April, and the 70,000 American and Filipino soldiers captured there were forced to undertake a death march in which at least 7,000 perished. Then, in May, Corregidor surrendered, and 15,000 more Americans and Filipinos were captured. The Philippines were lost, and the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff had no immediate plans for their liberation.

After the U.S. victory at the Battle of Midway in June 1942, most Allied resources in the Pacific went to U.S. Admiral Chester Nimitz, who as commander of the Pacific Fleet planned a more direct route to Japan than via the Philippines. Undaunted, MacArthur launched a major offensive in New Guinea, winning a string of victories with his limited forces. By September 1944, he was poised to launch an invasion of the Philippines, but he needed the support of Nimitz's Pacific Fleet. After a period of indecision about whether to invade the Philippines or Formosa (known as Taiwan, today), the Joint Chiefs put their support behind MacArthur's plan, which logistically could be carried out sooner than a Formosa invasion.

On October 20, 1944, a few hours after his troops landed, MacArthur waded ashore onto the Philippine island of Leyte. That day, he made a radio broadcast in which he declared, "People of the Philippines, I have returned!" In January 1945, his forces invaded the main Philippine island of Luzon. In February, Japanese forces at Bataan were cut off, and Corregidor was captured. Manila, the Philippine capital, fell in March, and in June MacArthur announced his offensive operations on Luzon to be at an end; although scattered Japanese resistance continued until the end of the war, in August. Only one-third of the men MacArthur left behind in March 1942 survived to see his return. "I'm a little late," he told them, "but we finally came."

19 October 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Germany

19 October, 1944         1415

Dearest sweetheart –

Talk about your dark, dull and dreary days – we’re having one today! I figure each bad day as setting us back about 1 week. But that is hardly a professional estimate, dear, merely my own. Rather than hang around this a.m. I thought I’d get out in the rain and see a few of the gun sections. Gee – it sure can get muddy around here – and I was in it most of the morning. I got back a little after 1300 and I’m now where it’s warm and dry. How long it will be before I’m disturbed I don’t know, but here I am anyway.

Last night after I finished writing you dear, I had a couple of things to take care of and then the dentist and I played a couple of games of Casino with two of our sergeants. We then listened to the news – at this stage my radio is playing well by the way – and then to bed again. That radio – incidentally – has been a problem ever since I got it, and although it cost $80.00 when I bought it, I figure it is now worth about $150.00 – what with all the new G.I. parts, consultations with radio men in 2 Divisions, 3 Signal companies, and 2 Army radio repair men. That’s the truth, dear; for one reason or another the damned thing would play for awhile and then stop; then it would play with one battery and not with another of the same voltage and so on. I think it’s all solved now and it’s playing fine. One thing we can get is batteries – all sizes and strengths.

I got a couple of good laughs in your letter of Oct 2, dear – first because of your energy in copying the cartoons and secondly in the cartoons themselves. What I enjoyed the best was the one of the little boy and his mother – buying some sort of breakfast cereal and wanting to know if there wasn’t one that would make him sluggish. You do like to draw, though, don’t you sweetheart? I’m positive now that one of our children will be an artist. That will be fun – ‘cause then I can go up to his studio and see the models. Now! Now! I really feel sorry that I haven’t saved all your letters, dear, but honestly, it would have been an impossibility. I do have all that you wrote me – up to the time that we left Sherborne. They’re in my trunk – which is still in England and which I hope to get after the war.

Once in a while I think back to those days in England and particularly Sherborne which is a lovely English town. We really had a pleasant 10 or 11 weeks there and we hated to leave. We did leave, by the way, a few days before D day – I guess it’s all right to mention these facts now – and went to the vicinity of a Port – stayed 48 hours and then proceeded to the Port of Southampton. We landed on D+9 – in case you’ve wondered, sweetheart. Not too early but early enough to realize what a beach-head meant and to see how little room there was to maneuver in. Everything you’ve read about and perhaps have seen in the movies – I saw and I’ll never forget it. The German dead had not yet been cleaned up and they lay in great numbers along the sides of the dirt roads; and seeing them made most of us realize for the first time that we were really in a war – although we were quite tense coming across the channel, too.

Well – what got me on that track, I wonder – oh yes – my mention of England – and your letters – which have meant so much to me, darling. Letters have been so important in their ability to keep us in contact and I guess on the whole – we can’t complain too much of the service. As long as they carry the message to me that you love me, sweetheart, I’m satisfied and I know you feel the same.

I’ll close now, dear, – have to interview a soldier for question of Sect. VIII discharge. Hope to hear from you tonite. Love to the folks and so long for now.

All my sincerest love,

Greg.

18 October 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Germany

18 October, 1944        1735

My dearest darling –

I’ve just finished supper and I’m back at our Dispensary. I intended writing you earlier today, dear, but six or seven things turned up and I was busy until now. A short while ago we received some mail and I got my share from you, sweetheart, so I’m feeling excellently right now.

Yesterday was a blue day, on the whole – the weather being in part to blame. We had a movie in the p.m. We don’t have them in the evening any longer because it’s not considered safe. It was another Class B – a Falcon picture but not too good, “Falcon and the Coed”. In the evening I played bridge at the Colonel’s place, the other two men playing were our S-2 – Stan Sargent, from Portsmouth, N.H. by the way, and our Exec Major Bolick, from Virginia. They both play very well – and I believe that my continued play with better players has helped me a great deal. Anyway I ended up winning 12 marks and played some swell hands. Two hands were particularly interesting, dear: one – I bid game, 4 hearts and made 7; I don’t think I underbid though because my opponents had two aces and a king to go with them and I had no short suit. Had I bid a small or big slam – the Aces would have beaten me. As it was, the Ace was not led and they never got a chance to use them; the other hand – I bid one heart and went down 5 tricks – if you can imagine it. All in all – it helped pass the evening, and as I’ve already written – today I was so busy, I didn’t have a chance to feel blue.

I got your letter of 30 September today and I was damned angry at reading about some of those snaps being missing. There wasn’t anything of military value that I could see that might be censorable and it’s a damn shame. Not knowing which letter had which – I’ll never know which are missing. I suppose I should have held on to the negatives – but it’s so difficult to hold on to things over here – I decided to send them all along. The only figure you give me is that you received 19. I do hope you got a lot more because as I remember it, I sent about fifty or fifty-one, all told, dear. I’m glad you liked those that you did get and I’m pleased that it helps give you a little picture even of some of the things I’ve seen. There was a lot more to photograph in the early days – but I didn’t have enough film to take shots of everything interesting. That will have to wait for a verbal report, sweetheart, and I’m just as anxious to tell it as you are to hear it.

I was interested in your interpretation of some of the pictures. I wasn’t in Paris long, darling, and didn’t get to the slums – but I was amazed at all the people I did see who were well-dressed and apparently well-fed. One other thing about Paris – and this is the truth, dear, I just didn’t see one girl who could be called unattractive. They all have smart hair-do’s and they put their cosmetics on well. It may all be a fleeting impression that I received – but that’s the impression I did get.

I did snap some scenes of destruction – as I recall it now – but not many. Perhaps those were the snaps taken out. You refer also to a jeep without your name on it. I sent two of those to you, sweetheart, and I’ll be g-d’d if I can figure out why a censor would want to keep those from going through. I don’t know what picture of a jeep you refer to, dear, but the name is on the front, right underneath the windshield. If I find you didn’t get those, after all, I’ll try again.

Well, sweetheart, it’s getting noisier and noisier in here and consequently more difficult to think clearly. I got back here quickly after chow while no one was around and now the boys are starting to drift in. It’s not too noisy though dear to tell you that I love to read that you love me and want me despite the hardship of waiting. I guess you know by now how much I love you, darling, and how much you mean to me. With that common knowledge – I’m certain that all will turn out well. Until later then, sweetheart, so long and love to the folks.

My deepest love,

Greg

17 October 1944

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Germany

17 October, 1944        1015

Dearest Sweetheart –

Eleven months ago today I was sailing out of N.Y. harbor. At this time we were 15 minutes out but the Statue of Liberty was still plainly visible. We had boarded the ship the night before under complete black-out – no one allowed on deck until we were one hour out to sea – but I was out when we took off.

I guess we were all pretty green in those days, darling. We all wondered what it was all about, our chief concern being the problem of attack on the sea. We had one scare and that’s about all – although we were a bit apprehensive because we made a dash across – entirely alone. Well – we came a long way since then, dear – but not quite far enough. I won’t be satisfied until we’ve turned around and headed home. Things have been so darned slow of late – that I’m a little bit discouraged at this point – although the news last night from our front was encouraging. Just a blue day, sweetheart – and I’ll be O.K. this p.m. I’m sure. Maybe it’s because I haven’t heard from you in a few days – although I did get a letter from Mother B last night. All in all I’m not complaining, dear, just wishing I could be home with you again – and I guess you can’t blame me for that, can you? All for now, darling, I’ve got some things to do. Love to the folks and

My everlasting love –

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about The Battle of Aachen in Early October
Introduction

CLICK ON MAP TO ENLARGE

The content below was excerpted from two sources, Wikipedia and blog that was called "Festungen-Third Reich" (Fortress cities of Germany's Third Reich).

Located on the western border of Germany, the city of Aix-la-Chapelle, later Aachen, had been the capital of the Holy Roman Empire; Charlemagne was crowned emperor there in the year 800. Since German dictator Adolf Hitler considered Charlemagne to be the founder of the first German Reich, the city held special status for him. Aachen was the first major German city encountered by U.S. troops, and the five-week-long battle for it gave notice to U.S. forces that the war against the Third Reich was far from over. Lieutenant General Courtney Hodges, commander of the American First Army, had hoped to bypass Aachen from the south, quickly break through the German defenses of the West Wall (Siegfried Line), and reach the Rhine River.

The Battle of Aachen occurred between 2–21 October 1944. By September 1944, the Wehrmacht had been pushed into Germany proper, after being defeated in France by the Western Allies. During the campaigning in France, German commanders estimated that their total strength only amounted to that of 25 full strength divisions; at the time, the Wehrmacht operated 74 divisions in France. Despite these losses, the Germans were able to retreat to the Siegfried Line and partially rebuild their strength; they were able to bring the total number of combat personnel along the Western Front to roughly 230,000 troops. Although not necessarily well trained, nor well armed, these German defenders were substantially aided by the fortifications which composed the Siegfried Line. During the month of September the first fighting sprung up around Aachen and the city's commander offered to surrender it to the advancing Americans. However, his letter of surrender was discovered by the SS during a raid in Aachen while the civilians were evacuating. Adolf Hitler ordered his immediate arrest and replaced him and his division with Gerhard Wilck's 246th Volksgrenadier Division. The United States' First Army would have to take the city by force.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

The task of taking Aachen fell on General Charles H. Corlett's XIX Corps' 30th Infantry Division and Joseph Collins' VII Corps' 1st Infantry Division. General Leland Hobbs' 30th Infantry Division would be assisted by the 2nd Armored Division, which would exploit the 30th Division's penetration of the Siegfried Line, while their flanks were protected by the 29th Infantry Division. In the south, 1st Infantry Division was supported by the 9th Infantry Division and the 3rd Armored Division. These divisions had used the brief respite in the fighting during the last two weeks of September to rest and refit, accepting a large number of replacements. For example, over 70% of the 1st Infantry Division's men by 1 October were replacements, and the last two weeks of September were used to train these men on village fighting and weapons training. The impending offensive's plan called for both infantry divisions to avoid city fighting in Aachen; instead, the two divisions would link up and encircle the city, allowing a relatively small force to capture it while the bulk of the forces continued pushing east. Unfortunately, The American replacement system, which focused on quantity over quality, ensured that the majority of the replacements which reached the front line were not properly trained for combat. It was not unusual for half of a unit's replacements to become casualties on the first days of combat. The tremendous front line losses also demanded more troops to be fed into the fighting

These forces were supported by the Ninth Air Force, which had pin-pointed 75% of the pillboxes along the front lines and planned an opening bombardment including 360 bombers and 72 fighters; fresh aircraft would be used for a second aerial wave, which included the use of napalm. The German Luftwaffe lacked a presence during the battle, and German defenders on the ground had insufficient anti-aircraft batteries to defend themselves from the opening bombardment.

The 30th Infantry Division's offensive began on 2 October and was immediately bogged down by the German defenses. The aerial and artillery bombardment previous to their attack had failed to inflict major damage on German defenses, and as a result the division's strike against German defenses in the north became bogged down. The 1st Infantry Division launched its own attack on 8 October and managed to take its primary objectives within 48 hours, although it would later be pinned down by continued German counterattacks. Meanwhile, the 30th Infantry Division continued its slow advance, although by 12 October it was still not able to link up with the 1st Infantry Division and complete the encirclement of Aachen. As a result, the 1st Infantry Division detached the 26th Infantry Regiment and prepared for a direct assault on the city before the link up occurred.

The following news photos (with descriptions), taken between 15 and 17 October 1944 in Aachen, belong to The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. These and the one above were found among PhotosNormandie's photostream on "Flickr", The Allison Collection of World War II Photographs.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

16 October 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Germany

16 October, 1944         1000

Dearest darling Wilma –

I am a good business man, regardless of what Arthur had to say. I was good enough to become engaged to you with the Atlantic Ocean separating us and that’s a heck of a lot better than some fellows could do who were near you! And furthermore, I never leave undone what I’ve started and you can tell him that also.

You perhaps gather by now, darling that I received one of your October letters. I did – last night – that written October 2nd. That’s my most recent one from you and in it you make reference to some pictures I sent you. I was glad to read that, dear, because I had been wondering the past few days whether or not they had gotten by the censors. Apparently some did, anyway. I didn’t think they were so swell, by the way, that they needed a magnifying glass to see them – but I hope it helps you see what you want, sweetheart.

I get a real kick out of your “ups” and “downs” in moods – in relation to the war situation, but from what I hear the other fellows discussing, the girl friends, fiancées and wives at home are all feeling about the same way. I think it would be a whole lot better if they just let you have the news – without the Pearsons and the Winchells and the Swings to interpret them. If you ask me – they’ve all been wrong about a half a dozen times now, and despite all their sources of news – none of them has been here and seen a fanatic SS soldier in action, or a frightened German civilian who has been brow-beaten into resisting. I’ve seen that, dear, as so many other soldiers over here have – and I know why the war is continuing. It will continue as long as Hitler is in power with his Himmler troops. As soon as they are beaten to a pulp by the same kind of toughness they’ve dished out – the war here will end. I don’t believe anyone in Germany could organize a revolt at this moment. Our boys here are giving them plenty of hell, though, don’t forget that. It’s just a question now whether the German tough guys can take it as well as they’ve dished it out. I’ve seen plenty of them come in whimpering – the pick of the crop, too – and their first question is – “When do we get shot?” That’s why they’re fighting now – because they have the fear of God in them and thank that God that we’re able to put that fear into them. I know Sweetheart that the war must be dragging terribly for you at home – but, darling, I wish I could do something about it. I know too that you must be lonely and fed up and honestly, I don’t’ blame you one bit – for with all the hardships that we occasionally have to put up with here – the fact is that the excitement helps pass the time. Are you getting out enough, dear? Do you think it would be better if you accepted a date or two? Mind you, sweetheart, I’m terribly jealous and the thought would kill me – but damn it – I am a reasonable man and I know what you’re putting up with.

Another thing that worries me is my mother. I know that she is fundamentally well – and yet her sensitivity, her acute feeling of being responsible for everything, her worry for me and now for Lawrence, I presume – makes her suffer more than if she had a definite ailment. I hate to think of it because she is – my mother or not – a darned nice person. When you write that she was disappointed about your not coming over of an evening, dear, I can just see her. Why she is like that – I don’t know. I know of so many mothers-in-law – intended or actual, who would merely shrug their shoulders and not let it bother them. Are you still in touch with her daily, darling? I know how busy you are these days, but if you knew how much it meant to her – as I guess you do. I’m only asking because you used to write that you did and now you mention it only now and then. My folks love you as their own, sweetheart, I know that, in whatever homey way they may express it and I’m so anxious that the tie between you remains very very close.

Incidentally – unlike most sons – I’m not immune to some of the faults my folks have. I guess all of us have some. I know that were we living together, you and I, we’d probably talk of a whole lot of things we don’t discuss now by letter. I’ve intended mentioning this before but I always forget. What I mean is this, dear, I want our separation not to interfere with our exchange of ideas. You’ve told me nothing but nice things about my folks; you know them a whole lot better now. What are their faults – in your eyes? Don’t get me wrong, sweetheart – I’m not looking for trouble. I merely want us all to know and understand each other as much as we can while I’m away – I don’t want to waste one minute when I return!

Boy – what a long winded bunch of words. Excuse it, darling – just felt like rambling. I’ve got to hurry now without a chance to read this over. Maybe if I did – I’d cross out some of it. Anyway – the important thing is that I love you terribly, darling, and I must have you for my own some day! Be well, dear – love to the folks and

My everlasting love,

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about The Huertgen Forest in Early October
and The First Attack on Schmidt (Conclusion)

From HistoryNet's Battle of the Hurtgen Forest comes this:

Schmidt planned on renewing the counterattack on October 13, but orders from German LXXIV Army Corps directed the immediate removal of all officer candidates from the combat zone, which cut in half what remained of Wegelein's unit. While he reorganizing his unit, the 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry, launched an attack of its own against Wegelein's troops. K Company led the effort, trailed by L Company. As the latter moved up on line, both of its leading platoons were ambushed and wiped out. K Company maneuvered to attack the enemy facing L Company while the 1st Battalion sent B and C companies into the fight. Another counterattack inflicted heavy losses on the right platoon of Dunlap's company, but the American advance continued.

At 1730 hours, a German bearing a white flag approached B Company and requested a brief cease-fire while his unit prepared to surrender. Dunlap sent the man back with a message that he would hold his fire for five minutes. When the German emissary did not reappear within the stated time, B Company resumed its advance, only to run into a torrent of small-arms fire. It was now almost dark, and the enemy seemed to be on all sides. Fearing that his exhausted company was losing its cohesion, Dunlap ordered his men to fall back a short distance and dig in.

Facing four enemy battalions at Raffelsbrand, the 1st Battalion, 60th Infantry, was experiencing its own difficulties. Just before dawn, a surprise German attack seized a pillbox occupied by C Company. Although the seven GIs inside were able to escape, a counterattack by 30 men was unable to regain the position. Three Sherman tanks and two infantry companies eventually arrived to lend a hand, but even with those reinforcements, a heavy crossfire from several machine guns prevented the Americans from making any progress. One of the tanks was hit by an antitank rocket that wounded several men and forced the crew to evacuate the vehicle. A daring German soldier then ran out to the tank and drove it behind a nearby pillbox before the Americans could react. With this, the Americans lost all momentum, and at 1730 hours they began to fall back, suffering heavy casualties from enemy artillery and mortar fire.

That evening Wegelein went to Schmidt's headquarters to protest orders for a renewed advance on the morning of October 14, stating that communications to his battalions and companies were so poor there was a risk that all units might not receive a regimental order. Schmidt replied that he would accuse Wegelein of cowardice if he did not resume his attacks. Determined to show that he was no coward, Wegelein spent a busy night personally delivering the orders to his units. He still had more visits to make as the sun rose on the 14th. At 0800 hours, however, the colonel was shot and killed by a sergeant from the U.S. 39th Infantry, and his regimental adjutant was captured moments later.

The fighting sputtered on and off for two more days, but it was clear that both sides were too exhausted to achieve significant results. At a cost of 4,410 casualties, the Americans succeeded in pushing their front line an average of 3,500 yards to the east. Non-battle losses (sickness, injury, etc.) for American units totaled nearly 1,000. The toll for the defenders was also high — approximately 2,000 killed or wounded and 1,308 prisoners.

After breaking off the offensive, Collins made the questionable claim that the sacrifices of Craig's men had drawn off German units that could have been thrown into the battle for Aachen. Although it is true that 19 German infantry and engineer battalions opposed six American infantry battalions, many of the defending units were much smaller than their counterparts. In any case, though the Huertgen fighting might have prevented some German units from being sent to Aachen, their redeployment would not have altered that city's eventual fate.

15 October 1944

438^thAAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Germany

15 October, 1944        1245

My dearest sweetheart –

It’s early Sunday afternoon and my work is done, but what is there to do now, dear? The days have really been beautiful most of this past week, and it has been a pleasure to see our fighters and medium bombers overhead giving the Germans a little bit of hell just a couple of miles away. I suppose I’ll get over it someday, but right now it’s reflex to look up to the sky to identify the sound of a motor; it is not only reflex, it is also safer.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

B-17s in formation on a bomb run

Well – sweetheart – it is now 1345. I was just getting settled when I was called to the Dispensary to take care of a couple of men. I had to probe for a few fragments and that’s why it took me so long. Since then, also, dear – the prospects for the afternoon have brightened questionably by the announcement we would have a movie at 1500 – it’s title “Pistol Packin’ Mama” – which sounds like a high class 3rd grade smellaroo. But since we all have little else to do, everyone that can be spared will undoubtedly go. What a waste of time! What a waste of a part of precious life! When I think like that – I could go mad – but I save enough reason to make myself think my way out of the mood. Darling – so many soldiers are being wounded, some to remain cripples, some not to come back – how can I complain? I should be thankful I have my health, and I am. Right now, dear, that is the important thing in this theater. After the war is over and I’m safely back home – we’ll complain – but without bitterness probably. No dear, I must not consider it a waste of time but rather a development of strength and character, and that goes for you too. I honestly believe that as a result of all this waiting, our lives will be all the richer, allthe more appreciated. It won’t be so much a question of making up for lost time – for it isn’t in fact lost time, merely expended time – the real result will be that we will have profited, and the expended time will come us in good stead. For how can I ever get really angry with you, dear, how can I ever be cross with anyone who proved herself to be so true and faithful to a fellow away so long? How can you lose your temper with me – for any length of time when you’ll stop and realize that there must have been something that held you to me when the waiting was so hard. What I mean in essence, darling, is that people who meet and marry – never experience the test of being separated and finding out whether or not it makes any difference to either of them. We know, sweetheart, – we know that even separated – we want each other and very much, and that will prevent us from ever being separated or even thinking of it.

I suppose you’ll say to yourself now that that was all a piece of rationalization. It may be – to help me out of a situation over which I have no control, but nevertheless – what I wrote, is true and we do profit basically by our knowledge that we do desire each other even after the stiffest of tests – lengthy separation.

Well – having philosophized, rationalized and having attempted to assuage my mind – I’ll get back to realities again, dear, and tell you that I love you more than anyone in the world, and all the bunk I may write to you from time to time could be translated very simply into that. That you know this I’m sure – and I’m happy that you do. We’ll stick this thing out one way or another – but sooner or later it will end – and then points notwithstanding, I’ll be coming home ––

Last night, darling, we played Bridge – in the Colonel’s room. To add a bit of zest to the game we decided to play for 1/10 cent per point – or 1 mark for every 100 points. We played only 3 rubbers – our evening being cut short due to a little activity – and I ended with a net profit of 3 marks – or 30 cents. I’m enjoying the game more and more – each time I play it, and I suppose I’m learning more and more too. I guess I’ve learned enough to realize that your opening bid is a very important one – and that’s something.

Now, dear, I’m going to run along and see this tremendous picture. I’ll tell you about it tomorrow. No mail yesterday again – but surely today – I hope. Meanwhile, so long sweetheart, my love to the folks – and

All my sincerest love

Greg.

* TIDBIT *

about the "Miraculous Feat of Flying"
by Lieutenant Lawrence M. DeLancey

This story is long but worth the read, as written by Allen Ostrom and posted by Blogengeezer on 20 January, 2010.

IT WAS A ‘FORTRESS’ COMING HOME..

They could hear it before they could see it! Not all that unusual in those days as the personnel at Station 131 gathered around the tower and scattered hardstands to await the return of the B-17′s sent out earlier that morning. First comes the far off rumble and drone of the Cyclones. Then a spec on the East Anglia horizon. Soon a small cluster indicating the lead squadron. Finally, the group. Then the counting... 1-2-3-4-5.... But that would have been normal. Today was different! It was too early for the group to return.

“They’re 20 minutes early. Can’t be the 398th.”

They could hear it before they could see it! Something was coming home. But what? All eyes turned toward the northeast, aligning with the main runway, each ground guy and stood-down airman straining to make out this “wail of a Banshee,” as one called it. Not like a single B-17 with its characteristic deep roar of the engines blended with four thrashing propellers. This was a howl! Like a powerful wind blowing into a huge whistle.

Then it came into view. It WAS a B-17! Low and pointing her nose at the 6,000 foot runway, it appeared for all the world to be crawling toward the earth, screaming in protest. No need for the red flares. All who saw this Fort knew there was death aboard.

“Look at that nose!” they said as all eyes stared in amazement as this single, shattered remnant of a once beautiful airplane glided in for an unrealistic “hot” landing. She took all the runway as the “Banshee” noise finally abated, and came to an inglorious stop in the mud just beyond the concrete runway.

DeLancey's B-17

Men and machines raced to the now silent and lonely aircraft. The ambulance and medical staff were there first. The fire truck... ground and air personnel... jeeps, truck, bikes....

Out came one of the crew members from the waist door, then another. Strangely quiet. The scene was almost weird. Men stood by as if in shock, not knowing whether to sing or cry. Either would have been acceptable. The medics quietly made their way to the nose by way of the waist door as the remainder of the crew began exiting. And to answer the obvious question, “what happened?”

“What happened?” was easy to see. The nose was a scene of utter destruction. It was as though some giant aerial can opener had peeled the nose like an orange, relocating shreads of metal, plexiglass, wires and tubes on the cockpit windshield and even up to the top turret. The left cheek gun hung limp, like a broken arm. One man pointed to the crease in chin turret. No mistaking that mark! A German 88 anti-aircraft shell had exploded in the lap of the togglier. This would be George Abbott of Mt. Lebanon, PA. He had been a waist gunner before training to take over the bombardier’s role.

Still in the cockpit, physically and emotionally exhausted, were pilot Larry DeLancey and co-pilot Phil Stahlman. Navigator Ray LeDoux finally tapped DeLancey on the shoulder and suggested they get out. Engineer turret gunner Ben Ruckel already had made his way to the waist and was exiting along with radio operator Wendell Reed, ball turret gunner Al Albro, waist gunner Russell Lachman and tail gunner Herbert Guild. Stahlman was flying his last scheduled mission as a replacement for regular co-pilot, Grady Cumbie. The latter had been hospitalized the day before with an ear problem. Lachman was also a “sub,” filling in for Abbott in the waist.

DeLancey made it as far as the end of the runway, where he sat down with knees drawn up, arms crossed and head down. The ordeal was over, and now the drama was beginning a mental re-play. Then a strange scene took place. Group CO Col. Frank P. Hunter had arrived after viewing the landing from the tower and was about to approach DeLancey. He was physically restrained by flight surgeon Dr. Robert Sweet.

“Colonel, that young man doesn’t want to talk now. When he is ready you can talk to him, but for now leave him alone.” Sweet handed pills out to each crew member and told them to go to their huts and sleep. No dramatics, no cameras, no interviews. The crew would depart the next day for “flak leave” to shake off the stress. And then be expected back early in November. (Just in time to resume “normal” activities on a mission to Merseburg!)

Mission No. 98 from Nuthampstead had begun at 0400 that morning of October 15, 1944. It would be Cologne (again), led by CA pilots Robert Templeman of the 602nd, Frank Schofield of the 601st and Charles Khourie of the 603rd. Tragedy and death appeared quickly and early that day. Templeman and pilot Bill Scott got the 602nd off at the scheduled 0630 hour, but at approximately 0645 Khouri and pilot Bill Meyran and their entire crew crashed on takeoff in the town of Anstey . All were killed. Schofield and Harold Stallcup followed successfully with the 601st, with DeLancey flying on their left wing in the lead element. The ride to the target was routine, until the flak started becoming “unroutinely” accurate. “We were going through heavy flak on the bomb run,” remembered DeLancey.

B-17 going through flak

“I felt the plane begin to lift as the bombs were dropped, then all of a sudden we were rocked by a violent explosion. My first thought – ‘a bomb exploded in the bomb bay’ – was immediately discarded as the top of the nose section peeled back over the cockpit blocking the forward view.”

“It seemed like the whole world exploded in front of us,” added Stahlman. The instrument panel all but disintegrated and layers of quilted batting exploded in a million pieces. It was like a momentary snowstorm in the cockpit.”

It had been a direct hit in the nose. Killed instantly was the togglier, Abbott. Navigator LeDoux, only three feet behind Abbott, was knocked unconscious for a moment, but was miraculously was alive. Although stunned and bleeding, LeDoux made his way to the cockpit to find the two pilots struggling to maintain control of an airplane that by all rights should have been in its death plunge. LeDoux said there was nothing anyone could do for Abbott, while Ruckel opened the door to the bomb bay and signaled to the four crewman in the radio room that all was OK – for the time being. The blast had torn away the top and much of the sides of the nose, depositing enough of the metal on the windshield to make it difficult for either of the pilots to see.

“The instrument panel was torn loose and all the flight instruments were inoperative with the exception of the magnetic compass mounted in the panel above the windshield. And its accuracy was questionable. The radio and intercom were gone, the oxygen lines broken, and there was a ruptured hydraulic line under my rudder pedals,” said DeLancey.

All this complicated by the sub-zero temperature at 27,000 feet blasting into the cockpit.

“It was apparent that the damage was severe enough that we could not continue to fly in formation or at high altitude. My first concern was to avoid the other aircraft in the formation, and to get clear of the other planes in case we had to bail out. We eased out of formation, and at the same time removed our oxygen masks as they were collapsing on our faces as the tanks were empty.”

At this point the formation continued on its prescribed course for home - a long, slow turn southeast of Cologne and finally westward. DeLancey and Stahlman turned left, descending rapidly and hoping, they were heading west. (And also, not into the gun sights of German fighters.) Without maps and navigation aids, they had difficulty getting a fix. By this time they were down to 2,000 feet.

“We finally agreed that we were over Belgium and were flying in a southwesterly direction,” said the pilot. “About this time a pair of P-51′s showed up and flew a loose formation on us across Belgium . I often wondered what they thought as they looked at the mess up front. We hit the coast right along the Belgium-Holland border, a bit farther north than we had estimated. Ray said we were just south of Walcheren Island.”

Still in an area of ground fighting, the plane received some small arms fire. This gesture was returned in kind by Albro, shooting from one of the waist guns.

“We might have tried for one of the airfields in France, but having no maps this also was questionable. Besides, the controls and engines seemed to be OK, so I made the decision to try for home. Once over England, LeDoux soon picked up landmarks and gave me course corrections taking us directly to Nuthampstead. It was just a great bit of navigation. Ray just stood there on the flight deck and gave us the headings from memory.”

Nearing the field, Stahlman let the landing gear down. That was an assurance. But a check of the hydraulic pump sent another spray of oil to the cockpit floor. Probably no brakes! Nevertheless, a flare from Ruckel’s pistol had to announce the “ready or not” landing. No “downwind leg” and “final approach” this time. Straight in!

“The landing was strictly by guess and feel,” said DeLancey. “Without instruments, I suspect I came in a little hot. Also, I had to lean to the left to see straight ahead. The landing was satisfactory, and I had sufficient braking to slow the plane down some. However, as I neared the taxiway, I could feel the brakes getting ‘soft’. I felt that losing control and blocking the taxiway would cause more problems than leaving the plane at the end of the runway.”

That consideration was for the rest of the group. Soon three squadrons of B-17′s would be returning, and they didn’t need a derelict airplane blocking the way to their respective hardstands. Stahlman, supremely thankful that his career with the 398th had come to an end, soon returned home and in due course became a captain with Eastern Airlines. Retired in 1984, Stahlman said his final Eastern flight “was a bit more routine” than the one 40 years before.

DeLancey and LeDoux received decorations on December 11, 1944 for their parts in the October 15 drama. DeLancey was awarded the Silver Star for his “miraculous feat of flying skill and ability” on behalf of General Doolittle, CO of the Eighth Air Force. LeDoux for his “extraordinary navigation skill”, received the Distinguished Flying Cross.