28 February 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

28 February, 1945      1605

Germany

Dearest darling Wilma –

For awhile I thought I wouldn’t be able to write you today but I’m finally settled and here I am. I won’t be able to write much because there’s lots to do yet but a short letter is better than none at all I figure.

Apartment houses don’t exist anymore, dear, and yet I’m able to write you from a room that has 4 walls. Sweetheart – you’d have to see it to believe it – but a 4-walled structure in these parts is a rarity. Of course when I say 4 walls – I don’t imply necessarily that they are 4 whole walls by any manner or means. I guess I’ve told you a good deal about destruction and ruined towns since I hit the continent – and you must be getting tired of it, but darling, I’m giving you a picture of the war as I’m seeing it and I’ve got to tell you what I see. I just haven’t seen anything like what we’re seeing now. I thought Aachen was laid waste. There just won’t be any cities or towns where we’re passing thru now. It would take years to lug away the debris. We were in a city today of about 50,000 – about Salem’s size. There was not one house, store, building, factory or anything standing. I don’t know how the destruction could have been so complete. Actually – dear – it’s terrifying. Of course there’s not a soul around – and that adds to the picture of death. If the rest of Germany is like this – and a good many bigger spots already are – we won’t have to worry about the next war for some time. Germany will be a primitive nation for years and years. She has nothing left and the pity of it all is that their hopeless war goes on – causing more men to die and be maimed.

Well – well, darling, didn’t mean to get on that track – but what we’re seeing these days leaves a very deep impression on one. We got no mail yesterday, nor none today. Today is supposed to be pay day – but I don’t see how that’s going to be accomplished. That reminds me – thanks for your letter telling me of Eleanor’s gift and how much I owe you. It’s my fault for not telling you how much to spend. I’d like you to have spent more – but you say the slip was nice and that’s good enough for me. Thanks for the trouble, darling. And your gift to Stan and Betty sounds very nice and your reasoning correct.

In one of your letters, dear, you mention all the pretty songs out. I think I mentioned recently the fact that we don’t hear them until they’re fairly old. Every time you mention one I keep watching for it. Anyway – the only songs I’m interested in are the ones that say “I love you – over and over again” – because that’s the way I feel about you, darling, and as far as I’m concerned – those are the prettiest words ever. I do love you, sweetheart, in every sense of the word – and I always shall.

For now, dear, I’ll have to sign off. My love to the folks – and

All my sincerest love –

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about The Rhineland Campaign and Germany's Doom

[CLICK TO ENLARGE]

The Rhineland campaign included both the First Canadian Army's Operation VERITABLE (under General Crerar) and the U.S. Ninth Army's launching of Operation GRENADE (under General Simpson). Operation VERITABLE was planned as a drive southeastward up the left bank of the Rhine from a position gained by the big airborne attack the preceding fall (during Operation MARKET BASKET) in the vicinity of Nijmegen. Operation GRENADE was planned as an assault crossing of the Roer followed by a northeastward drive to link with the First Canadian Army along the Rhine...

Greg mentions the destruction of Germany and that while Germany has nothing left, the war goes on. Even von Rundstedt knew the war was lost, yet Hitler insisted on continuing the fight. From "U.S. Army in WWII European Theater of Operations: The Last Offensive," Chapter IX, by Charles B. MacDonald for the Department of the Army's Office of the Chief of Military History, page 170, published in 1973 in Washington, D.C. come these excerpts:

As these events had been occurring with such swiftness, German commanders who as late as 24 February could hope that the Ninth Army’s crushing drive was not designed to converge with the Canadian thrust southeast from Nijmegen were at last impelled to face reality. Operation GRENADE at that point clearly was the hammer aimed at crushing the southern wing of Army Group H against the anvil of Operation VERITABLE. Success of the operations meant encirclement or crushing defeat both for Army Group H’s southern wing, the First Parachute Army, and that part of the Fifteenth Army that was being forced back to the north.

Admission of that hard fact came at every level of command, from Fifteenth Army to OB WEST. Although Field Marshal Model at Army Group B acknowledged the truth of a grim estimate of the situation made by the Fifteenth Army, he could do little to help. He did promise commitment of the Panzer Lehr Division, which OB WEST accorded him, but the Panzer Lehr still was severely bruised from its fight against Operation VERITABLE and in any event could make no appearance in strength for several days.

The Commander in Chief West, Field Marshal von Rundstedt, appealed on 25 February to Hitler for new directives designed to prevent disintegration of the entire Western Front. The situation was bad everywhere, he reported, not only in the north but in the south where attacks by the U.S. Third Army on either side of the Moselle River (Bitburg and Trier) worried Rundstedt most of all. When Hitler made no immediate response, Rundstedt on the 26th begged permission to make at least a minor withdrawal in the north, to pull back the extreme left wing of the First Parachute Army out of a salient at the juncture of the Roer and Maas Rivers near Roermond. The withdrawal was designed to ensure contact between the parachute army and the Fifteenth Army’s XII SS Corps as the latter fell back before the American drive. Yet even such a minor withdrawal Hitler refused to sanction.

Hitler’s response on 27 February sought to allay Rundstedt’s fears about an attack along the Moselle but offered no palliatives for any of the crises in the west. By redeploying units already present, Hitler directed, the endangered southern wing of Army Group H was to hold where it was. Withdrawal behind the Rhine still was unthinkable.

Even as Hitler’s message arrived, the crisis along the boundary between Army Groups B and H was growing more serious. Again Rundstedt appealed for permission to make at least the short withdrawal from the Roermond salient. This time he had the support of the Deputy Chief of the Wehrmacht Operations Staff, who personally briefed Hitler on the crucial situation. Hitler at last agreed - “with a heavy heart...

On the 28 February 1945 and the first day of March, events proved conclusively that the battlefield belonged to armor. All along the front, American units recorded advances of from seven to ten miles, and there was little the Germans could do about it.

27 February 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

27 February, 1945      0900

Germany

My dearest Sweetheart –

After the lapse of one day, I’ll take up where I left off – and tell you that I love you more than ever, dear, want you more than ever, and miss you more than ever; and I’m going to keep on feeling that way until I come home. Then I want only to love and want you. I hope I’m not compelled to miss you, darling.

Well – as I already implied, I didn’t write you yesterday, dear – but it was for the obvious reasons. I did get mail, however, and boy – am I ever hearing from you, sweetheart! It’s wonderful – V-mails, air-mails – and it’s a race right now – which arrives earlier. Believe it or not – but I received an air mail of the 15th (written) and V-mails of the 15th and 17th of February. Shades of England!

Right now I’m in my bedroom – sitting at a nice table in front of the window. This room is part of a 5 room apartment – in a small apartment house in the suburbs of a fair sized city. Houses of any sort with roofs on them are pretty hard to find – so we consider ourselves lucky for having this one. But we hope we don’t stay long. I’d like to get moving the way we did when we came across France. We’d be getting home that much sooner, dear. The news here and all around us is good – as you’re probably aware of.

Before I forget it – I want to take up the matter of Mother B’s condition. I remember you told me some time ago that she had been to the doctor’s and was being followed by him. I don’t remember whether you told me his name or not. That’s important, of course, from the point of view of diagnosis. Assuming the diagnosis is correct – and it sounds reasonable – the choice between fibroidectomy or hysterectomy and x-ray usually lies in the person handling the case. The big trouble with x-ray is that it not only destroys the fibroids in the uterus – but it destroys the ovaries, too. That isn’t too much a consideration in your mother’s case, though, because she’s at the menopause stage anyway. The other trouble with x-ray is that you don’t know exactly how well the job has been done. In most cases that we saw at Salem – x-ray was reserved for those people who were in no physical condition to undergo operation. In other words – dear – personally I feel that operation in a physically fit person is preferable. You can see what you’re doing, whether the diagnosis is correct, you can leave the ovaries intact – and in the hands of a good man – it is not too difficult an operation at all. If the doctor your mother is visiting now does not operate himself, he probably has a couple of surgeons he refers work to. One who comes to mind who is as good as they come in Gynecology around Boston is Louis Phaneuf. He’s top notch in his field. If nothing more – it might be worth having a consultation a man like him because he’s handled thousands such cases I’m sure.

I’m sorry, darling, for Mother B and for your worry – but it’s really not bad – and whichever treatment she undergoes – she’s going to be a whole lot better off. Where you can do the most good is to encourage, allay her fears, bear with her. I’ll be very much interested in more news about her condition and I do wish I were home to give a little more support.

I’m so glad you got the roses and the candy, dear. I was afraid it couldn’t be arranged. It will be so nice when I can do things for you myself – little or big. I hope I never forget, busy or otherwise.

And now I’m busy, sweetheart and I’ll have to knock off. There’s lots of things to get done today and the quicker I start – the better off I’ll be. So – for now, so long, dear – and my love to the folks and don’t worry about Mother B – she’ll be O.K. I’m sure.

All my deepest love –

Greg.

P.S. 1 encl. Stars and Stripes –

Love

G.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Back side of comic has news...


* TIDBIT *

about The Last Heavy Raid on Mainz

With its four towers and two cupolas, the structure of the St. Martin’s Cathedral of Mainz soars impressively above the city skyline. It is the oldest Romanesque church on the Rhine and the symbol of the city. Mainz was founded as an encampment for a Roman legion, then became the capital of the Roman province Germania Superior and finally was the first and most distinguished bishopric of the Holy Roman Empire. Mainz became the first printing center of Europe under its citizen Johann Gutenberg, 1397-1468. By the end of the 18th century, more than all others, electors and archbishops had left their mark on the developing city which then underwent many other changes in the 19th and 20th centuries that impacted on the inventory of organs. Many buildings and the organs that stood within them fell victim to acts of war, first in 1793 when set fire by the French and again during the Second World War. As a result of the heaviest aerial bombing attack on Mainz which occured on 27 February 1945, 61 % of the building structures – in the inner city even up to 80 % – were destroyed. Today there are over 80 organs in the greater Mainz area, of these 70 were constructed after the Second World War.

Mainz today

The following description of the attack was taken from the February 1945 Campaign Diary of the Royal Air Force Bomber Command.

458 aircraft - 311 Halifaxes, 131 Lancasters, 16 Mosquitos - of Nos 4, 6 and 8 Groups to Mainz. 1 Halifax and 1 Mosquito lost. The target area Mainz was covered by cloud and the bombing was aimed at skymarkers dropped on Oboe. No results were seen by the bomber crews but the bombing caused severe destruction in the central and eastern districts of Mainz; this was the city's worst raid of the war. 1,545 tons of bombs were dropped. 5,670 buildings were destroyed, including most of the historic buildings in the Altstadt, but the industrial district was also badly hit. This was the last heavy raid on Mainz.

The Day They Bombed Mainz, 27 February 1945
A Photobook (and source of most of the photos below)

Click on any photo below to enlarge them all.

After 20 minutes of dropping bombs and thousands of incendiaries by the British Air Force on 27 February 1945, the city of Mainz was turned into an inferno of flames and smoke. When it was over, 80 percent of the city were destroyed. Mainz was no longer. The attack took more than 1,200 lives. Below is an interview published by SWR.de with a survivor, the then 16-year-old Anton Maria Keim who narrowly escaped death.

Anton Maria Keim

SWR.de: Dr. Keim, you still often think of the 27th of February 1945?
Dr. Anton Maria Keim: Still to this day I have painful memories. I awake at night sometimes and do not know why I'm still alive. I still cringe today, when I hear a siren or when something reminds me of flak. I will forever remember the crackling and burning of the city.

What did you do when the air raid warning surprised you?
Dr. Anton Maria Keim: I was in hiding in order not to be drafted into the front line or to be deported (Editor's note: Keim's grandmother was Jewish). In the afternoon I was riding a bicycle in the center of Mainz to look at two bookstores, where there were old and banned books. When the air raid alarm went off at just after 4 o'clock, I wanted to get to the east towers of the cathedral for safety. I rode off in a hurry, but fell at the Schiller Square in the bombing.

There I spent the attack in the hallway of the Alsatian bank. From the basement below me came screaming. Gas and water pipes had burst and people were drowning and suffocating. I was lucky I could get away from the burning of Mainz on my bike 20 minutes after the attack, with slight smoke inhalation. I did so with great difficulty - although I do not know exactly how.

Where did you go?
Dr. Anton Maria Keim:I was living at home in Pike. From the height of Hechtsheimer I saw the burning city, like a single torch, which is pointed at the top. I cried like a child. Although I was clear, this was the end of Mainz. The city was destroyed and remained that way for years. The cathedral remained standing - a miracle! It was the symbol of resistance. In the Capuchin monastery, 41 Sisters were killed. Perhaps these martyrs made sure I survived.

SWR.de: Were the victims acquaintances of yours?
Dr. Anton Maria Keim: Yes, quite a lot of them were classmates who suffocated or did not get to the cellar in time. There were just minutes between the alarm and the first carpet bomb. The Schiller place was still full of people with prams and children who wanted to take refuge in the cellar. The place was then a wooden block. The burnt corpses could be seen for months. From the roofs dripped molten tin. I still have that smell in my nose today. It is said that there were 1,200 deaths, but who knows for sure. There were corpses dug up years later.

How did you process the experience?
Dr. Anton Maria Keim: We were happy to have survived and feared more fighting between the Army and the fanatical SS. In recent days, the SS had shot three family men, who had hoisted the white flag. My uncle was among the victims. As the first tank moved into Hechtsheim, we were happy. We welcomed the Americans as liberators from bombs and terror. It was a great deliverance. The Americans were completely surprised by this greeting.

How have these experiences shaped your life?
Dr. Anton Maria Keim: Very strongly. I am a social democrat and pacifist, always active in the peace movement. I was an opponent of rearmament. And I cannot think that through alliances we must have any obligations to war again.

Is it possible to compare the air raids on German cities with the attacks of the armed forces on English cities like Coventry?
Dr. Anton Maria Keim: The total air war was been begun by the Germans. The Nazis said that they would wipe out British cities like Coventry. I'm not fond of this is - that one was revenge of the other. But one thing has been causally related to the other. That does not excuse the Warrior of the Air, "Bomber Harris"'s attempt to demoralize the German population. (Editor's note: Arthur Harris was then a senior commander of the British bombers, who ordered the bombing of Dresden). But you need to know how the conditions at that time were, including the mass murder of Jews.

26 February 1945

No letter today. Just this:

Route of the Question Mark


[CLICK TO ENLARGE]

(A) Stolberg to (B) Rolsdorf, Germany (14 miles)
5 February to 26 February 1945

Rolsdorf, Germany, is approximately 1000 yards from the Roer River
and 2000 yards from Duren, which had been taken one day earlier.

February 26... Rolsdorf. Our street of deserted houses filled with civilian furnishings, which awakened all our instincts for looting. T/5 [Walter L.] JASKOW setting a fast pace. Here T/5 [Robert E.] BEGGAN, his arms full of cans of jam and jelly when the planes came over, was hurled down the cellar stairs when everyone made a rush for safety.

* TIDBIT *

about More from General Hodges

The snapshots that follow were taken from Normandy to Victory: The War Diary of General Courtney H. Hodges & the First U.S. Army, maintained by his aides Major William C. Sylvan and Captain Francis G. Smith Jr.; edited by John T. Greenwood, copyright 2008 by the Association of the United States Army, pp.309-310.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

25 February 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

25 February, 1945      0910

Germany

Dearest darling Wilma –

About the one time of week it’s a bit quiet here – is at this time – Sunday morning when the boys are at Catholic services. I can remember when I used to be able to really concentrate on a letter – not only in the States – but in England, too. You once told me my letters to you, dear, were much better then – and certainly that was one factor, because I know that if I’m left alone long enough and quietly enough, I can think clearly what I want to write to you.

Sometimes I feel as if I ought to wait until night time to write you, darling. It seems as if there aren’t so many people around – but – experience has shown that you can’t count on an evening – and I don’t mean because we have movies – but because more often than not, we’re interrupted.

We’ve seen a lot of movies in the past two weeks chiefly because our setup is so convenient for showing them. The movies are always available – but only those outfits in the right position can call for them. We saw another movie last night – “Christmas Holiday”. I saw most of it – saw not heard – down in Belgium during the breakthrough. I don’t know whether or not I mentioned it to you, dear. It was bitter cold that day and the sound track didn’t work. The field artillery was putting it on and a couple of us walked over. When we had almost developed frostbite, trench foot and gangrene – we decided to leave. Somehow I enjoyed it last nite – not as a whole – but some parts of it. One part in particular made me feel sad or reminiscent or lonesome or what-not – the scene in the Concert Hall. I think that excerpt was from the Meistersinger – but I’m not sure, I’m getting so rusty about the music I used to know. I haven’t been able to listen to good music for a long time now and I suddenly felt an acute longing for it and all it connoted. I closed my eyes and tried to picture the both of us at a concert, relaxing and enjoying the music. I’ve always loved good music – whether I’ve understood it or not . I can’t describe exactly what it does for me – you can’t eat it or taste it or touch it – but it gets inside you someway and for me – at least – it has the effect of temporarily detaching me from my problems, cares or worries. I couldn’t help but think of all this last nite and I paid very little attention to the rest of the picture. I dreamed of you and me and what our world would be like after I get back. Sweetheart – I just don’t see any reason at all why we can’t be the happiest couple ever. We love each other so and we have the same goal in life, I know. I’ll strive for independence – surely – but above and beyond that I want to bring up a family, see them educated – and all the while not grow stagnant ourselves. As a doctor – I wonder whether we’ll have time for all that. I don’t know – but I’ve seen so many couples “go to pot” so to speak for lack of outside interests. This world has so much to offer and yet so few take advantage of it. I want to see things, to read, to hear –– Damn this goddamned war for the time it’s stealing from us – because by now we could have been started on the right road.

But I am not discouraged sweetheart – so long as you can stick it out. Come hell or high water – we’ll be together some day and our ideals will not have changed, I’m sure. Just keep on loving me, darling, as deeply and strongly as I love you – and nothing can stop us.

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

All my everlasting love –

Greg.

* TIDBIT *

about Coverage of the Roer River Crossing by



[CLICK TO ENLARGE]

Part of The Sunday Times front page
(from Trove's web site of digitized newspapers and more)

1400 Prisoners, 15 Nazi Towns Captured In
Roer River Crossing
COUNTER-ATTACKS FLOP

LONDON, Sat: American 1st and 9th Armies in their Roer River offensive captured at least 15 German villages and towns and 1400 prisoners in the first 24 hours of the attack.

Fighting is now proceeding inside Duren, which is only 20 miles from Cologne.

During the night the 9th Army beat off 6 German counter-attacks, and the offensive was still going well this morning.

Americans are across the road connecting Linnich, Julich and Duren at several places. Deepest penetration to date is that reported towards Hamback.

A correspondent reports that troops an supplies are steadily flowing across the Roer by ferry and bridges to consolidate hard-won gains and to press deeper into the Rhineland.

The Germans were quick to react after early surprise and after the Allies' tremendous effort to isolate the battlefield.

Americans are across the Roer on a 22-mile front, their spearheads at one point making progress up to 3-1/2 miles.

Reuters' correspondent at Montgomery's headquarters says the 9th Army has cleared Julich except for the citadel and the northern part of the town. Citadel consists of fortified buildings surrounded by a wall 14 feet thick and 15 feet high as well as a 20 foot moat varying in width from 70 to 100 feet.

Reuters' man on the 9th Army front describes German resistance today as light in some sectors, heavy in others.

American artillery is pounding the Julich citadel, where the Germans are holding out despite the threat of encirclement.

Effectiveness of Allied air blows is shown by the fact that 19 hours passed before the first decided German reaction came - counter-attacks against the 9th Army in the Linnich-Duren area.

Describing German counter-attacks, B.U.P. man with the 9th Army says the first counter-attack was made at Moslar, with tanks and assault guns, under cover of heavy artillery fire.

American guns countered with a barrage which sent the Germans back with heavy losses. The other 5 counter-attacks, all on a smaller scale were beaten off.

There are indications that large forces of German garrison troops in occupied Holland, north of the Maas, are withdrawing eastward beyond the Ijssel River line, which is the northern extension of the West Wall, says "Daily Telegraph" correspondent with the Canadians. Germans are probably leaving fairly strong garrisons to guard the V-2 rocket area on the coast, also such strong points as Rotterdam, The Hague and Amsterdam.

In their withdrawal the Germans have taken most of the able-bodied Dutch population to work on the Ijssel Line defense.

24 February 1945

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

24 February, 1945      0900

Germany

My dearest sweetheart –

I got your V-mail of 12 February yesterday – and it’s about 4 days ahead of my most recent letter from you – no – 5 days. But you can’t figure the mail out too accurately. I do believe though that V-mail is a bit ahead of Airmail.

This one is not as a test for speed, darling, but because I have a busy day ahead of me and I must get going as soon as I finish this. Yesterday was a nice day here – although a bit noisy. Despite all that we managed to have another movie at battalion – “In the Meantime, darling”.

"In the Meantime"

I don’t know who was in it. You may have seen it, though. It was pretty typical of Army Camp life and quite real about the going overseas part. It brought me back vividly to the night I had to say so long to you, sweetheart – and as I thought about it I realized how inadequate I must have been. I didn’t tell you half as strongly enough how much I loved you and wanted you to wait for me to come back. But you know it now, darling – only I love you infinitely more now and I miss you fiercely! All for now, dear –

All my deepest love – Greg.

* TIDBIT *

about "My Day" by Eleanor Roosevelt

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt

According to Wikipedia, "My Day" was a newspaper column that was written by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt six days a week from 1935 to 1962. In her column, she discussed issues such as race, women, and key events, such as Pearl Harbor, Prohibition, and the H-Bomb. This column allowed Mrs. Roosevelt to spread her ideas and thoughts to millions of Americans and give them a new view on the issues they faced every day. George T. Bye, Eleanor Roosevelt's literary agent, encouraged her to write the column. "My Day" influenced many Americans. Women felt empowered by hearing Eleanor Roosevelt's opinion and African Americans were given a sense of hope for the future.

Eleanor with Singer Marian Anderson in 1939

Here is Eleanor's "My Day" column dated 24 February 1945.

NEW YORK, Friday — I must tell you a little bit more about the children's unity festival which I attended yesterday. I arrived just as a wonderful brown bear was being led on the stage, and the children had the most marvelous time watching him go through his tricks. I was a little nervous at first, but the bear seemed accustomed to flash bulbs, enthusiastic applause and hoots and yells. Finally, three little boys even rode on his back.

If audience participation is a sign of a successful performance, these children participated with an abandon which you rarely see in an adult audience. I was a little sorry when they had to listen to speeches, but they bore with us who had to make a few serious remarks.

I left with a feeling that it would be a memorable day in the lives of these children and that the unity pledge which they had taken would be more meaningful because of the remembrance they would have of the day on which they took it. I am printing that pledge because I think it is one which might also be taken by grown-ups.

We now join hands with the children of the world. It matters not whether they are black or white, or where they were born, or if they are Jew or Gentile. We do not ask where or how they worship. We ask only that they love freedom and their neighbors. Together we will make an ever-widening circle around a tired, war-torn world, so that our parents may see our friendship and peace and follow our example. For did not the Prophet say: 'A little child shall lead them'?"

The meeting was sponsored by the Citizens Committee of the Upper West Side and I wish similar meetings could be held everywhere throughout this country.

Last night I finished a most charming story called "The Little Prince." It was written and illustrated by Antoine de Saint Exupery, and though you may think it is a child's book, you will find that much of it can be appreciated only by the very mature adult who has never forgotten what it is like to be a child.

Perhaps the wisest saying in the whole book is: "I made him my friend and now he is unique in all the world."

It will not take you long to read, but I think it will give you food for thought and for dreams which may fill empty hours.

E. R.

COPYRIGHT, 1945, BY UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE, INC.

23 February 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

23 February, 1945      0940

Germany

My dearest sweetheart –

Frankly – I’m tired this morning and I don’t know how far I’ll get with this letter. War fatigue? Combat exhaustion? No – none of these, darling – just another celebration. Our new – or loaned – dentist is amazed at all this. He says that they used to have a little fun at his place, drink a few, sit around and talk – and call it a drinking bout. He’s never seen anything like what we put on when we have a celebration – and he can’t understand how we have so many. Well – I’ll admit dear – starting with the first of the year we have had a few – despite some trying days – or maybe as a result of. At any rate – it has helped release the tension at the current time – and that is most important.

As a matter of fact, sweetheart, we did have an excuse for a party last night in the form of Pete’s Captaincy coming thru. You’ve asked me a few times about it and I’ve said nothing because I felt that any day it would come – but administrative details are sometimes slow here. Well – the Colonel had Pete come in from his Battery for supper and he pinned his new bars on him. We had several drinks before and just as many after. The fact that we celebrate more vehemently at a party than most other outfits – is true, I think, dear. It’s all out – and I still do my share – so don’t worry – when I get back, sweetheart, I think I’ll be able to take up where I left off.

This morning – six of the fellows – including Pete – were not present at breakfast. That’s always proof of a ‘successful’ party. I made it, though, and as usual I have no hangover, but damn it – I sure feel tired! Now – that’s a helluva a war we’re fighting, isn’t it? Oh – well – today is another day and the chances are it will be a war-day rather than one for parties. That’s why I have no chagrin whatsoever because of having been able to tie one on again.

In one of your last letters, dear, you mention Billy’s receiving the Helmet. I’m glad it arrived and pleased that he got a kick out of it – but hell – we’re practically cousins – aren’t we? And you seemed ‘alarmed’ about that brush I left out of the traveling kit I sent back. Am I losing my hair that fast? I don’t know, dear. You know – haircuts in the Army vary so. It’s rare to have the same fellow cut your hair on 2 successive times and they really take it apart. I didn’t have a hell of a lot when I left – and there have been times when I felt that what I had would turn gray fast or disappear suddenly. But what I have is still the same color and I don’t suppose it’s much thinner – but I’m not sure. So –

And as long as you love me, darling anyway – I’m happy. And that’s quite a statement because could I love you if yours were like mine? Yes – sweetheart – any way at all – I love you – even though that was a silly comparison. The fact is I love you, love you and love you !!

That’s all for now, darling. Love to the folks – and

ALL my love is yours –

Greg.

* TIDBIT *

about A War on Two Fronts:
1. Raising the Flag at Iwo Jima and
2. Crossing the Roer River in Germany

1. Iwo Jima

Rosenthal's "Raising the Flag at Iwo Jima"

"Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima" is a historic photograph taken on 23 February 1945, by Joe Rosenthal. Of the six men depicted in the picture, three were killed during the battle; the three survivors became celebrities upon their identification in the photo.

Tactically, the top of Suribachi was one of the most important locations on the island. From that vantage point, the Japanese defenders were able to accurately spot artillery onto the Americans - particularly the landing beaches. The Japanese fought most of the battle from underground bunkers and pillboxes. It was common for Marines to knock out one pillbox using grenades or a flamethrower, only to have it begin shooting again a few minutes later after more Japanese infantry slipped into the pillbox using a tunnel. The American effort concentrated on isolating and capturing Suribachi first, a goal that was achieved on 23 February 1945, four days after the battle began. Despite capturing Suribachi, the battle continued to rage for many days, and the island would not be declared "secure" until 31 days later, on the 26th of March.

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Mount Suribachi Today

Many people are unaware that the flag raising Rosenthal photographed was the second that day. This led to resentment from those Marines who took part in the nearly-forgotten first flag raising. Charles W. Lindberg, who participated in the first flag raising (and who was, until his death in June 2007, the last living person depicted in either flag raising) complained that he "was called a liar and everything else. It was terrible."

Raising the First Flag

2. Roer River Crossing
When the Schwammenauel Dam was taken, the retreating Germans had destroyed the power-room machinery and the discharge valvesmaking it impossible to halt the flow of water. The Roer crossing would have to wait. Rising in depth by as much as 5 feet, the worst effect of the subsequent flood was to increase the current sharply, at some points to more than 10 miles per hour. Along most of its banks, the Roer poured over its banks and inundated the valley floor. Just north of Linnich where the river is normally 25 to 30 yards wide, it spread into a lake more than a mile wide. More common were areas of 300 to 400 yards across and the crossing was to undergo successive postponements.

Acting on advice of the engineers, Ninth Army's Gen Simpson reset D-day for 23 February 1945, one day before it was calculated that the reservoirs would be drained. By moving one day early, Gen Simpson hoped to achieve some measure of surprise. As the target date for the crossing approached, the accumulated stocks of supplies rose to huge proportions. In one 5-day period, for example, over 40,000 long tons was received, the biggest delivery to any army in the theater in a comparable period. Most of it arrived by rail in more than 6,000 freight cars.

Six infantry divisions were to lead the attack, 84th and 102th from the XIII Corps, 29th and 30th from the XIX Corps, and 104th and 8th of the VII Corps. The XIII and XIX Corps were to represent the main effort with the VII guarding the right flank. This plan not only gave the VII Corps, protecting the Ninth Army's drive, the deepest area of penetration, but also its own right flank was exposed for at least two full days. Methods of crossing the swollen Roer varied to some extend from division to division. The plans for some were for only a relatively small force to cross in assault boats with the balance to use foot-bridges to be constructed as soon as bridgeheads could be secured; a task that proved easier to plan than execute. The 8th Division planned to make use of motor boats, but had extreme problems in starting the motors. Some units planned to rely heavily on cable ferries and amphibious vehicles, while others, including the 104th, relied more heavily ontransporting the attacking companies by assault boats. And while some elected to use smoke and others didn't, all plans had problems and the mighty Roer took it's toll.

Ninth Army GI killed by German mortar
crossing the Roer on a Footbridge
23 February 1945 - Photo from LIFE magazine.

While crossing techniques varied, all divisions relied on a tremendous 45 minute barrage of artillery supplemented by all available weapons. The 130 battalions of field artillery and tank destroyers assigned in support of the Ninth Army & VII Corps, totaling more than 2,000 guns, was one of the heaviest artillery concentrations of the war, providing one artillery piece for each 10 yards of front. The weight of the artillery projectiles that the XIX Corps alone could throw at the enemy in six days of combat on a two division front was a massive 8,138 tons. Adding to the fire power of artillery plus anti-aircraft guns, tanks, tank destroyers, chemical mortars, and all other infantry weapons, each corps had an armored division attached. Also formidable air support was provided (in direct support of the Ninth Army was the XXIX Tactical Air Command, employing five groups of fighter-bombers, 375 planes, and one tactical reconnaissance group) and in spite of the difficult of the rampaging Roer, by nightfall, nearly 25,000 American infantrymen were across.

Footbridge at Rurdorf, Germany

On the second day, the water level had dropped enough to permit the construction of 19 bridges, 7 of them vehicular, allowing tanks to join the attack (in case bridge construction was delayed, 500 C-47 transport aircraft, fully loaded with supplies, sat ready for air-drops). Plagued by an open right flank, the 8th Division had the roughest D-day of all and on 25 February, its commander, Maj Gen Wm G Weaver suffered the fourth in a series of heart attacks and was evacuated and relieved by Brigadier General Bryant E. Moore, assistant division commander of the 104th. Enemy opposition was stubborn, but on 27 February VII Corps completed its role in, covering 13 miles from the Roer at Duren to the Erft River and Canal to seal the Ninth Army's south flank. It's drive was to continue, but now the VIII Corps belonged to another operation that General Bradley planned to carry his 12th Army Group to the Rhine.

Treadway across the Roer River


Truck on Pontoon Bridge Crossing the Roer River

Operation Grenade was a tremendous success, but not with out great cost. The Ninth Army (with a strength of 303,243) reported 92 KIA, 61 MIA, 913 WIA for a total of 1,066 casualties and VII Corps (with 75,00 men) suffered 66 KIA, 35 MIA, 280 WIA for a total of 381.

US 29th Division Crosses Roer River, Germany, 1945, July
(no sound)

22 February 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

22 February, 1945      0930

Germany

Happy Holiday, darling!

Well – if Washington’s Birthday is like it used to be, dear – you ought to be having the day off today, and if so – I hope you’re relaxing, taking it easy – and forgetting about casualties, frantic wives etc. I know your office is open all of the time – but it seems to me that you worked a half day on Christmas – so someone else must be covering now.

Here – although there’s no Holiday Spirit exactly, sweetheart, the weather could easily put you in the mood – but not for Washington’s Birthday – but rather for St. Patrick’s Day or even Patriot’s Day. The sky is as blue and clear as I’ve seen it for a long time and the streets are dry and reasonably clear. I’d like to be in my Buick now, with you – the top down – just riding around somewhere – like we once did. It’s just that kind of day here. Why I should want a ride in a car with the top down though – is beyond me. Boy – I’ve really had my share of open-air driving in that Jeep of mine.

Yesterday, dear, I didn’t move much out of this place – but I managed to keep fairly busy. In the evening I played Bridge – for the first time in several nights. I won my share. We kept changing partners – and I was on the winning end 4 out of 6 rubbers. One hand was extra special and we bid and made 7 Diamonds. I opened 1 No – with a 5 count and my partner double-jumped me to 3 diamonds. I knew we were off. It was a nice hand to hold.

I was awfully sorry to read in one of your letters – about Les White. I don’t remember what I wrote you when you first mentioned his being wounded in the shoulder or arm – but then – you implied it was slight. Of course that’s where the Army puts a family off. As you must know thru your work, dear, the reports are either ‘severe’ or ‘slight’. In order to be ‘severe’ – you’ve really got to be hit – with loss of limb at least. But there’s no ‘moderate’ classification – and I think that’s been fooling a good many families when they get a report of ‘slight’. Of course I can understand Betty being happy to have him back – but nerve injuries are damned tricky and the results uncertain. I do hope he gets along O.K. The Army does a good job though of getting a soldier into a Hospital not far from his family.

Say – what’s this about a post-war scarf? I thought you were making me one for now – although I admit – it’s getting a little bit late for it. O.K. – a post-war scarf – but what if I get back in the middle of the summer? Anyway, it’s thoughtful of you, darling, and I appreciate it. How is it coming along?

And you and Grace better stop thinking about that imaginary trip to Europe – although I see the point, dear. Better let us plan the imaginary trip back to those we love. At least when we get there – we’ll be able to love and live in peace and quiet. I don’t know if I’ll ever want to come back to this goddamned Continent. I don’t see how it will ever overcome some of it’s scars and a peace is not going to make the French, Belgium and Dutch – forgive and forget what has happened. For that matter – the Germans can’t forget it either – because they’ve been knocked cockeyed. No – this continent will stink to high heaven and I don’t believe I could come back here without becoming bitter all over again for the stagnant months I’ve had to spend here. We have two overseas stripes on our uniforms now – 1 for each six month period; and a 3rd stripe is not too far off.

Excuse me for getting into that vein Sweetheart – but I love you and have loved you for a long time now and I’ve had to be away from you all this time and it makes me fit to be tied. These surroundings don’t help one bit. Well – skip it, dear. I’ll stop now and dream awhile about Newton Center. Love to the folks – and

All my everlasting devotion –

Greg.

P.S.
ICKLE
MICKLE FLUBB
STUMDOODLE ZZZ

P.P.S. I don’t understand these things dear – But if you say it comes out all right – that’s O.K. with me

Love G.

* TIDBIT *

about Operation Clarion

On 22 February 1945 and the morning of 23 February, thousands of bombers and fighters of the Eighth, Ninth and Fifteenth Air Forces, joined by the RAF, dispersed across Germany, Austria and Italy, in small groups, bombing and strafing transportation objectives and targets of opportunity at low altitudes. Eisenhower's headquarters requested the air forces to mount Operation Clarion, a long-standing plan designed to utilize all available British and American air power non-stop day and night in a blow that would affect both economic life and the tactical situation. Some at the highest levels felt it was just the thing that was needed to "break German civilian morale." Thus, "terror bombing" was approved at the highest level, couched in tactical terms.

Although the pilots did not seem to see beyond their orders, American Air Force leaders had no difficulty understanding what Clarion was really about, and some of them protested vehemently. Over 95% of the people killed would be civilians. Those protesting felt that indiscriminate destruction of blocks of cities, including hospitals, ancient irreplaceable cathedrals, and other monuments of human culture and progress was barbaric, placing the perpetrators in the same category as those they criticized for barbarism. Still others felt it would take Allied air effort off the one thing where the Germans were most vulnerable – oil. They felt that any losses would not be just material as they would involve the reputation of the United States and Britain.

Orders went out for press releases and communiques to stress the military value of the listed targets even though the lists included small communities of insignificant military or economic importance, such as Heidelberg, Gottingen and Baden-Baden. It was directed that special care should be taken so as not to give any impression that the operation was aimed at civilian populations nor intended to terrorize them. Secretary of War, Stimson, told a press conference on the day Clarion was launched, “Our policy has never been to inflict terror bombing on civilian populations.” Somehow, he appeared remarkably unaware of what the American Air Force was doing to enemy cities that very day. For example, in the town of Hildesheim the marshaling yard was heavily damaged while the city itself received considerable damage: 102 houses were completely destroyed, and 106 houses and two churches suffered severe damage and 998 houses and four churches were slightly damaged. About 250 people were killed.

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Destruction to a rail yard in Cleve, Germany
22 February 1945


Destruction to a bridge in Simmern, Germany
22 February 1945