18 March 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

18 March, 1945      0840

Germany

Dearest Sweetheart –

This is pretty early for me – but it’s Sunday today and the Staff Meeting didn’t last long. I’ve already shaved and I’m waiting for sick-call. Then I’ll probably go out to visit one of the batteries – unless something else turns up here.

Yesterday was a dull day with nothing particular happening. Oh – I managed to get a bath – in a bath tub, too. Funny thing about Europe, but bath tubs certainly aren’t common – and even in the better homes – bath tubs are often missing. I don’t know how these people keep clean. Anyway I did get cleaned up and dressed up; that means a fresh uniform – field – of course, but even at that I was all ready to visit you, dear. Gee – it’s over 9 months now since I’ve worn anything but combat shoes, O.D. trousers, shirt – no tie, and a field jacket. It’s very simple though. You’ll have to keep checking up on me, dear, after we’re married. I’ll probably get hold of one suit and tie and just keep wearing it.

Again, darling, there was no mail at all for me from the States. I got one V-mail from my cousin Jack Alexander who is with Third Army – still in France. He was studying or getting ready to study dentistry, I guess, when the Army got him. He had had 4 years at the U of Alabama and one year at Dental School. Anyway – he’s now a corporal in an Ordnance Bn – but he’s in the medical detachment as a dental assistant.

You mentioned once – in a fairly recent letter, dear – that you wonder what it will be like when I come home. It can be a frightening thought – I agree with you there. Will it be the same – you want to know – you and millions with you. I wonder, too, sweetheart, – and it’s natural. If people who have been married, lived together and had children – wonder about it – certainly we have a right to. But our problem is not one of re-adjustment – the word so much in use these days, for strictly speaking – we have yet to be adjusted. What I mean is that whether you wait 3 months – or a couple of years – the plunge into marriage is always a big step, and that is our only problem. All this elapsed time has served to make us know each other a whole lot more – and marriage is the logical conclusion. I have no fears whatsoever about what you’ll be like when I get back – I trust my judgement and I know I would have married you had I remained at home. Sure – I’m getting dimmer in my ability to picture you – etc., but I’m relying on that initial judgement – backed up by my knowledge about you through our correspondence. No – dear – our only problem is one which every couple has to face and that is – one of adjustment. That can be answered – only by marriage – and I feel quite certain we can hit it off. I say that not lightly, for I’ve given it a lot of thought myself.

What irritates me particularly is to read and hear about married couples who are doing all the wondering and worrying. Damn it – if 2 people married and got along – why should a wife worry about her husband? Sure – he’s been to war – but he’ll be goddam glad to get back to her – unless he didn’t love her in the 1^st place and uses the war as an excuse. And why should a husband worry about his wife? She’s either faithful – and he need not worry – or she isn’t – and she’s no good. I just can’t agree with everyone who maintains the step from Army life to civilian status will be a big one. It ought to be as easy as rolling off a log – and anyone – outside of the sick – who says otherwise is merely looking for an excuse to ‘act up’.

And with that – sweetheart – I’ll have to sign off. I don’t think you’ll have much trouble with me – or I hope not. Just give me the chance, and I’ll show you how adjusted I can be. Love to the folks, darling, and

My deepest love,

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about The Canadian Rabbi


Honorary Captain Rabbi Samuel Cass
Cleve, Germany - 18 March 1945

Rabbi Samuel Cass was born in Toronto in 1908. He served as the senior Jewish chaplain in the Canadian Army from 1942 to 1946, and by 1944 he was stationed overseas at the Canadian military headquarters.

On 18 March 1945 Rabbi Samuel Cass of Vancouver, Canada conducted the first worship service celebrated on German territory by Jewish personnel of the 1st Canadian Army near Cleve, Germany. Rabbi Cass assisted with the reorganization of Jewish communities liberated by Canadian forces in Belgium and Holland. He also worked with Holocaust survivors after the war.

For Canada and Jewish Canadians, the Second World War was the Jewish community’s most sustained war effort ever. Out of a Canadian Jewish population of approximately 167,000 Jewish men, women and children, over 16,880 volunteered for active service in the army, air force, and navy. There were an additional 2,000 Jews who enlisted, but who did not declare their Jewish identity in order to avert danger if captured by the Nazi forces.

Of the 16,880 who served, which constituted more than one-fifth of the entire Jewish male population in the country, 10,440 served in the army, 5,870 in the air force, and 570 in the navy. 1,971 Jewish soldiers received military awards. Over 420 were buried with the Star of David engraved on graves scattered in 125 cemeteries. Thousands returned home with serious physical and mental wounds.

Saskatchewan Jews were among the first to volunteer during both World War I and II, and many lost their lives in the European trenches. The province honoured those who sacrificed their lives, including a number of Jewish heroes, by naming several lakes and mountains of the vast northern region after them.

The Canadian Jewish Heritage Network provides the date of death and place of burial of many of the Canadian Jewish servicemen who died serving in the Canadian Armed Forces in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.

17 March 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

17 March, 1945         0940

Germany

Wilma, darling –

As I remember it – they used to have quite a time of it on this date in Boston. I wonder how they’ll celebrate this year. They ought to send the Irish over here – there’s plenty of celebrating going on all over the place. One of the funny things around this town at the present – is the group of local policemen who wear the typical Nazi uniform but who were not part of the Army proper. Anyway – none fled and when the Americans came they were checked by the Military Government personnel and allowed to carry out their usual municipal duties. Well – an Armored division is in the area, too, and when the Commanding General saw these ‘guys’ – he ordered them to salute the Americans – not only officers, but every American soldier. And it sure is a riot to see these fellows saluting along the main street where the GI’s are driving or walking by without cease. The temptation, particularly on the part of the enlisted men – is to salute back, but that is strictly taboo. We have orders never to return the salute of a German.

Yesterday saw one of my boys getting the Silver Star – presented to him by the General of this Corps. He’s one of my corporals – and a good soldier under pressure – although I had trouble with him in the States and also in England. You may or may not remember – but he’s the one I had to court-martial in England. He was reduced to the Grade of private. But when we hit Normandy he showed he had the stuff, when he ran out into an open field to take care of 2 of our boys who were hit by 2 strafing planes. The planes were returning for another run on the field – and everybody hit the foxholes – but he got out and administered first aid nevertheless. This last episode – he went into a mine field to help one of our men who had been severely wounded. The field was covered with mines – but he went in anyway and got him out. We recommended the Bronze Star – and the Corps boosted the Award itself. Incidentally that’s the 1st such award for the battalion and I was glad a medic got it.

Lieutenant General J. Lawton Collins
Awards the Silver Star to Eckle Ashworth
16 March 1945

Other than that, dear, it was a rather quiet day with no mail again. As usual when we start moving about – the mail gets kicked around but I understand the APO has caught up with us and we may get mail this pm.

Say, darling, I want to make or take exception to one of your statements in a letter of yours – to the effect that I said “less about everything than any other man” – referring to such things as complimentary remarks etc. Hell, girl – I actually thought I was overdoing it! I guess you’re right, though, Sweetheart – I never did say very much – although I thought a lot. I never was the flattering type and always felt that rather than have you think I was just trying to say the right thing – I’d keep quiet. And I was making you like me without telling you all I thought. That – at that stage – was enough. I didn’t know we’d become engaged and grow to love each other so. And I do remember your hair, sweetheart – and it was lovely – but why single out the hair! All of you was lovely and I’d just love to show you what I mean –

So you’ll come to San Francisco if I arrive there 1st. I hope you don’t have to, darling. The chances are though that it will be back thru N.Y. or Boston. I just don’t know what reactions I’ll experience that day. Most likely I’ll have to call you –sweetheart – to tell you I’m back. Damn it! I’ll bet your line will be busy! Well – I’ll wait – honestly.

I’ll have to go now, dear. I’m treating someone with Penicillin today and it’s time for another injection. Hope all is well at home, darling. Love to the folks – and

My own sincere, deep love to you –

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about The Silver Star

According to the Home of Heroes web site:

The Silver Star Medal is the United States' THIRD HIGHEST award exclusively for combat valor, and ranks fifth in the precedence of military awards behind the Medal of Honor, the Crosses (DSC/NC/AFC), the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (awarded by DOD), and the Distinguished Service Medals of the various branches of service. It is the highest award for combat valor that is NOT unique to any specific branch; it has been bestowed by the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines. It may be given by any one of the individual services to not only their own members, but to members of other branches of service, foreign allies, and even to civilians for "gallantry in action" in support of combat missions of the United States military.

The Silver Star was established by President Woodrow Wilson as a "Citation Star" during World War I, and was solely a U.S. Army award, though it was presented by the War Department (U.S. Army) to members of the Navy and to U.S. Marines. (More on that can be found in the introductory pages to WWI awards.) Originally it provided for a 3/16" silver star to be worn on on the ribbon of the service medal for the campaign for service in which the citations were given. Based loosely upon the earlier Certificate of Merit, the Citation Star was available retroactively to those who distinguished themselves by gallantry as far back as the Spanish-American War. (Subsequently it has been awarded for gallantry to Civil War heroes who were similarly cited for gallantry in action.) Prior to 1932 the General Orders announcing awards of the "Citation Star" typically began:

By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 19, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), the following-named officers and enlisted men are cited for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded to such officers and enlisted men." (A narrative of the act or acts followed for each man thus cited.)

On February 22, 1932, the date that would have been George Washington's 200th birth day, Army Chief of Staff General Douglas MacArthur revived General Washington's "Badge for Military Merit (1782)" as the Purple Heart. That same year he also successfully advocated for conversion of the "Citation Star". When his recommendation was approved by the Secretary of War, the 3/16' silver star was converted from a "ribbon device" to a full-fledged MEDAL.

The Silver Star Medal was designed by Rudolf Freund of Bailey, Banks and Biddle, and consisted of a gilt-bronze five-pointed (point-up in contrast to the point-down design of the Medal of Honor) star bearing a laurel wreath at its center. The ribbon design incorporated the colors of the flag, and closely resembled the medals earliest predecessor, the Certificate of Merit Medal. The reverse of the medal is blank, save for the raised text "For Gallantry in Action", beneath which is usually engraved the name of the recipient.

The gold hue of the gilt-bronze star seems at odd with the award's name, Silver Star. That title derives from the medal's World War I lineage and the 3/6" silver star, once displayed on a victory ribbon, and now prominently displayed in the center of the medal.

The Silver Star Medal remained exclusively an Army decoration until August 7, 1942, nearly a year after World War II began. On that date the Silver Star Medal was expanded by Act of Congress for award by the Navy Department for actions on or after December 7, 1941, (Public Law 702, 77th Congress).

It is estimated that the number of Silver Stars awarded from World War I to present is somewhere between 100,000 and 150,000. While that number seems quite large, when compared to the more than 30 million American men and women who have served in uniform during that time period, it is obvious that the Silver Star is a rare award, bestowed on fewer than 1 in every 250 veterans of military service.

Eckle Ashworth, Silver Star Award recipient, was born on 09/28/1908 and died at the age of 90 on 11/15/1998. He is buried in Lakewood Memorial Park (cemetery), which is located in Hughson, California.

16 March 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

16 March, 1945      1100

Germany

Dearest darling Wilma –

I started out to write you about an hour and a half ago but got sidetracked until just now. Perhaps I can keep going for awhile. It’s another swell day here today. I’m up in my room writing this. It’s a small room, but was left tidy. This could be an awfully nice, quiet neighborhood – but the damned artillery – our own, I mean – is so noisy – we couldn’t sleep much last nite, and these cottages are so lightly constructed – the whole place quivers and shakes every time they open up.

We got some mail yesterday – but mostly from back in December – a couple of Christmas Cards, old issues of Time; there were none from you, dear; one was from Charlie Wright. He is now with a convalescent hospital – not as a patient – at Daytona Beach, Florida. What a set-up! The scenery around here is not so tough, though. From where we’re located we can look across and see the famous Castles that this area is noted for – tremendous places with spires, etc. – sitting in a cleared area in the middle of a wooded high spot. This must have been quite a spot in peace times.

And today is 16 months overseas duty from us, sweetheart, a pretty good stretch – it seems to me – 9 of them in combat – and that’s what counts most. Half of my Army Career has now been spent away from the States. But all that is nothing. The thing that interests me more than anything else is the fact that I’ve been away from you, dear. For over 16 months. I just can’t conceive it – and yet it’s so true and undeniable. I don’t know what I thought, actually, when I said ‘so long’ that day. I knew you for about 4 months and I knew enough about you and us to know I’d keep after you until I could marry you if I were only sticking around. I honestly didn’t dare dream that you’d not only keep up your interest in me – but consent to become engaged to me the way we did. No – I haven’t forgotten the excitement, tenseness, impatient waiting I went thru – and you, too – a year ago – winter – February, March and – April. Yes – it was April before I knew. And in two weeks – we will have been engaged one full year. You’ll just have to excuse me, sweetheart, if I say I can’t realize it; I just can’t. To be in love with you all this time is one thing; to be engaged to you in addition – and to have missed the intimacies and affection which an engaged couple are entitled to – is something we’ll never exactly make up – and for which I’ll always feel extremely bitter when the subject of war is brought up. And no celebration, no party, no anniversary; just a letter from me, sweetheart, telling you – reminding you how happy a man you made me when you agreed to become engaged to me the way you did, when you thereby gave up all others – and devoted yourself to being constant, lovable, sincere – to me alone. I was happy – a year ago, dear – but not so deeply happy and content as I am now – in the realization that what might have been criticized as a flighty decision on the part of either of us – has turned out to be a permanent and binding one, respected by time and by our continued and growing love for each other. You’ve been the best and most lovable fiancée a fellow could ask for or dream of. I can say only, darling, that I’m aware of it and I’ll never forget it. Good luck, dear, and many many more anniversaries together with me.

Love to the folks – and

All my everlasting love is yours

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about Castles of the Lower Middle Rhine

There are six castles along the banks of the Rhine from Bonn to Koblenz, including the baroque castle "Freiligrathaus", built in 1760 in Unkel, and the fabled castle of Drachenburg, atop Drachenfels - one of the best-known mountains in Germany and arguably the most scenic. Two views of Drachenburg are shown below:

Schloss Drachenburg is a private Villa in Palace style located on the Drachenfels hill in Königswinter, a German town at the Rhine River near the city of Bonn. Baron Stephan Sarter (1833-1902), son of a Bonn-based restaurant owner, who became wealthy as a stock broker and was therefore known as the “Baron of Sarter”, purchased a piece of land right underneath the ruin of a fortress at the Drachenfels, in order to fulfill his living dream. Between 1882 and 1884 an imposing work of art from the period of "promoterism" was erected here. Although the Baron planned to live there, he never did.The architecture and design of the castle put visitors into times long past.

The castle was heavily damaged during the 2nd World War and in the post-war period, so that in the 1960s it was empty and about to fall into decay. It was Paul Spinat, who saved it from its destiny as he purchased the castle and opened it for the public in 1973. Up until his death in 1989, the lord of the castle resided in the Castle Drachenburg. Today the Palace is in the possession of the State Foundation of North Rhine-Westphal

Another notable castle is Godesburg Castle near Bonn, of which only ruins remain, although the tower is still standing and can be climbed. Below are an etching from 1646 of how the castle once looked and a photo of the castle today.

The Godesburg is a castle in Bad Godesberg, a formerly independent part of Bonn, Germany. The castle was founded in 1210 and enlarged in 1244 and 1340. It was built on the Godesberg, a hill of volcanic origin, on the former site of a former Roman fortification. It was largely destroyed following a siege in 1583 at the start of the Cologne (Truchsessischen) War (1583-1588). The attackers penetrated into the castle complex through the lavatory, leading to its destruction.

In 1891, the German emperor Wilhelm II donated the castle's ruin to the city of Bad Godesberg. In 1959, the ruin was rebuilt according to plans by Gottfried Böhm, to house a hotel and restaurant. Today, the restaurant is still in operation, but the hotel tract has been divided into apartments.

Other castles in the area include Rheineck Castle, located between Bonn and Koblenz, which is now a museum and restaurant. Erzbichofburg castle (near Eltville) sits right on the river and offers one of the most impressive sights to visitors. Built in 1353 and partially destroyed in 1635, it has been restored and is now open as a museum, offering reenactment rooms featuring Middle-Age artifacts and items, including a 15th century printer's workshop.

15 March 1945

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

15 March, 1945

Germany

Hello Sweetheart –

Another Ides of March away from you, dear. The weather here suddenly cleared and the sky is blue and the sun real warm. I’m writing this outdoors on an easy chair – and it’s really comfortable here.

Our present set-up is again a novel one. We occupy a row of small cottages on one side of the street. It’s suburban and a good location. We have a house of our own – with running water – but no lights. Well – we can’t have everything, darling.

March 1945 - Greg in Friesdorf

As usual – on such days – I’ve got quite a lot of work – getting set up etc. – and therefore the V-mail and the brevity. All else O.K., sweetheart and I hope you’re well. Love to the folks and remember I love you very very much.

All my love, darling

Greg

Route of the Question Mark


[CLICK TO ENLARGE]

(A) Bruhl to (B) Friesdorf, Germany (17 miles)
12 March to 15 March 1945

March 15... Freisdorf.  The sure arrival of  Spring, and we lived in a row of neat little houses facing an orchard where our trucks were parked. A dozen men, T/Sgt [Albert W. or Roland C.] WRIGHT, S/Sgt [Ralph D.] SIGLER, T/Sgt [Robert E.] WHEELER, T/4 [William] BIEDERMAN, T/4 [Glenn M.] ASH, T/4 [August] STARK [Jr.], T/4 [Cecil W.] ALEXANDER, Cpl [Myron F.] SCRAFFORD, T/5 [Walter] KURAS, T/5 [Miles E.] CONWAY, T/5 [Robert E.] BEGGAN, Pfc [John] CALICYO, had to sleep in tents in the orchard because their beds were untidy, called the row "The dirty dozen" and "Pig-alley" - complete with pig. We lost our motion picture projector... Cleaned out our trailers... painted our trucks.

* 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, Page 334, 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.334-335.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

14 March 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

14 March, 1945      0930

Germany

Dearest sweetheart –

0930 of late seems to be the time to write you. I’ve been less often disturbed at that hour than at any other time – but the military situation has a great deal to do with it.

This spot is still as comfortable as ever – but I guess people are very queer and nothing will ever change with them. Here we’ve been without modern conveniences for so long a time – and then we strike this place. Last night – for some unexplained reason – the lights went out in the evening – and we were positively annoyed. We still had a good house, warmth, running water and a place to sit around in – but we didn’t like the fact that we had no lights. Of course – for months now – we’ve got by with flashlights, candles and kerosene lamps. Anyway, dear, the lights came on after about two hours and everybody was happy.

Yesterday I visited Charlie battery – Pete’s – but he was out on reconnaissance and I didn’t see him. I do get to see him or he – me – on the average of about once a week – but we never can spend much time together – these days. I then went on a little sight-seeing tour into the center of a large town. What a mess the air force made! You have only to picture a city the size of Boston laid waste about 85% – to get the picture. The true picture, though, is that the center of the city is 100% down, and a little of the outskirts has some buildings with walls. Well – we tried several different ways to get to one particular spot I wanted to get a snapshot of – and in each case – the road was impassable. We heard that Margaret Bourque-White was in the area – also trying to photograph the same place – apparently for Life Magazine. We didn’t run into her – and if she got her pictures – I’ll bet it wasn’t yesterday – because – the city suddenly got kind of hot and we made a beeline out of town – but not before we had a flat tire and had to sweat out a change.

Cologne - Steeple of Cathedral in Distance
14 March 1945

The Rhine at Cologne showing remains of Hohenzollern Bridge.
We got this close by accident and got out fast because the Germans
were on the other side. We were shelled (mortars) shortly afterwards.
14 March 1945

Gate and wall to inner city - Cologne
14 March 1945

Severinstor Today
One of three medieval city gates still remaining
This photo belongs to Letícia F. Terra's Flickr photostream

Near Cologne - A little better - March 1945
Note Germans and cart - Evacuating - We had just moved in.

When I got back I found a V-Mail and an air-mail (28 February) from you – and an old letter – from Dad A. Your V-Mail was undated – dear – but must have been of a recent date because it sang of the Spring – ah – the beautiful Spring! Your air-mail had an enclosure in it – the note from Betty Levine. I didn’t hear from her directly, but I got a V-mail from Stan the other day – thanking us for the gift. I don’t remember whether I mentioned that to you or not.

In a V-mail from you the other day – you mentioned hearing from Shirley Feldberg. I’ll bet you were surprised hearing from her after a lapse of time of months – I guess. I wonder if you’ve seen her yet – I suppose she must know about Stan’s marriage. I liked Shirley; she has a good head on her – she proved that by not getting tied up with Stan. That’s not a very fair thing to say about a guy that was once one of my closest friends – but the fact is – he wouldn’t have been marrying her for love – and I guess she was smart enough to sense it. Every now and then I think back to the days when I first met you – and the days when I first left the States – and I get very angry at Stan – all over again – for the way he acted behind my back, – and I wonder how we’ve managed to remain friends. What I should have done is to have written him what I thought of him and let it end right there. Anyway – I know I’ll never trust him again. I remember your telling me your father’s opinion of him – and I thought your father must have been all wet. He wasn’t.

Well – the hell with that subject. Here it is about time for me to be getting back to work – and I haven’t even talked about us – about you and me and our own world! That’s what we’ll have some day, sweetheart, our own world, and do you know what we’ll use to generate power in it? Love! Of course – plenty of strong concentrated love. I can hardly wait –

I’ll really have to stop now, darling and get on my theoretical horse. I hope everything’s O.K. at home and that Mother B is feeling steadily better. Love to the folks, dear – and

All my everlasting love

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about Margaret Bourke-White

Margaret Bourke-White
American Photographer and Documentary Photographer

From Wikipedia comes this:

Bourke-White was born in the Bronx, New York, to Joseph White, a non-observant Jew from an Orthodox Jewish family and Minnie Bourke, the Protestant daughter of an Irish ship's carpenter and an English cook. She grew up in Bound Brook, New Jersey, but graduated from Plainfield High School. Her father was a naturalist, engineer and inventor. His work improved the four-color printing process that is used for books and magazines. Her mother, Minnie Bourke, was a "resourceful homemaker." Margaret learned from her father perfection, from her mother, the unabashed desire for self-improvement." Margaret's success was not a family fluke. Her older sister, Ruth White, was well known for her work at the American Bar Association in Chicago, Illinois, and her younger brother Roger Bourke White became a prominent Cleveland businessman and high-tech industry founder.

From a Combat Camera's former web site came this bio of Margaret-Bourke White:

She is most famously known as the first foreign photographer permitted to take picture of Soviet Industry, the first female war correspondent (and related, the first female permitted to work in combat zones) and the first female photographer for Henry Luce’s LIFE magazine, where her photograph graced the first LIFE cover.

Fort Peck Dam, Montana
Credit: Margaret Bourke-White

Bourke-White was the first female war correspondent and the first woman to be allowed to work in combat zones during World War II. In 1941, she traveled to the Soviet Union just as Germany broke its pact of non-aggression. She was the only foreign photographer in Moscow when German forces invaded. Taking refuge in the U.S. Embassy, she then captured the ensuing firestorms on camera.

Kremlin Bombardment by German Luftwaffe
Credit: Margaret Bourke-White

As the war progressed, she was attached to the U.S. Army Air Force in North Africa, then to the U.S. Army in Italy and later Germany. She repeatedly came under fire in Italy in areas of fierce fighting. The woman who had been torpedoed in the Mediterranean, strafed by the Luftwaffe, stranded on an Arctic island, bombarded in Moscow, and pulled out of the Chesapeake when her chopper crashed, was known to the LIFE staff as "Maggie the Indestructible." This incident in the Mediterranean refers to the sinking of the England-Africa bound British troopship SS Strathallan which she recorded in an article “Women in Lifeboats”, in LIFE, February 22, 1943.

Photo from "Women in Lifeboats," LIFE, 22 February 1943
Credit: Margaret Bourke-White

In the spring of 1945, she traveled through a collapsing Germany with General George S. Patton. In this period, she arrived at Buchenwald, the notorious concentration camp. She is quoted as saying, “Using a camera was almost a relief. It interposed a slight barrier between myself and the horror in front of me.” After the war, she produced a book entitled Dear Fatherland, Rest Quietly, a project that helped her come to grips with the brutality she had witnessed during and after the war.

Buchenwald
Credit: Margaret Bourke-White

To many who got in the way of a Bourke-White photograph — and that included not just bureaucrats and functionaries but professional colleagues like assistants, reporters, and other photographers — she was regarded as imperious, calculating, and insensitive.” She had a knack for being at the right place at the right time: She interviewed and photographed Mohandas K. Gandhi just a few hours before his assassination.

Ghandi (1951)
Credit: Margaret Bourke-White

Eisenstaedt, her friend and colleague, said one of her strengths was that there was no assignment and no picture that was unimportant to her.

Also from Wikipedia:

During the 1950s, Bourke-White was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. She had just turned 50 when she had to slow her career to fight off the disease, initially with physical therapy, then with brain surgery in 1959 and 1961.

She wrote her autobiography, Portrait of Myself, which was published in 1963 and became a best seller, but she grew increasingly infirm and increasingly became more isolated in her home in Darien, Connecticut. Her living room there "was wallpapered in one huge, floor-to-ceiling, perfectly-stitched-together black-and-white photograph of an evergreen forest that she had shot in Czechoslovakia in 1938." A pension plan set up in the 1950s "though generous for that time" no longer covered her health-care costs. She also suffered financially from her personal generosity and "less-than-responsible attendant care."

She died in Connecticut of Parkinson's Disease at the age of 67, nearly 18 years after she developed her first symptoms.

13 March 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

13 March, 1945      0930

Germany

My dearest darling Wilma –

Well – we’re a bit more settled today and I won’t mind if we stay awhile. This spot is O.K. – and it took me all the way back to my fraternity days – the way we sat and lounged around last evening. A radio was going continuously, as was a game of Bridge. The rest of the fellows were sitting around – reading or writing. Hell – except for occasional artillery of both varieties – you’d hardly think there was a war on.

I can’t seem to remember what I wrote you in yesterday’s V-Mail, dear – but if I didn’t tell you I love you – I ought to be whipped. Anyway – I do – and more strongly than ever, sweetheart, and that’s a healthy sign. And loving you as I do, I aim to marry you and make you my own for always. Is that clear?

Now that that’s settled, I guess we can take up the business of the day. First matter on the docket is to tell you that I love you very strongly today, too! Well! Well! – let’s get along here – we don’t seem to be making very much progress. I don’t know – I’d be more careful before making a statement like that. For example, Al Smith used to say, let’s look at the facts: I tell you I love you and you say the same; I want to kiss you, hold you, squeeze you – and generally love you up and down; you agree to that. Hell – if that’s not progress – then I can’t think of a better word. All right, all right – let’s not argue about it – all I wanted to do – was to get going on this letter. Well – what’s the g-d’d rush, anyway? The hell with the letter – I want to clear up this ‘love’ situation. Am I going to be able to bring it up when I want to – or not? If not – so help me. I’ll stop right now and let you imagine what else I was going to write.

To go on – then – remember that I can write what I want and as often as I wish – on any subject too. Now – if we were married right now – and you were in my clutches – and honestly, I mean ‘clutches’ – you’d be continuously gasping for breath. I really think you’d better fit yourself for a good oxygen-concentrating mask, sweetheart – because I won’t let you come up for air very often – and when I do – it will be for only seconds at a time; you’ll then be able to clasp your mask on quickly, and as soon as your color changes from blue to pink – we’ll start all over again. What a wonderful way to become breathless, darling! Just thinking about it now makes me gasp – psychically only – of course – but these are hard times – and we can’t complain. Pity those who don’t even have that!

And when we’re all alone – by ourselves, with no one to disturb us, I’ll look at you, hold you tightly to me – and tell you all the nice things I wanted to before I left you – and didn’t dare – and all the things I’ve stored up in me all these long months. And we’ll be happy.

Hell, sweetheart – I didn’t tell you much news today – and this didn’t turn out to be much of a letter. But I don’t want to change the mood. So for now, dearest, so long, be well, send my love to the folks – and always always remember that I am

Yours alone

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives

The Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives branch (MFA&A) of the U.S. Army had not developed even to the modest proportions envisioned in early 1944 when the U.S. entered Germany. SHAEF and 12th Army Group had MFA&A sections in the G-5, and each "E" detachment had space for one MFA&A officer. In the advance in March and April 1945, the armies employed one officer apiece on detached service from the E detachments. On the other hand, the monuments multiplied as the front moved into Germany. The monuments, including archives, in the SHAEF official list totaled 1,055 for all Germany. By late March, 12th Army Group had identified 600 in the path of its advance alone. SHAEF had listed 15 monuments in Aachen. After the city was captured, the number rose to 66. The list made no provision at all for art collections, libraries, and archives evacuated from the cities and deposited in remote places to keep them safe during the bombing; and 12th Army Group had found or knew about 115 items in this category before the end of March.

Because of the nature of the war, even having many more MFA&A officers could not have prevented the most extensive losses. The bombs had generally done their work days, weeks, or months before the first Americans appeared on the scene, and MFA&A had left to itself the sad task of assessing what had survived and what was gone for good. In the old city of  Trier, for instance, the only structures found undamaged were the Roman ruins. The bombers had obviously tried to avoid the churches but were only partially successful. The cathedral, the oldest Romanesque church in Germany, had taken one direct hit, and the bell had shaken loose and fallen through the tower. The Liebfrauenkirche, an early Gothic structure dating from the thirteenth century, was badly damaged, and the eighteenth century Paulinuskirche had a hole in its roof. In both structures, all the windows were blown out. The most that could be done was to make the buildings weather-tight to prevent added damage from the elements. In buildings so old, whatever was left was valuable, and close inspection revealed that some things, such as the paintings in the interior pillars of the Liebfrauenkirche, had survived practically intact.

Leibfrauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) in Trier
Entry after WWII Damage (above)
and Repaired (below)




Leibfrauenkirche in Trier Today

Probably the least necessary casualties were the castles, of which the Rhineland had a large number. Most, generally located in isolated spots, had come through the bombing well; but castles have military associations, and sometimes the artillery could not resist laying in a few rounds. Castles also were rumored to have fabulous wine cellars, which made them magnets for thirsty troops. They also made attractive command posts and billets, often the only ones for miles around. Unfortunately, because they were generally safe from bombing, the Germans had done nothing to protect the castles or their contents and had used them to store art work and archives evacuated from the cities. From experience, MFA&A officers ranked them as the least safe depositories, after ordinary country houses and far below churches, monasteries, and hospitals. At Rimburg Castle in Aachen, the furniture and art work were scattered, vandalized and thrown into the moat, and the locked rooms broken into and rifled. When Ninth Army G-5 MFA&A advisers later toured, they concluded the destruction was a combined effort among the British, Canadian and American troops. There were slashed pictures and cases of books from the Aachen library broken open with their contents strewn about by souvenir hunters. A castle of the Deutschorden at Siersdorf near Aachen, a division had set up its command post and moved valuable carved panelling from the Aachen Rathaus (city hall) out into the weather where they were ruined. After this, units had been ordered to inventory all valuables and store them under lock and key; but such orders were notoriously hard to enforce in a fluid situation.

One castle which had not escaped the air raids was the Schloss Augustusburg, located in Brühl. Augustusburg had been a fine example of Baroque architecture, complete with a grand staircase, chapel, gardens, and outlying lodge. On 10 October 1944, a single bomb destroyed the north wing. On 28 December, several bombs had hit near the chapel, and the concussions smashed the plaster baroque and rococo interior. On 4 March, two days before the castle fell into American hands, three artillery shells struck the main building. Testimony taken later indicated that no German troops had been in or near the building. One shell blew a corner off the roof. The other two detonated inside and did extensive damage. Before the military government detachment arrived in Brühl, troops bivouacked in the Schloss and caused more damage. Again it was a case of trying to salvage something from the wreckage. Detachment I1D2 found an architect, a master carpenter, and a dozen carpenters and laborers and put them to work patching the roof, shoring up the walls, and putting cardboard in the windows. Material had to be scavenged from other ruins in the city. The detachment stationed two German policemen on the grounds, but they had no authority over US soldiers who continued to go in and out as they pleased. Augustusburg seemed likely to suffer the same treatment as Rimburg.

Front and Back of Castle (Schloss) Augustusburg in Brühl
Today the palace belongs to the government of North Rhine-Westfalia
and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

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Lt. Col. Webb, SHAEF's MFA&A adviser, toured the two British armies and US Ninth Army in March. Pillage and wanton destruction, he concluded, were at least a combined effort, being as prevalent among the British and Canadians as among the Americans. Aware that the prevailing mood was not one of kindliness toward Germans or their property, he pointed out that the German collections also contained looted art work which the Allies had pledged to restore to their rightful owners, and these pieces too were threatened. SHAEF G-5 forwarded Webb's report, adding, "It is appreciated that a certain amount of 'toughness' may be desirable in occupied territory and it is not suggested that we should instruct our troops to act in Germany as they have usually in liberated territory; nevertheless, it is important that Allied troops should not desecrate churches and should not destroy works of art looted from our allies."

It was, in fact, not a good time to attempt to convert the troops into guardians of German culture. General Smith passed the Webb report on to the army groups with the slightly equivocal comment that looting had to be considered a less despicable offense on enemy territory than on liberated territory but ought to be discouraged for the sake of the restitution policy and "to impress on the inhabitants the fact that their conquerors are superior to them not only in military prowess but in their moral standards."

12 March 1945

No letter today. Just this:

Route of the Question Mark

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(A) Gros Konigsdorf to (B) Brühl (12 miles)
6 March - 12 March 1945

March 12... Brühl. We lived in a mansion connected with a grain and feed establishment. We sent a trucking detail to haul searchlights to the Remagen beach-head. Spring at last, our first softball game of the season. Cpl [Eckel] ASHWORTH of the Medics was awarded a Silver Star for heroism when he rescued Pvt [Raymond A.] KRAJEWSKI of C Battery from a mined field.

* TIDBIT *

about Awards from the French

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,  describing the French giving awards to the Americans in Duren:

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