04 May 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

4 May, 1945      0840

Germany

My dearest darling Wilma –

It seems as if almost any hour or certainly any day – this thing ought to fold up. Actually – for most of us – I don’t believe the actual announcement will affect us very much. It will be sort of anticlimactic. We got our thrill – our realization that the Germans were whipped as we raced thru central Germany. The rest is a formality. I suppose we’ll be allowed to discard our helmets temporarily and wear our light helmet liners. Other than that I don’t see much change. The men will certainly go on carrying their weapons – for this is after all – Germany. I think this battalion will go on caring for allied ex-prisoners of war – but for how long, dear – your guess right now is as good as mine. Still that’s not as bad as some other outfits who have already been broken up into M.P. units and have the job of policing various cities; a good many others are doing Military Government work, and I may have told you we lost 3 officers to M.G. already. That’s why I say, darling, that news of V.E. day will be anticlimactic. To all intents and purposes – the Army is already acting as if it were over.

And then what? If I only knew. No one does though, dear, so I, we – have a lot of company. So far it seems as if I’m destined to remain with the 438th – come hell or high water. It’s too late to change now – and I doubt the Army Surgeon is doing any changing anyway. The big trouble, dear, is that so many doctors are and have been in the same boat as I. Well – as usual, I’ll wait. If nothing else – the Army makes good waiters out of men – although sometimes I feel as if I were going to explode – from waiting.

Here – the work continues and I’m learning a little Russian. They’re a tough people and damned hard to handle – from an administrative point of view. They just won’t be disciplined and they run wild all over this place – and this camp is going to be all-Russian. They get hold of liquor somewhere or other – and the first thing they do after drinking it – is to start a brawl. Someone always gets beat up badly.

I got mail yesterday, sweetheart, one from you of the 21st, one from Barbara Tucker and one from Dad A. The latter’s letter referred to his visit to Sgt. Freeman. You had mentioned it in your letter of the day before. I kind of wished he hadn’t gone – but apparently the reaction was all right. He was bandaged and that helped a lot. Also – he must have told a pretty good story – because my father said that he was much relieved after hearing of our experiences from Freeman. I owe him a debt of thanks for that.

Your letter, darling, referred to your receiving those books on the Olympics. I liked them also because I recognized so many names and faces; also – I don’t think any outfit in the U.S. has done so good a job in recording the events. There are still lots of packages – it seems to me – you’ve never mentioned receiving – although you may have mentioned it in some of your letters which I haven’t as yet received. But I can’t think of anything especially valuable – so I’m not worried particularly – although now that I think of it – there are a couple of things I would like to reach you.

Today I’ve got to do a little running around seeing that shots are given to our own personnel. We’re spread out so now that it’s quite a job. These days – when the day is over, I really feel tired out – which is a change. But the activity does help the day go by more swiftly – and that’s all I ask until once again I’m with you – sweetheart. Then I’ll want each day to be interminable – so I can tell you over and over how much I love you – and in addition to telling you – show you. Sit tight, sweetheart – it can’t be too long.

All for now, dear, except love to the folks – and remember – I’m

Yours always –

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about Germany Surrenders Holland and Denmark

From Charles Anesi's blog comes this:

BEFORE the might of Allied arms, vaunted Festung Europa, Fortress Europe, crumbled into final ruin in the spring of 1945 and its Nazi masters died ignominiously or slunk into hiding like the criminals they are, leaving substitute fuehrers to yield in unconditional surrender. Thus the Nazi revolution against the morals of modern civilization came to an end. It came so close to succeeding, however, that the testimony of its failure, the surrender documents signed at Liineburg, Reims, and Berlin, will remain forever among the most significant records of our times.

Squirming under the heels of the victorious Allied Expeditionary Force and the conquering Red Army, the Germans, in the vain hope of obtaining a softer peace, sought to surrender only to the AEF. At Liineburg, Field Marshal Sir Bernard Law Montgomery sternly rejected the bid for a surrender of the German armies in Holland, northwest Germany, and Denmark to the AEF alone. Trapped, General Admiral Hans Georg von Friedeburg, who had become head of the German Navy when Grand Admiral Karl Donitz succeeded Hitler as Reichspresident, consequently yielded those armies to all the Allies when he surrendered to Montgomery on Liineburg Heath on May 4, 1945, three days before the general surrender at Reims. Kinzel, G. Wagner, Poleck, and Friedel also signed this document.

Friedeburg Signs the Surrender, Montgomery Watches


The surrender document (typed below for easier reading)

Instrument of Surrender
of
All German armed forces in HOLLAND, in
northwest Germany including all islands,
and in Denmark.

1. The German Command agrees to the surrender of all German armed forces in HOLLAND, in northweast GERMANY including the FRISLAN ISLANDS and HELIGOLAND and all other islands, in SCHLESWIGHOLSTEIN, and in DENMARK, to the C.-in-C. 21 Army Group. This is to include all naval ships in these areas. These forces to lay down their arms and to surrender unconditionally.


2. All hostilities on land, on sea, or in the air by German forces in the above areas to cease at 0800 hrs. British Double Summer Time on Saturday 5 May 1945.


3. The German command to carry out at once, and without argument or comment, all further orders that will be issued by the Allied Powers on any subject.


4. Disobedience of orders, or failure to comply with them, will be regarded as a breach of these surrender terms and will be dealt with by the Allied Powers in accordance with the accepted laws and usages of war.


5. This instrument of surrender is independent of, without prejudice to, and will be superseded by any general instrument of surrender imposed by or on behalf of the Allied Powers applicable to Germany and the German armed forces as a whole.


6. This instrument of surrender is written in English and in German.  The English version is the authentic text.


7. The decision of the Allied Powers will be final if any doubt or dispute arises as to the meaning or interpretation of the surrender terms.

03 May 1945

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

3 May, 1945      0830

Germany

Dearest darling Wilma –

A busy day coming up and I’ve got to resort to this this a.m. But I can tell you I love you and miss you even more these days that seem to bring the end of the war nearer. It’s going to be damn tough waiting from here in – but I guess I can stick it out if the others can. How the Med. Corps will be treated – if at all differently – I don’t’ know, darling – and there’s no one over here either – that knows any more about it. The news of the end of the Italian campaign was excellent. There are a lot of veterans there – and the sooner they get home the quicker we will.

Got three letters form you yesterday, Sweetheart, latest as of 22 April. Was sorry to read you were having trouble with your stomach. You sounded all tired out after your trip – but that’s the usual way. Hope you’re feeling much better now, dear, and taking care of yourself. Will write more tomorrow, I hope. For now, so long, love to the folks – and

All my deepest love,

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about the Sinking of the Cap Arcona

Contrary to general belief the world's greatest ship disaster did not occur in the Atlantic Ocean and the ship was not the Titanic. The greatest ship disaster occurred on 3 May 1945 in Lübeck Bay in the Baltic Sea and the ship was the Cap Arcona. Three ships were involved: the Cap Arcona, the Thielbek and the Athen.

The 27,571 register ton Cap Arcona was the most beautiful of the Hamburg-Süd fleet of liners. It was a slender, twin propeller, three funneled luxury liner. On 25 August 1939 she was commandeered for war service. Following the invasion of Poland she was docked at the Gdynia, Poland quay from 1939 to early 1945 as floating accommodation. In the face of advancing Russian troops she was used to transport civilians, Nazi personnel and soldiers from Gdynia to Copenhagen until her turbines became worn out. Her engines were overhauled in Copenhagen enabling her to return to Germany. When she dropped anchor in Lübeck Bay on 14 April 1945 she was no longer maneuverable. No longer useful to the German navy, she was returned to the Hamburg-Süd line.

The Cap Arcona

Two other ships, the freighter Theibek and the Athen were also moved to the industrial harbor in Lübeck, being damaged but able to sail.

The Thielbek

The Germans had concentrated ships in the Baltic Sea as transport for the defeated German army fleeing westward from the advancing Russians army. The Cap Arcona and Thielbek were anchored in Lübeck Bay offshore west of Neustadt. They had been commandeered to take concentration camp prisoners on board with the intention of sinking the ships and murdering the prisoners. The Athen was fortunately in Neustadt Harbour. The prisoners were from Neuengamme concentration camp, Stutthof concentration camp and Mittelbau-Dora concentration camp. There were 4,500 prisoners on board the Cap Arcona, 2,800 prisoners on board the Thielbek, and 1,998 prisoners on board the Athen when they were attacked and sunk by the British RAF on 3 May 1945. This is that story.

Reichsführer SS Heinrich Himmler had issued the secret order to all concentration camp commanders that surrender was unacceptable, that concentration camps were to be immediately evacuated and no prisoner was to fall into the hands of the enemy alive. Himmler intended that all prisoners were to be killed. In the Neuengammer concentration camp the order was received by SS-Obersturmführer Karl Totzauer, adjutant to the commander Max Pauly. This order started the death marches from Neuengamme, the largest concentration camp in Germany, with its 96 satellite camps, of which more than 20 were women's camps. As the death marches advanced northwards Hamburg, regional commander Karl Kaufmann sought ships in which to put the concentration camp prisoners to sea. Being informed about the Cap Arcona he ordered the prisoner transports from Neuengamme concentration camp and its satellite camps to be directed to Lübeck. 11,000 prisoners arrived at Lübeck quayside. They arrived by train in cattle-wagons at Lübeck harbor between 19 and 26 April. Roughly 50 percent of all prisoners did not survive the journey.

On the 18th April, SS men had boarded the Thielbek. Captain John Jacobsen of the Thielbek and Captain Bertram of the Cap Arcona had been called to a conference and were ordered to take concentration camp prisoners on board. Both captains had refused. The following day Jacobsen lost command of his ship. Provisional toilets were installed on the deck of the Thielbek and embarkation started on 20 April. The Swedish Red Cross was present and all concentration camp prisoners except the Russian prisoners received a food parcel which, with the combination of malnutrition and thirst, caused terrible suffering. The water supplied from the ship's tank was totally insufficient. Twenty to thirty prisoners died daily and were removed by lorry. All prisoners, except the political prisoners, remained one or two days on board before being transferred to the Cap Arcona by the Athen.

Captain Nobmann of the Athen had been ordered to take 2,300 prisoners and 280 SS guards on board and to ferry them to the Cap Arcona. He initially refused but obeyed when threatened with being shot following a drumhead court martial. The SS and Kapos drove the prisoners on board the Athen with yells and blows. They had to climb down rope ladders into the deep holds of the ship. In the haste many prisoners fell and were seriously injured. There was hardly room to move in the dark, cold and damp holds. There were no toilets or water. After some hours the fully laden ship left the harbor for the Cap Arcona anchored off Neustadt. Captain Bertram refused to take the prisoners on board the Cap Arcona even after the SS came aboard. The Athen remained off Neustadt overnight and returned to Lübeck next morning, 21 April, the prisoners having been given nothing to eat or drink.

It was clear to all that the Cap Arcona was to be scuttled with the prisoners on board. On the evening of 21 April Captain Bertram was given the ultimation: either immediately give permission for the Athen to moor alongside and transfer its prisoners to the Cap Arcona or be shot without a court martial. Bertram capitulated. Before the Athen moored alongside a second time, a launch brought SS men who removed all life belts and jackets and all benches which could be used as rafts and locked them in the storage room. On 27 April the Athen arrived in Neustadt with 2,500 prisoners from Mittelbau-Dora concentration camp who were transferred to the Cap Arcona. For three days the Athen journeyed to and fro between Lübeck harbour and the Cap Arcona. There were finally 6,500 prisoners on board and 600 SS guards. There was hardly anything to eat or drink and prisoners continued to die. A launch brought drinking water and took the dead back to Neustadt daily. The Russians received the worst treatment being locked in the lowest hold without fresh air, light or food. The number of dead grew ever larger. The Athen made its last journey to the Cap Arcona on 30 April but this time to take prisoners off as the Cap Arcona was so over crowded that even the SS could no longer endure the starvation, stench and dead.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

The prisoners learned that Hitler had committed suicide on 1 May 1945, that most of Berlin was occupied by Russian troops and that the war was practically over. On the morning of the 3 May a squadron of British planes flew over Lübeck Bay and observed the Cap Arcona. The prisoners waved believing they were saved. The planes flew at 10,000 feet to avoid the flak and there was low cloud so that the prisoners were not seen. At 2:30 p.m. Captain Rumbold returned with his squadron. Visibility had improved. They attacked. The British who were seen as potential rescuers by the concentration camp prisoners turned out to be their unwitting executioners.

The Cap Arcona was ablaze. The safety equipment for flooding and fire was of the highest standard but controlled from the bridge. Captain Bertram had left the bridge, hacking his way through the mass of prisoners with a machete, to abandon his ship. The SS men kept the prisoners below deck with their weapons. Nearly all prisoners below deck were killed. Many of the life boats were holed and the prisoners did not know how to lower them anyway. Only one life boat was lowered. Some prisoners were rescued in a boat despite the order from the garrison commander of Neustadt Heinrich Schmidt not to rescue prisoners. Prisoners were shot in the water. On reaching Neustadt the survivors begged the British troops to urgently send rescue boats. Of the 600 guards, SS personnel, marines, 24 SS women and 70 crew, roughly 490 were rescued, among them captain Bertram and his second officer.

The Cap Arcona after being bombed

The attack on the Thielbek occurred roughly an hour after the attack on the Cap Arcona. She was flying a white flag. Only a few prisoners were able to escape the holds. The safety-boats were holed. The crew gave help to the prisoners. The ship had a 50 percent list and was near to sinking when Captain Jacobsen told the crew to abandon ship. The British planes shot at the rescue boats and people in the water. Practically all the SS guards and marines were killed. Captain Jacobsen, his first officer his and first engineer were killed. The Second officer, third officer and three merchant seamen are rescued.

There were 4,500 prisoners on board the Cap Arcona, 2,800 prisoners on board the Thielbek, and 1,998 prisoners on board the Athen. 350 were rescued from the Cap Arcona, 50 were rescued from the Thielbek and all the 1,998 prisoners from the Athen survived. A total of 7,500 people were killed in the air-raid.

No British government has ever made reference to the deaths of the 7,500 people in Lübeck Bay. There has never been a wreath laid nor a speech given in their memory. It has been said that Red Cross radio operators attempted to warn the English against attacking the ships and to have notified them of the true situation on board. Mass graves were dug along the beach between Neustadt and Pelzerhaken. Some survivors built a cenotaph from stones and wrote upon it in large black letters:

In eternal memory of the prisoners of Neuengamme concentration camp. They perished with the sinking of the Cap Arcona on the 3rd of May 1945.

Within the memoir of Benjamin Jacobs titled "The Dentist of Auschwitz" there is a powerful chapter in which he tells of surviving the sinking of the Cap Arcona. Below are links to that chapter and to the entire book. Chapter 17 is worth the read.

To link to "Chapter 17: Disaster on the Baltic Sea", page 180 click here.
To link to the Table of Contents and a preview of the book, click here.

02 May 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

2 May, 1945       0835

Germany

My dearest sweetheart –

The radio is playing that song about “over and over again” – which is fairly new for us by the way. It’s a catchy song and at the moment reminds me that although I do tell you I love you, darling, perhaps I’m not telling you over and over again. If not, dear – let me make myself clear: I love you – and only you and that’s the way it will always be. Now – if I’m overdoing it – will you please let me know?

Well May hasn’t warmed this place up one bit. The last week or two it has really been cold and we have had a stove going continuously. But it’s raining today and perhaps the weather will break. I must start getting a tan. A couple of the officers have come back from leave and they make us all look pale by comparison. I don’t recall whether I told you about the leaves. The occasional leaves – not 3 day passes – available to London or the Riviera. I won a drawing to go to England some time ago and turned it down. But two of the officers have already won the Riviera deal – and it’s really something. The E.M.’s go to Nice, officers to Cannes. They took a truck back only about 100 miles and then boarded a C47 and were flown to their destination. The reports dwelt on the luxuriousness of everything, the hot sun, the swimming – the cocktails etc. It really sounded nice. If I drew one of those, I’d be interested. Otherwise – I’ve had enough traveling for awhile – i.e. – except for that nice trip home to you, dear.

I did get up to Battalion yesterday morning. Their new set-up is in a tremendous factory – with elaborate offices etc. It’s quite comfortable – but I like where I am just a bit better and I’ll stay here a while longer if I can. (My pen just ran dry and the only thing here is Parker 51 – which I’m dipping into. There’s some kind of warning about not filling your pen unless it’s a Parker – which mine isn’t. I’m getting only about 4 words per dip, dear – so please be patient.) The city – by the way – isn’t as badly beat up as a good many others we’ve seen or been in – but it’s plenty kaput just the same. It must have been a beautiful place at one time. I suppose you know what city I’m talking about, dear? It starts with the same letter as does my brother’s first name. Battalion ought to be there for awhile I think.

Meanwhile – I came back here to find the French moving out and a mob of Russians moving in. Boy – are they a wild bunch and completely uncivilized! They really ran us wild. They have no discipline and have never really soldiered. With most of them it was a question of being given a uniform, a rifle and being told to go out and kill Germans – which they did. I have a heck of a time with them on sick-call – but if I stay here long enough I’ll learn a little Russian. It’s a sure bet they won’t learn a little English. I’ve had a few suture jobs – cuts about the face – usually the story is the same – someone’s friend bashed him with a bottle. But they don’t seem to mind. They’re tough and I use the so-called Bulgarian anesthesia – which is no anesthesia at all. To date, sweetheart, I’ve had no complaints.

In the evening – we heard the news of Hitler’s alleged death. If he’s dead – he’s been dead a long time. I just don’t believe those bums – and I hate them all even more – for prolonging this fruitless war. A lot of guys would forgive them a lot had they called it quits even a month ago. But their stupid continuation to fight thereby delaying our plans – is making us hate them even more – if that is possible.

Well – dearest – I’m getting tired of dipping and besides – I’ve got to get going on sick call. No mail for me yesterday – but I’ll send up this p.m. For now, darling, so long, love to the folks – and

All my everlasting love –

Greg

The following Commendation addressed to
Lieutenant Colonel John J. Lane was dated 2 May 1945.
A typed version is posted as a separate page and
can be seen by clicking on the tab above called "438th Commendation".

[CLICK TO ENLARGE]


* TIDBIT *

about the Surrender of Berlin

From an Army History Journal article comes this excerpt from a piece called "How the Berlin Garrison Surrendered, 2 May 1945," written by Colonel Igor N. Venkov, archivist of the Soviet General Staff and a member of the editorial staff of the National Book of Memory.

At 00:40 on 2 May the radio unit of the 79 Guards Rifle Division intercepted a message in Russian from a portable radio set of the 56 Panzer Corps: "Hello, Hello! This is the 56 Panzer Corps. Please cease fire. We are sending truce envoys to the Potsdam Bridge.... They will be identified by a white flag on a red background. We await your reply." The message was reported to the army commander, who ordered a ceasefire in the sector and that the envoys be received.

At the appointed time the German truce envoys, headed by Colonel von Dueffing were met. Von Dueffing stated that they had been authorized by General Weidling, commander of the 56 Panzer Corps, to announce the cessation of resistance and the surrender of the corps. The commander of the 47th Guards Rifle Division, after determining the time the 56 Panzer Corps would require for complete disarmament and the organized transfer of personnel, sent von Dueffing to General Weidling with the Soviet command's reply, i.e., that the surrender was accepted; the units of the corps were to be completely disarmed and transferred to the Soviet command by 07:00 on 2 May General Weidling and his staff were to give them selves up by 06:00. This Soviet demand was met.

At 06:00 General Weidling and two other general officers crossed the front line and surrendered. They were taken to the command post of Colonel-General Chuykov, who checked their documents and asked them a few questions. Then the army commander suggested that Weidling sign an order of surrender for the entire Berlin garrison and deliver the order to the defenders using officers of the 56 Panzer Corps with Soviet representatives.

General Weidling composed the following order: "Every hour of fighting increased the terrible suffering of the civilian population of Berlin and our wounded; anyone who falls for Berlin dies in vain. On agreement with the high command of the Soviet forces, I demand that the fighting cease immediately." This order was announced by radio through an amplifier for the enemy garrison, which had continued its resistance.

Representatives from the First Deputy Minister for Propaganda, Dr. Fritzsche, arrived at the commander's command post. They stated that Goebbels had committed suicide during the night of 2 May and that Fritzsche was the only representative of the Nazi regime left in Berlin. Dr. Fritzsche sent word of his agreement to give the order of surrender for the Berlin garrison and the entire German Army. A lieutenant colonel, representing the Soviet command, was sent to Fritzsche with a response and a demand that Fritzsche issue an order for unconditional surrender of the entire German Army, and that he come to Eighth Guards Army command post for further negotiations.

Dr. Fritzsche accepted the demand, issued the order for surrender, and presented himself with his aides at the command post. All resistance by the Berlin garrison had ceased by the evening of 2 May. Archival documents of both the Eighth Guards Army and the Fifth Shock Army, therefore, confirm that the command of the Eighth Guards Army received the German truce envoys. No battle was waged by forces of the Soviet Army for direct capture of the Reich Chancellery building. The German garrison defending the chancellery had surrendered along with the forces of the 56 Panzer Corps defending the government block in Berlin before the moment of general surrender on 2 May 1945.

01 May 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

1 May, 1945       0800

Germany

Dearest darling Wilma –

It just doesn’t seem possible that another May is here and I’m still not with you. ‘Tomorrow and tomorrow’ is really creeping at a ‘petty pace’. I guess our only solace can come from relativity; we’re a heck of a lot better off than we were a year ago. We were really sweating it out in England and there were some mighty big things ahead of us. Thank God that is now behind us. We’ve come a long way since then and all in all we’ve got a great deal for which to be thankful.

And you and I, sweetheart, have been engaged for 13 months. It is a long time at that, but your good spirit and refreshing ability to be patient have made the months so much shorter, darling. You’ll never really know how much you’ve helped and are still helping. Love at long range is so much less tangible than love at best can be – and yet it has been stimulating and satisfying – considering the necessary conditions. That is what makes me certain that close-up love will truly be what we want and expect it to be. I haven’t got the slightest doubt about it.

Yesterday, dear, was a mighty busy day. I had wanted to get up to battalion – but I just didn’t get the chance. Before the day was over, we had seen 339 patients – and that’s a lot – even if you’re just saying ‘hello’.

Two Russian Officers at Ex-P.W. Camp
Halle, Germany - May 1945

But sometime today I’ve just got to get up – if nothing more than to pick up the men’s pay. I should have done that yesterday. Battalion is now ahead of us; just what kind of set-up we have this time, I don’t know yet. We’re in a very large city, though – that I know – one of Germany’s large ones – and the site of many a world expedition and I believe at one time – the World’s Fair, also. I think enough of the city is standing to have allowed us a fairly decent C.P. but I’ll find out later. Anyway – as far as I know – I’m still remaining here – and it’s all right with me because it’s very comfortable.

They sent my mail down – and it included a letter from you, still from New York. You had spent your second full day there and had been shopping all day. It sounded as if you had had a lot of fun – and I’m happy, dear.

There was also a letter from Charlie Wright. He’s still at Daytona Beach – working in a convalescent hospital. The tone of his letter was a bit sad. He certainly would like to be over here – which just goes to show how strange the world is; I’d like to be over there. But I understand his feeling – and I’m sorry for him.

By the way, darling, you once wrote you didn’t want a husband that cusses. I don’t recall what made you bring that up – but did you think I cussed very much when I was in the States and went out with you? If you didn’t mind that amount, I guess you’ll be able to stand me, dear. The Army hasn’t taught me any cuss words I didn’t already know, although I did learn to use some of them with more feeling and intensity, I think. I’ll probably un-learn quickly, though – so don’t worry dear.

I was so pleased at the news of Irv’s 5-year appointment to the Harvard Faculty. Verna had also written me about it. That means of course that they’ll be around and I know we’ll see a lot of them. Your statement about Verna not wanting children was interesting. I just can’t understand people not feeling the lack of children. And how about Irv? Doesn’t he have anything to say about it? That’s one of the things a couple should have discussed before marriage, anyway, it seems to me. I’m glad, darling, that we both feel the way we do.

This is a good place to stop, I think. I want to let my mind wander a bit on the last subject. Mind, dear? Really – I’ve got to get started – because I want to leave the infirmary early. For now, sweetheart, so long – and love to the folks.

All my love is yours, darling

Greg

P.S. These are some old one I’ve had hanging around. Might as well add them to others. This makes 44 in series –

Love, G

* TIDBIT *

about First Army's New Assignment

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.388-389.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

30 April 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

30 April, 1945      0850

Germany

My dearest fiancée –

I got started a little late this morning – but the kitchen was a little late, the warm water for shaving was delayed etc; no particular reason except that perhaps of yesterday being Sunday. I was a little less busy yesterday because of the exchange of men – but I should have a fairly busy day today. The higher-ups can’t seem to make up their minds on what sort of camp they want this to be. The end plan is to have the Russians in their own camp, French in theirs, etc. But it doesn’t seem to work out like that; you get one Nationality cleaned out and bingo – the next group arriving from a liberated camp has three or four new ones.

Meanwhile – I’ve been out of contact with battalion headquarters for several days now – and so I’m not getting mail. A truck goes up from here every day and takes our outgoing mail and drops it off, but he doesn’t get to see the mail clerk. I think I’ll send my jeep up this morning and take a look around. I left some laundry to be done and I want to get that packed up. Besides, battalion is moving up to this city and beyond and I want to know what’s what. If it’s not too busy, I’ll go myself.

One nice feature about this temporary set-up I’m in, dear, is the quarters and also my working conditions. The latter consists of a rather modern, pretty well equipped infirmary with plenty of help; our quarters is an apartment in a big building. It has a large living room, two bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and large hallway. And there are only 3 of us living here, too. There’d certainly be room for you, darling – and the rent is so reasonable. Whoever was here before we got here – arranged for some civilian foreigners to come in every morning and clean up – so the place stays rather neat. We don’t eat here though – but have our mess where the men eat.

Last night was a real quiet Sunday nite in – and it certainly would have been wonderful to have had you with me here. I got back from the Infirmary just at seven and turned on the radio and sure enough – I heard the Jack Benny show – a rebroadcast of course; then Phil Green’s program, Mail Call, Richard Tauber’s program etc. It was comfortable here, the lights were soft – we had some 1922 Red Wine – Algerian – and well – enough said, darling.

Oh hell – I just got a call. The crowd is in and there’s a couple of cases the boys want me to see – so I’m going to have to run along. I’m enclosing some more photos Sweetheart – this makes 35, I believe – in this last series. I wonder how many I’ve sent home to you dear since I sent the few from England. And how is that scrapbook coming? You haven’t mentioned it in some time. The 3 pictures of corpses, dear, are ugly and I had intended not to sent them. One of the boys reminded me that you’ve seen as much in Life Magazine – which is true, I guess.

I came across a few more pictures – taken with another camera – last winter – and although they’re chronologically out of date – I’ll send them along too. I also have a few more shots of Paris and Brussels – commercial – but I’d like to keep them. I’ve seen all the places and couldn’t see any point in using up good film – when these were available.

And now, darling – they’ll be calling me again in a moment – if I don’t get going. But I always have time to say that April 30 or any other day – I love you and only you, dear. More than anyone else, sweetheart – you fill my life – and it will always be so – I know.

Love to the folks, dear – how is Mother B feeling – you haven’t mentioned in some time.

All my sincerest love

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about NBC Radio News

From "Past Daily" comes this summary for 30 April 1945:

The news on this morning in April of 1945 was about the eventual collapse of Germany and the end of the War in Europe. With news reports coming in, and bulletins being reported one on top of the other, news of the Fall of Berlin was being reported. Soviet troops had succeeded in occupying the center of the city, while de facto head of the German government, Heinrich Himmler was busy hammering out surrender terms. The latest communique had Himmler attempting to reach a surrender with the Allies without including the Russians. Needless to say, it was rejected. And despite some rumors to the contrary, no surrender had been arrived at. Allied forces were systematically taking over and occupying every other German city, with news that Munich had fallen while this broadcast was on the air. Also reported was news that the Allies had liberated the Dachau Concentration camp, and news of that discovery would be coming in time. During the course of the morning news broadcast, an address by General Spaatz of the Allied Air Forces announced confirmation that the German Luftwaffe had been completely obliterated and subsequently, the Allied Air Force would change its role over to tactical support of ground forces during these final hours/days.

Meanwhile, the War in the Pacific was still far from over. With news reports of a Kamikaze attack on an Allied Hospital ship near Okinawa brought outrage from the Allied High Command and fighting was still intense.

Here is that complete news report for April 30, 1945, as presented by NBC Radio and Alka-Seltzer News Of The World.

29 April 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

29 April, 1945      0820

Germany

Good morning, Sweetheart –

Again I find that it’s best I write you at this hour. Later it will be well nigh impossible. I spent a very interesting and busy day yesterday and I stayed over at the camp. I may be here for a few days more. There’s a tremendous amount of work to be done – but honestly – it’s fascinating. It’s almost like a guessing game. A fellow comes in and you guess what nationality he is so you’ll know how to speak to him. They all look alike, too, except the Russians and the Indians – yes we have them also. The Indians walk around with full turbans and full beards. The reason the rest of them look alike is that not one of them is wearing a complete uniform, but stuff they’ve had to pick up along the way. There are Americans wearing U.S. shirts, German boots, English trousers etc. and the same is true of the others. They all haven’t shaved for days or weeks and most of them haven’t had haircuts for months. They’re a sad looking lot, dear, and they’ve made an impression upon us entirely different from anything else so far received.

On sick-call – you see a fellow who looks like a Pole and you say Polski? – in anticipation of calling one of the foreign aid men helping us. The fellow answers “I’m American, sir” – and darling – you feel awful realizing that you’ve let the fellow know he has changed so much. Well – all I can say is that I’ve never worked with more care or patience on any group of soldiers before. I started about 0930 – had a short time out for lunch and supper and got thru at 2100. We had seen by that time 227 patients – with all sorts of conditions – and today will be the same. Soon though the evacuation system will speed up and they’ll all get home speedily.

By the way – I came across a fellow from Boston – he was shot down, flying from Italy. I haven’t had much luck to date in getting anyone to call you and say ‘hello’ for me – but I tried again – and if he doesn’t forget, darling, he’ll give you a ring some day – probably before I can.

I’ve been out of touch with battalion but someone brought my mail to me last evening. I had a V-mail from Stan and another letter from you – from New York – the first nite you arrived. I’m so glad you went, dear, and you were apparently getting a big kick out of it. New York does that for one; I’ve always felt that way when I’ve gone there. I’m glad you’re saving the romantic spots for us, dear, although I’ll have to admit I don’t know my way around New York very well. However – any spot we’ll hit together, sweetheart, will be romantic as far as I’m concerned. And I’m ready for it right now – in case you’re waiting for me to say –

In one of your letters, dear, you guessed the date of our crossing as 29 March. Your dream was exactly one week late, darling – but I’ll excuse you this time because you’ve been so near correct – so often. And I got a letter from Sgt. Freeman written from the hospital in Pa. His spirits were excellent – and more power to him. By now – he may have been home and perhaps you know the full extent of his injuries. He’ll have to have a lot of work done – but he took it like a man.

I, too, wish you knew a way of getting me transferred to the Lovell or the Cushing. Darling – I’m willing. I’ve about seen the end of this thing here. I’ve done my duty and would like to go home. There’s plenty of M.C.s in the States who could come over here for the Army of Occupation – or who could go to Japan. But like everyone else – I’m in the Army and I’ll have to take what comes along. May it be good!

Well, my love, I’m going to cut this off now and get to work. For the first time in a long while I feel I’m doing a little bit of good. And it’s a swell feeling too. It’ll be another big day – but I’m honestly looking forward to it. So for now, darling, so long, love to the folks – and remember always – that I love you strongly and as much as I know how.

All my everlasting love

Greg.

P.S. This makes 28.

Love, G

* TIDBIT *

about Operation Manna

Following the landing of the Allied Forces on D-Day, conditions grew worse and worse in Nazi-occupied Holland. The Allies were able to liberate the southern part of the Netherlands, but their liberation efforts ground to a halt when Operation Market Garden, the attempt to gain control of the bridge across the Rhine at Arnhem, failed. When the national railways complied with the exiled Dutch government' appeal for a railway strike to further the Allied liberation efforts, the German administration retaliated by putting an embargo on all food transports to the western Netherlands.

The Nazi embargo was partially lifted in early November 1944, allowing restricted food transports over water, but by then the unusually early and harsh winter had already set in. The canals froze over and became impassable for barges. Food stocks in the cities in the western Netherlands rapidly ran out.

The harsh winter of 1944-45, is known by the Dutch as the Hongerwinter ("Hunger Winter"). A number of factors combined to create the Dutch famine:

• Netherlands was one of the main western battlefields
• The winter of 1944-45 was unusually harsh
• The war caused widespread dislocation and destruction
• The retreating German army destroyed locks and bridges to flood the country, ruining agricultural land
• Distribution of existing food stocks was made difficult by damage to the transportation infrastructure

The adult rations in cities such as Amsterdam had dropped to below 1000 kilocalories a day by the end of November 1944 and to 580 kilocalories in the West by the end of February 1945. As usual it was the civilian population that suffered worst with many old, young and weak dying from starvation and cold. The dire straits the Dutch were in was starkly illustrated by a newsreel of the day:

... there were no cats left, the dustbins were empty ...

From Alistair's blog called "Crivens, Jings and Help Ma Blog" comes this:

By early 1945, the situation was desperate for the three million or more Dutch still under German control. Prince Bernhard appealed directly to the Allies for help to resolve the situation. In response, protracted negotiations began with the occupying German forces. The plan to deliver this humanitarian aid was codenamed "Operation Manna".

Allied contingency planners eventually devised a system whereby food could be air-dropped by bombers, using panniers (called 'blocks') four of which could be fitted to a standard Lancaster bomb bay. Each block held 71 sacks (giving a total weight of 1254 lbs per block) variously containing sugar, dried egg powder, margarine, salt, cheese, tinned meat, flour, dried milk, coffee, cereals, tea, high vitamin chocolate, potatoes, etc. - all supplied from the Ministry of Food's reserve stockpiles. Before the introduction of 'blocks', a variety of possible delivery systems had been devised by squadrons acting individually. As is customary, user trials were flown, one of which involved Canada's 153 Squadron. Fl/Lt Bill Langford recalled,

On April 21st, I flew 'V' Victor to Netheravon, carrying a mixture of goodies, in sacks, slung from ropes on a home-made device in the bomb bay. We were to demonstrate to an assembly of RAF and Army brass, just how food would be dropped to the starving Dutch. Approaching the airfield at around 200 feet, wheels and flaps down for minimum flying speed, we lined up the white cross on the ground, and pressed the button….. when it all went wrong! Sacks of peas, tins of Spam, and all sorts of containers rained from the sky, scattering the assembled brass in all directions. Not what was intended.

Negotiations with the German Occupying Authority for a limited truce to allow food drops to begin, assumed a critical state as the death toll rapidly mounted. At Scampton, as on other stations involved, crews practised low speed/low flying techniques and simulated drops. Eventually, on Sunday 29th April 1945, the codeword "Operation Manna" was issued; this was an inspired choice, for not only does it stand for "bread from Heaven" but it means exactly the same in Dutch. 153 Squadron promptly dispatched 18 aircraft (each carrying 284 bags of food) to a dropping zone at The Hague - all following drops were on Dundigt Racecourse.

On 29 April the people of Holland heard BBC radio announce:

Bombers of the Royal Air Force have just taken off from their bases in England to drop food supplies to the Dutch population in enemy-occupied territory."

Many crews were initially apprehensive over the realization that they would be flying, in broad daylight, at a very low level, in full view of the German A/A defenses, whose gun barrels could be seen to be tracking their flight. However, the reception by the beleaguered Dutch people, who flocked on to the streets, the rooftops and all open spaces, to wave anything to hand, calmed all fears. Subsequent sorties were flown with panache, at very much lower levels, while crews (most of whom parceled up their flying rations of chocolate and sweets and attached them to "parachutes" made from handkerchiefs, as personal gifts for the children) exchanged waves with those below. After dropping their loads, many pilots continued to fly at a very low altitudes, waggling their wings and 'buzzing' the crowds to give them a thrill, with their bomb-aimers flashing "V" for victory on the Aldis signalling lamp. It became a carefree, cheerful occasion for the aircrews, and many could not believe that Manna drops were to be allowed to count towards an operational tour.

Over the ten-day period ending 8th May, the Squadron mounted 111 sorties, shared between all 40 of the active crews, to successfully deliver 271 tons of life-saving provisions. In total, the RAF dropped 7,029.9 tons; the USAF who commenced drops two days later due to concerns about the truce, contributed 4,155.8 tons.

Crews could see the German anti-aircraft guns tracking them, including the fearsome 88mm guns accurate to 20,000ft, and said he felt like they could have reached up and slapped his backside.It was an eerie feeling for crews who were used to bombing from 15,000ft or more to be flying a slow pass over enemy guns at just a couple of hundred feet. Several Lancasters, Dad's included took some rifle fire from below but luckily no one was injured. Dad's pilot retaliated by diving onto a tented German camp, gunning the engines and blowing the tents apart! He also recalled one trip where the pilot took the Lancaster up a wide boulevard in a town at absolutely zero feet while the crew looked up at the cheering faces in the house windows on either side. For men used to dropping destruction it was an incredibly moving experience.

Dutch girl Arie de Jong, a seventeen-year-old student at the time, wrote in her diary:

There are no words to describe the emotions experienced on that Sunday afternoon. More than 300 four-engined Lancasters, flying exceptionally low, suddenly filled the western horizon. One could see the gunners waving in their turrets. A marvellous sight. One Lancaster roared over the town at 70 feet. I saw the aircraft tacking between church steeples and drop its bags in the South. Everywhere we looked, bombers could be seen. No one remained inside and everybody dared to wave cloths and flags. What a feast! Everyone is excited with joy. The war must be over soon now."

Here is video about Operation Manna,
including reports by survivors and pilots.

28 April 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

28 April, 1945      0800

Germany

My dearest darling Wilma –

I’m getting an early start this morning because I have to take off in a little while for one of our recaptured prisoner camps and I’ll be gone all day with a good chance that I may have to stay overnight. I was down there today to look the situation over from point of view of sanitation, health – etc. – and there’s a lot of work to be done. There are Russians, Poles, Czechs, Yugoslavs, Dutch, Serbs, French, Belgians, British and Americans – all in one camp and if you don’t think it’s a problem, darling, well – it is. And the longer we stay in Germany, the more intensely we hate the Germans. The way they treated these men – legitimate prisoners of war – was horrible. I spoke with one young American – 20 years old. He was shot down last August and was taken to a Camp near Stettin.

CLICK TO ENLARGE


Photos of Stalag-IID, 30 km from Stettin, Germany
(now Stargard Szczecinski, Poland)
found on the blog called "Mary and John's Journey"
posted by Michael J. Laekas and his wife Johanne.

Since Feb 8 – when the Russians came close and they were moved – he walked 800 miles – until the other day when he was picked up by the Americans. When I saw him today – he had a temperature of 102.5, a developed case of pneumonia; he was undernourished – and was a shell of a person. We have hundreds – literally – just like him. The more our Corps sees of this – the more we toughen up on the thousands of German prisoners we now have – but we just aren’t tough enough. We feed these bastards; one American told me today – that every now and then they would go 2 or 3 days without food. Finally they would get to see the Commandant and he would merely shrug his shoulders and say that as he understood it, they had been issued 3 days’ rations in advance.

Anyway – there’s a lot of work to be done, dear, and I’m going to do a little of it. This outfit has done a good job in the past several weeks – and the other day we received a commendation from the Corps General.

When I got back late this p.m. I found a V-Mail and an Airmail (10th-11th April) from you, sweetheart. You had been to a movie and had seen a newsreel with shots of the University City etc. If you didn’t see vehicles marked 438th AAA – it wasn’t because we weren’t there. We were all over that area. If nothing more in this war – I’ve at least been in or near where most of the important things have happened.

In one of your earlier letters in April – you told me about Arthur’s visit to Washington and his dropping in to see Betty and Stan. The story about Betty, her finances, inheritance etc – is just what you’d expect and what I was pretty certain was true. There’s no doubt now at all – that for Stan – it was a marriage of convenience – and the more fool he. But to talk about it is the pay-off. I just can’t understand it. The poor guy has slipped so much in the last couple of years. And I used to like him so much. I’m sure he was a different man then or I couldn’t possibly have had so much to do with him. Somehow or other – he suddenly became desperate. Yes, he needs a different sort of wife – and that’s why I feel so damned lucky, darling. A man does need a woman to encourage him, please his ego if necessary, give him the drive he sometimes loses. I know you’ll be able to do all that for me – although I hope you won’t find too many weaknesses in my make-up, dear. I love you so much, Wilma, dear – you just can’t conceive it – no matter how I try to tell you. If the Lord remains good to us and brings us together, we’re going to be happy, successful and satisfied with life – for if you want a husband that loves and admires you, one who is faithful and interested only in you, one who is reasonably ambitious and has a pretty good goal in life – well, sweetheart – you’ll have him – and oh yes, “him” will be me. And although I don’t write it too often – I want you to realize that I too miss terribly your not being right up close to me, my kissing you and being kissed by you, breathing hard and hearing you do the same – oh damn it to hell! – it’s so much nicer doing it than writing it!!

Sweetheart – I’ll have to get going again. Keep your spirits up. The end is in sight. Be well, dearest, send my love to the folks – and save my deepest, truest love – entirely for yourself. So long – dear, for now.

Always yours –

Greg

P.S. This makes 21.

Love, G.

* TIDBIT *

about My Day by Eleanor Roosevelt

APRIL 28, 1945

NEW YORK, Friday — The Congressional committee now visiting concentration camps in Germany are viewing things which we at home find it difficult to take in. The horror-filled pictures and stories which we have been getting day by day in our various newspapers make one shudder. The sufferings inflicted on war victims is cruel enough. But one also wonders what must have been done to a people who are willing to inflict such suffering. Something must have happened that we know nothing about to turn people who were highly educated and civilized into sadists who enjoy seeing other human beings suffer.

I read that one of our men, who had been a prisoner of the Germans and who is now back in this country, laughed when it was suggested that the townspeople near one of these camps did not know what was going on. He pointed out that there was constant communication between the camp and the town, and that it would have been impossible for the people of the town to be oblivious of what was happening. It is therefore not just a question of soldiers obeying orders. It is a question of civilians reaching such a state of servitude that they accepted without protest whatever happened to other human beings.

* * *

No wonder we are concerned about what kind of government and education shall be carried on during the occupation period. None of us can achieve much that is worthwhile unless we understand what happened to these people; and I am frank to say that, for me, it is still a complete mystery. I went to school with German girls, I have known German men and women. The military caste always seemed to me obnoxious, both as travel companions and as passers-by on the street. But the average human beings in Germany seemed just like other people.

The Nazi regime, the SS and the Gestapo are, of course, an obvious explanation. But how could they have become entrenched without the people being aware of what was happening? That is the really terrifying question. One wonders if other people could be fooled in the same way, and one longs to know how to prevent its happening anywhere to any people ever again.

* * *

Our men who have been prisoners of war, and who have seen these horrors which we read about, will have lost some of that confidence in their fellow human beings which is part of the heritage of every American citizen. It will take time to make them believe again that predominately people have good intentions, and I don't think they will be patient with talk which does not materialize into action.

E. R.

(COPYRIGHT 1945 BY UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE, INC.)