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ACROSS THE RHINE
Buschbell to Paderborn, Germany

March 25-29, 1945

 

March 25, 1945: We left Buschbell and drove forty-five miles southeast through Bonn and crossed the Rhine River (courtesy of the 23rd Engineers and their pontoon bridge).

The Rhine, no doubt, deserves all the print it has received. It is quite large at this point of crossing and I can plainly see the big task in attempting to cross the Rhine if it had not been for the 9th Armored Division capturing the Remagen Bridge intact.

We bivouacked about seven miles east of the Rhine in an open field where we slept in the open for the first time in quite a while. At the moment there is very little activity. Have not even heard our artillery shooting any rounds for awhile. The country east of the Rhine is beautiful. There are many mountains, resorts, and dales; some very nice and prosperous looking farm land.

Spring flowers are now blooming and the birds singing helps take our minds off the war.

Our present location reminds me a lot of the Pleasantville Mountain towards Bedford. One can look out and see for about twenty miles.

March 26, 1945: We left our bivouac area and moved just two miles to a beautiful summer home on top of a hill. This home was owned by one of the big executives of the Ford Plant in Cologne. In researching we learned that he had been to the United States in 1937. I have never seen so many clothes in a home. They sure did not seem to be hurting from the war. He had to be connected to the Nazi party.

A rather interesting letter arrived for me today. It was from Paul Karoly (he is from Johnstown). Paul and I went into the Army together and we were both assigned to the 13th Armored Division. While I was pulled out and sent overseas, Paul stayed with the 13th. Paul's letter was written "somewhere in France". Here it is near the end of the war and the 13th was just getting ready to enter the war.

I have made this notation: "Ya know as I look over things, I can see the hand of the Lord with us. I thought it unfortunate that they took me out of the 13th and shipped me over here as a replacement. Now, as I sum it all up, I'm positive it was a break for me (considering I had at least five close calls). I've got close to a year in combat and five campaign stars to my credit and was fortunate to join a seasoned fighting outfit. The most noted Armored Division over here. So I consider myself very fortunate."

It was pretty tough being kicked around in all the repple-depples (replacement companies). Then I got into this nice big happy family. Guys like Kieffer, Bolt, Lubke, and the rest. They sure treat me good.

March 27, 1945: We left this nice home and drove fifteen miles. We bivouacked in a field overnight and took off the following morning and went about twenty-five miles. At this location our crew is very fortunate. An artillery shell landed about fifty yards short of the half-track. Once again the Lord was with us.

March 29, 1945: We took off again and traveled seventy miles to Marburg. This is the longest trip we have made in one single day. It's obvious we had little opposition. Marburg appears to be quite a large town.

We are seeing many freed slave laborers. They are French, Belgian, and Russian. They are happily shouting and waving at their Yankee Liberators.

We are now encountering stiff opposition as the Germans are now fighting a rear guard action, similar to what we encountered in France and Belgium in August of 1944. We have learned that Marburg was a one time rabid center for Nazidom.

The prisoners are streaming in by the thousands. It's almost amusing to see these one time super men timidly wanting to give themselves up. At times we are too busy to be bothered and tell them to hand over their guns and just wait for someone to herd them up.

We are continuing our attack towards Paderborn. Will write more later.

Well, we are now on the outskirts of Paderborn. It is the Fort Knox of Germany. We encountered stiff resistance on the outskirts of town. The Germans tossed all their soldiers from the armored school at us. They are fanatics.

Today is Easter Sunday. It doesn't seem much like Easter. Time doesn't mean a thing these days. It's just one big push with very little sleep. All in all, this past Holy Week we traveled about 160 miles. The Third Armored Division set a record in armored history. The ninety mile drive from Marburg to Paderborn is the longest one day advance that an armored division has ever made. As we advanced, every town we went through, there were hundreds of foreign slave laborers who were liberated during our drive. They were French, Belgian, Dutch, Russian, Polish, Italians, and Romanians. As we talked with them we heard some weird and atrocious stories.

When we entered Germany, I never thought we would get the applause we received in France and Belgium. However, we have been given quite a tremendous applause from these slave laborers.

There was one instance when we were driving through this German town. The church bells were ringing in glorious praise that the war was over for these people in this town.

On this Easter Sunday, I sit and ponder where I will be next Easter and reminisce where I was last Easter. (I was home on furlough).

Praise the Lord! He has Risen, but to us it's just another day.

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