|
August 9, 1944:
Can't forget Barbara's birthday. Left Isigny and moved through
St. Lo. This day will long live in my memory. As we moved through
St. Lo I was able to capture the following pictures. What a sight.
Not a building stood that was inhabitable. All damaged beyond
repair. Am now bivouacked in an apple orchard on the other side
of St. Lo.
August 11, 1944:
Left 376 Replacement Company and joined 41st Replacement Company.
Am near AvaRanches and was reunited with my old pal Collen Ogden.
He's here beside me tossing a knife around. We experienced an
artillery bombardment. It's funny. They used to say in training
that as long as you hear the shell coming it won't land near
you. It's the one you don't hear that will get you. Balderdash!!
They all are scary and will make you pray.
August 13, 1944:
Sunday. We boarded trucks and took an interesting ride and saw
plenty. We are now right behind the advancing troops. We passed
through many noted towns and people were lined along the streets,
cheering us as we went by. They shouted "Vive Nos Americans",
"Vive Nos Liberateurs". Long Live Americans - Long
Live our Liberators. They offered us wine, cognac, flowers, and
kisses from the young mademoiselles. It was hard to believe that
one-half hour ago these towns were occupied by Germans, including
Meaux and Corbeille.
As we continued our journey we saw many wrecked
tanks (both German and American). Wrecked vehicles of all sorts,
jeeps, trucks, half-tracks, and one downed plane. What a sight.
We pulled off near Mayenne, France, to bivouac for the night.
It was this day I finally found an outfit that wanted me.
August 13, 1944:
A day I will always remember. I was assigned to the 33rd Armored
Regiment, 3rd Armored Division. Here I met up with Linen, Henry
Weber, and Benny Lebanoskas (a Lithuanian and a card shark).
We four, after being jostled around since June 13th, packaged
and repackaged, were together again. We had coffee and donuts
from the Red Cross Clubmobile. What a tasty delight. Never thought
coffee and donuts could taste so good.
August 14, 1944:
Got up this morning and took a bath in a nearby creek. The first
good washing since I left England. While returning from the creek,
I heard a commotion overhead. It was a dog fight between a Messerschmidt
and a P-51. Saw the German plane get hit, the pilot bail out
and the plane crash. The pilot landed near us and we took him
prisoner. We fleeced him which I learned to do in training. He
had a revolver and a knife.
During this episode, the church bell in the
small town tolled the "Angelus". It was music to my
ears. As we continue traveling eastward toward Germany I notice
there is less destruction, indicating the haste with which the
Germans are retreating. They are heading toward the Seigfreid
Line to establish the defense of their homeland. Hitler promised
the Germans that NO American would ever set foot on the "Fatherland".
Just a few minutes ago heard over the radio
that the Allies were in Paris. Good news. I pray Lord, this war
will soon be over.
August 15, 1944:
Feast of the Assumption. Pulled out of bivouac area and went
through Oisseau, France, and traveled forty miles.
|