Archive for May, 2009

2nd Photo Unit aids 7th Army

May 23, 2009 at 6:47 am · Filed under WWII

From the moment we landed, we were advised to keep a low profile and set up our lab quickly.  We were situated in a farm area, in an  Army compound formerly used by the French and the Germans.  Our vehicles were parked a distance away after we unloaded.  We blacked out all the windows.  Our labs were set up in the basement and completely invisible from the outside. 

After a long and tedious journey, to get into spacious accommodations and into the final thrust into Germany, we were exhilarated.  The lab setup was done quickly and the reconnaissance work was waiting for us.  We worked double shifts and mostly at night.  Film was brought to us via courier, shot by planes flown by the Fighter Wing outfit of the 7th Army.  We would be working on them at night and deliver finished prints in the early morning to the Generals.  While we were working through the night, we would hear the engine noise of airplanes circling overhead.  “Midnight Charlie, overhead”, our catch phrase to the describe German aircraft. 

 Our 7th Army was joined with the French in the drive through Southern France and into Germany from the South.  It was named “Operation Anvil”.  The troops coming from the West and the Russians from the East surrounded The Nazis and crushed them.  Germany surrendered totally on May 7th, 1945.      

Our unit was overjoyed by being a part of this achievement and also very proud when we received the commendations from Le General d’Armee de Latrede Tassigny sent to our Capitaine A. Wayshak.  We also received commemdations from Wade H. Haislip, Lt. General, 7th Army H’qtrs. and from Glenn O. Barcus, Brigagier General, USA, Tactical Air Command.

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2nd Photo unit join 7th Army in Hagenau

May 15, 2009 at 4:10 pm · Filed under WWII, senior thoughts ·Tagged , , ,

During our move from Italy into France and to the Alsace Lorraine border of the Rhine River, we had no communication from our families.  These movements were somewhat secretive, at least for us.  We sent no letters out and did not receive any from the U.S.  Also, add to the fact that our unit had been shifted  from the MAAF Hgtrs. into the 7th Army air division created a change of our address.  ( We left Italy middle March and arrived in Hagenau, Apr. 10th.)

After settling into our new quarters, I was advised by my Sergeant that our officer in charge wished to see me.  He had received a message from an army courier to be delivered  to my attention.  “What could it be?”, I asked Sgt. Youkilis, a friend.  “It’s a family matter”.  We rushed to the officer’s office and he advised me that the message dated April 9, 1945 was “Father died,  Kidney infection March 17th. Funeral March 18th. No other problems. Family writing”.  It’s difficult to describe my reaction. I still have the image in my head.  The officer was very sympathetic and asked me “ Do you want a leave of absence?  Sgt.Youkilis  suggests going to Lyon for prayers at a synagogue.  He would go with you”.  I  was too disturbed by the news to make a decision.  I said that I would prefer to stay in my room and sit Shiva for several days.  And that’s how I managed to absorb the impact of  Pop’s death.  Friends came in with food and visits and we would reminisce about family and life before we were drafted.  It helped to go through this ritual. But for me there was no closure.  I did not see Pop while he was ill and suffering and had no chance to say farewell.   I’ve had this nagging feeling  for fifty years, plus, until I was given the letter that sister Blanche wrote to me dated March 20, 1945.   The letter had been returned to her, undelivered.  Her daughter (my niece) discovered it among her writings.  Fifty to 55 yrs. later I felt the closure . Amazing.  Rest In Peace Pop.  Love Irv.

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2nd Photo Unit arrives in Hagenau, Apr, 1945

May 12, 2009 at 5:56 am · Filed under WWII ·Tagged , , , ,

engineers-bridge-across-rhine-earnie-pyle-bridge-1944-45

Ernie Pyle Bridge over Rhine River

Our journey was long and tedious.  For transportation we used the 40 & 8 train facilities.  When the railway tracks needed repairs, we would move ahead on trucks and connect to the next available railway.  Wherever we stopped for rest or to eat, we were greeted by the residents, especially the children who would wave and also reach for the goodies that we offered them.

We finally reached our facility, a former military complex of barracks, brick buildings, where we set up our darkroom and were able to connect to a water supply system.  The buildings were initially built by the French Army and then taken over by the Germans .  Used during peace- time for housing and training  the military.  The buildings were in great shape and we were happy to be housed in this warm and secure facility.

Hagenau is a suburb of  Strasbourg, the major city in Alsace-Lorraine .  It is north of the city and had been damaged by the battles  that occurred by planes and tank warfare.  The rail station in Hagenau was demolished and the bridges close by, over the Rhine were not usable.  We were located near the Rhine River.

Historically, over many years,  Alsace-Lorraine was a desired area  by the French and the German governments because of its iron-ore and potash mines.  This created a language problem for its inhabitants.  Switching from French to German and reversing over the years of conflict produced a Germanic language which was very close to the Yiddish that I spoke.  I became the official interpreter for our unit.

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