Since 1917

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.