THE GERMANS SURRENDER

On May 8th the Germans surrendered, while we were at the Elbe River. Daily we could see the German soldiers crossing the river fleeing from the Russians and surrendering to our troops. A bridge at Stendhal which had been blown up by the Germans while fleeing from our troops was partially rebuilt, but many came by makeshift boats, and some swimming. They were ordered to leave all weapons on the other side, why I could not understand, and I saw a pyramid of guns more than 20 feet tall, and for days the road from the bridge was an unbroken line of Germans being led to a collecting point to our rear.

An agreement of the Allied leaders gave most of northern Germany to the English troops for occupation, and slowly the American units began to move to the south. Since we were nearest to the English troops, our division was the last to start for the south.

But one other went before our move. Col. Eaton had received a call from an old friend, a doctor in a hospital to our rear and had been invited to attend a party they were having to celebrate the end of fighting. This wasn’t the first time he had received such invitations and usually took off for two or three days to attend. He had discovered that a man in one of our companies had been a piano player in a New York night club, and for these trips he would have the man drive his Jeep and be useful at the party. The afternoon after he left, I received a call from division headquarters from Col. Chaille that the Commanding General was to visit the Medical Battalion on an inspection the next day. Since the Colonel was away, I mentioned to Major LaNasa that as ranking officer he would have to greet the General. He said, “Not me!” so I looked at our two Captains, who both refused. That left me, a 1st Lieutenant!

When the General arrived with his entourage of officers from division HQ, I went out and saluted, then welcomed the General to the Medical Battalion. The General returned my salute, and then asked me if I was the ranking officer present. At the time our three collecting companies were spread out over an area of almost 100 miles, (the war was not officially over, but our troops were through fighting.) The General asked for Col. Eaton. I replied that he had left for a visit to the collecting companies before we knew of the General’s visit and [that] we had not been able to contact him. Col. Chaille, standing next to the General, looked at me with a face that clearly said, “Liar!” The General told me to send out the ranking officer. I saluted and went inside our office and told LaNasa that the General had requested his presence, and I think he was ready to crap his pants! The General didn’t stay long, and I believe Jim wanted to go somewhere and rest!