Addendum to Combat - George C. Marshall Foundation

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July 1, 1999
ADDENDUM
TO
COl\tlBAT
By
Lester O. Gluesenkamp
The 1997 Holiday issue of the lOath INFANTRY DIVISION ASSOCIATION NEWS
listed a letter from the W. D. Warren CONSUL.GENERAL in Liechtenstein, Germany
concerning two C Company, 397 th Infantry Regiment soldiers who had been taken prisoner on
May 11, 1945 (Exhibit 1). World War II officially ended on May 5, 1945, although for many, the
fighting had virtually ceased about two to three weeks earlier. Therefore, the story could not be
true. I was convinced at the time that no prisoners were captured on this date and neither did I
recall any prisoners being taken while we were dug in near Urbach. I wrote to the CONSUL GENERAL requesting that he send me a copy of the interrogation report in German (Exhibit 2).
In the meantime, I had written a letter to Dr. Foster Mitchen of Cranford, New Jersey,
who was a soldier in the 2nd squad of the 2nd platoon ofC Company, 397 lh Infantry Regiment at
the time (Exhibit 3). After receiving my letter, Foster telephoned me advising I me that he recalled
the incident when two men were captured from his' squad. Fortunately for him, he went to a
dentist this day and missed the patrol. Foster believed that the two men were recent
replacements, but he could not recall their names. Subsequently, we learned that Weingarten
joined the company at Fort Bragg, went overseas with the division while the Stoewer joined the
company as a replacement in December 1944.
I received a letter from Dick Warren, the Consul General, dated May 27, 1998, indicating
his willingness to send me a copy of the report without revealing their names (Exhibit 4). On June
10, 1998 (Exhibit 5), I sent Dick Warren, the Consul Genral, a letter requesting a copy of the
report along with other details known at the time. He sent me a letter (Exhibit 6) dated June 19,
1998 with details about the two prisoners and the German interrogation report (Exhibit 7). After
several inquiries, I was able to locate a person, a retired Lutheran minister, Irwin Meseke, who
could translate the report to English (Exhibit 8).
The report revealed more information than was actually available to the prisoners or to me
at the time. Our orders required that in the event we were captured to only reveal our name, rank
and serial number. I sent a copy of the report to several members of the division in the hopes of
learning more about the two prisoners (Exhibit 9). In the meantime, I talked to Frank Likely of
Shaker Heights, Ohio, a former C Company soldier about the report. Frank conveyed to me an
internet address where the names could be searched for current addresses and telephone numbers.
I contacted the website, www.freeality/findt.htm. and I tentatively located the name, address and
telephone number of both men.
Based on my search, I printed the information for later follow up (Exhibit 10). I called
Eric Weingarten in Trumansburg, New York and William Stoewer in Baltimore, Maryland. Eric
Weingarten was surprised to receive my call after fifity three years. He and Stoewer were
captured March 11,1945, not May 11, 1945 as indicated in the letter from the Consul General.
r~.. ·
We had a long talk. My letter dated August 15, 1998, (Exhibit 11) included my book COMBAT,
the translated interrogation report and a request to attend the upcoming reunion. I was unable to
reach William Stoewer by telephone, so I sent him a letter dated August 29, 1998 (Exhibit 12).
At this time, I was not certain that Stoewer was the same person who was captured on
March 11, 1945 or if he was still living. According to information contained in the report,
Stoewer would be about 80 years of age at this time. About three weeks later, I received a
telephone call from William Stoewer. He was also surprised to hear from me. We had a long
telephone conversation wherein he related their capture and harried prisoner of war experience. I
infonned him that Weingarten was still living and I gave him his address and telephone number as
he had lost track of him over the years. Stoewer indicated his health was not the best, in part due
to the injuries sustained when the potato hand grenade exploded nearby. Fifty years later, Stoewer
still has fragments of the grenade in his body. The last fragment to exude out of his skin occurred
about twenty years ago. On September 28, 1998 (Exhibit 13), I sent a copy ofthe translated
interrogation to Stoewer along with a copy of my book COrvIBAT. William Stoewer sent me a
letter dated October 6, 1998 (Exhibit 14) wherein he related his condition and the good news that
all of us survived through the war.
As a result of my contacts, Eric Weingarten and his wife were able to attend the reunion.
A few days later, Eric sent me a letter dated September 14, 1998 (Exhibit 15). His letter recalled
some of the details of their capture. When we talked over the telephone, he related their harried
, experience traveling through Germany as POW's. In some towns and cities that were recently
bombed by our air force, the women would throw rocks at them or try to pour boiling water over
them as they passed beneath their second floor houses. His letter of September 26, 1998 (Exhibit
16) related more details of their capture and their fortunate survival as POW's.
Dick Warren, the Consul General, sent me a letter dated February.4, 1999 (Exhibit 17),
asking me questions regarding interrogation report and information about the Military Personnel
Records Center. I responded with my letter of February 15, 1999 (Exhibit 18). In my letter, I
forgot to mention that the morning reports only list the two men as MIA's, with no subsequent
details of their capture. Neither men are listed as POW's in the THE STORY OF THE
CENTURY. Dick Warren's letter ofMarch 2, 1999 (Exhibit 19), expressed surprise when he
- learned that I had contacted both men and that both were still living.
In June of this year, I received a letters dated June 6 & 19, 1999 (Exhibit 20& 21), from
Webb Salmon of Piedmont, Alabama who had been a soldier in D Company, 397 th • He was
attached to C Company at various times as a machine gunner from the weapons platoon. His
letters and my letter to Webb dated June 12, 1999 (Exhibit 22) reveal an interesting sidelight to
our days in and about Urbach. The whole story and many more could probably be told if all the
facts were known to the men involved. In any event we who survived are happy to share these
stories with our readers.
Lester O. Gluesenkamp
4185 Kinoka RD
Alma, IL 62807
..
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Exhibit 1
Holidny issue, 1997
10ath INFANTRY DIVISION
ASSOCIATION
r
a-Notes
tory Channel) and ccttainly shall comment
on the great appreciation and Jespect for
our efforts in France nnd even in Germany. is a good chance that I wilT not get to the
Enclosed nre copies ()f ne\V~p:lper sto- hotel until after 5:00 p.m. I was wonderries on our receptions in Rimling. Bitche, ing if the reunion items (tickets, etc.) eould
and Simsheim. I arrangerl with my wife, be left at the hotel registration desk given
Bea. to have these trnnslated fmm french to me when I check in. (3) I also noted
and German. TIle English versions also are from the reunion schedule of events that
enc1o~ed. Other enclosures include the
the business meeting will be held on Satphotocopy of my follow-up leHer to the urday, 6 September from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Mayor of Rimling, a letter from a German r d like to know if the meeting will be open
professor who has puhlished materials on to all members or only to association omthe 100th Infantry Division, some pages . cials, past and present.
fr~m the professor's book alld, for your
Attached is an update of ex-K-398th
infonnation, a notice of my second retire- members who have either passed away or
ment-this time from academia. I have moved without leaving a forwarding adsome excellent photos of the Rirnling dress. I also enclose copies of an E-mail
events. copies of which had hecn scnt to regarding the demise of Roy Curtis, as
Jack Walsh.
well as .the envelopes which were returned
Bea and I look forward to secing you in to us due to non-delivery.
Charlotte in Scptemher.
With thanks for your help and best
I am sending a similar lettcr to Joe Col- wishes."
lie. I sent four items, including photos to
Bill Young on December 31st but haven't
CONSUL GENERAL 'V.D. WARheard from him."
REN. "Dear Marvin, I had the pleasure
of meeting you briefly at the reunion last
CONSUL GENERAL \-V.ll. \VAR- year in Williamsburg and I hope we'll
REN. 2, Am Schraegen Weg, FL-9490 meet again this year in Charlotte. As you
Vaduz, Liechtenstein. "Dear 'Vall, At the will see, I have attached a copy of my last
top of the June issue of the Association letter to Walt Backus (a cc will also go to
newsleltcr. you wrote that you have no Stan Posess) mainly because I do not want
record of a 11m IJnulshaw c1l1d I will no- to burden Walt unduly with my questions
tify the fellow who asked ahoutthis in due and you and Stan will no doubt know to
course. I appreciate your doing the re- whom such queries should be directed.
search on.this and I hope I won't have to Thanks in advance to you and Stan for any
bother you with this kind of query in the help you may be able to give.
future:
In another malter, I noticed in the June
I have a few questions ahout the news- newsletter a contribution by association
letter and because these should perhaps be member, Willis Wahl, fonnerly of Co. C,
. directed to other Divh;ion Association of- 397th, in whiCh he mentioned a Lt. Denficials, I'm sending a copy of this letter to ning who was apparently his platoon
Stan Posess and Marvin Alpert in the hope leader. The name, Lt. Denning, rang a bell
that it can be passed on to the appropriate . with me and after looking through the
person. My questions are as follows: (1) 100th Division files I have here, I uncovThe article in column I on the front page ered a strange document. It was given to
states that this year's reunion will be the me by a member of a military club near
52nd while the President's Report calls it, Bitche on my last visit there in May of
'The fiftieth Anniversary Reunion.' I have this year. The document is a six-page rethe feeling that Joe Collie i!; right but I port of the interrogation of two members
can't help wondering why the other article of Co. C, 397th, who were captured in
call!' it the 52nd. Plcn~e clnrify. (2) I note Urbach (near Bitchc) on 11 May 1945 by
from Ihe !;chcdule of evr.nt~ thilt the re- members of the 17th 55 Panzer Gren. Diunion registration desk at the Adams Mark vision 'Gotz von Berlichingen.' The reHotel will close at 5:00 p.m. 011 Thursday, port contains a great deal of infonnation
4 September. My flight does not get in about the 100th Division an I'lljust quote
until 4:20 p.m. <if it's on time) and there a few lines here, translating from the Ger-
15
man text, which reads as follow~:
'Regimental Commander (of the 397th)
replacing Col. Ellis who was killed in action in November (1944) is Col. Single~.
Company Commander of C. Co., 397th
is Capt. Roe.
Platoon leaders of platoons I to 3 of Co.
C, 397th, are Lt. Mouyica (1), Lt. Horley.
and Lt. Denning.'
Because oCthe vast amount of information the Gennans obtained from these two
soldiers and which is included in the interrogation report, I'm reluctant to give
their names. As we all know, our instmctions were, elf captured, give only your
name, rank, and serial number.' The document is nonetheless interesting and Imay
ask the Army IIi:-;torical Center in Carlisle,
Pa., if they would want a translation."
CONSUL GEN. W.D. WARREN. To
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Alcorn. "Dear
Friends, I thought you might like to have
copies of a few of the photos I took at the
reunion. Unfortunately. I did not write
down the name of the Gen. Barron's
comely dinn.er partner but I suppose there
will be something about in the next Divi-·
sion Association News. I do re r nl1 ~hnt the
General mentioned she had won the title
of 'Anny NCO of the Year' and I assum~
she is from the I omit Division (IT).
I was very pleased that we were able to
field 16 ex-Kl398th members (including
wives) and, as far as I know, this was the
largest contingent ever to attend a reunion.
I'm sorry to say that Pittsburgh, Pa., has
. never had a high priority on my list· of
places I want to visit but the fact that our
next reunion will be held there may push
it up a few notches. In any event, I look
forward to attending as many reunions as
I can before the good Lord calls me to that
big staging area in the sky. It would be
nice if I could make it to the year 2000 in
which year I shall celebrate my 75th birthday and 50th anniversary of my college
graduation.
With warm regards."
To Mr. & Mr~. Marvin Alpert. "Dear
Friends, I rc~lIly like thi$ photo of you! You
seem to be bursting with energy and good
cheer, giving a fine example to the attending ex-Centurymen and their wives.
Continued on Ihenexl page.
Exhibit 2
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GEORGE TYREE, 316 Mercer St.
Elizabethtown, KY 42701. Letter to
Commander, 1 DOth Division (Training), 360 Century Division Way, Louisville, Ky. "With your permission and
at your convenience I would like to
present to. you on behalf of myself and
my comrades of Company c/\, 1st Battalion, 398th Infantry Regiment, 100th
Infantry (Century) Division, an Ike
jacket with regimental insignia, Division patch, awarded Distinguished
Service Cross attached (picture enclosed), plaque and framed citation
awarding the D.S.C., in memory ofT!
Sgt. Frank B. Bujnowski, our platoon
sergeant and beloved comrade to be
placed in the 100th Division (Training)
Museum for remembrance and posterity.
If at all possible I would like to
present to you the above mentioned
items on the morning or afternoon of
the 8th of April, 1994, the 49th anniversary of his death. .
Accompanying me on this presentation will be representatives of Chapter 567, Military Order of the Purple'
Heart, Radcliff, Ky."
ROBERT G. TESSMER, 32 Shady
Hollow Dr.,Dearborn.,MI 48124. "I just
received my copy ofthe Division News.letter and wanted to go on record with
you that it is absolutely the best. You
have a wonderful collection of letters,
articles, photos, etc., that make for fascinating reading. I thought the proof
copies· that we received in Philadelphia
were good, but the final article is much
bette.r.
Please make a correction in my address as listed in the column ofTrustees. I no longer have a P.O. Box and it,
confuses the post office when that
number appears so please delete it.
I was especially pleased to see the
dues envelope and the reference to the
fact that they would be removed from
the mailing list for non payment. I am
a strong believer that dues notices
should be made only once a year, with
full expectation that remittance follows. Follow up notices for non payment can then be sent to delinquents.
I found that a notice in every newsletter was, confusing and many times in
the past, Ijust passed it over. I'm sure
others did the same thing.
100th INFANTRY DIVISION ASSOCIATION
C-Notes
I hope you are well 01.1 the road to a
full recovery and that the holiday season finds you and Selma and your family in good health and spirits."
RUSSELL W. SOLOVEY, '494
Willowbrook Lane, Box A-5, Roanoke,
VA 24012-8842. "Today I received my
new Association Newsletter. Wowt
Plenty news to read about our Association. Marv, we'll be looking for our
next issue with anticipation. Good luck
with your publication. I'm proud .to
have had you in our section."
.
ALDEN SMALL, Apt. 9, 5 Davis
Mountain Rd., Hendersonville, NC
28739. "Enjoyed talking with you over
the phone yesterday and pleased to
hear from you.
Congratulations on the splendid edition of the Division Association Newsletter. It was great to see you·presented
so much ofthe style instigated by those
who began the letter years ago. We
should be ever grateful to Jack Walsh
and his colleagues who.faithfully delivered the news, stories and plans for
, future activity. The chronology treatment is important as we learn. of the
passing of so many good buddies.
Am enclosing addresses of
Stegmaier and Reinecke, G4 and G2
respectively.
Also news ofloss ofJohn MacCauley
of Columbia, S.C.-a great help with
our contacts at Ft. Jackson. Knew all
the folks who made place tick.
Hopefully, Rabinowitz will make
contact with me. Should you have a
way I may contact him. I shall be delighted to do so.
Trust you will have a good new year
and that you and Selma have an opportunity to represent the Division on
occasion. You both have demonstrated
how much you care for the good and
welfare of this fine organization."
SISGT. CHARLIE SMITH, Co. H,
399th. "I was notified of the death of
former 1st Sgt. Herb Turner. He passed
away last August at his home in
Roanoke, Va. He was 1st Sgt. ofa Headquarters Company in either the 397th
or 398th.
Funny how life is, we have stayed in
April, 1998
touch each Christmas by sending cards
of cheer. This it was not so cheerful.
Herb retired from the service (30
yrs.) as a Colonel. He was a damned
good soldier and his wife Hilda, was a
wonderful Army wife. With deep regret
I submit this to TAPS.
Just got a card from Tony Victor, said
. Andy Victor died also.
Best regards to my Co. cH' buddies."
LESTERO.GLUESE~,C
Compan)', 397th Inf., 4185 Kinoka Rd.,
Alma, IL 62807. " Your latest newsletter must be a first for the Association
and the greatest ever. I enjoyed reading all the tidbits of information and
stories that you covered. I suspect that
your wife was a great help in getting
out to the members. Anyway, thanks
for your efforts.
On page 15, center, was a copy of a
letter from the Consul General W.D.
Warren regarding two C Company
POW's who gave a great amount of
information to the enemy. The story
intrigued me since the company did
not go into Urbach, although a patrol
may have gone into the area between
January 1 and March 15. I am not
aware of any C Company prisoners
that were captured during this period.
In addition, the names of Col. Ellis and
Capt. Roe are.correct, but the other
names appear to have been deliberately misspelled. Most likel~ any other
information would also have been distorted or possibly made up. Whatever
the case. I see no harm in divulging
their names and the contents of their
interrogation to all members of the
division. There were two C Company
soldiers who were. captured in the hole
next to mine on December 1, 1944, but
they were both executed shortly after
they left our area.
'
I would appreciate your efforts to
secure the translation ofthis document
and the pubiishing ofthe translation."
LESTER O. GLUESENKAMP,
(letter to FOIAJPA Division, Freedom
Office). "I request permission to have
access to Company C, 397th Infantry
Regiment, 100th Infantry Division, 7th
Army, morning reports with personnel
changes for the period of October 6,
1944 through April 30, 1945. This was
the period' of my combat experience
j:
I
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April,1998
100th INFANTRY DIVISION ASSOCIATION
with the Division. I have written a
book of my recollections and I would
like to add this record to my story.
Enclosed are copies of letters addressed to the National Personnel
, Records Center in St. Louis and a copy
of their response. The records do exist
at the NPRC and I would like to set
up an appointment to enable them to
pull the records and provide space for
copy and review."
.
ALFRED E. SCHEY, 3214 Paces
Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30339-3787..
"Just a quick note to let you know that
I've had two responses to my letter you
had published in the 100th Infantry
Newsletter. One was from a Mrs.
Costello (Ohio) whose deceased husband had served with the 100th Inf.
Div. near Stuttgart. Another was from
a Charles Bodenhammer who was in
the CIC attached to the 100th Inf. Div.
and who lives here in Atlanta. We're
planning on getting together in the
near future.
Please, can you arrange for a copy of
that newsletter to be mailed to me? I
tried to call you, but the number (215)
695-1772 is not working?!? Maybe I
copied it wrong (and I can't find your
original letter.)
.
For now, let me wish you happy and
successful New Year!"
Editor's note: My correct phone number is (215) 698-1772.
a
DAVID A. CHILD, 606 Third Street
Ext., Manchester, GA 31816."1 am interested in locating members of the
398th football team that stayed in
Waiblingen in the fall of'45.
We won the Division championship
at the stadium in Esslingen.
Bob Hope came to visit at the stadium also."
JACK POINTER, 105 Erie Drive,
Naples, FL 34110. (Letter written to
Michael Colalillo). "Enclosed are some
pictures taken on September 12, 1997
at the Minnesota ANG hangar at
Duluth, 1A. I plan to send a copy of the
one that you and I are in to Marvin
Alpert for the 100th Newsletter. Also I
will send a copy to Jerry (Bong) and'
Lyle Fechtelkotter at Poplar, Wis.,
where the P-~8 is t9 be housed in a
memorial building in the future. I
C-Notes
13
historian, are certainly the best candidate.
stopped by to visit them after this picI am attempting to put together a
ture was taken.
newsletter for my' old company, Hdq.
T/Sgt. Charles Carey received the Co., 2nd Btn., 397th Regiment. The
CMH posthumously for his heroic search engines available on the
deeds done while with the 100th Inf. internet make it possible to locate, in
Div. in France in WWII. At Louisville, many cases, the men in various outwhere you have been, the 100th Divi- fits for whom addresses have been lost.
sion museum has a bronze plaque com- I've located many in my company this
memorating CMH recipients: Sgt. way and many more in the division for
Care:y, Lt. Silk, and you. There is no Bill Young-who, by the wa:y, is in the
picture of Sgt. Care)'. I finally got in hospital after a heart attack. One of
touch with Mrs'. Eva Carey, Sgt. the things I want to obtain is a list of
Carey's widow. She still lives in Chey- the men in my company who were capenne, Wyo. Mrs. Carey is going to sup- tured. We lost quite a few in the
ply us with a picture of Sgt. Carey so Rimling battle.
it can be placed with Lt. Silk and your
Our division book 'The Story of thepictures at the museum in Louisville. Century' contains a list ofthe captured
Mrs. Carey is' 78 years old now and Sgt. for most of the battalions, but for some
Carey would have been 82 years old. reason, the list was omitted for the 2nd
It so happens that the man who wit- Battalion. Can you supply this for me
nessed Sgt. Carey's' deeds lives here or, if not, can you suggest where I
in Naples, Fl. Mrs. Carey plans to get might obtain such a list? I really need
in touch with him as she has never had this and would appreciate any help you
a full accounting of how he died.
are able to give."
Mike, the memorials that exist for
the 100th Division bring back the
FRANKLIN L. GURLEY, 1626
memories of incidents, which at the Romanens, Fribourg, Switzerland.
time, may have not been the best, but "Dear Doc, replying to your Nov. 7 letwith the passing of time, that which is ter, our new secretary Marv Alpert
remembered is only the best.
happened to phone me yesterday just
At the entrance to the Air Force after your letter arrived, so I asked for
Museum at Dayton, Ohio, the follow- his advice. I explained that; the Diviing is on a plaque-"For those who .sion history omits a list of 'captured'
fight for them, life and liberty have a for the 2nd Btn., 397th.
flavor the protected and the indifferMarv said he would be glad to \yrite
ent never know-Anon." We who the to St. Louis and I agreed to send him
Lord has permitted to live thes'e 50 or your letter. I suppose he would need
more years, last past, know this to be whatever names you have before proa great truism.
ceeding further.
On May 1 and 2, 1998, at DeLand,
I leave the initiative to you and Marv
Florida, near Daytona, the Florida on the exact next steps.
Chapter of the 100th Inf. Div. Assoc. of
Good luck on your plan to put out a
WWII will have their annual reunion. newsletter for Hq. Co., 2nd Bn., 397th.
If you are in the area at the time, you Enclosed is the latest newsletter (page
are always welcome to attend.
16) of Co. A, 398th, with the editor's
Thanks for inviting me to see the P- address in case you want to see his
38 that is planned for Maj. Richard approach. With all good wishes."
Bong's memorial building in Poplar,
JOHN C. ANGIER, III, #338, NaWis.
Also, Happy Birthday, December 1, tional Adjutant, 67 Ocean Drive, St.
Augustine, FL 32084.
Mike."
"Dear Bill Correll, read your letter
LEWIS "DOC' EMERSON, 101 with interest in the C-NOTES in the
Calvin Lane, Oak-Ridge, TN 37830. 100th Newsletter. You are correct in
(Letter to Frank Gurley). "I have a re- your knowledge ofCharlie Compton.
quest and don't quite know to whom it As you know, he was an All-American
should be addressed, b.ut you, as our
Continued on the next page.
Exhibit 3
May 17, 1998
Dr. Foster Mitchem
4 Woods Hole Rd
Cranford, NJ 07016
Dear Foster;
I am sorry that I missed you call the other day.
Maybe we can talk more about Urbach at the reunion.
Enclosed are pictures that Bill Adams took while
visiting Urbach in 1996 along with his letter. In
thinking back to 1945, I recall going on patrols into a
small town in a valley between our positions and the
enemy. Nothing happened on these patrols. The town
must have been Urbach. Please bring these pictures to
the reunion for all to see.
Enclosed is a memo prepared for me by the company clerk
in stuttgart at the time I was writing my diary of
combat experience. The memo indicates that we were
positioned in or near Urbach for several weeks, but not
on March 11, 1945. Whatever may be the facts, I hope
that more information comes to light at our next
reunion. Adell and I plan to attend.
Sincerely,
Lester O. Gluesenkamp
"
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--------------------,
Exhibit 4
CONSUL GENERALW.D.WARREN, KHS
2. AM SCHRAEGEN WEG
FL-9490 VADUZ
LIECHTENSTEIN
TEL: (075) 232 21 92 FA.)<: (075) 2320301
Internet (E-mail)[email protected]
Mr. Lester O. Glusenkamp
4185 Kinoka Road
Alma, IL 62807
U.S.A.
27 May 1998
WDW/ul
Dear Fonner Centuryman,
In your letter to the Division Association News which was printed in the April issue,
you mentioned my letter concerning a report of the interrogation of two POW's from C
h
Company, 39t which appeared in the Holiday issue. My letter was originally sent to
Marvin Alpert but I unfortunately have not been able as yet to locate a copy in my files.
There is at least one error in my letter as it appears in the Div. Assoc. News, viz. that the
two POW's were captured on 11 May 1945". This, of course, should .read, "11 March
1945".
.
Because you yourself mentioned in your letter that the information contained in the
report of interrogation might have been "...distorted or possibly made up",. and the
chances of ever setting the record straight after so many years is so unlikely, I am still
reluctant to divulge the names of the soldiers who were allegedly involved. If you wish,
I would be willing to send you a copy of the six pages of the report of interrogation
which, as I mentioned in my letter to Marvin, is in German~
I look forward to hearing from you and hope you can understand the position I am
taking in this matter.
Sincerely yours,
Dirk Warren
Exhibit 5
, .
June 10,1998
Consul General W.D. Warren, KHS
2,AM SCHRAEGEN WEG
FL-9490 VADUZ
LIECHTENSTEIN
Dear Consul General,
Thank you for letter of May 27, 1998 regarding the two
POW's from C Company 397th. I would be pleased to
receive a copy of the interrogation report in German.
My wife and I can still read some German. If we need
help, I know a relative who is very familiar with
translating German handwriting.
After my letter was published in the Century
.
newsletter, t received a call from a former member of C
Company. He remembers the prisoner incident, but since
he was at the dentist, he did not recall their names.
He did remember that both were recent replacements.
The published division and regiment records do not
reflect any C Company prisoners. I hope to visit the
Personnel Record Center later this month to review the
personnel changes. My visit has been delayed because
of my recent open heart surgery operation.
Sincerely,
Lester O. Gluesenkamp
Exhibit 6
CONSUL GENERAL,W.D.WARREN, KHS
2. AM SCHRA~'GEN WEG
FL-9490 VADUZ
LIECHTENSTEIN
TEL: (075) 232,2" 92 F~: (075) 23203 01
Internet (E-mail)[email protected]
Mr. Lester O. Glusenkamp
4185 Kinoka Road
Alma, IL 62807
U.S.A.
19 June 1998
WDW/ul
Dear Lester,
In response to your letter of 10 June 1998, I enclose the six pages which comprise the
ND
report of interrogation conducted by an SS-Untersturmfiihrer (2 Lt.) by the name of
Hornung and countersigned by an SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer (Capt.) named Ebert. Both of
these officers were members of the 17 SS Panzer Grenadier Division "Go/z von
Berlichingen ",
You will note that the six pages are numbered 1. to 6. by hand over the printed numbers
19. to 23. and page 6. does not have a printed number. I have no idea why the numbers
were written by hand nor do I know who did this. You may also have a problem, as I
did, with the numbers and letters used in the report, e.g. on page 5. paragraph 12.) is
missing and between paragraph 15.) on page 5. and paragraph 17.) on page 6., paragraph
16.) is missing.
.
There are other difficulties I ran into in connection with the numbers and letters used in
various paragraphs but, it seems apparent that the report concerns primarily two U.S.
prisoners who were captured in Urbach on 11 March 1945, viz.
- Pvt. Eric Weingarten, 42130731 of New York, 19 years old, single, student of
engineering, jewish by birth and religion
and
- Pvt. Wil~iam Stoewer, 33890434 of Maryland, 26 years old, married, 1 child,
welder, Lutheran and of German descent.
.
Both of these soldiers were menlbers of C Company, 397 Regt. 100th Division.
Several other officers of the' 100th Division were named as follows:
- Col. Singles allegedly replaced Col. Elles (Ellis?) as Regimental Commander
h
of the 39i when the latter was killed in action in November 1944.
h
st
- Lt. Col. King was commander, 1 Battalion, 39i •
h
- Capt. Roe was C.O. orco.c, 39i •
S
nd
rd
- The following officers are named as Platoon Leaders of the 1 t, 2 and' 3
th
Platoons, Co. C, 397 :
- Lt. Mouyica (?) lie
- Lt. Horley
- Lt. Denning
* the question mark is in the printed text.
'
-2At the top of page 1., described as ErfolgsmelJjung (Report of results) you will see that
three prisoners were taken, three were killed and one was seriously wounded and these
are U.S. troops. ·After Eigener Ausfall (German casualties) one seriously wounded is
mentioned. In the report itself, I could find no mention of the three U.S. soldiers K.LA.
or the one seriously wounded and only two prisoners are mentioned..
Here are some abbreviations which may cause you some problems:
- J.D.
Infantry Division
Infantry Regiment
company
- F.P. Nr
APO number
- Kg{.
Prisoner of war
- Panzer Btl. Tank battalion
- MG.
Machine gun
- z. T
at this time
- Div. GelS/d. Division Headquarters
- Lkw
Truck
- J. Regt.
- Kp.
As I mentioned in my letter to you of 27 May 1998, because I have no idea how accurate
the information continued in the ,German report may be, I would appreciate it. if you
would not mention me as the source of this perhaps fabricated documentation.
Good luck with the translation of the report. This is printed 'so it will be easier than
doing the job from a hand-written text. I hope you have a speedy and complete recovery
from your open-heart surgery. I had a cor~nary artery occlusion in 1995 and was treated
again in March of this year for angina pectoris. In both case an angiographic
examination was perfonned but other heart surgery was not deemed necessary.
Sincerely yours,
~--
.
...
Exhibit 7
."
l:
Erfolgsme1dung:
Eigener Ausfall:
2 Gefangene, 3 Tote, 1 Schwerverwundeter.
1 Schwerverwundeter.
a.B. gez. Hornung
SS-U nterstunnfiihrer
" wurden sofort zur Division gehracht
Die heiden gefangenen Amerikaner
umI don vernommen. Nacqitehend das Vemehmungsprotokoll:
17.
SS-P~mzer-GrenaJier-Division
Div.Gef.Std., den 12. 3. 1945'
7tGotz yon BerlichungenNL
Gefangenenvemehmung Nr. 21
Bet...: 100. a.J. D., 397. J. Rgt.
C-Kp., F.P.Nr. 447
Gefangennahme in Urbach am 11. 3. 1945
1
1) a Gefr. Weingarten, Eric
h 42130731 New York, 19 Jahre aIt, ledig, Student des Masch.-baus,
jiid. Abstammung und Religion.
II
~
,
•
I
I
l'
~'
Ii,
~ :
\
I.
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--~;I
volkerung in Frankreich (Raon l' Etape, Senones)
ickenden Amerikaner lebhaft begriiBt, gekiiBt und
etzigen Einsatzraum ist die Haltung der Bevolke~
geisten aber auch nicht unfreundlich.
Kgf. denen di.e K~. b,egegnet sind, seien gut
n. 1m,Lazarett m Dleuze. hat der Kgf. zu A) mit 2
im gleichen Raum gelegen.
echer werden nach Ansicht des Kgf. zu A) in den
ten b~opders Adolf Hitler und Heinrich Himmler
deutsche Zivilbevolkerung solI gerecht aber streng
n.
..........
....
Fiir das Divisionskommando ~l"
Der 1. Generalstabsoffizier
·
1. A.
gez. Ebert
1:
SS-Hauotsturmfiihrer
'I
..
l
!'
11
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dII .
j
I
~.
\;
k
I!
I
Erfolgsmeldung:
Eigener Ausfall:
Exhibit 7
'"\..
a. B. gez. Hornung
SS-Untersturmfiihrer
2 Gefangene, 3 Tote, 1 Schwerverwundeter.
1 Schwerverwundeter.
,t'
AIL
ss_panzer-Gr~nadier-Division
Gefangenenvemehmung Nr. 21
Div.Gef.Std., den 12. 3. 1945-
Die heiden gefangenen Amerikaner wurden sofon zur Division gebracht
und dort vemommen. ~~c¥tehend das Vemehmungsprotokoll: .
17.
"Gotz von BerlichungenBett.: 100. a.J.D., 397. ].Rgt.
C-Kp., F.P.Nr. 447
Gefangennahme in Urbach am 11. 3.1945
1) a Gefr. Weingarten, Eric
b 42130731 New York, 19 Jahre alt, ledig, Student des Masch.-haus,
j,iid. AbstamIDung und Religion.
11) b
•
, Kg£. nimmt an, daB es sich um ein
.
oche 8 Panzer auf der.StraBe in Bining
merikanische, einige franz. Besatzung
horigkeit unbekannt.
13) a
15) d
c
14) a
d
b
c
d
e
n der Front eingesetzten Kp. uglich 2
werden mit einem Jeep etwa in die
und von dort in Essentragern nach
n etwa 08.00 Uhr u. 14.00 Uhr. Da
einer Nachbarkomp. 6 Mann 'beim
huB verwundet wurden, besteht jetzt
2-3 Mann beim Essen[assen zusam-
huB sind bei dem Essenfassen wahnie eingetreten.
Zustand befindlichen franz. StraBen
ausgebessert.
B) im Ersatzlager: 15603
ndwo in Frankreich befindlichen
er 78. J.D.: Feldpostamt 78.
volle Starke und fUhrt die im USAneten Waffen mit.
die Kp. seit Mitte Januar folgende
12 Verwundete und etwa 20 FuB-
all umgehe~d durch Ersatz au~gegl.
csche MG. 42 wird ebenso wie die
lak sehr gefiirchtet.
B diedeutschen Panzer z. T. mit der
(! als .,8,8" offenbar das richtige
r 100. a.J. D. muBte vor Monaten
er jetzt getragen werden.
s im November gefallenen Oberst
bersdeutnant Kin'g.
mann Roe.
ZugfUhrer: 1-3 Zug C-Komp. 397 Leutnant Mouyica (?), Leutnant Horley und Leutnant Denning.
Die Gasausriistung muB am Mann mitgefUhn werden, wurde
jedoch bei dem Unternehmen, das zur Gefangenschaft fiihrte, im
Stellungsloch zuriickgelassen.
Ausstattung 1000/0.
Erganzung sofon und ohne Ersatzleistung.
Letzter Gasunterricht in den Vereinigten Staaten, insgesamt etwa
10 Stunden, dabei 2 Gasraumproben.
Gute Moral, gutes Verhiltnis zu Offizieren und Unteroffizieren.
Jeweils darf 1 Mann der Komp. fUr 4 Tage nach Paris in Urlaub.
Politische Belehrung wahrend der Ausbildung in den Vereinigten
Staaten, nicht jedoch in Europa; Grundtendenz: Deutschland hat
den Krieg begonnen, urn die Welt zu erobern und ihn auBerst
brutal gefiihrt.
Sowohl bei der politischen BeIeh~ng wie in der allgemeinen
WertSchatzung wird der deutsche Gegner mehr geschatzt und
geachtet als der japanische.
Beide Kgf. rcchnen mit dem siegreichen Ende des Krieges, verzichten aber mit Riicksicht auf haufige friihere Fehlschatzung auf
irgendwelche Zeitangaben.
Innere Unruhen werden fUr den Fall befiirchtet, daB den demobilisierten Soldaten nicht die aIten Arbeitsplitze offenstehen.
Der Kgf. zu B) haBt die Juden, die am Kriege verdienen und sich
vorwiegend" bei den riickwartigen Diensten aufhalten. Der Kg£. zu
A) gibe zwar den starken jiidischen EinfluB in den Vereinigten
Staaten zu, meint aber, daB er keineswegs ausgereicht habe Amerika zum Kriegseintritt zu veranlassen.
Boischewistische Zersetzungsarbeit unbekannt. Der Kg£. zu A)
meint: Wir haben den BoIschewismus nicht gem, aber RuBiand ist
nun einmal unser AlIiiener und ....wir. kommen eher nach Hause,
wenn er gewinnt. '
Auch der Kgf., zu A) gibt einen empfindlichen Antisemitismus in
den Vereinigten Staaten zu, dessen Verringerung er von einem
jiidischen Palastina mit Einwanderungsmoglichkeit erhofft. Die
Negerfrage ist im Heer niche akut, da die Farbigen in getrennten
Einheiten dienen, die meist im riickwartigen Gebiet Verwendung
finden.
~~
tJ
m
26 Jahre alt, verh., 1 Kind, Schweisser, luth.,
ng
wanderten 1920 aus Wien nach New York aus.
esitzt in Manhattan ein Schokoladengeschaft.
acheinander Public School, High School und
er sich als M~chineningenieur vorbereitete.
1944 nach Camp Wheeler, Ga, wo er zum 18.
September 1944 nach Fort Bragg, N.C., zur
Rgt. 21. 10. 44 Landung in Marseille.
n den Raum Baccarat. November 1944 3 WoVogesen - geringe Verluste. Dezember 1944
aum Mutterhausen - Unterbringung in BunLkw.~Transport in die Nwe des jetzigen
tellungen der abgelosten 44. a.J.D. bezogen
ar bis 11. 3. im Lazarett Dieuze.
l, 1 Jahr Oberschule, Handelsschule, 7 Jahre
weisser in der Bethlehem Steel Corp. Werft in
"
1944 nach Fort Meade, Md. dann nach Fort
17-wochigen Grundausbildung. Zuriick nach
November 1944 Einschif~ in New York
9000 Mann auf der "Varnavon Castle". 1m
Boote) mit, 4':"5' Zerstorem nach Glasgow.
4. Don Aufteilung in Waffengattungen. Lkw·nach Southampton am 5. 12. 44 Einschiffung
chter-Landung am 7. 12. 44 iiber Nacht in
satzlager 25 km entfemt. Zur C-Kp. am 17.
mmen mit 11 1v1annem. Einheit lag s.Zt. im
ung. Nach 4 Tagen nach Muttershausen, dann
tWeiler, Epping-Urbach. Seit 22. Februar bei
Am 1. Man zum Rastlager Saarburg. Nach 5
ben Stellung.
1. Btl. liegen in selbstgebauten Bunkerstelluneinem Schiitzenloch liegen mehr als 3 Mann.
wechseln von etwa 10 bis etwa lQO m. Tiefenn Angaben der Gefangenen nicht vorhanden,
her der Zugfiihrer und der Kp.-Gefechtsstand
. ... _...
_--.
3.
nach riickwartS abgesetzt, letzterer fast' 1000 m. AuBerdem sind die
Stellungen der jeweils in Reserve befindlichen Komp. des Btl. etwa
2 km weiter riickwartS in gleicher.Weise aufgebaut, wie die Stellungen der beiden Front-Komp. Die Angehorigen der ReserveKomp. wohnen ebenfalls in den Feldstellungen, nur wenige Manner durfen zur Korperpflege jeweils eine nahegelegene Onschaft
(wahrscheinlich Bining) aufsuchen. In etwa 4 Monaten haben die
Angehorigen nur etwa 3-4 x in Hausem geschlafen.
Gegen 12.00 Uhr wurde zwischen den beiden HKL. durch die
links neben der C-Kp. eingesetzte A-Kp. ein deutscher Spahtrupp
bemerkt. Darauf erhielt eine Gruppe bestehend aus 2 Offizieren,
1 Uffz. und 4 Mann den Kampfauftrag, den deutschen Spahtrupp
abzuschneiden und nach Moglichkeit gefangenzunehmen. Ohne
Feindberiihrung gelangte die Gruppe bis Urbach, iiber dieLage
·des durchquenen Minenfeldes wuBten nur die fiihrenden Leutnante Bescheid. In Urbach teilte sich die Gruppe, urn die Hauser der
Ortschaft von der StraBen- und Feldseite aus zu durchsuchen. Sie
gingen hierhei langsam und vorsichtig zu Werk, weil zwar bekannt
war, daB einige Hauser vermint waren, aber nicht welche. Aus
einem der Hauser erhielt die aus einem Offizier und 3 Mann
bestehende Halbgruppe der Kgf. Feuer, durch das einer der Minner schwerverwundet wurde, wahrend der Kgf. zu B) durch
Handgranatensplitter 1eicht an der rechten Hand verletzt wurde.
Der Offizier hefahl ihnen, dort zu bleiben, entfernte sich selbst in
unbekannter Richtung. Durch aus dem Haus herauskommende
deutsche Soldaten wurden die Kgf. gefangengenommen.
4) a Soweit die Kgf. unterrichtet sind, entspricht die Gliederung ihres
Rgt. der Au£stellung im USA-Taschenbuch Seite 18£.
b Von den Schiitzenkom·p..4er Btl. liegt stets 'eine in Reserve, im
vorliegenden Fall die B.-Kolnp. 'Cher die Divisions-Reserve sind
die
Kgf. nicht unterrichtet..... .,
"
c Uber die Nachbam des I. Btl. sind die Kgf. nicht unterrichtet.
Geriichtweise wurde ihnen bekannt, daB links neben der A-Kp.
die 44. a.J. D. liegen solI.
d Kgf. zu B) gibt an: Div.GeL Std. in Saarburg, Btl. Gel. Std. in
Bining.
e Kgf. IU A) hat am 11. 3. auf dem Weg zur Front an der StraBengabel etwa 1 km O. HottWeiler 3 amerik. Panzer gesehen, Trup-
------_. --_. _.
I
Exhibit 8
REPORT OF INTERROGATlON
by
SS-Untersturmfuhrer (2nd Lt.)
Countersigned by SS-Hauptsturmfuhrer (Capt.
17 SS Panzer Grenadier Division
. "Gotz von Berlichinger"
English Translation:
Report of results: 2 prisoners, 3 dead, 1 seriously wounded
German casualties: 1 seriously wounded
The two captured Americans were taken to the Division Headquarters at once and
registered there. The report data follows: .
17 SS-Tank Infantry Division
"Gotz von Berlichungen"
Division Headquarters; March 12, 1945
NL Capture No 21.
Betr. IOOth Infantry Division, 397th Infantry Regiment
Company C, APO No. 447
Captives taken in Urbach on March.ll, 1945.
1. a. Prisoner Pvt. Eric Weingarten
.
b. 42130731 ofNew York, 19 years old, single, student of
mechanical engineering. Jewish by birth and religion.
2. a. Prisoner Pvt. Wtlliam Stoewer
b. 33890434 ofMaryland, 26 years old, married, one child, a welder,
Lutheran of Gennan descent.
1. a. (Refers to Weingarten) The war prisoner's parents emigrated·from Vienna to New York in .
1920. His father has a chocolate business in Manhattan. He attended public elementary
and high school and City College where he trained to be a mechanical engineer.
b. He was called into service and reported at Camp Wheeler, GA on April 6,1944 where he
belonged to the 18th Aush.(Training?) Battalion. To Fort Brag, NC on September 6, 1944,
into Company C of the 397th Infantry Regiment. Landed at Marseille on October 10, 1944.
c. He served in Truck Transportation in the Baccarat area. In November J944 he served in
battle in the Vosges Mountains with minimal losses. A reserve in the Mutterhousen area in
December 1944, quartered in bunkers. On December 15 he served in truck transportation
near the current operational area where the 44th were released from the Infantry Division.
In military hospital at (Lazarett Dieuze) Diewze from mid-February until March 11.
2. a. (Refers to Stoewer) Attended public school eight-"years, high school one
year and then in occupational school. Employed as a welder in the ship yards of
Bethlehem Steel Corp. at Sparrow Point.
b. Entered the service at Fort ~Ieade, MD. on June 7, 1944, then to lVlacClellan, AL. for 17
weeks of basic training. Back to Ft. Meade. Embarked on the "Varna von Castle" with
about 8000-9000 men on November 20, 1944. Crossed the·ocean in a convoy of about
20 ships with 4-5 destroyers. Landed at Glasgow on December 3, 1944, and were
separated into branches of service there. Traveled by truck across England to
. Southhampton on December 5, 1944. Embarked for LeHarve by barge and landed there
during the night ofDecember 7, 1944, in staging area and on to an operational area 25
km. away. To Company C together with eleven men. The unit at that time had its position
in the Bitsch area On to Mutterhausen after four days and then to Hottweiler, Bettweiler,
Epping-Urbach. Stationed at Urbach since February 22. To rest area at
Saarburg· on March 1 and back to the same position after five days.
3.
The companies of the 1st Battalion are in self-constructed bunkers south of Urbach, not more
three men in on defense hole. Areas between varied from about 10 to 100 m. According
to the irifonnation from the prisoners· the depth of the detachment was not known,
however, the holes of the platoon and the company command post were back as far as
1000 m. Besides that, at times the reserves of a company of the battalion are to be·
found further back than 2 km. with positions constructed in the same way as both
companies in the front. Those who belong to the reserve companies also live in field
positions. Only a few men at a time are permitted to look up a place for personal hygiene.
During about four months the members slept in houses only possibly three or four times.
Approaching 12:00 o'clock, a Gennan patrol was seen between the
HKL (two compames?) to the left next to Company C and Company A. Then a group
consisting of two officers, one officer and fOUf men as a unit received the combat mission
~rder to cut off the patrol, and, if possible, take it captive. The group got to Urbach
without disturbing the enemy; only the leading lieut.enants knew the way through the
minefields. The group divided itself in Urbach in order to check the houses of the village
from the streets and the fields. They worked at this slowly and carefully since they were
aware that a few houses were mined, but they didn't know which ones. One group
consisting of an officer and three men was fired on from one of the houses. One of the
men was injured so that he wasn't able to throw hand grenades with his right hand. The
officer ordered him to stay there and hide in a secret place. The prisoners of war were
captured by Gennan soldiers who came out of the houses.
4. a. As far as the prisoners know, their regimental headquarters agrees with page 18t: of the
USA pocket manual.
.
b. There's a rifle company of the battalion in reserve, in this case Company B. The prisoners
have no knowledge about Division reserves.
c. The prisoners know nothing about neighbors of the 1st Battalion. Via a rumor they are aware
that possibly the 44 th Infantry Division is at the left of Company A.
d. Prisoner (B) says: Division Headquarters are in siarburg and battalion headquarters are in
Bining.
e. Prisoner (A) on the way to the front saw three American tanks at the fork of the road about
one knl. East ofHottweiler on March 11. He doesn't know their unit attachment, but feels
that it's likely an independent tank battalion. Prisoner (B) saw eight tanks on the street in
Bining about a week ago, some American and some French. Unaware of further troop
affiliation.
g. Food storehouse in Bining.
k. For some time now those serving at the front get two warm meal a day. These are brought to
the Hottweiler area by jeep and from there they are brought forward by food carriers.
Serving times are about 8:00 and 14:00 o'clock. When six men at the food center were
wounded by neighboring company shelling about one to two weeks ago, the order was
given that not more than two or three men are to be at the food containers at one time.
I. Apparently sorties of enemy fire never occured. at the food ves~els in the daytime. Long
distance roads in France have been repaired by German war priso~ers.
5. e. 15603 is the army postal service number for the (B) prisoner. The army
postal service number for friends of prisoner (B) anywhere in France is No. 78 at the
Infantry Division field post office 78.
6. a. The prisoners company is close to full strength and carries the weapons listed on page 19 of
the USA pocket manual.
7. a. Since mid-January, the Company, currently in the replacement area, has lost about three or
four dead, about twelve wounded and about twenty unable to walk.
b. In recent time, every drop-out passed by the replacement area.
8. a The German machine gun 42, identified as "Bm" is feared greatly even
as the ground battle launched anti-aircraft artiller "88".
d. Prisoner (A) knows that at the present time the Gennan tanks are armed with anti-aircraft
artillery "88"; "88" is obviously the right ammunition.
9. a. The well known sleeve insigna of the 100th Infantry Division had to be
kept out of sight for months, but may be worn again now.
10.0. Colonel Singles replaced Colonel Elles, a war casualty in November, as
Regimental Commander. Lt. Col. King was commander of ]St Battalion, 39~. Capt Roe
was company commander of Company C of the 397th• The following officers are named as
Platoon Leaders ofPlatoons J, 2, and 3, Co. C., 397dt., -Lt. Mouyica (?), Lt. Harley and
Lt. Denning.
II.b. The soldier is to carry the gas mask with him. However, in the
activity which led up to the capture, it was left in the fox hole.
c. Equipment, 100%.
.
d. Completion at once without suppliment from supply.
e. The last instruction in the use ofgas masks was in the United States
totalling ten hours, two hours of which was actual practice.
13.a. Morale was good, also relationship with officers and non-commissioned officers. From time
.
to time, one person could go to Paris for a four day vacation.
b. Political instruction was included during training in the United State; not Europe. The basic
that Gennany started the war in order to conquer the world and carried out
emphasis
the war extremely brutally. At the same time, the German enemy was given a more
respected and higher rating than the Japanese.
b.. Both prisoners of war anticipate a victorious end ofthe war, but reject any effort to set dates
as in the past as well as now. There is considerable concern among the troops that their
old employment will not available for the demobilized soldiers.
was
14.a. War prisoner (B) hates the Jews who benefit from the war and will claim and hold o'n to
their earning roles. 'War prisoner (A) agrees that there is a large influx of Jews in the U.S.,
but feels that this had nothing to do with drawing America into the war.
c. The number ofreplacements by Bolschevics is UnknOwt:l. Prisoner (A) feels; We don't like
Bolschevism much, but Russia is now really our ally and we'll get home sooner if she wins.
IS.d. Prisoner (A) also admits to a minimum of anti-semirism in the U.S. but feels that this will
decrease with a large emigration to Jewish Palestine. The Negro question is not a problem
in the anny since the colored serve in separate units mostly in areas in the rear.
17.b. The arriving American were actively greeted by civilians in France, kissed and gifted. Their
attitude is not quite so spirited in operational areas, but also not unfriendly.
I8.a. All German war prisoners with whom our prisoners have met have been treated well.
Prisoner (A) was in the same same room with two German war prisoners in the arnty
hospital in Dieuze.
."
b. In the view of prisoner (A) AdolfHitler and Heinrich Hirnmler especially are considered war
criminals in the United States. The German civilians should be dealth with justly but also
strictly.
For the Division Commander
General Staff Officer # 1.
I A (Signed): Capt. Ebert
Footnote 8-3-98
The numbers and characters do not follow in sequence possibly due to editing by unknown
persons. Neither is there any reference to the three dead or injured soldiers. The "Story of the
Century" only lists the two prisoners as members ofC Company. The morning report of March 12,
1945 reports the two as &UA with no further listing.
Lester O. Gluesenkamp, C Company.
Exhibit 9
4185 Killoka RD
Alma, IL 62807
August 5, 1998
To: Marvin Alpert
Dr. foster Mitchem
Paul Mosher
Cal Norman
Enclosed is a copy ofthe German interrogation report ,translated into English,
on the two C Company soldiers taken prisoner on March 11, 1945 at Urbach.
The report leaves many unanswered questions. Did they survive? If they did,
what is their current address. I wrote to William Young with the hope that they
are members ofthe association.
I wonder what we would have revealed had we been captured? Cal, you are one
who has gone through the prisoner ordeal. Maybe you or the others who were
captured, could share your thoughts with the nlel11bers! I plan to bring extra
copies ofthe report to the reunion as well as the morning reportsfrom October
1994 throughApril/945 on C Company39'rh•
See you in September,
Lester O. Gluesenkamp
aI,. -( t
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Exhibit 11
August 15, 1998
Dear Eric:
I was happy to learn that you survived your POW ordeal. After reading the
interrogation report, you never know. Your name is not listed as MIA or POW in
the "The Story of the Century". Your name is listed as a member ofC Co. I am
enclosing a copy of the morning report listing you as MIA on March 11~ 1945. I
secured permission to copy the reports at the Personal Records Center in St.
Louis. I was delayed due to my by-pass operation in January ofthis year.
Enclosed is a copy of my story. !fyou want to keep a copy, the cost is $17.00.
You can send me a check, pay me at the reunion or return the copy at that time.
About 75 members ofthe division have written a story oftheir experience. A
listing should be out in the next newsletter.
See you in September,
Lester O. Gluesenkamp
Exhibit 12
August 29, 1998
William Stoewer
4322 Parkside Dr
Baltimore, :MD 21206-6425
Dear Mr: Stoewer,
I was a Staff Sergeant in Company C, 397th Infantry Regiment of the 100th Infantry
Division in France and Germany during World War II. I was one of the few men
who went over and came back with the division.
You name has recently come to my attention as one who was captured on March
11, 1945 near the village Urbach in A1sac~orraine. If you read this letter, I
would like to talk to you and send you info~ation about the lOOth Infantry
Association that has its annual reunion this year in Pittsburgh on September 10
throught the 13 th at the Double Tree Hotel. About 500 members attend the
reunions out of a me1l1:bership of about 5000. .
of
Sincerely,
Lester o. Gluesenkamp
:
/"'
,.
,',
Exhibit 13
September 28, 1998
William Stoewer
4322 Parkside Dr
Baltimore, :MD 21206-6425
DearBiII:
I was glad to receive your telephone call. Weingarten told me that you survived,
but said he lost track ofyou. Now that you have been found, maybe you can make
the next reunion. If you join the association, you will be put on the mailing list to
receive a newsletter about four times a year. I am enclosing a copy from last year.
I am enclosing the interrogation report that I had translated from German to
English. I would like to get you reaction to the report. Weingarten said that he did
not remember all the information that you all revealed. Regardless I see no harm to
'anyone from reading the report and the near end to the war.
You may find my story of interest. I could not write the story until 1990-too many
bad memories.
Sincerely,
1//0-i ' e r O. Gluesenkamp
f//- fr.f~
f'/~- J'(~'''';' 6>$
7/
Exhibit 14
~322
Parkside Drive
Baltimore, Md. 21234
October 6, 1998
Lester O. Gluesenkamp
4185 Kinoka Rd.
Alma, Illinois
Dear Lester:
I have been reading your book and find it very
interesting. Glad you made it thru the war
o.k., and also that my foxhole buddy, Eric
Weingarten, is still alive and living inNew
York. Maybe one d~y I'll give him a call.
Lester, since my health is·not very good--my
arthritis limits my ability to walk and be on
my feet, and so I would not be able to attend
any of the reunions.
Enclosed is my check for the $15.00 you mentioned
for the book. Hope you continue to improve
from your surgery.
Sincerely,
William Stoewer
Exhibit.IS
Eric Weingarten
39 Cayuga Street
Trumansburg, New Vork 14886
September 14, 1998
Dear Lester:
I am sorry we were not able to meet at the reunion but it was certainly understandable under
the circumstances. Please accept my condolences on your loss. Hopefully, we will meet next
year in Mclean, Virginia
I did have a chance to talk to Merv Jacobsen, Frank Ukly and Foster Mitchem. Foster was in
my squad and vividly remembers the events on the day I and Bill were captured and Fred
Akers was killed. On Friday evening John Bacos sat down at our dinner table an introduced
himself. He was my platoon commander at Fl Bragg and in France, until he traJ:1sferred to B
company. We had a long, interesting talk. My wife and I had a great time at the reunion. Without
exception every one we met was friendly and caring. Unfortunately we were not able to stay for
the Saturday banquet. We will try to plan better next year.
.
I certainly want to keep the copy of your story; it Is gripping. Vour ability to recall specific dates
and events is amazing. I hope you are planning to publish it. I am trying to write my memoirs
which certainly will include my experiences in the 1oath.
. .
.
Thank you for the interrogation report which, as you anticipated, I found very interesting. To my
surprise it was straightforward, without Nazi propaganda. The casualty report is wrong. I am
quite sure that Bill, Fred and I were the only casualties in that specific incident. I think they may
have inflated the figures to impress their higher ups. I understand it happens in other armies
also. I don't remember saying some of the things which they attribute to me, but I may have.
Obviously I did not confine myself to name, rank and serial number. I hope that nothing I said
was hurtful to our side.
Best wishes
~~
..
Exhibit·16
Eric Weingarten
39 Cayuga Str..eet
Trumansburg, New York 14886
September 26, 1998
Dear lester:
When your letter came I had been reading your "Story". Among other things it makes me
appreciate that while being a POW was not exactly a quality experience, there is a good .
chance that it saved my life, by making me miss some of the battles you were in, especially
Heilbrunn. I also need to say that all your modesty , candor and even cynicism can not hide the
fact that you were an excellent soldier and leader.
I guess it is OK to publish the interrogation report. My comments would be essentially the
same as in my previous letter. I had half expected the SS to weave some Nazi propaganda into
the report, based on my being Jewish but they did not do so. The report was generally
straightforward, except for the casualty count, which was inflated. I don't remember saying
most of the things which are attributed to me but that doesn't mean that I didn't say them. Fifty
years plus' have passed, after all. I want to correct one item: It is not true that I was born in New
York. I was actually born in Vienna, Austria and came to the US in 1939 as a refugee from
Nazi persecution. I didn't know how my captors would take this and decided to conceal it from
them.
The account of our capture is incomprehensible, and I also had some questions about that at
the reunion. What happened was this :. The three of us, Bill Stowers, Fred Akers, and myself
were clearing houses in the abandoned town, Urbach. I don't remember that we were looking
for mines; we were looking for Germans. We had gotten ahead of the rest of the patrol. They
saw us coming from afar and when we reached their house they fired one shot. We took cover
pressing against the outer wall of the house from which the shot had come. Bill, who was the
tallest, cautiously raised his head over the wall. There was another shot which wounded Fred,
fatally, as it turned out. Simultaneously a hand grenade was thrown from a window and landed
practically at our feet. It went off but apparently was of faulty manufacture and did no damage.
But at that point we had had it and surrendered. Period.
Please feel free to use as many or as few of these comments as you wish, and don't hesitate
to ask any questi~s which occur to you about this.
Sincerely
4
CONSUL GENERAL: W.D.WARREN, KI-
2. AM
SCHRAEGEN WEG
Exhibit 17
FL-9490 VADUZ
LIECHTENSTEIN
TEL: (075) 232 21 92
Ei\X: (075) 232 03 01*
Internet (E-mail)[email protected]
Lester o. Gulsenkamp
4185 Kinoka Road
Alma, 11 62807
U.S.A.
4 February 1999
WDW/ul
Dear Lester,
In the Holiday Issue of the 1 DOth Division News, I saw your note on page 21 regarding your
search efforts to locate Pvt. Eric Weingarten und Pvt. William. Stoewer. I was quite surprised that
you located Eric Weingarten. Because William Stoewer's age would now be about 80, it is
entirely possible that he has passed away in the meantime.
I also saw the letter sent to you by the National Personnel Records Center. In reviewing all the
correspondence I have in this matter, I have come up with a number of questions I'd like to pass
on to you and I look forward to hearing from you whenever your time and health permit. My
questions are as follows:
1.)
Were you able to translate the report of interrogation I sent to you?
2.)
Did you mention any parts of the report of interrogation to Eric Weingarten and, if yes,'
did he make any comment as to the accuracy of the report?
3.)
You mentioned that you obtained the addresses and phone numbers of Eric Weingarten
and William Stoewer from an Internet source, Le...www.freeality.com/findt..htm.. and I would
like to know the name of the organization behind this address.
4.)
The Military Personnel Records Center gave you the address of the U.S. Army Center for
Military History in Washington. Did you contact them and, if yes, did you receive any
information relating to this inquiry?
5.)
In your note on page 21 of the Holiday Issue of the 10(Jh Division News you stated at the
beginning that, "this is a follow up to my memo of August 5, 1998". Did this memo appear in
any issue of the lO(Jh Division News? If yes, which one? If not, I would appreciate it if you
would send me a copy.
The above is admittedly a rather tall order and I do not want to burden you with trivial matters. I
would nevertheless be grateful for any further information you may wish to send to me.
With kind regards,
Dirk Warren
Exhibit 18
Fehrtu.llY 15, 1999
CONSUL U/';NI'.R,II, ''''.1). ~J'~RREN, KIfS
2, AAI sellRA /'X; EN 1J'/~G
1'1.-9-190 1':-1 /)( Il
1./EC1{77~NS"l1'J N
IJe"r Con\',,',
I will tl}' to (1I1SlI'(''' all your questions. 11,e search jor the truth in this ordeal has been l'el)'
rewarding.
/ was ahl(' 10 '/'ol1slale 'lie il1ler"oj!atioll repo/'t with the help (!{ a retired l.tftheron 111i"ister il1 a
near"y tOU-II. "~\' ,rUt' and flun·'e knowl1 hi111 for mallY years. l';nclosed is a copy of his
translatiol1 Ihal he ",role out il1 longhalld
Copies (!{ tITe 1'c!J0lt1f'ere sent to J'Veil1garten and Stoewer. As Weingarten indicated, he has 110
recollectio11 (?{ all tl1at he was supposed to have revealed StoeuJer told 111e over the phone that
JVeillxartell was c1/1 en·itf talker and he ad1110nished hi111 to keep quiet. Both indicated that the
interrogatio/l report ilu.:luded/njo","ationjrom other than the Iwo ll1en. Bothjelt lucky that they
were lucky to 110t !la,'C' not been killed by civilians throwing boi/ing water and rocks atthell1 as
. they passed 'hrough {ou'ns recently bOll1hed by our bOll1bers. Stoeu,oers kas injured by the potato
111asher grenade and the last J1iece ofll1etal came out ofhis skill ahoul twenty years ago.
I/oeated the 1I11/1IeS crnd add,.es.~es (~{ the two men on afirst lIy through the internet sight.
/')u:losed i.\' a (~oPJ' (?f Ihe printed report 011 U'eingarfell. I have 110 knowledge of the organizatiol1
as the report 1f·os.fh!t!.
I rec:e;ved cOlllplete il!(ofll1atioll Oil viewing the records at the {IS ArnlY Record Center ill St.
LOllis. 171ey ",ere extrel11ely helpfll! and it only took me about three hours to l11ake photo copies
(!f the morning reports.
1~'I1c:losed are ('opies (!f leffel'S fo Marvin Alpert regarding the interrogation report. I do not know
~r the letfer ,rill he puhlished il1 the next newsletter.
!
J hope the aho"£! i1!!()l'/11a!iol1 will answer yo"r question If not send 1I1e an ell1ail.
Sil1cerely,
CONSUL GENERAL )N.D.WARREN, Kf.J
2, AM SCHRAEGEN WEG
FL-9490 VADUZ
Exhibit 19
LIECHTENSTEIN
TEL: (075) 232 21 92 F ~ (075) 232 03 01*
Internet (E-mail)[email protected]
Lester O. Gulsenkamp
4185 Kinoka Road
Alma, II 62807
U.S.A.
2 March 1999
WDW/ul
Dear Lester,
Thanks for your letter of 15 Feb. '99 with the various enclosures concerning your
research into the capture and ~nterrogation of Privates Stoewer and Weingarten. I
am still quite surprised that you not only were able to locate these two exCenturymen but that you managed to get written replies from them.
Because I am presently quite busy with various projects, I will not have time to
study the tran~lation of the interrogation report. but I hope to do this within the
next week or so and get back to you with my comments.
As I already mentioned, I am not sure that the publication of the report in the
. Division Asssoc. News (assuming that Marv Alpert decides to do this) is a good
idea, even though Stoewer and Weingarten have not expressed any objections. I'll
. get back to you as soon as I can.
Best regards,
·.
Exhibit 20
106 Woolf Avenue
Piedmont, Alabama
June 6, 1999
36272
Dear Mr. Gluesenkemp-My basic purpose in writing is to ask you to please
send me information about how I may arrange to purchase
a copy of your book Combat.
I was with
C~.
D, 397th,
during all of the IOOth's combat time; we machine gunners
were, of course, from time to time attached to your company.
Your -reference in the
Apr~l,
1998, issue of the
Assoc. News to the possibility that Co. C may have had a
patrol in Urbach calls to mind a story that may interest
you.
When we moved into the positions near Urbach in late
(after Christmas Eve) December -1944 my best buddy, a daresome
fellow, went to Urbach and took down a door with which to
cover his foxhole (we'd dug in in open terrain). sometime
after that, in very late December or early January, he invited
me to go with him and another fellow (who was later killed
in Heilbr6nn while we were attached to Co. C) to Urbach.
A tr-ip into a "ghost village" lying between us and the
Germans wasn't my idea of an ideal stroll; but of course
I ·went with them, possibly to save face.
As we entered the
east (?) edge of the village, we heard a "Ps-s-st!" and saw
that a GI was signaling to us.
"What are you guys doing here?"
As we approached him he asked
One of us told him we were
just looking around "and asked what he and those with him were
doing.
"We're on patrol," he said; "the Germans are at the
other end of the street." That fellow may have saved the
lives of three foolish soldiers.
from your company.
He very well may have been
"
I l<now anoth er Urba ch story that may inte rest you.
It conc erns Capt . Walt er Kimb all, 1st batta lion
S-3.
(Kim ball also ran Co. D durin g our comb at days
. He was
our exec utive offic er but was made S-3 on the
first day of
comb at, when the 8-3 man was woun ded. Our offi
cial Co. D
comm ander prove d to be of no use in comb at; so
Kimb all both
ran the comp any and did the S-3 work .) Kimb all
was a
comp lete skep tic; he didn 't trus t the infor mati
on patr ols
were repo rting abou t Urba ch and he want ed 'to know
whet her
Germ an troop s were ther e. So he went to the villa
ge one
nigh t and shot up the place to see whet her he
could draw
enem y fire.
(I heard this story afte r the war from a
serg eant who was with him.
A lieut enan t at batta lion who
was conc erned for Kim ball' s safe ty some times asked
a sold ier
to accom pany him on his excu rsion s.)
A coup le of week s ago Kimb all came south from
ohio and
visit ed for two days with my wife and me befo re
proc eding
alon e to his home in Ariz ona.
It was a fine time .
'rhan k you very much for send ing me infor mati on
abou t
how to get .your book .
I'll read it atten tivel y_
sinc erely ,
LJ Jt ~~
Webb Salm on
"
tf"""
Exhibit 21
..
106 Woolf Avenue
Piedmont, Alabama 36272
June 19, 1999
Dear Les,
There's no time for a letter just now--guests who
are here for a family reunion and then some more visiting
are finally abed and I want to thank you in the wee hours
for sending your Combat and the supplementary photocopies.
I stole time yesterday, when your package arrived, to
read the material about the two POWs, to scan your book,
and to just begin close reading of the boo~. When my
time is more nearly my own I'll continue the reading and
then write you.
on~ ~bservation--while scanning I
saw your ~ronze star
disclaimer and then read that last page.
I understand your
motivation-~very recently, after all these years, I annotated
my Bronze Star citation so that if my children and grand'children ever read it they c~n know what's true and what
isn't. To read the award without the annotations, one
might deduce that I crippled the German army and that half
the troops ~n, the ETO were following in the wake of my
machine gun fire. How I.wish that I had been half the soldier'
that the award describes!
Again, I thank you for sending Combat (and for the~per­
sanal inscriptian)--and for taking the time and expense to
send the additional pages.
Best'wishes,
,
\
.
,
Exhibit 22
June 12, 1999
Webb Salmon
106 Woolf Ave.
Piedmont, Al36272
Dear Webb,
Enclosed is a copy of the email that became part of the listing in the division
website under Souveniers that lists the cost of my book. Rather than send you a
separate letter, I am enclosing my book. You can send me a check if you want to
keep the book.
I found your stories about Urbach very interesting in view of my own recent
discoveries about the place. My recollections of patrols in the town are rather
vague. I had the impression at the time that such patrols were nothing by chicken
shit details to keep us busy. In hindsight, they were possbile death traps.
You can be glad that you were not one of those on the patrol with Weingarten and
Stoewers. This whole discovery started with the letter by the Consul General in the
1997 holiday issue of the 100th Newsletter. The two men are not listed as MIA in
the division history nor in the morning reports. Neither men knew of the
Association and I was a doubter that the two men were captured until Foster
.Mitchem remembered the event. He missed the patrol as the dentist worked on his .
teeth. The enclosed correspondence may add to your interest in Urbach.
Sincerely,