W. W. II Experiences

by TSGT Willard Bickel

(a Pottstown Draftee of '43)

After saying "I do" twice in February '43 (once to my wife on Feb 13) and the second to Uncle Sam on Feb 15, I went to Camp Cumberland near Lebanon, PA, then to Camp Blanding FL for basic training, Camp Gordon, GA., Camp Campbell, KY, to maneuvers in Tennessee, to Ft Jackson, SC, Camp Shanks, NY, and then sailed on the SS Argentina.

It is hard for me to realize that 63 years plus has passed since our outfit, The 26th Infantry Division landed in France on Omaha Beach just 60 days after the D-Day landings. Our convoy made up of a number of ships was the first to land directly in France at the Cherbourg Peninsula.

Still not fully realizing the future events, a bit of lit humor, An Officer dropped his bag over the side to a waiting barge, a heartbreaking sound took place when two bottles of White Horse Scotch he had purchased in New York and wrapped carefully in his bag smashed as it landed on the barge. We all turned away as we hated to see a grown man cry. The smell lingered for days in his bag.

After landing, we could see the evidence of the tremendous battles that had taken place during the D-Day landings. Knocked out German pillboxes, ships sunk by the shelling, tanks that never made it to shore and many other signs that showed the fury of the battles that had raged in the beach area.

We loaded our duffel bags to an assigned area of the beach, later to be dropped for us at our bivouac area.

We then began the hike to the field, which would be our home for the next several days or weeks while waiting our assignment. The distance proved to be one of several miles. This was now to be our home in pup tents. Some had fallen during the long hike and had to catch up.

As Gen. Patton's 3rd Army raced across France, the advance slowed as the supply lines finally stretched too far and supplying gas for the advancing tanks became an insurmountable obstacle. It was, at the point, Gen Patton asked for the 26th Division to move in and it was at this time a great experience took place that would· forever change our lives.

It was a new experience and up to this point it had been somewhat of a game as we prepared for the encounter. The real truth was that we were young and naIve and totally unprepared for the shock and realism that was about to confront us.

My first experience was the warning of mines that existed all along the roads and we were not to leave the road. One soldier did, stepped on a mine and the body flew into the air. A Chaplain immediately rushed to the scene and gave the soldier Last Rights. After returning he told of the three prongs sticking up between his legs as he knelt, yes another mine. He was not hurt, but the soldier died of his wounds, our first casualty.

We witnessed the devastation of St. Lo. It was subjected to tremendous shelling and bombing that eventually forced a breakout in the lines. This resulted in Gen Patton's tremendous advances as his tanks spread out all over Central France. We took over a sector of the 3rd Army zone which was East of Nancy. France.

Prior to this a stop overnight in Foutainbleu, just south of Paris, we had a meal with a family in that city. After enjoying an excellent meal and a great shower, we were housed overnight on the third floor, great accommodations. While sleeping, Nazi troops removed all the men from the house. We were on the third floor and not disturbed by the activity. The women of the house announced this the next morning and we removed ourselves quickly from the area.

Then the attack on Moncourt Woods and the Lorraine offensive which was a blood soaked muddy experience in the Lorraine Area. Then a vicious, enemy, counter attack at Rodalbe. It was during this time that Co. K. was captured and I had to type the reports of names missing in action. This included names from the Pottstown Area, Ed Dobry, Jack Case, George Houck, Paul Pollock, Paul Reigner and others.

Rolling through France and then to Metz a rest area. At this point it was a comfort to hear the news "those Heinie bastards were freezing and getting the hell shot out of them" And then things were getting worse and Air strafing took place.

During this rest period in Metz untrained replacements arrived. It was Thanksgiving and we had a delicious Turkey Dinner; However, the. Turkey apparently was spoiled during its trip to the front and we all had what we called "The Turkey Trots". With all the strafing,' no flash lights or identification of any kind, this would be a mistake. Our ability to relieve ourselves, was difficult, a sight to behold.'

We knew a large offensive was to take place; but was not aware of the name The next move was Benestroff, Albestroff, the Saare Union were captured, and then the first encounter with forces of the Von Rundstedt offensive which now is none as "The Battle of the Bulge"

While on the move we took advantage of rest areas with people willing to wash our clothes and allow us to take a bath. We met a German Family, who were very gracious and I received from the grandmother a part of her Rosary. At this time, I did not realize the significance of this gift. Also, during one of the rest periods, I had a charcoal picture of my wife done by a former artist working for Hitler.

It was cold and a great snow storm arrived. The move then to the Belgium border with nasty freezing weather.

With artillery fire, strafing by planes, there seemed to be much confusion.

The Germans were high with enthusiasm with Nazi propaganda talk of an all out victory drive. Then the Saarlautem Bridgehead, the drive for the Rhine.

It was the 104th Regiment that was the first 26th Division regiment to cross the Rhine.

The hard fought "Battle of the Bulge" and the thunder across Germany was difficult, but successful.

The final stages brought us to Munchberg, Germany a few miles from the Czech border and then to Czechoslovakia

Finally May 8, 1945 - V. E. Day.

On May 10th the 104th Regiment contacts the 86th Russian Infantry Division with 35,000 German troops trapped in the middle.

At this point the war in Europe was over and a move to a rest area in Linz Austria. However, we new there might be a chance we would be sent to the South Pacific. Sure enough, after a brief rest and training period we were shipped by 40 and 8' s to the southern part of France near Marsailles. We were read to board ship, and the announcement that the war was ended in Japan, a sigh of relief for all of us. Since there were many ships in the harbor and empty, we thought we might now be shipped back to the States. Then, calling it "Redeployment to Rhiems France", we were shipped to Rhiems France in the northern part of France to await shipment back to the States.

We arrived and no ships were in port and were told we might be there for several days or weeks. This amounted to a free trip to Switzerland for me and others. However, one drawback, we may miss the next ship home. I took that chance and returning from Switzerland there were still no ships to return to the USA. We finally arrived home January 2, 1946.