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The following notes have been copied from my small address book, which I filled with small notes while I was being held prisoner. The ledger I found while in Munich after my liberation on April 30, 1945. The notes began as follows: Property of Private George L. Vaughan Stalag VII-A, Mooseburg [sic], Germany
October 12, 1944. Boarded Queen Mary for overseas crossing. Twenty thousand troops aboard. After 5 days at sea, we landed in Scotland. Gee, it’s beautiful here; the harbor is a wonderful sight to see.
October 17, 1944. Leaving ship at Glasgow harbor to board train for trip down through England. I noticed bomb damage was rather slight, although there was some sign of it here & there.
October 18, 1944. Arrived at Camp Delamere Park in England. This was the worst place I had seen up until this time. The food was terrible & housing conditions for the troops were worse. We remained there for a week. It was during this time that I sent home my first money order, for $20.00. Almost every night we used to go to a little town near the camp. It was a typical little English town named Northwick. We sat around in the pubs drinking that lousy English beer & singing songs. Little did we realize what lay ahead, or perhaps we might have drunk a little more beer or sung a little louder.
October 23, 1944. Traveled by train to Southampton and boarded a channel steamer. It took us 2 days to cross because of the danger from submarines. We had an escort of destroyers. When we came within sight of the French coast, the ship anchored & we proceeded in small landing craft. We landed in Normandy at Omaha Beach. Here we saw many ships that had been sunk, and on the beach much equipment was to be seen just rusting away. It seems that casualties were much heavier here than was reported at home. I saw at least 5,000 or 6,000 graves right on the beach!
October 24, 1944. Camping out on the beach awaiting trucks to carry us up through France to the front. Here we stayed for 4 days. During this time it rained part of each day, making the Normandy countryside a veritable sea of mud. We had to live & sleep right out in it, as we had little or no shelter from our tents, which leak if you look too hard at them.
October 29, 1944. Started traveling by truck across France from landing place in Normandy. Trucks were crowded & it was very uncomfortable. Passed through Paris, St. Lo, finally reaching our destination at Epinal, France. Here we were billeted in an unused factory building.
October 31, 1944. Again traveling by truck. In a few hours’ time, we will reach our destination – the front. I have been assigned to the 36th division.
I have this day joined a combat company on the line, and have instructed my good friend, Onufry Zabinko, that, in the event of my death, I would like him to secure my wedding ring, if possible, and carry it home to my wife. God bless her.
November 13, 1944. I killed my first German soldier yesterday. It almost sickened me when I saw him today. He was just a kid, too! I guess the Lord was with me, because the Jerry saw me first & fired – but he missed me! I was out on night patrol at the time.
November 27, 1944. Clefcy, France. I hope, my darling, that I live to tell you how much I missed being with you today on your Birthday. I love you so much kid, but I realize that you must know that I’m thinking of you now – All my love – Larry. (Written before the battle that cost the lives of 7 of my buddies out of a squad of 10 men).
December 1, 1944. We came back off the lines today. Now for a few days we’ll rest up, get new clothing, showers, write a few letters home. We are in the little French town called St. Croix Aux Mines, living in a nice house with beds & linen. I was paid today, Darling, for the first time, and sent it all home to you – 2900 Francs or $58.00. We’ll leave here in a few days & push on ahead. Have made & "lost" many friends here. My luck has been stretched to the breaking point, I guess – because I find that I’m not afraid up there the way I was at first.
December 9, 1944. Moved into the little town of Sigolsheim, in Alsace-Lorraine near the German border. I was made asst. squad leader a few days ago & they put in for my stripes. I didn’t want the job, but we’re so short handed now I hated to refuse. I have a feeling that all is not well here. Our company of 78 took this town with little or no resistance. We have 24 prisoners, taken in several different sections of town. We moved in here under fire & have lost contact with forces in our rear. I hope Marty sends some of the guys back for rations too. The people here aren’t too friendly. In many of the homes I saw pictures of boys in German uniforms.
December 10, 1944. Sigolsheim, France. Well, the war is now over for me! I was captured at 2:00 P.M. this afternoon with my company – only 78 of the original 178 remains. We were under constant fire of tanks & were forced to take refuge in the cellars of several houses at 10:00 A.M. this morning. Our prisoners are with us & scared to death. Also a number of women & little children have come in. Darling, I’m a little scared too. I guess I’ve been seeing too many movies. We have finally used up all our ammo (I got 8 & maybe 9) this morning – the guy went down, anyhow. Marty Higgins, our Co. C., is the bravest man I have ever seen, but even he knows that we haven’t a chance here. The time has come – I can hear the Krauts outside telling us to surrender or die – so out we file one by one with our hands up. The Jerries are seasoned troops, I see, and not green kids that we have been seeing lately. We are searched and my fountain pen and onyx ring were taken. My watch I hid in my boot & it was saved. We are not mistreated, but are fed bread, beer, and meat before we are crowded on the trucks for shipment back to the rear. All of the fellows are much relieved now – you can see it in their faces, or in the way they drag on a cigarette. Yes, it’s all over now – for us – but the guys back there won’t stop, we all know that.
December 12, 1944. Marching, marching, back further into Germany each day. This evening at dusk, we crossed the Rhine. None of us, a few short days ago, ever thought we’d go across this easy. Our guards are not young men, so we don’t move too fast along the roads. We make regular stops each night at places where we sleep and receive our food – such as it is!
December 19, 1944. Today we reached our temporary Stalag at Villingen, Ger., after marching 104 km, or 67½ miles from point of capture. We had to climb over the mountains & cross through the Black Forest region. This was the most beautiful place I’ve yet seen here. A man could lose his way in those forests and never find a way out! This camp is about ½ mile square, with rough frame buildings used for barracks. There are about 10,000 men here, including French, Russians, Americans, and a few English. We are well guarded here & escapes from this camp, I understand, are unheard of. We’ve had no cigarettes since the 10th of Dec. & everyone is just about dying for one. Sometimes one of the guys gets a hold of a butt when the guards flip them away. This gives the guards much amusement – to see them being fought over ! I wouldn’t give those bastards that much satisfaction, personally!
December 24, 1944. Christmas Eve, Germany. I wish I could say, "Merry Christmas, Darling," and hold you close in my arms, but all I can do is dream now. God, grant that we’ll soon be together again once more – never to part. This is our first Christmas to be separated since meeting – how much I hope it shall be the last!
December 31, 1944. New Year’s Eve (12:00 P.M. Home/6:00 A.M. here). New Year’s Eve is rather a sad affair for me this year, as I lie here on my hard bed. I am cramped from hunger, but, thank God, the folks at home don’t know what we’re going through. I hope to God, Ruthie hasn’t received that wire telling her that I’m missing. I remember last year we had a little party over at Smith’s and left soon after midnight. Dear God, please grant me one wish – to be home for the holidays next year – end this war soon. Happy New Year, Darling – Larry
January 1, 1945. New Year’s Day, 4:00 P.M. I believe that I’ve never been hungrier in my life than I now am. Today I’ve only been fed 1/6 of a loaf of bread and ½ pint of thin soup. The Germans don’t feed us very well. How I envy the folks at home – sitting down to that turkey dinner. No cigarettes since Dec. 10th – good time to resolve not to smoke during ’45. We probably won’t get any assistance from the Red Cross until we get to the American P.O.W. camp. If I could only send a letter home from here, I wouldn’t mind so much what we have to put up with.
January 4, 1945. We were given cards today to send home, saying that we were captives & in good health. Oh, how I hope it comes to you quickly, Darling, because I realize the shock of this thing must be tough to take. I can’t understand why we’re being kept here so long. This is not supposed to be our permanent camp. It is pretty terrible here, & I am beginning to look bad from the strain of nerves & improper food. The old wooden barracks are full of men. There are about 160 of us in this building & there are only bunks for 55. These are full of lice & bedbugs, so accordingly we are all lousy with a capital "L." We aren’t fed enough solid food to keep up our body heat, so we find that we must huddle together in bed to keep warm. The Geneva Conference Rules regarding prisoners are not kept here & we’ve seen no Red Cross packages as yet!
January 5, 1945. The Red Cross representative came to speak to us today regarding what we had to look forward to after reaching our permanent camp. It sounds nice – new clothing, clean barracks, food parcel each week, movies, better food, and an opportunity to get out & work a little to build ourselves up. Most important was his statement that we could send & receive mail. (Wish to add that the R.C. Rep. was a damned liar!)
January 9, 1945. Finally left Villingen and marched 20 km (12 ½ miles) to Rottweil, Germany, where we were crowded on freight cars for 300 km trip to permanent camp near Munich, Germany. It is to be a 4 day trip, made dangerous because our planes are so active. Have now marched, all together, 72 ½ miles or 124 km from point of capture in France.
January 11, 1945. Train bombed & strafed by our own fighter planes – 11 killed, 16 wounded in my car – I was lucky! The Germans "neglected" to paint "P.O.W." on the tops of the cars!
Arrived this afternoon at our permanent camp, which is located 35 miles N.E. of Munich, Germany. It is much nicer here, but we are all disappointed because it isn’t much like it was painted at all. We are still crowded together here & conditions are little better than before. Perhaps we’ll just get used to it later on.
January 28, 1945. Now established at permanent camp, and sharing Red Cross parcel with 6 other fellows. Food it contains is good, but divided 6 ways – we get damned little. It contains a pound of butter, a can of corned beef or Spam, a large can of powdered Milk, a box of Prunes or Raisins, a can of cheese, a box of 12 biscuits, 2 chocolate bars, 2 bars of Swan Soap, a 4-oz. can of coffee, ½ pound box of cube sugar, 5 packs of smokes. This would be a grand box for one man, but apparently there aren’t enough to go around. We’re grateful for even this little bit. We work in Munich every other day, traveling to & from the Stalag in boxcars, under guard. We work in town, cleaning up the damage our bombers do. It seems ironical – we tear the place up & later clean up the damage. Munich was the showplace of Germany before the war, & had a population of about 750,000. 6 years of war have left their mark upon the people here – only about 20,000 remain! Yesterday I was detailed to work in the residential section of the city, in a building that was bombed recently. During our work, we unearth many bodies of civilians killed during the raids, which occur daily. The most unpleasant experience of my life was recently, when I excavated the body of a little child, in the presence of her parents – her father was so angry I fear that he would have tried to kill me in retaliation – had it not been for the presence of my guard. I’m so thankful, my Darling, that the horrors of war which I have been forced to look upon will never be known to those I love. Thank God, I know you’re safe & sound at home, never to know the terror of falling bombs and burning buildings.
January 29, 1945. I tried to get some new shoes today. My combat boots, which I wore in France in the mountains, are made for use in the snow, & have given me no end of trouble here. The Eng. in charge of the camp refused my request. It seems the Americans here get screwed on most everything, including food & clothing. The English troops get the best. I wish the American people home could see the partiality shown here to the Englishmen. Fifty days a P.W., & only 10 more days to go to make the required 60. After 60 days a P.W. isn’t permitted to fight anymore on this front – if he is fortunate enough to get away. Gee, Honey, it’s been 60 or 70 days now since I’ve had a letter from you. I certainly hope you’re well, and still love me as much as ever. I guess it’s silly to even mention the latter, but here all kind of crazy thoughts come to mind. Our last few days & hours together in New York cannot be easily forgotten. I love you so much that each day we’re separated seems like a lifetime. I feel certain that the war will soon be over & then home to you I’ll come – quickly I hope.
February 3, 1945. I didn’t go to Munich today. Only 8 of our group of 12 were needed to make up the working party, so we cut cards to see who remained. I would really have liked to go today because Walt, my buddy, and I need bread. We made no trades yesterday because the guards were too strict. My cake of Swan soap will get me 2 loaves of bread, if Walt is lucky! We trade tea, coffee, chocolate, and cigarettes to the civilians for bread. The civilian bread is of much better quality than the military bread, which is issued here each day. The trade values are as follows: 1 cake soap – 2 one-kilo loaves 1 pack tea – 5 one-kilo loaves 1 chocolate bar – 6 one-kilo loaves 5 cigarettes – 1 one-kilo loaf It is sometimes tough to carry several loaves in under my coat, but so far I’ve never had any taken off me.
February 5, 1945. Fifty-seven days a P.W. Soon will reach that 60 mark! I have been feeling rather low the last few days. I can’t seem to snap out of it & get my mind off home. If I could just get a single letter from you, my dear, telling me that you are well & that you and the folks are bearing up OK. I think the next month or so will wind up the war, although it may run longer. When we return home, we will undoubtedly be subjected to many physical tests & may be hospitalized for a month or so. Then we should get a furlough at home – if the war hasn’t ended!
February 7, 1945. No work today – just loafing around the barracks & hearing the latest rumors about the war. We seem to get a lot of good rumors, but that’s all they ever turn out to be . February 11, 1945. Sunday again, so I guess the folks back home are reading the papers & thinking of me. Sure wish I could read the news & find out just what really is going on. I got 3 loaves of bread yesterday in Munich, so we’ll eat good over the weekend. I wrote again on the 9th, Honey. I sure hope you get it soon and write to me. We are all getting anxious about the War, because we know the Russians are really pushing in the East.
February 12, 1945. Lincoln’s Birthday – a holiday for you, you lucky stiff. Gee, I miss you, Darling, and yearn for you more as each day passes. I hope by now you’ve received some of my cards and letters & have a letter on the way for me. God, Grant that you are all in good health & not too upset over me. The things they don’t know about won’t hurt them. Good night my Darling ----
February 14, 1945. Can’t seem to get you off my mind. All of those old memories are getting the best of me, I guess. Each time I look at my watch, I find myself subtracting 6 hours & wondering about you. Guess I’ll never really grow up! Try as I may, I know that I can never repay you for the happiness your love has given me. I still have that swell picture of you, but the rings were taken. Perhaps Santa Claus will bring me another someday, huh?
February 16, 1945. Five months ago today, I was just about the happiest guy in the world. The luckiest too! I shall always remember the 16th day of September, 1944 & my darling wife who awaits my return home. It can’t be too much longer, Honey – each day is just one less to go.
February 17, 1945. I did not go to work today, due to the fact that I have the "G.I’s" & have to stay close to the john or it’s just too bad. Ever since being captured, my kidneys & bowels have been on the bum. Miss you lots, Honey. God, if you only knew how much I worry, not knowing how you are. I guess I never really knew before how much I really do love you!
February 20, 1945. I can’t seem to think of anything today except those grand foods I used to get at home. Our rations were cut again yesterday! What I wouldn’t give for one of those wonderful breakfasts of cereal, bacon & eggs, hotcakes, toast & coffee! God forbid that you are ever as hungry as I am now, because I shall see to it that you never shall be. This has taught me a lesson – not to waste good food. I’ve thrown away enough stuff at home to feed this camp.
February 23, 1945. Just wrote another card this morning, Sweetheart. I wish I could write you a long letter telling you how I really miss being with you, Darling, and holding you close in my arms. I hope to be out of here soon. Conditions here are bad because of overcrowding.
February 26, 1945. Yesterday Munich had another 1000-plane air raid, so I guess we’ll have plenty of work tomorrow. From here we could feel the ground shake & we’re abut 30 miles from there! Been thinking of you lots the last couple of days – love you with my heart & soul, my Darling ---
February 28, 1945. Today is a beautiful, warm day and I am writing as I sit outside in the Sun. I feel awfully low today & can’t get thoughts of home off my mind. Gee, Honey, you can’t imagine the loneliness I now feel. I know little news about the war, but hope & pray that we’ll be home soon – all my love, Dearest – Larry
March 2, 1945. I sent off another letter to Mother this afternoon. I told her I’m O.K., but I’m really suffering terribly with my teeth, which are going bad because of my diet. I have never known the misery of aching teeth before, but God knows I do now.
March 6, 1945. No work today, so I’m just sitting around. No more Red Cross boxes since March 1st. Apparently they can’t get them to us. This means no more food, cigarettes, or soap from now on. This is really gonna hurt! I’ve just been lying here on my bunk, wondering how much sugar we now have in our account. Must be a nice little pile by now – if you haven’t been playing the ponies!! Miss you like the dickens, Honey. God, if only this War would end, so that I can get home once more. So long for now – Larry
March 7, 1945. Couldn’t go to Munich today, because train was wrecked yesterday by the underground workers here. Just taking it easy and dreaming of you. Oh, Darling, how those sweet memories of you haunt me! What’s holding up this damned war? How these people can hold out is beyond me – they are fighting a war on nothing now.
March 8, 1945. No more smokes or food from the Red Cross as yet. We’ll starve now if it isn’t over soon! Our bread ration here has been reduced from 1/6 to 1/7 of a loaf each day.
March 9, 1945. Just wrote another card to my one & only! God, honey, if I could only hear from you soon. I often wonder just how much longer I can stand living in conditions like these & still keep my sanity. Escape from here is impossible, though – or I might have risked it before. If the people at home could only see us, the damned war would soon end!
March 11, 1945. We moved to another barracks yesterday. Now have no bed & must sleep on cold floor. We are terribly overcrowded here. I have become lousy & everything else. God help us!
March 12, 1945. Things are bad in this new location. Some of the fellows were lucky enough to stay in the other barracks, where we were so comfortable – but not me! I always seem to get the bad deals. We could make out here, if we didn’t have to sleep on the cold floor. It can’t last much longer, though, or we won’t! Hope you are well, Darling – thinking of you always – Larry
March 16, 1945. Well, honey, our anniversary has come again. Gee, kid, it hardly seems possible that we’ve been married six months today. God, how this war has messed up our lives. Perhaps it will all be over soon, though.
March 22, 1945. I am pretty well settled here now. There is some chance of moving back to our old barracks soon, I hope. The war news we are now hearing is good, & we have hopes that the war will soon end. Lord, how I miss you, dearest, I know you must be thinking of me too. Surely we’ll be together soon now. You have no idea what the mere thought of coming home does to me, even if I must remain in the Army for a while. A clean bed, clean clothes, enough to eat, and just to be able to keep clean again. These seem like trifles, but just for these trifles I’ll be grateful. Of course, seeing you again, dearest, and holding you close, the thought of which maddens me, is something that must happen soon. We’ll be so happy, we two, in the new life which lies ahead. First, though, we must go away for awhile, to be alone together. There are so many things I have to tell you, and I guess you’ll have lots of news for me, too! Please, God, end this War soon, so that at least some of my dreams may be fulfilled – As ever --- Larry
April 1, 1945. Easter Sunday finds me 5000 miles from my home and those I love. In my heart, though, I’m close to you, my Darling. This time last year we were together, and happy in each other’s arms. Now we’re apart for awhile, but they can’t erase all of those sweet memories I have of you, my dear. Today as I pray in church, I shall be with you, Sweets. I know you will pray for me, too. Soon, I hope, we’ll be able to attend church together. I’ve changed a lot since coming overseas. I feel that constantly praying, as I did when things were tough, is the only thing that brought me through it all. As you know, Honey, I used to scoff at those who were overly religious, but after you face death daily, and in some manner are miraculously spared each time, it causes you to see things just a little differently. I saw men die whom I know were better men than I, but I was spared. For this I shall be eternally grateful, and never forget that it may have been those little prayers I said. I’ll write again in a few days – So long for now --- Larry
April 10, 1945. Captured 4 months today! We never thought the war would last this long. God, how I miss you, Darling! I never realized that love like this was possible. Will try to write again soon, but working every day now makes it tough. So long – Larry
April 16, 1945. Left Stalag VII-A today with a group of 900 others. We are going to Munich to work and live permanently. Once again the 16th reminds me of you waiting for me at home. Gee, honey, 5 more months & we’ll be married a year, and we’ve only been together for a week. I hope I am home to celebrate our anniversary together – I can assure you now that I will be home!
April 20, 1945. Well, this is the payoff! The group of 900 men I came to Munich with have found that we have gotten ourselves into a pretty ticklish position. When we arrived here, the Germans were supposed to have housing facilities for us, but now they tell us that none are available. We are forced to live in boxcars in the railroad yard near the city. There is great danger here, caused by frequent bombing raids. We have an average of 2 each night. Our guards are all old men who really don’t care too much about the war. They are lax & often have no ammunition for their rifles. I have made a decision. I shall escape from here soon, but first I must have maps, food, and a few small items which it will take some time to gather together. The punishment for escaping is merely solitary confinement, so I’ll have little to worry about if caught. I have decided to leave during an air raid, in the early hours of the morning.
I left as I planned – during a night raid! I carried 2 loaves of bread, 2 cans of corned beef, 5 chocolate bars, a knife, maps, and a blanket roll. I had thought of going with some others, but I decided later that I could perhaps go farther alone. I found that my greatest barrier was continually thinking of you, so I was forced to put you completely out of my mind – for the first time. I left at 4:15 on April 21st. By daylight I was well on my way, having stolen a bicycle during the night. I traveled N.W., having Augsburg as my destination. I only had 60 miles to go for freedom, for Augsburg had been taken the previous week. I found that people paid little or no attention to me at all as I sped by them, however I took no unnecessary chances & went only a short ways, usually traveling by night. My bicycle tires soon went bad & I was forced to discard it & began to walk. I was careful to ration my food as much as possible, but within 5 days I was beginning to run low. I passed through a number of small towns, but was careful to avoid Dachau, where there is another prison camp. On the 6th day I reached Friedburg. This was within 12 miles of my destination – my luck had been good. Upon reaching the town, I went to an open field some distance from the center of the city. Here I lay down in the tall grass & covered myself with it before going to sleep. I was awakened suddenly during the night by the roaring of a motor. I crawled to a place where I could see a little better, & discovered it was a tank. I almost shouted for joy, but then I saw the long barrel of the 88 mounted on the front - it was a German tank! I slept no more that night, you may be sure. In the morning I found that I must have food. I ate a little grass & the leaves of some trees, but I knew I must have food if I was to continue. I hated to risk going to a farmhouse; I knew that I must take that risk, though, so I walked about ½ a mile to a little farmhouse with a small white fence around it. I knocked upon the door & was answered by a woman about 40 years of age. I asked for food & was shown into a neat, clean-looking kitchen, where I warmed myself by the fire. The lady asked if I was an American & I told her I was. She fed me fresh milk, eggs, and some bread, which apparently she had just made, for it was still warm. She was delighted to learn that my home was near Philadelphia, where she has a cousin living. We had a fine chat & I was ready to leave, when there was a knock at the door & in rushed two S.S. Troopers. This was the end, so I merely raised my hands & surrendered. I was taken to headquarters, questioned and placed under guard for several hours. Later two guards came for me & placed me in an automobile to return me to Munich. We made the return trip in a few hours & I was soon back to tell the boys of my trip. When we got back to the train, I was at once ushered in to see the German Captain who was in command. He really blew his top! My knowledge of German is meager, but I know he was cussing me up & down. He finally cooled off a bit & said that I should be punished later, but for the time being I was released to return to my car. This I did. I was gone 7 days anyhow, a little freedom is better than none!! I have yet to receive any punishment, because I was returned to Munich on the 28th & liberated by our troops on the 30th!
April 30, 1945. "Liberation Day" Today is the day we have waited so long to see. The weather is clear although somewhat chilly. In the distance we can hear our tanks firing. Oh, those big, beautiful tanks! They’ve completely surrounded Munich & will be here soon. The P.W.’s are all happy now, our guards have given us their rifles & pistols & are just standing around like so many bad boys waiting to be spanked. 12:15 P.M. I can hear the tanks coming in now. Many of us have gone out to meet them in the street. I spotted the first tank coming in & ran 3 blocks to meet it. The crew laughingly pulled me aboard, gave me cigarettes, candy & food. I was so happy, Darling, I guess I was laughing & crying at the same time. Later we paraded all over Munich, drank all the wine & beer we could hold. What a day this has been – if I could only be with you now, all would be complete. Soon we’ll be together now for sure this time.
April 30, 1945. Evening. We’re back in the Army again, Honey, & it’s a grand and glorious feeling after 5 months of hell on earth. The Army immediately removed us from the boxcars & placed us in the swankiest apartment building in Munich, to await evacuation by air.
May 2, 1945. Darling, we’re living like kings here in our apartment. There are 6 of us sharing an 8-room apartment with all the modern conveniences. God, it’s wonderful to bathe & shave regularly again. Soon after I was liberated, I took an automobile away from a civilian, so I now have a car to drive around town & really see the place. All we have to do now is eat & sleep and wait for evacuation to Le Havre, France. Our time is coming soon, Darling – the time for which we have waited so very long.
May 4, 1945. Still waiting here to be evacuated to France. Dreaming of you, Darling, such dreams, too! Guess I’m just about the Happiest Guy in the World! I am going to the dentist tomorrow to have that wisdom tooth pulled. It will give me the greatest of pleasure to grind that bastard under my heel when it is finally out. That S.B. has made my life miserable for 5 months now! We have a powerful short-wave radio here, on which we pick up all my favorite programs at home. Have heard J. Benny [and] Ginny Simms [?] so far.
May 7, 1945. Germany Surrenders Unconditionally, 2:51 P.M. We were scheduled to leave here today, but some last minute difficulty apparently arose. We will undoubtedly leave tomorrow. The news just came in on the radio about the War. The people at home must be going wild, from the way the radio sounds. Times Square sounds like a madhouse. Wish I could be with you tonight. We’d do plenty of celebrating. I hope someone takes time to thank god for this, too. The fall of Japan shouldn’t take long now that Germany is done. I’ll sleep well tonight, Darling. The bad tooth has been pulled & the War is over.
May 9, 1945. We moved out of Munich at 4:00 P.M. this afternoon. We boarded trucks in front of our apartment house and traveled to the airport – a distance of 12 miles. We were immediately assigned to our planes for the trip to Le Havre, France. The planes were the large C-47 type that I have pointed out to you down at the New Castle field. Our trip was really wonderful! Flying at 5000 feet, we crossed the Rhine in a short time. I actually saw the little town where I was captured. We flew over Reims & the outskirts of Paris. The entire trip only lasted 3 ½ hours, in which time we flew nearly 750 miles. Landing at Le Havre, we boarded trucks again and traveled some miles to the camp where I now am.
May 10, 1945. Camp Lucky Strike (outside Le Havre) This is a camp of considerable proportions. Roughly, I’d say there are at least 20,000 men here at this time. Here you find only ex-P.W.’s; we are now known as RAMPS ( Recovered Allied Military Personnel). The average time spent here is 72 hours, although some remain longer. Here we are registered, outfitted with new clothing, have a physical checkup, showers, and just take it easy until we are placed aboard a ship to return home. Here we are fed Hospital rations: hotcakes or eggs for breakfast (with all the trimmings), steak or chicken for our other meals. We’re really eating here! We have been informed that upon our return to the U.S. we will be sent to one of 18 camps (the one for me is Dix), where we will remain for 48 hours. Then we will be given a 60 day furlough & possibly 90 days. At the end of this time, we return to the Redistribution Center for reclassification & interviews. There are two types of centers, the camp type & the hotel type. If I am assigned to the hotel type, my wife may accompany me & live at the hotel for about $2.50 or $3.00 a day. Today we have done nothing but sleep & shoot the breeze. I live in a large tent (there are thousands of them here – no barracks) with 12 Air Force officers, from 2nd Lt.’s to a Captain. They are all grand guys & treat me as one of them. There are no formalities here. We’re all RAMPs. We stand in the chow line with Majors & Lt. Col.’s, talking & joking with them as if we were all buck-ass Privates. I wish our processing would start, however I understand we begin tomorrow.
May 11, 1945. Today we were given showers & issued clothing. We are to receive some shots, I guess, tomorrow. I’ve met lots of fellows from the Stalag here, several of whom are going to Dix & have been here for 9 days. Apparently a shipment to Dix is going out soon – I hope. I’ve been rushed so much today, Honey, that I’ve scarcely had a chance to think about you, except at night – and then you keep me awake thinking of you & the good times ahead of us. I hope to get a break in the Army after my return. The Army released its formula for discharges today & I find my chances are just about nil, so I’m hoping for a decent job in the states. Of course you know what lucky breaks I’ve always had, so don’t plan too far ahead. So long for now – Love, Larry
May 20, 1945. I have been finished my processing for several days now, and am awaiting my shipping orders. Several days ago I met up with Bud Goberman from home. His plane, in which he was an engineer, was shot down over Germany last Jan. I was delighted to meet someone from home here, and was especially surprised to see him. We were buddies together at Staunton, but since then I’ve seen very little of him. I hope we can both be shipped at the same time, because it’s nice to have someone to travel with. I think of you constantly, Darling, & sitting here day in & day out drives me frantic. Of course I know we must wait for a convoy, but Hell – I wanna go home!!!
May 22, 1945. We boarded the ship tonight for the trip home. I’ve been awaiting this minute for so long now that it hardly seems possible that I’m really on my way home. It will be a long, slow trip home, because we’ll be in a convoy. It will probably take us 10 or 12 days, as we run rather slowly. I hope to get that full 60 days, however I’m afraid we’ll never get home for that long.
June 2, 1945. Today is our 11th day at sea. The trip has been uneventful and rather uncomfortable, due to the fact that we are on a small ship and are crowded to beat hell! Tomorrow we land at New York, so I hear. Boy, it’s about time, too! A few more days of this & we’d be nuts. [The Diary ends here]
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