After being "requested to leave" Berchtesgaden 2 days after our Bn. captured and cleared it (3rd Bn. 7th Inf Reg. 3rd Inf Div) we ended up in a lovely Bavarian village about 10 miles outside of Salzburg Austria. Here we had civilian houses for our use and life was nice as the war was about over by then except for signing the Armistice which was done the next day. Then, out of nowhere comes in a truck with white flags flying and about 25 or so Kraut soldiers to surrender. Talk about "raining" on the parade. This we didnt need. Now prisoners to guard and feed. We had to pull 4 hr. guard duty shifts each day. Dont know why though as they just wanted ot get home like we did. Luckily our C.O. contacted the right people and the M.P.'s
showed up for them within 2 days. Often wondered how they liked our V.E. Day celibrations. Enclosing a pic, I am on the right with the Sgt.'s carbine as
no need for carrying the Thompson.

great story and thanks for sharing. do you remember the little villages name by chance ......... Ainring possibly ?

will say it from me thanks for serving in our US armed forces during the war.

Erich ~

Great story!!
That's a great pic too! Are the pow's behind you? It's look like they are in a line to eat or something.

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This is a pair of Dutch resistance crystal radios, built into a small metal can, and a matchbox. The image is from a postcard bought at a Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam. The matchbox is marked in Swedish, but Swedish matches were sold in Holland for many years..
Scott

thankyou fro showing us your time then
cheers krieg

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for thow . will be ours someday.we shall have it all
... und mear.......

Thanks Mr. (I don't know your name). Interesting story.

What is the significance of the club on your helmet? Is that a 3rd ID patch painted on the lower side of the helmet?

Are those the PoW behind you to the right?

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Best Regards,
JW

Excellent post, J3, and thanks for sharing it. Digit stole my thunder....I want to know what the club is too.

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David

"It is history that teaches us to hope"
Robert E. Lee

Thank you, Mr. "J" for sharing your story and the photo of you then. There is something special in hearing your stories in your own words. The fact that you also have photos is incredibleé

PS My father was in Berchtesgaden later as part of the 4th ATAF, post his WWII service in the Artillery.

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Regards, Michelle

Oliver Goldsmith, "I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines."

Club insigne designates our 3rd Bn (7th Inf Reg and yes, the 3rd Inf Div. Dont recall the name of the village. No, not in the chow line just talking in groups. This pic is where our squad was billetted for about 3 months at wars end in ETO.

I thought they looked like German uniforms! Another question if I may, what were your days like during those 3 months in that small town?
Thanks again for another great pic! And for sharing this with us!

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This is a pair of Dutch resistance crystal radios, built into a small metal can, and a matchbox. The image is from a postcard bought at a Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam. The matchbox is marked in Swedish, but Swedish matches were sold in Holland for many years..
Scott

Hi Sir, thank you for the great story and nice photo-as well as thank you for serving.

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Great story, can we have more?

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j3rdinf - Thanks for your story about being in Berchtesgaden, must've been quite the celebration at AH's retreat ! My uncle was also in the 7th Regiment, G Company, but didn't make it to the end - he was wounded in Jan 45 in the battle for the Colmar pocket, and was evacuated stateside for treatment (he survived though). He would've liked to join in the celebration !

Quote : " Another question if I may, what were your days like during those 3 months in that small town?. sIt may have been shorter than the 3 months I posted now that I th ink about it. But it sure was like going to heaven. A real bed, a bathroom, hot chow 3 times a day and real coffee, clean clothes and all the necessities of life. Plenty of time off, no foxhole living, passes to Salzburg where Gasthauses were open, and our local brewery came to life quickly. Yea we pulled guard duty ?? and were kept busy for a few hours a day but life was great. I cant help but wonder just how these "goodies" were accomplished like taking over housing and the likes. In fact, L company was billeted in a castle (Schloss Anif) nearby and in a lake. See pic if it comes out. Complete with suits of armour etc. As it was we were not slated for the PTO and moved to Fulda Germany for guarding the border of the Russian Occupied Zone and the American Occupation Zone in the Fulda Gap while waiting to go home and out. All in all although I wanted to get home the waiting was not that bad and we had a lot to keep us occupied while waiting. Hunting was great near Fulda
and many civilian establishments were open for night life by then. Sorry I am rambling on and will just post the pic.

That's great!! Thanks j3rd!
Please ramble away! I'm sure we are all enjoying your stories! Thanks again! And I forgot to say earlier, thank you for your service!
I'm looking forward to more!

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This is a pair of Dutch resistance crystal radios, built into a small metal can, and a matchbox. The image is from a postcard bought at a Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam. The matchbox is marked in Swedish, but Swedish matches were sold in Holland for many years..
Scott

Great post!

My grandfather was in the 15th reg 3rd ID so I'm assuming he was relatively close to this scene. I'm extrememly interested in any stories or pictures you have. He met my grandmother in Illkirch-Graffenstaden Bas Rhin so I feel a mild connection to these stories and pictures.

Thanks for sharing

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