Our first battle break came after the collapse of the German resistance west of the Rhine. We moved out of Ossenberg on 12th of March (still 1945 although the last week had seemed like a life time) and returned to Rheinberg and the vehicles. The drivers had "many dangerous and harrowing experiences" to tell and all of us listened attentively.

We left the Rheinberg area about noon and headed west. Right outside of the city, three misplaced German planes strafed the anti-tank and company trains. Nothing was lost, nothing gained; three enemy planes were shot down. We arrived in Holland at 1800 Army time, 6:00 0, clock Dutch time, 12:00 A. M. New York time and 10:00 A. M. Louisiana time.

Everything was running very efficiently. Little things like rations and billets weren't available but outside of that, everything a tired, dirty combat soldier needs and desires was right at his disposal ... We ate, and then moved to the residential district and a fresh air school .... no windows! The next day, March 13th, we moved into private homes of Dutch families willing to take the risk, and used the school only as a motor pool, mess hall and guard house.

We did have a wonderful rest in Venlo all things considered. March 13th was spent moving into our

billets along Jezuielenstraat (pronounced just like it's spelled) and cleaning out our halftracks, MI-AI converted by ordinance to MI-A2. Supply issued candles to throw a little light on the situation but most of the night of the 13th of March was not seen by us ... Sleep was inevitable. Good Night.

The next day, the 14th of March, a training schedule was posted and the "sick-book" which was shunned during com pat again became the "Best Seller" in the company. After that, many pills were seen around the area. It might be mentioned that a pass convoy with practically the whole company in it; three to be exact, pushed off For Valkenburg, Holland. Passes were issued feverishly during our stay in Venlo and all but 225 men got to go somewhere or other. The training schedule wasn't "mill in the run" stuff, this very first morning told us that. Right after chow we mounted up in the halftracks and took off for Grifrath, Germany, a little town not so far across the border. A division sand table had been set up here by the 53rd Engineers showing us the area we would probably operate in after crossing the Rhine. Lt. Kimpel gave us the "poop". When the discussion was over we all had a pretty good idea what was going to happen, but just when it was going to happen we could only guess. That same might we had a practice crossing of a ,pontoon bridge under the strictest blackout conditions and the next day we practiced a crossing from still another angle -in assault boats. These dry runs really meant a crossing was coming soon.

The First Army already had one bridgehead on the east ,bank and everyone knew the Ninth would be moving across in a short time. Although a lot of the boys thought the practice crossings were done a little too dramatically, they didn't mind brushing up on the maneuvering and landing of the boats; but being made to rush out in water up to our knees wasn't exactly appreciated. Bitching was in order and the ears of several engineers burned.

We had now spent three days and two nights in Venlo and we were getting in dutch and more dutch. Our clothing could be seen on every other wash line and fellows could be found almost any time of day playing catch in the back alley or on the sidewalk in front of the houses. Around dark, couples were to be found out walking or headed for the show. Kitty was always standing in the doorway watching the procession to and from chow. Little girls with pig tails and second grade dresses were always waiting for their one soldier who always managed to have gum or a candy bar hidden away in his pocket. Here was a good example of a country, under Nazi domination for six years; going without the necessities of life and the few luxuries which the Gl's had been accustomed to having. Many of the men had cans of sardines and boxes of German cookies which they had stowed away in their vehicles and cheerfully distributed them, shortly after arriving. These and many other items such as cigarettes, chocolate bars, gum, oranges, sauerkraut and whatever food we could bring back to them from the kitchen were also given. The men finding happiness within these homes, felt a certain warmth deep down inside every time they gave something To these people. Yes, we were having a good time.

March 15th must have been Sunday since the schedule plainly read "General clean-up of the area." What other day except Sunday did we have to police- up? Policing up was something in our blood. As old as C Co. itself. Any real old company man can be picked up at a glance from among a thousand troops by his cigarette butt stoop or his magnetic approach to a trash barrel.

March 15th was spent just as recommended by the bulletin board, cleaning up. The squads for the most part, were living in their own private homes, so it wasn't a company project-just a "straighten out the

bedroom" affair. Personal appearances had to be sharp and military so days when the water was running, we washed. The barber shop was a good place to "goof off". Some arranged to have their hair cut at several different sillings. One day they had one sideburn removed and the next day the other removed and on the next day they were removed to the kitchen.

Thursday night the first movie was shown. The movie house was out of this world (and that is where it should have been) with its seatless rows for the battalion staff in the back. They seemed to be placed in the back just about everywhere we went. The first night it was crowded and seats were at a minimum but a late comer did have chance. The first night was the last night that happened and from then on some of the older army boys in the outfit started bringing sack-lunches and were seen entering the theater as early as four or five o'clock in the afternoon. This group consisted mostly of married men like Comstock, Waugh, Bloomberg and Laricos who had nothing else to do.

Friday was the usual training schedule which accomplished nothing: 0900-close order drill; IOOO-scouting and patrolling; 1300-Military courtesy, or, "when in doubt salute." Passes were again issued to Valkenberg and to a u.s.a. show in Krefield, Germany. So much was going on many couldn't decide just what to do -it was quickly settled. Six went to Valkenberg, Thirteen went to Krefield and 225 stayed behind for training. We did not mind training DID WE? Monday morning at a battalion formation held in back of the school. T/Sgt. Rutkowski was commissioned a second Lieut. Tuesday, the company reviewed German mines and was briefed by the 53rd Engineers on what might be expected after the Rhine Crossing.

AND SO WE WAITED FOR THE NEXT MOVE.