Saturday, May 19 - Adelebsen

During the morning many of the men went out on the firing range again. The afternoon was 'free time' and most everyone took advantage of a beautiful. sunny day. Some of the men went to the swimming pool. others played ball. while still others either walked or snoozed in the warm sun. In the evening another movie was shown in the 'Town Hall'.

While we were in Gieboldehausen and Adelebsen amateur photography became the vogue as most of the men had acquired some sort of a confiscated camera. A dark room was set up and Pershing, Jordan, Bensinger, Frey and others were kept busy developing films. Many of the pictures were excellent.

Sunday, May 20 - Adelebsen

This Sunday was quiet and peaceful. It was another bright, warm day. Protestant Service was held in the 'town hall' during the morning and Catholic Mass early in the afternoon. The rest of the day passed uneventfully, the men enjoying their leisure time.

Monday, May 21 through Friday, May 25 - Adelebsen

It seems sensible at this point to revert to an earlier practice in this history of our Troop, and cover several days or a week at a time rather than each day separately, as was necessary and important while we were in combat.

This week was busy, not with any exciting or momentous events, but more with check-ups, maintenance work and inspections. These activities added to the general confusion and speculation already rampant because of various rumors and ideas about our future. On Monday the Troop turned in to S-4 all overcoats, arctics and two of each man's four blankets. On Wednesday Squadron Ordnance inspected all weapons, binoculars, telescopes, watches and other Ordnance equipment. The same items were inspected on Friday by Division Ordnance. Both inspections went off smoothly. The general interpretation given for these inspections seemed to be not so much preparation for coming activity, but rather checking on what was on hand after combat and its condition.

During the week all the men who had gone on pass returned, and a few more went out. Sgt. Ackerman went to Paris, T/5 Dittmar went to Belgium, and Pfc. Caccis and Cpl. Tipton also went to Belgium, their destination being Brussels.

Pfc. Heinle and Pvt. Altenhof were sent to a hospital, the first because of illness and the second due to an accident on the firing range.

During the week a combination day-room library was established in the quarters of an erstwhile pub. This was done under the able direction of T/5 Cooperman and T /5 Stott. It promised to be a popular spot, particularly if the weather was to be cold and damp as it was during most of the week.

While in Adelebsen it was interesting to note various phases of civilian life trying to return to normalcy. One amusing thing was the issuing of our gasoline to certain essential vehicles. Supply had as customers the doctor, the ambulance, a truck from the stone quarry, a hardware dealer. an elderly Nun who was a nurse and who rode a motorcycle in spite of her long, flowing robes, and last but not least, the Baroness who lived in the ancient castle high on a hill, dominating the town and surrounding country side. It seemed she had to drive her little car on many errands in connection with running the vast estate which was her father's, the Baron von Adelebsen, and which estate embraced the town and the adjacent farms and woods. The castle was built in three distinct sections, each representing different eras and architecture, the earliest wing dating back to the year 900.

Saturday, May 26 to Thursday, May 31- Adelebsen

This Saturday was important in the history of the Troop as we learned that Capt. Stone was to leave us. He had been with the Troop since before we left the United States and although few men felt they knew him intimately, he had the respect, confidence and admiration of almost everyone because of his deliberate and cool thinking, his fairness and firmness in dealing with and for the Troop. It was unfortunate that but few had the opportunity to bid him goodbye and good luck. He left on Sunday to work with Division G-2. Naturally the first thought in each man's mind was, who would be our new CO. The next in line was Lt. Collins, and practically without exception each man hoped he would be the one. On Wednesday this wish was confirmed by Special Order.

The early half of the week was uneventful, with the daily routine much as the previous week. On Sunday there was Protestant Church Service in the morning and some of the Catholic men went to Mass in nearby Gottingen. On Wednesday, Memorial Day was celebrated by a Church Service in Hardegsen, where Squadron was located. Here respect and honor was given those men in the Squadron who had given their lives in the part of the struggle in Germany we had recently completed. The afternoon was free so the day had some resemblance to Memorial Day at home, with the combination of honoring those who had died for their country, and celebrating with a bit of holiday 'spirit'.

We had learned that we were to move at the end of the week, to Czechoslovakia. This news was received with every conceivable type of meaning and interpretation. No definite answer could be given. The general belief still seemed to be that we were headed for the Pacific, but when, and by what route, were two unanswered questions. On Thursday packing for departure had begun. The day was important not for this however, but for the presentation of awards to ten of our enlisted men and one officer. Col. Harrington presided at the ceremony and the following men in our Troop received medals.
Bronze Star and ClusterBronze Star
Sgt. Oliviero, (Albert M.)Sgt. Smith, (Warren D.)T/5 Carceo, (Albert E.)
Lt. Collins, (Earl E.)Sgt. Tipton, (David B.)T/5 Rine, (Donald J.)
T/4 Powers, (James R.)Sgt. Schaad, (Franklin J.)T/5 Cooperman, (Jack J.)
T/4 Greyer, (William E.)Pvt Parker, (Charles S.)

Friday. June 1 - Adelebsen

This was our last day in Adelebsen and it was spent in finishing preparations for the long journey to Czechoslovakia. By early evening all was ready and even though we were to leave at 0400 with first call at 0215, there was considerable revelry and celebration attending the eve of our departure from Germany.

Saturday, June 2 - En-route from Adelebsen

We arose and departed as scheduled, knowing that day we had about 200 miles ahead of us to be made at a fairly rapid rate. Reports as to what elements of the Division were moving and when, were somewhat conflicting, but we were well in front as the column formed. We traveled generally southeast through the cities of Muhlhausen and Gotha, and then on an autobahn we continued in the same general direction until about 1800. Here we were near the town of Hirschberg and we pulled the vehicles off onto the grassy shoulders of the autobahn and prepared to spend the night.

The day's march had been made through rolling, green countryside with mountains in the distance, and there was no sign of crowded and congested living space as had been stressed by the Germans in making excuses for annexing more territory at the beginning of the war. As we ate supper many of the men sat on the grass along the autobahn, with their mess kits on the super highway itself. This placid scene undoubtedly caused Hitler to turn over in his grave, if that is where he is, as it was hardly the use he had pictured for his once proud highway system. The men all turned in early as it had been a long, hard day. Some pitched tents while others slept in or under the vehicles. Occasional thunder showers seemed to disturb no one.

Sunday, June 3 - En-route to Czechoslovakia

We again rose early and after coffee and a K ration we took to the autobahn. Aside from one difficult detour over rough, steep and narrow roads, the first half of the day was spent rolling fast over excellent highways. The area through which we traveled was thickly wooded, and to a surprisingly large extent, uncultivated. We passed through the famous musical city of Bayreuth and were impressed with the extensive destruction it had suffered. In the center of the city most of the buildings were in ruins. As we left the city we left the autobahn and continued over rough and pitted roads which wound through many small towns. Our directions became more towards the east and we were nearing the border of Czechoslovakia. All day long the roads we traveled were busy with heavy traffic. Our Troop going one way and countless GI trucks and German vehicles of all sorts and sizes under United States supervision going the other way, laden down with German prisoners being returned to their homes to begin the farming and other necessary work for helping make the crippled country self-supporting. Added to this motor traffic was the congestion of hundreds of pedestrians and bicyclists and many horse and ox drawn carts and wagons. This group consisted of German soldiers, men, women, and children, all weighed down with packs, bundles and various articles of household furnishings.