It seems fitting to relate that of far greater importance than B Troop's immediate problems, were the two great changes that took place in the war with Japan during this week. First, the announcement of the initial use of the devastating new Atomic bomb, and second, Russia's entering the war against Japan. The radio's constant broadcasting news of these two major influences towards shortening the war made everyone feel that perhaps soon our only main worry would be, when are we going home -- for good, and not on the way to the Pacific.

During the week Bob Hope and his show appeared in Pilsen. The performance was given in the big public square, near the Cathedral. and enjoyed by a tremendous audience made up of GI's and officers stationed in or near Pilsen and truckloads brought in from surrounding areas, along with hundreds of puzzled but amused Czechs.

By the end of the week everyone was keyed up by the momentous news continually coming over the radio telling of the rapidity with which events in the Orient were approaching the inevitable climax. The combination of the Atomic bomb and Russia's declaration of war seemed too much for the crumbling, but until now, stubbornly resisting Japanese Empire. By Friday the world had already begun to celebrate the seemingly assured and sudden end of the war, although there was no official confirmation. On Saturday word came that Tokyo was willing to accept the Allied terms although official confirmation of this acceptance had not been received through Berne, Switzerland, the prearranged diplomatic channel. Sunday and Monday the world still listened to news of Japan's decision to surrender, and by Tuesday most of the Allied Nations were celebrating the victory as definite and decided, Tokyo having announced the formal acceptance was on the way to Berne. Shortly after midnight the message reached Berne and by one Wednesday morning the news for which all the world had waited, reached Paris and other capitals of Europe. From then on the rest of the week became a holiday throughout the, ETO.

Monday, August 13 to Sunday, August 19 - Straz

During this period when all the world was moved and elated by great victory, it seemed only natural that B Troop be confronted with its own little problem of moving. During the climax and finish of the European war we were busily moving from Gieboldehausen to Adelebsen, and now in the midst of this greatest of all times, the end of the last phase of the war, we were involved in moving from Pilsen to a rural retreat back near Squadron, named Straz. The writer missed this as he was most fortunate in being on pass in Paris, along with T/4 Diltz, during the sudden excitement that startled the world. The writer might add that it was not a bad place to be at this particular time.

The move was made without incident on Monday, and what was left of the Troop, some 80 men, settled in a few comfortable but primitive houses in the dull little village which promised to be very dismal after the busy and amusing interlude in Pilsen. The balance of our men were on DS or attending various schools which were made possible by the I and E program which was gathering momentum for the time being. This educational program in its short life during the last few days of B Troop's existence was being ably directed by T/5 Cooperman, and in addition to establishing successful German and photography classes in the Troop area, he had enrolled many men in schools and classes of various types being held in Pilsen and at Bela, near Squadron. Sgt. Schmiedeler was on DS in Pilsen teaching business courses, Cpl. Jordan was teaching Photography in the Troop area, Sgt. Healy was acting 1st Sgt. at the school established near Squadron under Capt. Norton, and T/5 Stott was on DS at Squadron, assisting in the direction of the I and E Program. The men still with the Troop were occupied with classes, maintenance and athletics, and planning and thinking about if and when they were going home, now that that war was finally over. It was far from clear what our status was to be with the sudden and miraculous changes in the world's affairs.

At the end of the week two of our men had the good fortune of flying to the Riviera for seven day furloughs. They were T/5 Rine and T/5 Rockel.

At this point in our narrative it is sad to relate how we parted with the two Russians who joined us in April at Gieboldehausen, during the final days of the war in Europe. In the middle of our stay in Pilsen, Victor was finally persuaded by Russian friends he had met, to join the Russian Army and go to Prague. This he did after a reluctant farewell, Fedor however, stayed on and became more than ever a part of the Troop, making more friends and fitting into the life in Pilsen as practically a regular GI. During the last few days we were there he had a serious accident while riding a small motorcycle he had acquired. He ended up in a Czech hospital with both arms and legs in casts and it was only after much futile searching that Sgt. Van Edsinga and T/5 Gutziet finally located the hospital to which he had been taken. It seemed strange and something was definitely lacking in moving to a new place without the help and company of our two Russian friends. Aside from helping us, they had learned and enjoyed much while being associated with Americans and the Army, perhaps not always to their best interests, but at least it had been education and experience. Knowing them had been an enlightening and delightful experience for many of our men. The two Poles who had joined our kitchen in Gieboldehausen also left the Troop during the latter part of our stay in Pilsen, to return to Poland.

During our stay in Straz two more of our men received Awards for meritorious service in combat. Bronze Stars were presented to Cpl. Gene Wilkerson and to T/5 Jay Beam. Our two medics, although actually part of Headquarters Troop, seemed more a part of ours, having been with us not only during combat, but during the long period following. They were Sgt. Russell Hallett and Pfc. Robert Webber. Each were presented with Bronze Stars while we were here in Straz.

Monday, August 20. to Sunday, August 26 - Straz

This week, our second in the village of Straz, was important for several reasons. A number of men from the 11th Armored Division were transferred to the 8th and forty some of those sent to Squadron were billeted with us for several days until it was decided to which unit each would be assigned. We, as a result, received 26 men, giving us a total Troop strength of 137 enlisted men. The week was spent with a schedule which provided for maintenance of vehicles and equipment in the morning and athletics in the afternoon, the latter consisting mostly of baseball.

By the end of the week several rumors had the whole Troop excited over a possible early shipping date. We heard that requisitions for winter clothing and coal had been cancelled, that we were leaving the 22nd Corps area, and that no applicants for I and E School in this area would be accepted. In addition it was reported that the Division's sailing date was set for the latter part of September. There were various reports as to how many points one must have to remain with the Division but no official confirmation was given to any of the rumors. Optimism ran high in the Troop however, as it was known that several officers were in Munich getting information from Army and apparently every one felt that until the rumors were proven false they should be accepted as truth and a basis for high hopes and an early sailing for the United States. (Little did most of us know at this time that this was only the beginning of a long series of rumors and disappointments, weeks and months of them.)

Two more of our men were given seven day furloughs, this time in England. They were T/4 Whalen and T/5 Paulson.

Monday, August 27 to Sunday, September 2 - Straz

At the beginning of the week various non-coms among the new men from the 11 th Armored were given jobs in the Troop. These jobs had been left vacant by many of the old men who had left. As the week wore on the various good rumors received the previous week began to have ominous and discouraging interpretations. It still seemed true enough that all was well with the good news as to the future of the 8th Armored Division but the catch was who would make up the Division's personnel? The first indication of definite disappointment came when it was ordered that all men with less than 45 points would leave us and go to the 4th Armored Division, which was scheduled for occupation. To support this it was learned that when two more men could go on furloughs to Switzerland and one to England on pass, they must have 45 or more points. T/4 Grever and T/5 Perillo took the former and Pfc. Bensinger went to England. On Sunday, the 2nd, the men with less than 45 points left us. With them were a number of men who had come overseas with the Troop, as well as the remaining earlier replacements who had become to seem almost like members of the original group. It gave one a definitely uncomfortable feeling to say goodbye to these men.

The celebration of the signing of the pact between Japan and the Allies on Sunday, and the holiday given us on Monday, it being Labor Day, were both somewhat overshadowed by the thoughts and worries of most of the men in the Troop. Sunday and Monday being devoted to some good and also strenuous baseball, helped considerably in keeping things on an even keel.

Monday, September 3 to Wednesday, September 5 - Straz

The week began with a continuation of the disturbing news. It was learned that very soon all the men with from 45 to and including 64 points would leave the Division, and only those with 65 or more points would remain. (This was the earlier, lower point scoring.) This would result in only a handful of the original B Troop men staying with their old outfit. Two passes to Paris were offered the Troop and only men with 65 or more points were eligible. Cpl. Wilkerson and Pfc. Parker were the fortunate men who qualified. All classes and activities related to the I and E Program were cancelled so it was even clearer that the next move was coming soon. On Tuesday it became apparent the drastic change was to take place almost immediately. Orders came down that the 45 to 65 group would leave the next day to join the 83rd Infantry Division, in or near Passau, Germany on the Danube, near the Austrian border. We were told that most of the men in the Squadron making this move were to go to the 83rd Division Artillery. This was the beginning of the end for old B Troop. Ninety-six men were included in this category which left only the following old timers in B Troop: Sgt. Schmiedeler, T/4's Hyman and Lopez, Cpls. Hanks and Wilkerson, T/5's Bartos, Bokarae, Gutziet and Pilcher, and Pfcs. Boyce, Parker, Pietrzak, Raso, Stodghill and Their.

On Tuesday night there was frenzied packing and eliminating of various interesting items the men had collected during our combat experience and traveling in Europe. Our numerous vehicles had made it possible for the men to acquire and collect many things, all referred to as 'loot', but in most instances consisting of bona-fide war trophies and purchases made during our long stay in Pilsen. Most of these things were still able to be carried although it was now necessary to prepare for an uncertain future which might mean being shuffled hither and yon during the period between leaving the 8th Division and finally reaching a port and sailing for home.

On Wednesday it was a grim and dismal farewell to B Troop, leaving their last area, Straz, in trucks, and riding to Klatovy where small, dirty 40 and 8's waited to carry the group on to the area near Passau, occupied by elements of the 83rd Infantry Division. The writer missed this final page in the story of the adventures of the largest part of the men, as he, along with Sgt. VanEdsinga, Sgt. Sullivan, T/4 Laurent, T/5 Choquette, T/5 Attanucci and T/5 Sears were left behind to help in winding up the affairs of Supply, Communications, the Motor Park and the Arms Room, before following and joining the group with the 83rd.

In telling the story of B Troop, from the time of its departure from Camp Polk, La., the writer had always hoped the narrative might be continued until the perfect and complete finale, the return of the Troop as a whole and original unit to the United States. The various reasons which made this an impossibility are a large part of the history and activities of the Troop. The complexities of the Army, the war and its aftermath, made the little village of Straz the place where the story had to end, and the 5th day of September, 1945 the date on which the men's collective and individual experiences could no longer be followed. It is with a feeling of many conflicting emotions that I bring this story to a close. I have endeavored to give the important outline of a period in our lives which we shall never forget. I have included as many details as time and certain restrictions would allow. It is my wish that every man who desires it, may have a copy of this so-called Diary, and that in years to come it may make each one feel and remember the best of what we have been through together, appreciate and be grateful for the good fortune most of us have had, and above all remember, honor and revere those few who started with us but whom were called upon to give their lives in the cause that brought us all together.

'BOB' TURNER