I well remember Captain Oberbeck told me in one of our conversations that I was the first person that had showed any interest in the 341st. How sad is that? He wanted to show me around Ft. Leonardwood but his health didn't allow it. I personally believe many more vets would have opened up if only they felt the interest was sincere and if the asking person didn't ask things like how many people they had killed in the war and stuff like that.
My Dad was in the Pacific and I have talked to him about his experiences. His big hang up was that he didn't do enough because he was in the Quartermaster Corps. I told him that everyone had a job and that he was part of a team. That seemed to help and he did talk to me which I will always cherish. I still believe they are the greatest generation.
Parker,
I believe you are right - about the Greatest Generation - on so many accounts!
I still can not believe that after all of these years, thanks to your efforts, the world will know at least one of them men that died that terrible day working on the bridge in Remagen.
I have read quite a few books on Remagen including The Bridge at Remagen, Hero of the Rhine, The Miracle of Remagen, and Remagen and there is a movie on the crossing. I went to the Museum in Remagen that is in one of the bridge towers and I do not recall any list of the men who died that fateful day along with your Uncle.
I would think the Museum would be very happy to know of your Uncle, by name, and the information you have shared with us. Maybe it will cause someone with a passion to research who were the other gentleman that were killed that day and what, if anything, could be learned from their families. The journey for trying to locate any of that information would be fascinating!
If Larry, were still alive, it is almost a year since his premature death, I know he would be able to help someone with that research. I am still working on my Dad's history (and I have had to slow down my research because of many issues) but I could see how easy it would be to be captivated by this research. The story and the men have been lying dormant since March of 1945. Thanks to you we know at least one, your Uncle, his story and heroism, will always be known!!!
Thank you,
Jean
Marion,
I am so happy that you so openly shared the difficulty for you at different times dealing with certain families.
Because of your website, the authenticity of your interest could, or let's say should not ever be questioned. Your bring history to the world and give life to these men and their stories forever.
I understand it from the other side, as you also do, and I too try to be so careful as I do my research.
Jean
wow, great stories since I last checked in!
Thanks Jean for telling us about your father too.
~Howard Parthum
Thank you so much for getting this link for me. I hope I am not overloading everyone with all this stuff but to me the documentation was good and I noticed the actual crane derrick sticking out of the water at the 27:27 time in the video. Sad in so many ways but I guess I would call it closure for me. At first I thought boy if Mom could only see this but on later reflection she may not have wanted to see it at all.
Merry Christmas to one and all and thanks for everything,
Parker
Hopefully you all will find this an interesting addition to the March 17th discussion.
There is a lot of speculation as to what brought the bridge down that day. 11 - V-2 rockets were fired at the bridge on March 17th and most weren't anywhere close to the bridge but there were two that hit fairly close. The 1st fell on the far side of the Rhine and did kill some soldiers that were billeted in a farmhouse. I'm afraid I don't know much about that strike but the 3rd strike of the day hit at 12:25 as B Company of the 284th Engr. B. Bn. was gathering for lunch. 3 soldiers were killed and 35 more injured. As you know the bridge came down shortly after.
Those killed:
LT Louis F. Saas Jr.
Corporal George G. Gardner
PFC James Spinos
C Company Command, Captain Heubach, inspecting V-2 Turbo Pump that hit the C Company CP from the explosion at the B Company CP
C Company Sgt. Lindhom and T/5 Bachand inspecting the combustion chamber.
Official V-2 Report pg. 1
Official V-2 Report pg. 2
Here are some more Remagen photos
Crossing
Explosion on the other side of the Rhine
50 cal shooting at planes
Destroyed building in Remagen
Road built to facilitate movement to the bridges
POW Camp in Remagen (I'm pretty sure it is the one that was there)
Super post. Thanks for the notes, the images and the supplemental reports!