Letter from French historian Jo Baret

[Walt's Daughter]

I received this a few minutes ago, and already wrote back.

 

Hello, Marion

I am a french dedicated historian, 65 years old. My passion is the D-Day with my beloved 82nd AB Division. But, as I was looking inside my family papers to write down a family saga, I discovered that my parents have been in a great friendship with Colonel and Mrs George Marvin, 540 th Engineer, during the war. That's why I have a request for you, because you are a specialist of Engineer troops: Would you tell me when Colonel Marvin left Germany? There is a photo on your site of a departing party, but no date. His next job and regiment?

 

Would you provide me with the november and december 1944 monthly 540th ER action report?

 

Thanks a lot

Jo. BARET

France

 

Bonjour dear Jo. Baret:

 

How wonderful to hear from you, and how delightful it is to work side-by-side with a fellow historian. Always a pleasure!

 

Colonel Marvin left the 540th Engineer Combat Group on April 3, 1945, and was transferred to assume the post of Deputy Engineer for the American Fifth Army in Italy. They threw a big party for him, which took place in Burstadt, Germany, in a school which had been a displaced persons center, before the 540th arrived in Germany.

 

I should be able to send you a few more pictures in the very near future, as well as documentation from November and December 1944, as secured from the National Archives. These documents still need to be scanned, but I will try and get them to you as quickly as possible.

 

I have a very good friend from the 82nd AB. Are you acquainted with a gentleman named Howard Huebner? If not, I can put you in contact with him. He lives in Florida, and I had the pleasure of meeting him a year ago. I also have his story uploaded on my site.

 

I look forward to our future friendship and correspondence. So happy you wrote to me this morning.

 

Bon chance,

Marion