Camp near Siegberg Germany?

[Jean Jacobson]

Thank You Marion!

 

Christoph, I spoke to a Vet today who was on the Dryden plane. He was wounded but was taken to Lindberg, Germany and did not know anything about Siegburg.

 

I did however get to ask him about the bombing that Sister Edeltrud referred to. Not the specifics but in general if the English bombed at night, and assuming that the Dec. 28th bombing occurred at night, would they, the bombers, be able to see a big red cross on the roof of a building. He said No - it was pitch black at night.

 

The gentleman also said the English bombed to break the morale of the people and that is why they bombed cities. Whereas the Americans bombed to destroy anything that helped the German Army.

 

I talked to him for quite awhile about his experience and that Dec. 23rd, 1944 mission and so forth. He was really impressive for 91 years old!

 

Christoph, do you have any idea how old the Nun is or how is her health. I guess those are not easy questions to ask.

 

Jean

[Christoph]

No, sorry, she might be in her eighties? Sister Gracia has only said that she doesn't hear well and that she is the oldest sister in the cloister.

 

Christoph

[Jean Jacobson]

Latest news, National Archives does not have General Collins's diary. I will have to do more digging.

 

Jean J

[Christoph]

But they have a camp report:

 

Camp Reports: Germany: Hospitals: Siegburg Res Laz

http://research.arch...cription/892897

 

Online there's only a description, to obtain the records you (or we) should contact the National Archives and Records Administration.

 

Christoph

 

Edit:

You have seen this description?

http://research.archives.gov/description/598914

[Jean Jacobson]

Christoph,

 

As always, you are amazing! I started working with what you sent. I also contacted the Army Records facility at Carlisle, Pa. this AM. The fellow on the phone was terrific but after more research it does not appear that I will be able to easily find anything. Not yet, at least. The website is: usahec.org

 

I went back to the Eisenhower Library and told them a gentleman in Germany sent me these websites. Maybe something will appear.

 

More to follow,

Jean J

[Jean Jacobson]

Christoph,

 

What a frustrating day. I had no successes. I even tried VII Corp because Collins was in charge. Maybe a lead will pan out from all of this.

 

Jean

[Jean Jacobson]

Christoph,

 

A little progress - the gentleman at Eisenhower Library will pursue the one website you sent me.

 

Yesterday, the gentleman at Carlisle made an astute observation. He does not think that Collins would have done the debriefing. I am trying to figure out what G-2's, intelligence officers, might have been at Remagen at the time.

 

Also trying to figure out what American outfit would have been in the countryside between Siegburg and Remagen, assuming that is the direction my Dad ran when he escaped. Not necessarily because of the debriefing but who knows, the 2 guys in the jeep that my Dad spotted from afar could still be alive today. Unlikely, but so was finding Norton and the Sister. I am however, very curious about that outfit. And so many other things, but another time.

 

Regarding the Sister, more to follow.

 

Jean J

[Christoph]

Jean,

 

I sent an e-mail to the NARA asking for the Camp Report, and another one to the National Archives (UK). They have an Red Cross Report (Ref. no. WO 224/175) concerning Prisoner of War Camps in Europe, particularly also the "Seigburg Lazarett" from 1944: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=6&CATID=27524. Today they answered with an estimate, the copying cost for all 116 pages would be 52.20 Pounds. That's quiet much, and I don't know what I would pay for, and all information is from sometime in 1944. I could also send them a description of what I'm looking for, but: What am I exactly looking for?

 

If your father was was in Siegburg until the bomb raid of 3rd March: That was before the Ludendorff bridge and Bonn were taken. How could he know that he should run in direction to Remagen at that moment?

 

 

So many questions

Christoph

[Jean Jacobson]

Christoph,

 

I could not respond earlier and so happy that the system is up and running now. It is always so exciting to see if you have written anything.

 

First of all, as always, Thank You very much for all of your efforts! I can send you a check for whatever costs you incur on my behalf. You are a riot when you say "What am I exactly looking for?" That is so funny. And my response, will be I am not sure. This is a tougher task than you thought!

 

I have written you off line and not sure if the messages have arrived.

 

Great questions about where on earth do you run, even if you do get out. On top of that my Dad had a rotten sense of direction! But Dad did not escape until March 15th so that solves the Remagen Bridge knowledge since that was March 7th. Early in Dad's Vmails home from Siegburg (I have to look for exactly what he said) he did not appear to have much War news like from a radio. The news was coming from the captured and wounded soldiers.

 

But ( because of limited time) I can tell you at a later time more details about the fact that they did have some way of getting news.

 

So assuming Dad knew about Remagen, and his last 2 days of running and hiding he spent at a German farmhouse that had a young Belgian boy doing the farming, where was he? As Dad would say, he was not there as a tourist! And no gave him an itinerary of just where he was at any special time. He knew he landed D Day on Utah Beach and I got him to write down, as best he could, what the names were of all of the places he fought in or passed through. But this location is quite vague. He was, however, pleased with the potato soup that the farmers gave them. He felt it had more potatoes in it than what was on the menu at Siegburg.

 

Now what unit was in this vague location is a question. More to follow tomorrow,

Jean

[Christoph]

Siegburg was for about three weeks under artillery fire before the attack over the Sieg river began on April 7, 1945, 11 00 hours. Have you read Ray Repasky's memoirs on the main site here http://www.6thcorpscombatengineers.com/RayRepasky.htm? That means the US troops could not have been far away from Siegburg when your Dad was there until the 16th. Siegburg was taken by the 97th infantry division. (http://www.lonesentry.com/gi_stories_booklets/97thinfantry/index.html), maybe they were also the first to be seen by your Dad, or perhaps the 13th tankers (http://www.13tharmoreddivision.org/)?

 

You should not send a cheque but if you like order the documents you want on your own, I think they might be more interesting for you than for the rest of the world including me - you may of course let us participate if you'll something really interesting

The last message I got from you is of 24th.

 

Christoph