and followed a path leading through Pronsfeld, Dachscheid, Dingdorf, Seiwerath, Kopp, Heidersbach, a
small town north east of Suhl, famous small arms manufacturing town. On the 9th we moved to
Schmiedefeld – and as the situation became a bit faster moving we moved to Frauenwald and Neustadt
on the 10th. The 357th Infantry swung to our left, and the 2d Platoon with the 343rd was once again
north and abreast of us. On the 11th we moved to Gross Breitenbach, and the 12th saw us move four
times from Meuselbach to Neuhaus, to Lichte and finally to Gebersdorf. It was on this fateful day that
we were all shocked by the radio message informing us of the death of President Roosevelt. There were
many grim and sad faces that day, and the thought was universal that one had not only suffered the loss
of the Commander in Chief, but of a trusted friend.
On the 13th we moved three times: Zopten, Steinbach, and finally Ossla. We moved three times
the following day thru Lobenstein, Lichtenberg and Issigau. Five prisoners were captured during the day
– the 2d Platoon still was with the 343rd F.A. We moved twice on the 15th – to Schelgel and then to
Koditz. The security guards on B-9’s halftrack, shot and killed a German soldier, when he failed to halt,
at being challenged. The 90th Division infantry were now fighting in Hof. On the 16th of April we
moved to Unter-Kotzau, a suburb of Hof. There were just a few snipers remaining in the city. On the
18th we moved through Hof to Kautendorf – the Division was now driving southeast – paralleling the
Czech border. The 2d Platoon and 343rd were now the right flank while we were on the left. On the 19th
we moved through Rehau to Schönwald. On the 20th we moved from Selb to Swaizteich and finally to
Bergnersreuth, where we captured nine prisoners.
On the 21st we moved three times from Höflas to Mitterteich and then to Klein. Four more
prisoners were captured. On the 22d we moved from Pirk to Schönfecht – four more prisoners were
captured. Thence to Spielberg – one more prisoner. During the next day April 24th – we moved twice, to
Pleystein, and to Burkhardsrieth – one prisoner captured. The next day we moved to Eslarn and then to
Schönsee. We received some M-51 machine guns and turned in our water-cooled guns. The next day we
moved twice to Teifenbach and then to Trefflestein. The 2d Platoon went into action twice during the
day. On April 29 the 2d Platoon captured three prisoners. At this time the Division was holding a long
front on the Czech border. The 1st Platoon and Battery Headquarters were at the extreme north end, and
the 2d Platoon was at the extreme southern end of the Division front. On April 30, the 1st Platoon
displaced east a little to north of Waldmunchen. The 2d Platoon captured two more prisoners.
On May 1, the battery moved to set up near Haselbach just inside the Czechoslovakian border.
Sections 2, 3 and 4 were in Czechoslovakia, B1 was in Germany. On May 3, we moved twice to Lam
and then to Lohberg. On May 4, B1 captured 3 prisoners who wished to make terms to surrender a body
of men. They were commanded by a Colonel, and Colonel Mason of the 357th Infantry accepted their
surrender at Lohberg. It is believed that about 200-250 men were captured. We captured 63 additional
prisoners that day. On the 4th, we moved to Tiesdorf, north of Viechtach, and on the 5th to Englmar,
where we thought we would be sitting for a few days. We went out on reconnaissance again however,
and wound up many miles to the northeast across the Czech border in Paseka. We were forming a
bridgehead so that the 4th Armored Division could drive on Prague, the Czechoslovakian capital. During
this all-important 1st week in May (1945) excitement was high, as we heard of the mass surrenders in
other sectors. However, we were still fighting, and on the 6th we moved to Rejstein on the River Otava –
and heard the news that Mr. Churchill would announce V-E day within 48 hours. On the 7th, we heard
the unconditional surrender was signed at Reims at 0241, 7 May 1945. We were very happy, and
astounded at the number of prisoners captured. The day previous the 90th Division accepted the
surrender of the 11th Panzer Division – personnel and equipment. We moved on the 7th to Zihobetz
where we cleaned ourselves and equipment – observed V-E day (May 8, 1945) and awaited orders
assigning us to a zone of occupation.
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