Post by Carl W. on May 16, 2011 17:46:14 GMT -5
Sadly announcing the passing of another Golden Lion. Captain Aloysius "Al" Menke, commander of A-battery, 589th FA Bn.
I regularly corresponded with Al on a variety of subjects, since he was one of the few remaining battery commanders of the field artillery. His exec was Lt. Eric Wood, who's story has been well documented. Al's letters proved a great insight in the function of a 105 battery and the life as a POW. When captured on the eve of the 19th (although he has been consistenly misidentified as being captured on 16 december) he was sent to Stalag IX-B at Bad Orb. He did not remember being there untill I showed him a manifest which had his name on it. After Bad Orb he was sent to Oflag XIII-B at Hammelburg. When Task Force Baum liberated the camp the prisoners were given the choice to stay or join the task force heading home. Al joined up with Lt.-Colonel Kelly (589 CO) and Lt. Col William Scales (2BN Co 422nd) and a Yugoslavian officer and they started their own way toward friendly lines. After a few days they succeeded. In the mean time the Task Force had been ambushed and destroyed by the Germans. All the men were recaptured. After the war, Al left the army in 1946 with the rank of major in the field artillery. He became a grocery salesman for P&G.
He died a week ago, the night after he replied to my final letter. Rest in peace my friend. We will not forget you.
I regularly corresponded with Al on a variety of subjects, since he was one of the few remaining battery commanders of the field artillery. His exec was Lt. Eric Wood, who's story has been well documented. Al's letters proved a great insight in the function of a 105 battery and the life as a POW. When captured on the eve of the 19th (although he has been consistenly misidentified as being captured on 16 december) he was sent to Stalag IX-B at Bad Orb. He did not remember being there untill I showed him a manifest which had his name on it. After Bad Orb he was sent to Oflag XIII-B at Hammelburg. When Task Force Baum liberated the camp the prisoners were given the choice to stay or join the task force heading home. Al joined up with Lt.-Colonel Kelly (589 CO) and Lt. Col William Scales (2BN Co 422nd) and a Yugoslavian officer and they started their own way toward friendly lines. After a few days they succeeded. In the mean time the Task Force had been ambushed and destroyed by the Germans. All the men were recaptured. After the war, Al left the army in 1946 with the rank of major in the field artillery. He became a grocery salesman for P&G.
He died a week ago, the night after he replied to my final letter. Rest in peace my friend. We will not forget you.