Time Spent in Germany

[connie]

Floyd,

You've told about your 4th of July and you've told something about times when men in the 106th were guarding German POW's...

If the topic interests you, I'd like to know more about your time spent in Germany with the 106th. Were there POW's present the whole time you were there or was there some Army of Occupation time for you after all prisoners had been processed out?

What were your living conditions / daily life like?

Connie

[floydragsdale]

Hi Connie:

Haven't been on my commuter since Friday A.M. Too busy with yard work & too tired for horsing around with the computer in the evening.

We (the 106th) had German P.W.'s to deal with at Heideshiem & Bingen.

I cannot remember exactly what we did at Karlsruhe and I don't think we were there very long; maybe several weeks. I remember once incident, however. One of our men coaxed a little boy (not more than six years old) into drinking some wine. The lad was reluctant in the beginning, yet after so many swallows, the little fellow wanted more. Finally, the little boy was so plastered, he could hardly stand up. I cannot recall for certain if this was in a German home but I believe it was.

When the boy's father came home that afternoon, & saw his inebriated son he flew into a fit of rage with his son. The Soldier from our Company had some wine, also; and he was a bit tipsy as well.

I cannot recall the outcome of this affair, however it didn't do any good to try and prevent this stupid stunt as there were too many G.I.s present who were all for promoting the affair.

Will continue tomorrow.

Floyd

I do remember being embarrassed about the whole thing

[connie]

Floyd,

I'm with you. This would not have been fun to witness...

Looking forward to hearing more from that time...

Connie

[floydragsdale]

Hello Connie:

While in Heideshiem, Germany our Company lived in what appeared to have been an old castle, located near the crest of a hill above the village.

There was an entrance gate to the building and a tower like structure next to the gate that housed our Company Orderly Room and the Company Kitchen. A guard was always posted at the gate 24/7.

There was six men in my room that contained upper & lower wooden bunks without a mattress. Nevertheless, much better than a hole in the ground that we had been accustom to during the winter months.

It was in Heideshiem that we began to fraternize with the local townspeople through the children who came to beg for our garbage at meal time.

When we moved close to Bingen, Germany at least our Bn. lived in ten-man tents, however still much more preferable than a foxhole.

When our Bn. moved on to Karlsruhe we were billeted in houses, however our stay there was a short one; maybe two or three weeks.

I don’t remember what we did other than guard P.W.’s, yet we were always busy doing something. However, duty was always arranged so that a Soldier had a day off during the week.

Floyd

[seaforth]

Thank you for this story!

Do you know where you were at Bingen?
I sail my barge every week passing the town. Would be nice to put the camp in the picture in my mind.

[floydragsdale]

Hello:

Our camp was just across a small tributary (river) from Bingen and very close to the Rhine River. Also, we were living in ten man tents. Many days I walked to Bingen and crossed the small river (tributary) on a pontoon bridge which was constructed by U.S. Army Engineers. Most of the German P.O.W.'s had been released, to go to their homes, when we left there in late July 1945.

Floyd

[seaforth]

Looks like you were on the Nahe river. Did you see a little tower standing on a isle in de rhine in front of your camp?





www.viatoura.de/bingen-am-rhein/fotogalerie/0.html