Smyrna times., 1945-04-12
D DRIBBLES 5
FROM
Our Boys and Girls
in the Service
David C. Harrison Post, No. IA,
American Legion, and Unit of the
American Legion Auxiliary.
Germany
Dear Dribbles::

Germany
Dear Dribbles:
Inasmuch as I enjoy reading
others letters immensely, I deem
it appropriate to contribute one
myself to your column.
Like other Service men, 1 appre-
ciate your Christmas card which
I received more than somewhat
belatedly March 10TH. No doubt
1t arrived via the ill-fated vessel
which we read about in the Stars
and Stripes. 1t seems the said
ship left port three times, or SO,
before a successful voyage was
completed.
Since leaving the States, have
spent several months in England
and endured the seemingly never
ending inspections while there. I
do not ever expect to see so much
s'brass" as visited us while we
were stationed on those islands.
Our battalion landed in France
in time to participate in the Nor
mandy campaign, and the ensuing
breakthrough at st. Lo. We fol-
lowed General Patton for week
or so, and then swung around to
Brittany and the subsequent bat
tie for Brest. Upon its compile
tion, we conveyed across France in
an operation which reminded me
of the DUPONT boulevard on an
August Sunday evening; the roads
were that crowded and bright with
lights.
After leaving France, we moved
into Luxembourg and received for
the first time a holding assign
ment. This gave the Boys a well
come respite, but we soon moved
on into Germany and assumed our
familiar role, that of spearhead
division. Almost as soon as we
took over this last assignment,
the famed Boche push started in
our former position, so we We're
compelled to sit tight until the
battle of the bulge was over. This
finished, another division moved
up on our flank and the Heinie's
loosed the Schwammuel Dam. AS
you no doubt know, this turned
the Roer River into a frenzy,
thereby delaying the crossing for
a week or so. Eventually, the task
of getting over the Roer River was
accomplished in one of the grimest
battles ever. Fortunately, we were
able to gain speed in this drive
and our momentum carried us on
to our present position along the
Rhine River; even enabled other
divisions to cross it.
In all this time, 1 have enjoyed
some fine times, and on other oc-
casions, would say that it has
been a bit rough. 1t is a very stir
ring scene to ride through a town
and have its citizens throng the
sidewalks cheering you as their
liberators. 1t is also exciting to
watch a Heine plane zoom through
the air while gunner near you
shoots at him. You can see the
tracers plainly, and as thtey get
closer and closer, your blood pres
sure goes higher and higher.
On the other hand, it is nc
pleasure to hear the whistle OF
oncoming shells, and think that
maybe the Boche will decide tc
send the next one your way
Neither is it any pleasure to heal
the noise of flying bomb, seem.
ingly barely skimming your build
ing while you lie in bed and hope
and pray that it keeps on going
Furthermore, it is no pleasure tt
have a German plane overhead
and to see him break out in dive
and hear the rat-a-tat-tat of his
machine guns.
The elements of the weather are
always present. Nothing is more
miserable than to get wet and moi
be able to find a dry spot. The
same applies to getting cold, ant