May 1, 1945 - May 31, 1945

May

1945

1.) Went over to 85th sector + stayed with rear area for nite.
2.) Today we started in convoy at 12 p.m. with 85th to go to Austria. We traveled 43 miles + biv[..] on the road for the nite. A german [sic] general was captured + he surrendered all the troops in Italy. There is no more fighting in Italy.
3.) Today we traveled 57 miles thru the Alps + it was snowing + cold as hell. We reached a town + stayed over nite in german [sic] barracks + slept with them. Rumors are that war in Germany is over.
4.) We are near the border of Austria + german [sic] people live here. This morning we went in a german [sic] house + made our breakfast. The people were very nice + gave us plates to eat out of + let us use their frying pan. This town is full of germans who have surrendered. Expect to stay here tonite + go over the border tomorrow + start fighting again. It is still cold.

5.) Still here in town of San Condido we are occuppational [sic] troops. We heard rumors that war is over but nobody believes it or is excited about it.
6.) Still here. Troops in northern Germany Norway + Netherlands have surrendered. Soon the end will come.
7.) Radio reports that all of Germany has surrendered to Eisenhower at 2:41 a.m. this morning. We heard this at 9 p.m. Final victory will be announced tomorrow on the 8th at 3 p.m. Boys are happy but not too excited until we hear the final announcement over the radio from Churchill + Truman.
8.) Still here in S. Candido
9.) Still here in S. Candido. Weather is nice + warm now.
10.) S. Candido
11.) S. Candido
12.) S. Candido went to church tonite
13.) S. Candido. Went to church this morning in german [sic] church + also this evening for Benediction.
14.) S. Candido. Went to church tonite. Went to Cortina this a.m.
15.) S. Candido church again tonite.
16.) S. Candido
17.) S. Candido Rumors are that the 757 may go back to the States + be used for training purposes + held in reserves for the Pacific. Rumors are also that the 757 may never see action again. I hope!
18.) S. Candido. Wal’s birthday today but I can’t write as I don’t know where he is at.
19.) Left S. Candido to return to rear area 63 miles back at the town of Cadora. Went to kraut town.
20.) Was supposed to move to Udine with the whole bn. because of trouble at Trieste with Tito. Went to town of Vittorio on pass till 11 oclock [sic].
21.) Still didn’t move + tonite we went to town again at 1 p.m. we finally moved 83 miles to Udine. Slept there over night + moved the next day.
22.) Moved with A Co. today to town of Sambasso near Trieste to get in position in case of trouble with Tito’s men. People here speak german [sic], Italian + Yugoslavian.
23.) Still here + am living out in field. Can’t live in houses anymore because of Tito’s men as we don’t want to cause any trouble.
24.) Still in field near Sambasso.
25, 26,27,28 29) Still in field near Sambasso. rec. letter from Dee
30.) Held memorial services for men lost in battle this morning out in field Sambasso.
31.) Sambasso