The Weser was a formidable military obstacle in itself, but on the 5th of April a crossing was forced and a bridge was built. By the next day there were three bridges, and the 2nd Armored had advanced almost to Hildesheim, the 30th on the left flank had taken Hameln, and the 83rd had swarmed across on the right of the 2nd Armored and advanced 17 miles beyond the river.
On orders from Ninth Army, these spearhead divisions halted and took the opportunity to reorganize while the attack continued behind them against the north and east of the Ruhr pocket. On the 9th of April, XVI Corps took over this western front and XIX Corps turned its whole attention east again.
Now began a drive unparalleled in this war for speed and effectiveness. The 2nd Armored was to make 57 miles in one day, and the 30th and 83rd, by drive and and organization nothing short of miraculous, kept up with the armor on each flank. Screening the Corps flanks was the 113th Calvary Group that has been a versatile and hard fighting member of XIX Corps since the early days in Normandy. On the north the 30th Division advanced to Braunschweig where stiff resistance developed. In one day the city was enveloped and cleared, and the 30th had pushed on another 30 miles. The 83rd meanwhile had driven 30 miles to take Halberstadt, and seal off the east and north of another pocket in the Harz Mountains, center of much tradition of the ancient German gods.
S/Sgt. Wilbur C. Garner, 33377578
G-1 Section, Hq XIX Corps,
APO 270, c/o Postmaster, N.Y.
Mary W. Garner, Sk1c
Supply Department
U.S. Naval Air Station
Minneapolis, 6 Minnesota
"Somewhere in Germany"
9 April 1945
Dear Mary,
Howdy, I received your letters of the 6th & 26th of March yesterday. Yes, Mary, I was glad it was a girl, also.
I've got her picture sitting right in front of me, too. Carol is the prettiest baby I've seen in a long time and I know her Aunt Mary will be proud of her as Gwen and I. I even think she is cuter than Bernard, Jr. Of course, I guess little girls are cuter than boys. I just got my set of pictures today. Gwen is sending Mother a set and getting more for you. So ask Mother to send you her set for a peek at Carol.
Say don't let these so called military authorities stuff your heads with the idea that the war is over. There is still plenty of fight in the Germans. I'll tell you the truth. I don't think there is anyone left to make peace with.
I'm glad you got your Easter gift OK. I guess Mother thought you could use the money better than anything else since you are in the Service.
You asked me how long before Carol would be able to stand the trip over. I've told Gwen to go as soon as she feels that Carol is OK and she can get passage through the Embassy. I understand they are paying passage right to their destination. That's just hearsay of course. I imagine Gwen will try about July or August.
Did I tell you I had 2 days in Paris on the way back from England? We were tied up waiting for a train. That town is lousy, capital LOUSY. Especially for a respectably married man. The actions of those Parisians are thoroughly disgusting. Of course, I guess it's a lot different in peacetime.
Well, Sis, I guess I'll close for now and hope to hear from you again real soon. So long for now. Take it easy and don't work too hard.
Lots of Love from Gwen, Carol and myself
Bill
On orders from Ninth Army, these spearhead divisions halted and took the opportunity to reorganize while the attack continued behind them against the north and east of the Ruhr pocket. On the 9th of April, XVI Corps took over this western front and XIX Corps turned its whole attention east again.
Now began a drive unparalleled in this war for speed and effectiveness. The 2nd Armored was to make 57 miles in one day, and the 30th and 83rd, by drive and and organization nothing short of miraculous, kept up with the armor on each flank. Screening the Corps flanks was the 113th Calvary Group that has been a versatile and hard fighting member of XIX Corps since the early days in Normandy. On the north the 30th Division advanced to Braunschweig where stiff resistance developed. In one day the city was enveloped and cleared, and the 30th had pushed on another 30 miles. The 83rd meanwhile had driven 30 miles to take Halberstadt, and seal off the east and north of another pocket in the Harz Mountains, center of much tradition of the ancient German gods.
S/Sgt. Wilbur C. Garner, 33377578
G-1 Section, Hq XIX Corps,
APO 270, c/o Postmaster, N.Y.
Mary W. Garner, Sk1c
Supply Department
U.S. Naval Air Station
Minneapolis, 6 Minnesota
"Somewhere in Germany"
9 April 1945
Dear Mary,
Howdy, I received your letters of the 6th & 26th of March yesterday. Yes, Mary, I was glad it was a girl, also.
I've got her picture sitting right in front of me, too. Carol is the prettiest baby I've seen in a long time and I know her Aunt Mary will be proud of her as Gwen and I. I even think she is cuter than Bernard, Jr. Of course, I guess little girls are cuter than boys. I just got my set of pictures today. Gwen is sending Mother a set and getting more for you. So ask Mother to send you her set for a peek at Carol.
Say don't let these so called military authorities stuff your heads with the idea that the war is over. There is still plenty of fight in the Germans. I'll tell you the truth. I don't think there is anyone left to make peace with.
I'm glad you got your Easter gift OK. I guess Mother thought you could use the money better than anything else since you are in the Service.
You asked me how long before Carol would be able to stand the trip over. I've told Gwen to go as soon as she feels that Carol is OK and she can get passage through the Embassy. I understand they are paying passage right to their destination. That's just hearsay of course. I imagine Gwen will try about July or August.
Did I tell you I had 2 days in Paris on the way back from England? We were tied up waiting for a train. That town is lousy, capital LOUSY. Especially for a respectably married man. The actions of those Parisians are thoroughly disgusting. Of course, I guess it's a lot different in peacetime.
Well, Sis, I guess I'll close for now and hope to hear from you again real soon. So long for now. Take it easy and don't work too hard.
Lots of Love from Gwen, Carol and myself
Bill
