WWW.LARRYROSEN.ORG        JANUARY 18, 2011

 PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED ARRIVING IN MARSEILLE JANUARY 18 1945

WOW THAT SOUNDS LIKE 66 YEARS AGO-LOOKS LIKE I’VE BEEN AROUND

 When we departed from New York we knew we were heading for overseas but weren’t told where-We found out when we were told we have arrived at

Marseille, France. Children were outside asking for bon bon –candy-we

responded throwing down some of px rationed snacks.

Previously mentioned but worth repeating–we got off the ship and got in trucks that let  us off at a place called CP2–a wide stretch of just plain cold ground.Then we got orders to set up pup tents that accomodated two soldiers–my companion was a chinese cook.

The “rest room” was a trip way back behind all the tents-no urinals or bowls -just a large hole with two by fours when it was necessary to sit and relax.

The artillery men unloaded the howitzers and started to clean them, and get

ready to fire.

One evening we got a pass to visit Marseilles–a busy place,with many bars available–experienced drinkers told us to try Cognac–I tried two and recall

feeling pretty good.

One morning we lined up for chow–breakfast, lunch, or dinner with food

placed in our mess kits-we ate outside one morning-it started to rain,but our

pancakes still tasted good, although they were a bit wet.

One morning a plane flew overhead and we were told not to worry-it was an enemy plane called Bedcheck Charlie checking the new American arrival of

rainbowers.

   Finally on Feb 5, 1945 we left CP 2 and arrived in Harricourt France Feb 8, 1945

Left Harricourt France, arrived in Cirey France   Feb 9,were directed into a house in France, and our group of “Combat Clerks” were told to spread out

our sleeping bags in one roon–with one soldier resting half his body in a closet and the rest of body feet etc resting outside the closet.

We set up our portable typewriters somewhere, and we can our jobs–I was the Battery clerk of Battery B 542d FA Bn.

Left Cirey, France    March 28, 1945

Arrived in Annweiler, Germany March 28, 1945

Left Annweiler April 8, 1945

Arrived in Wertheim Germany April 8, 1945

Left Wertheim May 11, 1945

Arrived in Traunstein, Germany May 12, 1945

Left Traunstein May 16, 1945

Arrived in Kufstein, Austria (Tyrol section) May 16, 1945

Left Kufstein July   8, 1945

Arrived in Hellein, Austria July 31, 1945

Left Hellein July 31,1945

Arrived in Bischeffshoven Sept 15, 1945

Arrived in Obertrukm, Austria Sept 15, 1945

Left Obertrukm Nov 2, 1945

Arrived in St. Gilgen, Austria Nov 2, 1945

We stayed in a beautiful hotel near mountains and a large river or other water way. St. Gilgen was located near a large Austrian city, Salzburg, Austria

On the week ends when we received passes, I would many times catch a ride on the battalion mail truck and visit Austria–saw dancers, and ate in some nice restaurants, also occasinally visited a large DP camp (Displaced persons, mostly Holocaust survivors ,Jewish and holocaust survivors from many different countries. I spoke Yiddish to many and heard many horrible stories of their confinement in concentration camps, ghetto areas etc.

I recall once bringing some canned goods my mother sent me,bringing sardines which I distributed to a family–they brought out bread and mashed down the sardines,spreading the fish over the bread,which made a delicious sandwich. I didn’t recall ever eating sardines that way.

Left St. Gilgen Austria for departure back to US Feb 26, 1946

 LARRY ROSEN ENRUTE BACK TO USA

Arrived Ranshofen Austria Feb 26, 1946

Left Ranshofen Feb 16, 1946

Arrived Ried, Austria Feb 28, 1946

Left Ried, March 2, 1946

Arrived Eferding March 12, 1946

Left Eferding March 13, 1946

Arrived Bremarhaven, Germany Exit Port

Left Bremarhavn, Germany

Arrived USA March 31, 1946

Arrived Camp Kilmer, N.J. March 31, 1946

LeftCamp Kilmer April 2, 1946

Arrived Ft. Meade, Md April 2, 1946

Discharged from the Army April 4, 1946

Called brother Sam March 31, 1946, and found out he got married around that date