Hello veterans and friends of the 75th Division !
I wanted to send this newsline shortly before veterans day, but it is ready now and I will be on short holidays until just before Memorial Day. So you recieve this newsline a little bit in advance, but I am think it is worth it.
I am especially proud, that Mr. Elmer H. Ake, a WWII veteran and poet, allowed us to present some of his poems in our newsline. Never before, poems touched me so deep than his ones.
Please visit his homepage (listed below), his email adress is also listed and he is a new member of our newsline.
Let´s think of all soldiers, that lost their lives so we can live
in peace now. Please pray for our allied troops around Jugoslawia, that
are risking their lives now to rescue the Kosovans.
Contact to members lost:
----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors -----
<Ron.Searcy@ps.net>
<kjol7338@hem.passagen.se>
gramhoover@juno.com:
online@dwelle.de:
e.heijink@student.utwente.nl:
Message size exceeds fixed maximum message size
The following recipients haven't received this message:
dapple@solarstop.net
No storage space available in mailbox for dapple@solarstop.net
Does anybody have a new email adress ?
*Keep five yards.
(*Means spread out so one round won't get us all.)
Rolf G. Wilmink
„German by birth, american by heart, P.I. by profession„.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
For your calendar:
Next 75th Div reunion: Houston, Texas, September 9th, 10th and
11th 1999
City tours will be offered and include a Round About Houston,The Houston
Space Center with an optional Galveston Evening , an experience of Texas
history and tour of the Battleship Texas and a Waterfront tour, as well
as two unique post reunion trips,a 3 day,2 night program to San Antonio
and a 1 week Mexican/Caribbean Cruise on the Norwegian Lines both start
Sunday Sept. 12th and a barbecue evening on the 75 exercise group property
is also planned.
The coordinator is CSM Phillip Kraus. His adress:
CSM Philip Kraus
75th Infantry Division (Exercise)
1850 Old Spanish Trail
Houston ,Tx 77054-2025
Phone 800-390-2530 ext 7509
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
75th Div reunion year 2000: Peoria
(more infos as soon as we have them or contact the
75th Div Vets. Assn. President Parker, see adress below).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
List of contents:
1.) Feedback regarding newsline No. 33 ( 8 May 1999 )
2.) VETS ATTACK ARMY FOR BESTOWING PURPLE HEART
3.) *******Medal Of Honor*******
4.) My Mom's Obituary
5.) 1942 75th Jeep photos
6.) Poems by Elmar H. Ake
\\|//
(o o)
----------------oOOo-(_)-oOOo------------------------------75th DIVISION
online
**********************************************************************************
DON'T BE A LURKER.... GET INVOLVED... YOU ARE A MEMBER...
MAKE THE MOST OF IT
**********************************************************************************
(actual count: 154 members online worldwide !)
1.) Feedback regarding our newsline No. 33 ( 8 May 1999):
From: "Tim Roop" <doggreen@beachin.net>
Re: 75th Inf Div newsline no.33 (8 may 1999)
Date: Sun, 9 May 1999 12:23:44 -0400
Hey Rolf,
I'm going to Normandy for the 55th anniversary of D-Day. Are you planning to go?
Tim Roop
www.ww2dday.com
++ Moderator´s note: ++
I´m sure it will be interesting, but I am afraid I won´t find the time. Maybe I will have a chance to go to Houston in September.
Rolf
++ ++
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "Louise F. Perkins" <bodacious1@foothill.net>
RE: News Lines 32 & 33
Date: Sun, 9 May 1999 16:15:05 -0700
Dear Rolf,
Just received Newslines 32 & 33, sure glad to receive them. Have
not read all of them, but they look good.
The photo of the GI at a table in Plettenberg is in the 75th book I
have plus about a dozen more of the group.
I can easily copy any picture in the book which I have done in the
past a few times. Its to bad that there were never any photos taken in
Iserlohn for printing in the book. I have about a dozen photos taken at
the small PW cage in the town that I will eventually get reproduced and
send to you.
I plan to take a number of photos with me when we go to Houston in
September perhaps a few fellows would be interested in seeing them. Will
correspond later when more time is available.
Today is Mothers day, Happy mothers day to any and all mothers in your
family
Regards From the Sierra Chateau
Reg Perkins
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: johnc@cwc.org (John Currie)
RE: 75th Inf Div newsline no.33 (8 may 1999)
Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 08:32:15 -0700
Just wanted to say thank you for all the newslines you have been emailing
to me for my father.
I have printed them and sent them to my father who has also been enjoying
the information.
John Currie
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 15:27:47 -0800
From: Rik Peirson <rik@dayone.com>
Re: 75th Inf Div newsline no.33
Rolf --
You've done it again. Newsline #33 led me to Jay Puckett, whom I contacted to get a line on that book about the 290th. Our correspondence is below --with many continued thanks for all you do to make these connections happen.
They are connections that may or may not ever happen without you and the 75th Newsline, and for so many of us for whom these connections represent our only possible contact with men who knew our Fathers. Thank you.
In Their Memory --
-- Rik
* * * * *
To Jay Puckett and R.J. Anderson -- Sunday, May 9, 1999
Hi guys --
I'm writing to both of you because I found your addresses in Rolf Wilmink's Newsline, which is doing its job today, with many thanks, as always, to Rolf.
My Dad was 1LT John Silas Sheffield Peirson, KIA 25 December, '44 at La Roumiere in the Bulge, South of Bastogne.
He was the 3BN S-2 of the 290th, but had been in "L" Company all through
their training at Fort Leonard Wood & at Breckenridge, KY.
So by what I can tell from here, he may not have been with "L" when
they went up that hill (La Roumiere), but was on the hill somewhere.
In any case, I'm interested in the book on the 290th as well, and will call the publisher tomorrow.
I also have an old paper bound book on the 75th that was lent to me,
and Dad's picture is on the page with the 3BN Headquarters Company, then
two pages later is a picture of all three platoons of L Company.
If you don't have these pictures, I'll be glad to make copies and send
them to you. Just let me know if I can do that, & obviously send
me your snailmail addresses.
I maintain a website for the AWON (American WWII Orphans Network), and an individual picture of my Dad is on the site, along with pictures of many other Dads who lost their lives in WWII.
The site address is http://www.awon.org, and from there, just click the section on "Our Fathers."
Happy Mothers Day, guys!
In Their Memory --
-- Rik Peirson
Santa Barbara, CA
* * * * *
Here's what came back -- almost immediately . . .
From: "Jay Puckett" <jpuckbird@email.msn.com>
To: "Rik Peirson" <rik@dayone.com>
Subject: Re: 290th of the 75th
Date: Sun, 9 May 1999 15:53:53 -0500
Rik,
Thanks for the message. It is always good to hear from those associated with the "Newsline" and the 75th Division. I will visit your website at AWON, I've visited there before but must have missed your site.
The book that you have, is it the 75th Infantry Division "boot camp" book? I have a copy of it, if it is. The cover is done in red, white, and blue. The photos are of all the units in the 75th by company and there are photos of different activities during their training. If this is not the photos you spoke of, I would enjoy seeing the ones you spoke about.
I have very few momentos, my dad had alot of his things stolen from his duffle bag when he got back to the U.S. He was a S/Sgt (squad leader) in 290, 2nd Bn, Co F at La Roumiere. On April 18, 1945, in Germany he was transferred to 290, 3rd Bn, Co L.
Is the book you are going to order titled "Unpublished Activities of WWII" by Earl J. Roberts?
I am sorry that you're dad was killed in the war. So many men of the 290th sacrificed their lives at La Roumiere, they forever have my gratitude. My dad survived the war, and I am thankful for that, but he suffered terrible mental anguish for all of his days. Like many of the men who were at La Roumiere, he never talked much about the war. It truly consumed him.
God Bless your father, and all those who paid the ultimate price. Keep in touch!!!
Jay R. Puckett
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Rik Peirson
Day One × Santa Barbara, CA × USA
Marketing, Advertising, Interactive Communications
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.) VETS ATTACK ARMY FOR BESTOWING PURPLE HEART
By Andrea Stone, USA Today
WASHINGTON -- The Army is under siege from irate veterans who don't
think three soldiers beaten by their Yugoslav captors suffered enough to
earn the distinguished Purple Heart award.
Defense department officials say veterans are jamming phone lines,
sending e-mails to the Pentagon and flooding call-in shows complaining
that a few cuts and bruises -- even broken bones -- do not deserve the
medal that dates back to the Revolutionary War.
Arthur Monosson, 74, a World War II veteran, was quoted by the Dallas
Morning News as saying that to make heroes out of the soldiers, who had
not fired at the enemy, "is an insult to every World War II vet, Korean
vet and Vietnam veteran who saw combat."
Many veterans argue that Staff Sgt. Christopher Stone, Staff Sgt. Andrew
Ramirez and Spc. Steven Gonzales were only doing their jobs when they were
taken hostage by Serb forces in Macedonia near the Yugoslav border March
31.
They were freed 32 days later, after Jesse Jackson went to Belgrade
to win their release.
The three soldiers were awarded the Purple Heart in a televised ceremony
in Germany last week. It is bestowed upon members of the military who are
wounded or killed in hostile action.
Veterans argue that giving the medal to soldiers who weren't wounded
in a firefight devalues its meaning.
But Army spokesman Lt. Col. William Wheelehan says the three soldiers
qualify because they "were interrogated and beaten in a combat zone."
"People don't understand," says Maj. Shelly Stellwagen, an Army spokeswoman.
"You don't have to be shot to get a Purple Heart. It's pretty clear from
the treatment they got that they deserve recognition because of their injuries."
The three soldiers were repeatedly beaten in the face, head and body
with fists, batons and rifle butts. One suffered broken ribs, another a
broken nose.
Asked how he felt about the veterans' criticism, Gonzales says, "I'm
just honored to be able to wear something on my chest that so many others
who've also gone through a lot (have worn)."
The Pentagon says many people misunderstand the requirements for winning
a Purple Heart, which have changed since World War II. If the rules for
that war had applied in Korea or Vietnam, no one killed or wounded would
have been eligible for the Purple Heart because those conflicts weren't
official wars.
In 1962, the eligibility requirements were changed to include "individuals
wounded while prisoners of foreign forces."
Ten years later, victims of terrorist attacks were included.
(The medals were:
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal
P.O.W. Medal
Armed Forces Medal
United Nations Medal
NATO Medal)
***************************************************************************
3.) *******Medal Of Honor*******
MURPHY, AUDIE L.
Rank and organization: 2nd Lt., USA., Co. B, 15th Inf. Reg., 3d Inf.
Division.
Place and date: Near Holtzwihr France, 26 January 1945.
Entered service: Dallas, Tex.
Birth: Hunt County, near Kingston, Tex.
G.O. No.. 65, 9 August 1945.
Citation:
2d Lt. Murphy commanded Company B, which was attacked by 6 tanks and
waves of infantry. 2d Lt. Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to prepared
positions in a wooded area, while he remained forward at his command post
and continued to give fire directions to the artillery by telephone. Behind
him, to his right, 1 of our tank destroyers received a direct hit and began
to burn. Its crew withdrew to the woods. 2d Lt. Murphy continued to direct
artillery fire that killed large numbers of the advancing enemy infantry.
With the enemy tanks abreast of his position, 2d Lt. Murphy climbed
on the burning tank destroyer, which was in danger of blowing up at any
moment, and employed its .50 caliber machinegun against the enemy. He was
alone and exposed to German fire from 3 sides, but his deadly fire killed
dozens of Germans and caused their infantry attack to waver. The enemy
tanks, losing infantry support, began to fall back. For an hour the Germans
tried every available weapon to eliminate 2d Lt. Murphy, but he continued
to hold his position and wiped out a squad which was trying to creep up
unnoticed on his right flank. Germans reached as close as 10 yards, only
to be mowed down by his fire. He received a leg wound, but ignored it and
continued the single-handed fight until his ammunition was exhausted. He
then made his way to his company, refused medical attention, and organized
the company in a counterattack that forced the Germans to withdraw. His
directing of artillery fire wiped out many of the enemy; he killed or wounded
about 50.
2d Lt. Murphy's indomitable courage and his refusal to give an inch
of ground saved his company from possible encirclement and destruction,
and enabled it to hold the woods which had been the enemy's objective.
***************************************************************************
4.) My Mom's Obituary
From: Velotec@aol.com
Date: Fri, 14 May 1999 00:44:12 EDT
To all, near and far:
My Mother passed away peacefully
on Wednesday morning at the Wickliffe Country Place. The nursing home my
Father and I placed her in six weeks or so ago.
For those of you who might not have known, she had suffered from Alzheimer's
for many years. Dad and I had cared for her at home until his failing health,
my work schedule, and her worsening condition combined to force us to seek
full time professional care.
Her Obituary was in Thursday's
Plain Dealer, and Thursday's and Friday's News Herald. There will be no
local services. We will have a private family memorial in Dad's home town
of Kirksville, MO. in June.
Her passing was both a blow,
and a blessing. I feel as if a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
I console myself with the sure knowledge that I lost my mother long ago
to what can best be described as a slow cancer of the mind. She never suffered
any physical pain. And at the end, she seemed to have chosen her time to
go. I missed her passing by a matter of just a few minutes. Wise, stubborn,
self-willed woman that she had been, she chose to spare me the actual moment
of her death. I don't know if I would have been able to handle that.
I am doing well. And so is Dad. Better than I expected. We had time to
prepare. And we have no doubt that she is in a better place. Having been
released in spirit, after a long frightful journey through a hellish prison
that robbed her of her personality, and the ability to commune with her
loved ones here.
She is free. And I am happy
for her. I know your best wishes and your prayers are with my Dad and me.
Yours Truly,
Forest Ratliff
(AKA velotec@aol.com)
***************************************************************************
5.) 1942 75th Jeep photos
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 20:49:27 -0700
From: "R.N. Mistler" <rmistler@ix.netcom.com>
Please post to 75th Inf Div newsline:
Looking for jpeg copies of photos of front, sides and back of a 1942 WWII 75th Inf. Div. Jeep. If you have any please send to the address below.
My brother John Mistler turns 80 in September. He was with the 75th at the Battle of the Bulge in 1942. His son has located a 1942 Jeep and we'd like to paint it so it looks right before we give it to him as a totally useless present on his birthday in August. All photos and suggestions welcomed.
< rmistler@ix.netcom.com >
***************************************************************************
6.) Poems by Elmar H. Ake
Our Memorial day special
Dear friends,
our member Dan Shine has send my some poems by Elmar H. Ake, which I have not known before. They were touching me very deep, even I have not been at the place in 1945 (wasn´t born then.)
I strongly suggest that you visit Mr. Ake´s homepage at
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Boulevard/7770/ehake.html
The Elmer H. Ake Home Page
Dedicated to the World War II veteran and
poet.
Poems of War:
Chateau de la Mort
A Ghostly Place
Ardennes
Belgium
Dresden
Cossacks
The Lord Giveth
Gigi, Wigi And Mimi
Merci, Papa Jerome
Au Revoir, Henri
and Remembrance . . .
Long, Long Ago
The Lonely Grave
Cinema Silent
Connie
Jami
Jenny
An Angel
Gilda
This site has been awarded the WWII Central Award For Excellence and
Top Vet Site Awards from Salute to Our Armed Forces and Forever Veterans
and the Good Site Award from Gidge's Hideout.
Copyright © 1998 by Elmer Ake. All rights reserved.
--------------------
I have to thank Dan Shine for introducing the poems to us and Mr. Ake
for his permission to publish them in our newsline.
Mr. Ake can be contacted by email: ehake@fuse.net
---------------------------------------------------------------
From: Dan Shine <danshine@iconn.net>
RE: Memorial Day
This might be useful for your Memorial Day issue if you will put one
out. We have the permission of the writer, Elmer Ake to use his material.
Dan
MEMORIAL DAY
I went to see
an old friend today
And like always
he didn't have much to say.
But Otis always
was a quiet cuss
Didn't talk
much or make a fuss.
In the squad
I guess him and Russ
Couldn't get
a word in,because of the rest of us.
I guess you see
all the guys more than me
Cause I don't
get around much any more you see.
I had to force
myself to come here today
But I still
like to hear the bands play
And listen to
what the speakers have to say.
I bow when the
Chaplain starts to pray.
Otis!I met Sgt.
Ward a little while ago
He's in a wheel
chair now you know.
We both came
over on the same flight
It's cheaper
when come at night.
But some times
these charters are a nasty sight
But the one
we came on was all right.
And the trip
out here was hard on us
Had a hard time
getting the Sgt. on the bus.
And theres a
lot of people out here today
The hotels are
full, hard to find a place to stay.
A lot of people
are coming out here to pay
Their respects
too you guys that passed away.
Lots of old people
here walking around
Mostly quiet
not making a sound.
Of the wars
horrors, now there is no trace
Just the marble
crosses that fill every space.
Otis you should
see the tears on a persons face
When they find
a loved ones resting place.
All the old guys
are now pretty much under ground
I don't think
anyone who knew us is still around.
Otis you been
here since nineteen forty four
And the last
thing you heard was the battles roar.
Now you see
visitors don't come by much anymore
The old Veterans
are dying by the score.
Otis looks like
the services are all done
The visitors
are leaving one by one.
Now before we
go,let me make this clear
If you look
and never again see me here.
Better look
at who's standing near.
Cause we might
meet in Heaven next year.
Elmer Ake
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BASTOGNE
I hate this hole' I'm sitting here with wet feet
I'm tired,I'm cold and there's nothing to eat.
You can't stand up on open ground
There's just too many Germans around.
You sit here quiet and try not to make a sound
And your praying that you won't be found.
The Germans are just across the way on another ridge
They can't come over here, we blew the bridge.
Their tanks are sitting on the road in plain view
Just no way they can cross this deep slough.
The bad part is"Our supplies are on the other side too
They didn't get across before the bridge blew.
Now we know how the Stag feels
When the hounds are baying at his heels.
We were in reserve, resting in a nice safe place
When all hell blew up in our face.
German guns destroyed our front without a trace
And sent us on this frantic survival race.
We are a squad of Engineers and a platoon of Infantry
The Germans will probably chase us back to Normandy.
The radio don't work, the battries are in the red
Our maps are wet and muddy, too useless to be read.
They say fools rush in where Angels fear to tread,
Looks like tomorrow these fools will all be dead.
These German tankers are smart and intelligent men
I am sure they have been this way time and time again.
You can bet they will find their way around
A blown bridge and some marshy ground.
If they can keep their tanks on a roadway that is sound
They can breeze right through these Belgium towns.
So the Captain says pack up men" Lets be gone
We dont want to stay here till dawn“.
Now it's hard to travel through the woods at night
You feel your way like a person without sight.
But sometimes in a clearing the sky will glow bright
>From the artilleries flickering light.
When we came out of the woods onto open ground
We could see ahead a little Belgium town.
The place looked real peaceful.Not like a war zone
Just about like a little country town back home
A place where conflict and violence is unknown.
A sign in Belgium read "Welcome to Bastogne“.
It was full of soldiers, from privates to a Generals staff
All were fleeing from the Germans path.
Not many civilians were walking around
Most had enough sense to get out of town.
So when billets in an abandoned house was found
We thought"Man no more sleeping on cold ground“.
Captain James was a good officer, one of the very best
He was worthy of any medal you could pin on his chest.
He treated his men good that made him a winner
He would never eat until the men all had their dinner.
He loved his men, though they be saint or sinner
His men would die with him before the end of winter.
An orphan unit in the Army really has a hard time
The way you are treated is surely a crime.
If you don't belong to a division or a corp
The brass hats treat you like dirt on the floor.
They ignored the Captain, shoved him out the door
They told him it's time to go back and fight the war.
They told the Captain, Reinforcements are on the way
The 101st airborne is coming to save the day.
Two mighty armies will soon meet in this place
They will slug it out, toe to toe and face to face.
And the vanquished would disappear without a trace.
It was the beginning of the end for the Master Race.
But it didn't matter to us we were going back on the line
Sixty one infantry men, they kept the engineers behind.
We packed up rations and started back from where we came
Things all looked the same till we started up that country lane.
Sometimes in life you discover things you can't explain
And memories which you always retain.
In war there are things a man shouldn't have to see
And you ask Almighty God "How can this be?“
The Captain got a signal from one of the forward scouts
He said, hold up men we better check this out
So we formed a skirmish line, Just in case of Krauts.
And waited for the Captain to find what it was all about.
At the edge of some woods a nude woman lay
She had been raped and murdered, maybe just yesterday.
Off a little lay a dead man, perhaps the womans spouse
A little farther was a couple dead cows.
It don't take much of this stuff for your blood to arouse.
Up in the trees we could see an old stone house.
Elmer Ake
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gigi, Wigi and Mimi
The place was
cold and dark,completely without charm
Just another
desolate forlorn Belgium farm.
No wisp of smoke
coming from the flu
No light anywhere
shining through.
The front door
was open ,just hanging askew
A place where
death welcomed you.
It was the Ardennes
forest in nineteen forty four
When the Captain
peeped through the open door.
The whole Western
front was now on fire
It was to be
the Germans finest hour.
Now they would
show the world they still had power
The American
Army they would devour.
Of people around
there was no trace
The Captain
said „go check out the place“.
So like a pack
of hound dogs hot on the spoor
A squad of us
rushed through the door.
And gave the
place a hasty tour
And found three
maidens huddled on the floor.
The Captain came
in and looked ; Boy was he mad
Some things
in war are really sad.
He thought about
the problem for awhile
Then he turned
to me with a smile.
You"Stay here
in this domicile
Dont go outside,
keep a low profile“.
An order is a
command and you have to obey
So the Captain
left some rations, then they packed up and went away.
And now the
real war was about to start
The war of the
sexes for mind and heart.
And these three
girls were so smart
It would be
love before we would ever part.
What to do with
these girls was on my mind
When I turned
around to find.
Three faces
wearing silly grins
Three faces
that never knew sins
Three faces
that looked so gaunt and thin
Three hearts
waiting for me to come in
When I looked
at them I just fell
They really
put me under their spell.
But I made a
fire to get some heat
Then fixed the
girls some thing to eat.
They were the
hungriest girls I ever did meet.
Must have been
empty down to there feet.
I think the girls
names were Gigi Wigi and Mimi
At least that
is what I thought them to be.
I dont think
they ever had a comb run through their hair
Dirty rags was
all they had to wear.
The house was
empty,the floors were bare
Just one bed
for all to share
Three little
girls left here in this lonely place
No warmth,no
food,no one to wipe the tears from their face.
Gigi was nine,maybe
ten, Wigi was eight and Mimi was five
How did they
manage to survive?
Were their parents
no longer alive?
Was there some
help I could contrive?
Now the sound
of battle was just outside
So I took the
girls down into the cellar to hide.
It seems the
battle raged all night
As we lay huddled
together in fright.
But things quieted
down with the morning light
Thats when I
awoke to a fearsome sight.
German soldiers
filled the place
Their weapons
pointed at my face.
They made the
four of us walk outside
I had to carry
Mimi cause she cried.
An officer asked
questions and it was Gigi who replyed
I just wanted
to go some place and hide.
The officer looked
me in the eye, I felt my chances were getting slim
Until Mimi made
a face at him.
The officer
laughed then broke into a roar
Made us go back
inside,and put a guard at the door.
He sent us some
food, enough for four
Mimi ate mine
and hers and wanted more.
Locked up there
I learned too love these girls
Gigi,Wigi,and
Mimi were truly pearls.
And the officer
of these troops, he was a good man
Maybe he had
daughters back in his homeland.
In war you never
know what fate has planned
But I'm sure
he would help us if he can.
Then one day
we heard a loud roar
It was a Sherman
tank outside our door.
It was a bright
sunny Christmas day.
The Germans
just up and melted away.
The American
Army was back to stay.
Now Gigi, Wigi
and Mimi could go outside and play.
I wish there
was some way I could give this story a happy end
What I say now
will cause your heart to rend.
These shameless
girls that I loved so
Now flirted
with every G.I.Joe
Why a hundred
kisses they would bestow
For just one
cup of hot cocoa.
Then came that
sorry unhappy day
The Red Cross
came and took my girls away.
Now they are
living in my memory.
And dear girls"If
you ever think of me
The love is
still there and will always be
For Gigi,Wigi
and my dear Mimi.
I know my Captain
sleeps in Belgium beneath a cross
Perhaps the
German officer too was lost.
But we will
meet again in eternity
And I am sure
they are going to ask me
What was the
names of the girls you had to oversee?
Why Captain
that was Gigi, Wigi and my dear Mimi.
Elmer Ake.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 12:52:15 -0500
From: elmerhake <ehake@fuse.net>
Fwd: LILY
My Dear Mr.Wilmink
This also is a true story that haunts me a lot.This was some where
west of TRIER.In early 45.
I lived in Munich and Regensburg also Kraiburg.There was a large camp
of Russian Cossacks there. I took a convoy of Cossacks East and turned
them over to the Russian Army.We saw them shot on the spot.
Your friend.
Elmer
** **
I never knew your name little girl
But I held your hand and smoothed your golden curls.
And I asked God, how can this be?
Has man so displeased thee?
And I begged God please look down and see
This innocent girl laying here by me.
I'm sitting here holding a girl who is going to die
Searching my soul and asking God why.
Some where in a valley west of the river Rhine
Some where between opposing lines.
A young girl steps on a hidden mine
She had no warning,and saw no sign.
I heard the explosion and saw the sudden flair
Heard the moans that filled the air.
No one go's out in no mans land at night
You stay in your trench out of sight.
You cant even show the faintest light.
But to leave someone out there,it wouldnt be right.
An infantry medic has a nasty job to do
This one now I had to see through.
As I got ready a couple of buddies voluntered to go
I turned them down,just said hell no.
You never want to let your fear show
Thats the last thing you want your friends to know.
Now no mans land is a different place at night
The artillery fire bathes the clouds with an eerie light.
From total blackness to brillant light from star shells
It's a playground for the demons of hell.
A place where all the fears of mankind dwells
A place of horror bathed in putrid smells.
A man will do almost anything to save face
But to go alone into such a place?
But the pitiful moans kept calling me
And I just had to go and see.
God,how I wanted to turn and flee
I didnt and thats how I met Lily.
I found her there crumpled next to a shattered wall
Guided by her pitiful calls.
How many times have I seen an exploding shell
Blow someone all to hell?
And now a couple looks and I could tell
This poor creature would soon say farewell.
I could see her eyes glazed with fear
Her pitiful moans so heartbreaking to hear.
So I found my morphine and gave her a shot
And that calmed the poor thing down alot.
It seems everything I learned I just forgot
But I knew she wouldnt live to leave this spot.
So I held her hand and watched her die
Now,all of my life I have wondered why?
A young girl with such a pretty face
Would come alone to this horrible place?
Or did that shell manage to erase
Someone else without a trace?
The next morning at the break of day
The guys came out and helped put her away.
No other civilans could be seen
No homes no roads no church spires near the scene.
So we dug a grave in a little glen where the grass was green
And buried a girl we named Lily Marlene.
Now more than a half a century has passed
Since we lay to rest that little lass.
Now when I close my eyes I find
That little girl still dwells in my mind.
Perhaps my memory is not the kind
That will leave things like this behind.
So come Lily and sit by my bed
Once again I will hold your poor dear head.
I see all my yesteryears when I dream
They are always in my thoughts it seems.
I still see that little plot of green
Where we lay to rest, Lily Marlene.
Elmer Ake.
---------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 09 May 1999 07:35:48 -0400
From: Dan Shine <danshine@iconn.net>
CC: Elmer Ake <ehake@fuse.net>
RE: The Elmer H. Ake Home Page
Rolf, you might also consider using the poem, "The Lord Giveth", which is among the attached. Among Mr. Ake's work, it's a favorite of mine. The author gives his permission to use these.
Best,
Dan Shine
THE LORD GIVETH
It was an old stone house on a country lane.
Looked like a good place to get out of the rain.
The roof was half gone and part of a wall,
But the stone chimney was still standing tall.
The place looked deserted; no one home at all,
Just a couple dead cows lying in a stall.
Here in France in nineteen forty-four,
The sun never shines, the rain constantly pours.
So we thought we would go in and build a fire
And maybe dry out for a couple of hours.
But sometimes you get things you don't desire.
We had no idea what was going to transpire.
So we went in and looked around,
And we were sickened by what we found.
A man and woman were laying on a bed,
Parts of a collapsed wall on their heads.
When we checked the man was dead,
And the woman was hanging on by a thread.
We could see she wouldn't be long on this earth.
When I pulled the covers back we could see she was giving birth.
Now us four guys thought we were tough,
We could walk around and brag how we were rough.
We didn't know anything about this stuff.
What do you do when fate calls your bluff?
I told Vern get me some water and make it hot,
But I didn't have no idea for what?
Then the poor woman let out a sigh
And the baby popped out before my eyes.
Now you're supposed to make a new baby cry
But nobody ever told me why.
When I thought to check the poor woman had died.
Perhaps that is why the baby cried.
Us guys were proud what we had done.
We were godfathers to a little son.
We had fought death and we had won.
We were four happy son-of-a-guns.
The little guy was hungry we could tell;
And he had good lungs cause he could yell.
He was about the youngest kid to ride in a jeep
On the way back he didn't make a peep.
He just lay on my lap and went to sleep
We gave him to the Red Cross to keep.
Elmer Ake
MERCI, PAPA JEROME
When Death's cold hand grabs your shoulder,
Brother you don't get any older.
He is outside now wearing a sneaky grin
Surveying the shape we are in.
He knows that he is sure to win
In a little while we will lose our skin.
Six men trapped and no way out
The grim reaper laughing up his sleeve no doubt.
Our half track just a burned out shell
Our radio it is gone as well.
We had made a wrong turn and ended up in hell
Without help that is where we soon will dwell.
The German army is dug in all around
They still hold this little French town.
A few dozen homes, a church and a cafe
Not far from Paris on a warm summer day.
The townsfolk had packed and gone away
They knew the German army wasn't here to play.
Six of us in a house next to a cemetery wall
And no way out for us at all.
And the Germans knew where we were at
Once in awhile against the wall a bullet would splat.
Just to let us know! we can see you rats
Wont be long till we send in the cats.
We were sitting and talking how to beat the krauts
When from another room a voice rings out.
It said welcome gentlemen to my home
Would you care to use my telephone?
He was the priest from the village, a Father Jerome
He had stayed behind all alone.
We had never gave the telephone a thought
The poles were all down the service shot.
Father Jerome says I have the F.F.I. on the line
They are just waiting for my sign.
He said gentlemen come have a glass of wine
Help will be here in a very short time.
Now Father Jerome is a very strange man.
Says he was born an American.
He grew up in Chicago where his family still stays
He said he saw the errors of his ways.
He became a priest and learned to pray
When he witnessed a massacre on Valentine's day.
Now Smitty and Roy were from Chicago, too.
They thought his story didn't sound real true.
They said later the murderers were never found.
It would be easy to hide behind a crucifix and gown
And the cops could turn the world upside down
While you hid in a little French town.
Then Roy spotted some Germans just out of range.
They were running and pointing and acting strange.
Then some Sherman tanks came into sight
And this started a great big fight.
Patton's boys saved our skins all right
And this was the battle that saved Paris from the German might.
After the battle the little town was no longer there
With teary eyes Father Jerome knelt in prayer.
And the Grim Reaper threw down his pen and closed his log book,
Then walked away without a backward look.
Sorry old friend about the problems you undertook,
But we just survived another Donnybrook.
Elmer Ake
AU REVOIR, HENRI
Along the river Meuse in an unmarked grave
Sleeps a warrior who had rather die than live a slave.
A fancy uniform he never wore,
Just old clothes that were ragged and tore.
He looked like a beggar from days of yore
But he was a soldier a real man of war.
The F.F.I sent him to us to act as a guide.
He knew his way around the French countryside.
His age might have been twenty or twenty-one
Most of his life he had been on the run.
And to hear him talk his idea of fun
Was to go up front and shoot the hated Hun.
His name was Henri a true son of France,
Though he looked like a clown in baggy pants.
He joined the unit in August of 'forty-four.
Said he was a corporal in a French army corps,
And when it came to wine you could be sure
You got the best in the district of Loire.
No doubt he was a good man to have around,
Cause every time we would liberate a town.
He would ride with me in my halftrack
With pretty girls we sure didn't lack,
Plenty of spirits in our knapsack.
But the Captain made us give the girls back.
But with every pleasure you pay the price
And when it's time to pay it is never nice.
This is the time the German army was in full flight,
But if you got too close they would turn and fight.
Henri would know a way to the left or the right
And we could bypass them out of sight.
War can be fascinating in a way.
And Henri thought it a game to play.
Like most Frenchmen his idea of fun
Was lots of girls, lots of wine and a chance to shoot the hated Hun.
And if he survived 'til the war was won
He would be a hero to everyone.
It was at Rambulaet close by the river Meuse
That our friend Henri had to pay his dues.
We were standing by the river on a little rise
When a sniper shot him between the eyes.
That is how our hero dies.
That is why the tri colour still flies.
It was here we buried a true son of France.
Was he a hero or a clown in baggy pants?
We didn't have time to mourn his loss
But we hung his black beret on his cross
And left him sleeping beneath the moss.
Perhaps no one ever visits the grave
Of a man who would rather die than live a slave.
But across the years I can look back and see
Just what Memorial Day means to me.
I can remember a man who died for his country.
La guerre est fini Henri; AU REVOIR, HENRI.
Elmer Ake
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