Chapter Nine
After the Battle of the Bulge, the Germans retreated into Germany. In March 1945, the 82nd along with two other divisions reached the Rhine River. The Allies managed to locate a bridge that the Germans overlooked when they retreated. They destroyed what they believed to be all the bridges across that river.
We halted there for a respite to allow the Soviet forces to take Berlin and its surrounding areas. When it was believed that the Soviets were on the outskirts of Berlin and preparing to enter the city, we were given the order to move forward. This also kept two of the German divisions busy fighting us and not defending Berlin.
About the third week in April, we again were ordered to stand down. Mail was delivered to the 82nd. We hadn’t had any mail since before February.
