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Originally posted by chongosuerte:

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Combat Command A, 14th Armored Division, failed in its mission to capture a bridge across the Isar, but this was soon overshadowed by the magnitude of the liberation of Stalag VIIA. It did not hold 27,000 prisoners of war, as was originally reported, but 110,000. Among them were 30,000 American soldiers, sailors, and airmen.

That whole story is awesome, in the literal sense, but the passage I quoted is truly unfathomable to me. 110,000 prisoners. Incredible. That’s a respectably sized city’s worth of men held captive. I can’t even imagine that.

I’ve embarrassingly edited that unit report after finding out today he wasn’t in the unit we had on last record until July. Bittersweet in that was such an awesome part of history to liberate the Pow Camp etc. Instead, he went to the 9th ID, 60th Inf Regt somewhere around the Battle around Remagen and the Ludendorff Bridge and closing Ruhr pocket. He was there in the final battles and for the meeting of Russian units heading west. Another great story.

Thanks to all for the interest and suggestions. I’ve been so busy in this I’ve not responded to everyone but thanks to all.

The Greatest generation. Thanks for sharing.

God bless him and your family.