When the war was over for the Red Bulls, there was still a lot of hard work ahead to move from War to Peace. We introduce that effort by quoting from this undated report by Major General Charles L Bolte, Commanding General, 34th Infantry Division, to the soldiers of the Division:
... On the evening of the 28th of April 1945, I received the following order from General Crittenberger, Commanding IV Corps: 1. "Move one Regimental Combat Team to the north side of the PO River without delay. 2. Upon relief by the 1st Infantry Division, BEF [Brazilian Expeditionary Force], reinforce Regimental Combat Team with rest of Division. 3. Advance to the west in new zone, cut off and destroy any enemy therein." With this brief and concise order, reinforced by some verbal information as to the possible location of enemy elements, the orders for the movement were issued. The Division was stretched from MODENA to PIACENZA, a distance of 75 miles. Quickly and smoothly it moved across the PO, and advanced again toward the Northwest. In three days it was in position to attack on the right of and in conjunction with the 1st A. D. [Armored Division] (US) and destroy the LXXV German Corps in the vicinity of BIELLA. In this short period of time, the division back tracked 75 miles, crossed the PO River, and advanced 175 miles to Northwest Italy. The LXXV German Corps Commander surrendered to our force on 1 May 1945. It was an odd coincidence that our last victory in Italy included the complete surrender of the German 34th Division as part of the LXXV Corps, to the American 34th Division. It marked a high point in the outstanding history of our Division. ... |
Piacenza - Parma - Reggio - Modena - crossing the Po at San Benedetto -
then west to Mantova - Brescia - Bergamo - Milano - Novaro - Biella ...
... and then came the hectic weeks of clearing the aftermath ...
Was it only an "odd coincidence" that the Allied 34th met the Axis 34th at Biella?
Well, that's another story for another day!
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: [illegible, probably 2 or 3 May 1945] TITLE/TO/FROM: not given 1. Following is the composition of the troops of the LXXV German Corps for which the 34th Infantry Division U.S. is responsible: CORPS TROOPS
1. 685th Territorial Defense Battalion. 2. 107th Artillery Headquarters Group. 3. Tank Destroyer Demonstration Platoon. 4. 475th Corps Signal Battalion. 5. 475th Military Police Platoon. 6. 2nd Sector Group, 14th Fortress Engineers. 7. 531st Corps Mapping Detachment (Motorized). 8. 1/34 Medical Company. 9. 475th Motor Repair Platoon. 10. 475th Transportation Company. 11. 475th APO [Army Post Office]. 12. 783rd Territorial Defense Battalion. 2. Listed below are the units and detachments which are not organic to the 34th German Division: 34TH INFANTRY DIVISION
1. Naval units of the Ligurian Coast Defense under command of Commander FORSTER. 2. 1110th Army Coast Artillery Battalion. 3. 1st Company, 60th Army Engineer Battalion (Motorized). 4. 52nd Mountain Observation Battery. 5. MITTENWALD Mountain Infantry Demonstration Battalion. 6. Headquarters, 38th Security Regiment. 7. Remains of the 406th and 617th (OST) Russian Battalions. 8. 181st German Liaison Detachment to the LITTORIA DIV (Ital). 9. 183rd German Liaison Detachment to the MONTE ROSA DIV (Ital). |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 4 May 1945 SUBJECT: 34th German Engineer Battalion. TO: CG, 34th German Division. FROM: Bolte, MajGen, US Army OFFICIAL: Martin, G-3 1. The 34th German Engineer Battalion will be prepared to move at 9:00 AM 5 May. 2. You will send German guides to meet American trucks at IVREA at 8:00 AM 5 May. These guides will take the American trucks to the 34th German Engineer Battalion. Fifteen American trucks will be furnished for transportation of the Battalion concerned. You will place on American trucks the Engineer equipment that belongs to 34th German Engineer Battalion. 3. All arms and ammunition now in possession of 34th German Engineer Battalion and its soldiers will be placed in German vehicles and these vehicles will go with the Battalion when it leaves its present area. 4. American guards will accompany this convoy. 5. After this convoy leaves the concentration area of the LXXV Corps you will have no further responsibility in regard to the 34th German Engineer Battalion. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 4 May 1945 SUBJECT: Special Convoy. TO: CO, 135th Infantry Regiment. FROM: Col John D. Forsyth, Chief of Staff; by command of MajGen Bolte OFFICIAL: LtCol Mark T. Martin Jr, ACS G-3 1. The 34th German Engineer Battalion will be evacuated to MODENA 5 May. 2. You will provide the guards to accompany this battalion. These guards will meet a convoy of 15 American trucks at IVREA at 050800B May and will accompany these trucks to the 34th German Engineer Battalion assembly area. 3. Upon leaving the concentration area of the LXXV German Corps, you will break the convoy into two sections. The personnel and engineer equipment of the battalion will proceed to MODENA. The guns and ammunition (see orders to CG, 34th German Division) will proceed to PIACENZA. 4. This headquarters will provide guides for both convoys. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 4 May 1945 SUBJECT: Convoys of Enemy Material and Personnel. TO: CO, 135th Infantry Regiment. FROM: Col John D. Forsyth, Chief of Staff; for the Commanding General OFFICIAL: LtCol Mark T. Martin Jr, ACS G-3 1. The following procedure will be followed by you in forming up convoys of enemy material and personnel. a. This Headquarters will order the German 34th Division to assemble all convoys in the vicinity of IVREA. You will be provided with copies of all orders issued to the Commanding General, 34th German Division. b. Upon arrival in the IVREA area you will assume command and responsibility for all convoys. You will assure yourself that all German personnel who are part of the convoys are disarmed and that American guards take position within the convoy. c. You will place at the tail of each convoy an American 6x6 truck carrying 20 enlisted men and one non-commissioned officer from your command. This detail will be instructed to place two men on convoy vehicles which may fall out because of mechanical difficulty. The non-commissioned officer in charge of the convoy will inform the convoy commander upon arrival at the dump area of the location of all such disabled vehicles and the convoy commander will be responsible that the material carried in the disabled trucks is evacuated in other trucks of the convoy. d. You will detail one officer as convoy commander of each convoy. e. No convoy will be larger than twenty (20) vehicles of all types. f. Report of vehicle failure and completion of convoy detail will be made to this Hq upon return of convoy commander. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 4 May 1945 SUBJECT: Artillery Pieces. TO: CG, 34th German Division. FROM: Bolte, MajGen, US Army OFFICIAL: Martin, G-3 1. You will assemble all artillery pieces, including towed and motorized weapons, at 0900 hours on 5 May 1945. These weapons will be assembled in the vicinity of IVREA. 2. All trucks under your command which are capable of towing guns will be used to accomplish this mission. You will provide drivers for all German vehicles. You will inform this Headquarters of the number of artillery pieces for which you will require U.S. Army transportation for movement. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 4 May 1945 SUBJECT: Italian Troops. TO: CG, 34th German Division. FROM: Bolte, MajGen, US Army OFFICIAL: Martin, G-3 1. You will march all Italian troops of your command to IVREA on 5 May. These troops will arrive at IVREA not later than 6:00 o'clock in the evening. 2. At 6:00 PM in the vicinity of IVREA these troops will pass from your command and will be accepted by this Headquarters as prisoners of war. 3. These Italian troops will carry on their march all personal equipment of the individual soldier, including personal arms. 4. The personal arms of these Italian troops will be collected by American forces at IVREA at 6:00 PM on 5 May. 5. These Italian troops will be placed under American guards and they will be supplied with rations by this Headquarters. 6. Italian women and children of this group will be transported by you in German transportation to IVREA and will be turned over to American forces at the same time. 7. After 6:00 PM on 5 May you will have no further responsibility in regard to these Italian troops and persons. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 4 May 1945 SUBJECT: Mortars and Automatic Weapons. TO: CG, 34th German Division. FROM: Bolte, MajGen, US Army OFFICIAL: Martin, G-3 1. You will have assembled at IVREA on 6 May at 9:00 o'clock in the morning all mortars and automatic weapons of the troops under your command. 2. These weapons will be placed by you on German transportation and this motor transportation will be assembled in convoy at the hour indicated above. 3. You will provide one driver per vehicle in the above mentioned convoy. 4. American guards will join the convoy at IVREA and will escort it to American dumps. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 5 May 1945 SUBJECT: Guard Company. TO: CO, 168th Infantry. FROM: Col John D. Forsyth, Chief of Staff; for the Commanding General OFFICIAL: LtCol Mark T. Martin Jr, ACS G-3 1. One rifle company, 168th Inf, will proceed to IVREA on 5 May so as to arrive prior to 1200B hours. 2. Upon arrival, company is detached from parent organization and attached to 135th Inf. 3. Company concerned will be employed by CO, 135th Inf to establish a prisoner of war stockade as directed verbally the Hq. 4. Company concerned will also be employed by CO, 135th Inf to supervise the disarmament of approximately 2300 enemy Italian troops who will be ordered to be assembled in vic IVREA by 1800B hours, 5 May. These enemy Italian troops will be interned in prisoner of war stockade mentioned above. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 5 May 1945 SUBJECT: Ammunition TO: CG, 34th German Division. FROM: Bolte, MajGen, US Army OFFICIAL: Martin, G-3 1. All German artillery and mortar ammunition within your command will be placed on German transportation during 5 and 6 May 2. All German anti-tank weapons and anti-tank ammunition will be placed on German motor transportation during 5 and 6 May 3. All available German trucks which are not fully loaded with the items indicated above will be filled with miscellaneous equipment during 5 and 6 May 4. You will make up a convoy of all these vehicles and will form up the convoy at IVREA at 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon on 6 May. 5. American guards will join this convoy at IVREA and this equipment will be taken by American forces to American dumps. 6. You may request American trucks to assist in this movement, sending to this Headquarters your requirements at the earliest moment possible. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 5 May 1945 SUBJECT: Orders TO: CG, LXXV German Army Corps. FROM: Bolte, MajGen, US Army OFFICIAL: Martin, G-3 1. You will march to IVREA on 6 May the following units. These troops will arrive at IVREA at 2:00 PM in the afternoon on 6 May. 2. Units concerned: a. Tank Destroyer Demonstration Platoon. b. 107th Artillery Hq Group. c. 531st Corps Mapping Detachment. d. 685th Territorial Defense Battalion. 3. These troops will carry to IVREA the personal equipment of the soldiers, including personal arms. Upon arrival at IVREA, these troops will be placed under American guards and will ground their arms. 4. You are authorized to use German motor transportation in the movement of these troops. 5. You will furnish this Headquarters with the numerical strengths of the above mentioned units and of all LXXV Corps units at once. 6. After 2:00 PM on 6 May you will have no further responsibility in regard to these troops. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 5 May 1945 SUBJECT: Orders TO: CG, 34th German Division. FROM: Bolte, MajGen, US Army OFFICIAL: Martin, G-3 1. You will march to IVREA on 6 May the MITTENWALD Mountain Infantry Demonstration Battalion, Headquarters 38th Security Regiment, 181st German Liaison Det to LITTORIO Div and 183rd German Liaison Det to MONTE ROSA Div. These troops will arrive at IVREA at 6:00 PM in the evening. 2. At 6:00 PM in the vicinity of IVREA these troops will pass from your command and will be accepted by this Headquarters as prisoners of war. 3. These troops will carry on this march all personal equipment of the individual soldier, including personal arms. 4. The personal arms of these troops will be collected by American forces at IVREA at 6:00 PM on 6 May. 5. These troops will be placed under American guards and they will be supplied with rations by this Headquarters. 6. After 6:00 PM on 6 May you will have no further responsibility in regard to these troops and person. 7. You will furnish this Headquarters with the numerical strength of the above mentioned units and all other units of the 34th German Division at once. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 5 May 1945 SUBJECT: Ammunition TO: CG, LXXV German Army Corps. FROM: Bolte, MajGen, US Army OFFICIAL: Martin, G-3 1. The following orders pertain to the LXXV German Army Corps Headquarters and the Corps troops which are under command of the LXXV Army Corps and which are not attached to either the 5th Mountain Division or the 34th German Division. a. You will place on German trucks all automatic weapons, mortars, anti-tank weapons and all of the ammunition for these weapons during 5 and 6 May. b. A convoy of the trucks carrying this equipment will be formed up by you at IVREA at 7:00 o'clock in the morning on 7 May. American guards will join this convoy at IVREA and will escort it to American dumps. c. You may request American trucks to assist in this movement, sending to this Headquarters your requirements at the earliest moment possible. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 5 May 1945 SUBJECT: Orders TO: CG, 75th German Army Corps. FROM: Bolte, MajGen, US Army OFFICIAL: Martin, G-3 1. You will march to IVREA on 7 May the 475th Corps Signal Battalion, the 475th Military Police Platoon, the Second Sector Group 14th Fortress Engineers, the 1/34 Medical Company, the 475th Motor Repair Platoon, the 475th Transportation Company, the 475th APO [Army Post Office], and the 783rd Territorial Defense Battalion. 2. These troops will arrive at IVREA beginning at ten o'clock in the morning, 7 May. You will arrange your march schedules so that approximately 500 soldiers will arrive every two hours after 10:00 AM, 7 May. 3. These troops will be placed on American vehicles in vicinity of IVREA and will be accepted by this headquarters as prisoners of war. They will turn over personal arms to American forces at IVREA. These soldiers will retain their personal equipment. 4. After these troops leave the IVREA area you will have no further responsibility in their regard. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 6 May 1945 SUBJECT: Medical Conference TO: CG, 34th Infantry Division FROM: LtCol Edward W Paulus, Division Surgeon; Capt Edwin F Lewis, AsstACS G-3 1. We were informed by the German LXXV Corps Medical Officer in a conference in regard to evacuation of his medical installations and the maintaining of medical care for his troops until they were evacuated, that the IV Corps Surgeon had ordered the evacuation of the four medical installations in the 34th German Division and the LXXV German Corps, both units which were under control of the 34th American Division. 2. According to the schedule prepared by the IV Corps Surgeon, there is a possibility of there being troops of the 34th German Division still in the enemy concentration area after the medical units have been evacuated. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 7 May 1945 SUBJECT: Orders TO: CG, 34th German Division. FROM: Col John D. Forsyth, Chief of Staff; by command of MajGen Bolte OFFICIAL: LtCol Mark T. Martin Jr, ACS G-3 1. You will march to IVREA on 8 May the FORESTER Naval Rifle Regiment, the 1110 Army Coast Artillery Battalion, 4 Technical Battalion, 52 Mountain Observation Battery, and the REINER Group. 2. These troops will arrive at IVREA beginning at 9:00 o'clock in the morning 8 May. You will arrange your march schedules so that approximately 500 soldiers will arrive every two hours after 10:00 o'clock 8 May. 3. These troops will be accepted as prisoners of war upon arrival at IVREA and will turn over their personal arms to American forces. These soldiers will retain their personal equipment. 4. After these troops leave the IVREA area you will have no further responsibility in their regard. |
HEADQUARTERS IV CORPSDATE: 8 May 1945 SUBJECT: Disarmament and Evacuation of LXXV Corps (German) TO: CG, 34th Infantry Division FROM: MajGen Willis D. Crittenberger, CG 1. Complete the evacuation of all weapons and equipment except personal equipment, individual non-automatic weapons (pistols excluded), and kitchens and other facilities required for daily maintenance and administration of personnel and animals. 2. Establish a dump in the division area and place therein equipment whose evacuation to PIACENZA is impractical. 3. Concentrate animals as far as possible for economy of personnel in caring for them and for availability of water and grazing areas. Maintain sufficient German personnel to care for the animals under supervision and guard. Augment available grazing by American forage available now at PIACENZA. Make every reasonable effort to avoid damaging Italian crops. 4. Concentrate personnel (less that personnel required for maintenance of animals in event personnel and animals are separated), relieve them of all weapons, except officers and MPs will retain sidearms, and place them in concentration areas which can be adequately guarded with personnel available. Have units administer themselves, responsible American units providing them with rations and medical care where necessary. 5. Employ existing German medical units for medical treatment of enemy forces and for rigid compliance with sanitary measures. 6. Hold serviceable German transportation available for administering German units and for use in final evacuation. Submit report to this headquarters upon completion of each project listed, giving locations of concentration areas, capacity, and number of PWs or animals actually there. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 8 May 1945 SUBJECT: Progress of disarmament of the LXXV German Corps TO: CG, IV Corps. FROM: Charles L Bolte, MajGen, US Army, Commanding 1. With the execution by the enemy of the attached orders the primary phase of disarmament of those enemy troops of the LXXV German Corps which has been assigned to the 34th Infantry Division has been completed. 2. As of this date the 34th Infantry Division has concentrated three groups of enemy forces under immediate control. These forces include: a. Approximately 2,900 Italian troops which have been concentrated vicinity LEGNANO; b. Approximately 2,200 German troops which have been concentrated vicinity LEGNANO; c. Approximately 2,500 German troops which have been concentrated in the vicinity of IVREA. 3. It is my intention to maintain each of these three concentrations as self-contained administrative units. I have removed from each of them much of their impedimenta, including all arms and I am maintaining my own guards over these concentration areas. 4. There remains within the 34th Division area of responsibility only the LXXV Army Corps Headquarters and a small number of attached Corps troops, and the 34th German Division. The first of these units I intend to order into a concentration area under my immediate control. The 34th German Division I intend to order into a compact concentration area within the present zone of the German LXXV Corps, pending orders for their eventual evacuation to the Fifth Army concentration area. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 9 May 1945 SUBJECT: Orders TO: CGs, LXXV German Corps and 34th German Division. FROM: Bolte, MajGen, US Army OFFICIAL: Martin, G-3 1. You will attach all Russian Soldiers to 1 Russian Battalion. You will march all of these troops to IVREA so as to arrive at 11:00 o'clock in the morning of 10 May. 2. These troops will be accompanied by their field kitchens transported on motor vehicles, which will accompany them upon departure from IVREA. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 9 May 1945 SUBJECT: Orders TO: CGs, LXXV German Corps and 34th German Division. FROM: Bolte, MajGen, US Army OFFICIAL: Martin, G-3 1. You will march to IVREA so as to arrive at 9:00 o'clock in the morning 11 May the John Group, the RR Training Battalion, and the Reimer Group. 2. You will march to IVREA so as to arrive at 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon 11 May the 34th German Artillery Regiment and the 34th Reconnaissance Battalion. 3. You will march to IVREA so as to arrive at 9:00 o'clock in the morning 12 May the 34th Anti-tank Battalion and the 34th Engineer Battalion. 4. You will march to IVREA so as to arrive at 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon 12 May the 80th Grenadier Regiment. 5. You will march to IVREA so as to arrive at 9:00 o'clock in the morning 13 May the 34th Field Replacement Battalion, the 34th Military Police Section, and the 34th Signal Battalion. 6. You will march to IVREA so as to arrive at 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon 13 May the 253rd Grenadier Regiment. 7. You will march to IVREA so as to arrive at 9:00 o'clock in the morning 14 May the 107th Grenadier Regiment. 8. Field kitchens will be sent with all German units. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 11 May 1945 MEMORANDUM: Evacuation Schedule of German Elements. TO: see Distribution. FROM: Col John D. Forsyth, Chief of Staff; by command of MajGen Bolte DISTRIBUTION: CG, C/S, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, CO 135th Infantry, CG 34th German Div 1. The movements of the following elements of German 34 Division are cancelled.
2. Transportation from 109 Engr. Bn 34 Inf Div will arrive at Candia (J2256) 120800 B May to move the 34 German Engr. Bn. as scheduled. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 12 May 1945 MEMORANDUM: Corrected Schedule of Movement of Elements of 34th German Division and Attachments. TO: see Distribution. FROM: Col John D. Forsyth, Chief of Staff; by command of MajGen Bolte DISTRIBUTION: CG 34th German Div, CG 75th German Corps, General Staff, CO 135th Inf Regt, German Liaison Officer 1. Previous schedules for movement of troops of German 34th Division after 12 May are rescinded. 2. The following schedule for movement of German 34th Division for May 13, 14 and 15 is prescribed. Date and Time: 130900B Organization: 253 Grenadier Regt. (strength 1700) Assembly Point: S. Georgio (J1457) Transportation: US 34th Div. (Guides from German 34th Div to meet column at S. Bernardo 130800B) Date and Time: 131000B Organizations: 34 Field Replacement Bn. (strength 400), 34 Military Police Sec. (strength 29) Assembly Point: Candia (J2262) Transportation: US 34th Div. Date and Time: 140900B Organization: 107 Grenadier Regt. (strength 1500) Assembly Point: S. Bernardo (J2268) Transportation: German 34th Div. Date and Time: 151300B Organizations: 34 Sig. Bn., 34th AT Bn. Assembly Point: S. Bernardo Transportation: German 34th Div. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 12 May 1945 SUBJECT: Movement of CG LXXXV Corps and Party TO: CG, German LXXV Corps. FROM: Col John D. Forsyth, Chief of Staff; by command of MajGen Bolte DISTRIBUTION: CG LXXV Corps, General Staff, CO 135th Infantry, German Liaison Officer 1. Yourself, three other general officers of your staff, and 20 enlisted men will arrive in transportation of your organization at S. BERNARDO to be met by guards of the 34th U. S. Division for transportation to quarters selected for you. You will arrive at S. BERNARDO at 1300 hours 13 May. 2. The balance of your Corps Headquarters in organic transportation will arrive at the same time at S. BERNARDO to be met by guards of the 34th U. S. Division for transportation to concentration area. 3. You will arrange to be accompanied by sufficient kitchen and administrative equipment to serve the quarters selected for yourself, three other general officers and 20 enlisted men. 4. Kitchen equipment sufficient to provide cooking facilities for the balance of your headquarters, in organic transportation, will accompany movement of that element to its concentration area. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 13 May 1945 MEMORANDUM: Evacuation of CG, 34th German Division. TO: CG, 34th German Division. FROM: Col John D. Forsyth, Chief of Staff; by command of MajGen Bolte DISTRIBUTION: CG 34th German Division, General Staff, CO 135th Infantry, Provost Marshal, German Liaison Officer 1. Yourself and your orderly, accompanied by your personal equipment, will arrive in transportation furnished by your organization at SAN BERNARDO, 3 km south of IVREA at 9 o'clock on 15 May 1945, there to be met by guards of 34th U. S. Division who will conduct you to quarters selected for you. Your orderly will remain with you. 2. Any additional vehicle required for transportation of your personal equipment and its driver will be returned to 34th German Division upon discharge of its cargo. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 13 May 1945 MEMORANDUM: Detail for German 34th Division for care of animals and animal transport TO: see Distribution FROM: Col John D. Forsyth, Chief of Staff; by command of MajGen Bolte DISTRIBUTION: CG 34th German Division, General Staff, CO 168 Inf Regt, CO 442 Inf, Provost Marshal, German Liaison Officer 1. Commanding General 34th German Division will immediately organize the following detail to remain in present area to care for animals and animal-drawn transport and equipment, with sufficient equipment to establish and maintain animal concentration centers at the following places: Castellamonte (J0963) Aglie (J1261) S. Giorgio (J1457) S. Giusto (J1554) Caluso (J2253) a. Personnel (less that required for 34th German Truck Co.) Veterinary Officers 10 (Vet.-Offiziere) Veterinary Sergeant 1 (Unt.-Veterinar) Finance Officer 1 (Off.-Zahlmeister) Medical Officer 1 (O.-Arzt) Medical Sergeant 1 (U.-Arzt) Non-commissioned Officers (Fodder) 44 (Futtermeister) Blacksmiths 114 (Beschagschmiede) Non-commissioned Officers 51 (Dienstgrade) Horse caretakers 1221 (Pferdepfleger) Medical Personnel 15 (San.-Personal) Cooks 18 (Feldkoche) Motor Vehicle Drivers 10 (Kraftfahrer) b. Motor Vehicles Trucks 2 Passenger Cars 7 Motorcycles 2 c. 34th German Truck Company (Farschwadron 1/34) less personnel not required for command, driving and maintenance of vehicles. d. Sufficient kitchen and maintenance and administrative equipment to adequately maintain the above detail will be retained with the detail. 2. This detail will be placed under command of Lt. Col. (Oberfeldveterinar) Dr. Assauer. 3. Captain (Hauptman) Dr. Teschner will be detailed as liaison officer between the Commanding Officer of this detail and the Commanding Officer of the United States Troops for guarding the area occupied. 4. Commanding Officer of United States unit responsible will establish a guard at each concentration center to insure adequate protection of enemy personnel, animals and equipment. Guard will be established not later than 0800 hrs. 16 May. 5. Rations and forage for detail will be drawn from Fifth Army Class I dumps by United States Unit responsible for area. Vehicles of 34th German Truck Company will be used to transport rations and forage from Army dumps. 6. A status report will be submitted by C.O. of detail as of 1800 hours. daily to AC of S, G-1, 34th Infantry Division (US) accounting for all German personnel. Report will include number of officers and enlisted men as separate figures, and show organization and nationality. Report will be submitted to reach this headquarters not later than 0800 hrs. the morning following the period for which rendered. 7. All German troops remaining in area will be disarmed except Officers, effective 1200 hrs. 16 May. 8. Commanding Officer of Detail will submit a complete report of all equipment remaining in hands of detail, and number of animals and mules, to AC of S, G-4, this headquarters. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 13 May 1945 MEMORANDUM: Evacuation of Horse-drawn Elements of 34th German Division TO: CG, 34th German Division FROM: Col John D. Forsyth, Chief of Staff; by command of MajGen Bolte DISTRIBUTION: CG 34th German Division, General Staff, CO 135th Inf, CO 168th Inf, German Liaison Officer, Provost Marshal 1. All remaining elements of 34th German Division (except those designated to Remount Detail to care for animals and associated equipment) will march to arrive at S. BERNARDO on organic vehicles of your division at 0900 hours 16 May where they will be met by U. S. Guards and conducted to enclosures. 2. Order of March: a. Headquarters Company, 34th German Division. b. Quartermaster Regiment, 34th German Division. c. All remaining elements of 34th German Division except Remount Detail. |
HEADQUARTERS IV CORPSDATE: 15 May 1945 SUBJECT: Evacuation of LXXV German Corps TO: CG, 1st Armored Division; CG, 34th Infantry Division FROM: Col G H McManus, Adjutant General; by command of MajGen Crittenberger 1. For delivery of units of LXXV German Corps to the final concentration area the following practices will be followed: a. Units will be kept together and delivered as units. b. Within units, personnel will be separated according to nationality and sex. c. Rosters of personnel of each unit, separated according to nationality, sex, and grade (officers, NCOs, Pvts), will be submitted in triplicate to the Commanding General, final concentration area. d. Receipt for personnel will be secured on one copy of the roster and submitted to G-1, IV Corps. e. When evacuation is completed, German motor transportation will be delivered to Fifth Army Ordnance in the final concentration area. f. A written report will be submitted to this headquarters when the evacuation is completed. 2. It is anticipated that orders will be received within twenty-four (24) hours to begin the evacuation. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 16 May 1945 MEMORANDUM: Evacuation of Horse-drawn Elements of 34th German Division TO: see Distribution FROM: Col John D. Forsyth, Chief of Staff; by command of MajGen Bolte DISTRIBUTION: General Staff, Capt Turner, 1stLt Pugh, 1stLt Grace, CG 34th German Division, German Liaison Officer 1. Three similar march groups, as indicated below to be designated Groups 1, 2, and 3, will be formed from unevacuated elements on 34th German Division, prepared to march from vicinity Aglie (J1261) to vicinity of Ghedi Airport (F0953). a. Equipment: Heavy Wagons 100 Light Wagons 30 Kitchens (field) 1 Essential maintenance equipment. b. Animals: Draft, Horses, heavy and medium 300 Draft, Horses, medium and light 60 Riding Horses 35 c. Personnel: Drivers and maintenance and administrative personnel sufficient to drive, maintain, and care for all animals, material and personnel enroute, and upon arrival at destination. d. Miscellaneous: Complete saddle, bridle, and harness equipment for all animals in group will be taken, whether or not horses are led, or taken in draft. e. Officers: One American and one German officer will be assigned each group. The following American officers are assigned: Group No. 1 - Capt. Turner, Hq, 34th Inf. Div. Group No. 2 - 1st Lt. Pugh, 34th Rcn. Trp. Group No. 3 - 1st Lt. Grace, 34th Rcn. Trp. f. U. S. Guard: C.O. 2nd Bn. 168th Inf. will assign a guard detail of one officer and 25 enlisted men to guard each March Group. U.S. Guard Detail will ride on single mounts or in vehicles of march group. C.O. 2nd Bn. 168th Inf. will provide transportation to return guard detail to his command upon arrival at vicinity Ghedi Airport. 2. Conduct of March: a. Routes: As selected by advance reconnaissance parties to be reported to this headquarters not later than 181800B May. b. Bivouac Areas: As selected by advance reconnaissance parties and to be reported to this headquarters not later than 181800B May. c. March will be conducted to secondary roads. d. Time: To be announced. March groups will move on successive dates. e. U.S. Guard Detail will insure security of march groups until delivered at vicinity of Ghedi Airports. 3. Administration: a. Forage: Forage for 3 days will be carried on each March Group. Estimated tonnage - 6 tons. b. Rations: Rations for 3 days will be carried on each March Group. Estimated tonnage - 5 tons. c. Rosters: Roster in quintuplicate of each March Group will be prepared by the C.O. of the unevacuated elements of 34th German Division, to arrive at this headquarters not later than 181800B May. Rosters will include all personnel of each March Group indicating name, rank held as of 1200 hours 29 April, army serial number, unit to include sub-unit, sex, and nationality. The US Officer in charge of each March Group will obtain four (4) copies of the March Group for which he is responsible from AC of S, G-1, three copies to be turned over to the Officer in charge at the Army POW installation. The fourth copy is to be receipted by the Officer receiving the POWs at Army and returned to AC of S, G-1. d. Equipment: List showing number of animals and transportation (by type) of each serial will be submitted in triplicate by C.O. of unevacuated elements of 34th German Division, to arrive at G-4 Section this headquarters not later than 181800B May. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 17 May 1945 MEMORANDUM: Evacuation of PW Cage No. 4 TO: see Distribution FROM: Col John D. Forsyth, Chief of Staff; by command of MajGen Bolte DISTRIBUTION: CG, C/S, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, CO 168 Inf, CO 1st Bn 168 Inf, CO 2nd Bn 168 Inf, CO 755 Tank Bn, CO 185 FA Bn, CG 34 Div Arty, CO 34 Div PW Cages 1,3,4,6,9,10, Provost Marshal, Convoy Commander 1. Captured German vehicles, operated by German PW Drivers will be assembled under guard at 34th Division PW Cage #4 operated by 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry in vicinity of RHO (K14-72) by 0700 hours 18 May 1945. Commanding Officers of cages furnishing trucks are responsible for arrival of vehicles at assembly point. a. From Cage #4 at RHO (K14-72) operated by 168th Infantry. 1 1/2 Ton 11 2 1/2 Ton 12 b. From Cage #9 at REATI (J809-849) operated by 185th FA. Bn. 3/4 Ton 15 1 1/2 Ton 21 2 1/2 Ton 78 Busses 2 or equivalent in trucks, cargo and busses. c. From Cage #10 at IVREA (J22-71) operated by 168th Infantry. 2 Ton 3 2 1/2 Ton 5 d. From Cage #6 at TRADATE (K04-93) operated by 185th FA. Bn. 2 1/2 Ton 5 2. Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry will send officer guides to Cage Nos. 6, 9, and 10, to guide German vehicles and drivers to assembly point. Guards for movements to assembly points will be furnished by Commanding Officers of cages furnishing trucks. 3. a. Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry will load all PWs and equipment of Cage #4 (less five (5) generals, one (1) vice-consul, and twenty one (21) enlisted men now located in Villa), and transport same with above transportation to PW Cage at GHEDI AIRPORT (F09-53). b. Commanding Officer, 168th Infantry will furnish one Guard per truck to guard PWs. c. Convoy will be divided into March Groups of forty (40) vehicles, each march group to be commanded by an officer. d. March Groups will leave PW Cage #4 as follows: (1) 180730B May 1945. (2) 180800B May 1945. (3) 180830B May 1945. (4) 180900B May 1945. e. Convoy clearance No. is IV-E-298. f. Fifteen trucks to be furnished by IV Corps will be used to transport Guard personnel from 168th Infantry back to parent unit and them promptly released to IV Corps. These trucks will be so disposed in column so as to be available for towing disabled vehicles. g. All vehicles will be fully gassed and will carry an additional ten (10) gallons of gasoline, or a similar amount of gasoline will be transported in one vehicle. h. All disabled vehicles will be towed to destination. Civilian passenger cars in column will be left at GHEDI PW Cage. i. Rations will be furnished on following basis to be placed on personnel prior to departure: (1) U.S. Guards one (1) day "C" Ration. (2) German Drivers one (1) day "C" Ration. (3) PWs one third (1/3) day "C" Ration. j. 1st Lt. JAMES C. VAUGHN, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry is designated convoy commander. 4. Upon delivery of PWs to GHEDI AIRPORT PW CAGE, drivers and vehicles listed in par. 1 will be returned under command of 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry to 34th Division PW Cages as follows: a. Trucks from 34th Division PW Cage #9 to be delivered to PW Cages Nos 1 and 3 operated by 755th Tank Battalion at LEGNANO (E04-80). b. Trucks from 34th Division PW Cage #4 to be delivered to PW Cages Nos 1 and 3 operated by 755th Tank Battalion at LEGNANO (E04-80). c. Trucks from 34th Division PW Cage #6 to be delivered to PW Cage No 6 operated by 185th FA Bn. at TRADATE (K04-93). d. Trucks from 34th Division PW Cage #10 to be delivered to PW Cage No 6 operated by 185th FA Bn. at TRADATE (K04-93). |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 18 May 1945 MEMORANDUM: Evacuation of PW Cages No. 1, No. 3, and No. 6. TO: see Distribution FROM: Col John D. Forsyth, Chief of Staff; by command of MajGen Bolte DISTRIBUTION: General Staff, CG 34 Div Arty., CO 151 FA Bn, CO 175 FA Bn, CO 133 Inf, CO 185 FA Bn, CO 755 Tank Bn, Provost Marshal, CG Fifth Army, CG IV Corps 1. PWs of 34th Division PW Cages Nos. 1 and 3, (operated by 755th Tank Battalion at LEGNANO (K04-80)) and PW Cage No. 6, (operated by 185th FA Battalion at TRADATE (K04-93)) will be evacuated to Army PW Cage at GHEDI AIRPORT (F09-53) as scheduled below. 2. Transportation for movement above will be furnished and allocated as follows:
*NOTE: Reference Memorandum this headquarters "Evacuation of PW Cage No. 4", dated 17 May 1945 [That memorandum is immediately above this one.] [#1 & #3 LEGNANO unit located at map coordinates K04-80, #6 TRADATE unit located at map coordinates K04-93] 3. All transportation will be assembled at cages indicated above by 200600B May 1945. Commanding Officers of cages furnishing trucks are responsible for arrival of vehicles at assembly point. 4. a. Commanding Officers of 185th FA. Battalion and 755th Tank Battalion will furnish one guard per truck to guard PWs from Division Cages operated by their units to Army PW Cage at GHEDI. b. Convoy will be divided into March Groups of forty (40) vehicles, each march group to be commanded by an officer. c. Convoy will leave PW Cages as follows:
d. U.S. trucks will be so disposed in column as to be available for towing disabled vehicles. All German vehicles will be left at destination (GHEDI PW Cage). e. Upon completion of movement, all U.S. vehicles will return with guards to parent units. f. All vehicles will be fully gassed and will carry an additional ten (10) gallons of gasoline prior to departure for Army PW Cage at GHEDI. g. All disabled vehicles will be towed to destination. h. Administrative Equipment, kitchens, etc., pertaining to evacuated PWs will accompany them to PW Enclosure at GHEDI. i. Cages will be completely evacuated. j. Rations will be furnished on following basis to be placed on personnel prior to departure: (1) U.S. Guards and Drivers one (1) day "C" Ration. (2) All German PWs one third (1/3) day "C" Ration. k. Convoy Commander will be furnished by Commanding Officer, 755th Tank Battalion. l. Convoy Number will be announced later. 5. Convoy Commander will deliver four (4) copies of roster of PWs to the Officer in charge of the ARMY PW Cage at GHEDI AIRPORT, three copies to be retained at PW Cage at GHEDI, and one copy receipted and returned to AC of S, G-1 this headquarters. |
HEADQUARTERS 34TH INFANTRY DIVISIONDATE: 19 May 1945 MEMORANDUM: Disposition of Animals of 34th German Division. TO: Commanding Officer, Detail from 34th German Division for Care of Animals FROM: Col John D. Forsyth, Chief of Staff; by command of MajGen Bolte DISTRIBUTION: CG, AMG, C/S, G-1, CO 2nd Bn 168th Inf, G-4 1. You will immediately select and segregate from the horses and mules, excluding those already selected for movement in the three march groups on 19, 20, and 21 May, the following:
2. The best animals will be selected. 3. The animals remaining will be segregated for delivery to officials of AMG [Allied Military Government] for disposition as they may direct. 4. According to information received by your command, status of animals should be as follows:
5. Any discrepancies in the above figures will be reported immediately to this headquarters. |
Source: The documents above, slightly reformatted for visual compression, came from the Personal Papers collection of General Charles L. Bolte held at the Military History Institute, Army War College, Carlisle Barracks PA.