|
I stayed on the Cassino front lines for 2 to 3 months. They decided to pull us back for training (the 3rd inf. div) for about a month. We made two landings while in training and we never got in water over 2 feet deep. When it came time for the real thing, which was the landing at Anzio Beach, Italy, the navy dropped us off in water that was to our shoulders. I was lucky because I was 6 foot tall, but most of the shorter men were in over their heads. The majority of us couldn't swim, and well, we didn't have time to learn either. I met the Rangers after I was taken prisoner. We were all fighting our butts off. The company commander told us that the only chance we had was to get to the Rangers, and well, when we got there, we found out that most of them had been taken prisoner by the Germans. The Germans captured us. The Germans took us on trucks to Rome. We were in bunches, and they marched us around Rome, and showed us off. The Italians spat at us, gave us the finger, and cursed at us. After they were finished showing off their catch, we were put in cattle cars, and that ride lasted about 5 to 7 days. I don't exactly remember how long, but I still can remember that it felt like forever. We were packed together as tight as sardines. One thing is for sure, if I live to be 150 years old, I'll never forget that ride. We all had no idea what was in store for us when we got to our destination. We all knew what the Germans had been doing to the Jewish people, and we prayed that we weren't about to meet our fate the same way. We soon arrived at Stalag 2B, and we weren't there very long at all. I remember the Germans asking us all our last names, so that they could tell if we were Jewish or not. I lucked out I guess cause my last name was Hamlett, and it's German for "small village." When we left Stalag 2B, we went on another train ride to Prellwitch Farm. I'm not sure about the spelling, because we were trying to make out German symbols and letters, and most of the boys in my group didn't have over an elementary education. On the farm we were able to steal eggs, potatoes, and fruit in the summer. Believe it or not, we were even able to steal milk. I think it was late February, anyway, it was as cold as hell. We were then marched for 28 to 32 days. My Ranger buddy, Bill Taylor, said that it was 32, but I'm not 100% sure. All our days and nights ran together. We were just thankful to see another morning come. The march was awful. My group consisted of about 32 men. The Germans kept adding to the P.O.W.'s count. By the time we arrived where the Germans wanted us, we were all lined up in the road as far as the eye could see. There were hundreds of us. My group then consisted of about 40 men, and we were sent to another farm to work. We only stayed there for a few weeks. It is hard for me to remember these things, because I HAD to forget them so I could go on with my life after we were released. All in all we marched through 26 cities/counties, and I am still trying to figure out the mileage we covered through Poland and Germany. I have been trying to map out our travels, but maps from the 40's are basically as extinct as the World War II P.O.W.'s are becoming. The Germans set us loose when they got word that the Russians were coming after them. They pointed us in the direction of the American Lines, and told us to "Auf Diese Weise," which meant "That Way." Then they were gone. My group walked another 3 days before we got to the Allied lines. What a group of Allies the Russians turned out to be. My friend Bill Taylor had carried a wrist watch with him through every single city we were marched through and every farm we worked on. The Germans had never attempted to take it off him, and that watch was very special to Bill. His father had given it to him. One of the Russians on horseback demanded the watch, and he didn't even get off the horse. He just took it from Bill. I don't think Bill ever got over that. A friend of mine named John Marra wrote down the list of cities we were marched through and passed it on to the rest of us. He lives in Rhode Island now.
Here is the list below:
Schloppe
Deutsch-Krone
Schneirdemuhl
Flatow
Pastrow
Neustettin
Kallies
Schoneberg
Stargard
Podejtrch
Ftnkerwalde
Gartz
Colbitzow
Stettin
Schmollin
Prenzlau
Schonermark
Woldegk
Spanhopz
Neubrandenburg
Stavenhagen
Reez
Malchin
Teterow
Lhgze
Tessin
The first Farm we were on was named Prellwitz
The last Farm we were on was named Woltow
I've tried very hard to locate the men that I was taken prisoner with. Most of the P.O.W.'s have passed on, or aren't members of the AXPOW organization. AXPOW is how I've managed to keep in touch with some of the men you've read about.
Here is a list of the men that I was with at Prellwitz Farm.
Please note the stars beside ones that I have re-united with.
Lamar Day*
John Marra*
William E. Taylor*
Joseph Donato*
Roy E. Larson*
Eugene J. Hamlett (self)
Jasper Edwards*(deceased)
Harry Malawy* (I was contacted by his nephew on 19 Mar 02)
Otis Huff* (deceased)
Willard "Red" Burton* (deceased)
Carmen Veneziand
Archie Lee
Edward Blizniak
Elmer Whisenhunt
Fred Nicks
Demetrio Quentero
Vincent Beckman
Ed Callicut
Harlan Herber
Vernon R. Harris
Arthur L. Endress, Jr.
Alfred O. Connor
Ernest Mazol
Kenneth Mclain
Robert Campbell
Matthew Didomenico
Clifford Cantrell
Lyle H. Davis
Bethhal Thompson
Charles Nichols
If anyone has any information on any of the 30 men listed above, please email me and let me know.
If any of you remember "Killer Cain," who was a Nazi farm-hand, please let me know as well, as he was the manager of the farm that we were on. |
|
