The Way Back Home — Part 5

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The Way Back Home — Part 5

By
Jack Davis

Now all eyes were to focus upon Germany - the nest of iniquity. The knife was poised!

In an attempt to regain the initiative, however, the Germans produced another weapon of destruction, a missile of high explosive launched from German lines with fuel enough to reach allied positions. The menacing growl of its engine became well known as did the silence of sudden "cutout" when it's nose dipped and it plunged to the earth in devastation.

Perhaps in the early days of use it was a case of "trial and error" as some fell wide of target and doubtless the Germans were "fed" details by their own agents to adjust it's range and direction.

It was at Antwerp that we first experienced the terror of the flying bomb (later known as the "doodle-bug"). The crowded streets were blasted apart as one, then another dropped from the sky. Needless to say, many people, civilians and troops, were killed and scores were wounded. Berlin radio warned the allies that if they refused to leave Antwerp "the might of the Reich would be unleashed and bombs and rockets would completely destroy Antwerp, its port and its people."

The raids increased. The sky rained death and destruction and the situation was appalling. Ammunition dumps and supplies were destroyed, the civilian nerve was on a knife-edge and soldiers showed signs of strain. Go on we must, whatever the cost. The only hope is to return fire with more fire and blast the enemy into oblivion. He must surely know that his days are numbered. He must submit. Victory peered over a distant horizon but the question was, when would we see her face?

The enemy; having been forced to vacate Holland, retreated towards Germany, remorselessly followed by that great alliance of nations, whose vowed intent was, as Winston Churchill had previously declared, "......to beard the beast in his own den." Was now the time for the Third Reich, that once formidable war machine, finally to be obliterated?

Would we soon be freed from all the privations and dangers, which had been our lives for the past six years? Was the end now in sight? We knew very little, yet a message of hope now filtered through the ranks, but we dare not, must not, lose concentration and relax our grip. Hence we pursued the Germans along an abominable trail of death and devastation, past Baugen and Lyndale until we reached Goche. Into Germany at last!

The Royal Air Force, along with allied planes, had preceded ground forces and had blasted and broken the invincible body, and now the heart was to be ripped out. Signs of panic were m the Fatherland and there were rumours that the Nazi hierarchy was about to ask for peace. Soldiers of the Third Reich were beginning to surrender whilst, according to radio reports, London and Washington remained vague. White flags appeared - hung from ruined buildings and held in the hands of sullen faced citizens whilst weeping men and women called the "wrath of the gods" to fall on the now un-glorified head of Adolph Hitler, who had, according to some reports, now committed suicide. Meanwhile Berlin again threatened - but to no avail.

May 02, 1945. A German short wave radio broadcast was intercepted. "Dr Frank, minister of state for Bohemia and Moravia has issued the following order of the day. For us, the Fuhrer is not dead. The oath of allegiance we swore to him is from now on valid for every German to Admiral Donitz. We will stand at his side and obey his command. Everyone must do his duty. Long live the Nation."

There was the inescapable feeling that the war could not last much longer. One could almost "smell" victory and, in eager anticipation, we began to lay bets as to how long it would be before Germany finally surrendered. Our expectations were not unfounded as on May 09, 1945 we heard that both the English and American premiers were to issue a joint statement the following day. Was this IT? Could it be that no longer were we at war with Germany? WAS it peace? Surely it was too good to be true. Suddenly we felt desperately tired.

The next day our unit gathered around the radio, which had been placed outside the officers' quarters. We jostled for the best position and eagerly waited for it to crackle into life. At last- the inimitable voice of Winston Churchill, "Yesterday, May 09, 1945, at 02:41am, at General Eisenhower's headquarters, General Jodhl, the representative of the German High Command, and Grand Admiral Donitz, the designated head of the German state, signed an act of unconditional surrender of all German land, sea and air forces in Europe to the Allied expeditionary forces and simultaneously to the Soviet High Command.
Today this agreement will be ratified and confirmed in Berlin where Marshall Tedder, deputy supreme commander of the Allied expeditionary force and General Lattre De Tassigny will sign on behalf of General Eisenhower. Marshall Zhukov will sign on behalf of the Soviet High Command. The German representatives will be Field Marshall Keitel, Chief of the High Command, and the Commander in Chief of the German army, navy and air forces.

”Hostilities will end officially at one minute past midnight tonight, Tuesday 8th May, but in the interests of saving life, the ceasefire began yesterday to be sounded on all fronts, and our dear Channel Islands are also freed today. The Germans are still, in places, resisting the Russian troops but should they continue to do so after midnight, they will, of course, deprive themselves of the protection of the laws of war and will be attacked from all quarters by the allied troops.

”It is not surprising that on such long fronts and in the existing disorder of the enemy the commands of the German High Command should not in every case be obeyed immediately. This does not, in our opinion, with the best military advice at our disposal, constitute any reason for withholding from the nation the facts communicated to us by General Eisenhower of the unconditional surrender already signed at Rheims, nor should it prevent us from celebrating today, and tomorrow, Wednesday, as Victory in Europe days.

”Today, perhaps, we shall think mostly of ourselves. Tomorrow, we shall pay a particular tribute to our Russian comrades, whose prowess in the field has been one of the contributions to the general victory. The German war is therefore at an end. After years of intense preparations, Germany hurled herself on Poland at the beginning of September 1939, and in pursuance of our guarantee to Poland and in agreement with the French Republic, Great Britain, the British Empire and Commonwealth of nations, declared war upon this foul aggressor.

”After gallant France had been struck down we, from this island, and from our united Empire, maintained the struggle single handed for a whole year until we were joined by the military might of Soviet Russia and later by the overwhelming power and resources of the United States of America. Finally almost the whole world was combined against the evil-doers who are now prostrate before us. Our gratitude to our splendid allies goes forth from all our hearts in this island and throughout the British Empire.

”We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing but let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that lie ahead. Japan, with all her treachery and greed remains un-subdued. The injury she has inflicted on Great Britain, the United States of America and other countries, and her detestable cruelties call for justice and retribution. We must now devote all our strength and resources to the completion of our task both at home and abroad. Advance Britannia! Long live the cause of freedom! God save the King!"

In America a simultaneous statement was issued in Washington by President Truman. "...this is a solemn but glorious hour. My only wish is that Franklyn D Roosevelt had lived to witness this day. General Eisenhower informs me that the forces of Germany have surrendered to the United Nations. The flags of Freedom fly all over Europe."

Meanwhile, Admiral Donitz broadcast to the German people. The Nazi party has disappeared. There is no longer unity between State and Party. The foundations on which the German Reich was built are a thing of the past and with the occupation of Germany, power ".....has passed into the hands of the occupation forces. It depends on them whether I and the government formed by me will be able to continue in office. If I can be of any-assistance to the Fatherland by continuing in office I shall do so until the German people have a chance to express their will by appointing a head of state or until the occupation powers make it impossible for me to continue in office.

”We must be inspired to do our best in work and achievement, without which there can be no basis for a future life. We want to march along the road in unity and justice without which we cannot survive the hardships of the times to come."

What was our reaction to this astounding piece of news? Initially a subdued, even stunned, silence in what one might almost say a credibility gap. Churchill had been an inspiration to us all throughout the long, hard and bitter months of battle, as he comforted, coaxed and challenged, and now, was that same unmistakable voice really saying that the war was at an end - finished? This was what we had longed for, this was what we had fought for and yet, in that moment, the statement seemed incredible.

Then the whole place erupted in joyful celebration. Caps and hats were thrown into the air and we slapped each other on the back as the realisation finally hit us. It WAS true! We HAD finished the course! How long now before we headed home?

That night, before being overtaken by deep sleep, thoughts filtered through the mind - the dark days of 1939 and 1940, Dunkirk, when we stood alone, the capitulation of France, Belgium and Holland to a greater foe, the thousands who had fallen in the fight for freedom, the countless innocent who had perished in the fires of battle, the many patriots murdered by and under the Nazi regime.

One shuddered to think of what had been and also what might have been. One could not forget the sacrifices of the people back home for whilst we have been on the "sharp end", so have they and whatever has been accomplished is, in no small part, due to their endurance and wholehearted support. They "....surrendered their freedom to the War Effort." They produced guns and ammunition, planes and ships. They suffered deprivation, bombardment, death and destruction, they under-girded the man on the battlefield, in the air and on the seas.

But then more pleasant thoughts took over - England and home, parents, wives and families, green fields and flowers, quietness, peace, and the solitude of a country lane.
Deep sleep then intervened and took possession of a mind in turmoil and laid the body to rest. Some, however, would not or could not sleep as they either spent the night in reminiscent conversation or were "obliged" to mount the inevitable "guard".

Where to now, soldier? What happens next, pack up and go home? Hardly! Things to do! Still mount the guard, sniff out snipers, destroy the dumps, move supplies ...we yet have a long way to go before we can finally "hang up our boots". It seemed strange at first being in Germany at that particular time, "the calm after the storm" so to speak. However, not unexpectedly, there were the remaining pockets of resistance. In Churchill's words "...it is not surprising that on such long fronts and in the existing disorder of the enemy the commands of the German High Command should not in every case be obeyed immediately..."

In addition, according to Admiral Donitz, the Nazi party had "disappeared" and one interpretation of that comment was that anyone who WAS a member of The Party, remarkably WAS'NT on VE day. The problem was that no doubt there were those who still "followed the Fuhrer" (notwithstanding his suicide), had "gone underground" and were still dangerously at large in the community. Hence, caution was still vital and "mopping-up" procedures were very necessary.

Non-fraternisation with the civilian population was the order of the day. We were banned from even speaking to the locals. Although we understood the reason, we nevertheless found it difficult not to, particularly when surrounded by innocent children, whose tired eyes, gaunt little faces and thin bodies demanded SOME act of kindness or sign of friendship which only the callous and uncaring could ignore. It all seemed so ridiculous to see a baby in mother's arms, hand over a piece of chocolate and not to smile or speak to the child's parent. Here was "the tomorrow", the ones with whom our own children would no doubt have to deal in years to come and we could at least lay the first stone in "building for the future."

The way back home took me from whence I came, through Holland, into Belgium and then France. The scars of battle abounded - landscapes were mutilated, littered with the tools of war and dotted with hastily dug graves, buildings were flattened and fires still burned. The major difference was that now, I journeyed through seas of celebration, where flags festooned the buildings, people danced in the streets, parades and other festivities took place, and one could move forward without having to fight for every square inch of ground.

December 1945 - "......the tumult and the shouting died and the captains and the kings depart." The war is over, the victors and the vanquished take their place in history and a tired and battered Europe looks to a future of better things. No more the roar of cannons, the scream of bomb and aircraft engines. No more the tumult of battle. The dove of peace stretches her wings in preparation for flight and the olive branches, so cruelly ravaged by the fearful storm again begin to sprout. The sun, which veiled itself for six long years of winter, now shows its face and begins to warm a weary world.

As for me, I wish to forget my wanderings through a torn and bleeding Europe and as I now await release, time hangs heavy. I am preserved but as I look to home and loved ones I am ever mindful of the thousands who have fallen on the fields of battle, those whose final resting place is "some corner of a foreign field.”

" Will I, indeed can I, forget the sacrifice that has been made in the cause of freedom?” “What,” I wonder, “will the world now do with this gift, bought at such cost of human life? Will it be squandered in the name of selfish ambition or will it be preserved and treasured? Will nation speak peace unto nation or must human history continue to be catalogued with wars and rumours of wars?” Only time will tell. Meanwhile, "...lest we forget...!"

As I lift my head I can now clearly see the signpost, inscribed upon which are these four simple words, - THE WAY BACK HOME! Before the war it had seemed incredible that such terrors and slaughters ...could last ...After the first two years it was difficult to believe that they would ever end. We seemed separated from the old life by a measureless gulf. The adaptive genius of man had almost habituated him to the horrors of his new environment. Far away shone a pale star of hope and peace, but all around, the storm roared with unabated and indeed increasing fury.

The war stopped ...and the world lifted its head, surveyed the scene of ruin, and victors and vanquished alike drew breath. In a hundred laboratories, in a thousand arsenals, factories and bureaux, men pulled themselves up with a jerk and turned from the task in which they had been absorbed. Their projects were put aside unfinished, unexecuted; but their knowledge was preserved; their data, calculations and discoveries were hastily bundled together and docketed, "for future reference." We should stand-in malice to none, in greed for nothing but in defence of those causes ...we believe mean the honour and the happiness of men.

We must find the means and the method of working together (with all the) clamour and clatter of tongues. Peace will not be preserved by pious sentiments expressed in terms of platitudes or by official grimaces and diplomatic correctitude. There must be earnest thought, there must also be faithful perseverance and foresight. Above all, there must be the union of hearts based upon convictions and common ideals. (Winston Churchill.)

Whither to now, World?

Winston Churchill 1954
I have never accepted what many people have kindly said, namely that I inspired the nation. Their will was resolute and remorseless, and as it proved, unconquerable. It was the nation and the race dwelling all around the globe that had the lion's heart. I had the luck to be called upon to give the roar!

Pr-BR

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