Bernard McKenzie – Past Present Future

Friendship in the Midst of Chaos and Destruction

Published on January 12, 2019January 12, 2019 by McKenzieLeave a comment

Chuck and I near Schleiz, Germany.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

Old Glory flies in our pup tent city.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

Not many structures in Aachen, Germany stand intact today. Refusal of SS men to surrender brought only more havoc from our Air Force.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

The Germans, very much unlike the French, are here busy clearing the ruined city of Aachen, Germany.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

One didn’t have to scout around to find destruction in Aachen, Germany.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

Our Postal Chiefs. L.B. Kinlaw of Ayden, N.C. & Harvey Dunbrook from Cleveland.

Kathleen Dunbrook Leonard

U.S. Third Army’s 87th Infantry Division, the Golden Acorns

Published on January 7, 2019January 7, 2019 by McKenzieLeave a comment

“Bo” trying to console some of the fellows that the chow he serves “isn’t too bad.”

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

Passing through a small German town enroute to Le Havre & eventually U.S.A.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

Enroute to Le Havre, France from Plauen, Germany we were guided signs of our Division, “Golden Acorn Division.”

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

Returning Through a Destroyed Germany

Published on January 4, 2019January 4, 2019 by McKenzieLeave a comment

As my dad and his comrades made the beginnings of their way homeward, they encountered remnants of war in the homes of the German oppressor. When the Nazis dug in to protect their homeland, they didn’t have the full support of all the German people, but their actions led directly to the destruction of their own country by the American-led Allies. These images tell a slice of the story of that destruction. See this video of Aachen and this video of Plauen.

Three Regimental messengers near Plauen, German.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

This German lady has been trying to clear her yard of all rubble. Her home here was likewise bombed but was in better shape than mane of her neighbors in Aachen, Germany.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

Aachen, Germany (the first large German city taken by American troops of the U.S. First Army) knows well what war is. Our bombers kept pouring it to the Hitler S.S. men who refused to surrender their headquarter city.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

This once was the town hall at Wasserbillig, Luxembourg. Our 3rd Br. fought their way in and took this town.

Bernard McKenzie, 1945

A small gasoline D.P. near our (unreadable) area. Ration stamps were unheard of.

Bernard McKenzie, 1945

“Take Ten.” Our convoy, homeward bound, would take a ten minute stop every two hours. Business pertinent at that time was taken care of.

Bernard McKenzie, 1945

Destruction of War, Everywhere

Published on December 30, 2018December 30, 2018 by McKenzieLeave a comment

The remnants of one of our planes shot down near Trier, Germany.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

Closed for the duration Plus. This was once a pastry shop in Trier, Germany.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

Ruins still standing on the banks of the Moselle River near Trier, Germany.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

The calm Moselle River as she flows through Trier, Germany.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

A scene snapped as we crossed the Moselle near Trier, Germany.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

The once beautiful bridge spanning the Moselle River at the entrance to Trier, Germany. Trier, like many other Nazi party cities, was slow in surrendering. Results of the delay are obvious.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

Civilians Returning Home

Published on December 30, 2018December 30, 2018 by McKenzie1 Comment

Civilians (displaced people) crowded the highways. Many would start toward their houses not knowing they may be found in.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

It was either walk or ride a bicycle during the latter days of the war in Europe. Many Germans owned a bicycle.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945, Trier, Germany

Displaced civilians (Germans, Russians, Czech, Poles, etc.) were numerous at the war’s end. To expedite their getting home after our transportation–at least our gas–was used. Here a truck of such people homeward bound.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

Exiting the War

Published on December 28, 2018December 28, 2018 by McKenzieLeave a comment

We had just crossed from Germany back into Belgium. We could now whistle to the girls, fraternize, etc.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

Bo, Bob, Doc & Willie, all hash slingers, pose outside their kitchen near Schleiz, Germany.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

The Moselle River near Trier, Germany.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

A scenic view of the Rhine River near Frankfurt, Germany.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

Before entering Frankfurt, one must cross this huge cement bridge. Elements of war wrecked the structure, which has been reinforced by our American Engineers.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

Germany’s proud Rhine River at Frankfurt, Germany.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

Wartime Friends

Published on December 26, 2018December 26, 2018 by McKenzieLeave a comment

Pat Grossi–switchboard operator & the one Brooklynite who has seen more than one tree growing in Brooklyn.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

Jack Coonrod of Fort Scott, Kansas. Taken in area near Schleiz, Germany.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

Morell & Tommy working their ration break down in their elaborate field office.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945, Schleiz, Germany

Ground Covered

Published on December 25, 2018 by McKenzieLeave a comment

Thus far, leading up to a Le Havre departure, my father has moved from Schleiz, Germany, to Luxembourg City, to camp Oklahoma City outside Reims, France, to Camp Home Run outside Le Havre, from the end of May through the end of June, 1945. After being malnourished during his six month POW stint, the journey must have been mentally and physically exhausting. I’m so glad he recorded the journey with these photographs, and especially with his writings on the back.

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A Frightening Christmas Day in 1944

Published on December 25, 2018December 25, 2018 by McKenzieLeave a comment

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While attempting to stop the last great German counteroffensive of World War 2 in the otherwise serene forest of eastern Belgium, American GI’s like my father found a blizzard to be an equally savage foe. I walk through snowy woods today and the peace and quiet is startling. At Christmas time in 1944, I can only imagine how artillery shells and gunfire pierced the serenity. In this photo from the Warfare History Network, you can almost see the fear in this soldier’s eyes. The snow was a main factor in my dad’s capture, as he and 3 others driving in a Jeep were captured as they found themselves lost some seven miles behind German lines.