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.
Our field mess hall at Camp Oklahoma City, France. Our 87th Division was the first unit to be processed here in redeployment home & then to the Pacific.
Bernard McKenzie, June 17, 1945, near Reims, France
“Bo” orients Doc Snipes on the Pacific War. War in Europe was over, but we were all thinking of the Japs.
Bernard McKenzie, June 17, 1945
A soft drinks truck paused briefly to take care of business in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.
Bernard McKenzie, June 17,1945
Trier, Germany, on the Moselle River, was also the victim of our bombs.
Bernard McKenzie, June 17, 1945
Large cities of Germany were not the only ones who saw the havoc of war. This is the view of a small town outside Cologne.
Bernard McKenzie, June 17, 1945
American soldiers & not French are boarding this GI vehicle with some of the ruins.
Bernard McKenzie, June 26, 1945
Camp Home Run, once a German held fort, was our waiting place for the boat.
Bernard McKenzie, Le Havre, France, June 20-26, 1945
This picture was taken as our advance party convoy entered the city of Aachen, Germany.
Bernard McKenzie, June 20, 1945
American Cemetery of World War II soldiers. Located in Belgium, just across the German border.
Bernard McKenzie, June 20, 1945
“In Flanders Fields the Poppies Grow…” This snap is but a tiny sector of Flanders in Belgium. Nothing but poppies were visible in the field. A very beautiful sight.
Bernard McKenzie, Flanders, Belgium, June 20, 1945, quoting a 1918 poem by John McCrae
The very busy business cross intersection in the heart of Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.
Bernard McKenzie, June 20, 1945
Past Present Future 