Tag: Schleiz

Friendship in the Midst of Chaos and Destruction

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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

Exiting the War

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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

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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

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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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Just Weeks After VE Day, All Seems Quiet in Germany

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McCormick, a cook, takes it easy in the German sun.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

 

Harvey & L.B. Kinlow in front of their post office.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945, Germany

 

Chow is nearly ready. All chow hounds “fall in.” Willie & Ferrara prepare.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945, Schleiz, German

 

The main street in our pup tent city. Near Schleiz, Germany.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

Heading Home Across an Embattled Europe

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Our convoy rolling along a French highway toward Le Havre, France.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

 

French flags such as shown flying here were hoisted in France as the Jerry’s were pushed out.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

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Jerry’s is a term used by British and American soldiers to refer to Germans during WW1 and WW2, from Urban Dictionary.

 

The routine physical inspection. This particular physical took place at Camp Oklahoma City, France. (near Reims)

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

 

War is hell! Ask the residents of Le Havre–if you can find any.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

 

A typical German pill box. This particular one was located near the harbor at Le Havre, France.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

 

The truck just ahead of the vehicle I was riding in enroute to Le Havre from Germany. Chuck Miller seated and facing my camera.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

 

Enroute to Camp Oklahoma City, France (assembly area near Reims) our convoy stopped frequently for breaks. We amateur photographers had a lot of material here.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945, near French Border in Germany

 

Vineyards by the acres were a common sight. This flat section of vineyards was nothing like the mountainous ones in the Moselle River area.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945, near Bonn, Germany

 

Willie, Herman Rhinehart, & Peck. Bivouac area near Schleiz, Germany.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

Bernard McKenzie, U.S. Army, World War 2

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Chuck and I near Schleiz, Germany.

Bernard McKenzie, June 1945

That’s my dad on the right, at 25 years old. His resemblance to my son Ben is striking.

I’m trying to organize these photos to represent both a timeline and his travels along a map through Germany and France. For 30 years I’ve wanted to share these photos with the world, and I actually think what I’m going to learn for myself will also be of extraordinary consequence.