World War II etched into soldiers memories

By BETTY J. POKAS, Times Leader Area Editor
“EXCELLENT” — That’s how the morale of the Headquarters Co., 1st Battalion, 260th Infantry, U.S. Army, was described in its headquarters’ journal for May 7, 1945.


Richard Neuhart, who resides on the Bethesda-Belmont Road, like many other Americans remembers that day; it was a prelude to V-E Day formally designated for May 8 when the Allies attained “Victory in Europe” during World War II.


Neuhart, who was in the 65th Division, was part of Gen. George Patton’s forces. 


Morale reportedly was excellent on other days, but the May 7 entry is the only time that the word, excellent, was written in all capital letters. And, it was for a good reason, as the journal also noted: “The German high command had signed an agreement for unconditional surrender of land sea and air forces ... .”


The journal is only part of “Memories of the 65th Division,” a publication with pictures, telegrams and related material. It was prepared by Neuhart and his wife, Esther, for their children and grandchildren.


They were inspired by the 65th Division Association’s Web site, which includes many requests from persons interested in where their fathers or grandfathers fought or what they did while serving their country.


“There are hundreds and hundreds of veterans living here in the Ohio Valley who have stories to tell and service medals tucked away somewhere,” the Neuharts pointed out. “Family members can preserve some of their personal history for the next generations by asking questions of these veterans and recording their stories.


“There are things they can’t talk about, but they have lots of experiences they would probably like to share if someone would just ask.”


Not only did Neuhart share some of his war memories, but the publication also includes photos, documents, copies of telegrams and other material, including the Headquarters First Battalion Journal.


He noted, “Since there were no copy machines back then, copies were made by stacking a few sheets of paper with carbon paper between each sheet and hand typing on them. ... So a copy of this was very difficult to obtain, and I sent it home immediately.”


The Belmont Countian recalls after the 65th Infantry landed in France, they were taken to an old German airfield, now named Camp Lucky Strike.


“Cold and wet, we unloaded in a field of snow, full of tents pegged down on four corners — no floors,” he noted. “The six weeks we spent there was rough — we were always cold and hungry.”


The 65th Infantry was assigned to break through the Siegfried Line (fortifications put up by the Germans), and they saw many burned-out U.S. tanks. In addition, those troops had their first casualties — “men who had come so far to die in the first days of combat.”


Remembering desperate attempts to locate the enemy’s firing locations, Neuhart mentioned the loud noise from overhead and “eerie ‘artificial moonlight’ — giant searchlight flares,” and there were Germans all around.


With no mess halls following, the troops were always hungry and had to depend on K and C Rations that they could carry in their pockets. Sometimes, they were helped by civilians.


In some towns the soldiers entered, residents would be out in the streets with white flags, singing, “Hitler nicht gut.” (Hitler not good)


As the end of the war neared in Europe, many German soldiers began to surrender in large numbers with the exception of the SS Troops.


With the official notice of the German surrender, the battalion “continued to take prisoners and steps were taken to provide food for people starving in the city.”


During the deployment of men to the United States, Neuhart was promoted and put in charge of all officer promotions for Gen. Mark Clark’s approval. At that time, he met John D. Eisenhower, Ike’s son.


He remembers John as “a young lieutenant who came in and perched on the corner of my desk,” casually trying to find out if he was on the list of promotions. Neuhart had been tipped off about his identity but asked who he was and then asked if he knew Ike, and John “grinned and quietly said that was his dad.”


Pointing out most of the incidents on which he reported are not part of history, Neuhart described them as “just memories of an old soldier. But who knows — perhaps they will stir memories of other old soldiers who were there!”


Pokas can be reached at timesleader@timesleaderonline.com.