[Continued from previous page] miles from Berlin. I am sleeping on a bed tonight constructed of boards and straw. It will feel like a feather bed to me. I finished a guard roster and then hit the sack (2000). We don’t do any unnecessary moving around after dark.
Tuesday, 6 February [1945] Auw, “Germany”
Up at 0600 after a refreshing sleep on my bed of straw. The artillery is one constant rumble as they hurl salvo after salvo into the Sigfried defenses. Many prisoners are being taken (Every now and then a woman). They seem cheerful enough under the circumstances but why shouldn’t they? The war is over for them. They are heading for a near area and 3 good meals a day. One could find neither in Germany. The weather is continuing mild and the mud is now as deep as the snow once was. Our mail is being held up again. It was straightened out for a while but couldn’t last. The civilians in Auw have all been placed in 3 buildings and the infantry has moved in (enmasse). The Second Platoon is still protecting the 912th F.A. The First Platoon is protecting two bridges at Andler. They have both been subjected to artillery fire. Unlike most AA outfits which set up in rear areas we have been continually at the front. Often operating almost with the infantry. Thus our secondary mission of anti‐Tank and anti‐Troop has been brought into play to the extent of subordinating ANTI‐ AIRCRAFT. The day passed without special event and I hit the sack at 2200.