[continued from previous page] At 1200, we reached our destination for the night. It is a woods just on the outskirts of a little village called “Birlenbach”. We took several prisoners here after a brief discussion. We found them hiding in a partially completed mine, which was built into the side of a hill, deep in the woods. There is a beautiful cemetery just across the way. Each grave is a little garden in its self and is well cared for. There were several Birlenbachs buried there, evidently the family for which the town was named. Many new graves indicated that they had felt the blows of war. Some mail came in today. I received 5 letters. Studied our situation maps for a while although the front is so fluid it is impossible to keep track of it. I hit the sack at 2000. We had advanced 25 miles today.
Friday, 30 March [1945] Villmar, Germany1Goetz’s unit continued eastward to Villmar, a small market village in Hesse, Germany.
Up at 0600. Shaved, had breakfast and were on the move at 0930. The country is flatter now and we made rapid progress. Took 12 pw’s during the trip. Passed through several villages. There are many Frenchmen (Forced labor, presumably) who wave and throw us the victory sign. We stick closely to our Non-Fraternization plan although it is very difficult at times.2A strict Non-Fraternization policy was put in place to control the relations between Allied soldiers and German civilians. Goetz saved a copy of this policy in his diary. See “Special Orders of German-American Relations,” issued by General Omar Bradley, Headquarters, Twelfth Army Group, Europe, n.d., Diary Inserts, Insert 14.
. Especially when the girls wear sweaters. We will be strong though. After going about 20 miles, we bivouacked in a woods near Villmar. We took several prisoners here and learned that many more Jerries were hiding in the woods. We will organize a hunting party tomorrow. The 2D Platoon is close by and Bob came over for a visit.3Cpl. Robert J. “Bob” Hertz was a good friend of Vernon’s in the Army. He served with Goetz in B Battery, 549th Anti-Aircraft Artillery, 87th Division. He lived in South Carolina with his wife and they kept in contact for many years. Interview with Mary Goetz, April 14, 2014. We enjoy our occasional get togethers very much. No mail today. Hit the sack at 2000.