[continued from previous page] Up at 0600. The morning was cloudy but the weather cleared up later in the day. Bob and I spent another day Jerry hunting, wandering a little further afield than yesterday but having just as little luck. Lots of Jerry signs, as usual, but they are elusive little rascals (super elusive). We followed a trail of discarded clothing and equipment for several miles finally coming to a huge cave, which had been used recently but which we, with our usual luck, found empty. The fleeing Jerries had left rifles, Bazookas and Burp guns behind, evidently depending upon side arms and speed to see them to safety. Bob and I spent both Easter and Xmas together. It might be well to mention that we pitched a couple of grenades into the cave before entering. It is surprising how much less belligerent Jerries are after such a greeting. C47’s keep flying over dropping supplies. We have very long supply lines due to our rapid advance. We spent the evening writing letters and hit the sack at 2000.
Tuesday, 3 April [1945] Villmar, Germany
Up at 0600. Weather still cloudy. Front line non-existent. Bob and I have made a thorough patrol of all the adjacent woods and are satisfied that no bypassed Jerries are in our area. We will probably make a big move in a day or two with the ultimate stop being the Russian lines. Our armor will have recuperated from its herculean efforts of the past week and a half and as it lunges forward in the final blow at Germany, we will follow as closely as possible in order to mop up any pockets of Jerries which continue to resist and of course to consolidate the gains which our armor makes. The past two days have been busy ones for our Mechanics. Our motorized equipment and also our guns and personal equipment must be in perfect condition for a supreme and we hope a final effort. Hitler’s “Super Highway” which we will traverse on our next move is our main route of supply and being an AA Battery we naturally expect to see a bit of action from the strangely absent Luftwaffe.1 Hitler’s “Super Highway” refers to the “Autobahn” still in use today in Germany. The construction of this highway began during the Weimar Republic, but was later completed under the Nazi Regime. While this highway served Hitler’s German army, it also helped Allied soldiers enter into Germany. If such action materializes, the Luftwaffe will be reduced in strength in direct proportion to the number of planes which are committed. According to Hitler we have a new menace to face, “The Werewolves”. These are civilians who have answered Hitler’s call and are assigned the pleasant tasks of sabotaging anything of a military nature and killing as many soldiers as possible. It has been reported that the allies have a few wolves in their own ranks, more experienced wolves with a history of repeated success. We will soon see who can howl the longest. No mail today. Hit the sack at 2100.
Wednesday, 4 April [1945] [Villmar, Germany]
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