Monday, 16 April [1945] Pausa, Germany
Up at 0600. Shaved and had breakfast by 0800. Spent morning studying the war situation and was left with a feeling of incomprehension. How in the hell can Germany continue to fight. It begins to look as though we will have to occupy every bit of the country. We march ordered and left Ranis at 1300. The trip was most interesting. If it had not been for an occasional sniper, I’d have thought we were no longer in Germany. The road from our starting point all the way to Pausa was lined with all nationalities except Germans. Poles, Italians, Tschecs [Czechs] and Russians waved to us and smiled their welcomes. It gave us the feeling that we were on a victory Parade. Everywhere, Germans are surrendering, individually and in groups. The weather is so beautiful, the country so green and productive that one is lulled into the illusion of peace very easily. These illusions are quickly dispelled when our column passes a group of dead Jerries or a city destroyed and in flames. We are only about 20 miles from Tschechoslovakia. I don’t know whether we will actually touch that country or swing up towards Dresden. We reached Pausa at 1500 and in all probability this will also be an overnight bivouac. I received one letter from Sis. Hit the sack at 2100.
Tuesday, 17 April [1945] Pausa, Germany
Up at 0600. Idled around most of the day. Made a trip to PLAUEN, CITY OF 170,000, completely destroyed.1Plauen is a town situated about eight miles southeast of Pausa in the Vogtlandkreis district of Saxony. See Map, Site #32. Many Russians, Poles etc. in city. They show their hate for the Germans openly with or without provocation. Many bombers passed over today. No mail. Expect to move again tomorrow. Hit the sack at 2000.
