Page 54

Wednesday, 31 January, 1945 – Friday, 2 February, 1945

[Continued from previous page] to move about. The Russians are within 60 miles of Berlin and as yet show no signs of halting. That is a happy thought to end the day with. I hit the sack at 2300.

Thursday, 1 February [1945] Braunlauf, Belgium
Up at 0600 this morning. Day has been uneventful. 2^ND Platoon has been shelled heavily today but no casualties so far. This is our 56^th day of combat and we owe our apparent good fortune to many months of intensive training in the states. Many times in the past two months we have had occasion to be thankful for a well dug foxhole or because we had learned to wear a helmet or carry a rifle. Such things assume a great importance when action is eminent. Received 10 letters today. All, long overdue mail. It has rained steadily all day and the temperature has risen considerably. As a result the snow has melted ‘til only a few inches remain, revealing objects that are not good to see and which, in a few days will begin to smell. The Russians are now only 40 miles from Berlin. Each mile of distance they gain from today on lessens the number of days I will have to remain away from home.
I wrote a couple of letters this evening and about 2000 hit the sack.

Friday, 2 February [1945] Braunlauf, Belgium

Up at 0600. Breakfast at 0800. Spent the morning in the C.P. assisting with the pay roll. The afternoon dragged along because the front has moved away from us. [Continued on next page]

Inserts

Insert 29— Wednesday, January 31, 1945 top left

Infantry Assault Badge, awarded to motorized Panzer troops for achievements in battle.

Insert 29— Wednesday, January 31, 1945 top right

U.S. Army Marksmanship Qualification Badge.

Insert 29— Wednesday, January 31, 1945 bottom right

Army veteran’s pin, given to wounded veterans of World War I by the NSKOV, or National Socialist War Victim’s Care, a social welfare organization established in 1934 and affiliated with the Nazi Party.

Enhanced stamp of the seal of the Beyren fire department taken from Goetz diary, January 16, 1945. See insert from January 15, 1945.

Insert 30a— Thursday February 1, 1945 left

5 Franc Belgian note, 1943, in Dutch. This currency was printed by Bradbury-Wilkinson in England, at the request of the Belgian government-in-exile.

Insert 30a— Thursday February 1, 1945 right

5 Franc Belgian note, 1943, in French. This currency was printed by Bradbury-Wilkinson in England, at the request of the Belgian government-in-exile.

Insert 30b—Thursday, February 1, 1945 (left)

10 Franc Belgian note, 1943, in Dutch

Insert 30b—Thursday, February 1, 1945 (right)

10 Franc Belgian note, 1943, in French