Page 56

Sunday, 4 February, 1945 – Monday, 5 February, 1945

Saturday [Sunday], 4 February [1945] Braunlauf, Belgium
Up at 0800. Had breakfast at 0830, then went on a Reconnaissance to find a new C. P. The B.C. and I looked over several towns in Belgium and finding nothing suitable decided to see what Germany had to offer. We came to a village called Auw, which was 5 miles inside Germany.1Auw bei Prum is a municipality within the district of Bitburg-Prum, in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of western Germany. It was used primarily as a holding point, particularly in the time leading up to and following the Battle of the Bulge, due to the fact that it is in close proximity to the border of Belgium and Germany. Decided that was the place for our C.P. We are now the forward element of our Battery (will be tomorrow). It was getting dark so we headed for Braunlauf. We got back at 2000. Had late chow and hit the sack.

Monday, 5 February [1945] Auw, “Germany”
Up at 0600. Breakfasted at 0630. Loaded our trucks and headed for Auw. Arrived at Auw about 1200 after passing through villages that were heaps of rubble. Vehicles of every description littered the sides of the road. Dead animals were everywhere and quite a few soldiers (dead) also. We passed the wrecks of several airplanes (ours). I can’t complain about being behind the line anymore. We are ahead of everything except the infantry. We see and have seen many PW’s. None of them are wearing helmets (odd). There is plenty of air activity and constant artillery fire. We are practically in the Sigfried line and our division is almost through it.2The Siegfried Line or the “Westwall” was a German defensive line along the borders of the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, and Switzerland. The defensive system was created originally as part of the Hindenburg Line during World War I, but was extended and added to during World War II. The Germans relied heavily on “dragons teeth” which were large, triangular concrete chunks used to derail tanks, large ditches, minefields, and anti-tank barriers which were all placed strategically along the Siegfried Line. Goetz goes into detail about the appearance of the Siegfried line in his February 21 diary entry. Goetz also included a 7-page typescript marked “Secret”, re: “Siegfried Line” with his diary entry from February 16, 1945. See Appendix, Insert 38. Charles MacDonald, The Siegfried Line Campaign (Washington D.C.: 1990) pp. 3-14. We have a tremendous amount of armored stuff here and will probably bust the line in a few days. We are not permitted to speak to the German civilians. (We don’t particularly want too.) The Russians have been slowed up a little but that is to be expected. They are about 30 [continued on next page]

Inserts


Insert 32— Sunday February 4, 1945 (front)

“Safe Conduct,” Allied leaflet, dropped by Allied aircraft, September 1944- March 1945. Leaflet produced by the Psychological Warfare Division of the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force, ZG61-1944.

This “Safe Conduct Pass” was one of the most successful leaflets produced by the Psychological Warfare Division of the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force (PWD/SHAEF). It was modeled on previously produced Russian leaflets. This leaflet was dropped on German forces between September 1944 and March 1945. It was intended to encourage German soldiers to surrender. The signature of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, on the front of the leaflet is a characteristic of “white propaganda,” the most common form of psychological warfare used by the American government, which meant that any propaganda being distributed had to make its origins clear. This leaflet also uses information from the Geneva Convention to inform German soldiers of their rights if they surrender.

“The German soldier who carries this safe conduct is using it as a sign of his genuine wish to give himself up. He is to be disarmed, to be well looked after, to receive food and medical attention as required, and to be removed from the danger zone as soon as possible. Dwight D Eisenhower, Supreme Commander, allied Expeditionary Force.


Insert 32— Sunday February 4, 1945 (back)

“Safe Conduct,” Allied leaflet, dropped by Allied aircraft, September 1944- March 1945. Leaflet produced by the Psychological Warfare Division of the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force, ZG61-1944.

This “Safe Conduct Pass” was one of the most successful leaflets produced by the Psychological Warfare Division of the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force (PWD/SHAEF). It was modeled on previously produced Russian leaflets. This leaflet was dropped on German forces between September 1944 and March 1945. It was intended to encourage German soldiers to surrender. The signature of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, on the front of the leaflet is a characteristic of “white propaganda,” the most common form of psychological warfare used by the American government, which meant that any propaganda being distributed had to make its origins clear. This leaflet also uses information from the Geneva Convention to inform German soldiers of their rights if they surrender.

“Principles of the Rights of Prisoners of War
(According to the Hague Convention 1907, Geneva Convention 1929)
1. From the moment of handing over, German soldiers count as prisoners of war and are under the protection of the Geneva Convention. Their honor as soldiers will be fully respected.
2. Prisoners of war have to be brought far enough away from a danger zone as soon as possible in order to guarantee their personal safety
3. They receive the same provisions in quality and quantity as the Allied Army and, if sick or wounded, are treated in the same military hospitals as Allied troops.
4. Medals and valuables are to be left with the prisoners of war. Only officers can take money, for which a receipt is issued.
5. In the POW camps, bedrooms and the distribution of lodgings, beds, and other facilities are equivalent to those of the Allied garrison troops.
6. According to the Geneva Convention, prisoners of war may neither be subjected to repressive measures nor handed over to the public. After the end of the war, they are sent back home as soon as possible.
* Who is counted as a Soldier on grounds of the Hague convention (IV, 1907): All armed persons who wear uniforms or badges recognizable from far away.
Rules for Capture
The following is suggested in order to prevent misunderstandings during capture: put your weapons aside and helmet and belt down; raise your hands and wave your handkerchief or this leaflet.”