Military History in Paulding County

By: Mark Holtsberry

An Interesting Letter

Corporal Royce E. Smith wrote the following to his parents Mr. And Mrs. Altie Smith, Broughton, Ohio.

Dear Folks, With all the turmoil and excitement, I have finally found a little time this morning to send a line.

You probably read of the terrific artillery barrage laid down preceding the attack on D-Day. I had a ringside seat. I’ve been reading all those places you have been reading about in the papers. You can’t imagine hoe completely demolished these places are after they have underwent these terrific bombardments. Rubble is certainly an adequate term.

I have either found or had in possession a lot of things you would prize highly as souvenirs.

Some of the German equipment shows great ingenuity.

For instance, they have a flexible cleaning rod. I have one and using it. That is an improvement over our steel rod, since ours is more difficult to carry. When you move so rapidly, it is your advantage to carry as little as possible.

There is a story behind the story on mines but I suppose that will have to wait until the war is won, to be told.

Can you picture me escorting those Nazi supermen? I’ve had some odd experiences in doing just that. The Germans are quite docile when they are stripped of their armament. They still maintain their military discipline however, and their obedience to commands is really something to observe. When they snap to attention they literally freeze. These visible evidences of their severe training and discipline bears out the many articles l’ve read. Articles which stress that the German is fanatically imbued with Nazi doctrines and military creeds.

However, it is difficult for most of us to condemn the German just because he is our enemy, because we know that without the evil leadership, these men would probably be simple peace loving citizens living a normal happy life in their own country. Nevertheless it is quite evident that their beliefs are firmly rooted in their minds and it is going to be quite a problem even after the war expires.

Until Next Time, stay tuned to the rest of story next week!