PASS IN REVIEW - Vol 1 No 18

Vol. 1 No. 18 PUBLISHED BY THE THE 2ND BN 290TH INFANTRY AT CAMP PITTSBURGH, MOURMELON-LE-GRAND 10 JULY, 1945

THE BOOKWORM
"HOW TO CASH IN YOUR DISCHARGE BENEFITS" by Cpl Max D. Novack, 97 pp. Illustrated by Sgt. Frank Brandt. New York: William H. Wise Company. $1.00. Corporal Novack is somewhat of a temporary corporal....holder of the degrees of Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws and Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, presently, as the terminology of war has it, "on leave to the Army of the United States." Corporal Novack's book is a factual delineation in one volume of most of the things included in the bulky and difficult to read laws for veterans and regulations pertaining thereto issued by the Veterans Administration. If it has a shortcoming it is one that Cpl Novack could not help while writing in uniform....that its lack of the fact that technicalities make some of the program (particularly the loan features) considerably less easy to get than the Government publicity releases indicate. Corporal Novack points out one interesting fact, among others, that while there is no present indication of a bonus for veterans, the Congress covered this possibility by legislating in the GI Bill of Rights a provision that, should such a bonus be voted, the financial assistance provided in the bill to any veteran would be checked off against any amount voted to him in a cash bonus. So that if you get your tuition or other expenses at college paid you can expect to have that amount deducted from any future bonus. The same thing applies to the subsistence payments you'll receive when attending school or to the unemployment payments. In fact, the law specifically states that any part of a loan still unpaid at the time the bonus is voted must be paid off (to the extent guaranteed by the Government) before giving the veteran his bonus money. If there is anything left of the bonus money after the loan is repaid the veteran gets the amount left. You should therefore be careful in taking advantage of the benefits of the GI Bill of Rights. Pick only those benefits that you feel sure you want so that you will not regret your action if and when the Congress votes a bonus. However, don't let this provision of the law scare you away from the other benefits. If the bonus is not large enough to cover all the money you get under the GI Bill of Rights you will not not have to repay the difference. In such a case you'll retain whatever other benefits you may have derived under the law. It should be added that one of the most helpful features of this work consists of questions and answers that furnish direct replies to many of the readers more immediate inquiries. Paper bound and light enough to be sent overseas without a reuest. by Charles Hurd, N.Y. Times.
PITTSBURGH PARADE		THE CLOISTER....J.B.S.
Lt Mike (Cornelius to you) Molloy is the proud father of a seven pound bouncing boy. This, of course, is not exactly news, as Capt Bernard McGraw looked into his crystal ball way back in April (PASS IN REVIEW Vol. 1 No. 9) and predicted that, in view of past events, something like this was bound to happen sooner or later. Pfc Tommy Stratis, who is one of those rare things - a native New Yorker, is tearing his hair these days wondering how in the devil he can give [illegible] to the 807th [illegible] Postal Unit who were here from London to take care of our mail. The boys were formerly with APO 413 and Tommy has been elected as their correspondent to P.I.R. Those good looking file boxes, bookshelves, and armoires you're seeing around the camp are made by PW's at the Camp Carpenter shop which is under the direction of a newcomer to the family, T/3 Richard Garrison, of Fort Worth, TEXAS. The QMC BN HQS Company (563rd) now on the Post has been moved on Verbal Orders Of The Commanding General ever since they left the U.S.		(The following excerpt is cut from THE BIBLE AS LITERATURE and from the KING JAMES version.) CORINTHIANS 1. From Chapter XV. Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed. For this corruptible must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, And this mortal must put on immortality, Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, Which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, Always abounding in the work of the Lord, Forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. PRAYER Dear God, Excuse us if we get right down to brass tacks but there are some things we want you to look after right away. Please do something about the food in our mess hall. Flavor doesn't cost much...And maybe you could get General Brehon Somerville to spend a little less time telling the Press what a good job he's doing and a little more time doing it...And how about all this education the Army's been bleating about? Maybe you can hit them in the rear echelon with a bolt of lightning. That's all for now, God. AMEN.

EASY COMPANY BRIEF		MEMORY SONG OF THE WEEK
Pfc Vincent McKay came back to the fold after spending a day wandering about the streets of Paris last week and since that time his only topic of conversation has been the exotic flare for colour that the Parisiennes go in for where their hair is concerned. He claims to have seen black, brown, yellow, red, and even a pale pink...those are the usual shades in le temple de le dernier cri. He even claims to have seen one gay little midinette wearing a Kelly green page boy bob! AND...while we're on the subject of colour, WHERE did the messers McKay & Engle obtain those cerise and purple spots they're wearing so jauntily these days? DUE TO THE PROPINQUITY of the fairer sex here at Mourmelon, the Officers of E Co have turned into a regular wolf pack, but the funniest thing is to see all our rugged platoon sergeants volunteering to umpire Softball games at the nurses quarters. It's been very quiet since Sgt Allande left for his furlough...we all miss him, but GOSH it's peaceful here! Lafleur.		"I can't give you anything but love." I can't give you anything but love, baby; Dream awhile, scheme awhile, we're sure to find Happiness, and I guess, all those things we've longed for... Gee, I like to see you looking swell, baby. Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby. 'Till that lucky day, you know darned well, baby... I can't give you anything but love!
		GEORGE COMPANY NOTES
		Departures: Things are not the same in our kitchen since the 2nd Division bagged S/Sgt Roy (Roly-Poly) Rogers...and we all miss Supply Sgt Joseph Hegner. During our days in combat it was S/Sgt Hegner who made it his personal responsibility to get the chow up to the line and see that all the men were fed...Another loss was S/Sgt Swisher. We're going to look a long time before we find another mustache quite that colour. To these, and to all the men who were transferred to other outfits, George Company wishes the best in the world. Sport: We modestly announce the scores of some of our more recent ball games: George Co. 3 5th Division 1 George Co. 2 44th Division 0 George Co. 4 Stars and Stripes 2 This and That: T/5 Harry (Shovel-nose) Gilliam has been haunting the nurses qtrs looking for his cousin. IT SAYS HERE. Lutkus.

Herewith we present the conclusion of the third and final installment of COMBAT DIARY, 2nd BN, 290th INFANTRY.

Perhaps this documentation of hours, dates, and place names will help you to re-live, in happier days to come, the incidents, great and small, humorous, or tragic, that made up your life as a combat soldier. Perhaps too it will help to keep fresh in your memory the dreadful tapestry of death and desolation against which you and your brothers played your part in the making of history....This memory is your only weapon against another war. Maybe not tomorrow, or next year, or the year after that....but by the time your sons are on the threshold of manhood you may have need of it.

All of us who have had any part in the preparation of this series, from Captain Booker, on whose shoulders fell the greater part of the work, to the G.I. who put the stencils on the mimeograph, wish you well wherever the fortunes of war may take you, and hope that one of these days we'll meet again. J.B.S.

Mar. 13: Ossenberg, Germany

0600 - Activity during darkness (?) to a light exchange of MG and Artillery fire.

1030 - Plans made to evacuate civilians and livestock. This will commence tomorrow.

1730 - Cellar of a house on fire. Cause unknown. Patrol from H Company investigates.

1800 - Co's occupy forward positions of OP's along the Rhine.

2035 - E Co OP reports sound of air raid siren in the distance, on east side of the river.

2140 - G Co's OP reports small arms fire falling in river to their direct front.

Mar. 14: Ossenberg, Germany

0140 - G Company reports heavy mortar shells falling in Wallach.

0150 - E Co CP reports unidentified boat going north.

1200 - E Co's no 1 OP reports 8 to 10 men digging positions on opposite bank of Rhine.

1440 - G Co's no. 4 OP reports 9 rounds of mortar fire landed in area.

1715 - G Co's no. 4 OP observes two Germans digging in on top of dyke.

1720 - No. 7 OP reports three rounds of 150mm land close to CP.

Mar. 15: Ossenberg, Germany

0305 - (?) Co no.7 OP reports enemy boat sighted heading towards our shore. Did not land but turned and headed downstream. Observer could hear occupants talking in German.

0310 - Same boat puled up alongside a barge on opposite side of river....continued downstream.

1505 - Enemy artillery shells landed on chemical factory at Ossenberg.

1655 - No. 4 OP reports 15 rounds of artillery fell in G Co area.

2416 - S-2 reports patrol from E Co led by Lt Wheeler returned from mission across the Rhine.

Mar. 16: Ossenberg, Germany

0315 - G Co reports considerable amount of enemy machine gun fire coming into their area.

0530 - Heavy artillery shells landing in F Co sector.

1000 - Reg't reports three German soldiers landed from rubber boat on our side of the Rhine. One soldier captured, the other two escaped. They are looking for loads, patches, and traffic conditions.

1010 - Four rocket shells landed in G Co area.

1040 - Four rounds of HE and three duds land in F Co area. One round hits house killing woman and baby, injuring others.

2000 - G Co reports that two civilians are attempting to elude their men. They are heading towards 1st Bn.

2050 - E Co guards fired two rounds at civilians who refused to stop. They stopped.

Mar. 17: Ossenberg, Germany

0325 - Message from Reg't states 1st Bn discovered enemy boat this side of the river. They killed two of enemy...three got away and are at large on this side.

0740 - ME 109 strafed Bn CP area. No casualties.

2035 - E Co observes 8 enemy searchlights.

2045 - No. 7 OP reports plane dropped bombs in vicinity of cranes also dropped flares.

2120 - No. 3 OP reports three unidentified planes flying east.

Mar. 18: Ossenberg, Germany

0015 - Capt McGraw reports that cows are wandering back to the area. Calves bellowing and jumping up and down have tied up traffic in the streets of Wallach.

0240 - E Co No. 7 OP hears cry of "Cease firing!" (in English) from German held side of Rhine while G Co machine guns were firing.

0530 - Patrol that Bn sent across river returned to G Co CP.

0640 - A detail from G Co sent to dyke to pick up boat used by patrol is pinned down by enemy cross fire.

0700 - Seven man detail from G Co sent to get boat still pinned down. Cannot reach boat.

1430 - Capt Thompson assumes command of Co F.

1440 - A patrol from Reg't to go out tonight.

1930 - Jet propelled plane traveling east. May land in our area.

2330 - No. 5 OP observed a boat landing. Men getting out of boat. Lt Dubois taking patrol to investigate.

2345 - Patrol discovers men getting out of boat our own.

2355 - Our patrol to cross river tonight has been called off. Too much moon.

Mar. 19: Ossenberg, Germany

0130 - Capt McGraw reports activity in G Co sector. A small skirmish is taking place on the river bank in his area. Fight is between a German patrol and a squad from Lt Lander's platoon.

0140 - Capt McGraw reports situation under control. Result of activity: one enemy boat sunk one drifting downstream with enemy dead and wounded in it. Five enemy killed on beach, two in water. Two wounded Germans are being brought back to CP by Lt Greer, Bn S-2.

1440 - Six rounds of 120 mm Mortar fire land in F Co area.

1930 - Heavy artillery fire landing all along BN front.

2225 - Two boats loaded with enemy troops started across the Rhine...turned in midstream and headed back.

Mar. 20: Ossenberg, Germany

0300 - Reg't advises boat drifting towards our area with wounded American Officer aboard.

0445 - E Co OP reports boat has landed and all are present.

0900 - Two civilians who crossed river are picked up by E Co guards.

1040 - Our TD's shelled enemy across the river.

1720 - E Co Artillery forward observer fired at two tanks.

2400 - Great number of colored flares observed for last four hours.

Mar. 21: Ossenberg, Germany

0050 - G Co reports "Buzz Bomb" going south.

0120 - Col Harris accompanies Division staff officers on tour of our front line positions.

0500 - Continuous flares and small arms activity from other shore during early morning hours.

0845 - Enemy scores four direct hits on one of our Artillery OP's.

2215 - No. 5 OP reports two boats across Rhine. One came across to our side and was driven back by MG fire.

2230 - E Co reports enemy MG fire falling on their positions.

2255 - Capt McGraw reports enemy patrol has landed and is being taken care of.

2310 - Enemy patrol reported by G has been wiped out. One prisoner taken, boat sunk.

2320 - Capt McGraw reports another patrol has landed. Action still going on. Five Germans believed to be holding out.

2355 - Fight with German patrol has been concluded. G Co losses three men killed, two wounded.

Mar. 22: Ossenberg, Germany

0025 - German Lieutenant captured, questioned by S-2.

0115 - G Co fired at and killed man swimming back across Rhine.

1730 - Heavy artillery barrage lands in F Co sector.

1930 - Burp guns fired on no. 7 OP from across river.

2255 - No. 1 OP observes (?) on top of dyke.

2300 - No. 7 OP observes boat offshore.

2305 - E Co brings small arms fire down on boat. Request mortar fire.

2310 - No. 7 now reports two boats. Our fire has been effective. Boats now headed back for German shore. The cries of the wounded can be heard.

2330 - No. 7 reports we are again firing at a boat. Two enemy have jumped out of boat which is now floating downstream.

Mar. 23: Ossenberg, Germany

0030 - No. 8 OP observed boat drifting downstream.

1120 - All vehicles in Bn area grounded except one for each of the following: Command, Surgeon, Liaison, Messenger and Wire.

1710 - Smoke screen opposite E Co positions on enemy side.

1800 - Message from Reg't: No more necessity for guards or passes...pull in guards, maintain local security.

2055 - No. 6 OP heard sound of motors across the river.

2100 - Observed RAF bombing of Wesel(?).

Mar. 24: Ossenberg, Germany

0100 - Tremendous artillery preparation begins. Guns from fifty-five Artillery battalions firing on enemy positions and guns which have been located by our patrols and shell reports.

0200 - Infantry from 30th Infantry Division moves through our positions and establishes bridgehead over the Rhine.

0210 - No. 7 OP reports smoke drifting in front of E Co Sector.

0230 - Considerable machine gun fire across river during last half hour.

0405 - Small amount of time fire landing in vicinity of E Co.

0550 - First prisoners sent back across Rhine in G Co sector.

0750 - Four rounds of 88 fire land in E Co area.

0900 - Troop carriers and gliders crossing Rhine.

0905 - Capt McGraw reports Engineers have completed first bridge.

1000 - Barrage balloons put up to protect bridge.

2100 - Elements of 35th Infantry Division start across Rhine.

Mar. 25: Ossenberg, Germany

0215 - Bn notified that elements of 291st Infantry will relieve our Bn tomorrow.

1000 - Bn alerted to move. Present mission is to guard bridges.

1400 - Attempts made by German aircraft to destroy bridges.

Mar. 26: Hunxe, Germany

0800 - Bn still alerted to move.

0915 - Col Harris visited by Brig Gen Colson of 8th Armored Division and commander of Combat Command A to which 2nd Bn will be attached.

1100 - Gen Porter visits Bn.

1330 - Bn completely motorized.

1530 - CP at Ossenberg closed out.

1600 - 2nd Bn crosses the Rhine River. Entire command moved in a tactical motorized formation.

1830 - Bn closed into an assembly area in woods 1 mile west of Hunxe.

1900 - Men begin digging in defensive positions.

Mar. 27: Hunxe, Germany

0800 - Col Harris and Capt Peterson report to CCA Command Post.

1430 - CO and S-3 return.

1700 - Troops continue to remain in reserve. Work on positions.

2330 - Co commanders meeting at Bn CP re preparation fro movement with CCA tomorrow.

Mar. 28: Dorsten, Germany

1030 - Both Catholic and Protestant church services held in the woods near Deutche Jugend camp.

1500 - Co G joins task force Gerhardt near Polsum.

1900 - Bn began motor movement forward.

2130 - Bn reaches forward assembly area in woods. Men begin digging in for the night.

2300 - Col Harris returns from CCA with new orders to take Dorsten by tomorrow morning.

2330 - Col Harris an Co commanders go forward to plan attack. Task Force Harris formed.

2400 - Capt Booker and Capt Peterson march Bn forward to new forward assembly area in outskirts west of Dorsten.

Mar. 29: Dorsten, Germany

0100 - Bn organizes for attack on Dorsten. Assembles in factory.

0330 - Plans concluded for attack.

0400 - Co's E and F cross line of departure for attack on Dorsten.

0545 - Artillery lays preparation of fire on Dorsten.

0600 - Task Force Harris continues attack.

0645 - Col Harris notifies Exec by radio that he's in center of Dorsten and Bn has reached it's objective.

0800 - Gen Devine and Gen Colson of 8th Armored congratulate Col Harris on fine performance of 2nd Bn in the capture of Dorsten.

0840 - Germans shell Dorsten. Direct hit on F Co CP. Several casualties.

1130 - Gen Colson orders Bn to pull out of Dorsten when it's relieved by CCR.

1600 - Troops move back to billets in factory outside of Dorsten and reorganize.

1700 - G Co makes preparation for dawn attack to take Polsum.

Mar. 30: Dorsten, Germany

0700 - G Co attacks Polsum as part of Task Force Gerhardt.

1530 - Bn moves back into Dorsten to organize defense of the city. CP established in center of city.

1800 - G Co's attack on Polsum successful.

Mar. 31: Kol Brassert, Germany

0600 - 2nd Bn reverted to 75th Division control as a part of 290th Regt'l Reserve at Dorsten.

1300 - Entire Bn assembles in apartment district ready for future operations.

1400 - Bn left Dorsten, marching west to new assembly area.

1900 - Bn again moves forward. Makes night march to factory district of Kol Brassert on the outskirts of the city of Marl, Germany.

2145 - Troops closed into bivouac area.

April 1: Kol Brassert, Germany

0800 - Bn foot troops marched to assembly area in woods prior to jumping off in attack.

1000 - Bn attacks. No immediate opposition.

1200 - Attack moves fast. First objective taken.

1400 - Second objective taken. CP moved to Sherlerock.

1700 - Third objective taken. CP moved to Speckhorn.

2100 - Bn begins night move to reach canal. Weather cold and rainy during day.

April 2: Suderwich, Germany

0300 - Troops halted along road after an all night march. Bridge is out at the head of the Regt'l column.

0715 - Some forward elements fired upon by 88's.

1215 - Bn continues advance, flushing towns along the route.

1300 - Bn reaches Hornbeck and troops move into buildings. Bn is placed in Regt'l reserve.

1600 - Bn Commander and party leave on reconnaissance.

1730 - Bn Exec Officer and Co Commanders leave for Sudarwich.

2000 - Foot troops march to Sudarwich.

2200 - Companies begin moving into positions occupied by 134th Infantry Regiment of 30th Division along canal.

2300 - Bn CP closed into Sudarwich.

April 3: Suderwich, Germany

0700 - Bn completes relief of 134th (1st Bn) along Zweig Canal.

1200 - Morning spent in improving conditions along canal.

1330 - Co K 290th Infantry attached to Bn as reserve.

1800 - F Co reports location of enemy tank.

1945 - Patrol from F Co starts out on mission to cross canal and investigate manor house. E Co to protect crossing.

April 4: Suderwich, Germany

0150 - Patrol from K Co receiving small arms and mortar fire.

0245 - K Co patrol calls for Artillery concentration.

0330 - K Co patrol withdrawing. Receiving frontal and flanking fire. Report a tank in moat which surrounds Manor House.

0350 - Our 81 mm mortars firing at Manor House.

0415 - Patrol withdraws to this side of canal.

0730 - E Co OP reports direct hit on Manor.

2045 - E Co no. 1 OP reports machine gun fire on right flank. Mortar fire on E Co positions.

2255 - Clearance obtained to fire 8 inch guns on enemy. Mortars holding up combat patrol from K Co.

2305 - E Co observers alerted for sensing concentration of 8 inch against enemy targets.

2315 - Registration fired. Observed by E Co. Three rounds fired after sensing adjustment.

2345 - Fire mission completed.

April 5: Suderwich, Germany

0155 - K Co commander requests harassing fire to help.

0220 - Harassing mission completed. To be repeated in 15 minutes.

0500 - K Co mission unsuccessful.

0715 - G Co reports civilian suspects.

1355 - E Co observers locate enemy flak wagon.

1500 - Bn alerted to move.

1900 - Quartering party leaves Suderwich. (note by Gerald VanCleve: "Lt Weber - F")

2100 - Elements of Bn began pulling out of position and started to move across the canal as they were relieved by Division Reconnaissance Troops.

April 6: Ickern, Germany

0030 - Bn closed in at Ickern.

0700 - Bn placed on 15 minute alert by Regt'l Commander while in Regt'l reserve.

1100 - G Co now commanded by Lt Molloy, moved out to protect Regt'l CP.

1300 - G Co flushes woods east of Regt'l CP.

1400 - F Co ordered to reflush (illegible) and (illegible) the town in support of 1st Bn, 290th Infantry.

April 7: Bodelschwrigh, Germany

0700 - Remainder of Bn stays on alert.

1900 - Foot troops marched to Bodelschwrigh a distance of five miles.

2300 - Bn assembles in Brodelschwrigh and prepares for dawn attack.

April 8: Kirchlinde, Germany

0600 - G Co crosses line of departure North of Kirchlinde.

0700 - E Co reports no resistance.

0730 - G Co receiving sniper fire.

0735 - G Co pinned down by machine gun fire.

0935 - Hospital captured by forward elements. Estimate 300 patients. Some Allied.

1055 - Capt Thompson reports F Co is getting small arms fire, also artillery.

1105 - F Co encounters enemy tank.

1120 - G Co getting small arms fire and MG fire.

1400 - Bn CP moved to Kirchlinde.

1430 - Capt Thompson and Lt Molloy both state their companies have reached Bn objective. Men begin digging in.

1530 - G Co gets counter attack...repulsed.

1550 - F Co receives counter attack. It is being repulsed.

1730 - Forward Co's to remain in Marten, Germany for the night. E, H, and Hqs Co's remain in Kirchlinde.

April 9: Kirchlinde, Germany

1000 - G Co reports sound of motors. Believed to be tanks.

1010 - Artillery observer with G Co fired on company of Germans.

1030 - Jet propelled plane over town.

1040 - G Co fires on 10 Germans carrying machine gun and ammo.

2140 - Report of large movement of vehicles.

April 10: Lutgendortmund, Germany

0300 - Bn relieved of position by 1st Bn, 290th Infantry.

0315 - Began foot movement to assembly area near Lutgendortmund.

0730 - Bn crossed line of departure.

0815 - Forward elements receive moderate to light sniping.

0845 - 9 prisoners taken.

1000 - First objective reached.

1130 - 6 more prisoners taken.

1245 - E and G Co's have cleared one town, F Co cleared another.

1500 - Forward Co's meeting stronger resistance.

1525 - Bn Commander calls for air strike.

1530 - G Co needs litter bearers.

1545 - F Co takes 29 PW's.

1550 - Tank reinforcements have arrived.

1615 - 62 more PW's taken.

1750 - G Co meets enemy flak gun fire.

1900 - Col Harris reports to Reg't that mission is completed; objective taken.

2100 - G Co reports Lt Molloy and party have not been seen since entering woods. Woods have been searched.

2250 - Lt Molloy and party have returned. Do not want hot meal.

April 11: Witten, Germany

0800 - Bn left Lutgendortmund and proceeded to assembly area near Duren.

1000 - Bn held positions until 1st Bn consolidated their gains.

1100 - G Co attached to 1st Bn to aid in repelling counter-attack at Stockern.

1300 - Bn proceeded to attack Witten.

1930 - Bn CP closed in, outskirts of Witten.

April 12: Witten, Germany

0700 - E and F Co's jumped off in attack.

0800 - G Co in process of flushing out Nazi HQs and vicinity.

0925 - F Co still meeting light resistance.

1100 - 35 PW's sent to Reg't.

1315 - F Co receiving artillery fire.

2110 - Objective taken.

2130 - Co's dig in.

April 13: Witten, Germany

0825 - Bn moved in attack. E and F in assault with reinforced Platoon from G Co on left flank. Balance of G Co in reserve.

0840 - E Co reports resistance light.

1200 - Bn ordered to assist 3rd Bn in taking Herdecke.

1320 - G and F meeting small arms fire.

1930 - Town of Herdecke surrenders to Lt. Sloan's platoon (E).

April 14: Witten, Germany

0800 - All elements of Bn ordered to close in to Witten.

1100 - Message from Reg't: As soon as units are pulled in all attachments are relieved.

1200 - Bn relieved by elements of the 79th Infantry Division who assumed our positions overlooking the Ruhr river.

1700 - The relief is completed. All companies have withdrawn to Witten for billeting. (Note by Gerald VanCleve: "Lt Weber - F").

Thus, quietly, on an April afternoon, the Battalions relieved from combat. There were no trumpets blown over the graves of our dead; nor was there much jubilation. Europe's arbitrament of blood, in its final phase, was rapidly drawing to a close....but it was the end of a chapter rather than the end of a book, and many of us would eventually find our way into other outfits, labeled like so much livestock: FOR THE PACIFIC.

(Note by Gerald VanCleve - F Co runner - "2nd Bn moved o occupation in Germany (military government) and later became cadre at CP Pittsburgh in Mourmelon Le Grand, France).

STAFF	MAJOR MANITOBA	WELCOME TO THE 28th DIVISION
Editor: Pfc. John B. Storm Associates: Pfc. Harold Lafleur Sgt A. L. Zwanck Pfc. Joseph Lutkus T/4 Kent S. Freeman Pfc Ben Urgola	(reading the swimming school schedule): Now let me see, enlisted men up to 1530, officers - 1530 to 1730.... But how do they have time to change the water?	The 28th Division, under the command of Major General Norman D. Cota, a native of Massachusetts, has arrived at Camp Pittsburgh to be processed before going to the Pacific via the United States. The 28th is a Pennsylvania National Guard Division and was activated in 1941. The boys with the scarlet keystone, sometimes referred to as the "bloody bucket" on their shoulders, reached the United Kingdom the 8th of October, 1943. In July of 1944 they hit the beaches of Normandy, and since then have appeared to advantage in the Ardennes, the Colmar Pocket, and in Germany. We are happy to welcome them to the AAC and we hope their stay here will be both short and pleasant. GOOD LUCK, FELLOWS!
- PITTSBURGH STAGES AQUATIC MEET SATURDAY - MAN WITH 126 POINTS HAS FIT IN HQ COMPANY. - MAN WITH 13 POINTS HAS FIT IN H COMPANY. - FEMALE DOG OWNED BY COLORED QMC GROUP WEARS PRO KIT ATTACHED TO COLLAR....IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR. - LT STEVE DUBOIS SHARES QUARTERS WITH MILTON CANIFF'S "LACE" - EFFIE SHANNON ELERT FINDS CLERK WHO TYPES!!!	QUESTION OF THE WEEK
	The mess halls are blossoming out with garish orange and black signs admonishing the reader not to waste the food, where to put the garbage, etc. Immediately over the serving line, one bears the message, "If you want more, ask for it. If you don't, say so." We investigated the matter forthwith. THREE G.I.s seeing the sign asked for MORE FOOD and were bluntly told to move along, WHAT ARE THE SIGNS FOR?