Fred Scherer is now 86 years old but - The Fighting 69th Infantry ...

Controversy over
status of Black Soldiers
in 69th continues
Raymond C. Norris
Company F, 271st Infantry
642 Law Street, Aberdeen, Maryland 21001
In response to the letter from Jim Kidd which
appeared on page 36 of Vol. 51, No. 1 Bulletin, and the
letter from Richard Levy which appeared on page 29
of Vol. 51, No.2, there is some confusion. The Recon
and Combat Patrol was formed in France prior to going
up to replace the 99th Infantry Division by volunteers
from within the 2nd Battalion, 271st Infantry. I was
the first and only Platoon Sergeant assigned to the
Patrol. All the other members were assigned from
within the Battalion. Our 1st Platoon Leader was
from Company F and he was not with us long. We
were without a Platoon Leader until Lt. Town was
assigned. I went on every patrol from day one, behind
enemy lines, both night and day. Most were for reconnaissance,
but we did have to fight our way back or
change routes several times, and when we were not on
patrol we provided security for the Bn. C.P. On the
move, we were used to scout ahead and spearhead the
Battalion's advance across Germany.
The members of the Combat and Recon Patrol that
I can remember are Sgt. Leroy Parks, who now lives
in Weirton, West Virginia and Corp. Herbert Erhart,
a retired doctor and big game hunter in Eager, Arizona.
Other members were Lt. Charles Town, Pfc. Hannaway,
Pfc. Lafave, Pfc. John Ingram, Cpl. Perrico,
Pfc. Taylor, Pfc. Robert Hosea, Pfc. McGuire, Pfc.
Robert Cascart, Pfc. Ingersal, Pfc. McDade, Pfc.
James Lewis, Pfc. Robert Wheeler, and Pfc. Ashell.
These are the soldiers I remember. They were all white
and went all the way to Torgau on the Elbe. Herb
Erhart may have names of the other patrol members.
I am sure Col. McCormick and Chaplain May could
substantiate all this because we had many meetings
with Col. McCormick and a good rapport with the
chaplain.
The black soldiers reported to Battalion Headquarters
approximately 10 days after the war in Germany
ended. The Combat and Reconnaissance Platoon was
disbanded and all members sent back to their respective
companies, except me. I remained along with Lt.
Town to help the black soldiers get settled in, even
though they had their own platoon sergeant. Their
mission. was to provide Battalion Security. I was
informed that they had been at Division Headquarters
for several weeks, had not been in combat units, but
had served in several service type units and had been
in Europe several months. I then requested to be
returned to Company F, 2nd Battalion as Platoon
Sergeant of the Second Platoon.
-35-
They were not addressed as a "J" platoon by anyone
in the Battalion. I have known Lt. Jim Kidd since he
was assigned to Company F just prior to our departure
for England. In fact, he was the only officer in
Company F to make it through the war, the others
being killed, wounded, or transferred. I am sending Lt.
Kidd a copy of this letter.
I enjoy the Bulletin very much and appreciate the
good job you, Bob, and Bill are doing and everyone
should be happy to send in their dues to keep it going.
********************************
Remembering Occupation
Submitted by: Homer Rager
Company G, 273rd Infantry
2469 28th Street S.w., Akron, Ohio 44314
Seldom mentioned in the stories making the pages
of the bulletin is Occupation.
When the 69th and 29th merged at war's end, I was
in the 175th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division for the
rest of my stay in Germany. The town, which escapes
my memory, had light damage. We talked about when
we would go home. It was a lot like basic training.
Most people passing through were DPs. Some had no
place to go, others were in route to friends or looking
for loved ones. We had to listen to numerous stories
and accounts of their ordeal. It was pitiful and sad.
After Ike lifted the fraternizing ban, our work was
much easier and soon things began to take shape and
make our tour of duty more pleasant. There were few
men or German husbands. The women felt the same
as a lot of us GI's and nature took its course. The
children learned to like the GIs and we gave them our
goodies. We had plenty and they needed it more than
we did. Some of the older residents resented us, but
they stayed in their place.
The frauleins were very obliging and we discussed
war and the spoils of war frequently. Lots oftear jerkers.
I learned to speak Pennsylvania Dutch before I
went off to war and it came easy for me to understand
the German language. They picked up English quickly.
We had fun together and time went by quickly. We had
a New Year's Eve party in 1945. It was a sad and glad
time. When the party broke up, we sang Silent Night
in English and German, and said ourgoodnights and
goodbyes.
On January 1, 1946 we picked up our gear and we
were on our way home. We played pinochle every day
on the journey. My arrival home after 14 months
overseas was greetings of another kind. All 4 of us
brothers were discharged and through the prayers of
friends and parents, we at! returned safe and sound.
I have only visited a couple ofG, 273rd 6gers: Willie
McGee, Edson Stag and Mrs. Haverly and daughter.
Sorry, but I can't make the reunion. Let's hear from
some more of you Company G, 273rd members.