Ed & Ray Hersman in WWII - Robert Marks.org

8.4. COLD & CLOSE TO RUSSIA Ed & Ray Hersman in WWIIencounter, Dad apologized, noting that he thought I was trying to steal hiscoat.8.4 Cold & Close to RussiaThe GI’s were finally let out of the boxcars just shy of the German EasternFront somewhere close to Russia. The weather was terrible with a blanketof snow on the ground and temperatures at or below freezing much of thetime. The GI’s were then marched for 87 days back across Poland to thePOW Camp. During the march they received minimal food and no healthcare. They had to march as individuals, not being allowed to assist anotherGI in any way. Any soldier who fell out, or was unable to march for anyreason was shot. The German guards were SS troops who were armed withrifles and pistols. Since rifle ammunition was in short supply, they used theirpistols if they had to shoot a prisoner.Dad talked about how cold and hungry he was, noting that he had neverbeen that hungry either before or after his military service. He noted that oneday he was so weak his legs gave out and he fell to the side of the road. AnSS Trooper walked up to him and ordered him back in line, but he couldn’tget up. The trooper then reached inside his greatcoat and Dad knew thathe was reaching for his pistol. The trooper was a young German, and Dadyelled, begging the German not to shoot him and that he would get up. TheGerman then pulled an apple out of his coat, gave it to Dad, and orderedtwo other GI’s to assist Dad. He noted that this was the only kindness thathe ever witnessed from the Germans .8.4.1 At POW CampI am unclear where the POW camp was located. Dad stated on a numberof occasions that it was just on the other side of a German village fromthe “Bilez” concentration camp. But, in doing some research, I have been107