In a word, Company E started their trip to Germany in this way. Accommodation and transportation are impeccable. Basically, they take whatever they want. On the other hand, while enjoying the Alps, the surrendered Germans marched neatly to the prison camp. Under the "service" of the refugees, E Company lived comfortably.
Capture "Ying Chao".
According to the deployment of allied forces, Bradley attached the 10 1 airborne division to the 7th Army of the United States, went to Bavaria, and captured Hitler's "Ying Chao" in Berchtesgaden. It is said that some "die-hards" in the German army fled there to prepare for a life-and-death battle. Such a tough battle can only be completed by airborne troops.
But in fact, the Germans simply don't have enough manpower and material resources to build defensive positions. The officers and men of Company E slept and sang all the way without any obstacles. It's not so much a tactical action as a pretty good group tour. Then why was Eisenhower so "careful"?
First of all, the Ardennes campaign launched by Germany really impressed him. Because when he thought that the Germans were unable to fight back, amazing fighting capacity broke out, and 600,000 allies lost 6.5438+10,000. This can fully show that he underestimated the strength of the Germans. Although the Germans in Germany have laid down their weapons at present, "Ying Chao" cannot be taken lightly.
Secondly, according to intelligence, the Germans collected a lot of gold and silver treasures and precious calligraphy and paintings during the war, which is the best "compensation" for being a belligerent country. According to the "international practice" of "first come, first served", the United States is bound to win this wealth, and airborne troops who are good at rapid advancement are the only choice.
Of course, "Ying Chao" is a symbol of Nazi Germany, and capturing it can expand its influence in the international community and improve its international status. Therefore, the French and the British are "racing against time" to attack "Ying Chao". What they want is that the day after the invasion, major newspapers published "So-and-so national army occupied' Ying Chao' and Germany perished".
Now that Hitler is dead, it hasn't slowed people's curiosity about Ying Chao. Can this mysterious place uncover the reasons behind the "war madman" launching World War II? It has become the most concerned thing for all countries at present. However, the officers and men of Company E arrived first.
Officers and men of "Fu" E Company.
As a "reward", the 506th Regiment, as the vanguard of 10 1 Airborne Division, captured "Ying Chao", and Colonel Sink handed this glorious task to the 2nd Battalion where Winters was located. Naturally, the honor of starring in Ying Chao fell on E Company. On May 4th, they met the 2nd Armored Division of the French Army on the way forward, and the destination was the same as E Company.
Colonel Sink asked Winters to lead his troops everywhere. Company E captured the town of Bestetsgarden as quickly as possible without firing a shot, and set up a sentry outside the town. No one was released except the American army, and later the troops of other countries had to turn around and go back. Company E seems to have entered a "Xanadu", with luxurious official residences and clean streets, implying once prosperity.
First, gather all the Germans in the town and send them to the prison camp in the rear. Of course, in addition to handing in firearms, their valuables were also searched by officers and men. Watches, Luger pistols, etc. It is their favorite collection.
Second, the platoon of Company E lived in the SS barracks, and the officers lived in the luxurious Hotel Berchtesgaden. The soldiers began to send the collected "trophies" to China in boxes, and even the luxury cars parked in the garage became the targets of their looting.
There are many wine cellars here, but the biggest one was discovered by Major Winters, who doesn't drink. It originally belonged to Marshal Goering, and it was filled with famous wines from all over the world. What's even more amazing is that most of them are treasured wines that have been kept for decades, and they are expensive. He decided to surprise his good friend Captain Nixon.
Nixon was born in a wealthy family and was a typical "alcoholic". Naturally, he had a high taste for wine. While he was amazed, he began to choose champagne with high price and large appreciation space purposefully. He chose five trucks for himself. Winters let each platoon take the rest of the wine in a truck and lived happily ever after.
On May 8th, Germany surrendered, and Company E learned the excellence of German soldiers.
After Germany formally surrendered to the Allies, the Germans everywhere obeyed orders and surrendered to the Allies stationed there. Winters was also ordered to lead the 2nd Battalion to Lake Zell in Austria to accept the German surrender. Paratroopers sit in trucks, just like traveling. When they arrived the next day, they saw the Germans in sharp contrast with them.
The first is the difference in numbers. Winters' second battalion has less than 600 people, but it is responsible for managing 25,000 German soldiers with guns in its jurisdiction. The end of the European war is not only the liberation of the victors, but also the beginning of a new life for the defeated. Their purpose is to go home, so the Germans think that cooperation is fast and they will go home quickly.
Secondly, compared with the US military, the German army maintained good military discipline, kept silent in the queue and always showed good discipline. Curious Austrian couldn't help whispering: "It looks like an elite German army. How could it lose to these Americans without orthomorphism?"
Of course, what the officers and men of Company E can't forget is what a German colonel said to his subordinates: "Germany was defeated, but you are all excellent soldiers. We fought in a trench and forged a deeper friendship than brothers. Now we want to go back to our home and rebuild our home. Germany needs every one of you. "
Then these Germans marched vigorously and followed the American troops who escorted them to the prison camp. On their faces, there is neither disappointment nor pride of losers. They just told themselves and everyone through neat steps that we used to be a collective and unity was the spiritual pillar to overcome everything.
As winners, the officers and men of Company E cast an admiring look at the Germans in front of them. In their view, the standard of a good soldier is to have an eye-catching spirit at all times. Winters allowed German officers to carry guns and German gendarmes to keep order, which was the best recognition for their former opponents.
Did winters do the right thing? Welcome to leave a message for discussion.
References: the whole history of World War II, World War II, Brother Company.
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