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STOCKHEIM CLASH
Download: StockheimClash-Spwaw.zip
Game: SPWAW - v 7.1 and 8.0
Location: South of Duren, Germany
USA vs Germany
SPWAW: Version: 7.1 and 8.0
Turns: 30
Design: Map and Design: RockinHarry (RHZ)
Tested by fellow Raiders: Federico Doveri, Stuart Millis and Bryan Melvin
Description: Operation GRENADE, South of Duren, Germany, February 25, 1945*
On the second day of Operation GRENADE , the US 1st and 9th Armies attacked across the Roer River and
established a narrow bridgehead. The 8th US Infantry Division's 1st Battalion 28th Regiment pushed out of the
bridgehead to take STOCKHEIM, a small town just to the south of DUREN.
It was believed that STOCKHEIM was defended by weak German troops. Instead, STOCKHEIM was defended by
various German troops including tanks and self-propelled guns. Unfortunately US armor support arrival of
740th tank battalion was delayed due to the Germans harassing the river crossings by air and artillery attacks,
which delayed completion of bridge construction. Even new jet propelled attack planes were used by the
Germans to strafe and bomb the bridgehead.
In the misty wet damp and muddy conditions, the US 1st Battalion 28th Infantry Regiment began its push to take
STOCKHEIM. It met stiff resistance but soon ample US artillery support and air support became available later
in the day and resistance was overcome at a steep cost.
Wild Bill's Raiders
http://www.militarygameronline.com/steelpanthers/
Sources:http://www.techwarrior.cx/~roliver/8th/8th-chapter6.htm
Download: StockheimClash-Spwaw.zip
Game: SPWAW - v 7.1 and 8.0
Location: South of Duren, Germany
USA vs Germany
SPWAW: Version: 7.1 and 8.0
Turns: 30
Design: Map and Design: RockinHarry (RHZ)
Tested by fellow Raiders: Federico Doveri, Stuart Millis and Bryan Melvin
Description: Operation GRENADE, South of Duren, Germany, February 25, 1945*
On the second day of Operation GRENADE , the US 1st and 9th Armies attacked across the Roer River and
established a narrow bridgehead. The 8th US Infantry Division's 1st Battalion 28th Regiment pushed out of the
bridgehead to take STOCKHEIM, a small town just to the south of DUREN.
It was believed that STOCKHEIM was defended by weak German troops. Instead, STOCKHEIM was defended by
various German troops including tanks and self-propelled guns. Unfortunately US armor support arrival of
740th tank battalion was delayed due to the Germans harassing the river crossings by air and artillery attacks,
which delayed completion of bridge construction. Even new jet propelled attack planes were used by the
Germans to strafe and bomb the bridgehead.
In the misty wet damp and muddy conditions, the US 1st Battalion 28th Infantry Regiment began its push to take
STOCKHEIM. It met stiff resistance but soon ample US artillery support and air support became available later
in the day and resistance was overcome at a steep cost.
Wild Bill's Raiders
http://www.militarygameronline.com/steelpanthers/
Sources:http://www.techwarrior.cx/~roliver/8th/8th-chapter6.htm
The 28th Infantry again distinguished itself in combat during WWII. After landing on Utah Beach on July 4, 1944, its
first action was an attack to the south to establish a critical bridgehead over the Ay River so that armored divisions
could launch a breakout and then attack into Brittany and Northern France. The Regiment then advanced south
through Avranches and Rennes and turned west into Brittany. It participated in the savage battle for Brest and then
fought on the Crozon Peninsula. In late September, the 28th moved to Luxembourg and assumed its sector of the
8th Inf Div front which stretched along the Our River. In mid-November, the Regiment relieved elements of the 109th
Infantry in the area southeast of Aachen. The next several weeks were spent attacking through the dense,
forbidding Huertgen Forest, where deep mud, bitter cold, snow, enemy artillery and mines, and fierce enemy
resistance caused numerous casualties in the worst fighting the Regiment was to experience. The Regiment
successfully conducted an assault crossing of the flood-swollen Roer River in late February. It then seized the
town of Stockheim and continued the attack, seizing dozens of strongly defended enemy towns, until it
reached the Rhine River. In mid-April the 28th Infantry drove north as part of the campaign to destroy or capture all
enemy forces trapped in the Ruhr-Sieg pocket. After a brief period of occupation duty in the Ruhr-Rhine area, the
Regiment was ordered to cross the Elbe and advance toward the Baltic Sea. The final days of the war for the
Regiment were spent managing huge numbers of Wehrmacht POWs, refugees and former prisoners of the
Germans. During its eleven months of combat, the Regiment played a major part in four allied campaigns -
winning three Presidential Unit Citations embroidered Normandy, Bergstein and Stockheim. It suffered over 4,300
total casualties and captured more than 115,000 prisoners of war and vast stores of enemy material. The
Regiment was inactive from 1945 until 1950.
first action was an attack to the south to establish a critical bridgehead over the Ay River so that armored divisions
could launch a breakout and then attack into Brittany and Northern France. The Regiment then advanced south
through Avranches and Rennes and turned west into Brittany. It participated in the savage battle for Brest and then
fought on the Crozon Peninsula. In late September, the 28th moved to Luxembourg and assumed its sector of the
8th Inf Div front which stretched along the Our River. In mid-November, the Regiment relieved elements of the 109th
Infantry in the area southeast of Aachen. The next several weeks were spent attacking through the dense,
forbidding Huertgen Forest, where deep mud, bitter cold, snow, enemy artillery and mines, and fierce enemy
resistance caused numerous casualties in the worst fighting the Regiment was to experience. The Regiment
successfully conducted an assault crossing of the flood-swollen Roer River in late February. It then seized the
town of Stockheim and continued the attack, seizing dozens of strongly defended enemy towns, until it
reached the Rhine River. In mid-April the 28th Infantry drove north as part of the campaign to destroy or capture all
enemy forces trapped in the Ruhr-Sieg pocket. After a brief period of occupation duty in the Ruhr-Rhine area, the
Regiment was ordered to cross the Elbe and advance toward the Baltic Sea. The final days of the war for the
Regiment were spent managing huge numbers of Wehrmacht POWs, refugees and former prisoners of the
Germans. During its eleven months of combat, the Regiment played a major part in four allied campaigns -
winning three Presidential Unit Citations embroidered Normandy, Bergstein and Stockheim. It suffered over 4,300
total casualties and captured more than 115,000 prisoners of war and vast stores of enemy material. The
Regiment was inactive from 1945 until 1950.
As far as we know Johann had two brothers
and one sister. We believe her name was
Irene ,and that she became a Sister of
the Good Shepherd Order in Germany.
Johann's daughter Sr. Mary Julitta, C.PP.S.
remembered receiving a holy card from her
at least once in the mail.
and one sister. We believe her name was
Irene ,and that she became a Sister of
the Good Shepherd Order in Germany.
Johann's daughter Sr. Mary Julitta, C.PP.S.
remembered receiving a holy card from her
at least once in the mail.
The Sisters of the Good Shepherd form one international
congregation ministering in 71 countries on five
continents. In the United States, the Sisters are spread
from east to west in 23 states and also are in Canada.
Founded over two hundred years ago in Angers, France,
by St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier who believed that God is
like a compassionate Shepherd whose love for all is
boundless, Good Shepherd Sisters respond to a call to
reach out to everyone and help awaken in all peoples a
sense of each one's unique worth and inestimable value.
congregation ministering in 71 countries on five
continents. In the United States, the Sisters are spread
from east to west in 23 states and also are in Canada.
Founded over two hundred years ago in Angers, France,
by St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier who believed that God is
like a compassionate Shepherd whose love for all is
boundless, Good Shepherd Sisters respond to a call to
reach out to everyone and help awaken in all peoples a
sense of each one's unique worth and inestimable value.
St Mary Euphrasia Pelletier (1796 - 1868)
Rose Virginie Pelletier was born on the island of Noirmoutier, off the coast of France, on July 31st, 1796. She was the ninth child of Dr Julien
Pelletier and his wife Anne. Two years earlier, during the French Revolution, the Pelletiers had been deported from Soullans to Normoutier as
"suspects", leaving their five remaining children in the care of their grand-parents. Although later released, the couple were forced to stay on the
island. Since there was no priest on the island, Dr Pelletier baptised his daughter himself. Rose Virginie grew up an "only" child until the return of the
five older ones. The Pelletier family often took in hungry children, sick people and refugees whom Dr Pelletier looked after. His death in 1806 was a
great loss for everyone. Rose knew loneliness - at age ten, she had lost a father and three sisters.
For almost twenty years there was no girls school at Noirmoutier. Three Ursuline sisters opened a school in 1808 and Rose Virginie was one of their
first pupils at the age of 12. Rose enjoyed school. She had a quick, brilliant mind and impressed both teachers and students with her superior ability.
In addition, she was impetuous, impulsive with a headstrong nature and often clashed with authority.
By 1810 Mrs Pelletier was gravely ill. Of her nine children, three had died, one was a prisoner in England, two had enlisted in the navy. Being left with
her oldest daughter and two youngest, Mrs Pelletier decided to return to Soullans. She placed Rose Virginie in boarding school at Tours run by one
of her friends, Mrs Chobelet. For Rose Virginie, the freedom of life on the island was now only a memory. She felt cut off from her family and found life
in boarding school very hard. The harshness of the principal was tempered by the warmth and encouragement of an understanding teacher, Pauline
de Lignac. When in 1813 she learned unexpectedly that her Mother had died and that the funeral was over, she thought she would "die of sorrow".
She expected to return home but this desire was refused by her guardian (her sister's husband).
Near the boarding school was another convent which the students visited on special occasions in order to serve meals. This was run by Our Lady of
the Refuge, an order founded by St John Eudes, providing care and protection for women and girls who were homeless and at risk of exploitation.
Rose Virginie was attracted to this mission and wrote to her guardian seeking permission to join the sisters. Her guardian refused permission. The
boarding school principal likewise disapproved the idea. Rose Virginie persisted in her dream and eventually her guardian relented, on the
understanding that she was not permitted to take vows before she turned 21.
In 1814 Rose Virginie joined the Tours Refuge. Before taking the habit, she was asked to choose a saint's name. When her first choice "Teresa of
Avila" was rejected as too "famous", Rose Virginie then chose "Euphrasia" (a little known saint from the north of Africa) and became known as Sr
Mary Euphrasia. She brought joy to the lives of this elderly community worn out by the hardships of the revolution. Her period of preparation before
vows allowed maximum time for reading the scriptures and the lives of the saints. The young women in care responded well to her kindness and
energy. Her own experience of coldness and strictness at boarding school meant that she knew first hand the value of understanding, acceptance
and love. She prayed much for the girls to recognise God's love in their lives. In 1817 Sr Mary Euphrasia made her religious profession by taking
vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and zeal for souls.
St Mary EuphrasiaAfter seven years of work among the young women in care, Sr M Euphrasia was elected Leader of the community. At age 28, being
much younger than the other sisters, she was reluctant to accept this responsibility. However, assured of their support she embraced this role and
embarked on new projects. Four years later, the refuge housed 70 boarders and 80 orphans. An innovative step was to establish a contemplative
community within the refuge, allowing boarders to become nuns. Canonical laws of the time were very strict about conditions of admission to
religious life and to circumvent this, the Magdalens were formed. In 1825, the first four women received the habit of the Sisters of St Mary Magdalen.
These followed a rule adapted from the Carmelites, a contemplative order in existence for some centuries. The Magdalens (known today as
Contemplative Sisters of the Good Shepherd) lived a cloistered life and offered their prayer and work for the success of the work of the refuge.
Sr M Euphrasia dreamed of being able to do more for God - she longed to be able to help girls in many other places and in other countries as well.
Not sure if her dreams were of God, M Euphrasia asked a dying Magdalen sister, "Will you ask God to let me know whether my desire to build more
homes for girls is inspired by God?" A few days after her death a bishop asked Sr M Euphrasia to found a refuge in Angers.
On June 6, 1829 the sisters from Tours arrived in Angers to found the refuge. The early days were extremely harsh due to lack of funds. The boarders
and sisters were often hungry. Father Breton who had been instrumental in encouraging the Bishop of Angers collected more donations. Count de
Neville whose mother had left 30,000 francs for the re-establishment of a refuge in Angers, also helped. The convent, named Good Shepherd after
the original Anger refuge, was dedicated on July 31, 1829 after which M Euphrasia returned to Angers.
Within two years the situation had deteriorated and in 1831 M Euphrasia was named Leader at Angers. Once again, she called on Count de Neville's
help. His vision for the spread of the work and his financial assistance was a great support to M Euphrasia. Confronted with the enormity of the task,
M Euphrasia hoped that other refuges of the sisters of Our Lady of Charity would come to their help. This was not to be because of the tradition that
each refuge was independent and autonomous. At the same time M Euphrasia was receiving request from bishops in other French cities asking her
to found more refuges. A plan slowly developed in her mind - a vision of a network of refuges where resources and staff would be shared in common.
Bishop Montault of Angers encouraged M Euphrasia in her vision, recognising that there would be strength in numbers. Others, however, saw this
differently. Many objected, including some of her own sisters. M Euphrasia prayed much throughout this difficult time and on the Feast of the
Assumption she wrote a letter, outlining her plans and how she had met with opposition to Cardinal Odescalchi in Rome. The letter began "Behold
the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your word". Not long after, M Euphrasia had a dream in which she was visited by a Cardinal
who said that he had been appointed by God as protector of the work. M Euphrasia experienced peace and two months later a favourable reply came
from Cardinal Odescalchi. On 16th January,1835, the sisters were startled when the convent bell rang three times, all by itself. At that very hour the
Pope had issued a decree approving the Generalate - thus began officially the existence of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd.
With S M E as the first superior General of this fledgling congregation, it expanded quickly in the 33 years that transpired before her death on 24th
April, 1868. Young women were attracted to the congregation and new houses were established in other parts of Europe, North and South America,
Asia, Africa and Australia, the latter in 1863.
SME was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1940 and is now known as Saint Mary Euphrasia Pelletier.
Rose Virginie Pelletier was born on the island of Noirmoutier, off the coast of France, on July 31st, 1796. She was the ninth child of Dr Julien
Pelletier and his wife Anne. Two years earlier, during the French Revolution, the Pelletiers had been deported from Soullans to Normoutier as
"suspects", leaving their five remaining children in the care of their grand-parents. Although later released, the couple were forced to stay on the
island. Since there was no priest on the island, Dr Pelletier baptised his daughter himself. Rose Virginie grew up an "only" child until the return of the
five older ones. The Pelletier family often took in hungry children, sick people and refugees whom Dr Pelletier looked after. His death in 1806 was a
great loss for everyone. Rose knew loneliness - at age ten, she had lost a father and three sisters.
For almost twenty years there was no girls school at Noirmoutier. Three Ursuline sisters opened a school in 1808 and Rose Virginie was one of their
first pupils at the age of 12. Rose enjoyed school. She had a quick, brilliant mind and impressed both teachers and students with her superior ability.
In addition, she was impetuous, impulsive with a headstrong nature and often clashed with authority.
By 1810 Mrs Pelletier was gravely ill. Of her nine children, three had died, one was a prisoner in England, two had enlisted in the navy. Being left with
her oldest daughter and two youngest, Mrs Pelletier decided to return to Soullans. She placed Rose Virginie in boarding school at Tours run by one
of her friends, Mrs Chobelet. For Rose Virginie, the freedom of life on the island was now only a memory. She felt cut off from her family and found life
in boarding school very hard. The harshness of the principal was tempered by the warmth and encouragement of an understanding teacher, Pauline
de Lignac. When in 1813 she learned unexpectedly that her Mother had died and that the funeral was over, she thought she would "die of sorrow".
She expected to return home but this desire was refused by her guardian (her sister's husband).
Near the boarding school was another convent which the students visited on special occasions in order to serve meals. This was run by Our Lady of
the Refuge, an order founded by St John Eudes, providing care and protection for women and girls who were homeless and at risk of exploitation.
Rose Virginie was attracted to this mission and wrote to her guardian seeking permission to join the sisters. Her guardian refused permission. The
boarding school principal likewise disapproved the idea. Rose Virginie persisted in her dream and eventually her guardian relented, on the
understanding that she was not permitted to take vows before she turned 21.
In 1814 Rose Virginie joined the Tours Refuge. Before taking the habit, she was asked to choose a saint's name. When her first choice "Teresa of
Avila" was rejected as too "famous", Rose Virginie then chose "Euphrasia" (a little known saint from the north of Africa) and became known as Sr
Mary Euphrasia. She brought joy to the lives of this elderly community worn out by the hardships of the revolution. Her period of preparation before
vows allowed maximum time for reading the scriptures and the lives of the saints. The young women in care responded well to her kindness and
energy. Her own experience of coldness and strictness at boarding school meant that she knew first hand the value of understanding, acceptance
and love. She prayed much for the girls to recognise God's love in their lives. In 1817 Sr Mary Euphrasia made her religious profession by taking
vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and zeal for souls.
St Mary EuphrasiaAfter seven years of work among the young women in care, Sr M Euphrasia was elected Leader of the community. At age 28, being
much younger than the other sisters, she was reluctant to accept this responsibility. However, assured of their support she embraced this role and
embarked on new projects. Four years later, the refuge housed 70 boarders and 80 orphans. An innovative step was to establish a contemplative
community within the refuge, allowing boarders to become nuns. Canonical laws of the time were very strict about conditions of admission to
religious life and to circumvent this, the Magdalens were formed. In 1825, the first four women received the habit of the Sisters of St Mary Magdalen.
These followed a rule adapted from the Carmelites, a contemplative order in existence for some centuries. The Magdalens (known today as
Contemplative Sisters of the Good Shepherd) lived a cloistered life and offered their prayer and work for the success of the work of the refuge.
Sr M Euphrasia dreamed of being able to do more for God - she longed to be able to help girls in many other places and in other countries as well.
Not sure if her dreams were of God, M Euphrasia asked a dying Magdalen sister, "Will you ask God to let me know whether my desire to build more
homes for girls is inspired by God?" A few days after her death a bishop asked Sr M Euphrasia to found a refuge in Angers.
On June 6, 1829 the sisters from Tours arrived in Angers to found the refuge. The early days were extremely harsh due to lack of funds. The boarders
and sisters were often hungry. Father Breton who had been instrumental in encouraging the Bishop of Angers collected more donations. Count de
Neville whose mother had left 30,000 francs for the re-establishment of a refuge in Angers, also helped. The convent, named Good Shepherd after
the original Anger refuge, was dedicated on July 31, 1829 after which M Euphrasia returned to Angers.
Within two years the situation had deteriorated and in 1831 M Euphrasia was named Leader at Angers. Once again, she called on Count de Neville's
help. His vision for the spread of the work and his financial assistance was a great support to M Euphrasia. Confronted with the enormity of the task,
M Euphrasia hoped that other refuges of the sisters of Our Lady of Charity would come to their help. This was not to be because of the tradition that
each refuge was independent and autonomous. At the same time M Euphrasia was receiving request from bishops in other French cities asking her
to found more refuges. A plan slowly developed in her mind - a vision of a network of refuges where resources and staff would be shared in common.
Bishop Montault of Angers encouraged M Euphrasia in her vision, recognising that there would be strength in numbers. Others, however, saw this
differently. Many objected, including some of her own sisters. M Euphrasia prayed much throughout this difficult time and on the Feast of the
Assumption she wrote a letter, outlining her plans and how she had met with opposition to Cardinal Odescalchi in Rome. The letter began "Behold
the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your word". Not long after, M Euphrasia had a dream in which she was visited by a Cardinal
who said that he had been appointed by God as protector of the work. M Euphrasia experienced peace and two months later a favourable reply came
from Cardinal Odescalchi. On 16th January,1835, the sisters were startled when the convent bell rang three times, all by itself. At that very hour the
Pope had issued a decree approving the Generalate - thus began officially the existence of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd.
With S M E as the first superior General of this fledgling congregation, it expanded quickly in the 33 years that transpired before her death on 24th
April, 1868. Young women were attracted to the congregation and new houses were established in other parts of Europe, North and South America,
Asia, Africa and Australia, the latter in 1863.
SME was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1940 and is now known as Saint Mary Euphrasia Pelletier.
The Sisters of the Good Shepherd (called also Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd) is a Roman Catholic monastic
order dedicated to a mission of reconciliation and mercy. The Institute of the Good Shepherd is a branch of Our Lady of Charity of the
Refuge, founded in 1641 by Blessed Jean Eudes, at Caen, France. The order is particularly devoted to the care, rehabilitation, and
education of girls and young women of dissolute habits, who wish to do penance for their iniquities and to lead a Christian life.
The organization was given new impulse for development by Mary Euphrasia Pelletier in Angers, France in 1835. Thirty-three years she
was mother-general of the Good Shepherd, and at her death in 1868, she left 2067 professed sisters, 384 novices, 309 Touriere sisters,
962 "Magdalens", 6372 "penitents", and 8483 children of various classes. Angers had seen great changes since 1829, when Mother
Euphrasia had come with five sisters to found the house. Within thirty-three years one hundred and ten convents had been founded,
sixteen provinces established, in France, Belgium, Holland, Rome, Italy, Germany, Austria, England, Scotland, Ireland, Asia, Africa, the
United States and Chili. Under her successor, Mother Mary St. Peter Coudenhove, in twenty-four years, eighty-five houses were founded,
and thirteen new provinces established, making eleven in Europe, two in Africa, nine in North America, five in South America and one in
Oceania.
The Good Shepherd is a cloistered order and follows the Rule of Saint Augustine.
The order is divided into two groups Apostolic Sisters and Contemplative sisters.
The Apostolic Sisters work within the community they reside, they work in various areas:
* Community outreach workers
* Special education teachers
* Social workers
* Youth development workers
* Advocates for social and systemic change
* nurses
* administrators
* psychologists
* hospital chaplains
* prison ministers
The Contemplative Sisters live in relative solitude devoted to contemplative prayer, they support themselves by:
* Making vestments
* Supplying altar breads to parishes
* Artistic works
* Creative computer work – designing graphics, cards and composing music.
In modern times, Good Shepherd Sisters take active part in religious and social service in different countries of the world. They are active
in fighting against prostitution and human trafficking in poor countries of Asia.
order dedicated to a mission of reconciliation and mercy. The Institute of the Good Shepherd is a branch of Our Lady of Charity of the
Refuge, founded in 1641 by Blessed Jean Eudes, at Caen, France. The order is particularly devoted to the care, rehabilitation, and
education of girls and young women of dissolute habits, who wish to do penance for their iniquities and to lead a Christian life.
The organization was given new impulse for development by Mary Euphrasia Pelletier in Angers, France in 1835. Thirty-three years she
was mother-general of the Good Shepherd, and at her death in 1868, she left 2067 professed sisters, 384 novices, 309 Touriere sisters,
962 "Magdalens", 6372 "penitents", and 8483 children of various classes. Angers had seen great changes since 1829, when Mother
Euphrasia had come with five sisters to found the house. Within thirty-three years one hundred and ten convents had been founded,
sixteen provinces established, in France, Belgium, Holland, Rome, Italy, Germany, Austria, England, Scotland, Ireland, Asia, Africa, the
United States and Chili. Under her successor, Mother Mary St. Peter Coudenhove, in twenty-four years, eighty-five houses were founded,
and thirteen new provinces established, making eleven in Europe, two in Africa, nine in North America, five in South America and one in
Oceania.
The Good Shepherd is a cloistered order and follows the Rule of Saint Augustine.
The order is divided into two groups Apostolic Sisters and Contemplative sisters.
The Apostolic Sisters work within the community they reside, they work in various areas:
* Community outreach workers
* Special education teachers
* Social workers
* Youth development workers
* Advocates for social and systemic change
* nurses
* administrators
* psychologists
* hospital chaplains
* prison ministers
The Contemplative Sisters live in relative solitude devoted to contemplative prayer, they support themselves by:
* Making vestments
* Supplying altar breads to parishes
* Artistic works
* Creative computer work – designing graphics, cards and composing music.
In modern times, Good Shepherd Sisters take active part in religious and social service in different countries of the world. They are active
in fighting against prostitution and human trafficking in poor countries of Asia.
Motherhouse in Angers, France
Irene Maurer sister of Johann Franz Maurer
- Stockheim
After the Second World War his daughter Mary J. (Maurer) Eichorn
corresponded with one of his brothers still in Germany to whom
she sent CARE packages. Suddenly the letters stopped coming and
it was presumed he had died.
corresponded with one of his brothers still in Germany to whom
she sent CARE packages. Suddenly the letters stopped coming and
it was presumed he had died.
Dr. Victor Maurer, a Red Cross representative from Switzerland, had arrived at the Dachau
prison compound on April 27, 1945, two days before the liberation. Maurer had tried to
persuade Obersturmführer Johannes Otto, the Adjutant to the last Commandant, Edward
Weiter, to leave guards in the towers in order to secure the camp until the Americans arrived,
but most of the regular guards left on April 28th, along with Martin Gottfried Weiss, the acting
Commandant. The Commandant of the camp, Eduard Weiter, had already left on April 26th
with a transport of prisoners headed toward Austria. Finally, Maurer convinced SS 2nd Lt.
Heinrich Wicker not to abandon the camp, but to leave guards posted in the towers to keep
order until the prisoners could be turned over to armed American soldiers. Wicker was in
charge of a group of SS men who had recently arrived at Dachau; they were former guards in
three sub-camps of the Natzweiler-Struthof camp in Alsace. The guards who were gunned
down by Wells and the other American soldiers had only been at Dachau for a few weeks
and they were, in no way, responsible for the conditions in the camp.
Maurer knew that there were around 800 common criminals, including convicted murderers,
who had been imprisoned at Dachau. He was fearful that an estimated 40,000 vengeful
Dachau inmates would be released to wreak havoc in the surrounding area which was still a
battle zone. There was also a typhus epidemic in the camp and Maurer did not want the
prisoners to be released until the epidemic could be brought under control.
When an advance party from the 42nd Division arrived in a jeep on the street that borders the
south side of the SS complex, they saw Maurer and Wicker waiting to surrender the camp
under a white flag of truce. At the same time, I Company of the 157th Regiment of the 45th
Division was arriving at the railroad gate into the SS camp, on the west side of the complex,
almost a mile from the prison enclosure.
After Waffen-SS soldiers who had surrendered to I Company were gunned down in the coal
yard of the SS camp, Lt. William Walsh led his men toward the prison enclosure east of the
SS camp. There they met some of the soldiers of the 42nd Division along the barbed wire
fence on the west side of the concentration camp.
prison compound on April 27, 1945, two days before the liberation. Maurer had tried to
persuade Obersturmführer Johannes Otto, the Adjutant to the last Commandant, Edward
Weiter, to leave guards in the towers in order to secure the camp until the Americans arrived,
but most of the regular guards left on April 28th, along with Martin Gottfried Weiss, the acting
Commandant. The Commandant of the camp, Eduard Weiter, had already left on April 26th
with a transport of prisoners headed toward Austria. Finally, Maurer convinced SS 2nd Lt.
Heinrich Wicker not to abandon the camp, but to leave guards posted in the towers to keep
order until the prisoners could be turned over to armed American soldiers. Wicker was in
charge of a group of SS men who had recently arrived at Dachau; they were former guards in
three sub-camps of the Natzweiler-Struthof camp in Alsace. The guards who were gunned
down by Wells and the other American soldiers had only been at Dachau for a few weeks
and they were, in no way, responsible for the conditions in the camp.
Maurer knew that there were around 800 common criminals, including convicted murderers,
who had been imprisoned at Dachau. He was fearful that an estimated 40,000 vengeful
Dachau inmates would be released to wreak havoc in the surrounding area which was still a
battle zone. There was also a typhus epidemic in the camp and Maurer did not want the
prisoners to be released until the epidemic could be brought under control.
When an advance party from the 42nd Division arrived in a jeep on the street that borders the
south side of the SS complex, they saw Maurer and Wicker waiting to surrender the camp
under a white flag of truce. At the same time, I Company of the 157th Regiment of the 45th
Division was arriving at the railroad gate into the SS camp, on the west side of the complex,
almost a mile from the prison enclosure.
After Waffen-SS soldiers who had surrendered to I Company were gunned down in the coal
yard of the SS camp, Lt. William Walsh led his men toward the prison enclosure east of the
SS camp. There they met some of the soldiers of the 42nd Division along the barbed wire
fence on the west side of the concentration camp.
Dr. Victor Maurer is not a known relative
but it is good to see another with same
surname working for the Red Cross.
but it is good to see another with same
surname working for the Red Cross.
Victor Maurer, Swiss citizen from St. Gallen - Zurich
area. Born late 1800s - early 1900s. representative
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Entered Dachau Concentration Camp several days
prior to its liberation on April 29, 1945. Persuaded SS
guards to surrender peacefully to oncoming U.S.
troops and saved hundreds or even thousands of
lives. ICRC has provided me with copies of his official
reports in French and German. I have photos of him
during surrender ceremony. ICRC has no info about
what happened to him after the war.
area. Born late 1800s - early 1900s. representative
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Entered Dachau Concentration Camp several days
prior to its liberation on April 29, 1945. Persuaded SS
guards to surrender peacefully to oncoming U.S.
troops and saved hundreds or even thousands of
lives. ICRC has provided me with copies of his official
reports in French and German. I have photos of him
during surrender ceremony. ICRC has no info about
what happened to him after the war.
Victor Maurer and 2nd Lt. Heinrich Wicker surrender Dachau camp
The photograph above shows Red Cross representative Victor Maurer, wearing civilian clothes, and holding a stick
with a white flag on the top of it. Behind him is SS 2nd Lt. Heinrich Wicker who has just formally surrendered the Dachau
concentration camp to the 42nd Rainbow Division of the US Seventh Army. The fence in the background surrounds the SS
garrison that was right next to the camp.
The photograph above shows Red Cross representative Victor Maurer, wearing civilian clothes, and holding a stick
with a white flag on the top of it. Behind him is SS 2nd Lt. Heinrich Wicker who has just formally surrendered the Dachau
concentration camp to the 42nd Rainbow Division of the US Seventh Army. The fence in the background surrounds the SS
garrison that was right next to the camp.
Maurer