Chapter 3. It was no picnic for a couple of weeks.

Under the command of Frederick Steinberg, the 6824 Detailed Interrogation Centre is set up near the French village of Stenay. In the following months, hundreds of thousands of German prisoners of war are interrogated there by the American special units. Fritz’s unit leaves for Germany in late April and crosses the border in early May. A few days before the Nazi regime capitulates, he tells Lucia about the impending end of the war and his upcoming tasks.

Germany, 4 May 45

Darling, 

The news really is wonderful. They just announced that all the troops in Northern Germany and Denmark had surrendered, and in the South our troops in Austria have linked up with the Forces in Italy via the Brenner Pass. That takes just about care of the situation. […] You see, Sweetheart, when a unit moves, an advance party is always sent off first to secure quarters, and get things ready in general. I am part of that advance party, the main body of our unit will arrive shortly. 

[…] We had to stay the first night in Bonn. The devastation we saw is just unbelievable. When you enter one town, you think that it is absolutely the limit in destruction, but when you come into the next one, it’s even worse. There are still plenty of people around, and what I always want to know is where they sleep, for there are no houses left, at least not in the industrial areas. […] More tomorrow, my love, until then, with all my love to you and Michael, 

Yours always, Fritz 

In early May, Fritz’s unit reaches Bad Lippspringe in what is now North Rhine-Westphalia. This letter includes his first detailed account of his experiences in France and the camp set up for German prisoners of war in Stenay.

Bad Lippspringe, 23 May 45 

Darling,

 It’s still raining quite a bit, no weather to take pictures. Maybe tomorrow. Well, I got as far as my assignment with the British. When we left last December by plane, we landed in Paris, and hung around in le Vesinet, a little residential town outside Paris. From there I was assigned to this unit, which at the time was in Stenay. We arrived the day the German counteroffensive commenced, and I can tell you now that it was no picnic for a couple of weeks. Our enclosure with several thousand Prisoners of War was bombed a few times, in one raid killing and wounding quite a few Germans, for which we didn’t give a damn, but on New Year’s Eve one of our boys was killed, and several wounded. The Germans dropped arms and men in the attempt to arm the Prisoners of War, but fortunately missed the spot, and were wiped out. Well, those things are past history, and the war is over, and won, that’s all that counts. I just want to go home, and be with you, ever and ever. […] 

With all my love, Yours, Fritz 

Supplying the unit on the route proves difficult. The army kitchens are unable to meet the demand. In early June, Fritz tells Lucia that the Ritchie Boys’ responsibilities have unexpectedly broadened. 

Germany, 9 June 45

Darling,

[…] I didn’t write yesterday, we had somewhat of a hectic day. We had a streak of a little bad luck in our unit, with one bad, and one light accident. Personally, it means to me that I’m now First Sergeant of this outfit, because our first Sergeant is so badly hurt that he won’t return to the unit. Well, I’ve been First Sergeant before, and there isn’t a heck of a lot to it. In our job it also means supervising the kitchen and you can imagine how the food will be in the outfit from now on. On the other hand I can give you a few hints when I come home on how to make beef stew for a couple of hundred people. Think you’ll even want to know that? […]

With all my love to you and Michael, 

I am yours, always, Fritz

In the letters from late June, Fritz describes his journey from Bad Lippspringe via Halle to Berlin. A few days later, the advance party, including Fritz, sets off for the capital. They have no idea what to expect.  

Halle, 1 July 45 

Darling, […] 

Tomorrow morning very early we shove off for Berlin, and we are equipped for anything, and everything. Even tents we take along, because we may live in the field for a while, who knows? […] 

Until then, with all my love 

Yours, Fritz