CONNECTICUT MEN

of the 104th Division

JULY -- 1945
 HOME FOR FURLOUGH
T h e greatest troop m o v e m e n t i n h i s t o r y ,
the redeployment of 3,000,000 m e n of the
a r m e d forces of the U n i t e d States, was
well under w a y , when the 104th ( T i m b e r -
wolves) D i v i s i o n a r r i v e d i n N e w Y o r k
H a r b o r o n J u l y 7 a n d 10, 1945, aboard
the transports Monterey a n d John Ericsson.
T h e D i v i s i o n h a d been preceded b y a n
advance detachment w h i c h came i n on
the transport Monticello on J u n e 26.
B o t h the Monterey a n d the Ericsson
docked a t P i e r 15, S t a t e n Island. T h e
Monterey brought M a j o r G e n e r a l T e r r y
de l a M . A l l e n , D i v i s i o n a l C o m m a n d e r ,
the 413th I n f a n t r y , the 385th, 386th,
387th, a n d 929th F i e l d A r t i l l e r y B a t -
talions, along w i t h the D i v i s i o n ' s b a n d ,
m i l i t a r y police, headquarters a n d special
troops. T h e John Ericsson came i n a week
later, w i t h the 414th a n d 415th I n f a n t r y
regiment.
B o t h groups of the D i v i s i o n spent the
first 24 hours after t h e i r a r r i v a l a t the
staging center, C a m p K i l m e r , near N e w
Brunswick. T h e brief processing then
included orientation a n d the ''home-
c o m i n g m e a l " , regarded b y m a n y m e n as
" t h e best I ever h a d i n the a r m y " . T h e
m e n u was topped b y steaks, m i l k a n d
ice cream.
T h e D i v i s i o n , for the first time since its
a c t i v a t i o n was then split u p i n t o t w e n t y -
two groups for t r a n s p o r t a t i o n to recep-
t i o n centers, w i t h C o n n e c t i c u t m e n i n the
N e w E n g l a n d group going to the reception
center a t F o r t Devens, near A y e r , M a s s a -
chusetts.
T h e s t a y at Devens* R e c e p t i o n C e n t e r
w a s , necessarily longer, b u t for most men
less t h a n 30 hours. T h e processing procedure
there a n d the preparation o f leave orders
2
required considerable time. A t Devens
the two groups were covered for the p u r -
pose of securing most of the m a t e r i a l for
this booklet. T h e n finally — special
orders i n h a n d , the m e n headed for A y e r ,
a n d the last long miles home to C o n -
necticut.
C o n n e c t i c u t m e n are reporting back at
Devens after their redeployment " r e c u -
p e r a t i o n " furloughs, on A u g u s t 7 to 15.
W h e n the N e w E n g l a n d group has
gathered, they w i l l e n t r a i n for C a m p
L u i s O ' B i s p o , C a l i f o r n i a , for r e t r a i n i n g
preparatory to e m b a r k a t i o n for the
Pacific — a n d T o k y o .
SERVICEMEN'S
COMMEMORATIVE BOOKLET
VOLUME I NUMBER 4
CARLETON B. CLYMA, Editor
This booklet on the Timberwolves return
from the European war was prepared for
the men of the 104th by the Office of the
Governor. It is believed that it will make a
welcome addition to the souvenirs and
memorabilia of those who participated i n
the defeat of the once great G e r m a n W e h r -
macht.
The courtesies and assistance of public
relations officers, at the ports, and at the
F o r t Devens Reception Center, greatly
facilitated the gathering of the material for
this booklet. Some of the group pictures are
from Signal Corps photographs. The factual
materials herein were prepared b y the
Office of Technical Information, A . G . F .
A limited number of copies are available
for distribution, to Connecticut men of the
D i v i s i o n only. T h e y can be secured b y
written request to the Office of the G o v -
ernor, State C a p i t o l , H a r t f o r d .
Reproduction of original material is per-
missible only with written authorization.
 104th DIVISION FACTS
Combat Highlights: Division dis- A u g u s t , 1944, for European Theater
tinguished itself for b r i l l i a n t n i g h t a d - of Operations.
vance i n G e r m a n y . Seized great i n d u s -
t r i a l area of Echweller-Weisweller- Overseas Training: General Allen's
Stolberg. Crossed Inde R i v e r a n d frontline t r a i n i n g program was unique,
cleared entire sector assigned to i t as was given i n areas where a c t u a l fight-
far as the R o e r R i v e r . T h i s i n v o l v e d i n g h a d occurred short weeks before.
seizure o f Lamersdorf-Indent-Lucher¬ M e n were given two weeks t r a i n i n g
berg, called b y M a j o r G e n e r a l J . w h i c h i n v o l v e d several night problems.
L a w t o n C o l l i n s one of the finest single P r i m e purpose of this t r a i n i n g was to
pieces of work accomplished b y a n y u n i t give m e n confidence i n themselves a n d
o f the V I I C o r p s since " D " D a y . T h e their weapons.
D i v i s i o n crossed the R h i n e i n the
R e m a g e n bridgehead on 22 M a r c h 1945.
Commendations: Commended by M a j o r
C o n t i n u i n g to operate w i t h V I I C o r p s ,
General J . L a w t o n Collins, command-
U . S. 1st A r m y , a r a p i d advance of
i n g general o f V I I C o r p s , F i r s t A r m y ,
193 miles i n 9 days was made eastward
for seizing great i n d u s t r i a l area o f
a n d n o r t h to P a d e r b o r n . A f t e r reaching
E c h w e l l e r - W e i s w e l l e r - S t o l b e r g , crossing
the P a d e r b o r n area, the d r i v e was re-
the Inde R i v e r , a n d clearing its entire
sumed to the east, i n a n u n i n t e r r u p t e d
sector to the R o e r R i v e r . Seized
advance of 175 miles i n 15 days.
Lamersdorf-Indent-Lucherberg, which
G e n e r a l C o l l i n s called the finest single
Shoulder Patch and Origin: Shows a piece of work accomplished b y V I I
gray t i m b e r wolf against a green b a c k - C o r p s since " D " D a y .
g r o u n d . D i v i s i o n trained i n big woods
area o f U n i t e d States where t i m b e r w o l f
Commanding General: M a j o r General
is found.
T e r r y de l a M . A l l e n from October 2,
1943 u n t i l present.
A. R. G. Training: Activated Septem-
ber 15, 1942, at C a m p A d a i r , Oregon.
T r a i n e d i n Oregon M a n e u v e r A r e a ; Component Units: Inf. Regts. 413th,
C a m p Young, California, and C a m p 414th, 4 1 5 t h ; F A B n s . 387th ( M ) ,
Carson, Colorado. Maneuvers in Ore- 385th, 386th, 929th ( L ) .
gon were from September 13, 1943 to
N o v e m b e r 8, 1943. Trained in Cali- Served Overseas: October a n d early
f o r n i a - A r i z o n a M a n e u v e r A r e a from N o v e m b e r , 1944 w i t h the 1st C a n a d i a n
M a r c h , 1944 to J u n e , 1944, r e t u r n i n g Army. M a r c h a n d A p r i l , 1945, was
to original station at C a m p C a r s o n , part of the F i r s t A r m y .
Colorado.
Slogan: " N o t h i n g In Hell M u s t Stop
Departure: L e f t the U n i t e d States i n T h e T i m b e r wolves."

3
 104th DIVISION STORIES
Editor's Note: T h e passing of years w i l l
b l u r memories, details, c l a r i t y , a n d ac-
c u r a c y . T o record i n black a n d white, here
a n d now, the m o o d , the impressions the
events, of those s t i r r i n g days i n E u r o p e , is
the purpose o f these stories. C o n n e c t i c u t
m e n of the 104th, a t the ports, a n d at
D e v e n s , were asked for their stories i n
their o w n words, a n d t h e y are here so
recorded.
Cagianello, John L., S / S g t . , F i r s t A i d
M a n , M e d . D e t . , 413th Inf., H a r t f o r d :
" T h e y gave me the B r o n z e S t a r for
w o r k i n g under fire for forty-eight hours.
I was there w i t h the wounded i n a d i t c h
from T h u r s d a y n i g h t to S a t u r d a y after-
n o o n . It was on the M a a s R i v e r i n H o l -
l a n d . T h a t was m y toughest experience
4
b u t d o n ' t forget the i n f a n t r y , t h e y r e a l l y
had it tough."
Donavan, John G., M / S g t . , H d q . C o . ,
387th F . A . , H a r t f o r d :
" I have been i n five countries a n d
A m e r i c a is better t h a n a n y one o f t h e m .
T h e r e is n o t h i n g like the U . S. A . I t is
a better c o u n t r y . I t has better people."
Fiorito, Peter A., T / 4 , T r u c k D r i v e r ,
104th D i v i s i o n B a n d , B r i s t o l :
" I t was the tire shortage t h a t got m e
d o w n . W e were so short on tires t h a t we
c o u l d n ' t get food a n d a m m u n i t i o n u p t o
the front lines. D i d I curse those tires!
I used to d r i v e fourteen or fifteen hours
a d a y a n d when I got back I w o u l d have to
go to work a n d fix u p two or three f l a t s . "
Fritz, George J., C p l . , G u n n e r . B t r y . C ,
356th F . A . , N e w B r i t a i n :
"I saw Nordhausen Concentration
C a m p . T h a t is something I w o n ' t forget.
T h a t was mass m u r d e r . T h e y c l a i m i t was
s t a r v a t i o n b u t b u l l e t holes a n d w h i p
m a r k s d o n ' t mean s t a r v a t i o n . "
Gaylord, Allen C , P f c , C o . A , 4 1 3 t h
Inf., M i l f o r d :
" T h e p a t r o l I was on was really the first
to m a k e contact w i t h the R u s s i a n A r m y
i n a little t o w n west of the E l b e R i v e r .
W e went out o n contact p a t r o l w i t h t w o
t a n k s a n d two jeeps. W e were 26 miles i n
front of our o w n lines a n d h a d reached a
little t o w n where we stopped i n the center
a t the t o w n h a l l . A few minutes later, i n a
buggy d r a w n b y two horses a n d flying a
huge red flag, the R u s s i a n s a r r i v e d . W e
shook hands a l l a r o u n d a n d the R u s s i a n s
kissed the G . I.'s. W e carried out our
m i s s i o n , w h i c h was to i n f o r m the R u s s i a n s
o n the disposition of our troops a n d to
receive from t h e m the same i n f o r m a t i o n
o n their troops. T h e y were p a r t i c u l a r l y
anxious to get clearance for a r t i l l e r y work
o n a t o w n between the one we were i n a n d
o u r o w n lines where they h a d lost six m e n
earlier i n the d a y . W e swapped t o m m y -
guns; we inspected their weapons a n d
t h e y gave ours the once-over. W e spent
a b o u t two hours there w i t h t h e m . The
Russians seem j u s t like a n y b o d y else a n d
I w i l l say one t h i n g t h o u g h , they made the
G e r m a n s snap i n t o i t . "
Gendall, George R., P f c , A m m o B e a r -
er, C o . K , 413th Inf., H a m d e n :
" I n H o l l a n d , t h a t was the worst, cold
a n d r a i n y , sleeping i n foxholes a n d every
t i m e we d u g a foxhole i t was h a l f full o f
water i n a h a l f hour. W e d i d n ' t sleep under
a roof once d u r i n g October a n d we l i v e d
5
on a hot m e a l now a n d then a n d " K "
rations."
Gozzo, Corado, S / S g t . , M a c h i n e G u n n e r ,
104th Inf., H a r t f o r d :
" T h e S. S. T r o o p s are really a b u n c h o f
tough fighters as long as they have a fifty-
fifty chance to w i n . B u t when the scales
top against t h e m , they're j u s t like a n y
other m a n who wants to save his life. I
saw 400 H e i n i e s come out of a little t o w n
w i t h their hands u p , scared to d e a t h ,
when we h a d n ' t even fired a single shot
at t h e m . A b o u t 50 o f our t a n k s h a d lined
up i n a c o l u m n , three abreast, a n d started
for the t o w n , a n d they made such a noise,
j u s t m o v i n g along, t h a t the G e r m a n s threw
d o w n their guns, a n d came o u t , r u n n i n g . "
Holder, Arthur L., P f c , I n f a n t r y T a n k
M a n , C o . E , 413th Inf., D u r h a m :

" T h e hottest spot I was ever i n was the
d a y we crossed the R u h r R i v e r a n d lost
t w o t a n k s a n d two self-propelled guns.
T h a t was a hot two h o u r s . "
Jaksina, Casimer K., P f c , W i r e m a n ,
R e g . H q . , 413th Inf., N e w B r i t a i n :
" O u r spot was i n Cologne when we
tried to l a y a line a n d were pinned d o w n
b y t i m e fire for six hours — b u t we got
the line laid a n y w a y . "
Krieger, Edwin C, P f c , Rifleman,
C o . F , 413th Inf., N o r w i c h :
" I t was p r e t t y rough a n d we h a d a lot of
casualties crossing the M a r k R i v e r near
Antwerp. T h e r e were drainage ditches
every h u n d r e d yards a b o u t waist deep i n
water. W e r e we wet a n d c o l d ! T h e worst
spot was when, after a n hour's a r t i l l e r y
preparation we h a d to cross a flat field
a b o u t five h u n d r e d yards wide under
h e a v y fire — b u t we took the village a l -
t h o u g h there were still p l e n t y o f K r a u t s
left i n there after the b a r r a g e . "
6
La Pointe, Lucien J., P f c , C o . L , 413th
Inf., R o c k v i l l e :
" W h a t I want to say is — give the
credit to the M e d i c s . W h e n I was wounded
at B a d L a u t e r s b u r g , t h e y evacuated me
under h e a v y enemy a r t i l l e r y a n d m a c h i n e
gun fire. I f t h e y h a d n ' t gotten me out
when t h e y d i d , I a m a f r a i d I w o u l d have
been kaput."
Levine, William E., P f c , A u t o m a t i c
R i f l e m a n , C o . G , 413th Inf., H a r t f o r d :
" I h a d a couple o f n a r r o w ones near
D u r e n a n d the R h i n e . A fellow i n the fox-
hole w i t h me — i n his first d a y at the
front — was k i l l e d b y sniper fire; a n d ,
there was a t i m e when we were crossing
the Weser R i v e r a n d reached the cover o f
a b u i l d i n g o n the other side when a l i e u t e n -
a n t , j u s t b e h i n d me, j u s t as he was to step
i n t o the b u i l d i n g to safety, got i t . "
Londa, Daniel S., P f c , W i r e m a n , H d .
B t r y . , 104th D i v . A r t . , D a n b u r y :
" O u r hardest j o b was keeping u p w i t h
the i n f a n t r y when we were m o v i n g w i t h
the 3rd A r m o r e d D i v i s i o n . W e w o u l d l a y
wire a l l d a y long a n d t h e n a l l n i g h t . F o r
over three weeks we never stayed over
24 hours i n one s p o t . "
Lyons, Francis H., P f c , C o . G , 413th
Inf., W a t e r b u r y :
" I remember A p r i l 8 t h when we were i n
a p r e t t y hot spot crossing the Wasser near
L o d i g e n a n d when the m a i l came I got a
H a p p y B i r t h d a y c a r d from m y wife. I f
she o n l y knew how close I came to i t t h a t
d a y she w o u l d never have sent t h a t c a r d .
T h e d a y w o u n d up w i t h us w a t c h i n g for
jerries a n d d r i n k i n g c o g n a c . "
Madden, Harry, P v t . , B t r y C , 929th
F . A . B n . , Manchester:
" O n e t h i n g I remember is t h a t I a l w a y s
felt p r e t t y safe after the t r i p we m a d e
across i n the c o n v o y going over. W e were
a t t a c k e d four times b y G e r m a n submarines
a n d they kept i t up r i g h t to the E n g l i s h
C h a n n e l . I was d o w n five decks a n d i f
a n y t h i n g h a d happened i t w o u l d have been
all over for m e . "
Mer row, Harry F., P f c , 104th D i v i s i o n
Band, Bristol:
" W h a t impressed me was the p o v e r t y
o f the people i n F r a n c e a n d B e l g i u m .
T h e y were s t a r v i n g ; there was no food;
and t h e y stood i n line to get the garbage
and our leavings f r o m the A r m y mess.
A t V e r v i e r s , t h e y w o u l d scramble i n the
garbage cans for r o t t e n oranges a n d s t a n d
r i g h t there a n d eat t h e m . "
Oktavec, Frank J., S / S g t . , C o . F , 413th
Inf., H i g g a n u m :
" O n e o f the biggest a r t i l l e r y barrages
was ours for the crossing o f the R u h r o n
F e b r u a r y 23rd, b u t the toughest fighting
I ever saw was o n E a s t e r S u n d a y near
W r e x o n , G e r m a n y . T h e r e is where we lost
most o f the m e n i n our squad — one killed
and five wounded. W e lead the a t t a c k o n
a wooded h i l l a n d we h a d started u p when
we got caught i n G e r m a n s m a l l arms fire
7
from three sides. T h e fight lasted t w o
days a n d we j u s t held our g r o u n d while
our h e a v y stuff was t r y i n g to soften t h e m
up. O n the m o r n i n g o f the t h i r d d a y , we
finally took the h i l l . "
Piazza, Peter C , Sgt., L i a i s o n M a n w i t h
Inf., H d q . . B t r y . , 386th F . A . , T h o m a s -
ton:
" T h e real fighting was i n the B a t t l e for
the towns o f Inden a n d P i e r j u s t this side
of the R o e r R i v e r . One o f our battalions
lost 165 m e n i n a n hour. W e j u m p e d off
across a m i l e o f open c o u n t r y after we
thought we h a d cleaned out the H u n s
w i t h 4,500 rounds from our guns; but,
our m e n r a n straight into a b u n c h o f S S
m e n a n d took h e a v y casualties. The
towns were a complete wreck a n d ten
days later t h e y were still digging G e r m a n s
out o f the ruins a l i v e . "
Ping, Geng, T / 4 , M e s s Sgt., C o . G ,
413th Inf., W e s t H a r t f o r d :
" B e f o r e I j o i n e d this outfit I served as
squad leader o f a m o r t a r platoon w i t h the
478th I n f a n t r y w i t h the F i r s t A r m y . W e
saw p l e n t y o f fighting. I t is m u c h better
to be a mess sergeant t h a n to be a squad
leader.

Rosenthal, Milton J., P f c , C o m b a t
E n g i n e e r , C o . A , 329th C o m b a t E n g .
Bn., New Haven:
" T h e toughest j o b our outfit ever d i d
was the erection of a B a i l e y B r i d g e across
the Inde R i v e r near D u r e n i n the R u h r
sector. T h e G e r m a n s were i n there w i t h
constant a r t i l l e r y fire a n d i t took us 24
hours to do what is usually a one-hour
j o b . T h e B r o n z e S t a r is for action w i t h
a p a t r o l across the R u h r R i v e r two days
before c u r a r m y crossed. W e paddled a
boat for the i n f a n t r y m e n a n d landed on
the G e r m a n side right under a machine gun
w h i c h h a d us covered so well we h a d to
backtrack."
Sebestyen, Louis J., T / 5 , B t r y A ,
385th F . A . , B r i d g e p o r t :
" I saw the concentration c a m p at Nord¬
hausen. I t made me feel sick to see bodies
decaying, stacked five h i g h a n d no effort
made to b u r y t h e m . T h e stench was
awful. W e took the M a y o r o f L e i p z i g
to see the concentration c a m p at D a c h a u .
A f t e r he saw i t he went home a n d shot his
8
wife a n d f a m i l y a n d c o m m i t t e d suicide.
A f t e r we took L e i p z i g , the owner o f a
P a n t z e r f a u s t factory there gave a b i g
p a r t y for about one h u n d r e d people i n h i s
factory. H e h a d h a d the whole place
m i n e d w i t h Pantzerfaus a n d when t h e
eating was over, he pressed a b u t t o n t h a t
blew up the whole p a r t y . "
Sternberg, Ademor P., Sgt., C o . C ,
413th Inf., G u i l f o r d :
" T h e one t h i n g I w i l l never u n d e r s t a n d
is how I got t h r o u g h E a s t e r S u n d a y . W e
h a d two jeeps on p a t r o l when we r a n i n t o
a n a m b u s h . W e were covering side roads
to check on resistance a n d h a d gathered
up a few prisoners, who we h a d on b o a r d
the jeeps, when we r a n i n t o some G e r m a n s
d u g i n a r o u n d the road i n a V - t u r n . J u s t
as we got there we saw a couple of H e i n i e s
a n d stopped the jeeps to t r y a n d take t h e m
prisoners. T h e G e r m a n s d u g i n on the
roadside opened up a n d our prisoners h i t
the d i r t . A s soon as the prisoners were o u t
o f the line of fire from their o w n m e n , the
G e r m a n s opened up on us. W e were s i t t i n g
on those jeeps j u s t like ducks. It was
p r e t t y hot for a couple o f minutes. W e got
some of the G e r m a n s w i t h the b a z o o k a .
I figure we got eight or ten i n t h a t spot
a n d there were some wounded i n o u r
patrol."
Stone, William R., P f c , Intelligence,
H d q . C o . , 3rd B n . , 413th Inf., B r i d g e -
port:
" A t B a d L a u t e r b u r g one night a w o m a n
came to our P C a n d wanted us to help
rescue about 2,000 prisoners who were
t r a p p e d i n a n a i r r a i d shelter. W e went
along w i t h her a n d we found most of t h e m
h a l f suffocated a n d t h a t some h a d died
b u t we finished getting t h e m out b y a b o u t
2:30 A . M . W e s t a r t e d back towards the
P C following directions given us b y t h i s
w o m a n a n d soon found out t h a t she h a d Duben. Those Russians are a l l r i g h t ,
led us i n t o a n a m b u s h . F o u r of our t h e y are good fellows. B u t , when I was
fellows a n d m y s e l f took a G e r m a n outpost really nervous was when I was i n charge
sentry prisoner a n d using h i m as a foil, our of the guard over five to ten m i l l i o n dollars
group was able to close i n a n d clean o u t i n silver w h i c h h a d been the p r o p e r t y o f
two machine gun nests. W e gathered up the I. G . F a r b e n Industries at B i t t e r f e l d ,
some prisoners a n d a G e r m a n bazooka Germany.
t e a m . J u s t t h e n a G e r m a n opened up from
b e h i n d us w i t h a bazooka a n d killed eleven Thompson, John S., P f c , C o . D , 413th
of the prisoners we h a d . T h e n we made a
Inf., H a r t f o r d :
break for our lines w h i c h were about 2,000
" M y toughest spot was the R o e r R i v e r
yards to the rear, j u s t as a H e i n i e stepped
crossing i n boats. I n our first t r y a shell
out of a n e a r b y d o o r w a y a n d sprayed the
road w i t h a n a u t o m a t i c . N e x t m o r n i n g , got the boat. W e got another a n d t h a t
we went back to the a i r r a i d shelter a n d was shot full o f holes. I n a t h i r d boat we
picked up the w o m a n who h a d led us i n t o made it one-half w a y across a n d got stuck
the t r a p . A f t e r interrogation, she signed i n a sand bar. W e h a d to get out a n d
a w r i t t e n confession. A m o n g other things, waded the rest o f the way. W e landed u p
she said she was a graduate of a N a z i against a factory wall. The Antitanks
espoinage school for women near V i e n n a . were supposed to break a hole so t h a t we
She was a n a t t r a c t i v e w o m a n , spoke could m a k e a quick e n t r y a n d have cover.
v e r y good E n g l i s h a n d said she was 24 W e came up against the b l a n k factory w a l l
years o l d . W e were t o l d later t h a t she h a d
a n d there was no hole, b u t we finally
been shot as a spy. I w o u l d have shot her
found a door a n d got i n . It was n i g h t .
m y s e l f t h a t d a y i f I h a d a chance. O u r
W e spent the n i g h t i n the factory. The
whole p a t r o l was recommended for the
Silver S t a r . "

Tator, William A., L t . , Rifle Platoon

L e a d e r , C o . E , 413th Inf., B r i d g e p o r t :
" O n e of the closest shaves I ever h a d
was on the R h i n e near Cologne where
we were caught i n a cross fire of m o r t a r
and artillery. I was k n o c k e d d o w n a n d
blinded t h a t d a y b u t I suffered no per-
m a n e n t injuries.
" I w i l l also remember for a long t i m e
the first time we were on the receiving end
o f rocket fire. I t sounded like freight cars
flying t h r o u g h the a i r . T h e n there was the
t i m e , as a n A n t i - T a n k P l a t o o n L e a d e r ,
w i t h the 2nd B a t t a l i o n , when I went o u t
on patrol to meet the Russians near

9
next m o r n i n g we found fifteen G e r m a n s i n Zimmer, Johnathan, P f c , M . P . , Reg.
the same b u i l d i n g . W e d i d n ' t k n o w they H d q . , a n d C o . C , 413th Inf., B r i d g e p o r t :
were there a n d they d i d n ' t k n o w we were "I was with the regiment military
in. T h e y surrendered." police squad a n d we h a n d l e d , after t h e y
h a d been c a p t u r e d , the 21,000 prisoners
Ungar, Jacob, T / 5 , B t r y A , 387th
F . A . , after transfer from the 5 t h t a k e n b y this regiment. T h e y gave us v e r y
Armored Division, Hartford: little trouble. A s prisoners o f war t h e y
" W e a l l agree almost u n a n i m o u s l y t h a t were v e r y docile. Some were supposed
G e r m a n y is a p r e t t y c o u n t r y a n d the G e r - to have been arrogant b u t while t h e y were
m a n s a clean people p r o b a b l y because i n our hands t h e y were p r e t t y well de-
t h e y h a d the means to be clean. A s a moralized. W e h a n d l e d a few G e r m a n
people or w h a t they stood for, n o . " women i n a r m y uniforms, something like
our W A C ' s , I guess. I w o u l d say t h a t b y
White, Walter, P f c , G u n n e r , H d q . C o . ,
the t i m e they get back o f the lines after
414th Inf. R e g . , W e s t H a r t f o r d :
long spells o f poor food a n d after the
" M y favorite m a n i n this war is our
American artillery had broken down their
d i v i s i o n commander, M a j . G e n . T e r r y
Allen. Y o u c a n have y o u r M a c A r t h u r , morale, those we h a d a l l a d m i t t e d G e r -
y o u r Eisenhower, a n d y o u r N i m i t z . G i v e m a n y was k a p u t . "
me ' T e r r i b l e T e r r y ' a n y d a y . H e ' s a b -
solutely the n u t s ' T h e Russians we met
at the E l b e seemed like a p r e t t y good
b u n c h o f m e n . I t a l k e d to one R u s s i a n
soldier for a while i n the sign language.
W e decided we'd like a souvenir from
each other, so I gave h i m a dollar a n d he
gave me a r u b l e . "

Zetterholm, Emil, P f c , R u n n e r , C o . G ,
413th Inf., W i n d s o r L o c k s :
" I t was on m y b i r t h d a y i n December
when I crossed the R u h r R i v e r near
A a c h e n w i t h a p a t r o l o f eight m e n . It
was snowing h a r d a n d we had on white
camouflage suits a n d we were creeping
a n d c r a w l i n g t h r o u g h the snow. W e h a d
made about two h u n d r e d yards a n d were
about fifty yards from a G e r m a n o u t -
post when a machine gun opened fire. W e
threw flares to b r i n g i n our m o r t a r fire, to
box us i n . W i t h our platoon leader a n d
three other m e n I crept up to the outpost
a n d we got two prisoners. F o r t h a t I got
a certificate of m e r i t . "

10
 TIMBERWOLVES IN ACTION
T h e record of the 104th i n a c t i o n has R i v e r a n d the d r i v e to the M a a s R i v e r .
been well a n d briefly t o l d b y its colorful T h e esteem i n w h i c h the Timberwolves
commander General Terry de la M. were held b y our B r i t i s h Allies is i n d i c a t e d
A l l e n , i n the order o f the d a y , dated A p r i l b y a c o m m e n d a t i o n received from L i e u -
23, 1945, a n d r e p r i n t e d here: tenant G e n e r a l G . G . S i m o n d s , c o m m a n d -
ing the F i r s t C a n a d i a n A r m y .
" T h i s date m a r k s the completion of
six months of continuous combat for
" T h e d i v i s i o n then m o v e d i m m e d i a t e l y
the T i m b e r w o l f D i v i s i o n . Y o u m a y well
to the A a c h e n Sector i n G e r m a n y , where
be proud of y o u r c o m b a t record.
it relieved the 1st I n f a n t r y D i v i s i o n , i n the
"In its i n i t i a l c o m b a t operation, the V I I C o r p s o f the F i r s t U . S. A r m y . The
D i v i s i o n fought w i t h the F i r s t C a n a d i a n T i m b e r w o l v e s j u m p e d off 16 N o v e m b e r i n
A r m y into H o l l a n d from 23 October to the d r i v e to the R o e r , as p a r t o f the V I I
8 November 1944, spearheading the Corps, with the veteran 1st and 4th
I B r i t i s h C o r p s i n the crossing of the M a r k I n f a n t r y D i v i s i o n a n d the 3d A r m o r e d

11
D i v i s i o n . T h e true c o m b a t effectiveness
o f the T i m b e r w o l v e s was clearly indicated
b y a c o m m e n d a t i o n from L i e u t e n a n t
General J . L a w t o n Collins, commanding
the V I I C o r p s .
" T h e d i v i s i o n , then operating under the
X I X C o r p s of the N i n t h A r m y , occupied
a defensive sector on the R o e r , opposite
D u r e n , d u r i n g the t r y i n g days from
16 December 1944 u n t i l 23 F e b r u a r y 1945.
A n aggressive defense was m a i n t a i n e d to
b l o c k the critical G e r m a n route of a d -
vance to A a c h e n . T i m b e r w o l f patrols
completely d o m i n a t e d the R o e r .
" T h e d i v i s i o n again operated w i t h the
V I I C o r p s of the F i r s t A r m y , i n the d r i v e
to Cologne, w h i c h started 23 F e b r u a r y
w i t h the crossing of the R o e r a n d the
seizure of D u r e n a n d H u c h e m - S t a m m e l n ,
and c u l m i n a t e d i n the capture of Cologne,
7 M a r c h 1945. T h e d r i v e was character-
ized b y constant d a y a n d n i g h t pressure,
s h a r p l y executed n i g h t a t t a c k s a n d s k i l l -
ful use of s u p p o r t i n g fires.
" T h e d i v i s i o n crossed the R h i n e a t
H o n n e f i n the R e m a g e n bridgehead on
22 M a r c h . C o n t i n u i n g to operate w i t h the
V I I C o r p s , a r a p i d advance of 193 miles
i n 9 days was made eastward a n d n o r t h to
P a d e r b o r n . I n i t i a l e n e m y resistance was
overcome i n a series of n i g h t a t t a c k s .
12
Thereafter the d i v i s i o n followed i n close
support o f the 3 r d A r m o r e d D i v i s i o n a n d
was p a r t i c u l a r l y effective i n aggressively
protecting the west flank of the V I I
Corps. A f t e r reaching the P a d e r b o r n
area, the d r i v e was resumed to the east,
i n a n u n i n t e r r u p t e d advance of 175 miles
i n 15 days. It i n c l u d e d the crossing o f
the Weser a n d Saale R i v e r s a n d the c a p -
ture o f H a l l e , B i t t e r f e l d a n d D e l i t z s c h ,
and c u l m i n a t e d i n the seizure of assigned
objectives on the M u l d e R i v e r . C o n t a c t
is now m o m e n t a r i l y expected w i t h our
R u s s i a n Allies a p p r o a c h i n g from the east.
" B a t t l e accomplishments o f the T i m b e r -
wolf D i v i s i o n have been characterized b y
the t e n a c i t y , s k i l l , t e a m w o r k a n d d e v o t i o n
to d u t y of all c o m b a t a n d service elements,
and b y the efficient f u n c t i o n i n g of all staff
sections. T h e 750th T a n k B a t t a l i o n ,
817th T D B a t t a l i o n a n d the 555th A A A
B a t t a l i o n rendered effective support a t
all times.
" I a m p r o u d indeed to have c o m -
m a n d e d the T i m b e r w o l f D i v i s i o n t h r o u g h
its final year of t r a i n i n g a n d d u r i n g six
m o n t h s of arduous combat. Y o u have
l i v e d u p to y o u r b a t t l e slogan, ' N o t h i n g
In H e l l M u s t S t o p T h e T i m b e r w o l v e s . ' M y
sincere t h a n k s goes to y o u a l l for y o u r
unfailing l o y a l s u p p o r t . "
 104th DIVISION PICTURES
Home Again — T i m b e r w o l v e s lined
the r a i l of the transport Monterey when
she docked a t S t a t e n Island a n d was
photographed, as reproduced o n the C o v e r .
First Home — T h e advanced d e t a c h -
m e n t a r r i v e d J u n e 2 6 t h , as p i c t u r e d on
Page 12, on the transport Monticello.
Artillery Officers — L t . M . J . Y o u n g
of N e w Y o r k C i t y and C a p t a i n R o y W .
J o h n s o n o f A m i t y v i l l e , L . I., b o t h of
104th D i v i s i o n A r t i l l e r y H e a d q u a r t e r s ,
inspect souvenir sabre on deck of the
Monterey (Page 4.)
415th Infantry — T w e n t y C o n n e c t i c u t
m e n o f the 415th p i c t u r e d at D e v e n s ready
to take off for home (Page 5).
K , 414th I n f a n t r y ; 1st L t . J o h n Rimo¬
sukas, C o . B , 414th I n f a n t r y ; C a p t . J o h n
G . V a s i l a k e , S v . C o . , 415th I n f a n t r y .
Seated: 1st L t . W i l l a r d F a i s h o f M a n -
chester arid C a p t . F e l i x Z a n i e w s k i o f N e w
H a v e n , both of 5th Corps Headquarters
(Page 6).
414th Infantry — F o r t y C o n n e c t i c u t
m e n of the 414th pictured at F o r t D e v e n s
(page 7).
Music on the Dock — W a i t i n g on the
S t a t e n Island docks for trains to C a m p
K i l m e r , m e n of the 104th D i v i s i o n B a n d
provide a little music from the F r e n c h
h o r n (Page 8), a n d the accordion (Page 9).
Down the Gangplank — C o m e the M e n
of the 104th barracks bags aloft (Page 10).

Infantry Officers — S t a n d i n g , left to All Aboard — T i m b e r w o l v e s entrain

r i g h t : 1st L t . A r t h u r N . D a n s e r e a u , C o . for C a m p K i l m e r (Page 11).

THE CONNECTICUT MEN

T h e names of the following officers a n d m e n from the 104th D i v i s i o n were c o m p i l e d
from available official records a n d b y personal i n t e r v i e w . Omissions of the names of
some of the m e n of the D i v i s i o n is, regrettably, possible, despite every effort made to
secure a complete roster of C o n n e c t i c u t m e n .

A N A S T A S I O , Antonio R . Pvt. 252 A t w a t e r S t . , N e w H a v e n

A N D E R A , Steven H . Cpl. 152 R e m i n g t o n S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
A N D E R S O N , Herman J . Pfc. Crystal Lake R d . , Middletown
A N D E R S O N , Raymond W. Pfc. Brandy H i l l , Torrington
A N D R E W S , W. L. Pfc. Prospect H i l l R d . , W i n d s o r
B A R N E T T , William H . Pfc. 1011 Congress S t . , Fairfield
BASSI, Harold A. Pfc. 62 S i x t h S t . , D e r b y
B A T E , John C. Cpl. 65 P y t h i a n A v e . , T o r r i n g t o n
B A T U R A , Jacob Pfc. 16 L o c u s t S t . , M e r i d e n
B E A U R E G A R D , George Pfc. 11 G r o v e S t . , W a u r e g a n

13
B E N T L E Y , Joseph R . Cpl. 351 G r e e n w i c h A v e . , N e w H a v e n 11
B I O N D I N O , Michael J . Pfc. 15 Spruce S t . , S t a m f o r d
B O B K O , Joseph Cpl. B l d g . 39, Y e l l o w M i l l V i l l a g e , B r i d g e p o r t
B O L T O N , Morton D. M/Sgt. H u n t i n g Ridge R d . , Stamford
B R O T H E R S , Albert J . Pfc. N o r t h Westchester
B R O W N , George F . Pfc. R F D 1, C o r n w a l l B r i d g e
C A G I A N E L L O , John L . S/Sgt. 204 O t i s S t . , H a r t f o r d
C A L A M I T A , Francis R . Pfc. 724 S a v i n A v e . , W e s t H a v e n
C A R R O L L , Raymond B. Pfc. 19 A u t u m n S t . , M a n c h e s t e r
C A R R O Z Z E L L A , Angelo P . Pvt. 16 State S t . , W i n d s o r L o c k s
C A S H M A N , T i m o t h y S. Pvt. 89 Sumner S t . , H a r t f o r d
C H R I S T E N S E N , L . F. Pfc. 41 C e n t r a l A v e . , E a s t H a r t f o r d
C H R O M I K , Martin R. T/4 170 E l i z a b e t h S t . , D e r b y
C H R Z A N O W S K I , Peter P . Pfc. 1 M e r r i t St., Ansonia
C L I F F O R D , James T . Pfc. 449 B l o h m A v e . , W e s t H a v e n
C O E , Ronald E . T/5 General Delivery, D u r h a m
C O L L I N S , Daniel F. J r . Pfc. 31 Springside A v e . , E a s t H a r t f o r d
C O S T A N Z O , Frank J . Pfc. 88 C l a r k S t . , H a r t f o r d
C R A I N , Charles M . Pfc. 56 W i l l i a m s S t . , N o r w i c h
C R A T T Y , George F . Pfc. 11 C o t t a g e St., R o c k v i l l e
D A N S E R E A U , Arthur N . 1st L t . 51 E a s t L i b e r t y S t . , W a t e r b u r y
D E B O U V I E R , Robert L . Pfc. 5 E l m Place, G l e n b r o o k
D E L E A U R A , Albert Pfc. 58 C o u n t r y C l u b R d . , G r o t o n
D E L U C O , John P. Pfc. 19 D o v e r R d . , M a n c h e s t e r
D E R O S A , Arthur F. Pfc. 106 O l i v i a St., D e r b y
D I L O R E N Z O , John A . Pfc. 772 Success A v e . , S t r a t f o r d
D O N N E L L Y , William E . Pfc. R F D 3, M i l f o r d
D O N O V A N , John G. M/Sgt. 23 B o n n e r S t . , H a r t f o r d
D R O U I N , Anire J . Pfc. 107 B a b c o c k S t . , H a r t f o r d
D U B R A V A , Frank J . Cpl. 108 H i l l S t . , Shelton
D U N G A N , Ronald W . Sgt. 56 E l m s f i e l d St., E l m w o o d
D U P R A T , Robert J . Cpl. 28 V a l l e y S t . E x t . , W i l l i m a n t i c
E R I K S E N , Wilden T. Sgt. 40 C o n e , N i a n t i c R i v e r R d . , N i a n t i c
E T T I N G E R , Wolfgang C . Sgt. 1543 N o r t h A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t
E V A N S , Richard J . T/Sgt. 52 M a i n S t . , W e s t H a v e n
F I C A R O , Paul Pfc. 32 M a p l e A v e . , H a r t f o r d
F I N N E Y , Warner A . Pfc. 141 M i l b a n k A v e . , G r e e n w i c h
F I O R I T O , Peter A . T/4 90 V i e w S t . , B r i s t o l
F O E R C H , Donald J r . Pfc. Glenwood R d . , Clinton
F R A S E R , Duncan H . Pfc. R F D 3, Salem-Colchester
F R I T Z , George J . Cpl. 181 R h o d e s S t . , N e w B r i t a i n
G A N C H E R , Elias T/5 275 N o . M a i n S t . , W a t e r b u r y
G A Y L O R D , Alan C. Pfc. 190 N o r t h S t . , M i l f o r d
G E N D A L L , George R . Pfc. 27 T h o r n t o n S t . , H a m d e n

14
G I L B E R T , Earl J . Pfc. B o x 155, Prospect A v e . , M o o s u p
G L A S G O W , Oleg B . Pfc. 734 H o w a r d A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t
G O Z Z O , Corado S/Sgt. 469 B r o a d S t . , H a r t f o r d
G R E E N W O O D , Stanley J . Pfc. 20 W h a l b u r n A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t
H A D D A D , Frederick C . Pfc. 138 C h e r r y S t . , W a t e r b u r y
H A I G H T , Frederick Sgt. 1125 E n f i e l d S t . , T h o m p s o n v i l l e
H A N S O N , Paul H . Pfc. 668 Russel S t . , N e w H a v e n
H A R T W E L L , Herman G. Pfc. 81 Greenwood A v e . , B e t h e l
H O L D E R , Arthur L . Pfc. South E n d Ave., D u r h a m
H O P K I N S , Edwin W. Pvt. 10 Webster S t . , R o c k v i l l e
H O W E L L , Ned W. S/Sgt. 71 B r o a d S t . , Danielson
I A N N U C C I , Stephen M . Sgt. 6 Hedge St., N e w H a v e n
J A K S I N A , Casimer K . Pfc. 179 B r o a d S t . , N e w B r i t a i n
J O H N S O N , Roy A. Pfc. 14 I n g r a m S t . , H a m d e n
K A R P O W I C Z , Edward E . Pfc. 259 L a u r e l S t . , E a s t H a v e n
K E L L Y , Harold M . Sgt. B o x 85, R i v e r t o n
K R A L I C , Joseph Pvt. 870 H o p e S t . , Springdale
K R I E G E R , Edwin C. Pfc. 144 W a s h i n g t o n S t . , N o r w i c h
K R O M I S H , Mike J . Pfc. 20 L i n w o o d A v e . , Colchester
K U L B O R S H , Merwin R. Pfc. 85 Prescott S t . , T o r r i n g t o n
L A C K M A N , Robert A . Pvt. Jackson St., Thomaston
L A M M U C C I , Stephen M . Sgt. 6 Hedge St., N e w H a v e n
L A N E , William H . Jr. Pfc. 467 G l e n b r o o k R d . , S t a m f o r d
L A P O I N T E , Lucien J . Pfc. R F D 1, T u n n e l R d . , R o c k v i l l e
L E V I N E , William E . Pfc. 21 A n d o v e r S t . , H a r t f o r d
L O N D A , D a n i e l S. Pfc. 16 M o s s A v e . , D a n b u r y
L Y O N S , Francis H . Pfc. 1073 E . M a i n S t . , W a t e r b u r y
M A C H E R N I S , Edward A. Pfc. Machtown R d . , Windsor
M A D D E N , Harry Pvt. 128 Bissell S t . , M a n c h e s t e r
M A R C U S , Joseph A . Cpl. 40 Roosevelt S t . , Bridgeport
M A R S H A L L , Henry L . S/Sgt. L e M a n o r , R F D 1, M a d i s o n
M C M A H O N , Patrick W . Sgt. 329 O a k S t . , N e w B r i t a i n
M C M A N O N , John J . T/5 136 C h a t h a m S t . , N e w H a v e n
M C M A N U S , James J . Pfc. 54 T e m p l e t o n S t . , W e s t H a v e n
M C N I S H , Robert L . Sgt. 27 M o u l t h r o p S t . , A n s o n i a
M E R R I T T , Robert D . Sgt. 338 H a n o v e r S t . , Bridgeport
M E R R O W , Harry F., Pfc. George S t . , B r i s t o l
M I S N E R , David M . Major 34 E a s t A v e . , N o r w a l k
M O N T A L T O , Peter P . Pfc. 104 C h a r r o n S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
M O R A N , Francis R . Pfc. 172 Beacon A v e . , N e w H a v e n
N O L A N , John P. Pfc. L i b e r t y St., C l i n t o n
O ' H A R A , Robert W . S/Sgt. 21 W i l l i a m s S t . , H a r t f o r d
O K T A V E C , Frank J . S/Sgt. General Delivery, Higganum
P A R K I N S O N , James J . Pfc. 1 G a l l u p S t . , Plainfield

15
P I A Z Z A , Peter C . Sgt. 188 E l m S t . , T h o m a s t o n
P I N G , Geng T/4 1386 F a r m i n g t o n A v e . , W e s t H a r t f o r d
P I N S K Y , Joseph D . Pfc. 29 Winchester S t . , H a r t f o r d
P J U R A , John J . Pfc. 66 H a m i l t o n S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
P O N T A , Anthony M . T/5 Warrenville, Conn.
P O U L O S , Frank P. Pvt. 9 Hillside Ave., Middletown
R E I L L Y , William E . S/Sgt. 666 H i g h S t . , N a u g a t u c k
R E N T A L , Chester F . Pfc. 20 E l t o n S t . , N e w B r i t a i n
R I M O S U K A S , John J . 1st L t . Windsor
R I O , Samuel R . Sgt. 10 U n i o n S t . , N e w B r i t a i n
R O S E N T H A L , Milton J . Pfc. 336 George S t . , N e w H a v e n
R U B C H A N S K Y , Harry Pfc. 150 W e s t S t . , N e w H a v e n
S A V O , Angelo R . Pfc. 33 B i s h o p S t . , N e w H a v e n
SCI A L L A , Carmen S/Sgt. 266 H u m p h r e y S t . , N e w H a v e n
S C U L L Y , William F. S/Sgt. 64 L a w r e n c e S t . , H a r t f o r d 6
S E B E S T Y E N , Louis J . T/5 633 P i n e S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
S L O A N , Samuel Pfc. 672 H o w a r d A v e . , N e w H a v e n
S M I T H , Samuel Z. S/Sgt. 208 Westfield A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t
S T A B I L E , Joseph F . Pfc. 68 W a s h i n g t o n A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t
S T A N N A R D , Warren H . R. Pfc. 2061 W h i t n e y A v e . , H a m d e n
S T A R K , Philip Pfc. 230 E d g e w o o d A v e . , N e w H a v e n
S T E L L U T S , Anthony G . S/Sgt. 50 M e a d o w S t . , So. N o r w a l k
S T E R N B E R G , Ademor P . Sgt. Guilford
S T E V E N S O N , Robert M . Pfc. 56 L e s t e r S t . , W e s t H a v e n
S T O N E , James F . S/Sgt. 294 C a l i f o r n i a S t . , S t r a t f o r d
S T O N E , William R. Pfc. 96 B o n d S t . , B r i d g e p o r t
S T O R T I , Joseph Pfc. 30 B r o w n A v e . , S t a m f o r d
S Z Y M A N S K I , Henry J . Pfc. Fitchville R d . , Yantic
T A T O R , William A. Lt. 20 B r o o k t a w A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t
T H O M A S , Raymond H . Jr. Pfc. 39 H o l b r o o k S t . , A n s o n i a
T H O M P S O N , J o h n S. Pfc. 114 F r a n c i s A v e . , H a r t f o r d
T R Z C I N S K I , Edward C. S/Sgt. 12 L y m a n S t . , N e w B r i t a i n
U N G A R , Jacob T/5 36 L e b a n o n S t . , H a r t f o r d
V A S I L A K E , John G. Capt. 100 B r o a d w a y , M i l f o r d
V A S Q U E S , Anthony J . Pfc. Imperial Ave., Westport
W H I T E , Walter Pfc. 191 So. H i g h l a n d S t . , W e s t H a r t f o r d
W I L C O X , William C. Pfc. R F D 1, D a n b u r y
W I L L I A M S , Fred C. Pfc. Saybrook R d . , M i d d l e t o w n
W I T H E R E L L , George F . Pfc. 797 W o l c o t t H i l l R d . , Wethersfield
Z A C H A R E L L I S , William S/Sgt. 1567 C h a p e l S t . , N e w H a v e n
Z A H A R I S , Vasilios S. T/4 655 Pacific S t . , S t a m f o r d
Z E B R O S K I , J o h n S. Pfc. 236 C h a r t e r O a k T e r . , H a r t f o r d
Z E T T E R H O L M , Emil Pfc. 22 E l m P l a i n s , W i n d s o r L o c k s
Z I M M E R , Johnathan Pfc. 217 L a u r e l S t . , B r i d g e p o r t