Jack Branch interviewed by David W. Benavitch

Creator:

Branch, Jack, 1924-2005 and Benavitch, David W.

Scope and content:

Records the recollections of Jack Branch, American enlisted Sergeant of the Guard at Camp 8, Lyndhurst/Sherando Lake, Virginia at the end of World War II (1945). Recalls experiences during the war: landing at Casablanca, Africa (1943); fighting in Italy with the 36th Army Division, and the battle of San Pietro. Talks about experiences with an Army buddy, Fletcher Burks, who he first met in basic training in the States and who was with him on and off throughout his war years, including capture and prisoner of war episodes, liberation and later return to the United States. More specifically, recalls experiences crossing the Rapido River and capture by Germans on Jan. 22, 1943. Talks about box car ride to Falkensburg, Germany and forced labor on potato farms (planting and picking; cutting wood). Recalls Red Cross packages, letter writing, and types of food they ate. Mentions attempts at escape, and final days (forced marches with Russian POWs, from Feb. 7th through April 14th, 1945) before being liberated by Americans. Describes return home, moves to Florida, Fort Meade, Md. and finally, Lyndhurst, Virginia to the CCC camp then being used as a POW stockade for German prisoners. Recollects the Camp, makeup of the guard units; the German enlisted men; and general life at the Camp (food, transportation of prisoners, their work at camp and local farms; punishment; and entertainment). In general, recalls World War II experiences over three continents and memories of wartime as a soldier, prisoner of war, and guard to German prisoners in the U.S.

Names:

Branch, Jack, 1924-2005
Benavitch, David W.

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