"'The remnants of a small rebellion of Danish Police, started in Copenhagen, were dying like flies. They were unused to the severe hardships and the extreme conditions which the rest of us had gradually adapted to while in Buchenwald."
At the last minute, Red Cross packets had been sent for them. As much as possible, these packages had been divided and distributed to everybody, on an international basis. So, the chances for all turned out to be more or less equal!
I had an advantage because of one of my former commandos in which I had access to the animal food from the pig's trough. This had help supplement my diet and the meager supply of food.
All that we could do now was sit and wait for the last orders. We were ready for action. The tension was growing! At last, on April 11th, we heard the tanks crawling up the hill. Also, flying overhead that morning and clearly visible we had seen spotter planes.
The U.S. Sixth Army was on it's way!Not sure if is was the Sixth or the 8th - there may have been a typo when originally typed!!
The watchtowers gradually turning their machine guns on the advancing army and assault troops - who were coming steadily and stealthily up with the tanks.
When they were near enough and the sporadic firing had started that was the moment we had all waited for. At a quick tempo and on a signal, every block stormed out and was organized by the already prepared Commanders.
I had Commander Blum of Brussels as my leader: "You and you, there you go". No doubt or shaking of your heads was tolerated. He now told the slackers to stay behind - speaking directly to a lawyer!
It was four o'clock in the afternoon. The ones that didn't go for the fighting had to pass the arms to us. White flags were put up in the blocks to avoid confusion and mistakes by the fighting forces.
I was given two German stick grenades and told how to use them, putting them in my belt. Knives, pistols and a few rifles - that's all we had! Now, everybody can observe why we hadn't broken out before - what we had was negligible!
While the Americans were battling in front we charged like mad bulls at the fence. It only took a few grenades to get a gap in the fence and cut the electricity flow.
From our positions, we were now throwing grenades into the watchtowers. In a hurry, we then had to make for the S.S. arsenals - that's where the weapons were; in no time we were armed from head to toe, a formidable little army to account to.
The die hard S.S. were killed where we found them, no chance was taken, in their fox holes. In all, we took two hundred prisoners by ourselves, which was not a bad show. We were able to hand them over to the Americans almost intact! Here and there an individual bit the dust of course, that was understood.
I found my tormentor from my beating incident! Dead already, in a fox hole, fighting until the end. He had chosen his own way out and not otherwise!
During the past day, President Roosevelt had died and we made a last farewell ceremony in arms, as a solemn tribute to him and what it all stood for, the final victory!"
To be continued .....
At the last minute, Red Cross packets had been sent for them. As much as possible, these packages had been divided and distributed to everybody, on an international basis. So, the chances for all turned out to be more or less equal!
I had an advantage because of one of my former commandos in which I had access to the animal food from the pig's trough. This had help supplement my diet and the meager supply of food.
All that we could do now was sit and wait for the last orders. We were ready for action. The tension was growing! At last, on April 11th, we heard the tanks crawling up the hill. Also, flying overhead that morning and clearly visible we had seen spotter planes.
The U.S. Sixth Army was on it's way!Not sure if is was the Sixth or the 8th - there may have been a typo when originally typed!!
The watchtowers gradually turning their machine guns on the advancing army and assault troops - who were coming steadily and stealthily up with the tanks.
When they were near enough and the sporadic firing had started that was the moment we had all waited for. At a quick tempo and on a signal, every block stormed out and was organized by the already prepared Commanders.
I had Commander Blum of Brussels as my leader: "You and you, there you go". No doubt or shaking of your heads was tolerated. He now told the slackers to stay behind - speaking directly to a lawyer!
It was four o'clock in the afternoon. The ones that didn't go for the fighting had to pass the arms to us. White flags were put up in the blocks to avoid confusion and mistakes by the fighting forces.
I was given two German stick grenades and told how to use them, putting them in my belt. Knives, pistols and a few rifles - that's all we had! Now, everybody can observe why we hadn't broken out before - what we had was negligible!
While the Americans were battling in front we charged like mad bulls at the fence. It only took a few grenades to get a gap in the fence and cut the electricity flow.
From our positions, we were now throwing grenades into the watchtowers. In a hurry, we then had to make for the S.S. arsenals - that's where the weapons were; in no time we were armed from head to toe, a formidable little army to account to.
The die hard S.S. were killed where we found them, no chance was taken, in their fox holes. In all, we took two hundred prisoners by ourselves, which was not a bad show. We were able to hand them over to the Americans almost intact! Here and there an individual bit the dust of course, that was understood.
I found my tormentor from my beating incident! Dead already, in a fox hole, fighting until the end. He had chosen his own way out and not otherwise!
During the past day, President Roosevelt had died and we made a last farewell ceremony in arms, as a solemn tribute to him and what it all stood for, the final victory!"
To be continued .....
