SEARCH RESULTS

John Reitz

---

He'd been rescued from the frigid water of the English Channel, but John Reitz was still cold as he made it to the docks of Cherbourg. He got dry clothes, thanks to the hospitality of a quartermaster unit, and he also got a large glass of some unknown beverage. Part 3 of 4. (This interview made possible with the support of COL ROBERT W. RUST, USMCR (ret.) in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.) (4:51)

---

In the aftermath of the sinking of the SS Leopoldville, John Reitz wandered the streets of Cherbourg for two days. He was contemplating something he never would have imagined before he realized that this war could very well kill him. Part 4 of 4. (This interview made possible with the support of COL ROBERT W. RUST, USMCR (ret.) in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.) (5:57)

---

They gave John Reitz the big pitch about staying in the Army Reserves once he returned from Europe. There wasn't much chance of that happening, as he makes clear. He returned to his career in music, embittered by his military experience. (This interview made possible with the support of COL ROBERT W. RUST, USMCR (ret.) in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.) (4:09)

John Rodgers

---

John Rodgers remembers the more intensive parts of his training before deploying overseas. All of his preparation paid off as he began flying missions in North Africa. (11:33)

---

During one of his missions over Italy, John Rodgers was forced to bail out of a plane, but managed to land safely. After landing, he was captured by some enemy forces and taken as a prisoner of war. (15:15)

---

After being captured, John Rodgers met an old friend at the camp where he was being held. While being brought back to Rome by his captors, Rodgers was able to buy some sustenance for himself and his friends that kept them going as they were transferred to Poland. (Part 1) (5:17)

---

With their final destination set as Poland, Rodgers and his fellow captives stop at a small camp in Szubin, where they were held. By the end of his time there, there were nearly 2,000 other officers being held captive. (Part 2) (11:35)

---

John Rodgers remembers the very basic elements of his cell in Luckenwalde. The conditions were poor, but they managed to keep their spirits high and maintain some forms of communication. (8:42)

---

On January 21st, 1945, John Rodgers and his fellow officers began one of the longest forced marches of World War II. From Szubin, Poland, they were forced to march over 300 miles in 47 days. It took some time, but General Patton’s forces were able to liberate the prisoners as the war in Europe came to an end. (10:31)

John Souther

---

John Souther was already in the Army when Pearl Harbor was bombed and he immediately was engaged in stepped up training. He went with the 1st Armored Division to the first invasion of the war, North Africa. Pummeled by Rommel at first, they prevailed and then went on to Italy. (8:59)