Joe,

Over the week end I seen a tv program ,talking about the end of WW2. They said there were so many G.I.s going A.W.O.L. that they changed it to mean something like missing role call. Also stealing car's and truck's were another problem.

I did not remember all the things they were blaming the G.I.'s for but I never seen that in Philippines and I don't know where they got thier information. Did you see of hear any thing like that ?

papa

Cadat6: If you are speaking about the time after V.E. day specially, no I did not see much AWOL or even hear about it. We did not want to louse up our time to go home

in any way. Besides, life was pretty good with no one shooting at us anymore. Far as

"borrowing a vehichle" yes a lot of that went on . It wasnt "stealing" just "utilizing" a

mode of transportation and putting it to good temporary use as needed. for a hour or two. Fact is one never left a vehicle with out removing the distributor rotor AND chaining the steering wheel and locking it with the wheels well turned as a precaution.. This helped a bit to keep it from being among the missing. As gasoline was not really on the market yet in Germany to much extent, motorcycles could be obtained by trading a carton or two of cigarettes. Which I did. When I left I gave it to a friend who was not due to go home for a while. With little traffic on the roads it was a pleasure to use for hunting as it was easy getting around in the forest trails which were well kept up. Fact is, being young and single and no more fighting I actually enjoyed this time while waiting to get home. To me it was the best time I spent in the Infantry. But was damn glad to get back home.

I am watching "Patton" today (the Movie) and one line of George C. Scott's is something to the effect that he (Patton) wishes that he and Rommel could shake hands, each get in their tanks, buckle up the hatch and go to battle...winner take all. It's a darn good thing for all of us that never happened! A Sherman going toe to toe with a Tiger? Not good!

I still loved this movie though!

DD

Patton is one of my favorites, DogDaddy. I sort of get a chill down the spine during the opening speech that comes back each time they do the trumpet thing.

Patton and Lawerence of Arabia.

Two enigmas.

Chris