A trip into the past

Since many years, in the framework of international relationships, our association has kept a close contact with the veterans of the 89th Infantry Division, that liberated in April 1945 the camps around the “REIMAHG”.

Already in 2010, following the 65th anniversary of the liberation, veterans and relatives of the unit came to Kahla.

This year, beginning of June, Erwin Davis, 354th Infantry Regiment/89th Infantry Division, traveled to Normandy, together with his escort John Moseley, to participate at the celebrations for the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings.  Once again, he wanted to retrace the road he took in 1945.

His voyage took again over the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, he visited the former concentration camp in Ohrdruf and went to Kahla.  From Zwickau, he continued to Nuremberg, to finally return to Frankfurt, in order to fly back to the USA.

Erwin, who is 93 years old, was together with his twin brother Ervin, in the same unit.  This is quite unusual and remarkable, especially since both brothers were all the time together during the war in a combat team. Both survived the war and ist horror.  Erwin’s brother Ervin died in 2018.

The trip Erwin undertook, was filled with many human encounters and memories. Our association organized the trip, once he arrived in Thuringia.  Upon his arrival in Ohrdruf he was greeted very heartfully by the District Chairman and the Mayor of Arnstadt.  They thanked him with warm words for his commitment for the liberation of Thuringia and the peace that has prevailed since then. These were emotional moments for Erwin, especially as he was asked to add his name in the honor book of the district.  His history through Thuringia was also of interest of the local German press.

The trip continued towards Kahla and as in April 1945, in the Leubengrund Valley. In the Linzmühle Hotel we finished the day.  The following day started by laying down a wreath at the monument for the victims of the Lager 7. This camp was liberated by his unit.  We were able to explain the history and background of the camps by visiting the exhibition in the Kahla city museum.  Here was he was welcomed by Mayor Jan Schönfeld.  He was very keen on learning about the history of the factory and the people who worked there.  As a token of remembrance and gratitude, we handed Erwin and John the book “REIMAHG – a pictorial history”, something which touched both.  With a beautiful sun, we drove up to the Leuchtenburg Castle, where the view over the Saale Valley was breathtaking and overwhelming.

Together with Erwin and John, we continued the trip towards Zwickau, where his unit was situated at the end of the war.  Upon Erwin’s request, we then continued to Nuremberg.  He wanted to discover the history of the former Nazi party rally grounds and the International Military Tribunal.

The farewell was hard, they thanked us with warm and heartfelt words, and we knew that Erwin and John felt really well while we were escorting them, enjoying their trip with many memories and present impressions.

We wished both safe travels home and hope that we may greet them again in 2020, when we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Liberation.