What's New
Author Updates and Archive Additions
June 7, 2026
For June, I’ve established a new section in my online archive, this one focused on war-crimes cases. While sifting through Signal Corps photos at NARA, I chanced upon a poignant picture of Soviet women laying flowers at the feet of murdered GIs from the 13th Armored Division. Curiosity about the backstory led me to the war-crimes case brought against Erich Wippermann, commanding officer of 10./Heeres-Flakartillerie-Brigade 503. These are first four documents that I’ve uploaded:
Charges Against War Criminals 12 Aug 47
Shermetov statement 11 May 45
Skowronski statement 16 Jun 45
Gerspacher statement 15 Jun 45
May 24, 2026
Today, I’m sharing the last three documents I have regarding Battery B, 17th Field Artillery Observation Battalion. These records are now in my online archive.
Unit Reports, Btry B, 17th FAOB, 5-7 Dec 44
Unit Reports, Btry B, 17th FAOB, 9-15 Dec 44
Unit Report, Btry B, 17th FAOB, 21 Dec 44
April 26, 2026
I’ve created a new section in my online archive, a section dedicated to Battery B of the 17th Field Artillery Observation Battalion and its presence in Krinkelt-Rocherath during December 1944. It was there, on the second day of the “Bulge,” that one member of the battery lost his life. Few people are aware of this obscure unit and its role in pinpointing German artillery positions using sound and muzzle-flash detection.
Unit History, 17th FAOB, Dec 44
Casualty Report, 17th FAOB, 19 Dec 44
Situation Map, Btry B, 17th FAOB, Dec 44
March 29, 2026
For March, I’ve uploaded two more map overlays to my online archive. As in previous months, these concern the 2nd Armored Division in the Ardennes. They are the last of my “Hell on Wheels” documents. I’ve also uploaded a fascinating document about a German time-delay device found in the basement of château in the XII Corps area in late 1944.
Map Overlay, CCR, 2nd Armd Div, 22 Dec 44
Map Overlay, CCR, 2nd Armd Div, 27 Dec 44
German 18-Day Time Delay Device
February 22, 2026
This month, I’ve added three more map overlays to my online archive, all focused on the 2nd Armored Division in the Ardennes. I’ve carefully superimposed each one on the relevant topographic map. I’ll add a couple more next month.
Map Overlay, CCB, 2nd Armd Div, 25 Dec 44
Map Overlay, CCB, 2nd Armd Div, 28 Dec 44
Map Overlay, CCB, 2nd Armd Div, 29 Dec 44
January 18, 2026
I’m beginning the new year by adding two addition map overlays to my online archive. These documents relate to the 2nd Armored Division and its role in the Ardennes campaign. I’ve superimposed each overlay on the appropriate topographic map. I’ve added a third document, an English translation of a directive issued by Otto Remer, in which he threatens members of his brigade with courts-martial for plundering civilian homes in the Ardennes.
Map Overlay, CCB, 2nd Armd Div, 16 Dec 44
Map Overlay, CCB, 2nd Armd Div, 22 Dec 44
Plundering Civilian Homes, Führer-Begleit-Brigade, 31 Dec 44
April 18, 1945: Soviet women and a child, liberated from forced labor in Germany by troops of the 13th Armored Division, lay flowers at the feet of four dead American soldiers near Hilden, Germany, on April 16. Three of the soldiers, according to an eyewitness, were murdered by a German Army officer after they surrendered. The dead men had crewed the M24 light tank seen in the background, the vehicle having been destroyed by a Panzerfaust. The incident resulted in the prosecution of Leutnant Erich Wippermann and other members of 10./Heeres-Flakartillerie-Brigade 503. Wippermann was convicted and served his sentence at Landsberg Prison, until receiving clemency in 1953. (Photo by Troy A. Peters, 3264th SSC)
November 6, 1941: Major General George S. Patton Jr., commanding general of the 2nd Armored Division, at his command post near Chester, South Carolina, during First Army maneuvers.
April 18, 1945: Tank crew from the 66th Armored Regiment ride through the fire and wreckage of Magdeburg, Germany. The Justizgebäude stands in the background. (Photo by Edward M. DuTiel, 168th SPC)