OCR Text |
Show 2A Emery County Progress Tuesday, November 15, 1988 imm Germans recall camp in Salina By ELIZABETH HANSON Staff writer Herbert Barkhoff, 23, and Altkruger, 31, were sleeping soundly in the Salina Prisoner of War Compound when awakened by a fusillade of bullets piercing through their tent and strafing other tents Karl German 250 sheltering prisoners of war. As they rolled under their cots for protection, an explosive bullet struck Karl in both feet and a fragment pierced one of Herbs feet. They joined the frenzied screams of agony rising from about 30 tents in the wake of the 15 second assault. What had provoked such treatment? After all, the war was over. They were awaiting shipment back home but had been sent to Salina to work in the beet fields for awhile. In the dark they heard their starIcinem'aJ THE RESCUE 1 TUCKU Md Not. 17 StHI u not on IT ROW fideo-ENJ- OY comrades in travail. One was Frederick Ritter, calling for his mother and begging for a pain shot. Ritter had fought in World War I and had joined up again. He was to be captured March 30, 1945 in Germany. What they could not know was that Private Clarence Bertucci, American guard a on duty had mowed them down with a round of 250 bullets from a light machine gun posted in the guard tower. He was calling for more ammunition when apprehended. Bertuccis attack killed Otto Bross, Gottfried Gaad, Ernest Fuchs, Hans Meyer, Walter Vogel, Fritz Stockmann, George Liske and Adolf Paul. Six died at the scene, two at the Salina Hospital, and five days later the ninth victim succumbed at Bushnell Hospital. Nineteen were wounded. The shots and pandemonium ensuing were heard by most of the Salina citizens, many rushing to the bloody scene, helping, alerting medics, responding to a state of agony at midnight on June 7, 1945. Nm. 7 Karl had a wife and child in Germany. Captured in North Africa in 1942, he was among the first German prisoners to be sent to the United States. Herb, captured in North Africa in 1943, had been held in the same Oklahoma and Arkansas war camps as Karl but they had not met until being assigned as p.m. COMING SOOR 3le adventure, i IN THE MIST TOM HANKS Punchline' tent-mat- DOLLY'S in Salina. Herb said, The first time I saw an American was Dec. 25, 1943 when one bailed out of an CRAFTS UNLIMITED Holiday Special Thank - EVERYTHING You In The Store Is 1 0 off Books 40 Delta Paint es We would like to thank the booths, entertain- 1.19 ment, dancing groups. and Band, Chorus, else who supeveryone ported the Christmas Festival. Come SEE our Handmade and Country Items Clyde 394 W. 400 S. and Dorian Magnoson laMont and Lori Gordon 687-921- 9 Preferred Provider For BOTH Blue Cross Blue Participating in recent ceremonies in Salina in honor of German prisoners of war being kept in the United States are, left to right, Mr. and Mrs. Karl Altkruger, Mr. and airplane over Tunis in Algeria. The Americans cut parachute ropes into pieces and gave them as souvenirs to the prisoners. At the beginning of the war we were stationed at an air force base. We transported war supplies and aircraft fuel to the front. Whatever happened to the supplies, I dont know. A lot must have been sunk by torpedoes in the Mediterranean. We never had to kill anyone. Never had the opportunity. The tragedy of July 7 demanded sacrifices and victims. I am counting the fellow who fired the gun as a victim of tragedy. Herb expressed thanks to all who assisted at the time during an assembly held at North Sevier High. Most of the people in Salina were aroused by the shots and many assisted the battle casualties. A number attended the mass graveside service and burial held at Fort Douglas Cemetery, saw and heard the 20 member Ogden POW choir, the speeches, and taps. Not Karl or Herb. They were hospitalized for weeks at Bushnell. Karls feet were so badly injured he has always had to wear corrective shoes (at $600 a pair) and use a cane. Eventually he was well enough to return to wife and child. He had not seen them for over four years. Karl was employed as a carpenter apprentice before he enlisted in 1933 and was sent to North Africa in 1942 and soon captured. Prisoners were sent to the United States to be dispersed in more than 300 prison compounds in 45 states. By 1946 all the prisoners had been sent home. Karl was back in Hannover with his family, employed by the railroad until retirement. He is now 75. Herbert, whose wounds were less serious was sent to Ogden and then to Fort Eustis, Va. to be further indoctrinated into the democratic thinking of America as a positive force in rebuilding Germany as anally. From the first the men were impressed with the ac- commodations offered by the U.S. They were given pullman coaches to ride in, not box cars; at camp they had beds, real beds; the mess hall offered tables and plates. Milk, fresh fruit, ham and eggs, soup with noodles, coffee, cornflakes and boiled eggs were among the offerings the prisoners could not believe were for them, not the American guards. The latrines were too nice for soldiers or prisoners, they must be only for the guards. But no, they were for their use. In fact the men were treated so well, many gained up to 15 pounds and bulged the uniforms given them. The uniforms were the same as American soldiers wore for everyday dress except for the POW painted on the front. Inevitably a few romances sprang up between a few of the lads in the camp and out working on the farms, and some of the lasses from town. Frederich Weber, 76, a Salina POW remembers a few girls who traveled to Germany to be married. He was one of the few Shield Value Care AND to give Better Service to the Patient For Electric Mutual S1R010!I GflKLTT 49.95 Vtue NOW ONUT Blurred Vision 9 New 2. Neck Pain, Tight Plus 95 sitting tee 3. Shoulder Pain, Pain Down Arms, Numbness in Hands. Featuring 4. Pain between Shoulders, 18 Portrait Christmas Cards 48 Portrait Package: and 18 Portrait Christmas Cards. ts 3 -- 5x7s, 15 wallets, 9 Now you can get 48 Christmas portraits - including 18 Portrait Chnstmas Cards and a Pig 10x13 all for just C189& There's no appointment necessary and K mart welcomes babies, children, adurts and groups. Chnstmas background available at no extra charge. Poses Mini-Portrai- fk Pain Down Legs our selection. Not valid with any other offer. One advertised special per family. $1 each additional subject. Portrait sizes approximate. SCOVILLE CHIROPRACTIC OFFICE 55 637-482- 8 North (Just south of the 600 Tuesday, Nov. 15 thru Saturday, Nov. 19 Daily: 10 a.m. 7 p.m. Saturday: 10a.m. 6p.m. West Price River Drive, Price -- East, Price Bookcliff (Medical Center). Hours: Mon.-Fri- ., 9a.m. Or by appointment. -- 5 book containing documents of great value about German prisoners of war in America. At age 42 Kent continues to add to his prestige as Utah historian. For his doctorate dissertation he wrote the history of labor union activities in the Eastern coal fields from He was editor of Emery County: Reflection on its Past and Future and several other publications. He is deputy state historic preservation officer and coordinator of the Historic Preservation Research Section for the Utah State Historical Society. A son of Leland and Luella Grange Powell of Huntington, Kent was reared in Huntington, graduated from Emery High, CEU and the University of Utah. He and wife Brenda and three children live in Salt Lake. Kent did some researching on (Continued on Page 3A) 1900-193- 3. t WEEK -- AGFA p.m. FCMne.nee and Mark Seely have been (sBsaasasa Muscles, Spasms 637-482- 2 He received invaluable help from Barkhoff, 68, a master printer and technical director of the University of Goettingen Press. Herb wrote the 150 page account of his experiences as a collected other POW, documents and gave Kent a $125 Melinda Judi nfpssisswa 1. Haadachas, Dizziness, "WERE MAKING IT AFFORDABLE TO BE HEALTHT COVERS CHIROPRACTIC CARE portant perhaps, picture-histor- y books on the locales. CITIZEN OF THE DANGER SIGNALS OF PINCHED NERVES: MOST INSURANCE on However only two couples were willing and able to travel, the Altkrugers and Brokhoffs. They arrived in October to stay with German-speakin- g families in Salt Lake. Kent first contacted them along with several others while researching for his book on German prisoners of war in Utah. The fact that he served a mission to Germany and was fluent in the language proved the ace, along with his appearance and personality-winning acceptance in every household. During three trips overseas, he partook of much good German cooking, often stayed overnight and upon leaving was loaded down with enough sandwiches, fruit and chocolate to last a week, and more im- - San Rafael Bulldogs OUPO 5. Lower Back pain, ng of war at Fort Douglas Cemetery on Nov. 13, the German National Day of Mourning, he suggested that five former prisoners wounded in the Salina shooting be flown from Germany to participate. aawasri! gannai Difficult Breathing Abdominal Pains hard-worki- prisoners 'las' fliHBlMMifilil (jrfteGiariffci Qpjgsj 'JGtn inmt 10 Guniri who immigrated back to the U.S. with the aid of a sponsor. He learned some interesting things about the Mormon farmers when he asked for a match to light his cigarette. Mormons dont have matches on their person. He was flabbergasted to hear Mormons talk of the assessments paid on a volunteer basis when in Germany the church dues were deducted from the pay check. He kept asking questions. Back in Germany he was converted in 1947 and with wife Johannah immigrated in the early 50s to Salt Lake City. They return to visit relatives in Germany but have never been sorry they chose to be Utah Mormons. Weber was captured in Tunisia by troops under General Patton. He spent a number of years in prison camps about the United States. We had some nice and real Christian moments in camp. It was not all hate. At Salina the farmers deeply respected our natures. The would forget I was a guard ask if I would and prisoner please clean his gun. The ordinance had to be observed but often cake was left on the tables where we could get it. Weber and wife were among the party traveling to the compound site and to the cemetery where a doctor and nurse who were in on the battle scene are buried. Wreaths were placed at each tombstone. When Dr. Kent Powell of the Utah State Historical Society learned that Lieutenant Colonel Jorg Hilpert, German air force liaison officer at Hill Air Force Base, was planning to rededicate a restored monument for German (1311 (Kind' Util Mrs. Herbert Barkhoff, and Kent Powell, a former Photo by EKnbMhHmon resident of Huntington. Photography Products chosen as San Rafael Junior High's Citizen of the Week Melinda is talented in music. She plays the clarinet and the piano and has received awards for both. She has done well academically: winning in the Electric Contest for two years, being on the Honor Roll, and has been on the school math team. She is also a member of Peer Helpers. She is the daughter of Vaughn and Marianne Judi. Sponsored by PTSA Mark is a builder; he likes to work with wood. He has natural mechanical ability, and he likes to invent. From the scrap pile he has built novelty bicycles and unicycles. By persistence he has learned to ride them. Mark loves farm work that he can do on the tractor. He is president of the San Rafael sub chapter, FFA. Mark is the son of Montell and Kathryn Seely. f |