 |
| Kellar, Winkler, and Derrick, bronze star recipients |
The Allies now entered Germany, pushing eastward after the Battle of the Bulge.
Jack’s unit was on the move.
From
there it was a push on through France and into Holland, into Luxembourg, into
Belgium, and from Belgium into Germany. As quickly as the army would take an
airfield and secure it, we would move in. In one twelve-month period, we were on thirteen different bases. So by
the time you set up camp and one thing ‘n’ another on base, you were ready to
move again.[1]
 |
| Brunswick (top) and Wiesbaden (below) from "Fritz," a Group artist's cartoon map of the 363rd's movements in Europe, 1943-1945 |
In Germany Jack
trod the same ground his forbears had labored and left. He knew little about
them and their heritage, much less about extended family living in Germany. He
probably had cousins who served in Hitler's army. Because the Germans looked so
much like the folks at home, American soldiers were warned not to trust and
associate with them.
April
5, 1945, 3 years today!!!
Dearest
Alice,
I
have a non-fraternization plan all of my own & the only woman I can have
anything to do with is you.[2]
The month after
Jack wrote on his third wedding anniversary, German armed forces surrendered
unconditionally. The 363rd took over established German airbases.
 |
| Main building of the Braunschweig (Brunswig) airbase |
 |
| Metler, Judge, Toy, and three other crewmen |
The
war ended in May, and we were in Brunswig [Braunschweig], Germany, sixty
kilometers from Berlin. At Brunswig German planes, all kinds of planes, had
been coming in for several days before the war was over with their wheels and
flaps down, surrendering. I felt sorry for some of the soldiers and people who
got off the planes. They had their bicycles, pets, and belongings with them.
They were going to go home because they lived near Brunswick, but no, they were
taken as prisoners of war right there. The war was not yet over with.[3]
 |
| Jack's view of the German pilots |
Germany,
May 8, 1945
Dearest
Alice,
We
have had several Jerry [German] airplanes come in an[d] surrender here and it’s pretty
exciting. It was really a beautiful day here today. It seemed like God made it
beautiful just because the war was over.[4]
 |
| From the periphery, Jack captured the moment of some Germans' arrival and capture. |
The war’s end meant Jack was finally free to write what he wanted.
!Uncensored!
Germany,
May 22, 1945
Dearest
Alice,
Well
some of the boys have some champagne here tonight so things are pretty lively
around here Ha. I’ve had my share for a while tho Ha. Yes they
finally took censorship off of our letters so now we can say what we please.
What a relief not to have some stooge reading your letters all the time.[5]
The Americans
were victors, allowing Jack to be a cautious tourist. He loved seeing the country,
wherever he was.
When
the war was over we moved several times and spent some time down near
Wiesbaden. That was an established base, but it was blown up. Everything was
blown up around there; everything was destroyed. We had turned in our vehicles
and our planes and didn’t have an awful lot to do. Several of us confiscated
some German vehicles that were free to anybody who wanted them. That’s where I
had the German jeep. We painted them up with army olive drab and put fake
serial numbers on them and big stars. We were issued trip tickets to go off the
base and really saw a lot of the country over there. We had plenty of gas on
the base where we were stationed, and we could go wherever we wanted.
 |
| Red Pelizzari and Jack's German jeep |
 |
| Beyond the devastation there were hills and forests to explore. |
Since
our vehicles had been turned in, the only transportation was these jeeps, so
when one of the officers said he wanted to go someplace, I said, “I’ll have to
drive,” so we saw lots of country. It was also my duty to go into Frankfurt
each day and pick up the barber and take him home at night. Also to make a beer
stop in Frankfurt at the brewery and bring back beer for the fellas.[6]
 |
| Frankfurt, 1945[7] |
 |
| What Jack saw in Frankfurt, young boys cleaning the rubble |
The trio from
Sonoma County, California, received bronze stars for keeping their planes
flying. Jack’s award letter reads,
Dear S Sgt Kellar,
It
is with extreme pleasure that I offer my most hearty congratulations to you for
performing your job in such a superior manner. It is recognized that such a
magnificent record of 42 consecutive missions, established by the aircraft
assigned to you, could never have been possible without the superior
maintenance provided by you as crew chief.[8]
 |
| Jack's good conduct medal and bronze star |
As the war was
over, and spring turned to summer, the boys were ready to go home. That was
more easily imagined than done.
[1] Jack J. Kellar, interview about his first years after
high school by Judy Kellar Fox, 12 April 1993; cassette tape recording and
transcription held by the author. Lightly edited excerpt.
[2] Jack J. Kellar (Germany), letter to “Dearest Alice”
[Alice (Streeter) Kellar] (Santa Rosa, California), 5 April 1945, excerpt.
[4] Jack J. Kellar, letter to “Dearest Alice,” 8 May 1945, excerpt.
[5] Jack J. Kellar, letter to “Dearest Alice,” 22 May 1945, excerpt.
[6] Jack J. Kellar, “Autobiography,” 1998; two
ninety-minute cassette tape recordings; held and partially transcribed by the
author. Also, Jack J. Kellar, interview, 12 April 1993. Lightly edited excerpts.
[7] “Frankfurt on the Main,” photograph, 31 March 1945, U.S. Air
Force photographer (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/Frankfurt_Am_Main-Altstadt-Zerstoerung-Luftbild_1944.jpg
: accessed 22 August 2018), public domain; image quality improvement by Mylius
[link https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Mylius
] 2010.
[8] James B. Tipton, Colonel, Air Corps, Commanding (APO,
New York City, New York), letter to S Sgt Jack J. Kellar (APO New York City,
New York), 12 August 1944.
