Most everyone involved in Democratic politics knows Herman Zerger. Even if you're new to the political world, there's a good chance you've seen the man his friends affectionately call 'Zerg' at a fundraiser, a candidate visit or a county party dinner. Herman is more than the chair of the Monroe County Democratic Party, he is an ambassador for the Democratic Party and his reach extends far outside the foothills of the Appalachian region he calls home.
Herman Zerger is also a member of an important group - he is a WWII vet. When I met Herman recently at a Zanesville truck stop to pick up candidate petitions he had gathered from Monroe County he handed me a sheet of paper - a story he recently wrote on his experiences in Europe, some 60 years ago. I have reprinted the story below.
When faced with long, cold winter nights, I often think about the harsh winter conditions we faced in Europe during World War II. In sharing some of these thoughts and memories, we'll begin the latter part of November 1944...
When faced with long, cold winter nights, I often think about the harsh winter conditions we faced in Europe during World War II. In sharing some of these thoughts and memories, we'll begin the latter part of November 1944.
Our Division had begun to break out of the Vosges Mountains in Eastern France. I remember how we had, constantly, without relief, been driving hard on the enemy for over one hundred days. It was so bitterly cold and wet it was in those dense forest mountains. We had been following after the Germans and had suffered some serious casualties, but after one hundred days we finally made enough progress to come upon the flat lands of the Alsace Plains.
By this point we knew our enemy well. We knew of our enemy's doggedness and the acidic blood that filled their veins, and now, at the threshold of their homeland door, the Germans would be even more determined to defend what they had left. For us, whether we fought in the mountains or the flatlands, a battle would be a battle and the sting of setbacks and lost men would feel the same.
With December upon us we were in a position to capture Colmar, a city key to the remaining German holdings. The Second French Corps, severely hampered by extremely high and rugged terrain in the Vosges Mountains, had been unable to advance, and were deployed over a very wide front reaching from Gerardmer to the Belfort Gap. The First French Corps, through the Belfort Gap, faced north from Mulhouse to the Rhine.
The decision was made to push other Allied troops, which were positioned north of Strasbourg, towards two key German lines and attack before the German's could resupply their troops. This decision left the 36th Infantry Division as the sole Division responsible for clearing the Colmar pocket.
On December 6th an Allied plan called for the 36th to attack east from the vicinity of Ribeauville towards Neuf-Brisach. This attack involved a complicated river crossing. After the river crossing, there was no letup in U.S. offensive operations.
At the same time, my unit, the 141st Regiment, after aggressive patrolling, secured Selestate. The 141st to the south moved east to the Bonhomme Pass, shutting it down and rendering it useless to the Germans. After shutting down the Pass, we pushed towards Kaysersberg.
There we were hampered by extensive minefields and small detachments of enemy. The division had accomplished its mission of clearing the entire Vosges as a prelude the the upcoming attack. As I remember, the hardest fighting in this sector was at the town of Riquewihr, where I earned a Bronze Star.
In the face of increasing German opposition and their will to attack, the situation was not good. The Division was overextended and had the Vosges Mountains at its back - essentially trapped. At this point we were given the mission of taking the town of Sigolsheim.
At this time I was carrying a Thompson sub machine gun because of the impressive firepower. We were sent out in dangerous patrols looking for Germans in the dark of night. Many good men lost their lives on these patrols, but the slaughter of Germans, particularly in the vineyard region and to the right flank of the Division were great.
German attacks were renewed, but with less vigor and no success. The middle of December saw the end of the German effort. The enemy's plan to break through the middle of the 36th failed and a terrific casualty toll had been inflicted upon them. In the battle for Colmar, the U.S. Division came through with flying colors.
We were a simple group, trying to do the best job that we could knowing that those of us who were alive might not be alive later on in the campaign. Everyone prayed, each in his own way, but the prayer brought little solace, for we knew there was no way of knowing who would be fortunate to live to fight another day.
Herman Zerger is a resident of Woodsfield, Ohio who served with the United States Army 36th Infantry Division. He was a Platoon Sergeant of a rifle company in the 141st Regiment having 300 days of front line combat in Italy and France. He was taken prisoner on February 3rd, 1945 in Herrlisheim, the last town in the sector before crossing the Rhine River.
With the passage of time, World War II is rapidly becoming a distant memory that fewer and fewer Americans share.
Politics and Veterans Organizations keep Herman busy and on the move. Herman is a lifetime Honorary Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Veterans Caucus. He is currently in his seventh term as Sergeant of Arms in the Ohio Democratic County Chairs Association.
Herman cast his first vote (for FDR) from a foxhole while fighting in Europe.
For more information on the 36th Infantry Division, visit http://www.lonesentry.com/gi_stories_booklets/36thinfantry/
If you've never had the pleasure of meeting Herman, attend the next ODP Spring Dinner or go do some work in Monroe County. He's one of those people everyone ought to get to know well.
Posted by: Kevin | February 21, 2006 at 05:30 PM
Congratulations to history
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How in order to Pick out the right Car Tools To get Your house Garage
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