7.   THE WAR IN EUROPE ENDS - NORTHEIM - CZECHOSLOVAKIA

Ordered to move north to relieve the Second Armored Division, who were to take over part of the American zone of occupation in Berlin, we left Hasselfelde on 4 May 1945 and moved to Northeim, in the province of Hannover, into some of the most comfortable billets we had ever bad. Battalion headquarters was established in a large orphanage (minus the orphans) outside the city and Service Company took over a spa which bad been famous as a "watering place" since 1422. "B" Company though topped all the companies by moving into a castle, formerly the home of the Kings of Hannover.

Here at Northeim, we again took over the military government set-up and also the control of several thousand Displaced Persons located in camps in the area.

On 9 May 1945, came the end of the war in Europe and the "lights came on again." Despite non-fraternization regulations, life settled into a pleasant routine and training was kept at the necessary minimum. We did, however, do some firing, using captured German vehicles as targets but on the whole the battalion devoted itself to maintenance of equipment and play. Wellsettled in the role of "occupation troops," we were rooted out once again and at 0545, 4 June 1945, we were on the road again with our destination this time the vicinity of Pilson, Czechoslovakia. We were now being transferred from the Ninth to the Third United States Army.

Moving at a leisurely pace of 12 miles per hour, we made the 300 mile trip, a great part of it along the autobahn, in three days. Along the way we saw thousands of Displaced Persons, hundreds of German refugees and many discharged German soldiers returning to the homes they hoped were still standing. We paused the first night near Weimar and the second night found us sleeping along the road near Neustadt.

Early on the morning of 6 June, we crossed the boundary into Czechoslovakia and moving through numerous small towns, we rumbled into Pilsen, passing along the way the famous Skoda munitions plant. Leaving behind us the crowds that watched our armored vehicles pass through the city, we moved to the east, setting up headquarters at Chrast. The battalion "fanned out" in the surrounding countryside, leaving headquarters and Service Company in Chrast. "A" Company set up housekeeping in Sedleckoj "B" Company in Busovice; "C" Company in Stupno and "D" .Company in Brezina.

Our major job in the area proved to be manning road blocks in the strip of land bordering on the Russian-held section of Czechoslovakia and guarding a large PW Camp which contained close to 10,000 German prisoners. Despite the language handicap, we got along on good terms with the Czechs and found enqugh to drink without having to resort to the Russian drink of beer spiked with gasoline. No sooner had we settled down to this routine of duty, plus the usual half day training schedule, than the Army began its Redeployment Plan and the 8th Armored Division was slated for. demobilization. Gradually as quota after quota of men were taken from the 36th and men ready for discharge filled in their places, the 36th was the 36th in name only.

Scattered to the various branches of service and different battalions and divisions, the men of the Invincible tank battalion, proud of their record, moved into other units but the days they spent in the 36th will long live in their memories.

So draws to an end the story of the Thirty-Sixth Tank Battalion and the men, living and dead, who wrote its story, in blood and steel in the annals of American Military History.