Journal Entry February 19 Transfer to 285th-and Cliff Hope

Feb 19th Transferred to 285th Field Artillery Observation Battalion "To help replace men lost by Battery 'B'-murdered by Germans December 17th.

Roads to Bastogne nearly all out- one sea of mud.

Red Cross doughnuts.

Good roads to Pepinster (Near Viviers). Staying in Chateau.

Lu, in Ray Hight's book: In early February I was shocked to receive orders transferring me to the 285th FAOB. The news made quite an impact on me when I realized that I was one of the replacement troops needed after the great loss of life in the 285th during the Malmedy Massacre on December 17, 1944. This knowledge left me feeling especially responsible, and initially a bit uneasy, knowing I was filling in for a man who had been killed.

Cliff Hope: Within a few days Cpl. Lu Winsor, our note keeper, was transferred to the 285th Field Artillery Observation Battalion, a transfer which I am certain was occasioned by the terrible losses suffered by the 285th in the Malmedy Massacre. I was appointed to Lu's position and later was promoted to corporal.
... During the third week of February, Lu Winsor, Blades, and Cooper left as replacements for the 285th Field Artillery Observation Battalion. I hated to see Winsor go, although, as previously mentioned, it was a break for me because I got his job as note keeper. It was a definite job in the army for the first time in almost two years of service.

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Journal Entry March 27, 28th And Battalion history

March 27 Crashed B-24 March 28 Put in mike base-taped-Jeep broke tape at road intersection. Put in flash OPs. Picked up Helmet, leather. Battalion History: On 28 March, headquarters of the Barnstorming 16th crossed the Rhine, followed the next day by the Letter Batteries. With advancing armor taking the fight out of the Germans, the 16th found itself scouring the woods around Henmethal --- for prisoners, souvenirs and eggs. Souvenirs and eggs were more plentiful than prisoners. From Ray Hight's book: By the time the 285th crossed the Rhine toward the end of March, much of the area was in American hands and things were moving so quickly we hardly had time to set up. The German forces were pulling back, and there was very little opposition as we crossed the southern part of Germany almost up to the boundary of Czechoslovakia.

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Nov 26th 1945 To Leona from Wes Hill

Nov 26, 1945 Luzon Dear Leona: Well here I am still but not for long. No kidding a dream. A long worn out Dream is coming nearer to reality. I will be home some time in January. Unless orders change. But up to now we sail or get on a boat on the 10th of December. I'm about going Nuts for that is only 15 Days away. All the 70 bomber have gone to Manila last week & we are the first to go as a Unit. with 60 to 69 pointers exclusive. So you know what that means from now on there is no use in writing for the Post Office readdresses to my home address. so here I am. and not a darn thing to write about. Our old Outfit Broke up and so I'm in the 736th AAA Gun Bn. which is second on the list. for shipment. 43,000 men are going to shipped from the AAA this December on 147 Troop Transports. So I'll see you after I walk out of the Gates of Fort Douglas or should I call you up for Instruction on how to get around Salt Lake. Well that's too far ahead to think clear...

Winsor War Notes-Luther Snow Winsor's WW II experiences

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