OO-TAY-AH-HA

The German officer was interogating me after I was pulled from the line of cold, hungry, prisoners returning to Stalag XIIID in Nurnberg. It was January 13th 1945. We had been on a detail to help bury the more than 4,000 people killed in a massive air raid the night before. They were buried in trenches, probably without much identification. We had worked on many details since arrival at the camp on Dec. 27, 1944.
On earlier details we had been cleaning out a bombed SS office building. I found 2 or 3 stale biscuits on the floor - apparently dinner had been interupted. They tasted like cake as our diet consisted of 1/7 loaf of black bread per man per day. During the cleanup I had found some silverware, including knives, which I had secreted in the barracks. A search during our absence uncovered the cache and one of my compatriots had told the searchers who they belonged to. It was for that reason that I had been pulled from the line.
When asked, I told the officer I was born in Logan, Utah. The steno inquired how to spell "Utah" and the officer petulantly spelled it out: OO-TAY-AH-HA. I have never forgotten that interview or the 13 weeks of solitary confinement that followed it, after being told that I would probably be shot after a trial.
The cell, measuring 4 ft by 8ft. was in a building of one story. A long building with cells on either side of a long hallway. It was not really solitary for some of the time as there were three of us for about two weeks; then two for a couple of weeks, then I was alone for the final time except for the bed bugs, lice and fleas. Our bedding was a straw tick on a wood bunk. Two slept on the bunk and one on the floor and we rotated when there were three of us. Plumbing consisted of a wooden bucket in the corner. There was a window but a box over the window, open at the top, kept us from any sunshine or seeing outside.
Thanks to the Red Cross I had use of three books; a Bible; How Green Was My Valley, and the Royal Road to Romance. All were read more than once. I also had a little address book in my pocket with a map of the U.S. in the front. From it, I drew all of the states and put in all of the cities I could think of. Still have it. Also drew a map of the U.S. on the cell door - the crusty old jailor insisted I "waschen' it off but I never did. While alone in the cell, a frenchman, opened my door when the jailor was not looking and gave me a wooden handled pocket knife. In words and signs he indicated he was going to a court martial and would not be back. I put it inside an empty pepsodent toothpowder can and it was never discovered. I still have it.
In early April I was told I would be tried in Nurnberg at the Court House. (the same Court House where the Nazi's were later tried and convicted) After a long wait during which I learned from others waiting, that the Americans had crossed the Rhine, I was told the trial had been postponed. During the walk back to camp (about 3-4 miles) I found and ate some dandelions - The first greens in many months.
Liberation came on April 17, 1945 when tanks came through the wire. We had been shelled for hours before - the 45th Div. not being aware our area (next to the Nazi Stadium) was a prison camp. I was there when they blew up the big Swastika on top of the Stadium. (More on this topic, later)