My name is Bernd Nebel,

I live in Ginseldorf, which is now a district of Marburg in Hesse (Germany). I think I know the story of the soldier Richard Wallace Brokaw from the stories told by my father, who died last year. He was 9 years old at the time, towards the end of the Second World War, and remembered the following incident very well. He told it to me, my siblings and his grandchildren again and again.

As the American front moved closer and closer to my home, it arrived in Ginseldorf on March 29, 1945. The American soldiers came with several tanks from the neighboring village (Bauerbach). The mayor of Bauerbach, who had been taken prisoner by the soldiers, was sitting on the first tank. After the citizens of Ginseldorf had also surrendered, the mayor of Bauerbach was allowed to go home. Now the mayor of Ginseldorf was taken prisoner and placed on the first tank. The column drove to the next village, which was called Bürgeln. On the gravestone of Richard W. Brokaw, the name of the village is misspelled ("Burgein").

When the column reached the outskirts of Bürgeln, it had to cross a small bridge over the River Ohm. Hidden there were some very young soldiers from the "Hitler Youth", who let the first tank pass with the mayor of Ginseldorf and shot at the second tank with a bazooka. My father kept telling me that an American soldier had to die because of these "stupid boys", even though the war was actually long over. Afterwards, there was probably a brief exchange of fire before the American soldiers captured the culprits. This story made a lifelong impression on my father.

At findagrave there is an article by the member 46789392 that describes what happened on March 29, 1945 near Ginseldorf.

I am sure that this is the story that my father told again and again. By the way, there is also a book about my village in which this tragic story is told on March 29, 1945 (the day before Good Friday).

I've added a photo of the old Ohm Bridge, where the events took place. I took this photo a few years ago. The bridge is no longer in use today.

Today, exactly 80 years after the death of Richard W. Brokaw (!), I found his entry on findagrave by pure coincidence and wrote this text.

Bernd Nebel

They were entering [Bürgeln] Germany near dusk on 29 March, 1945.

Having just been ordered to change direction 90 degrees to North, they entered the built up area without Infantry support and were almost immediatly hit by Panzerfaust fire. No one was hurt and they abandoned the A-16 tank (Platoon Ldr's tank 1st Ptn A/40 -- an M-4 tank).

As they were exiting via driver's and bow gunner hatches another Panzerfaust hit the front slope of their M-4 killing the Driver, my Uncle, T/4 Patterson, Rennye D. 38079938 of Trenton, Texas and the Bow Gunner, Cpl Fulara, Edward F. 32253319 of Bufallo N. Y. instantly.

The turret crew escaped and the Gunner, Cpl Webb, Rufus Elmo of Flat River, Mo and the Loader PFC Cardwell, Brady of Sevgierville, Tn were both severly wounded by sniper fire. The Tank Commander, 1Lt Goldie, William of Montclair, NJ was able to duck into a doorway and found himself in a room with a dozen or so Germans and was immediately taken prisoner. He ultimately escaped and made his way to American lines with several Germans he had talked into surrendering.

(p. 9): "The company commander designated the first rifle platoon to ride the leading platoon of tanks, exclusive of the first two tanks in the column."

(p. 9): "The company possessed only one (1) officer at this time other than the company commander. This officer was Lieutenant Brokaw who commanded the first rifle platoon. He had just joined the company the day before having been transferred from Headquarters Company of the battalion where he had commanded the assault gun platoon. Therefore, the company commander knew little of this officer's ability or experience."

(pp. 10-11): "The men had been warned about accepting food or drink passed to them by civilians along the route and the noncommissioned officers instructed to be alert with any such efforts made. This is mentioned here as it was not too long before the importance of this measure was brought home rather forcibly."

(p. 15): "... the company commander's attention was diverted momentarily by the sudden movement of a silhouetted figure from the first platoon staggering and moving, without attempting to secure cover, down the center of the road toward the houses. The exchange of fire between the first platoon and the enemy occupying the building continued. Before any warning could be shouted to the individual so foolhardily moving in the road, he crumpled and suddnely fell in the road."

(pp. 15-16): "A report was received from Lieutenant Brokaw that the house bad been taken by the first platoon with three (3) enemy killed in the basement and two (2) wounded on the first floor. He, too, remarked upon the youthfulness of the enemy and advised the company commander that he was leaving part of his platoon in the vicinity of the house and leading the reminder forward in a dash for the next building which was about seventy five (75) yards from the first."

(pp. 16-17): "Upon arriving at the house held by the platoon, he recognized the figure which had been hit in the road previously and saw that the man was dead, having been shot through the throat. It was learned that despite orders and warnings to the contrary this man had accepted intoxicants from civilians throughout the day and was in no condition to fight when the company dismounted from the tanks. He refused to remain behind when his platoon moved into the attack and so had met his death as a result of negligence and lack of alertness when it counted."

(p. 17): "Lieutenant Brokaw was found by the company commander on the inside of the house unconscious and shot through the chest. An aid man was administering to him and told the company commander that the officer had been hit as he attempted to jump from the window of the house and lead his platoon to the next house. The task force commander was notified by radio of the situation and requested to send a litter to the house to evacuate the wounded platoon leader."

(8 Sep 2001): Morley thought Rogues may have been Belgian [he was Portuguese]; Rogues died in Morley's arms

(8 Sep 2001): Brokaw was shot in the lungs on his left side. He asked for a cigarette and died right there.

(9 Sep 2001): "He [Rogues] died in my arms."

(10 Sep 2004): Brokaw was in front of Rogues. [I realize now that I am not sure just what sense Morley meant this in - maybe after they were both hit?]; "I held Rogues" who was hit under the left side of his jaw. There was "blood all over my uniform".