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| 5 posts total |
Gaetano Dato
Junior Member
Member # 8697
Posts: 3
From: Trieste-Italy
Registered: 4/6/2012
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posted 4/6/2012 7:05:54 PM    
I am looking for a Truck driver. He was 90%part of 12th armoured division, probably in the division trains. On april 29th 1945 he rescued a Slovenian-Italian political priosoner of Kaufering and Landsberg camp on the train, that is also showed in this photo:
http://www.12tharmoredmuseum.com/which_page.asp?whichBook=images_f&whichPage=41&max=50
the train was in Schwabhausen b.Landsberg, in the middle between Penzing and Eresing, and many brach of the 12th armd div were in that area between april 28th and 29th.
The man we are looking for was african-american and he was very friendly with Riccado Goruppi, supporting him also in the St. Ottilien Hospital near there during the subsequent weeks.
Last place where Goruppi was, before nazis had sent him on the train, was the concentration camp area showed here:
http://www.12tharmoredmuseum.com/which_page.asp?whichBook=timeline-lise_pommois&whichPage=100
I made some resarch at NARA and I was able to to get all the information that makes me beliving the 12th armd div is the right place to look for.
We would like to know more about this very good man and soldier, and eventually be in contact with him if possible.
Riccardo Goruppi is still alive and very proactive on witnessing the deportation history, his own experience and the support to him of the american troops.
Please, could you help us?
Best regards,
Gaetano Dato.
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MikeWoldenberg
Junior Member
Member # 16
Posts: 543
From: University at Buffalo (NY)
Registered: 6/1/2004
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posted 4/7/2012 8:05:57 AM
Dear Gaetano, I will try! At first glance,
your request suggests that the man you are
looking for belonged either to Company D
of the 56th, 17th, or the 66th Armored
Infantry Battalions. These companies were
composed of African American soldiers who
volunteered for combat duty beginning in March, 1945. They had originally been truck drivers, delivering supplies to the division at the front.
I have a friend, living in Chicago, who was a prisoner who survived Kauferring. I will contact him about this request. His name is
Joe Hausner, and you can read his book in the BOOKS AND WRITTEN EXPERIENCES on this
website. "Strafing and Liberation - Rescued Holocaust Experience"
Yours truly, Mike Woldenberg
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Gaetano Dato
Junior Member
Member # 8697
Posts: 3
From: Trieste-Italy
Registered: 4/6/2012
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posted 4/12/2012 7:20:52 AM
Dear Michael,
thank you so much.
Joe Hausner's words are very interesting.
They confirm the story of the train, and the presence of afrincan-american truck drivers, beyond the general situation on Kaufering camp. Fore example, Goruppi was among the typhus sicked, he was very weak in the last days, so it was a miracle he was able to get the train.
Anyway, differently from Hausner, Goruppi wasn't able to escape from the train: it was there that our soldier found him on april 29th, after 2 days waiting alone there.
The only difference with the facts I now, in ralation with ones reported by Hausner, is that the train never reached Dachau; it remained there unable to move, and abandoned.
Goruppi was probably the only survivor reached by US army still in the train.
And more, for sure Hausner and Goruppi participated together at the commemorations in Landsberg and Kaufering at least some years. As far I know, Goruppi participates every year since the '60s.
Let's keep in touch.
Best regrards,
Gaetano Dato.
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MikeWoldenberg
Junior Member
Member # 16
Posts: 543
From: University at Buffalo (NY)
Registered: 6/1/2004
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posted 4/12/2012 4:16:46 PM
Gaetano, I received the following email from Joe Hausner
today. Evidently, you read his book on this website, and
perhaps Joe's email will add something to the story.
Mike
Dear Mike:
There were two evacuation trains with inmates of camp #4 that were strafed by the USAF. The first was either hooked to a German anti-aircraft train or was standing next to it as cover on one of the railroad stations between Kaufering and Munich (I think it was Wolfratshausen). Some of the inmates jumped out of the boxcars and were shot at by the SS guards. The surviving prisoners were taken to the hospital at St. Ottilien operated by nuns. I know this from my late friend Ladislaus Erwin-Deutsch who was one of the survivors shot through the knee by an SS guard and nursed back to life in the St. Ottilien hospital. (He passed away last year so I can't get more information.)
I was on the second evacuation train that was strafed near camp four. I described it in my book.
It seems that I am the only one still alive of the group of surviving friends from camp 4.
Enjoy your trip. Belgrade is a lovely city.
Warmest greetings, Joe
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Gaetano Dato
Junior Member
Member # 8697
Posts: 3
From: Trieste-Italy
Registered: 4/6/2012
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posted 4/13/2012 5:46:58 AM
Dear Mike,
Thanks for your information.
So Grouppi seems to be part of the first train group, his story is very similar to the Erwin-Deutsch's one.
I will speak personally with Goruppi about Hausner as soos as possible, and I will translate him all of our communication.
Best regards,
Gaetano.
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