MLW, many thanks for prompt reply. I had an idea that it was `thereabouts' and did not think of Roetgen. Do you know actual date of the taking of that town. The question came about by having attended a `Forces Quiz' ( Crab Fats / Rum Bum & Baccy Boys / Pongo's ), and one Q was `What was 1st German town taken by Allies'. The answer when it came was given as AACHEN - now having served in the RAF in Germany at RAF Geilenkirchen and flown over Aachen many times (and boozed it up in there) I knew that Aachen is a CITY. The Q master would not relent & I got it `wrong'. I had thought of Aachen but knowing it to be a CITY had rejected it. Could not think of a local town so I plumped for a Ruskie attack - Stettin. It was a bit of a `put-up' as it was `wished' that `another' team win this year !! Sadsac
Well, I consulted the paragon of misinformation - Wikipedia: "In World War II Roetgen was the first location engaged by the Americans. They marched in on September 12. 1944 at 14.30 PM." My knowledge comes from having read an issue of "After the Battle" mny years ago. Cheers, Marc
Cheers for that Mark, nice to have things confirmed. As I suspected - Roetgen - it was also involved in the Hurtgen Forest (Battle of). Now I can attack that awful Qmaster `with authority', rather than `just me' saying it. Sadsac
I have also read that Roetgen was the first German town to be taken, but I can not remember so quickly where I got this information.
The only information I have on this town was from my father, Fiorello Steve Florio. He was the first medic in the town and set up a hospital for the wounded in the basement of the town hall. What I don't here mentioned is that the Germans took the town back for 5 days. My father kept all the wounded American soldiers quiet, fed and alive. The Germans re-set up a command post right above them in the town hall. They never checked the basement. The Americans didn't take the town back for 5 days. Can anyone confirm this? Thank you, Mike
