[letter from Sgt Raymond Pateracki to John McGuire's
brother who was a Catholic priest, courtesy of Diane McGuire Lawsing]
June 11th, 1945
Monday
Frankfurt Germany
Hello Father,
Yesterday I received your
letter, dated the 25th of May and it good to hear from you again. Yet
this letter will be a bit painful to you. For, after mentally
thrashing all considerations out, in my own way of thinking the time has
come when I should tell you of John's death. Up until a month ago
I was not allowed to do this. So, forgive me Father, if I revive
painful memories.
Almost a year ago I
mentioned in one of my letters that Johnny had died a true hero's death.
In sacrificing himself, he saved the lives of many others. I was not
with him at the time but lt. Lamm was - and I got the full story from
him - immediately after Normandy.
Father, the night - or
early morning of our jump in Normandy is one memory that will always
linger in my mind. A horrible memory in every respect. As we
came over France - the enemy on the ground opened up with a
concentration of flak that has never been equalled in any war. How
any of our planes came through it shall remain a mystery. But many
did - and eleven miles inland we made our jump. Ordinarily - our
pilots drop the speed of the plane to 90 miles per hour at the jump
moment. But to have done this - would have been suicide. So
instead they dropped us wile going at the speed of 150 miles per hour.
The result of this was very costly for us paratroopers. Instead of
landing near each other - as is usually the case - we were thrown all
over the landscape. In the first hour of our jump - it
has been estimated that 69% of our Regt. were killed.
So - through the few
remaining hours of darkness we tried to assemble in strength. This
was impossible as there were Germans in every direction. Yet by
the time dawn arrived - there were small groups - thirty to fifty in
number - all over an area twenty square miles in diameter.
Johnny was with such a
group. Lt. Lamm was in charge. Father, in a paratrooper's
training - getting together in strength is a law. And lt Lamm - on
of our best officer's [sic] realized this. But between his men and
the bulk of the Regt. was the Merdiot [sic] River. And Lt Lamm
knew - too - tht all approaches to the river would be heavily guarded.
He did not feel justified in asking any man to scout out ahead for the
main group.
He asked for volunteers -
Father McGuire - and your brother - my friend - Johnny immediately
stepped forward. Johnny was always a good soldier and he knew that
it was certain death. Lt. Lamm told me to tell you that your
brother shook hands with him and went down the road - 150 yards
ahead of the men. They had almost reached the bridge when the
Germans opened up on Johnny. Father, he was killed instantly. And
I swear to you on the Bible - that his was a painless death.
He saved the lives of
those behind him - and each and every one of those men knew it.
Unfortunately - some of those men died at a later date - but those who
are still alive shall never forget Johnny McGuire.
He seemed to know that
soon he was about to die. Before he entered his plane - he ran
over to say goodbye. And he also reminded me in the event that one
of the other of us dying - we would write home to the family.
Father, in writing this
letter I have once again opened up old memories.
I know that you shall be
hurt still more deeply. Forgive me if I have done wrong.
Your brother was a
wonderful boy.
Always yours -
Ray |
