FORTITUDE
Famous kin join slime-soaked escape
cape of the war had begun.”
In all, more than 250 men managed to find their way to freedom as the Schubin column joined the endless line of tens of thousands homeless Germans escaping the Soviet onslaught as the bloody war began coming to a close.
At one pit stop, a manor in the countryside, POWs hid themselves in haystacks in the barn and throughout the house. Sage took refuge in a pile of rutabagas in the basement. His legs were so swollen, he couldn’t even attempt a run for cover.
The march continued on without them.
And the escapes continued, some in packs, others in pairs. All high-risk and each an incredible and nearly impossible story.
When the Americans were later repatriated they had to sign secrecy agreements, cloaking their incredible stories in mystery.
The government was worried that their grim stories would weaken morale at home.
Escapees soon learned the dangers of turning to the advancing Soviet Army for rescue. On approach, Russian soldiers held up them up at gunpoint, stripping their greatcoats and watches
The rampaging brutality of the Soviets was so widespread, American POWs had to hide from them. Some even retreated back to Oflag 64 for refuge.
Three American POWs actually made it to Moscow and briefed Maj-Gen. John Deane, head of military mission, about the rough treatment they were getting from Russian soldiers.
Deane confronted Gen. K.D. Golubov, the head of Soviet internal affairs, who made it clear Russia wasn’t going to abide with the repatriation agreement. The Russians then doubled-down on intercepting and corralling American POWs on the run in Germany.
Those in the Oflag 64 hospital were now hostages. The game plan was to hold the American POWs until Soviet soldiers captured behind Allied lines were returned.
Those who were forced to march arrived in Hammelburg, having walked more than 340 miles in the dead of winter, on March 9.
It was then that Patton launched a disastrous covert rescue mission that forever left a stain on his illustrious Dando-Collins writes.
Though both denied it for decades, controversy surrounded the failed mission as appearances were that the general had sent the task force in primarily to rescue his son-in-law, Col. Waters.
Patton, on learning Waters’ whereabouts, ordered the 4th Armored Division into action.
Capt. Abraham Baum was Patton’s choice to take charge, promising a Medal of Honor if he succeeded.
Patton had specified no more than 300 men be involved. But Baum and his superiors felt it called for 3,000.
But Baum’s aggressive tactics penetrated quick and deep into German territory, making the Nazis believe the attack was the spearhead of a full American offensive.
The Germans rushed in support. Task Force Baum was doomed. The battles raged en route and outside the barracks at Hammelburg, but Baum fought his way through, arriving with only half his force intact.
Waters had been injured, though, and couldn’t be moved. Meanwhile, there were 1,600 captives, many more than Baum could bring out.
Hundreds of soldiers piled into and onto the tanks, some hanging “like limpets” on the back. As the tanks rolled out, one exploded. In the chaos, no lookout had been posted and a German patrol had sneaked close.
The POWs who could walk marched alongside or behind the tanks.
Only 6 miles out the fighting was so fierce and damaging to the Americans, many simply turned back to camp. Under a white flag, they returned to the prison barracks.
A German guard smiled sympathetically as they trudged in.
“Get some sleep, fellows,” he said. “You’ve had a tough night.”
In the end, the task force had no hope of crossing back to the American line. After the last battle, the Germans captured more American POWs — Baum included.
He was injured and in a hospital bed next to Waters, the man he was convinced he was covertly ordered into battle to rescue.
Hours after Hammelburg was liberated days later, Patton’s personal physician swooped into the barracks. Within 30 minutes, a Piper Cub landed to transport Waters to a superior medical facility.
All the men left behind were bitter, but Baum seethed. He was determined to one day confront Patton on the real purpose of his mission. That day never came.
The Western Allies and the Soviet Union captured Berlin and Germany’s unconditional surrender came in May. The war was over. Of the 250 Schubin escapees, all but one or two lived to come home. But theirs wasn’t just another great escape. By the numbers, it was greatest escape of World War II. career,