Anneliese Solch was born in Germany in 1926 where she grew up under the regime of Adolf Hitler during World War II. As a child and during her adolescence, constant propaganda and strictly enforced censorship in Hitler's Germany influenced Annelee's thinking. As a young adult, the bombings and all the consequential suffering caused by World War II affected her deeply.
Much of what she is today is due to the guidance and strict work ethics of her parents who would not allow her to join the Nazi party's Young Maidens or to attend Hitler's Volkschule (Folk School).
Anneliese was twenty years old when she immigrated to America in 1947 to marry Kenny Woodstrom, an American soldier she had met after the war. As Annelee did not speak English and her husband did not speak German, there were many challenges before she felt at home in America . Rearing two children, Roy and Sandra, gave Annelee the confidence to join the world of work. She worked as a sales clerk, advanced to secretarial work, and finally, in 1967, she was able to fulfill her life's dream.
Annelee attended university and became a teacher. She taught Junior and Senior high school English, German, civics, and psychology. She was also the certified librarian of the elementary-high school where she taught. Her daughter, Sandra. was killed by a drunk driver in 1978.
In 1984, Annelee was selected as one of ten Teachers of Excellence by her state education association. In 1990 she won the Northlight Award for Essay for the excerpt "Indoctrination" (now Chapter 1 of "War Child." ) After twenty-three years of teaching, Annelee retired in 1992.
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Kenneth Woodstrom, Annelee's Gentleman Soldier
Kenny's Remembrances of War (Transcribed in 1984)
I was inducted April 2, 1942, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, and the following Sunday I was sent to Camp Barkley, Texas, Company C - 352 Infantry, and 90th Division. The old 90th Division was reactivated as the Texas-Oklahoma Division, which consisted entirely of new recruits from all over the United States. I had been classified as a mechanic.
Our first regimental commander, Colonel Patrick was one of the officers of high rank that I got to talk with. He instructed me during basic training on how to be first scout in a combat situation.
However, since I had been a mechanic in a Ford garage for the past seven years, I was sent to the motor pool. Mr. Williams, a civilian advisor, tested me and stated that while others would be going to school for additional training, I would be going to work immediately at the motor pool. While our company was taking physical training to become combat ready, I worked in the motor pool from morning until late at night. Because of my work in the motor pool, I was excluded from all physical training.
September 1942
Although I had been excluded from all physical training (I never even took part in the morning marches) it was the rule that all men had to partake in a long-alert call. I was taken from the motor pool and told to march with all my combat equipment on my back. I had worked all day long in the motor pool and after just a couple hours of sleep, I had to report for the march by 2:00 a.m. By sun-up it was very hot, and since I was not conditioned to march, I passed out later that morning and I awoke in the hospital at Camp Barkley where I was hospitalized for several days.
September 1942
Although I had been excluded from all physical training (I never even took part in the morning marches) it was the rule that all men had to partake in a long-alert call. I was taken from the motor pool and told to march with all my combat equipment on my back. I had worked all day long in the motor pool and after just a couple hours of sleep, I had to report for the march by 2:00 a.m. By sun-up it was very hot, and since I was not conditioned to march, I passed out later that morning and I awoke in the hospital at Camp Barkley where I was hospitalized for several days.
After returning from Louisiana maneuvers to Camp Barkley, I again was sent to the motor pool where I repaired and conditioned . . . that was to water-proof with chemicals all trucks and Jeeps. I was again excused from all combat training. One morning, my first sergeant came to the motor pool and said that every man had to run the obstacle course and then run three additional miles. I was ordered to go back to my quarters to get my full pack and equipment and come to the obstacle course. By now, the rest of the company was waiting for me to run the obstacle course and then take the three mile run. Again, it was extremely hot. I asked for water, but they wouldn’t give me any. I passed out, and I woke up again in the hospital.
On April 2, 1943, our company (including me) was able to knock off twenty-five miles in less than eight hours, carrying full field-pack and equipment. At this time we received our first furloughs.
September 1943
We were going west to Arizona-California maneuvers. Our company was in charge of taking care of the camp, and I was in charge of taking care of the motor pool. By December 6, 1943, we were combat ready, and our company was shipped from California to Fort Dix, NJ.
September 1943
We were going west to Arizona-California maneuvers. Our company was in charge of taking care of the camp, and I was in charge of taking care of the motor pool. By December 6, 1943, we were combat ready, and our company was shipped from California to Fort Dix, NJ.
After I had been home on furlough, I was told to report to the dispensary. At the time I was unaware that I was there to be reclassified. After several days I asked to be returned to my company because I knew that they were alerted to ship out and I wanted to stay with the company where I knew the men. I was returned to them and we were immediately moved to Camp Kilmer, NJ.
The War in Europe - 1944-45
On March 23, we embarked on the British ship Dominion Monarch. For thirteen days we sailed the ocean before we docked in Liverpool, England. On April 4th, 1944, our First Battalion was quartered at Gadsacres. I immediately went to work at the motor pool working seven days a week until dark, again water proofing and getting Jeeps and trucks ready to run under-water in the Channel. On May 13, 1944, the regiment moved sixty-four miles nearer to the English Channel to Camp Race Horse where we had our first experience with planes and bombs.
On June 4, 1944, again, without any training, I was made the 50-caliber machine gunner for our company and at the same time, I was also in charge of our Jeeps. We were ordered to leave the ship, we went on barges and then drove ashore immersed in water while deafening submarine alerts were sounded constantly.
On March 23, we embarked on the British ship Dominion Monarch. For thirteen days we sailed the ocean before we docked in Liverpool, England. On April 4th, 1944, our First Battalion was quartered at Gadsacres. I immediately went to work at the motor pool working seven days a week until dark, again water proofing and getting Jeeps and trucks ready to run under-water in the Channel. On May 13, 1944, the regiment moved sixty-four miles nearer to the English Channel to Camp Race Horse where we had our first experience with planes and bombs.
On June 4, 1944, again, without any training, I was made the 50-caliber machine gunner for our company and at the same time, I was also in charge of our Jeeps. We were ordered to leave the ship, we went on barges and then drove ashore immersed in water while deafening submarine alerts were sounded constantly.
By June 8, we were fighting on the Normandy Beaches. At dawn the sight of the invasion – real war with life and death next to each other -- was an indescribable experience for me. My first sergeant, who had trained so well and had told us repeatedly how important training was for living longer, was killed the next day.
He had just told me, “Woody, if you keep the vehicles running and ammunition supplies coming up, we will end this war in a hurry.”
He had just told me, “Woody, if you keep the vehicles running and ammunition supplies coming up, we will end this war in a hurry.”
BY JUNE 3, OUR REGIMENT HAD SEVEN HUNDRED AND THREE CASUALTIES AND ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-THREE DEAD. THE SMELL OF DEATH WAS EVERYWHERE AND DEAD SOLDIERS WERE PILED UP LIKE CORDWOOD.
Our regimental objective was to cut off Cherbourg Peninsula.
It was on July 1, my twenty-eighth birthday, before we had a chance to wash, shave, and change into clean clothes. We hardly knew each other because dirt was covering our long hair and whiskers. Out of 212 men in our company, there were 60 men left. We received replacements.
On July 7, our company and K-Company had repulsed fourteen counter-attacks, Dawson and I tried to get bazooka ammunition to the front. It was a dark, cloudy night, and many hair-raising incidences took place. For example, a German soldier was running for cover right next to us as shells were coming in.
I had my rifle on him when Dawson said to him, “You are a German.”
“Ja, ja.” he answered.”
Dawson said to him, “You better keep your hands up.”
As more artillery shells came in, he got away from us.
“Ja, ja.” he answered.”
Dawson said to him, “You better keep your hands up.”
As more artillery shells came in, he got away from us.
The very same night we took off with the Jeep. Before we started out of the woods, I let the Jeep die so we wouldn’t be heard. To keep the vehicle even quieter, I removed the ammunition from my 50-caliber machine gun. But as the moon broke through the clouds, the Germans spotted us and sent up flares. We hit the ground away from the Jeep.
I said to Dawson, “When the flares go out, I’ll go back and get the Jeep.”
So I crawled to the Jeep and as soon as I started it, I backed it up. The Germans started firing again, and we could see the tracers coming at the Jeep. I lay down in the Jeep and backed right over my buddies legs. I got the jeep into the woods and went back to find Dawson. He was really hurting for a while, but he turned out okay.
So I crawled to the Jeep and as soon as I started it, I backed it up. The Germans started firing again, and we could see the tracers coming at the Jeep. I lay down in the Jeep and backed right over my buddies legs. I got the jeep into the woods and went back to find Dawson. He was really hurting for a while, but he turned out okay.
After fighting for almost every foot along and around the hedge rows, we cut off the Cherbourg Peninsula. After fifty days of combat, we were transferred from the First to General Patton’s Third Army. On July 25, three thousand planes blasted a path two miles wide through the German defenses.
We then fought in the closing of the Falaise Gap, moving on Maizier-les-Metz. Under intolerable conditions we occupied the town jointly with the Germans. I was part of the fighting that had as its main objective to encircle Metz, a fortress, that had been considered as almost impregnable.
Outside of Lemans, France, our battalion was cut in two by the Germans and we were cut off from our outfit. After the fighting stopped, Captain Redman had me drive the spearhead Jeep. When we finally made contact that night, we were attacked again and fierce fighting continued throughout the rest of that night. The few of us that were left after that battle lived with physical and mental exhaustion.
In November, 1944 we were with the first crossing of the Moselle River where unrelenting rain and cold transformed our foxholes into deep pools of icy water.
The Siegfried Line
During December 1944, we crossed the Saar River with ice on the water. We had to get into the icy water to get our boat across the river. Our clothes froze on us, and our vehicles had to be left across the river. After grueling fighting, I was on a carrying party that carried out our wounded soldiers.
I returned to the company and our lieutenant was killed by a shell concussion. Four of us made it back to the pillbox where I fell asleep totally exhausted. Within a few minutes, we had to leave the pillbox to get back to the company. Several of us passed out and woke up in the basement of a house. In the morning, we were taken back to the field hospital.
It was there that the doctor asked me for how long I had been on K-rations. I HAD BEEN ON K-RATIONS SINCE ‘D-DAY’ ...that was over seven months. The doctor excused me from heavy duty such as carrying parties for a couple of days. The concession, however, did not eliminate or lessen my symptoms since I was still on the front line.
From the Siegfried line, we moved on to the Battle of the Bulge. Throughout the Battle of the Bulge, I was part of the continuous fighting that finally broke the resistance fighting of the Germans.
It was probably the first week in April and we were in a small village named Merkers. It was said that the Merkers mine was discovered because two American soldiers helped a midwife while she was assisting during the delivery of a baby. Because of the curfew, the soldiers later accompanied the midwife to her home. As they passed the mouth of the salt mines of that region, the woman pointed and said something like “the mines hide gold.”
As the soldiers questioned the woman further, they learned weeks earlier huge loads of treasures were brought to Merkers and hidden in the salt mines. The soldiers reported the story to their officers, they questioned the mining officials, and the treasures were found.
For two days. we worked on extracting the treasure hidden there. Our Jeeps were lowered into the mine, then we drove to the mine shaft and loaded the Jeeps with gold bars. We were about 1200 feet below ground level. That’s the only time I really felt safe, because I knew that I wouldn’t be shot at. But being underground for two days where it was damp and cold was not easy on my lungs. It was such tedious work. Soldiers of C-Company, 357th infantry battalion, removed:
- 100 tons of gold bullion,
- 5,000,000,000, German marks,
- 2,000,000 American dollars,
- 2,000 famous paintings
- Hundreds of pieces of sculptures
I never imagined that so much wealth could be hidden in one place. Some members of the 357th were left behind to guard this treasure. But Dawson and I weren’t that lucky. We moved on with our Jeep and advanced with the remainder of the company 120 miles toward Czechoslovakia. The German Army was now disorganized and we took prisoners by the thousands. Often the German soldiers just gathered in villages and waited for us to arrive so they could surrender. The remainder of the entire German Army was taken prisoner.
We learned of the atrocities that had taken place at the Concentration Camp Flossenburg, Bavaria. It was hard to imagine that such a beautiful little village like Flossenburg could hold such horror. I do believe in God, but what we saw and experienced throughout the invasion of Western Europe was man-made hell.
THE REGIMENTAL RECORD STATES THE FOLLOWING FACTS:
The 357th Infantry (my regiment) had eleven months of continuous combat, a total of 355 days of combat in three European countries. The regiment had been in contact with the enemy for 267 of those days. The 357th Infantry had figured prominently in every major phase of the campaigns which led to the defeat of the German Reich. The trying Normandy operations, the break-out, the encirclement and destruction of the German Seventh Army at Falaise, the battles of pursuit across France, the assault crossings of the major river barriers, the capture of Metz, the cracking of the Siegfried line and the ultimate race across Germany into Czechoslovakia were accomplished in these eleven months.
The 357th Infantry (my regiment) had eleven months of continuous combat, a total of 355 days of combat in three European countries. The regiment had been in contact with the enemy for 267 of those days. The 357th Infantry had figured prominently in every major phase of the campaigns which led to the defeat of the German Reich. The trying Normandy operations, the break-out, the encirclement and destruction of the German Seventh Army at Falaise, the battles of pursuit across France, the assault crossings of the major river barriers, the capture of Metz, the cracking of the Siegfried line and the ultimate race across Germany into Czechoslovakia were accomplished in these eleven months.
The 357th Regiment had 1,080 riflemen, and a total of 953 were killed in action while 143 later died of their wounds. The dead thus numbered 1,096. In other words, slightly over 100 per cent of its authorized riflemen were killed. Just five of the original men I was inducted with were still alive at the end of the war and there were 1,000 replacements for my regiment.
I am positive that my continuous combat experiences took their toll on my physical and nervous system. Ever since I have been bothered by gastric stomach problems, and I have been periodically under doctor’s care since 1945. When asked how much disability payment I should receive, I replied, “I fought for my country. If I get 10% and care at the VA Medical Center I am okay with that.”
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Kenny and Annelee were married 52 years before he died in 1998. Kenny was a special man, not just as a husband and father, but also he was a soldier who gave his all.
