Charlie DeVries and my father, Elmer Hanken, were in Battery B, 601st field Artillery Pac during the Second World war. They were with a group of artillerymen who were picked to handle small 75 mm artillery pieces that were to be packed on mules for artillery support in places no mechanized outfit could go. Initially they were sent to the Aleutian Islands because of there mountain training as infantrymen. With that assault over, they returned to the states and immediately shipped out for the European Theater.

They landed at Naples, Italy and began training mules that did not understand English. Once the training period was finished, the group was attached to near every division in the area for artillery support of the infantry. They moved so fast trying to keep up with the infantry ammunition and food was always in short supply, ammunition was the first priority so some of the guys lost as much as 60 pounds in the course of a month. My Iowa raised farm boy father discovered for the first time in his life the difference between garlic and onions when he pulled some thinking he had something he could make soup out of to get something to eat!

The group they were in stayed with the Campaign until the fall of Rome and then they were shipped to Nice, France by boat minus the mules. They were placed in the French Alps using 75mm guns in support of the infantry in the valleys far below them.

Eventually after the invasion of Normandy and things began to move further to the East, they became mop up for the infantry leaving their home in the mountains and traveling through to Germany and finishing the war in Salzburg, Austria. Their trip included being the second group into the concentration camp at Dachau, something that stayed with all the men of this battery for the rest of their lives. They also got to see the Eagles Nest, Hitler's mountain hideaway, but by the time they got there the place had been stripped of souvenirs, right down to the door knobs.

Their time in Austria was relatively short and soon they were shipped to LaHarve, France for the boat ride home to New York. Shortly there after they returned to their civilian occupations of farmer and lumberman, raised families and made the best of their lives.

A few years ago what remained of the unit was honored at the Rock Island Arsenal. They hauled out a mule and one of the old 75 guns they fire on special occasions for the boys. It was a big deal for my dad.

My father is in the back row, he is standing to the left of Charlie Devries. They are right in front of the right picture of trees divided by the gentleman in the front row with the blue blazer and tan slacks. Not the best photo, but it is the only one I have. Charlie has glasses that are reflecting light.

Dad died in Monticello on November 13, 2007, at the age of 93, and since that time apparently Charlie has passed away too.

Above: Veterans memorial at the Graceland cemetery, near Buffalo Center. The crosses represent people who have died after having served their country at some point in their life. Right: The cross representing Charlie DeVries Below: A 75mm Howitzer 'pea shooter', on display at Rose Hill Cemetery, Camanche, Iowa

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"Thought I'd send a line to remind folks of the passing of many of our World War II veteran's. along with their stories of hardship and friendship that lasted so long as they were all alive. Check out the web site for the 601st Field Artillery (PK).  You will see photos of Charlie & Elmer when they were much younger!" ....... Steve Hanken

~story & photos by Steve Hanken for Winnebago County IAGenweb

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