Oral history interview with Robert Kruschke [sound recording], 2006.

ArchivalResource

Kruschke, Robert 1920- ,. Oral history interview with Robert Kruschke [sound recording], 2006.

Oral history interview with Robert Kruschke [sound recording], 2006.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/84902944

Robert Kruschke mentions his early life in Milwaukee (Wisconsin) and describes several incidents while serving with the Army during World War II in Europe. He recalls hearing of Pearl Harbor's bombing in a local tavern after church and not knowing where it was located. Kruschke mentions induction in Milwaukee, being assigned to the 94th Division while at Fort Sheridan (Illinois), training at Camp Phillips (Kansas), the Tennessee Maneuvers and maneuvers at Camp McCain (Mississippi). He touches on shipping out of New York City on the Queen Elizabeth to Grenock (Scotland), subsequently landing at Utah Beach and his unit's involvement at Normandy. Kruschke speaks of the Battle of the Bulge, the Saar-Moselle Triangle and his unit's 183 continuous days of combat in the Third Army. He recounts some unit casualty statistics, his impressions of the German soldier and one incident that led to his capture of three German POWs. Kruschke mentions clothing, gasoline, and food conditions. He recounts a story about procuring beer for his company while near Pilsen (Germany) and recalls that the German surrender "took the lid off being tense all the time." Elaborating on the surrender, he recalls one incident in which he was involved with the turning of Sudetenland Germans over to the Russian side of Germany and the Czechoslovakian attitude concerning this. When returning to the States, Kruschke reflects on his emotions on hearing bag pipers playing Amazing Grace at Grenock (Scotland). He mentions being delayed in New York harbor due to a labor problem and having to stay at cigarette camp "Lucky Strike." The interview concludes with Kruschke discussing work at General Electric until his retirement, using the GI Bill for some courses and his involvement in the Legion Post.

Transcript : 15 p.Sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 45 min.) ; analog, 1 7/8 ips.Master sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 45 min.) ; analog, 1 7/8 ips.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center