Oral history interview with Lyle D. Solchenberger [sound recording], 2002.

ArchivalResource

Solchenberger, Lyle D., 1922-2010,. Oral history interview with Lyle D. Solchenberger [sound recording], 2002.

Oral history interview with Lyle D. Solchenberger [sound recording], 2002.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/85251178

Lyle Solchenberger, an Adams, Wisconsin native, discusses his World War II service as a machine gunner in the 399th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division in the European theater. Solchenberger talks about getting his deferment as a machinist canceled, enlisting in the Army, basic training at Camp Roberts (California), and arriving in France as a replacement for the 100th Division. Assigned to the 399th Regiment, 1st Battalion, C Company, he states he was told to be a machine gunner despite lack of training because the previous crew had been killed. He details his first combat experiences at Lemberg and Bitche (France). Solchenberger addresses the high casualty rate his unit suffered. He tells of defending a factory during a German counterattack in Heilbronn (Germany), for which he was awarded a bronze star. He talks about rear echelon people stealing medals from infantrymen and recently getting help from a Wisconsin congressman, James Sensenbrenner, to receive the medals he had earned during the war. Solchenberger tells of heating his coffee by burning captured German payroll money, his colonel's refusing to obey a general's order because it would have resulted in high casualties, and having a dentist refuse to treat Solchenberger's cavities because, "You're a machine gunner; you're going to die anyway." He describes his remorse for having killed people and his sergeant's emotional reaction after shooting a young sniper. Solchenberger discusses what he did during the occupation of Germany and getting in trouble for drinking beer while guarding a brewery. At the end of the war, he tells of being billeted next to an Air Force unit, and he comments on being insulted by an Air Force colonel and having to eat C-rations while there was hot food being served to the airmen. Solchenberger talks about his civilian career, hurting his shoulder during service, turning down a veteran's pension, and quitting the VFW. He addresses wearing out his machine gun barrels, using tracers to aim his machine gun, and close calls some men in his unit had during combat. He recalls his fear of being taken prisoner because he looked Jewish and touches on seeing abused dead Jewish American soldiers at a prisoner of war camp. Solchenberger characterizes a medic in his unit who was a conscientious objector and who treated a wounded German soldier in "No Man's Land" under enemy fire.

Sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 50 min.) ; analog, 1 7/8 ips.Master sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 50 min.) ; analog, 1 7/8 ips.Transcript : 22 p.Military papers : 0.1 linear ft. (1 folder).

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center