Original German WWII Headquarters Cardboard Eagle Signed by 14th Tank Battalion – Crossed Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen Original Items

Original Item: This is an indoor pressed cardboard headquarters eagle that measures 21” x 12.5” and very closely resembles a metal train eagle. The interesting aspect of this eagle is that it was taken as a war trophy and signed on the back by 17 members of Company C, 14th Tank Battalion, 9th Armored Division.

The 9th Armored Division landed in Normandy late in September 1944, and first went into line, 23 October 1944, on patrol duty in a quiet sector along the Luxembourg-German frontier. When the Germans launched their winter offensive on 16 December 1944, the 9th, with no real combat experience, suddenly found itself engaged in heavy fighting. The Division saw its severest action at St. Vith, Echternach, and Bastogne, its units fighting in widely separated areas. Its stand at Bastogne held off the Germans long enough to enable the 101st Airborne Division to dig in for a defense of the city. After a rest period in January 1945, the Division prepared to drive across the Roer River. The offensive was launched on 28 February 1945 and the 9th crossed the Roer to Rheinbach, sending patrols into Remagen. On 7 March 1945, elements of the 9th Armored found that the Ludendorff Bridge was still standing. When German demolition charges failed to bring the bridge down, they crossed it, disarming and removing the remaining charges, which could have exploded at any time. The Division exploited the bridgehead, moving south and east across the Lahn River toward Limburg, where thousands of Allied prisoners were liberated from Stalag XIIA. The Division drove on to Frankfurt and then turned to assist in the closing of the Ruhr Pocket. In April it continued east, encircling Leipzig and securing a line along the Mulde River. The Division was shifting south to Czechoslovakia when the war in Europe ended on 9 May 1945. Names in bold have been further researched:

Lyle U. Sould, S.C. Iowa
Have a good time!!

Cap. Walter Rizzo
Auburn, Maine

Pvt. William E. Werts
83 Circular St.
Tiffany, Ohio

Pvt. Ralph Young 38238601
14073 Mardent Ave.
Columbus, Ohio

Cpl. Floyd Farmer 35667948
Paplaville, KY.

Cpl. Arthur C. Rohrs
Gunner
Rt. 1 Napoleon, Ohio

Sgt. Bernard G. Burton
Somerset, KY.

Pfc. J. A. Vandermark
613 Kentucky Hill
Cabin, KY.

Henry House
Peoples, Kentucky

F.P. Williams
Wilcox, Arizona

StSgt. Earl T. Hipp
Wheeling, W.V.A.

Sgt. Justice W. Tucker
Burwell, Neb.

Sgt. Thurman Wilson
1007 Winsor Court
Cincinnati, Ohio

Donald McFarling 57561783
Backer, Minnesota

Cpl. Bill Parry
4512 C. 139 Street
Cleveland, Ohio

S.Sgt. Thomas Chapman
Perry, Ohio

Pfc. Gifford R. Hill
Ast. Driver Rt.1
Electra, KY

From Bernard Burton’s obituary: Bernard was a graduate of Nancy High School. Upon graduation he joined the United States Army to serve his country during World War II serving in the Company C, 14th Tank Battalion as tank commander having attained the rank of Sergeant. During World War II he served in Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He received the following decorations and citations, EAMA Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart Medal, the Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Ribbon. From Art Rohrs’ obituary: Art served as a corporal in the 14th Tank Battalion of the 9th Armored Division during World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was among the first group to cross the Ludendorf Bridge at Remagen into East Germany.