POW's of the Bulge

My story staarts in August 2008 when my friend and myself are doing research on a former battlefield where parts of the American 28th Infantry Division were dug in near the German border.

We found a former dug out and deceided to check it. Just under a few inches of soil we found a stainless steel canteen. Immediately underneath it some ammunitionclips for the Garad M1 rifle. This was the start of an dug which lasted six hours. And at the end we found more than 40 kilograms of equipement, all of American origine. A small selection of the recovered material: 7 canteens, 12 beltcouples, 6 BAR magazines, 2 triggergroups of the Garand M1, US coins, 3 canteencups and a lot of ammunition (wich were later turned over to the local authorities).






During the cleaning we found that on at least 3 canteens inscriptions refering to their former owners which turned out to being taken POW on 17 december 1944 when they served within the 112th Infantery regiment.

These are their names:

Byron Bainton

NARA - AAD - Display Full Records - World War II Prisoners of War Data File, 12/7/1941 - 11/19/1946


Roscoe Meredith

NARA - AAD - Display Full Records - World War II Prisoners of War Data File, 12/7/1941 - 11/19/1946

Lipson Sidney

NARA - AAD - Display Full Records - World War II Prisoners of War Data File, 12/7/1941 - 11/19/1946

I've looked in the After Action reports of the batallion but I find nothing that I can relate to this finding or to these soldiers.
Now I'm trying to search for their relatives because I want to inform them of this found and give back these unique warrelics which can mean so much for them. And hopefully we can both reconstruct the history that took place more than 65 years ago around that dug out.

Hoping that you can help us.

 

I found a Lipson, Sidney J in Florida, want me to call and see if he's the right one?

 

This may be Roscoe Meredith Roscoe E. Meredith Obituary

Birth announcement 1948 for Byron Bainton The Day - Google News Archive Search The New London, Conneticut Evening Day, Sept 15, 1948 "Mr. & Mrs. Bryron Bainton of 4 Omega Street, Stonington, are parents of a daughter born this morning at the Westerley hospital."

and this could be Sidney Lipson:

WWII slave soldiers reunite after 64 years, prepare for honors - CNN.com CNN June 5, 2009

"ORLANDO, Florida (CNN) -- Samuel Fahrer and Sidney Lipson shake hands and smile. It's the first time the men have seen each other in 64 years. They were U.S. soldiers back on a forced death march in Nazi Germany in April 1945....."

and here Berga. Stories of Berga. The POWs Remembered. The Prisoners List | PBS

Newsique / U.S. / Slave soldiers honored as 'national treasures'

 

This is a interesting find Wally, it would be great if you could get in contact with some of the soldiers or still living relatives!
I'll follow this thread with much interest, Terry Gardner en Steve (Keystone Two-Eight) where of much help with my search, i hope these guys (and others) will be able to help you too!

 

Thanks guy's for the interesting information.

@Macrusk: as for the information which I have about Lipson Sidney I only find matches. So it can maybe be the long waited brakethrough. .They both served apparently within the 28th Inf. Div and both ended up in the POW camp of Bad Orb, Germany.

@ Keystone 28: I would appreciate it very mutch if you would help me contacting this Veteran Lipson Sidney .it would increase the rate of succes defenately.

Here some additional information about Sidney's canteencup:
It was of the alluminium type and he had carved with the tip of a knive his name and complete Army Service Number in it on the bottem.
It has been found in the combat area of 3rd Bn. 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th ID, so I assume he must have served, at least withing the 112th, perhaps also within 1st Bn ( 2nd Bn was at that time in reserve a few miles behind the frontline).
I also assume that he was not allone when he decided to dismantle weapons and get away from ammunition. I guess that he could be part of a small riflegroup, excisting of 10 persons ( of which one was carrying a BAR rifle).

Once again thanks for all the efforts. I sure appreciate it.

 

Wally, I will make phone calls tomorrow morning.

 

OK guys, I found Mr. Lipson and he was absolutely floored by the news that you had found something that belonged to him! I cant tell you how great it makes me feel to have even the smallest part in this endeavor of yours! My uncle was with the 112th/28th (hence my name on the forums) and this was really special for me. To be able to talk to someone who might have seen my Uncle? Not that theyd know each other or anything, but to find someone from his outfit, and tell him thank you, when I never had the chance to tell my uncle? That rules, and you guys rule!!

Im PM'ing you his info now.

 

In the lat '80s I met a guy who was captured at the Bulge. I think he was also from the 28th. Name of Myers, first name escapes me. He was a second generation Germain-American and could still speak the language. He told me a story about how he used to needle his captors about the outcome of the war.

 

Why not try on Roscoe Meredith calling his union hall? The number of his local is 502 647 0049. You might also try the Pekin Riding club as he is listed as a member.

They might be able to give you info on relatives we can contact about him.

I don't know if I'll be able to do this tomorrow or not so, if someone wants to try...

 

Thank you guys.

you made my day and perhaps also Mr Lipsons day. I've just called with him and he was indeed the owner of the canteencup. He confirmed that he was taken POW in the Bulge area while serving in L company, 112th Infantery regiment, 28th ID in december 1944.
He was already informed by Keystone 28th ( who I'm very thankfull for his help!). Nevertheless he was very surprised and he gave me his emailaddress for future correspondence.

 

great story Wally, and well done to all who helped/helping still

 

This is great, Steve ......you did it again!:S!
And also Terry for doing his research!
Fine job, this means a lot too many of us.
Keep us informed on future events Wally!

 

I'm so glad you posted the request and have kept us up to date, Wally!

 

Here some additional information.

With the help of the newspaperarticle that Macrusk had linked with the search for Byron Bainton I had the confirmation of the age of one of his kids. He or she had to be 62 years by now. And after searching on the social security death index for Mr Bainton I learned that he died in 1995, but that his wife still lived at 2008 in Port Orchard (WA). Unfortunately she also died later that year. But it seems that on the address that was used in the deathnotice that in the same town another person lives with the name of " Bainton". And how old do you guess this person is? Indeed 62 years.! I've tried to contact them, but unfortunately they did not pick up the phone. I will try again later.

On the search after Mr Lipson: I've spoken to him yesterday once again and he explained me that he served in the "L" company of 3rd Batallion, 112th Infantry regiment. And that on the time of his capturing he was part of a small group of rifleman. As he could remember at least 5 other soldiers. On my further question to tell more and in detail about that day of his live he explained me that it would last to long to do it on the phone and he told me that he would write it on email. I've re-asked to spell his email letter by letter and number by number but I sill haven't got any reply. Perhaps I haven't understood everything correctly or otherwise I'm just to eagered to hope for a quick reply.

on the search after Roscoe Meredith: I've traced his address from documents that I've requested at the National Records Center for military personnel in Saint Louis, Missouri. Unfortunately in those documents I did not found his date of birth so I'm not able to determine if he is still alive or already deceased on the website of the social security death index. But nevertheless I hope that he is still alive. here is the wartime address, perhaps it can be of any use for some of you guys to help me determine if there are still relatives alive.

Mrs. Betty V Meredith
903 Indiana Avenue
Springfield, Illinois

This story will be continued, as usually

 

Wally, I have Mr. Lipsons e-mail address. I will send it to you.

 

Thank you Keystone 28 for the emailaddress! I immediately saw a difference ( the mine was missing one of the numbers). i hope that Mr Lipson will now receive my email. I'll keep you informed.

 

No problem Wally! When he told me what his email address was, I had to get him to repeat it twice, and even then it took one more time before I got it right, so dont feel too bad about it!