<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Background &#8211; Donald V. Tappan</title>
	<atom:link href="https://donaldvtappan.net/category/background/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>https://donaldvtappan.net</link>
	<description>Letters from WWII</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2026 20:24:26 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en-US</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>
	hourly	</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>
	1	</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3</generator>
<site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">91542269</site>	<item>
		<title>January 9, 1946: Discharge</title>
		<link>https://donaldvtappan.net/january-9-1946-discharge/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[dan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jan 1946 01:03:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Background]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://donaldvtappan.net/?p=2203</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Honorable-Discharge.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="754" height="1024" src="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Honorable-Discharge-754x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2200" srcset="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Honorable-Discharge-754x1024.jpg 754w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Honorable-Discharge-221x300.jpg 221w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Honorable-Discharge-768x1044.jpg 768w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Honorable-Discharge-1130x1536.jpg 1130w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Honorable-Discharge-1200x1631.jpg 1200w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Honorable-Discharge.jpg 1507w" sizes="(max-width: 754px) 100vw, 754px" /></a></figure>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2203</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>346th Regiment Inactivation: September 21, 1945</title>
		<link>https://donaldvtappan.net/346th-regiment-inactivation-september-21-1945/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[dan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 21 Sep 1945 19:33:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Background]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://donaldvtappan.net/?p=1428</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[From 346th Infantry: We reassembled at Ft. Benning, Ga., and learned that the Division was being inactivated. Soon trains to various posts throughout the country were taking the members of the regiment to new assignments, some going home discharged, some going to sweat out the point system in camps in the states, and others to [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">From <a href="https://87thinfantry.org/archives/1735442113/uploads/03_346thInfantry.pdf">346th Infantry</a>:</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We reassembled at Ft. Benning, Ga., and learned that the Division was being inactivated. Soon trains to various posts throughout the country were taking the members of the regiment to new assignments, some going home discharged, some going to sweat out the point system in camps in the states, and others to replace the Pacific veterans in the Army of Occupation.<br>The inactiviation date of the Division was 21 September, 1945.</p>
</blockquote>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/1945/09/DVT_K_CompanyPhoto.png"><img decoding="async" width="768" height="582" src="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/1945/09/DVT_K_CompanyPhoto-768x582.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1477" srcset="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/1945/09/DVT_K_CompanyPhoto-768x582.png 768w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/1945/09/DVT_K_CompanyPhoto-300x227.png 300w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/1945/09/DVT_K_CompanyPhoto-1024x776.png 1024w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/1945/09/DVT_K_CompanyPhoto-1536x1164.png 1536w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/1945/09/DVT_K_CompanyPhoto-2048x1551.png 2048w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/1945/09/DVT_K_CompanyPhoto-1200x909.png 1200w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/1945/09/DVT_K_CompanyPhoto-1980x1500.png 1980w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">DVT in Company K before the 346th Regiment Inactivation</figcaption></figure>
</div>


<div data-wp-interactive="core/file" class="wp-block-file"><object data-wp-bind--hidden="!state.hasPdfPreview" hidden class="wp-block-file__embed" data="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/CompanyK.pdf" type="application/pdf" style="width:100%;height:600px" aria-label="Embed of CompanyK."></object><a id="wp-block-file--media-acc5aa40-6343-4f6d-94c4-d07ab21df142" href="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/CompanyK.pdf">CompanyK</a><a href="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/CompanyK.pdf" class="wp-block-file__button wp-element-button" download aria-describedby="wp-block-file--media-acc5aa40-6343-4f6d-94c4-d07ab21df142">Download</a></div>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1428</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>September 16, 1945 (Change of Address)</title>
		<link>https://donaldvtappan.net/september-16-1945-change-of-address/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[dan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 16 Sep 1945 20:23:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Background]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://donaldvtappan.net/?p=4231</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<div data-wp-interactive="core/file" class="wp-block-file"><object data-wp-bind--hidden="!state.hasPdfPreview" hidden class="wp-block-file__embed" data="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/16Sept1945-ChangeOfAddress.pdf" type="application/pdf" style="width:100%;height:600px" aria-label="Embed of 16Sept1945-ChangeOfAddress."></object><a id="wp-block-file--media-ce37ee51-d526-4036-8809-7e8ff3f03488" href="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/16Sept1945-ChangeOfAddress.pdf">16Sept1945-ChangeOfAddress</a><a href="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/16Sept1945-ChangeOfAddress.pdf" class="wp-block-file__button wp-element-button" download aria-describedby="wp-block-file--media-ce37ee51-d526-4036-8809-7e8ff3f03488">Download</a></div>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">4231</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>July 9, 1945 : Return to the US</title>
		<link>https://donaldvtappan.net/july-9-1945-return-to-the-us/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[dan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jul 1945 17:07:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Background]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://donaldvtappan.net/?p=2676</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[From the 346th History: On July 9 the Regiment boarded the Army Transport Fred Lykes at Le Havre, France, and sailed for Boston the same day. The crossing was uneventful and we landed in Boston on 19 July, nine months and two days after we left New York.The Regiment was processed through Camp Miles Standish, [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://www.navsource.net/archives/30/13/13036.htm"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.navsource.net/archives/30/13/301303601.jpg" alt=""/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">USAT Frederick Lykes</figcaption></figure>
</div>


<p class="wp-block-paragraph">From the <a href="https://87thinfantry.org/archives/1735442113/uploads/03_346thInfantry.pdf">346th History</a>:</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">On July 9 the Regiment boarded the <a href="https://www.navsource.net/archives/30/13/13036.htm">Army Transport Fred Lykes</a> at Le Havre, France, and sailed for Boston the same day. The crossing was uneventful and we landed in Boston on 19 July, nine months and two days after we left New York.<br>The Regiment was processed through <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Myles_Standish">Camp Miles Standish</a>, Mass., and within 24 hours every man was on his way to a separation center near his home and 30 days furlough.</p>
</blockquote>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2676</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>June 21, 1945 (morning)</title>
		<link>https://donaldvtappan.net/june-21-1945-morning/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[dan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jun 1945 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Background]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[France]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Letters]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Souvenirs]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://donaldvtappan.net/?p=2659</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Thurs. morn.I found this list in my pocket and decided that if it were home I'd have a greater chance of being able to keep it. I got a beautiful sleep last night and am feeling great this morning. Love, Donald MOVES OF THE REGIMENTAL COMMAND POST SINCE LEAVINGPETTYPOOL, ENGLANDINFORMATION &#38; EDUCATION 346TH INFANTRY REGIMENT [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-medium"><a href="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/346thCommandPostDec-May1945-scaled.png"><img decoding="async" width="206" height="300" src="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/346thCommandPostDec-May1945-206x300.png" alt="Document showing moves of the 346th Regiment command" class="wp-image-2647" srcset="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/346thCommandPostDec-May1945-206x300.png 206w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/346thCommandPostDec-May1945-704x1024.png 704w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/346thCommandPostDec-May1945-768x1117.png 768w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/346thCommandPostDec-May1945-1056x1536.png 1056w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/346thCommandPostDec-May1945-1408x2048.png 1408w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/346thCommandPostDec-May1945-1200x1745.png 1200w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/346thCommandPostDec-May1945-scaled.png 1761w" sizes="(max-width: 206px) 100vw, 206px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Moves of 346th Regimental Command Post since leaving Pettypool, England. June 1945</figcaption></figure>
</div>


<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<div data-wp-interactive="core/file" class="wp-block-file"><object data-wp-bind--hidden="!state.hasPdfPreview" hidden class="wp-block-file__embed" data="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/21June1945_morning.pdf" type="application/pdf" style="width:100%;height:600px" aria-label="Embed of 21June1945_morning."></object><a id="wp-block-file--media-a33fbf52-8843-4c29-82fc-1b9b0843e25b" href="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/21June1945_morning.pdf">21June1945_morning</a><a href="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/21June1945_morning.pdf" class="wp-block-file__button wp-element-button" download aria-describedby="wp-block-file--media-a33fbf52-8843-4c29-82fc-1b9b0843e25b">Download</a></div>



<pre class="wp-block-preformatted">Thurs. morn.<br><br>I found this list in my pocket and decided that if it were home I'd have a greater chance of being able to keep it. I got a beautiful sleep last night and am feeling great this morning.<br>                           Love, <br>                                Donald</pre>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>MOVES OF THE REGIMENTAL COMMAND POST SINCE LEAVING</strong><strong><br></strong><strong>PETTYPOOL, ENGLAND</strong><br><em>INFORMATION &amp; EDUCATION 346TH INFANTRY REGIMENT</em></p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">November 25, 1944 &#8211; Left Pettypool, England<br>November 26, 1944 &#8211; Arrived Southhampton, England<br>November 27, 1944 &#8211; Disembarked at LeHarve, France<br>November 29, 1944 &#8211; Arrived Redhorse Assembly Area, Critot, France<br>December 5,  1944 &#8211; Left Critot, France via 40 &amp; 8’s<br>December 7,  1944 &#8211; Metz, France<br>December 9,  1944 &#8211; Kalhausen, France<br>December 10, 1944 &#8211; Achen, France<br>December 11, 1944  &#8211; Gros-Rederching, France<br>December 15, 1944 &#8211; Riesling, France<br>December 21, 1944 &#8211; Bliesbruck, France<br>December 24, 1944 &#8211; Munster, France<br>December 26, 1944 &#8211; Assembly area in vicinity of Reims, France<br>December 29, 1944 &#8211; Glaumont, Belgium<br>December 30, 1944 &#8211; Recogne, Belgium<br>January 1, 1945 &#8211; Freux-Suzerain, Belgium<br>January 7, 1945 &#8211; Remagne, Belgium<br>January 10, 1945 &#8211; Rondu, Belgium<br>January 14, 1945 &#8211; Aspelt, Luxembourg<br>January 15, 1945 &#8211; Betzdorf, Luxembourg<br>January 26, 1945 &#8211; Hautbellain, Luxembourg<br>January 27, 1945 &#8211; Lingreef and Espelar, Luxembourg<br>January 30, 1945 &#8211; St Vith, Belgium<br>January 31, 1945 &#8211; Herresbach, Belgium<br>February 2, 1945 &#8211; Schonberg, Belgium<br>February 3, 1945 &#8211; Auw, Germany<br>February 7, 1945 &#8211; Roth, Germany<br>February 12, 1945 &#8211; Kobscheid, Germany<br>February 20, 1945 &#8211; Auw, Germany<br>February 26, 1945 &#8211; Roth Germany<br>March 6, 1945 &#8211; Kerschenbach, Germany<br>March 7, 1945 &#8211; Schuiler, Germany<br>March 8, 1945 &#8211; Junkerath, Germany<br>March 13, 1945 &#8211; Rubenach (Koblenz), Germany<br>March 19, 1945 &#8211; Kobern, Germany<br>March 23, 1945 &#8211; Seberhausen, Germany<br>March 24, 1945 &#8211; Oppenhausen, Germany<br>March 26, 1945 &#8211; Crossed Rhine River to Osterspai, Germany<br>March 27, 1945 &#8211; Schweighausen, Germany<br>March 28, 1945 &#8211; Lindenholzhausen, Germany<br>March 30, 1945 &#8211; Kraftsholm, Germany<br>April 5, 1945 &#8211;  Heringen, Germany<br>April 7, 1945 &#8211;  Bad Liebenstein, Germany<br>April 9, 1945 &#8211; Tombach, Germany<br>April 11, 1945 &#8211;  Oberwillingan, Germany<br>April 12, 1945 &#8211;  Ehrenstein, Germany<br>April 13, 1945 &#8211; Etzelbach, Germany<br>April 15, 1945 &#8211; Dragensdorf, Germany<br>April 17, 1945 &#8211; Treuen, Germany<br>April 25, 1945 &#8211; Limbach, Germany<br>May 6, 1945 &#8211; Rebensgrum, Germany<br>May 7, 1945 &#8211; Auerbach, Germany<br>May 21, 1945 &#8211; Elsterberg, Germany<br>May 27, 1945 &#8211; Pormitz, Germany<br>May 29, 1945 &#8211; Dittersdorf, Germany</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2659</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>June 10, 1945</title>
		<link>https://donaldvtappan.net/june-10-1945/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[dan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jun 1945 19:13:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Background]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Germany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Letters]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://donaldvtappan.net/?p=2552</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Sunday June 1010:30 AMHello Folks, Church is at eleven this morning but if I spend ten or fifteen minutes writing now I’ll have just a little start for later. It’s only a short walk so I won’t have to leave until about ten minutes till. I got to bed pretty early last night so I [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<pre class="wp-block-preformatted">Sunday June 10<br>10:30 AM<br><br>Hello Folks,<br>    Church is at eleven this morning but if I spend ten or fifteen minutes writing now I’ll have just a little start for later. It’s only a short walk so I won’t have to leave until about ten minutes till.<br>    I got to bed pretty early last night so I didn’t sleep quite so late this morning as I do sometimes when I don’t have to get up for reville. I think it was some time between eight and eight-thirty when I crawled out. The sun was shining then but in the last couple of hours it has clouded up. I at least hope that it doesn’t rain ‘till after twelve since our church services are held in the open. Of course if it did it wouldn’t be the first time that we’ve ever got wet.<br>    Well from all indications our stay here is just about over. All indications seem to say that we’ll start moving west in the next few days. As near as I can get it we’re going to stop in France for a few days before completing our trip. I haven’t heard anything that would even hint this but if I was guessing I’d say that we’ll go by trucks to there and take trains the rest of the way. - 10:45<br><br>After Dinner<br>    Well the rain did hold off long enough for us to have our church. It almost seemed as if it were waiting for church to be over before it began though and dinner was just a little late on account of it. This is one of those days that is cloudy one minute and the sun is shining brightly the next. No doubt we’ll get more rain before the day is over.<br>    I can see now that I won’t get this finished in time to go out on today’s mail. So I might as well wait till after the mail comes today to finish it because I could get a letter from you. It’s been almost three days since I heard now. And anyway if don’t tell you in this one I might not get around to it for several days. Providing nothing happens this will possibly be the last I’ll get to write for a little spell. There’s no need of saying why.<br>    While I think of it, there’s an article in the new (June) Reader’s Digest that you should read. I happened to get ahold of one this time without waiting for you to send it. You are interested in reading things that will enlighten you on the war and this certainly is a good description of “task force” warfare. The article is “<a href="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ReadersDigestJune1945WarInsideTank.pdf">The War from Inside a Tank.</a>” It was written under a different circumstance but it gives you a very good idea of how we came across Germany. Of course, as I’ve said before, all infantry companies didn’t see what we did but since ours was right with (or rather on) the tanks, there’s hardly a thing in the article that we didn’t experience.  <br>    I wonder if <a href="https://donaldvtappan.net/people#Lillian">Mother</a> recognizes this stationery. It’s what I received from the ladies of the church. I forgot whether you said it was the Ladies Aid or Missionary Circle; it just said Orestes Baptist Church on the package. Thanks a lot anyway.<br><br>8:30PM<br>    They’ve told us that tomorrow is the last day we’ll be able to send mail while we’re here so I’d better finish this tonight. I went to a church service at seven this evening or I’d probably have finished this sooner.<br>    I was very glad to get your letter of June 4 this afternoon. And the news about <a href="https://donaldvtappan.net/people/#Wendell">Wendell</a> in it made me even gladder.<br>    I see in Stars &amp; Stripes that the little cold spell<sup class="modern-footnotes-footnote ">1</sup> you mentioned about did some damage to crops in different parts of the country. Hope things around there didn’t suffer too much. I trust that things in general are running smoothly back there. Be good and God bless you.<br>          Your son and brother,  <br>              Donald</pre>



<div data-wp-interactive="core/file" class="wp-block-file"><object data-wp-bind--hidden="!state.hasPdfPreview" hidden class="wp-block-file__embed" data="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/10June1945.pdf" type="application/pdf" style="width:100%;height:600px" aria-label="Embed of 10June1945."></object><a id="wp-block-file--media-e8242f72-f734-407f-986e-4b767f352e39" href="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/10June1945.pdf">10June1945</a><a href="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/10June1945.pdf" class="wp-block-file__button wp-element-button" download aria-describedby="wp-block-file--media-e8242f72-f734-407f-986e-4b767f352e39">Download</a></div>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
<div>1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;See the paragraphs for May-June 1945 <a href="https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/73/12/1520-0493_1945_073_0201_twoitu_2_0_co_2.pdf">here</a></div>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2552</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Moves of 346th Regimental Command: November 25, 1944-May 29,1945</title>
		<link>https://donaldvtappan.net/moves-of-34th-regimental-command-november-25-1944-may-291945/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[dan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 01 Jun 1945 14:06:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Background]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Belgium]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[England]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[France]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Germany]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://donaldvtappan.net/?p=2648</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Paper in envelope dated June 22, 1945]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Paper in envelope dated June 22, 1945</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/346thCommandPostDec-May1945-scaled.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="704" height="1024" src="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/346thCommandPostDec-May1945-704x1024.png" alt="Document showing moves of the 346th Regiment command" class="wp-image-2647" srcset="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/346thCommandPostDec-May1945-704x1024.png 704w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/346thCommandPostDec-May1945-206x300.png 206w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/346thCommandPostDec-May1945-768x1117.png 768w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/346thCommandPostDec-May1945-1056x1536.png 1056w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/346thCommandPostDec-May1945-1408x2048.png 1408w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/346thCommandPostDec-May1945-1200x1745.png 1200w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/346thCommandPostDec-May1945-scaled.png 1761w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 704px) 100vw, 704px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Moves of 346th Regimental Command Post since leaving Pettypool, England. June 1945</figcaption></figure>
</div>


<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2648</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>May 8, 1945 (VE Day)</title>
		<link>https://donaldvtappan.net/may-8-1945/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[dan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 May 1945 22:36:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Background]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Germany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Letters]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://donaldvtappan.net/?p=45</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945. From the 346th History Orders were received on May 5 for a limited objective attack the next morning. So Third Battalion jumped off at 0830, meeting some small arms fire and a few rounds of artillery. Plans for the following day&#8217;s attack were stopped at 0525 on May 7 [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://armydivs.com/regiments/346th-infantry-regiment.html"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="950" height="577" src="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/87th_Infantry_Campaign_Map.jpg" alt="Map or 87th Division in Europe, from arrival to VE day" class="wp-image-1423" srcset="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/87th_Infantry_Campaign_Map.jpg 950w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/87th_Infantry_Campaign_Map-300x182.jpg 300w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/87th_Infantry_Campaign_Map-768x466.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Map of 87th Division in Europe from arrival to VE Day</figcaption></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945. From the <a href="https://87thinfantry.org/archives/1735442113/uploads/03_346thInfantry.pdf">346th History</a></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Orders were received on May 5 for a limited objective attack the next morning. So Third Battalion jumped off at 0830, meeting some small arms fire and a few rounds of artillery. Plans for the following day&#8217;s attack were stopped at 0525 on May 7 by a message from the Division Commander reading: &#8220;Sit tight, hold what you have, accept any surrenders. &#8220;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">GERMANY SURRENDERS</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">At 0945 May 7 the following message was received from the Division Commander: &#8220;Representatives of the German High Command signed the unconditional surrender of all German land, sea, and air forces to the Allied Expeditionary Forces and simultaneously to the Soviet High Command at 0700, 7 May 1945 under which all forces will cease active operations at 0900, 7 May 1945. Effective immediately all offensive operations cease. Troops will remain in present positions. Moves involved in occupational duty will continue. Due to difficulty in communications, there may be some delay in similar orders reaching the enemy troops, so<br>full defensive precautions will be taken.&#8221;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The commander of a German Artillery Battalion came through the lines to arrange surrender of his unit to the Second Battalion at 0500 in the morning. The German colonel did not know at the time of the surrender that the war had ended.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">May 8 found the Regiment accepting the Artillery Battalions surrender at 0500 as previously arranged.</p>
</blockquote>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<pre class="wp-block-preformatted">May 8, 1945<br>Germany<br><br>Dear Folks,<br>    Yesterday sure was a great day for me. We attacked on the sixth<sup class="modern-footnotes-footnote ">1</sup> and were supposed to shove off again yesterday morning. But instead of receiving an attack order, we were ordered just to stay where we were. Then a little after ten o’clock we got the news that the Germans had signed unconditional surrender. Even though it doesn’t take effect officially till tomorrow, it meant that we were though fighting. Boy oh Boy! What a feeling. The Lord has certainly been good to me. I’ve got lots to thank Him for.<br>   The “Stars and Stripes” also brought us some pretty good news yesterday. It said that over half of the combat troops would get a furlough back in the States before they are shipped to the CBI<sup class="modern-footnotes-footnote ">2</sup>. Don’t plan too much on it because there’s just about as much chance against it as there is for it. But wouldn’t that be great!<br>   Yesterday also I received a box from you and my name was turned in for a pass to Paris. It was the package containing pop corn and it really hit the spot. The corn was still as crisp as it was when you packed it. It would have done your heart good to have seen the fellows (and me) go after it. I wish I could send the box home and let you fill it up again.<br>   If my pass had come a little bit sooner it might have kept me out of a little fighting but I’m glad to get it now. I’ll be going in a day or so. Considering everything that happened, wasn’t yesterday a pretty eventful day for me?<br>   Well it looks like Spring again today. Maybe the weather is doing a little celebrating. We’ve really had some pretty rough weather for this late in the season during the past week. There has even been a little snow. I hope it stays nice now.<br>   It’s been almost a week now since I got any letters but no doubt there will be two or three when they do come.<br>   Hope everything is ship-shape back there. Be good and God bless you.                                               <br>          Love<br>           Donald</pre>



<div data-wp-interactive="core/file" class="wp-block-file"><object data-wp-bind--hidden="!state.hasPdfPreview" hidden class="wp-block-file__embed" data="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/08May1945.pdf" type="application/pdf" style="width:100%;height:600px" aria-label="Embed of 08May1945."></object><a id="wp-block-file--media-a33cdf08-27ac-4a97-a660-f2a8fcf55058" href="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/08May1945.pdf">08May1945</a><a href="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/08May1945.pdf" class="wp-block-file__button wp-element-button" download aria-describedby="wp-block-file--media-a33cdf08-27ac-4a97-a660-f2a8fcf55058">Download</a></div>
<div>1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This would have been the attack described from the point of view of the 347th Regiment on page 11 <a href="https://87thinfantry.org/articles/1737159810/uploads/MassSurrender.pdf">of this document</a>, but it mentions that the 346th was also involved.</div><div>2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; CBI stands for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_Burma_India_Theater" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The China, Burma, India Theater</a>, but evidence shows that it was used by the soldiers in Europe as a term for the Japan/Pacific Theater as a whole</div>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">45</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Germany: May 1945</title>
		<link>https://donaldvtappan.net/germany-may-1945/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[dan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 May 1945 17:20:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Background]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Germany]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://donaldvtappan.net/?p=1352</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The following is the official &#8220;After Action Report&#8221; for the 346th Regiment, May 1945, from the 87th Infantry Archives]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The following is the official &#8220;After Action Report&#8221; for the 346th Regiment, May 1945, from the <a href="https://87thinfantry.org/archives/?tp=After%20Action%20Reports">87th Infantry Archives</a></p>



<div data-wp-interactive="core/file" class="wp-block-file"><object data-wp-bind--hidden="!state.hasPdfPreview" hidden class="wp-block-file__embed" data="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/After-Action-Reports-346th-May.pdf" type="application/pdf" style="width:100%;height:600px" aria-label="Embed of After-Action-Reports,-346th,-May."></object><a id="wp-block-file--media-ebde1eed-7ba2-4fe7-b1c0-53e62e1d91e3" href="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/After-Action-Reports-346th-May.pdf">After-Action-Reports,-346th,-May</a><a href="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/After-Action-Reports-346th-May.pdf" class="wp-block-file__button wp-element-button" download aria-describedby="wp-block-file--media-ebde1eed-7ba2-4fe7-b1c0-53e62e1d91e3">Download</a></div>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1352</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>April 19, 1945</title>
		<link>https://donaldvtappan.net/april-19-1945/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[dan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Apr 1945 18:58:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Background]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Germany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Letters]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Task Force Sundt]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://donaldvtappan.net/?p=1624</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[K Company was detached from Task Force Sundt on the 20th From the April &#8220;After Action Report&#8221; April 19, 1945Hello Folks, This will be another one of those little letters but it will let you hear from me just one day later. After a two day vacation I’m feeling pretty good. I’ve got more real [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>K Company was detached from Task Force Sundt on the 20th</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">From the April &#8220;After Action Report&#8221;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/1945/04/image.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="644" src="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/1945/04/image-1024x644.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2311" srcset="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/1945/04/image-1024x644.png 1024w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/1945/04/image-300x189.png 300w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/1945/04/image-768x483.png 768w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/1945/04/image-1536x967.png 1536w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/1945/04/image-1200x755.png 1200w, https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/1945/04/image.png 1554w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<pre class="wp-block-preformatted">April 19, 1945<br><br>Hello Folks,<br>   This will be another one of those little letters but it will let you hear from me just one day later. After a two day vacation I’m feeling pretty good. I’ve got more real rest these days than I usually get in three times as much time. I expect and feel that it has been too good to last much longer.<br>   One of the big reasons for this letter was to make a request. I thought of it just a little while after I had given last night’s letter to the mail clerk. I know that it will take a month to get here but if you send it first class mail it will help some on the time. What I want is a remedy for athlete’s foot. Now that the weather is warming up it’s beginning to give me some trouble again. I found the answer to my problem but I left it in my duffle bag. An army doctor recommended it to me and I got it in Columbia, S.C. The name of it is Whitefield’s Ointment. I got it in a Rexall drug store so you should be able to find it. It really does the work too.<br>   I had a happy experience a little while ago. For several days now I had thought that I had lost my new pen. I wasn’t going to say anything about it for a while though. Well we got in a bunch of clean clothes and I was taking everything out of my pockets. I just about jumped out of my shoes when I found the pen in the bottom of my left hand short pocket. It had fallen down underneath my new Testament. I had felt and felt in that pocket but I guess I had missed it.<br>   I expect that <a href="https://donaldvtappan.net/people#Willis">Dad</a> and <a href="https://donaldvtappan.net/people#James">Jim</a> will be out of school by the time you get this. How does <a href="https://donaldvtappan.net/people#Willis">the Principal</a> feel about his job by this time? Well happy vacation to you.<br>   Hope things are OK back there. I’ll be seeing you one of these times.<br>        Your son &amp; brother, <br>          Donald</pre>



<div data-wp-interactive="core/file" class="wp-block-file"><object data-wp-bind--hidden="!state.hasPdfPreview" hidden class="wp-block-file__embed" data="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/19Apr1945.pdf" type="application/pdf" style="width:100%;height:600px" aria-label="Embed of 19Apr1945."></object><a id="wp-block-file--media-84d978d3-66d1-423d-b6a5-fab6ebbab958" href="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/19Apr1945.pdf">19Apr1945</a><a href="https://donaldvtappan.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/19Apr1945.pdf" class="wp-block-file__button wp-element-button" download aria-describedby="wp-block-file--media-84d978d3-66d1-423d-b6a5-fab6ebbab958">Download</a></div>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1624</post-id>	</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
