Memoirs of a Combat Infantryman by an Enemy Alien
by
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PROLOGUE My primary purpose in generating this brief documentary is to offer my children and grandchildren a better idea of what took place in World War II to insure their freedom. It was always difficult to discuss in detail the events, which led to our victory. My personal minuscule contribution toward that end serves as a reminder that it did not come that easy. Chapter 1 BACKGROUND I was born in 1924 in a small town in Bavaria, Germany. The community's population consisted of about 2000 people, approximately one half Catholic and one half Protestant, intermingled with about a dozen Jewish families. The one and only road weaved through the middle of the town where a Catholic and a Protestant church, one on each side of the road, faced each other. The town had electricity which was quite a luxury then. Conversely, there was no running water. It had to be pumped out of strategically located wells, into eight to ten gallon buckets. They were filled and lugged by the town's women, strapped to their back like a backpack. No woman ever filled the bucket full, or she had to walk very, very slowly in order not to get an unwelcome backwash. There was no movie house or other entertainment except occasional dances, which could explain why everybody had large families. My father had become a butcher under the tutelage of his oldest brother, who was twenty years his senior. After serving a stringent apprenticeship he became a master butcher. That entitled him to slaughter a variety of animals and qualified him as a bonafide bologna maker. Shortly after he married my mother they moved to a small town and took over a "Gasthaus", (pub/restaurant), which included the butcher business. He was drafted into submarine duty in WWI at the age of nineteen. He rarely talked about the war but once when I was older he told me that the only action they were involved with during his two year tour of duty, was chasing a Swedish fishing boat without ever catching up with it. When the war ended, the Captain, apparently a frustrated, super Prussian patriot, suggested that they blow themselves up and go down in glory, rather than turn the U-boat over to England. Dad said their fearless leader was lucky to escape with his life since the crew was ready to kill him. They were all glad the war was over so they could go home to their families.
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About the Book
Eric Diller’s book represents a personal experience of what a combat infantryman must endure to survive. It also serves to honor his comrades... those dead and those alive. His children and grandchildren will better understand what WWII veterans achieved to insure their freedom. It further demonstrates the love Mr. Diller has for his family and his country.
About the Author
Eric Diller fought for his American citizenship – literally. Born in Germany of a Catholic father and a Jewish mother, his family was forced to escape the wrath of Hitler. While in high school in Brooklyn, New York, Pearl Harbor was attacked. He volunteered for the Navy and was turned down for lack of citizenship. Upon graduation, he was inducted in the U.S. Army and ENEMY ALIEN was stamped on his Army records. Citizenship was promised within ninety days. It didn't happen. After Basic Training, his next stop was in New Guinea and the Philippine Islands for eighteen months of almost continuous combat as an infantryman. He survived the war with an assortment of medals and malaria. Mr. Diller was sworn in and became a citizen the day before his honorable discharge. He cherishes that as one of the proudest moments in his life. Taking advantage of the GI Bill, he earned an Engineering degree and contributed toward NASA's Space Program. Upon retiring from an active work force, his most cherished comment has been, "I am so proud to have served my country and to be an American."