World War II: West Meets East
February 24, 2011
Posted in 358th Infantry, 90th Infantry Division, Bootprints, Hobert Winebrenner, World War II
Tags: 358th Infantry, 90th Infantry Division, Bootprints, Hobert Winebrenner, World War II
Summer 1945 saw World War II draw to a close across Northern Europe. Allied troops simultaneously squeezed German forces from both fronts. As the vise tightened, impromptu meetings of East and West occurred throughout occupied Germany and Czechoslovakia. Perhaps most notable is the meeting of leaders, Stalin, Churchill and Truman, at the Potsdam Conference, where they decided how to re-map Europe.
Myself, I prefer stories from front-line soldiers. Sgt. Hobert Winebrenner and his unit, the 3rd Battalion, 358th Infantry, 90th Infantry Division, met up with their Russian counterparts at Kasejovice, Czechoslovakia in May 1945. Winebrenner admitted that at first, the scene was jubilant, with both sides celebrating an Allied victory together. The festive occasion produced one of my absolute favorite pictures from World War II. Take a look, and read more on the meeting in BOOTPRINTS.
West Meets East: Members of the 3rd Battalion, 358th Infantry, 90th Infantry Division, celebrate an Allied victory with Russian comrades at Kasejovice, Czechoslovakia - May 1945. Front Row Seated: Sgt. Charles Walsh - Worcester, MA (far left), Heebner - Chicago, IL (second from left). Middle Row Standing: Charlie Hensel - OK (far right), Sgt. Jackson - CA (second from right), Lt. Sam McElroy - Covington, KY (third from right). Third Row Seated on Truck Bed: Sgt. Hobert Winebrenner - Albion, IN (far right), Al Manescalhi - Chicago, IL (second from right). Top Row: Joseph Stalin (middle).
Lt. Sam McElroy is my Father and he was from Morganfield, KY. He died in 2004. He ended up as a Captain during the occupation and was an aide to General Ernst.
I think it was Brig General Earnest. Instead of Ernst.
My father was Lt. Sam McElroy, . in the picture. How can I get a copy of the picture?
Hello James and Sam,
Thanks for the comment. I just emailed you both a copy of the original pic. We’d love to hear more about your father, Lt. Sam McElroy. Did he talk much about his time with the 358th Infantry?
My Uncle was Jack Heebner, Tommy his grandson has replied before. Anyway we can get a copy of the picture? Also has anyone been to the actual site? I will be in Czech republic, Prague, this week.
Thanks,
Warren Sloan
My Grandfather is Jack Heebner in the bottom left corner of the picture. He passed a couple years ago and I found this webpage shortly thereafter. I have a copy of bootprints, but would realy love a copy of the picture if possible,
My Great Uncle was Joe A. Longo. He was a member of 3rd Battalion 358th Infantry but died of wounds somewhere along the way to Berlin. I have a hand written letter with the envelope that he sent home on Dec 14th 1943, it was Christmas before what would be D-day and he wasn’t sure if he would be going to Japan or Europe. I’d like to know more about him.