Category Archives: In his words

Letter Home – July 14, 1945 (with audio)

[sc_embed_player_template1 fileurl=”https://70yearsago.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/19450714-Last-letter.mp3″] Dear Mother & Dad; Well the time has come and I’m coming home. We are to leave the company the 17th of July, and within about three weeks I should be home and a civilian. Now don’t get … Continue reading

Posted in 1945, In his words, Letters | Comments Off on Letter Home – July 14, 1945 (with audio)

Eagles Nest, Hitlers Tea House

This day, Chick also continued up the mountain to the ‘Eagles Nest’.   The Kehlsteinhaus was a chalet-style structure erected on a sub-peak of the Hoher Göll. It was built as an extension of the Obersalzberg complex erected in the mountains above … Continue reading

Posted in 1945, In his words | Tagged , | Comments Off on Eagles Nest, Hitlers Tea House

Color Postcard Photos of Hitler’s Home – The Berghof

Chick was some of the first to visit Hitler’s home near Berchtesgaden. The Berghof was located on a plateau called the Obersalzberg which is on the route to the top of the Kehlstein, the mountain where Hitler’s tea house, called … Continue reading

Posted in 1945, In his words | Tagged | Comments Off on Color Postcard Photos of Hitler’s Home – The Berghof

Dachaw Concentration Camp (audio)

During this day, April 29, 1945, Chick Bruns visited Dachaw Concentration Camp. Only officers were allowed cameras so Chick gave his camera to the officer accompanying him.  This audio clip was from an interview with his son John. [sc_embed_player_template1 fileurl=”https://70yearsago.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Dachow-1945.mp3″] … Continue reading

Posted in 1945, In his words | Tagged , | Comments Off on Dachaw Concentration Camp (audio)

Hospital Visit for Chick

At the end of February, Chick developed ‘Yellow Jaundice’ and ended up in the Hospital in Nancy, France. Here is his account of his journey. [sc_embed_player_template1 fileurl=”https://70yearsago.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/194502-Jaundice-Nancy-France.mp3″]

Posted in 1945, In his words | Tagged , | Comments Off on Hospital Visit for Chick

Reconnaissance Plane Runway

The 10th engineers built a runway for a reconnaissance plane in an open field out of board planks.  Although Chick doesn’t mention it in his diary, the images speak for themselves.  During an interview in 2014, I asked dad about … Continue reading

Posted in 1945, In his words | Comments Off on Reconnaissance Plane Runway

Chick Bruns featured as ‘Home Town Hero’ on WCIA, Champaign, IL

Posted in In his words | Comments Off on Chick Bruns featured as ‘Home Town Hero’ on WCIA, Champaign, IL

Messina Beer Run

Chick talks about the invasion of Sicily in July of 1943 and how going after water turned into a beer run in Messina. Filmed 2007 at the studios of WILL, University of Illinois as part of the “WWII Central Illinois … Continue reading

Posted in 1943, In his words | Comments Off on Messina Beer Run

A ‘Bridge to the Sky’

Chick talks about the invasion of Sicily in July of 1943 and how the 10th Engineers built a ‘Bridge to the Sky’ at Point Calava, Sicily that was reported on by Ernie Pyle. Filmed 2007 at the studios of WILL, … Continue reading

Posted in 1943, In his words | 1 Comment

10th Engineers embedded with the infantry

Chick talks more about Sicily and how the 10th Engineers were embedded with the Infantry. Filmed 2007 at the studios of WILL, University of Illinois as part of the “WWII Central Illinois Stories” series

Posted in 1943, In his words | Comments Off on 10th Engineers embedded with the infantry