In den letzen Tagen des zweiten Weltkrieges, 1945, geriet Groß Steinum zwischen die Mühlsteine der Mächte.
Die deutschen
Truppen, die - mißbraucht und irre geführt von politischen Kräften - einst Europa überrollt hatten, waren geschlagen. Der Krieg war nach Deutschland zurückgekehrt.
30th troops attacking into Braunschweiger on April 10th. M-4 tank with 76mm gun.
Amerikanische Truppen bei der Einnahme von Braunschweig Link zur Originalseite
Viele mutige Deutsche kämpften bis zur letzten Minute. Und es gab auch mutige Deutsche, die erkannten, wann diese Minute vorbei war.
Im Osten stand die Rote Armee bereits tief auf deutschem Boden. Im Westen standen die Amerikaner schon in
Mitteldeutschland und überrannten auf ihrem Weg Braunschweig. Am 12. April erreichen die amerikanischen Truppen Groß Steinum. Es beginnen verhängnisvolle Stunden. (Landkarte Groß Steinum)
Capt. Murray S. Pulver of Co. B, 120th IR describes this encounter in his book, "The Longest Year". Capt Pulver notes
how on the rapid advance east they closely followed the Recon unit. Moving by truck their mission was to be ready to put down any opposition. They disarmed soldiers and civilians by the
hundreds passed moving west. When German soldiers were seen running into the town of Gross Steinum, Col. Purdue sent men of Company G to check it out. Shortly they were seen marching a long
line of prisoners. When they were about half way to us shoots rang out. Two American soldiers fell dead. Civilians had assured the patrol leader of Co. G that no more German soldiers were
left in hiding. White flags had been displayed. When Col. Purdue heard of this treachery he ordered the village to be shelled with an attack to follow. The leaders of the village were warned
if this happened again the village would be leveled. We learned not to trust civilians or non armed German soldiers.
