The anonymous note that Jim Dolmage received in December 2003 included a long newspaper clipping describing the battle at Tilly, its aftermath, and the experience of one of the prisoners taken there. There was nothing in the clipping to indicate the publication nor the subject of the interview, but Jim learned later that these were the recollections of Corporal John MacLean, in his words; and so we’ve transcribed them here. John is mistaken about the date as it was August 2nd this event happened.
Before the light of day on August 4, 1944, a patrol from another company had gone some distance into enemy territory and returned without contact. Later that same morning, before daylight, our patrol was sent into the same area. Evidently, the previous patrol had been spotted by the Germans. The Germans followed the patrol and moved in and set up machine gun positions. When our patrol came along, the Germans allowed the lead section to pass them unharmed before opening fire. At the same time the lead section had passed the German guns, we had received orders to return to our lines.
Before the light of day on August 4, 1944, a patrol from another company had gone some distance into enemy territory and returned without contact. Later that same morning, before daylight, our patrol was sent into the same area. Evidently, the previous patrol had been spotted by the Germans. The Germans followed the patrol and moved in and set up machine gun positions. When our patrol came along, the Germans allowed the lead section to pass them unharmed before opening fire. At the same time the lead section had passed the German guns, we had received orders to return to our lines.
Continue reading “Corporal John MacLean’s story”
