12:00 - 03 February 2005
It was an e-mail from America that recruited
England's Nottingham City Hospital historian Paul Swift to join a campaign to
win recognition for a GI's wartime bravery. Andy Smart tells the
story in the Nottingham Evening Post.
The U.S. army surgeon may not have realized the man on his operating
table at the 184th General Hospital based at King's Mill near
Mansfield was a genuine hero.
Most of the men brought into the military hospital early in 1945
were suffering from shrapnel and bullet wounds, badges of courage
that proved they had seen some real action and at close quarters.
Lieutenant John M. Robinson of the 311th Regiment, 78th 'Lightning'
Infantry Division was suffering from a severe ruptured hernia,
hardly the most glamorous of combat injuries. What the surgeon,
Major Stern, did not know was that Lt. Robinson had displayed
remarkable courage.
It happened in the winter of 1944-45. The Allies had turned back
Hitler's final counter-offensive of the Second World War in the
bloody Battle of the Bulge.
The new year had dawned. Second Lt. 'Robbie' Robinson and around 40
men from B Company were part of a 78th Division attack aiming to
break through Hitler's famed Siegfried Line... 80 miles of
pillboxes, mines and tank traps, manned by the fanatical remnants of
the SS Panzer Division, fighting for the first time on their own
soil.
After three days and nights of constant attack and counter-attack,
floundering through two feet of snow, the GIs took the ground - but
the cost was high. Of those 40 men involved in the action, only
eight or nine survived. The sight of the dead and dying scattered
across the battlefield overwhelmed the young officer.
According to one of Robinson's men, Texan Ed Malouf: "He literally
'busted a gut' in personally evacuating between 16 and 18 wounded
and dead from the battlefield while under intense German fire.
Robinson evacuated even the dead at the risk of being killed himself
because, with all the artillery shells landing around, he didn't
want to have the dead sent back home in an unrecognizable
condition."
Time and again Lt. Robinson crawled across the snow-covered killing
ground, while under intense German artillery and small arms fire, to
drag dead and injured soldiers 200 meters back to the US lines. His
reward for this extraordinary display of bravery was a Bronze Star,
America's fourth highest medal for valor.
And for him, that was, more or less, the end of the story. He was
shipped to the UK for surgery at "a U.S. Army field hospital near
Nottingham, England" and then went home to Maryland where, now aged
82, he still lives today. He had no idea that during the intervening
decades Mr. Malouf had been trying to track him down.
That happened a few years ago when Mr. Malouf read a letter from his
former officer in The Flash, the magazine of the 78th Infantry
Division association. Mr. Malouf got in touch with him and was
shocked to learn that the best the U.S. Army could do to mark his
bravery was a Bronze Star.
"I became determined to rectify the situation," said Malouf, who
lives in Dallas. He wants Lt. Robinson's medal upgraded to a
Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest award behind the
Medal of Honor. "I am doing it because he deserves it. Robinson is
an extremely modest, compassionate, soft-spoken and humble
individual. He is also fearless and as tough as nails."
He also wants to confirm that Lt. Robinson had surgery for an injury
sustained during battle, qualifying Lt. Robinson for the Purple
Heart. That is how Nottingham City Hospital historian Paul Swift,
from Mapperley, was brought into the quest: an e-mail requesting
help in pinpointing the place where Lt. Robinson had surgery arrived
from America last year. All Lt. Robinson could remember was that he
was treated at the 184th General US military hospital somewhere near
Nottingham - 'Robin Hoodland', he later called it.
Lt. Robinson sent some wartime snaps of hospital buildings and
personnel to Paul Swift and, with the help of the Evening Post photo
library, he was able to confirm it was King's Mill at
Sutton-in-Ashfield, originally home to the 30th US General Hospital
and later taken over by the 184th.
The evidence is coming together but Mr. Swift says there is a
missing element. "The magic bullet is the signature of Major Stern
on the document that confirms Lt. Robinson's operation," he said.
Inquiries at King's Mill suggest that records were removed when the
Americans left in 1945 and are probably buried deep in the Pentagon
archives. And as it costs $1,500 to access Second World War
information, the price is prohibitive.
Mr. Swift has sent confirmation of the hospital details to Lt.
Robinson's congressman Wayne T. Gilchrest who has been asked to help
the campaign.
Kate Abey, the congressman's caseworker, said: "Regarding the Purple
Heart, I have testimony now from eye witnesses about Lt. Robinson's
injuries and actions under fire that caused the injury. What I need
are any of the actual records that show Lt. John Robinson was
transported from the field of battle during that particular time
frame to medical facility for injuries or wounds received, to the
particular hospital or field medical unit; his medical condition,
any treatment or procedures.
"I am hopeful, with the historical, official and photographic
documentation of the particular battle and the affidavits in the
petition, that the request (to upgrade the Bronze Star) will at last
prove successful. Do I think Lt. Robinson deserves it? Yes, most
certainly. He is so humble a gentleman.
"He wouldn't take the Purple Heart when he actually earned it. He
was in the hospital with a man who lost his leg and another who lost
his sight and didn't feel he 'deserved' it."
John Robinson is overwhelmed by the efforts, on both sides of the
Atlantic, to win him recognition he never thought of requesting.
"It's fantastic. When I told Ed Malouf I had got the Bronze Star he
said 'You were cheated. I am going to get you the real thing'. It
means more to me that he felt that way than actually getting a
medal. And for someone like Paul Swift, who I have never met, to do
so much is amazing."
Mr. Swift added: "It is possible someone locally may still have
information about the 184th at King's Mill. I would love to hear
from them.
"I am sure that Lt. Robinson deserves these awards. It was obviously
an extremely brave act."
Paul Swift can be contacted via Andy Smart at the Evening Post, or
e-mail p.swift7@ntlworld.com
Battle of the Bulge
Sixty years ago the last major battle of the Second World War
between the German and Allied armies was fought in the snow-covered
Ardennes forest. It began in December 1944 when the Germans launched
an attack with 250,000 men and 950 tanks aimed at breaking through
to the vital port of Antwerp and cutting the Allied forces in two. A
month later, the Germans had lost 120,000 men dead, wounded or
captured.
Allied dead totaled around 10,000 - 8,607 Americans and 1,400
British.
The U.S. also suffered more than 68,000 wounded/missing.
History records the battle was largely fought by American troops and
at its conclusion Winston Churchill declared it "a great American
victory". But veteran GI Ed Malouf of the 311th Regiment, 78th
Infantry Division, says: "It was a team victory. The British were
there too."
By January 28, the Germans were pushed back to their position before
the Battle of the Bulge. It was a defeat from which they would never
recover.
Comments
from Ed Malouf
One doesn't brag about how many
Germans one kills. But Robinson killed 40, with two wounded. Then he
was all over the battlefield,
checking on the men while the damn German artillery was dropping
like snowflakes. Colonel Doug Nash is writing a book about the
German 272nd, one of the German units involved. Robinson found one
of the doors of a German pill box left open. He lit a satchel
charge, opened the door, tossed it in, then closed the door. 18
Germans were killed, while four came out with their eyeballs hanging
out of their sockets. Two of them later died. Robinson then went out
to our right flank where he alone went there to hold off any German
counter attack from that direction. Then he organized an evacuation
party that carried 32-35 men off the battlefield. He himself carried
or dragged 16 to 18 man 200-plus yards to the Company command post.
It was through two feet of snow, and with the temperature around 17°
(f). Because of this he got a severe rupture, and himself had to be
evacuated. For this he was recommended (after he returned to our
unit from Nottingham Hospital) for the Bronze Star "V". Today, we
old "grunts" consider the Bronze Star as the equivalent to a
surprise toy from a Cracker Jack Box. It is disgusting. It's a long
story.
For over four years I have been
attempting to have my platoon commander's Bronze Star "V" (for
Valor) upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross. In addition he
also deserves the Purple Heart for his action in WW II while
participating in the Battle of the Bulge. The action took place at
the Northern anchor of the Bulge, southeast of Aachen, Germany. His
name: John M. Robinson, of Severna Park, Maryland. He still lives
there with his wife Lucia. Sixty years ago today he was recuperating
from a serious operation for what he received as a result of enemy
action. The operation took place at the 184th General Hospital in
Nottinghamshire, England. The story isn't finished yet, but hopes
abound that the U.S. Army will finally give the recognition that
Robinson deserves. Today, efforts are under way towards that goal.
I'm
forwarding a copy of an e-mail that I received this morning that was
written by Tom Vano to "Robbie", our 4th Platoon commander. Now I
find out that there were two of our 2nd platoon men who left behind
when we were relieved by "A" Company in that firefight near
Bickerath, Germany during the Battle of the Bulge. I asked Tom how
he got back to our lines. He said that he followed the tracks of our
tanks that they made when they left us there to forage for
ourselves. In that way he avoided the shu mines. So, that makes the
count of 10-11 men left of the Second platoon instead of the 8-9.
One of the "wasted" he refers to included an incident during the
fight where he had just started back to his foxhole as the Germans
started another counter attack. He was slipping along a trench when
he saw five of the enemy approaching through the snow. They were
bunched up together. (bad idea, and bad sentence structure on my
part. If they are "bunched up", they are "together"). Anyway, Tom
circled around to the left of the Germans, where he threw a grenade
at them. All of them fell, but one got back up. (Another bad idea,
but good sentence structure). Tom finished the job with his rifle.
The
official history of the 78th Division mentions this action by our
two platoons (70 men) in two sentences. The Regimental After Action
Report refers to it as a "demonstration". As a side comment to this
action I asked Lt. General Camm, "What happened to the 2,000 pounds
of explosives that were brought up to the Company Command Post (over
200 yards away from the troop shelter)? They were to be used to blow
up the pill box. General Camm told me that they couldn't get in to
the pill box. One tank dozier had blocked one entrance. I don't know
about the other door, if there was one. I didn't get closer than 60
yards from the pill box. If we had had more officers like General
ACM, who was at that time a captain commanding "C' Company of the
303rd Engineers, I wouldn't have had to bother those who have helped
me so much to get "Robbie" what he deserves. Gus Hank received the
Silver Star, but he also deserved a higher award. Gus died in July
2001. He was wounded by our own artillery. One what you might call a
"humorous" happening was when Hank was on top of a tank where he was
directing their fire. One of his men yelled to him, "Hey,
lieutenant, your field jacket is on fire". Hank jumped off the tank
and rolled in the snow to put it out. It seems that a German bullet
had gone up his right sleeve, and struck a package of matches that
he carried in his pocket. It is a wonder that both platoon
commanders were not killed in that operation.
I want to
thank Tom Vano of the second platoon for his writing to my platoon
commander. It reinforces my opinion of those two officers, and I
sincerely believe that our entire company would wholeheartedly agree
with Tom and me.
Let me
reiterate that I could never gone this far in seeking recognition
for "Robbie" without the help of many of you. And to Kathy Abey our
"Mother Hen" in Congressman Wayne Gilchrest's office, and to
Congressman Gilchrest himself I say," God bless you for taking up
my, no, our cause. I am under no illusion that the Army Awards Unit
could refuse to approve of the upgrade of the Bronze Star "V", and
the Purple Heart recommendation. Should that happen, we old "Willie
and Joe grunts" would say, "You can lead an Army mule to water, but
you can't make him drink". I'll close with that rather brilliantly
emotional observation.
Comments
from Tom Vano
The
following is the message sent by Tom Vano to "Robbie"
Dear
Robbie,
I recently rekindled my friendship with Ed Malouf of Dallas, Texas,
who informed me of your action in combat January 3-5, 1945. I
admire his devoted concern for your award upgrade.
He opened my mind to some incredible recollections. I can remember
realistically your face and physical motions as though it were
yesterday. Not only in combat, but in training at Camp Pickett,
Virginia. You were one tough cookie! Very much respected by our
group.
As an 18-yr. old we looked up to you, as well as Lt. Gus Hank, as
someone we would want to be near when in combat. We looked up to
you and you gave us the feeling and confidence that you would
protect us no matter what, although I realize now you were a young
man yourself. I was not at all surprised as Ed Malouf explained it
of your concern for your men as it was always very apparent.
I did not see your actions of evacuating all those men as I was left
behind when word did not reach me and Rehms. What I do vividly
remember was the night of a horrific counter-attack by the Germans
when I wasted several of them. You appeared as big as life from my
foxhole as you were checking on us and getting a head count. You
were busy running around although shell and small arms fire were in
abundance.
I remember admiring your guts, toughness and concern as some of us
were huddled in our foxholes. Thank you for your concern and in
giving us confidence to continue well past the Remagen Bridge. You
are much more deserving than an upgrade.
There is no way we can ever repay you. I thank the Lord for our
being here and able to talk about those nightmarish events. Thank
you and God Bless. Stay well!
Warmest Regards,
Tom Vano
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